Debates of 27 Mar 2009

MADAM SPEAKER
PRAYERS 12:20 p.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 12:20 p.m.
  • [The Votes and Proceedings of 26/03/09 were corrected. There were no corrections to the Official Reports of 18/03/09 and 20/03/09.]
    • BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 12:30 p.m.
    Majority Leader/Chairman of the Business Committee (Mr. A. S. K. Bagbin) 12:30 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I stand to present the Business Statement for the First Week of the Second Meeting.
    Rt. Hon Speaker, the Committee met yesterday, Thursday, 26th March 2009 and arranged Business of the House for the First Week of the Second Meeting ending Friday, 29th May, 2009.
    Rt. Hon Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows:
    Arrangement of Business
    Papers and Reports
    Rt. Hon Speaker, Papers and Reports may be presented to the House for consideration.
    Majority Leader/Chairman of the Business Committee (Mr. A. S. K. Bagbin) 12:50 p.m.
    Rt. Hon Speaker may allow Statements duly admitted to be made in the House.
    Questions
    Rt. Hon Speaker, Questions which have been admitted would be programmed for the various Ministers to respond to them.
    And let me emphasise here that we are going to stick strictly according to the provisions of the Standing Orders and we expect that Ministers should appear before this House to answer Questions on time. We do not want Questions to go stale.

    Motions and Resolutions

    Rt. Hon Speaker, motions may

    be debated and their consequential Resolutions, if any, taken during the week.

    Parliamentary Calendar

    Rt. Hon. Speaker, the Business Committee in consultation with your goodself, has prepared a Parliamentary Calendar for the year 2009. Rt. Hon Speaker, the said calendar has been attached to the Business Statement.

    Madam Speaker, I must apologise for not discussing it with you as intended. Because of the pressure of work we should have discussed the proposed calendar with you before presenting it to the House. But it is proposed that, looking at other commitments of the House, particularly international conferences that this House is compelled to attend, the Businesses that are urgent which we have not been able to complete, like the nominations that are before us which the Appointments Committee would have to consider during the recess and other matters, we think and

    we propose that the House reconvenes on the 26th of May, 2009 for the Second Meeting.

    Rt. Hon Speaker, on my behalf and

    on behalf of the Business Committee and Leadership, I wish to express appreciation to your goodself and Hon Members for your high sense of duty and dedication during the Meeting. Rt. Hon Speaker, it is hoped Hon Members will return from the recess fully renewed to discharge their respective roles as representatives of the people.

    Rt. Hon Speaker, as Hon Members are

    aware, the House will rise sine die today Friday, 27th March 2009.

    Outstanding Business

    Rt. Hon Speaker, as Hon Members may be aware, some of the nominations of H.E. the President for Deputy Ministerial appointments have not been considered by the House. As we proceed on recess, the Rt. Hon Speaker may, if deemed fit, recall the House to consider the outstanding Business in accordance with Standing Order 42 (3).

    Conclusion

    Madam Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 160 (2) and subject to Standing Order 53, the Committee submits to this honourable House the order in which the Business of the House shall be taken during the week.

    Questions

    Statements

    Laying of Papers

    Motions

    Committee Sittings

    Questions

    Statements

    Laying of Papers

    Motions

    Committee Sittings

    Questions

    Statements

    Laying of Papers

    Motions

    Committee Sittings

    Questions

    Statements

    Laying of Papers

    Motions

    Committee Sittings.

    The next document attached is the proposed Parliamentary Calendar --

    2009.
    PARLIAMENTARY CALENDAR 12:50 p.m.
    Madam Speaker 12:50 p.m.
    Yes, actually Hon Member, I had a copy earlier on and he told me he would come and discuss it but I did have that copy and I had looked at it, so when I looked into today's business of the House, it was the same and I had no objection but if I would admit, he had given me a copy. Hon Leader, is that not so? That you gave me a copy two days ago -- otherwise, I would have discussed it --
    Mr. Bagbin 12:50 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, thank you very much. That is why I apologized for not doing the consultation, but in the Report of the Business Committee, it is clearly stated that it is with the authority of the Speaker, but because of pressure of business, we could not do that. So you have a case, but as Madam Speaker stated, she has a copy and if she had had any objection, maybe, we would have received it. I am most grateful for the support.
    Madam Speaker 12:50 p.m.
    Any other com- ments? If not, the Business Statement as presented is adopted.
    CONSIDERATION OF ANNUAL 12:50 p.m.
    ESTIMATES 12:50 p.m.
    Madam Speaker 12:50 p.m.
    Hon Members, the debate on this motion has been concluded.
    Question put and motion agreed to.
    Resolved:
    That this honourable House approves the sum of GH¢4,562,-859.00 for the services of the Ministry of Transport for the 2009 fiscal year.
    Madam Speaker 12:50 p.m.
    Once again, Hon Members, the debate on this motion has been concluded. I shall now put the Question.
    Question put and motion agreed to.
    Resolved: That this honourable House approves the sum of GH¢202,629,307.00 for the services of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for the 2009 fiscal year.
    ANNUAL ESTIMATES 1 p.m.
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 1 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I feel compelled to comment on this matter even though the Hon Majority
    Ministry of Justice
    Motion:
    That this honourable House appro- ves the sum of GH¢15,006,817.00 for the services of the Ministry of Justice for the 2009 fiscal year.
    Madam Speaker 1 p.m.
    Hon Members, the debate on this has been concluded. I shall now put the Question.
    Question put and motion agreed to.
    Resolved:
    That this honourable House approves the sum GH¢15,006,817.00 for the services of the Ministry of Justice for the 2009 fiscal year.
    Madam Speaker 1 p.m.
    Hon Members, the debate on this motion has also been concluded, and I shall now put the Question.
    Question put and motion agreed to.
    Resolved:
    That this honourable House appro- ves the sum of GH¢1,418,654,946.00
    for the services of the Ministry of Education for the 2009 fiscal year.
    Madam Speaker 1 p.m.
    Hon Members the debate on this motion has been concluded. I shall now put the Question.
    Question put and motion agreed to.
    Resolved:
    That this honourable House approves the sum of GH¢13,190,099.00 for the services of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture for the 2009 fiscal year.
    Madam Speaker 1 p.m.
    Hon Members, we move to item 12. Hon Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, you may move the motion number 12 on the Order Paper.
    Mr. Bagbin 1 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I think that item should be moved by the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, for and on behalf of the President. We have had the Judiciary insisting that they are not under the Ministry of Justice. And we have handled it; and that is what led to the creation of the Committee on Judiciary.
    So because of the difficulty, we have now and in fact, committed the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning to some urgent Business of the
    House; he is not at present available on the floor to move motion numbers 12, 13, 14, 15 and the remaining motions.
    In the circumstances, I will have to plead with Madam Speaker, and crave the indulgence of the House for us to have a short break -- to suspend Sitting for 30 minutes so that the Hon Minister will be here himself to move these motions, and for us to move to take the Appropriation Bill. I hope that Hon Members will make themselves available because the Hon Minister is actually not available now because of the interest of Hon Members of this House.
    Madam Speaker, so I pray that we take
    Madam Speaker 2:15 p.m.
    Hon Members, the House is suspended for 30 minutes.
    Thank you.
    The Sitting was suspended at 12.52 p.m.

    Sitting resumed.
    ANNUAL ESTIMATES 2:15 p.m.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr. A. S. K. Bagbin) 2:15 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I beg to second the motion and in doing so, present the Report of the Special Budget Committee which considered the Budget Estimates for the Office of Parliament in-cluding Parliament itself -- the Legislature.
    1.0 Introduction
    The Minister for Finance and Economic Planning on Thursday, 5th March, 2009 presented the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2009 financial year to
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr. A. S. K. Bagbin) 2:15 p.m.
    The Committee met with the Clerk to Parliament and officials of the Parliamen- tary Service and discussed the estimates for Parliament.
    The Committee wishes to express its gratitude to the Clerk and officials who acknowledged its invitation and attended upon it.
    2.0 Reference Documents
    The following documents were used by the Committee as reference materials:
    The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
    The Standing Orders of the House.
    The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2009 Financial Year.
    The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2008 Financial Year.
    3.0 Mission Statement
    The Parliament of Ghana exists to perform efficiently in the passage of laws, satisfy the needs of the public, be more independent financially and in exercising oversight; and the Parliamentary Service shall facilitate the work of Parliament, enhance its dignity and adequately inform the public on the activities of Parliament. In fulfilment of the above mission, Parliament has carved five (5) strategic goals to be pursued;

    Improve the performance and management of Parliament's legislative functions;

    Enhance Parliament's repre- sentational functions by making it more relevant to the needs of the public;

    Improve and strengthen Parliament's oversight of the Executive and other branches of government;

    Strengthen systems for the delivery of services by Parliament and the Parliamentary Service, develop human resources, and improve the physical, logistical and information technology assets of Parliament to sustain and transform service delivery.

    These strategic goals are to be realized through the implementation of the following objectives:

    Facilitate the business of Parliament through provision of adequate facilities;

    Improve the performance and management of Parliament's legislative functions through institutional strengthening;

    Strengthen committees of Parlia- ment by the provision of adequate resources to enhance service delivery; Faci l i ta te publ ic input in to Parliament's business by extending the reach of Parliament to regions, districts and constituencies;

    Equip staff and MPs with relevant knowledge and skills through training and development for effective and efficient delivery;

    Transform service delivery by the provision of adequate policies, processes and logistics to Parlia- ment; and

    Strengthen Parliament's relations with the public and international body poli t ic through public engagement and international partnership.

    4.0 Performance in 2008

    The following achievements, among others, were recorded during the year under review:

    Parliament held a total of 138 Sittings of the House and 280 committee sittings.

    Twenty-seven (27) Bills, fifty- five (55) Legislative Instruments and forty-one (41) national and international agreements, among others, were considered and passed.

    As a member of Parliamentary Associations and other Inter- Parliamentary Groups, Parliament for the period was well represented in a number of activities organized by these institutions.

    Four Parliamentary Resource Centres were also established as part of efforts to bring Parliament closer to the public.

    A number of outreach programmes were also organized in some selected regions with the objective of educating the citizenry about the work of Parliament.

    A number of infrastructural de- velopments were undertaken to

    improve the working conditions of Parliament. These included:

    first phase of the conversion of the GNTC block of flats into committee rooms;

    construction of a 3-storeyed office complex which com- menced in 2003 is about 80 per cent complete;

    renovation works on the Cham- ber Block is almost completed;

    Functional training was organized in the course of the year to upgrade the knowledge and skills of staff of the Service. Also a number of MPs attended a number of internship and benchmarking programmes as part of efforts to improve on their capacity.

    5.0 Outlook for 2009

    Parliament will continue to perform its legislative and oversight responsibilities by undertaking the following activities:

    Continue to hold plenary and committee sittings to deliver on its legislative functions;

    Participate in activities of inter- national parliamentary associations and other inter-parliamentary groups as well as pay subscriptions to international affiliated bodies; Rehabilitate and refurbish the Speaker's Block and complete the construction of the 3-storeyed office complex as well as commence the second phase of the renovation works on the GNTC block of flats;

    Procure vehicles and office equip- ment for committee activities and for the Parliamentary Service;
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr. A. S. K. Bagbin) 2:25 p.m.
    Continue rehabilitation work on the conversion of the Tower Block (Job 600) into offices for MPs;
    Rehabilitate the Chamber Block and computerize the Chamber to digitise the production of the daily Hansard;
    Initiate the process for the establish- ment of 230 constituency and six parliamentary resource centres;
    Host the CWP/CPA sub-regional conference during the year.
    6.0 The 2009 Budget Estimates
    To enable Parliament carry out its planned programmes for the 2009 financial year, a total amount of GH¢ 29,726,273 has been allocated to Parliament as follows:
    Comparative Allocation for 2009 and
    2008
    7.0 Observations
    7 . 1 I n a d e q u a t e P. E . a n d Administration Allocation
    The Committee noted that Parliament's expenditure in 2008 for Items 1 and 2 was
    discharge most of its activities supported by Item 2.
    7.2 Service Allocation
    The service allocation saw a marginal increase from GH¢5,103,996 in 2008 to GH¢5,420,444, an increase of GH¢316,448. Given that Parliament is primarily a service- oriented organization and imperative for Parliament to improve on its oversight functions, it is the view of the Committee that the amount allocated for service is far inadequate.
    7.3 Loan for Rehabilitation of “Job 600”
    Parliament through the Government secured a loan of US$24 million from SSNIT and a grant of US$4 million from the Chinese Government for the rehabilitation of the Job 600 project.
    The Committee was informed that Parliament was yet to draw-down on this facility. Parliament indicated that the delay in drawing on the facility was because Parliament needed to determine the integrity of the structure and also to determine whether the project should be implemented by Parliament or by the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing on behalf of Parliament.
    The Committee recommends that Parliament should take urgent steps to ensure the early commencement of the project in order to address the acute office accommodation needs of MPs and staff.
    7.4 Power of the Purse
    The Committee raised concerns over Parliament's inability to exert its influence on allocations made in the budget in fulfilment of its control of the purse. It was the view of Members that the inability of Parliament to determine budgetary

    allocations to various MDAs undermines Parliament's power of the purse.

    The Committee, therefore, urges the Minister to appreciate the pivotal role of Parliament as a branch of the three arms of Government and make appropriate provision for Items 2 and 3 to enable the Legislative function effectively.

    The Committee therefore recommends that Parliament should effectively engage the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning at the inception stages of the budget process, particularly at the point where budget ceilings are given to MDAs.

    7.5 Procurement of a Bus

    The Committee noted that Parliament has made provision of GH¢40,000 for the procurement of a bus for Parliamentary outreach and oversight activities. It is the view of the Committee that this amount would be inadequate for the intended purpose. Members noted with concern that Parliament has no luxury coach for Parliamentary visits. Members were informed that a recommendation was made last year for the procurement of two luxury coaches for outreach and oversight activities but this could not be realized.

    The Committee therefore recommends that Parliament should review its invest- ment budget and make adequate provision for the procurement of one luxury coach.

    8.0 Conclusion

    The Committee, after careful examina- tion of the draft estimates, recommends to the House to approve the sum of twenty- nine million, seven hundred and twenty- six thousand, two hundred and seventy- three Ghana cedis (GH¢29,726,273) for Parliament for the 2009 financial year.

    Respectfully submitted.

    GH¢12,640,200 and GH¢7,800,000 respectively, a total of GH¢20,440,200. The 2009 allocation for the two items on the other hand is GH¢13,529,983 (P.E.), and GH¢3,524,475

    (Admin), a total of GH¢17,054,458. The 2009 allocation represents a reduction of GH¢3, 385,742 or 17 per cent.

    The Committee was informed that the salary-related allowance component of the administration vote has been hived off from Item 2 and placed under Item 1 in anticipation of the single-spine salary structure.

    A comparison of the 2008 expenditure and the 2009 allocation however revealed that, whereas there has been a drastic reduction in the administration vote for 2009, there has been a slight increase in

    the P. E. vote. It was further noted that the salaries of MPs are consolidated and therefore the salary-related allowance component is in respect of the staff of the Parliamentary Service which is marginal.

    It is, therefore, the considered view of the Committee that the over 50 per cent reduction in administration vote for Parliament is not commensurate with the increase in the P.E. The P.E. budget did not also incorporate recommendations made pursuant to article 71 of the 1992 Constitution. The P.E. allocation will therefore be inadequate for the year. Parliament will also not be able to

    Madam Speaker, apart from the programme outlined by the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning in moving the motion, the institution of Parliament is expected during the 2009 financial year to procure vehicles and office equipment for committee activities and for the Parliamentary Service. We would need to get vehicles for committees to perform a lot of activities, particularly the function of oversight and scrutiny of the actions, projects and programmes of Government.

    Madam Speaker, this year's budget, definitely, is an improvement on last year's budget but in the case of administration, we have had to get a reduction and it would be the duty of Madam Speaker and the Leadership of the House to make sure that we rationalize the use of funds in this House. And Madam Speaker, as you know, we are committed to doing so.

    Madam Speaker, we also, in the consideration of the budget recognised that the loan for the rehabilitation of the “Job 600” was not captured in the Budget presented by the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning and therefore, have drawn attention to it in our Report. We will be capturing it in the Appropriation Bill for the House and the Minister will then follow suit to rectify the records that are available at the Ministry.

    This loan was procured, I think about two years ago and for technical reasons, we have not been able to utilise it to complete the rehabilitation of the “Job 600”, converting them into offices and committee rooms, libraries and kitchen facilities, restaurant and other facilities for Parliament and Members of Parliament.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr. A. S. K. Bagbin) 2:25 p.m.


    We will want to once again draw the attention of not just Hon Members but the nation to the fact that this House is the controller of the purse. It is this House that mandates Government to collect revenue by passing laws on taxation. It is this House that approves all the budgetary provisions to enable the Executive and the Judiciary, together with Parliament to have access to resources to run government machinery.

    It is important that in this function, we also continue to make sure that the moneys that we generate and the moneys that we approve are utilised for the purpose for which we approve them in this House and that is why we are trying as much as possible to strengthen -- [Interruption] -- I have called on the Hansard Office to capture it and then I am now adding to it. I think that it is important we highlight this function of the House so that we can be strengthened, to at least, deepen our function of oversight.

    We have been commended highly for the legislative function but we are also sometimes criticised bitterly for the lack of oversight. And I think that we need to do that as a House.

    Madam Speaker, we realised that there is an urgent need for us to procure a bus for outreach programmes and as I said, oversight activities. We realised a provision of GH¢40,000.00 has been put in the budget for that purpose. But we believe that provision is on the low side and we will be knocking at the door of the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning to look favourably in that direction for us to get a coach that could be used by committees to do their activities.

    Madam Speaker, it is with this that I second the motion that this House approves the sum of GH¢29,726,273.00 for Parliament for the 2009 fiscal year.

    Question proposed.
    Prof. G. Y. Gyan-Baffour (NPP - Wenchi) 2:25 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I also rise in support of the motion that this honourable House approves the sum of GH¢29,726,273.00 for the services of Parliament for the 2009 fiscal year.
    Madam Speaker, it is very true as the Majority Leader said, that there has been an improvement in the allocation of last year. But Madam Speaker, last year's allocation was GH¢29,430,814 and this year's allocation is GH¢29,726,273, an improvement of one percentage point, which, to me, is no improvement at all considering the fact that the Minister admits that inflationary rate is about 18 per cent.
    If you increase it by one per cent, we are short by about 17 per cent even at last year's level. So Madam Speaker, first of all, I think the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning should look upon us to ensure that at least, we get that 17 per cent to top up for this year.
    Madam Speaker, on a more serious note, the personal emoluments (P.E.) for 2008 was GH¢12.6 million. The P.E. for this year is GH¢13.5 million, yes, an improvement but the administration for this year has gone down from GH¢7.8 last year to GH¢3.5. I think the idea here is that, maybe, they have moved all the salary-related expenditure in Item 2 to Item 1 and maybe, that is why we have seen that small increase.
    But in actual fact, even though it is not enough as it was last year , Parliament -- [Interruptions] -- The allocations that come here under Item 1, since most of us, virtually all of us, in the House are under article 71, there is no salary-related
    Prof. G. Y. Gyan-Baffour (NPP - Wenchi) 2:25 p.m.


    expenditure in Item 2. It is already in Item 1. So if you are saying because of that you are reducing the expenditure in Item 2, it means that we may not be able to pay the salaries of Members of Parliament because theirs is in Item 1.

    So that reduction across board from administration to P.E. does not apply to Parliament and therefore, the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning maybe, will at least, have to bring us to the level of last year and then bring it up a little to ensure that the salary-related allowances in administration are paid in the year.
    Mr. Owusu-Agyemang 2:25 p.m.
    On a point of order. Madam Speaker, I need a bit of guidance because I am getting a bit confused. This is the budget for Parliament. When the Majority Leader was seconding it, he said the Minister in preparing the budget, and the Ranking Member said maybe, they had moved from administration to P.E. So it looks as if this House was not involved in the preparation of the budget. I do not understand what is happening.
    So I want a clarification from the Leadership. Who prepared the budget, at least, the draft one for this House? Who did it? If you do not and he does not know, why should the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning -- So please, let us clarify the point because he said that when the Minister was preparing the budget, he forgot to capture the GH¢24 million from SSNIT. He forgot, not that you forgot and so we have a difficulty.
    That is why yesterday the distin- guished Minority Leader was saying that if you do not have a Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, you run into all manner of problems. Now, it looks as if somebody has prepared our budget for us and then we come hear and everybody is saying “maybe”, “maybe”. We cannot work on “maybe”. We want to work on the positive, not on normative.
    So Madam Speaker, he has to explain this to us as a point of order.
    Prof. Gyan-Baffour 2:35 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, the Office of Parliament prepares its budget and submits it to the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning. What comes here is what the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning actually approves. Yes, we have amended that law; I mean we have actually come with a law that will allow us to go direct to the Presidency with the President's comment on it, but that has not been operationalised. So as at now, it is not that law that we are using for this particular budget. Maybe, next year we can use that.
    But even Madam Speaker, that arrangement, to me, with the Judicial Service and with the Audit Service, go to the President without approval and the President cannot comment on them so I think we have to relook at it because the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning has some constraints in terms of how much he can pay.
    So if you say that we should send our budget to the President and the President cannot say anything -- bring it to Parliament -- we cannot tell the President that we want everything and the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning agrees.
    Again, if even it can be done, it should be done well before the budget is drawn because once it gets to the House here, it is a done deal, it is not something that we can increase.
    So maybe, next year, if we are to operationalise it, we have to do it at the time that Parliament is meeting the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning; it should have gone through the

    President's Office before that time so that the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning can actually effect it.

    So Madam Speaker, I think the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning needs to look at our P.E. and administration as different from that of others who will really be on the single spine where the administration figures can be put into Item 1.

    Having said that, Madam Speaker, I think what the Hon Majority Leader was referring to was that, this US$24 million is a loan that has already been contracted from SSNIT and in fact, we know that it was contracted last year and so it is actually escrowed somewhere. And then in addition to that we have another US$4 million from the Chinese Government which is a grant to help us finish up the Tower Block.

    So these are the US$45 million that he is saying that they were not in the Budget Statement itself but actually it may reflect in the Appropriation Bill somewhere. So that is the explanation for that.

    On that note, Madam Speaker, I think, in addition to the administration, we also need some help in terms of the service which was also GH¢5.1 million last year and it is only GH¢5.4 million, an increase of 6 per cent.

    Madam Speaker, with this little intervention here, I would like to support the motion that this House approves the sum of GH¢29,726,273.00 for the services of the Office of Parliament for the 2009 fiscal year.
    Dr. A. A. Osei 2:35 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I was trying to catch your eye as a follow-up to my Hon Senior Colleague and to try and seek some clarification. Two things:
    I think the Hon Majority Leader said that he wanted the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning to capture the loan and the grant component so that they could be part of the Appropriation. If that is the case, then the motion is reflecting the wrong amount.
    If what he wants to do is the case, then we need to adjust the amount by the sum of 25 plus 4, otherwise, it would not be part of the Appropriation, if that is what he is saying -- [Interruption.] It is the donor component which would be 29, then the amount would go up by 29 instead of the current 29, if he wants it captured.
    If he does not want it captured, then that statement he made would not be appropriate because if he wants it captured then we need to reflect the numbers so that it is adjusted upwards; it is captured then he has authority to go and seek for it, so we can spend. So that is the first thing.
    The second thing is that, as you are aware, on the P.E., everybody in this House is still on 2007 salary levels. My question is, if we have not adjusted for 2008, then 2009 if it is not done properly, it would be problematic. So I am wondering if that is what has been done. In fact, I suspect that we are still on 2007 salary levels, so the calculation would have been based on 2007, meaning that Hon Members of Parliament would not have had any adjustment for 2008 as I speak.
    So there is an additional problem with the P.E. level not only because of just moving everything from Item 2 to Item 1 but because our salaries are all consolidated, but we have a difficulty with the base level. The base level would be 2007 and hence, if we adjust by whatever is in the single spine, we would be still lagging in that respect.
    So these are two issues, that if he wants them reflected then it would be useful to capture them now otherwise, we would continue to be on the 2007 levels for a while and I think we need to deal with that. Otherwise, Parliament would be short-changing itself.
    Mr. Bagbin 2:35 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I just want to respond to a few issues raised; I am not going to wind up; it is the Hon Minister who would be doing so.
    The first issue is that when we amended the Parliamentary Service Act, it was with respect to the Office of Parliament and therefore, it was dealing with the budget of the staff. But for the Hon Members of Parliament, our con-ditions are governed by the Presidential Committee, article 71 of the Constitution. So the amendment dealt with only the budget of the Office of Parliament and not Parliament as an institution, that is the difference.
    The second thing is that, as he very well knows and as an experienced Hon Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, the Contingency Fund has taken care of the future adjustments that could be made on salaries of Hon Members of Parliament.
    Again, I was drawing the attention of the Hon Minister to the loan that we contracted from SSNIT because it was not reflected in the Budget Statement but it was captured in last year's budget for the institution of Parliament. That is in a particular account and we have not drawn it but it is captured because of last year's Budget.
    I know it is captured in one of the government accounts, either it is under Government Obligations or one of them. So I am just drawing his attention that that money is for the Parliament of Ghana
    Mr. Felix Twumasi-Appiah (NDC -- Sene) 2:35 p.m.
    Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to the motion that this House approves the sum of GH¢29,726,273.00 for the services of Parliament for the 2009 fiscal year.
    Madam Speaker, it is most gratifying and welcoming news that, indeed, we have improved from the allocation made to us as a House or as an institution from that of 2008 in comparison to that of 2009. Negligible as it is, I will say that it may very well be a percentage point increment.
    But if I may draw my Hon Colleague who just spoke's attention to the fact that, in spite of inflation and other issues that he was talking about, he should also be mindful of the fact that all those inflationary, deflation and all those words
    Mr. Felix Twumasi-Appiah (NDC -- Sene) 2:45 p.m.


    he wants to use, are as a result of the policies he himself helped put in place.

    Indeed, the 2009 Budget that would seek to arrest most of those issues that he most frowns upon has never even been implemented, let alone the ingredients or the parameters to arrest inflation and other issues that he is talking about being realised under the present Administration. I want to hope and believe that with my able uncle, the Hon Minister in charge, most of his fears would be allayed.

    Madam Speaker, on the second issue, it is also gratifying and very welcoming that we have been told, and I have noticed, that we are going to be provided vehicles for our committees. Most of the work that we do in Parliament here are done at the committee level and it is a very welcoming news that indeed, vehicles are going to be provided for your committees to enable them discharge their functions creditably.

    In addition to that, I also want to see the “Job 600”, that is most-talked- about, completed to ease the burden on Hon Members of Parliament using their vehicles as offices. At least, we would have an office within which to operate.

    Most invariably, we come to this House and there is a motion on the floor, you have documents made for you and because they are either in your house or your vehicle, it is most difficult for you to present them as a way of proof to show that, at least, we are up to the task that we have been assigned to do as a House.

    I also want to see a situation where, apart from the personal or private offices that would be given to us here, we would be having committee rooms. I know and I have been reliably told that part of the State House was indeed ceded to Parliament for us to use it as committee

    rooms. And, indeed, if that comes to fruition as early as possible, it would go a long way in helping your committees into doing what they have been constitu- tionally assigned to do.
    Dr. Osei 2:45 p.m.
    On a point of order. Madam Speaker, in my Hon Colleague's earlier statement -- [Interruption] -- I was trying to catch your eye; he was trying to impute something to my Hon Colleague here which is completely misleading.
    Madam Speaker, the Constitution clearly makes the function of price stability the job of the Governor of the Bank of Ghana. For him to impute that function to the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning or former Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, he is grossly misleading this House. If he wants a debate -- this is a budget for the Office of Parliament, we need to depoliticise it, but this is a constitutional matter.
    The Governor of the Bank of Ghana is responsible for price stability. If he does not know that, it is about inflation. So Madam Speaker, he should withdraw that statement so that we can move on with the debate.
    Madam Speaker 2:45 p.m.
    Hon Member, you said it is a point of information, so you have informed him.
    Dr. Osei 2:45 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, he is grossly
    misleading this House; it is not a point of information, it is a constitutional matter.
    Mr. Twumasi-Appiah 2:45 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, it would also be important if not indispensable, if Hon Members of Parliament could be given some facilities like internet services, laptop computers where Hon Members could do their research on their own.
    It is a bit, to say the least, deploring when you have to see Hon Members of Parliament walk to the then communication centres to go and type Statements, or issues of probably national security or you go and give it to somebody who is a novice or who has no idea about the information you need for you to come and table on the floor of this House. They are almost everywhere, everybody will read them as and when they feel to do so.
    So Madam Speaker, in addition to all these few things the Majority Leader has enumerated and ably supported by my Hon Colleague opposite, I believe that the amount, though is an improvement, a lot needs to be done for Hon Members and the Office of Parliament so as to enable us take our position as prescribed by the laws and the Constitution of the Republic.
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah (NPP -- Sekondi) 2:45 p.m.
    Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate.
    Madam Speaker, it is a matter of concern that over the past years, it does not seem the major problems that we face as Parliament have been resolved. And I refer, Madam Speaker, to this issue about the “Job 600” and its rehabilitation and the fact that we were not sure who should be in charge.
    I note on page six of the Report that the delay in drawing of the facility was
    because Parliament needed to determine the integrity of the structure and also to determine whether the project should be implemented by Parliament or by the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing on behalf of Parliament. Madam Speaker, I am appealing to you and the Leadership that the Parliamentary Service Board takes an urgent decision on this matter.
    It is also a matter of concern to me personally, the way finances or resources to Parliament are used. It is important that while Madam Speaker and the staff of the Office of Parliament are in charge, the Leadership of Parliament also gets involved in terms of determining the priorities. It is very important and I am appealing to the Majority and Minority Leaders to deal with this matter as urgently as it should be dealt with. And my appeal to this House in general is that, for us to be able to do our job properly, we must consider things that would outlive us as Members of Parliament. We should try and encourage the utilisation of resources in such a way that would benefit this institution rather than us as individuals.
    I am also appealing to Madam Speaker, the Leadership and the staff to ensure that the printing press, they said we are going to digitise the Chamber to ensure that the coming out of the Hansard would be prompt -- It is also something that is of an urgent nature. We have had this problem over so many years. We have had resources but we have used them for other things. It is important that we get these things done.
    It is unfortunate that now the Majority Leader is not a Minister so he cannot be called upon to answer certain Questions. But I believe that by the middle of this year, we must have a progress report. We
    Mr. Frederick Opare-Ansah 2:45 p.m.
    On a point of order. Madam Speaker, my very Senior Colleague, Hon Papa Owusu-Ankomah who is the Member of Parliament for Sekondi is grossly misleading this House. He is seeking to give the impression that only Ministers can be asked Questions in this House. But indeed, the Standing Orders provide that you can ask Questions of other Members of Parliament. So the Order that governs Questions provides for Question time for either Members of Parliament or Ministers of State.
    Madam Speaker 2:45 p.m.
    What Order are you referring to?
    Mr. Opare-Ansah 2:45 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, Order 63 and with your permission, I quote:
    “Questions may also be asked of other Members relating to a Bill, motion or other public matter connected with the business of the House for which such Members are responsible.”
    Madam Speaker 2:45 p.m.
    What was your point?
    Mr. Opare-Ansah 2:45 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, the Majority Leader is the Leader of the House as we all agreed at the beginning of this Meeting and is, indeed, res-ponsible or partly so for the provision of offices for Members of this House. So the matter which the Hon Member is raising about the fact that because he is not a Minister of State we cannot ask him that Question -- I am saying that indeed, he is a Member of Parliament and the Leader of this House and is responsible or partly responsible for the provision of our offices and so that Question can be asked of him.
    Madam Speaker 2:45 p.m.
    So what you are really doing is correcting Hon Papa Owusu-Ankomah?
    Mr. Opare-Ansah 2:45 p.m.
    Yes, that he should not mislead us as if we cannot ask the Hon Majority Leader a Question on this matter. Indeed, we can.
    Madam Speaker 2:45 p.m.
    All right.
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 2:55 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, that is the view of the Hon Minority Chief Whip but I am sure my Hon Colleagues would appreciate that never has any Hon Member been asked any Question in this House, and the Majority Leader is not the one responsible for it. However, this is a matter of concern and I am talking about this thing from experience.
    We talk about some of these matters at the beginning of the year and we repeat them the following year, we do not have regular briefing and the same is for the “Job 600” and the block that is under construction. It is important that as Hon Members, we let our Leadership brief us on these matters even as caucuses; it is important.
    Madam Speaker, the last point I would want to raise is the point about the loan and the concerns expressed by the Hon Member for Old Tafo (Dr. A. A. Osei) that -- it has not been captured. I hope this matter would be resolved so that we do not get into a situation where we would be told that oh, it was not captured in the Budget and it has become a difficulty. It is for this reason that I am emphasising this point.
    Again, Madam Speaker, I wish to thank you most sincerely for this opportunity.
    However, we ought to let this matter relating to the loan be resolved, and I am hoping that the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, together with the Majority and Minority Leaders and the Ranking Member for the Committee on Finance would see their way clear in ensuring that this particular thing is captured in the Appropriation Bill that would be laid before this House shortly by the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning.
    I thank you, Madam Speaker.
    Dr. Osei 2:55 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, on a point
    of information. Madam Speaker, I was trying to come under Order 92 (b) but I caught your eye at the end.
    Madam Speaker, I am convinced that this loan amount has never been contracted yet. If we expect to build this “Job 600”, it is important that we capture it now so that progress on the work can go on. People have talked about the fact that our offices are in our boots, we need to reflect it; it is only a matter of adjusting the estimates on the motion and making the proper adjustments on the Appro-priation side.
    I am convinced that because there was some confusion, we never wrote to Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) for disbursement. So there is no account as far as I know that would have this money lodged in there. If we do not, and Leadership, including yourself decide to start construction tomorrow, it would not be available.
    I think it is only fair that having - this is about two years now and it is important that this House moves to complete the “Job 600” so that Hon Members can at least have a place to do some work. It does not cost us anything but it would cost us more if it is not part of the Appropriations Act.
    Mr. Dominic Azimbe Azumah (NDC-- Garu/Tempane) 2:55 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I rise to associate myself with the motion and to make a few comments.
    Madam Speaker, following what my Colleague Hon Papa Owusu-Ankomah just mentioned, I think I share his sentiments. It appears to me that this august House, going to about 16 years now has not received the needed attention as it should.
    Madam Speaker, committees still sit in places where they are not supposed to. I am aware that years back, they initiated the move to provide Hon Members or committees with sitting arrangements. But as times went on,one could see from the budgetary allocations that that attention to Parliament appears, to me, to be lost.
    Madam Speaker, if you take 2009, Government Machinery alone is taking almost GH¢289,610 million, the Judiciary is taking GH¢32,720 million, Parliament which is the second organ of State is taking GH¢29 million and I asked myself what informed that.
    We have been to sister Parliaments and we have seen the kind of facilities they have for Hon Members to work. So I think that this time round, the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning should take a critical look at this issue. Parliament must grow and the only way we can grow is the provision of sufficient allocation to the House.

    Hon Papa Owusu-Ankomah men- tioned about the “Job 600”. I think as far back in 2003/2004, we were informed that this building would be ready for use by Hon Members of this august House. How many years down the line and we are now being questioned whether --

    The statement which I am very afraid of is that Parliament needed to determine the integrity of the structure when work had commenced already on it and it is half way complete and we are still questioning that. I thought that we should have been told that hopefully, by 2009 or 2010, “Job 600” would be ready for Hon Members' use. That is what we expect to hear now and not to be hearing the possibilities here and there.

    Again, the issue of whether the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing is responsible or Parliament. What is important to Parliament is that we want office accommodation, whether it is from the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing or from Parliament, we need office accommodation. So I think that the two bodies should try and synchronise their ideas and see how best this facility can be put to our use. I think that we deserve some promises here, some time- bound when it would be ready, we need to hear that from the authorities.

    Madam Speaker, there is something that concerns me so much and it is about the public perception about Parliament. It appears to me the public is not sufficiently aware of the workings of Parliament. When issues come out there, the way they criticise Parliament appears they do not have the insight of it.

    I think that the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) must be up to their responsibility. They must be able to educate the populace or the electorate out there to understand the workings of

    Parliament so that anytime we come out with any issue, they will see with us, they will bear with us and they will go along with us and I think that is the best way we can move this House forward.

    On that note, Madam Speaker, I support the motion and urge my Hon Colleagues to do same for the approval of the budget.
    Minority Leader (Mr. Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu) 3:05 p.m.
    Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity to add my voice in support of this motion.
    But first of all, Madam Speaker, I want to make a plenary observation regarding this Report that is before us. The Report of the Special Budget Committee of the 2009 Annual Budget Estimates of the Office of Parliament, on countless occasions, I have given this indication that Parliament as an institution is not just an office. And yet we keep referring to ourselves, to our outfit, which is an arm of Government as an Office of Parliament.
    Madam Speaker, I think we should ourselves rectify this anomaly and build on it because as it is said, if you do not say I am somebody, nobody would say thou art. I believe, describing ourselves as an office has a huge impact on allocation to Parliament as an office and not indeed, as an arm of Government.
    So I believe that, from now on, we will rectify this anomaly and describe Parliament as Parliament House, or Parliament as an institution, or as an arm of Government. The Judiciary is not described as the Office of the Judiciary, the Executive is not the Office of the Executive, so why do we describe ourselves as the Office of Parliament? Why not the Legislature or Parliament or

    Parliament House?

    Madam Speaker, this loan that Parliament has contracted must be put to good use because as we do know the prices of items do keep rising everyday and if we do not apply it immediately, maybe, by the close of the year or before the life of this Parliament ends in 2012, the amount contracted, that is $24 million will not be able to perform the functions or activities that are programmed for the $24 million in four years' time, which is why it is important to put it to use as early as possible.

    Yes, indeed, there happened to be this wrangling between Parliament and the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing as to who is better positioned to utilize this fund. But Madam Speaker, if there is a loan meant for the Judiciary, it is not the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing that does the work for it. It is the Judiciary itself that takes charge of it and effects work with whatever loan or monies that are given out to it. So we should sort this thing out as early as possible and move on.

    Madam Speaker, the 3-storeyed structure that is right behind us has not been completed as we speak. We understand it is 80 per cent complete but it does not appear to have been captured in the budget for 2009. Whereas we are all focusing on rehabilitating the “Job 600”, we are not talking about that one. But Madam Speaker, it is important that we complete that structure. That one will not take us any long time to complete.
    Mr. A. S. K. Bagbin 3:15 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, just to clarify a few issues raised by my Colleague, the Hon Minority Leader.
    We have, in fact, at the Board level awarded the issues that he has raised to a contractor to rehabilitate them. In fact, the processes were a bit cumbersome but we finally got people to take care of them. There is a delay because we had a problem in getting an experienced and well- qualified contractor to deal with some of the glass windows and openings.
    All the companies that tendered were at one stage disqualified and the tender had to be done during the time my Hon Colleague, the former Majority Leader was chairing the Procurement Committee. So, it took some time before we finally got somebody to do it.
    As to the allocation to various cost centres, as he mentioned, from the caucuses to the various departments and some secretariats, definitely, we will do that together with Madam Speaker, and we will insist that the administration of the budget for Parliament, that is Members of Parliament be administered together with Madam Speaker by the Special Budget Committee, so that the Clerk and his team can administer, without much intrusion from Parliament the budget of the Parliamentary Service; so that we can rationalise the usage and expenditure estimates for the House.
    So, work is being done on that and I believe that this year, we will see some progress in it.
    Thank you, very much.
    Madam Speaker 3:15 p.m.
    Thank you, Hon Majority Leader.
    May I now call upon the Hon Minister
    for Finance and Economic Planning to wind up?
    Dr. Duffuor 3:15 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, in winding up, I would like to thank the House for supporting this motion.
    Madam Speaker, Parliament being the controller of the nation's purse, will always be resourced adequately to enable Hon Members perform their functions efficiently, especially the oversight functions.
    Madam Speaker, on the issue of the loan, since it has not been drawn-down yet, we would work towards its draw-down, and when we come here during the half year, we will be able to report to the House.
    I am therefore, Madam Speaker, appealing to the two sides of the House to approve this amount to enable Parliament proceed with the various functions and activities ahead of them.
    Thank you, Madam Speaker.
    Question put and motion agreed to.
    Resolved:
    That this honourable House approves the sum of GH¢29,726,273 for the services of Parliament for the 2009 fiscal year.
    PAPERS 3:15 p.m.
    Mr. Bagbin 3:15 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, we may now take item 12. Item 12 is on the Judicial Service. The Report is ready and it has been circulated.
    Madam Speaker 3:15 p.m.
    Hon Attorney- General and Minister for Justice, you may move motion number 12 on the Order Paper.
    Mr. Bagbin 3:15 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, there is a mistake as to the mover of the motion. It should be by the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning because Judiciary is not under the Ministry of Justice. As I stated earlier on this morning, it will be the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning that will be moving the motion. So, we should amend the Order Paper accordingly.
    Madam Speaker 3:15 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Finance and Economic Planning, can you move motion number 12?
    ANNUAL ESTIMATES 3:15 p.m.
    Minister for Finance and Economic Planning (Dr. Kwabena Duffuor) 3:15 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I beg to move, that this honourable House approves the sum of GH¢32,720,762 for the services of the Judicial Service for the 2009 fiscal year.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr. A. K. Agbesi) 3:25 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I rise to
    second the motion and in doing so, wish to present the Report of your Committee.
    Madam Speaker, in presenting the Report, I want to state that the figure quoted in the motion, which is GH¢32,720,762, the Report is asking the House to amend that figure. Madam Speaker, as I present the Report in this House, it will be clear as to why there is the need for us to amend that record.
    Madam Speaker, indeed, the Committee is asking the House to approve the figure of GH¢52,278,755.90.

    Madam Speaker, I present the Report

    of your Committee.

    1.0 Introduction

    1.1 The Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor on the authority of H.E the President, presented to Parliament the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the 2009 Financial Year on Thursday, 5th March 2009 in accordance with article 179 of the Constitution.

    1.2 Following the presentation, the Draft Annual Estimates of the Judicial Service together with the recommen- dations by H.E. the President were laid before the House on Friday, 20th March 2009 pursuant to article 179 (5) of the Constitution and referred to the Committee on Judiciary for consideration and report in consonance with the Standing Orders of the House.

    2.0 Deliberations

    The Committee during its deliberations met with officials from the Judicial Service and the Ministry of Finance and Economic

    Planning. In attendance were Their Lordships Justice Anin Yeboah and Justice Victor Ofoe, Justices of the Supreme Court and the Appeal Court respectively. The Committee wishes to thank all the officials for their invaluable contribution which helped to enrich the discussions of the Committee.

    3.0 Reference Documents

    The Committee in its deliberations made reference to the following documents:

    i . The 1992 Const i tut ion of the Republic;

    ii. The Standing Orders of Parliament;

    iii. The Draft Annual Estimates of the Judicial Service for 2009;

    iv. The Recommendations by H.E. the President on the 2009 Draft Annual Estimates of the Judicial Service;

    v. The Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459);

    vi. The Local Government Act, 1993 (Act 462); and

    vi i . The Judic iary (Retent ion of Revenue) Act, 2003 (Act 661).

    4.0 Mission of the Judicial Service

    The Judicial Service seeks to promote among other functions, efficient and effective system of administration of justice acceptable to all manner of persons, including the poor and the vulnerable without fear or favour or ill-will, thereby creating an enabling environment for good governance. This is to qualitatively improve access to justice especially to the vulnerable and the excluded in society and in the improvement of the public image

    and confidence in the Service.

    5.0 Objectives

    The objectives of the Service are amongst others to:

    i . Promote the rule of law and encourage transparency in service delivery;

    ii. P r o m o t e a n d u p h o l d human rights, improve access to justice and protect the rights of the vulnerable in the society;

    iii. E n s u r e e f f i c i e n c y a n d speedy delivery of justice;

    iv. Ma in ta in h igh s t anda rds of efficiency at all levels through capacity building and manpower development of its staff;

    v. Change the perception of the public of the Judiciary and build public confidence in the Service;

    vi. I m p r o v e t h e c o n d i t i o n s of service for all staff;

    vii. I m p r o v e i t s infrastructural capacity to enhance service delivery.

    6.0 Review of Performance of 2008

    6.1 The main issues addressed by the Service during the year under review were the implementation of infrastructural
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr. A. K. Agbesi) 3:25 p.m.
    iii. Expedite action on a complex of Courts to take care of the Financial Administration Tri- bunal, other economic related Courts and Land Courts

    in Accra.

    9.0 2009 Budgetary Allocation

    9.1 The Committee noted that the Budget Statement and the Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2009 Financial Year presented to Parliament on Thursday, 5th March 2009 by the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning had allocated an amount of thirty-two million, seven hundred and twenty thousand, seven hundred and sixty- two Ghana cedis (GH¢32,720,762.00) to the Judicial Service for the 2009 fiscal year.
    Dr. Osei 3:25 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I need your guidance. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in the Budget Statement presented us with a figure of GH¢32 million and something. Your Committee has in violation of the Constitution, revised it upwards -- [Interruptions.] That is what he is saying, that it has been revised upwards by the Committee.
    So I am saying that the Committee cannot -- [Interruptions.] No, I am looking at it. So I need the guidance of -- because it is inconsistent with what was presented, irrespective of what they did. Which estimates are we looking at? The one presented by the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning or the one -- [Interruptions.] We have debated this in principle. So any change is in violation.
    Mr. Agbesi 3:25 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I
    prefaced my statement that after reading this Report, you would know why there
    is the need for us to consider the figures I am talking about.
    Madam Speaker, I came to the point
    where I stated that --
    The Committee reproduces for the attention of the House, the relevant provisions of article 179 of the Constitution relating to the Annual Estimates of the Judicial Service.
    Article 179
    “(3)The Chief Justice shall, in consultation with the Judicial Council, cause to be submitted to the President at least two months before the end of each financial year, and thereafter as and when the need arises --
    (a) the estimates of administrative expenses of the Judiciary charged on the Consolidated Fund under article 127 of the Constitution; and
    (b) estimates of development ex- penditure of the Judiciary.
    (4) The President shall, at the time specified in clause (1) of this article, or thereafter, as and when submitted to him under clause (3) of this article, cause the estimates referred to in clause (3) of this article to be laid before Parliament.
    (5) The estimates shall be laid before Parliament under clause (4) by the President without revision but with any recommendations that the Government may have on them.”
    The error was, however, corrected when H.E. the President subsequently laid before the House the annual estimates for
    DESCRIPTION 3:25 p.m.
    EMOLUMENTS 3:25 p.m.
    TOTAL 3:25 p.m.
    Dr. Osei 3:25 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, the Chairman of the Committee referred us to article 179 of the Constitution and he read about four or five clauses. The specific one I want to draw attention to is sub-clause 5 and with your permission, I want to read that:
    “The estimates shall be laid before Parliament under clause (4) by the President without revision but with any recommendations that the Government may have on them.”
    “Any recommendations”.
    Madam Speaker, the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning has in my view submitted some recommendations to the President. We have not been given the recommendations here. Madam Speaker, there is nothing in the Constitution that says that, the one submitted by the Judicial Service should be approved by this House.
    In fact, the reason why they asked
    Mr. Bagbin 3:25 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I think
    that we have gone very, very far on these provisions and in practice, the procedure has completely been followed by the Committee. The provisions that have been
    Mr. Bagbin 3:35 p.m.
    read, talking about the estimates being put before Parliament without revision, but with any recommendations that the Government may have on them and the Government is defined as the authority exercising executive authority and that is the President.

    Now H.E. the President has submitted his recommendations to the Committee in the form of a written letter. It was to the Speaker, which was referred to the Committee. It is not directed to the Chairman of the Committee or the Committee. It was to Madam Speaker and that is to Parliament.

    So it was referred to the Committee and in his recommendations, he simply exhorted the Committee to look at the economic situation for Parliament in determining the Budget Estimates for the Judiciary. So that has been followed and the Committee looked at that. The Judiciary appeared before the Committee and convinced the Committee that this was what was needed by them and not what was presented by the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning.

    I acknowledge the problems with implementation but the constitutional provisions have to be followed to the letter and that is what is being done by the Committee and that is what will guide this House in deciding the Estimates for the Judiciary for the 2009 fiscal year. That is all that the Committee is doing. So the Committee is doing exactly what is required by the law.

    In fact, when I was the Chairman of the Committee from 1997 to 2000, we had to iron out this procedure and I think the evidence that was before the Committee is

    that it was not followed and that was how they got H.E. the President to rectify that error by submitting the letter through the Speaker. So that one has been followed and I think it is for us as a House to look at the Estimates but the Committee is quite within its precints.
    Dr. Osei 3:35 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, is it too
    much to ask other Hon Members to get copies of that recommendation because we are being asked to look at it and as it is, the Committee presented the Report but has not given us any copy of the recommendations. We are all Hon Members of this House and we ought to be privy to that letter, otherwise, we would be making decisions without proper information.
    I think that is the way this House operates, that information that will allow us to make proper decisions are made available to us. We are talking of the budget of the Judicial Service. People talk about this Parliament not doing due diligence and here we are, the Committee is telling us that they have brought this Report but they have not bothered to provide the complete information and we need to have access to that complete information to make proper decisions.
    Madam Speaker 3:35 p.m.
    Hon Member, was this not captured in the Report?
    Mr. Bagbin 3:35 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, it was captured in the Report. I think my Hon Colleague is very well aware that what he is talking about, legally, theoretically, is what should be done. But he is aware that the practice of documents that are submitted to committees being attached to reports is not possible in this House.
    When he was on this side of the House, I remember we requested for a document because the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning would always

    submit a lot of documents to the Finance Committee and the Members will stand here and insist that all those documents be attached to the Report. It is not practicable. If he wants to have a sight of the recommendation, it could be done, but as a House, we entrust our authority on our committees and we rely on them to do a good job and to submit a report. That is what we do but if it is that all committees must submit in their reports documents that were made available to the committee, that will bring a lot of practical problems.
    Madam Speaker 3:35 p.m.
    Minority Leader, he is saying that there is a convention that you do not attach all these things. Is that so and that we trust them that they have got it?
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 3:35 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, if a member of a committee comes out to say that maybe, he did not sight the document, then it could be an occasion when the entire Parliament would want to have possession of that very document. But to the extent that no member of the Committee is disputing what the Chairman is saying, I believe that we could go with the words of the Committee. But in any event, I believe the Vice-Chairman is here, if there is any dispute, he could tell us -- [Interrup- tion.]
    Madam Speaker, I think he has some information to supply to us but I think that the convention, indeed, in this House has been that once the information is given to the committee, if there is no disputation, then we go along with it.
    Madam Speaker 3:35 p.m.
    That is all I wanted to know, that if it is the convention, if we want to change it, maybe, we will do it hereafter but if that is the convention, then it will be applied and it has been applied.
    Prof. Gyan-Baffour 3:35 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I think the Majority Leader is right in all
    the procedures but the issue is a practical one. Now, the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning comes to us to say that he has allocated GH¢32,720,000 to the Judicial Service. Now, the Committee comes here to say they are approving GH¢ 52 million for the Judicial Service. Where is the Finance and Economic Planning Minister going to cut that GH¢20 million from? That is the practical problem.
    So in actual fact, the process should precede all that we are doing here and it has not been done that way. So at this point, if we go ahead with what the Committee is saying, it will mean that we cannot even do the Appropriation Bill today because that GH¢20 million is not available. It is not. [An hon. Member: It is available.] All right, let us see if the Finance and Economic Planning Minister can get it for us now.
    Mr. Agbesi 3:35 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, for the total avoidance of doubt, the Committee requested H.E. the President for his comments, as provided under article 179 of the Constitution and the President duly submitted his comments. This is dated 25th March 2009, Office of the President, Castle, Osu-Accra, Tel. number -- It is headed “Estimates of the Judicial Service for the 2009 Financial Year”, and it reads:
    “I am directed by H.E. the President to request you to take appropriate action to have the estimates of the Judicial Service placed before Parliament for its consideration. In view of the micro-economic and other circumstances of the country, the President opines that Parliament should use its own judgement to consider the estimates and give appropriate approval. The letter No. SCR. A 14/17 dated 17th March 2009 under my signature
    Mr. Agbesi 3:45 p.m.


    is hereby withdrawn.

    I count on your usual co-operation.”

    This was addressed to the Clerk to Parliament and copied to the Judicial Committee Chairman.

    Madam Speaker, having received this letter, the Committee received the Judicial Service estimates without any further comments from the Presidency and met the officials of the Judicial Service and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. We went through this exercise and at the end, based upon article 179, the provision thereunder, it was our view that we should place this Report before Parliament so that the constitutional provision regarding the Judicial Service estimates would not be violated.

    It is for this Parliament then to take a decision and that is why I prefaced my statement by saying:

    “The figure quoted by the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning and the figure quoted by the Judicial Service are different and so under the Constitution, we must look at the Judicial Service Estimates and then Parliament takes a decision thereon.”

    Madam Speaker, this had been the forces that influenced us in bringing this Report.

    The Committee also considered the fact that the Judicial Service has IGF of 15 per cent. The Committee recommends in this Report that subsequently, that figure should be increased to 30 per cent and we call upon the Government to look at this recommendation.

    With this, I urge the House to accept this for consideration and approval.

    Question proposed.
    Mr. E. A. Owusu-Ansah (NPP -- Kwabre West) 3:45 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, your Committee met on at least three occasions, and the comments that are coming from both sides of the House appear to take their root from the fact that the proper thing was not originally done.
    When your Committee met the first day, it requested to see the comments or recommendations of H.E. the President as provided for under article 179 (5). Then a letter was read to us and with your permission, I will read the letter and this is signed by the Chief of Staff and addressed to the Clerk to Parliament.
    Madam Speaker, we took exception to this line of action because clearly, your Committee thought and rightly so, that the constitutional provision was not being met. In any case, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has no business at all in this matter. The matter is from the Judiciary to H.E. the President and his comments being addressed in this House and then Parliament will give the comments and the estimates of the Judicial Service to your Committee for deliberation and this was not followed.
    So we instructed the Chairman of the Committee and his Vice - we adjourned proceedings and instructed the two to consult with the Majority Leader so that they could go to the Presidency and sort matters out. Madam Speaker, that is why a subsequent letter came which has been addressed and read to the House.
    In the second letter, H.E. the President -- [Interruption.] Madam Speaker, a Colleague would want to give a point of information and I am yielding.
    Mr. O. B. Amoah 3:45 p.m.
    On a point of

    information. Madam Speaker, we seem to have a fundamental problem here. The Hon Member in reading the letter did not give us the date of the letter.

    Indeed, the letter read by the Chairman of the Committee, if I heard him right, was dated 25th March, 2009. And I believe that the Paper was laid on 20th March and if it was laid on 20th March and this letter came on 25th March, then it means we
    Mr. Owusu-Ansah 3:55 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, the first letter which I read was dated 20th March, 2009 and the reference SCR.A./14/17. So, this letter is earlier in time than the one that was read by the Chairman of the Committee. And that one sought to withdraw this one.
    So in the second letter, H.E. the President, having given the Committee
    the authority to look at the Estimates of the Judicial Service and in our own judge- ment, submitted appropriate recommen- dations to the House and the Committee proceeded to do the same.
    When the Committee met the second time, we had a powerful delegation from the Judicial Service, led by a Supreme Court Judge, and made up of a Court of Appeal Judge, the Judicial Secretary and his deputy and Director of Budget of the Judiciary, who were all present. We also had the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning fully represented with the Chief Director leading the delegation.
    On the strength of the letter from the H.E. the President, we proceeded to look at the estimates as submitted by the Judicial Service and not the estimates that had been given to us earlier by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, because they did not have the constitutional authority in any way to submit estimates for the Judicial Service.
    It was on the basis of that that the tripartite membership of the meeting decided that what the Judicial Service had asked for, we should look at the request item by item and come to a conclusion and submit a report.
    A t t h e e n d o f i t a l l , y o u r Committee decided that an amount of GH¢52,278,755.90 should be approved by this House for the Judicial Service to enable them run the affairs of the Judiciary.
    Madam Speaker, whilst we are at it, I am happy that my brother the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning himself is in the House and ought to be told that next year round and the subsequent years, he should not at all meddle in the estimates of the Judicial Service because he has no locus at all in
    that matter. Even the President is not given the right to cut or amend the request by the Judiciary, except that he may make recommendations for the consideration of the House.
    Again, I am happy that my Brother the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning is in the House and he is listening. Minister for Finance Economic Planning lend me your ears because this one is for you.

    Madam Speaker, on the 5th of March this year, the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning was in this House and read to us and the whole nation the Budget Statement for the year.

    Madam Speaker, at page 204, the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning purported to give figures for the Judiciary. And with your permission, I will read just a bit:

    “For the implementation of the above activities, an amount of GH¢32,720,762 has been allocated. Out of this, GoG is GH¢31,837,118 and IGF is GH¢883,644.”
    Dr. Osei 3:55 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, this
    Budget, we are told, was read on the
    Dr. Osei 3:55 p.m.


    authority of H.E. President, John Evans Atta Mills. Is my Senior Colleague saying that the President has violated the Constitution? Is that what he is saying? I just want to be sure.
    Mr. Owusu-Ansah 4:05 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I said that aspect of the Budget Statement that was read by the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning where he quoted figures for the Judiciary was unconstitutional, and I still stand by it.
    Madam Speaker, so for the benefit of education and learning, next year round, I suggest that the estimates of the Judiciary must reach H.E. the President in very good time. Here, it is about two months; but if it goes much earlier, H.E. the President will be able to send his recommendations and the budget estimates to the House, so that your Committee can deliberate on them, find the appropriate figures so that the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning will then incorporate those figures in his Budget Statement. That should be the proper thing to do.
    Madam Speaker, on the recommen- dations that have been made by your Committee on the IGF, your Committee noted that only 15 per cent of IGF of the Judiciary goes back to the Judiciary. And Madam Speaker, they have quite a lot of work to do. Madam Speaker, by the Courts Act, Section 45, the Chief Justice is required to establish, at least, one court in every district. The court houses are not there.
    Madam Speaker, the Local Government Act also enjoins District Assemblies to assist in the provision of court houses. But everybody knows that District Assemblies are themselves very “HIPC”, so they are unable to do this work. So it becomes necessary for the Judiciary itself to provide its own court houses.
    Speaker, in doing so, I wish to make the following observation.
    A look at the mission statement of the Judicial Service shows that, the Service is determined to build a truly independent and competent institution to protect and consolidate the democracy that we are all enjoying here.
    Madam Speaker, in line with the mission statement, the Judicial Service has set for itself laudable objectives, some of which includes the promotion of the rule of law, improved access to justice to the vulnerable, to protect the vulnerable and the excluded, to build confidence in the Service and to remove corruption.
    In order to achieve these noble objectives, the Judicial Service is by the 2009 estimates embarking on massive investment activities throughout the country. Some of these investment programmes include the building of Circuit Courts Judges' bungalows in Techiman, in my own constituency.
    Madam Speaker, you will realize that the investments expenses of GH¢17,474 is not enough for the Service.
    Madam Speaker, therefore, I wish to say that the estimates are far below expectation. I will, therefore, plead with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to do everything possible to ensure that the Judicial Service has enough money in subsequent years to embark on infrastructural development.
    This will help us protect and defend the democracy that we have today.

    Madam Speaker, I would also like to appeal to the Minister for Local

    Government and Rural Development to ensure that the District Assemblies embark on building court houses and bungalows for the Judges.

    With these words, I urge the House to approve the sum as indicated in item 12 of the Order Paper.

    Thank you, Madam Speaker.
    Mr. Anno Kwasi Ankamah (NPP -- Atiwa) 4:05 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, we all know that the Judiciary is an important institution of Government and we are also aware that our national motto is “Freedom and Justice”. The only institution that can preserve this motto is the Judiciary. And therefore, to enable the Judiciary dispense freedom and justice to all without fear or favour, we need to resource them to enable them do this work effectively.
    It is in this light, Madam Speaker, that I support this motion. For example, we all know that if there is any doubt in the mind of anybody as to the true identity of the President of Ghana, it is the Judiciary that will determine that. It is, therefore, important that the Judiciary is given the necessary resources to address its constitutional mandate as enshrined in the Constitution.
    It is on this note, Madam Speaker, that I wish to support what my Hon Colleagues have already moved and supported, that the Judicial Service should be given the amount as stated in the Report.
    Madam Speaker, the Judiciary has embarked on a number of projects and it is important that these projects continue to their completion. It is, therefore, important that the Ministry be able to augment the resources to enable them complete the work that they have been doing in the best interest of Ghana.
    Mr. Owusu-Ansah 4:05 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, as we Sit here, just behind here, we have a court house at Osu, and since 1990 when I was the District Magistrate there, we have been using the Chief's Palace as a court house. Go to Mantse Agbonaa, go to -- [Interruption] -- go to the Ga Mantse's Palace -- Madam Speaker, court houses are not available, they are not there. In Kumasi, all the Magistrate Courts have been crammed in one-storeyed building for all these years.
    Madam Speaker, it is about time now that the Judiciary itself found court houses for its service. So the recommendations that if this year, we are unable to accommodate it, next year the percentage of IGF for the Judiciary must go from 15 per cent to at least 20 per cent. This will also enable the Judiciary to put up bungalows for Judges. We all know the deplorable conditions in which our Judges live.
    Madam Speaker, as we talk now, Judges are in vehicles which have been acquired for some six years back. It is appropriate that for the Superior Court Judges, your brothers and sisters you left behind, give them new vehicles at least, every five years. The IGF will be able to cater for such activities.
    Madam Speaker, with these few words,
    I urge the House to approve for the Judicial Service an amount of GH¢52,278,755.90 for it to survive.
    Madam Speaker, thank you. Mr. Simons Addai (NDC -- Techiman
    South): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for this opportunity.
    I rise to support the motion for the approval of GH52,278,755.90 for the activities of the Judicial Service for the year 2009 -- [Interruption] -- Madam
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 4:05 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, thank you very much for recognizing me. Madam Speaker, we are facing a novel situation in this House. However, we must also bear in mind that whatever decisions we take will assist us as a country to manage our finances. It is correct; the Committee has recommended that we approve a certain figure. Madam Speaker, the reality is that if we approve this figure, it will throw the entire Budget out of shape -- [Interruption.]
    Madam Speaker 4:05 p.m.
    Hon Member, the debate has been closed.
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 4:05 p.m.
    So I am proposing that the Question be not put now and we permit Leadership, the Committee, made up of the Chairman and Ranking Member, and the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning to hold some consultations so that after that we can take a very, very informed decision which will advance our cause as a Parliament.
    Madam Speaker 4:05 p.m.
    All right. I have closed the debate. Hon Members, I will call on the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning to wind up.
    Dr. Duffuor 4:05 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, we at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning have enjoyed the discussions on the Judicial Service estimates from the President. As the Committee indicated, we were a party to the team that looked at the figures. The difference between the figure from the Presidency and the one we did recommend to you here is about GH¢22.6 million which can be accommo-dated by the Contingency.
    Madam Speaker, the Contingency is about GH¢500 million and taking GH¢22
    National Health Fund.
    Ghana Education Trust Fund;
    Ghana Road Fund;
    Petroleum Related Fund;
    Tax Refunds;
    Outstanding Commitments;
    Other Transfers and Reserve Funds.
    Madam Speaker, the external debt services are made up of principal and interest payments. The projected total debt repayments and total interest due is as captured in the aid and debt management division database, plus 25 per cent of Government guaranteed loans and converted at an assumed average exchange rate.
    Madam Speaker, the District Assem- blies Common Fund is calculated at 7.5 per cent of the total tax revenue less VAT refunds and exemptions. The National Health Fund is 2.5 per cent of projected levy on goods and services with VAT as the base as stipulated in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Act plus a 2.5 per cent of estimated contributions to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT). The GETFund is calculated at 20 per cent of VAT receipts less VAT refunds and exemptions.
    Madam Speaker, the figure for the Road Fund is based on calculations from the Ministry of Energy on assumption of a levy of six pesewas per litre based on demand volumes. The Petroleum Related Fund comprises the Energy Fund Levy, Exploration Levy and Stock Levy. This is a formula rate link based on demand volume computations from the Ministry of Energy.
    million out of this would not throw the Budget out of gear as a Member indicated. We are, therefore, with all humility, requesting the two sides of the House to approve the estimates from the Presidency to enable the Judicial Service perform their functions.
    Thank you, Madam Speaker.
    Madam Speaker 4:05 p.m.
    Thank you, Hon Minister. I will now put the Question.
    Dr. Osei 4:05 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, the motion was for GH¢32 million - [Interruption.] No, he cannot amend it.
    Madam Speaker 4:05 p.m.
    Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, can I have a word with you? The figure was changed; it used to be an amount of GH¢32 million, and now it is GH¢52 million. Can you enlighten us on the amount?
    Dr. Duf fuor 4:05 p.m.
    The amount i s GH¢52,278,755.90. Madam Speaker, that is the figure we are asking this House to approve -- [Pause.]
    Madam Speaker 4:05 p.m.
    Hon Members, we were asked to amend the figure when - [Interruption.]
    Mr. Opare-Ansah 4:05 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I am just trying to seek your guidance on exactly what we voted on because we voted upon a motion and we heard that the Ayes carried it. [Uproar.] So after the amendment, are we going to vote again? [Interruptions.] The Question was put.
    Madam Speaker 4:05 p.m.
    I am not going to ask again, if that is your point because the figure was amended when the motion was being seconded and I got it down. So I thought everybody had got down the figure and that is why I said those who
    are in favour of the motion -- because the motion had been amended to that figure which I had put down. So I will not ask again.
    Thank you -- [Interruptions.] Order! Order! I think the Ayes have it.
    Order! Order!
    Question put and motion agreed to.
    Resolved:
    That this honourable House appro- ves the sum of GH¢52,278,755.90 for the services of the Judicial Service for the 2009 fiscal year.
    ANNUAL ESTIMATES 4:15 p.m.
    Minister for Finance and Economic Planning (Dr. K. Duffuor) 4:15 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I beg to move this motion on behalf of His Excellency the President.
    Madam Speaker, I beg to move, that this House approves the sum of GH¢3,987,890,268.30 for Other Govern- ment Financial Obligations for 2009 fiscal year.
    Madam Speaker, these payments which are considered mandatory commitments are made up of the following:
    External Debt Service;
    Domestic Interest;
    District Assemblies Common Fund; Transfer to Households;
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr. J. K. Avedzi) 4:15 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I rise to second the motion and in doing so, I would like to present your Committee's Report.
    1.0 Introduction
    The Expenditure Estimates of Govern- ment's Financial Obligations for the 2009 financial year was laid in the House and referred to the Finance Committee for consideration and report in accordance with the Constitution and the Standing Orders of the House following the presentation of the Budget Statement and Financial Policy of the Government for the 2009 financial year.
    In considering the Estimates, the Committee met with the Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Hon Seth Tekper, the Chief Director, Director of Budget and other officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and reports as follows:
    2.0 2009 Estimates
    T h e t o t a l a m o u n t o f GH¢3,987,890,268.30 has been allocated to be expended on the underlisted Government Financial Obligations also referred to as Statutory Payments for the 2009 financial year.
    External Debt
    -- GH¢855,127,500.0
    Principal --
    GH¢537,929,265.0
    Interest --
    GH¢317,198,235.0
    Domestic Interest
    -- GH¢507,659,141.0
    District Assemblies
    Common Fund
    -- 4:15 p.m.
    APPENDIX I 4:15 p.m.
    Mr. Ignatius Baffour Awuah (NPP -- Sunyani West) 4:25 p.m.
    Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to support the motion on the floor, that the House approves of a total sum of GH¢3,987,890,268.30 to meet Govern-ment's Statutory Obligations.
    Madam Speaker, in doing so, I want to sound a note of caution, especially in two areas which may be of great interest to this House. The first one is the issue of interest of domestic borrowing; a figure of GH¢507,659,141.00 is provided for the interest on domestic borrowing.
    Madam Speaker, it is clearly evident that the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning in the course of the year, may have to look for some other sources to augment the inflow to be able to meet its obligations of meeting the targets of all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). One of the keys or likely areas where he may beseech is domestic borrowing to augment the expected inflow.
    This is supported by the fact that, one of the major sources of likely income to the State has been “suspended” or “stepped down”, quoting his own words. This means that he would have to beseech domestic borrowing to be able to make up the gap. In doing so, there is that likelihood that interest on borrowing may have to go up and the expected figure here is certainly not the figure that we would have at the end of the period. So I am sounding a note of caution, that this figure is likely to go up.
    Madam Speaker, apart from that, in the Budget Statement, the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning projected that there would be an average inflation of 15 per cent in the year. We are at the end of the third month of the year and currently inflation is hovering around 20 per cent. This means that the target of 15 per cent is not likely to be met. In fact, there is a linkage between inflation and interest rate; so all things being equal, interest rate in the course of the year is going to go up beyond the projected figure and that certainly will also affect the interest that we would have to pay on domestic borrowing. So that is one area of revelation that I do have.
    Madam Speaker, in the area of Reserve Fund, if I may refer to the detailed Report attached, there is a provision of GH¢22,000,000 for the payment of the end of service benefits for political appointees. Madam Speaker, I do know that if there are any political appointees that are to be paid their end of term benefits, then they are the appointees of the previous Government whose mandate ended on the 6th of January, 2009. These include Ministers and Deputy Ministers of State, Members of Parliament (MPs), and by extension,
    Mr. Awuah 4:25 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I am pleading with the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning to find a way of increasing this figure to cover, especially as the Hon Ranking Member just reminded me, to include, not just political appointees but all other appointees under article 71.
    On that note, Madam Speaker, I support the motion on the floor that the amount being discussed be approved.
    Madam Speaker 4:25 p.m.
    The next Member to speak would be the Hon Moses Asaga.
    Mr. Moses A. Asaga (NDC -- Nabdam) 4:35 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I rise to support the motion for the approval of GH¢3,987,890,268.30 for Other Government Financial Obligations. As already indicated by the Hon Minister, this would include by external debts, domestic debts, principal payments and interest payments.

    For this year, they are supposed to come, so I am reminding him that when Hon Dr. Osei was Minister of State in charge of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, he was always very quick in coming to meet MPs. So I hope that the Minister for Finance and

    Economic Planning would not delay at all on the District Assemblies Common Fund and would take a cue from his predecessors.

    Also under the statutory is the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) where, again, we used to meet the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning and the GETFund Administrator, a certain percentage of it is also to be given to the MPs for their micro projects in their constituencies.

    I do not know, but we are rising today, so when would the Hon Minister come to Parliament for us to know the formula for sharing of the District Assemblies Common Fund? And when would the Hon Minister come to Parliament for the GETFund formula? Because already the first quarter is gone and my constituents are on me with a lot of micro projects, asking me that, “Hon Moses Asaga, you have the District Assemblies Common Fund allocated to you, you have GETFund allocated to you, but for the past three months, we have not seen you performing” and I think it is common for all the 228 Members of Parliament.

    In addition to this, is the HIPC Fund and I have not heard the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning telling us anything about our share of the this Fund.

    So, I think, for us to be able to approve these estimates for Other Government Financial Obligations, when the Hon Minister is winding up, he should give us certain assurances and the timetable for the disbursement of these Funds.
    Dr. A. A. Osei (NPP -- Old Tafo) 4:35 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I want to urge my Hon
    District Chief Executives (DCEs).
    Madam Speaker, if we add the numbers, even using a conservative estimate, we may have about 400 people who fall under this category; so if we divide the GH¢22,000,000 by 400, we get a figure of GH¢55,000 per head. Madam Speaker, I believe that every MP here who was a Member of the immediate past Parliament, is expecting anything not within the range of GH¢55,000 as his gratuity.
    rose
    Mr. Awuah 4:35 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I am yielding to the Hon Ranking Member.
    Dr. Osei 4:35 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I just want to clarify the point he was trying to make; he is yielding to me.
    The point he was trying to make was that in the table, they told us that there is a sum for political appointees; he is trying to tell us that the sum should be for both political and non-political appointees under article 71.
    So the sum budgeted, GH¢22,000,000 is likely lower than what would be paid out. I think that was the point he was trying to make. It is not for only political appointees so if we budget for only political appointees, we would have left out all those non-political appointees, including Supreme Court Justices, Speakers, et cetera.

    Colleagues to support this motion that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢3,987,890,268.30 for Other Government Financial Obligations for 2009 fiscal year.

    Madam Speaker, before I add to what the Deputy Ranking Member and Hon Moses Asaga have said, I want to draw your attention to page one of the Report and if the Chairman of the Committee can take note. At paragraph 2.0, Madam Speaker, that statement, and with your permission, I quote:

    “ T h e t o t a l a m o u n t o f GH¢3,987,890,268.30 has been allocated to be expended on the underlisted Government Financial Obligations also referred to as statutory payments for the 2009 financial year.”

    Madam Speaker, there is an error there. Government Financial Obligations are not also referred to as statutory payments; there is a clear distinction between statutory payments as defined here and Government Financial Obligations, so I think we should amend it so that people are not misinformed. It is all right to leave it as Government Financial Obligations but we can say “statutory payments and Other Financial Obligations”, that would be a more accurate way. This is because the book talks about statutory and it is well defined in here. So I just want the Chairman to remember to amend that.

    Madam Speaker, the second point has been echoed by the Hon Moses Asaga and which is that we should be worried about when the Hon Minister will be able to come to this House with the various formulae for the District Assemblies Common Fund, National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). This is because as

    move very quickly.

    Madam Speaker, having said that, I think that all Hon Members need to approve the sum requested by the Hon Minister so that he can assure the public that Government of Ghana stands committed to liquidate its liabilities. That confidence is needed so that the economy can be seen to be going.

    With those few words, I urge all my Hon Colleagues to approve the amount requested in the motion on page four of today's Order Paper.

    I thank you, Madam Speaker.
    Madam Speaker 4:35 p.m.
    May I call on the
    Hon Minister to wind up now? Hon Minister, please, wind up.
    Dr. Kwabena Duffuor 4:35 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, we have taken note of all the concerns expressed by Hon Members on the Other Financial Obligations of Government.
    We have already explained that we are in a very challenging year and that, we are doing all that we can to enhance mobilisation of revenue and we hope we would be able to achieve our target.
    We are being urged to work out the formulae for the distribution of MPs Common Fund and the HIPC Funds. We are going to work with the Administrators of these Funds to ensure that within the shortest possible time, the formulae for the distribution of these Funds would be worked out. I want to assure my Colleague, Hon Moses Asaga and other Hon Members that we would work out the formulae, as soon as possible.
    To make the Government get funds to discharge its obligations and to restore and enhance confidence in the system, we want to urge all of you to approve the estimated
    amount of GH¢3,987,890,268.30.
    Question put and motion agreed to.
    Resolved:
    That this honourable House appro- ves the sum of GH¢3,987,890,268.30 for Other Government Financial Obligations for the 2009 fiscal year.
    BILLS -- FIRST READING 4:45 p.m.
    Mr. Bagbin 4:45 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, in the circumstances, I would want to crave the indulgence of the House to permit the members of the Finance Committee to go and meet to determine the urgency or otherwise of this Bill and to report to the House.
    In the circumstances, I would want to plead with Members so that we get another 30 minutes suspension of Sitting and that will also enable us to have some discussion before we resume.

    If the Hon Majority Leader is listening, I want to urge Leadership that, for us to be able to use the funds, it would be useful that when he calls us, this should be one of the items on the agenda so that we can approve the formulae for those funds. Otherwise, we cannot use them and it would be too late. We are in March, they have to come out with a formula and we are rising, maybe, today or Monday. So if we are considering a special session without us approving the formulae, they would not be able to use those funds. So I want to urge Leadership to pay attention to that.

    Madam Speaker, I sympathise with my senior brother, the Hon Minister. In this Session, he is having to find money to fulfil certain obligations which, if his revenue estimates do not come through, he might not be able to meet. In particular, the Deputy Ranking Member has just alluded to the issue of additional domestic interest payments. And I think this is an area that he ought to look at very closely. Because if the revenues do not come in, which we know some of it would not come in, and I would talk about it later when we get to Appropriations, then he would be forced to go and borrow more, putting pressure on interest rate, et cetera.

    So I would like to suggest that -- However, I agree that as a prudential move, it is important that he assures people who are owed, that Government is able and willing to make the commitments to meet those obligations.

    Madam Speaker, I cautioned the Hon Minister on the issue of the safety net for petroleum deregulation. In the past, those funds used to come from a particular tax handle that has now been removed. It will be difficult to fill the gap if he does not
    Madam Speaker 5:50 p.m.
    Hon Members, Sitting is suspended for 30 minutes.
    The Sitting was suspended at 4.49 p.m.

    Sitting resumed.
    Madam Speaker 5:50 p.m.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr. J. T. Akologu 5:50 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, we take item 22 on the Order Paper.
    Suspension of Standing Order 80 (1)
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr. E. K. D. Adjaho) 5:50 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I beg to move, that notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 80 (1) which require that no motion shall be debated until at least forty-eight hours have elapsed between the date on which notice of the motion is given and the date on which the motion is moved, the motion for the adoption of the Twelfth Report of the Appointments Committee on the President's nominations for Deputy Ministerial appointments may be moved today.
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 5:50 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I rise to second the motion.
    Question put and motion agreed to.
    Resolved accordingly.
    Twelfth Report of the Appointments Committee
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr. E. K. D. Adjaho) 5:50 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House adopts the Twelfth Report of the Appointments Committee on the President's nominations
    Committee during deliberations and vetting of the nominees:
    1. The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana;
    2. Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana;
    3. Curricular Vitae of nominees;
    4. Reports from security agencies;
    5. Evidence from revenue agencies.
    3.0 Procedure
    Nominees took the oath of a witness when they appeared before the Committee and answered questions on issues relating to their backgrounds, records of office, the positions to which they have been nominated and general issues of national concern.
    4.0 O b s e r v a t i o n s a n d Recommendations
    4.1 Dr. Kwasi Akyem Apea-Kubi -- Deputy Minister-designate for the Interior
    Background
    Dr. Kwasi Akyem Apea-Kubi was born on 18th September, 1949. He had his basic education at United Primary and Middle Schools, Akim Achiase between 1955 and 1962. He proceeded to Akim Oda Secondary School in 1962 for his secondary education. In 1974, he graduated from the University of Ghana Medical School. He is currently a Senior Lecturer and Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician at the Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle-Bu, Accra.
    Dr. Apea-Kubi has held several positions including the General Secretary of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in Ghana.
    He contested the Akim Swedru Constituency Parliamentary seat in the Eastern Region in the 2000 and 2008 general elections. Why Leave the Health Sector?
    The nominee, a medical doctor, informed the Committee that he considers his nomination to the Ministry of the Interior as a call to serve the nation in a different direction. He said he has already helped to train about 2,000 medical officers and about 30 obstetrics and gynaecology specialists, adding that 2 of his sons are medical doctors. To him, he has “in some way” paid his dues to the health sector of the country.
    Definition of Rape
    The nominee defined “rape” as a sexual assault and that it does not matter the degree of penetration. He said the slightest penetration on the female sex organ is enough to qualify as rape.
    Drug Abuse
    The nominee described drug abuse as a menace not only to Ghana but the world at large. To him, vigorous education of the population on the ill-effects of drug abuse would help address the problem. He suggested that education on drugs should target schools, churches and mosques. He spoke of the sources of narcotics and called for the blocking of the sources in order to limit the inflow of these substances into the country. He further suggested the establishment of treatment and rehabilitation sites to deal with addiction to drugs.
    for Deputy Ministerial appointments.
    1.0 Introduction
    His Excellency President J. E. A. Mills communicated to Parliament for prior approval of the nomination of the following persons for appointment as Deputy Ministers pursuant to article 79 (1) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana:
    1. Dr. Kwesi Akyem Apea-Kubi -- Deputy Minister designate for the Interior.
    2 . M r s . D z i f a A k u A t i v o r -- D e p u t y Ministerdesignate for Transport.
    3. Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah -- Deputy Ministerdesignate for Local Government and Rural Development.
    In accordance with Order 172 (2) of the Standing Order of the House, Madam Speaker on Tuesday, 24th February, 2009 referred the nominations to the Appoint- ments Committee for consideration and report.
    The Committee subsequently met and determined modalities for the vetting of the nominees. The names of the nominees were published in the media in accordance with Order 172 (3) and memoranda were invited from the public on the suitability, conduct, experience and capability of the nominees.
    Background checks were carried out on the nominees to ensure that they satisfy, among others, the requirements of article 94 of the Constitution.
    2.0 Reference Documents
    The following documents guided the
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr. E. K. D. Adjaho) 5:50 p.m.


    She promised to liaise with the Ghana Highways Authority to fashion out appropriate mechanism to deal with the problem.

    Recommendation

    The Committee, by unanimous deci- sion, recommends the nominee to the House for approval.

    4.3 Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah -- Deputy Minister-designate for Local Govern- ment and Rural Development

    Background

    Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah was born on 6th January, 1967 in Accra. He holds a Bachelor Degree in English and Theatre Arts from University of Ghana. He also holds a Master of Arts Degree in International Affairs from LECIA, University of Ghana, Legon. He is a lecturer at the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS). He has held a number of political positions including the Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    Rural Development

    The nominee informed the Committee that rural development entailed mobilisa- tion of resources to ensure development at rural areas such as infrastructure development as well as improving standard of living of the people.

    His Role at the Ministry

    In an answer to a question on what he will bring on board, Mr. Afriyie-Ankrah said he would assist the Minister to move the agenda of the Ministry forward. He also said he was aware of some challenges facing the Ministry especially in the area of human resources. According to him,

    it was difficult for the Ministry to get qualified personnel to work in the rural areas. He promised to work with his Minister to ensure that special incentives are put in place to attract people to work in these areas.

    Funds for District Assemblies

    The nominee informed the Committee that most Assemblies are unable to internally generate funds to implement programmes in the district. This affects their development programmes as they always rely on Central Government for funds and these are inadequate.

    He said he would encourage Assemblies to take up the opportunity to raise capital by themselves. He said he would support the passage of the draft Bill called the Local Government Finance Bill which aims at enhancing the capacity of the District Assemblies to raise funds. He said he would help the Assemblies to have access to funds for development.

    He also said there is the need for transparency and accountability at the districts. This would encourage the payment of levies and fees.

    He further advocated the need for every Assembly to have its own website as well as internet connectivity. According to the nominee, this would even assist in attracting investors.

    Role of Chiefs in Development at the Districts

    The nominee said the Constitution states that chiefs are to be consulted in

    relation to certain matters at the district level. He said this provision is not being adhered to. He emphasized that there is the need to consult them and involve them in the development of the districts.

    The nominee, therefore, gave the assurance that he would liaise with his Minister to enhance the involvement of chiefs in the development process of the districts.

    Planning at the District Assemblies

    The nominee informed the Committee that planning at the District Assemblies is not very effective. He said this situation is the result of the ineffectiveness of the planning units and the lack of technical personnel to co-ordinate planning and advise the District Co-ordinating Directors who are the administrative heads of the Assemblies.

    It is also the role of the District Co- ordinating Directors at the districts to co-ordinate, reconcile and harmonize all policies at that level and to help the DCEs make a determination on the way to go as far as development is concerned.

    He said many of the problems associated with planning at the District Assemblies would be resolved if the right calibre of personnel are employed to these positions with the necessary remunera- tion. Furthermore, District Co-ordinating Directors should be encouraged to take courses in planning, as this will equip them with the necessary tools to discharge their functions.

    Payments of Emoluments to Members of the Assembly

    The nominee stated that article 250 (2)

    obliges the country to pay the emoluments of the Presiding Members and other members of District Assemblies. This he said is, however, not being adhered to.

    The nominee assured the Committee that he will consult with his Minister to ensure that this provision is adhered to.

    Recommendation

    The Committee, by unanimous decision, recommends the nominee to the House for approval.

    5.0 Conclusion

    The Committee has carried out its duty diligently in accordance with the 1992 Constitution and the Standing Orders of the House with respect to the nominees contained in this Report, namely:

    1. Dr. Kwesi Akyem Apea-Kubi -- Deputy Minister-designate for the Interior.

    2 . M r s . D z i f a A k u A t i v o r -- D e p u t y M i n i s t e r - designate for Transport.

    3 . Mr. E lv i s Af r iy i e Ankrah -- D e p u t y M i n i s t e r - designate for Local Government and Rural Development.

    The Committee is satisfied that the above-mentioned nominees have fully met the requirements of the Constitution.

    The Committee, therefore, respectfully recommends to the House to approve the nominees by consensus.

    Respectfully submitted.
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 5:50 p.m.
    Madam
    Speaker, I beg to second the motion.
    Minority Leader (Mr. Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu) 5:50 p.m.
    Thank you, very much, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity.
    Madam Speaker, as has been stated by the Hon Chairman of the Committee, the Committee after vetting these nominees came to the conclusion that the three of them acquitted themselves creditably before it.
    Madam Speaker, in particular, we were amazed at the humility of Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah. Before his appearance, there were agitations, and yet when the nominee appeared, he was well-composed, very sober and very, very humble and we believe that such is the demeanour and composure of persons that His Excellency nominates that we expect.
    Madam Speaker, he was humble enough, at various times when questions were thrown at him and when he was not sure, he would admit to his own inadequacies to certain questions and pleaded that, given the opportunity, he will quickly have to adjust and belt himself up to live up to the expectation that the nation expects of him.
    Madam Speaker, I believe such an attitude,demeanour, composure and humility are what we all expect of nominees who appear before the Committee. We are all humans, we are all prone to error and if indeed, any shortcoming is pointed out to us, we should be humble enough to concede and move on.
    Madam Speaker, without much ado, I would want to reiterate that this House approves of the nominations of the three of them: Dr Kwesi Akyem Apea-Kusi,
    Mrs. Dzifa Peace Aku Ativor and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah.
    Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity granted.
    Mr. Adjaho 6 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I just want to thank Hon Members for supporting the motion.
    Question put and motion agreed to.
    Resolved accordingly.
    Madam Speaker 6 p.m.
    Hon Members,
    the House has accordingly approved the following nominees for appointment as Ministers of State in accordance with article 79 (1); and they are Dr. Kwasi Akyem Apea-Kubi -- Deputy Minister for the Interior; Mrs. Zifa Aku Ativor -- Deputy Minister for Transport; Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah -- Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development.
    Hon Members, may I take this
    opportunity to congratulate all the nominees who have received parliamen- tary approval for appointment as Ministers of State.
    Eleventh Report of the Appointments Committee
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr. E. K. D. Adjaho) 6 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I beg to move, that this House adopts the Eleventh Report of the Appointments Committee on the President's nomination for Deputy Ministerial appointments.
    Madam Speaker, I wish to present the Committee's Report.
    1.0 Introduction
    His Excellency President J. E. A. Mills communicated to Parliament for prior approval of the nomination of Mr. Fifi Kwetey for appointment as Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Planning pursuant to article 79 (1) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
    In accordance with Order 172 (2) of the Standing Orders of the House, Madam Speaker on Tuesday, 24th February 2009 referred the nomination to the Appoint- ments Committee for consideration and report.
    The Committee subsequently met and determined modalities for the vetting of the nominee. The name of the nominee was published in the media in accordance with Order 172 (3) and memoranda were invited from the public on the suitability, conduct, experience and capability of the nominee.
    Background checks were carried out on the nominee to ensure that he satisfies, among others, the requirements of article 94 of the Constitution.
    2.0 Reference Documents
    The following documents served as
    reference documents to the Committee during deliberations and vetting of the nominee:
    1. The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana;
    2. Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana;
    3. Curriculum Vitae of nominee; 4. Reports from security agencies;
    5. Evidence from Internal Revenue Service.
    3.0 Procedure
    On appearing before the Committee, the nominee took the oath of a witness and answered questions on issues relating to his records of office, the positions to which he has been nominated and issues of general national concern.
    4.0 Observations
    Background
    Mr. Fifi Fiavi Franklin Kwetey was born on 22nd June, 1967 at Hohoe in the Volta Region. He had his primary education at Ecole Primaraire Crist Roi, Lome, Togo. He also attended College Protestant, Lome from 1979 to 1983 where he sat for and was awarded a certificate equivalent to GCE ‘O' Level.
    He then proceeded to Bishop Herman and Achimota Secondary Schools for his GCE ‘O' and ‘A' Levels respectively. Mr Fifi Kwetey graduated from the University of Ghana in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Psychology. He also holds a Diplome Superieur Du Francais Des Affaires and did Ghana Stock Markets Courses (1-4).
    He has worked as Financial Analyst and Stockbroker and as Funds Manager for Strategic African Securities and CDH Financial Holdings respectively between 1995 and 2002. The nominee has held the position of managing editor of the Crystal Clear Lens from 2004.
    Nationality
    Mr. Fif i Kwetey informed the Committee that he is a Ghanaian by birth. He stated that he was born at Hohoe in the Volta Region of Ghana to Mr. Joseph Darcy Kwetey from Nogokpo and Benonia Esi Kwetey from Denu.
    He explained that he had his primary
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr. E. K. D. Adjaho) 6 p.m.
    Interest Rates
    On a suggestion that reductions in interest rates would reduce the cost of borrowing, inject money into the economy to stimulate expenditure for growth and to generate employment, Mr. Kwetey said the inability of the global economy to respond to various stimulus plans including reduction in interest rates and capital injection is a clear indication of how stubborn the economic difficulties currently facing the world is.
    Depreciation of the Cedi
    Mr. Kwetey said the fall in the value of the cedi in recent times is as a result of the country importing more than we export. The surest way to sustaining the value of the currency is to increase export. The country can also devalue its currency in order to boost export. He, however, stated that devaluation is a deliberate process whilst depreciation depends on market forces.
    He said the projected growth rate of 5.3 per cent is as a result of some dislocations experienced in the economy in 2008 and the likely impact of the Global Credit Crunch on donor inflows, foreign direct investment and remittances. These conditions, he stressed, will slow the pace of growth globally.
    The nominee stated that the nation has moved on an economic path which has not helped for the past fifty-two years. There is, therefore, the need for the injection of fresh ideas.
    Taxes
    The nominee stated that Government does not have any intention of introducing any form of tax that will be a burden on
    the poor. He said taxes on food items will be reintroduced because their reduction has not achieved their intended purposes and that the increment in airport taxes cannot be said to be a tax on the poor by any stretch of imagination.
    Propaganda Secretary
    The nominee informed the Committee that his role as a Propaganda Secretary of the NDC involves promoting and marketing the Party to the electorate. Propaganda, he said, depends on the one using it. While some may use it to destroy, others may use it to the benefit of society. He said the necessary checks were done to confirm all issues before they were put into public domain.
    He said if any of such issues turn out to be false, he will not hesitate to apologize. The nominee, however, insisted that all what he did for his Party in the run- up to the elections is, to the best of his knowledge, factual. He has assured the Committee that issues that took place during the political campaign are over and if given the nod he will be a Deputy Minister for all and not for any political party.
    The Crystal Clear Lens
    The nominee said his newspaper, the Crystal Clear Lens has never been sued. He admitted that the paper carried a story on the alleged disappearance of Ghana's Gold Reserves but did not generate the story. He explained that the story was culled from the ghanaweb on the internet. He further stated that because he was not sure of the story he put the headline in the form of a question and never made a definite statement. He also denied ever calling on the public to withdraw their investment from Databank.
    On the issue of the Transfer of Convicted Persons Bill which he christened “Amoateng Bill” in his newspaper and made allusions to Nana Akufo-Addo as the one who sponsored it, he said anyone who made a comment on a Bill can be said to have pushed for it, except that they would have different motives.
    He further informed the Committee that since 7th December, 2008, he has not published anything in the said paper.
    He admitted that sometimes in political circles, you may hit below the belt and that it may not necessarily be right.
    NDC Forum for Setting the Records Straight and the Abu Mohammed Issue
    Some Hon Members drew the attention of the nominee to a press release issued by the NDC Forum for Setting the Records Straight of which he is the Chairman in which it was alleged that some Nana Akufo-Addo supporters had burnt the NDC office in the Abuakwa South Constituency and that they had made an NDC official at the constituency, one Abu Mohammed to be a cripple till today.
    When it was put to the nominee that in fact, the said Abu Mohammed is not a cripple and is currently working as the GPRTU Chairman of his area, the nominee argued that he believed in the source of that story and that if it turned out to be inaccurate, he will be prepared to apologize and withdraw the story.
    Changing the Status Quo
    As to how he would implement his claim of wanting to change the status quo when he is not the main Minister, the nominee informed the Committee that he would offer the Minister the necessary energy, exuberance and freshness of ideas to help him manage the Ministry.

    Nominee's Publication and Role

    Some members on the Committee took strong objection to certain publications in the Crystal Clear Lens of which the nominee was the Managing Editor and his role as spokesperson on NDC's Forum for Setting the Records Straight. These members argued that some of these publications are not factually correct. The particular stories included that of Abu Mohammed and the issue of the alleged disappearance of the country's gold reserves earlier on referred to.

    However, majority are of the view that the Constitution and the laws of the country have guaranteed freedom of expression and provided mechanisms for addressing grievances. Indeed, it is because of the importance of the freedom of expression that the law on criminal libel was repealed.

    As a result of these, the majority is of the opinion that it would have been better if these mechanisms for redress are resorted to. Furthermore, there is no evidence before the Committee that anybody has tried to evoke any of these mechanisms like rejoinder, complaint to the National Media Commission (NMC) or resort to the courts.

    It is also instructive to indicate that the Committee had not received any petition whatsoever against the nominee in spite of the fact that the name of the nominee was published in the media in accordance with Standing Order 172 (3) and memoranda were invited from the public on the suitability, conduct, experience and capacity of the nominee.

    5.0 Recommendation and Conclusion

    The Committee has carried out its duty diligently in accordance with the 1992

    Constitution and the Standing Orders of the House with respect to the nomination of Mr. Fifi Kwetey.

    The Committee, having satisfied itself that the nominee has fully met the requirements of the Constitution, respectfully recommends his nomination, by a majority decision, to the House for approval.

    Respectfully submitted.
    Mr. E. T. Mensah 6 p.m.
    Madam Speaker,
    I rise to second the motion.
    Question proposed.
    Dr. Matthew O. Prempeh (NPP -- Manhyia) 6 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, fellow Hon Members, we are about to discuss a gentleman whom I personally believe should be an example to all of us gathered in here.
    When you appear before the Appoint- ments Committee, you appear as an individual and whatever happens there, you are left to your own fate. You do not appear as a Party.
    I personally have never seen this Hon gentleman, Mr. Fifi Kwetey till he appeared before us as a Committee. My impres-sions that day stem from a statement he made to the effect that he speaks the truth so much so that, he needs not have sworn on the Bible. To me, that statement probably defines him.
    For, Madam Speaker, you swear the oath not because you are a liar. Neither did President Atta Mills swear an oath to Ghanaians because he does not speak the truth. It is an onerous responsibility, an obligation you owe to the House and to the people of Ghana, that is why you swear oaths.
    So for me, I made up my mind that, with such a statement, probably, I have to
    close my eyes and my ears to what such a person says because he is a god onto himself, a law onto himself.
    Subsequently, I heard Hon Fifi Kwetey on the “Good Evening Ghana” programme with Hon Dr. Akoto Osei -- [Inter- ruptions.] [Some Hon Members: He is not Honourable. Withdraw the “Honour- able”!] Thank you. I withdraw the word “Honourable”. [Hear! Hear!]
    I saw and heard Mr. Fifi Kwetey on “Good Evening Ghana” programme with Hon Dr. Akoto Osei and just one statement he made, really confirmed my suspicions. He made a statement to the effect that the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning said in this House that the Budget was an interim one. The following day I came to ask the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning here, that: “Dr. Duffuor, did you say your Budget was an interim Budget?” He said: “No.” This is somebody who has told us at the Committee, that he speaks the truth so much so that he should not have sworn.
    Madam Speaker, more importantly, as a doctor, an issue of profound importance happened at the Committee that I would want Hon Members to take note of. An issue arose that a gentleman had been beaten till he was impotent and crippled as a result of partisanship in Kyebi. When this gentleman was asked whether he had got any evidence, he said, he relied on a third party evidence and he believed the third party evidence so much so that he needed not to crosscheck.
    At the Committee when this gentleman was asked about a story he had put out to the effect that the Bank of Ghana, or for that matter, Ghana Government had sold all its gold reserves, he said, “When I made references and found out that the story was not true, I retracted. Besides, when I put out that story, there was a
    Dr. Matthew O. Prempeh (NPP -- Manhyia) 6:10 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, when you looked at that statement there was no question mark and we have not yet seen the retraction. My view was that with these things probably -- [Interruptions.] This is not the gentleman we support. But I sincerely believe in the Bible and the Bible talks of, to err is human and to forgive is divine.
    I am not about to cast judgement on Mr. Fifi Kwetey. My advice is that, that is not probably the best Ministry for him, but if the President so demands, if he so insists, we as Hon Members of this House should not put impediments in his way. Character reveals itself. You can never hide it. If he will not change, he will be found out. We should not be a Sanhedrin for Fifi Kwetey.
    I will implore Hon Members on this side to sincerely forgive and forget and -- [Some Hon Members: No. No. That is not our stand.] I will implore Hon Members of this House not to look at the many lies that were said at the Committee and rather see that maybe, behind all these lies, is somebody who cannot do the job. If he cannot do the job and the President so insists, so be it.
    Madam Speaker, personally, I think I would advise the President to look for another place for him.

    Mr. Dominic Azimbe Azumah (NDC

    -- Garu /Tempane): Madam Speaker, I rise to support the motion and ask my Hon Colleagues to do so for the approval of Mr. Fifi Kwetey.

    Madam Speaker, speaking as a member of the Committee, here was a young dynamic and gentleman who appeared before this Committee -- [Uproar.] Madam Speaker, here was a gentleman, very knowledgeable in finance and
    Madam Speaker 6:10 p.m.
    Order! Order!
    Mr. E. T. Mensah 6:10 p.m.
    On a point of
    order. Madam Speaker, the Hon Member is ranting and using street language, “unrepentant Propaganda Secretary”; he is judging somebody without any basis and I want to draw his attention to the fact that the so-called “unrepentant” is not here to defend himself. It is an allegation that he has no proof whatsoever. He may do well to have it withdrawn and use another word.
    Madam Speaker 6:10 p.m.
    Hon Members,
    can I have silence. Hon Mensah, can you repeat it? I did not hear that -- Hon Members, let me listen.
    Mr. E. T. Mensah 6:10 p.m.
    Madam Speaker,
    my beef is on the words “unrepentant Propaganda Secretary”. Mr. Fifi Kwetey was duly elected at the Congress by the NDC as a Propaganda Secretary. If in the course of his duties he stepped on toes and somebody has taken an offence, he cannot make an emphatic statement that he is an unrepentant Propaganda Secretary. He has no basis whatsoever to make that statement.
    So Madam Speaker, I am saying that, since he has no evidence to prove that he is unrepentant, he must do well to withdraw that statement and replace it with another one.
    Thank you, Madam Speaker.
    Madam Speaker 6:10 p.m.
    Hon E .T. Mensah has taken objection to the word “unrepentant”.
    Mr. I. K. Asiamah 6:20 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, the man appeared before the Appointments Committee after being asked persistently and proved wrong by other members of

    This is the man who has appointed himself as an apostle of truth, I am giving you two scenarios to prove my point. When he made an allegation against Nana Addo Danquaah Akufo-Addo that in 1998 he organized thugs to beat one Abu Mohammed.
    Madam Speaker 6:20 p.m.
    Let me take a point
    of order. Please, may I have silence. Order! Let me listen to him --
    Mr. E. K. A. Adjaho 6:20 p.m.
    Madam
    Speaker, the use of the word “unrepentant” does not support the Report, the subject matter of this Report. I will refer the Hon Member on the floor to page five under Propaganda Secretary; pages five and six of the Committee's Report and in particular refer him to page six. He said:

    The motion before us is the adoption of this Report. The motion before this House is for the adoption of this Report and I think it is important that in addressing and contributing to this debate, we take into account the contents of this Report.
    Mr. I. K. Asiamah 6:30 p.m.
    Madam Speaker,
    if you look at the Report, page six for example, he said -- this is according to Fifi Kwetey. He said:
    “The necessary checks were done to confirm all issues before they were put in the public domain.”

    It has been clear, evidently, that the said Abu Mohammed was involved in an accident in September, 2005 and which affected his leg. We have every evidence to support this very fact we are talking about.

    We have all the reports from St. Joseph's Hospital in Koforidua to suggest that indeed, the gentleman in question was involved in an accident and not as a result of brutalities meted out by Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo. So clearly, if you have a nominee still insisting that this is a fact and he is saying he has no regrets, therefore, if I describe him as unrepentant, I am so right with the description.

    The other issue I want to touch on

    This alone -- Do you know the

    damage that his publication caused Ghana, the reputation of this country as a result of that publication? We have somebody who believes he can say anything no matter what, and damn the consequences, yet we are in this House approving of such a nomination.

    Madam Speaker, for me, H.E. the

    President should not create the impression that he is rewarding questionable characters in this country. [Hear! Hear!] The impression should not be created that, the President is rewarding people with questionable character.

    Madam Speaker, I would want to conclude by saying that, if mendacious behaviour, even in the name of propaganda is rewarding -- I would want to repeat this sentence -- if mendacious behaviour in the name of propaganda is rewarding in this country, I do not blame the appointee, then I rather blame the appointer.

    Madam Speaker, I end my submission.

    Mr. Inusah A. B. Fuseini (NDC

    -- Tamale Central): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this motion on the floor of the House. And I am using this platform

    Madam Speaker, when we constitute a committee, and call the committee the Appointments Committee, we as a Parliament give them the mandate to assess the capabilities and eligibility of the persons nominated for positions in Ghana, to appear before them for such assessment.

    We do not constitute an Appointments Committee and vest them with the mandate to use their personal idio-syncrasies in determining, whether or not, such a person is qualified to hold public office.

    Madam Speaker, the guidelines for the Appointments Committee are very clear, as contained in the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the Standing Orders of this Parliament.

    Madam Speaker, I do not hear anybody say that Fifi Kwetey is ineligible to hold the position of Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Planning. I have not heard anybody say that Mr. Fifi Kwetey does not have the requisite qualification to work in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning as a Deputy Minister of State. What I hear people say is contained in reports that he published in a newspaper prior to the December elections.

    Madam Speaker, the complaint that has been made against Fifi Kwetey, does not

    originate from Fifi Kwetey; it is contained in the publication of Daily Graphic of Monday, 23rd December, 1996; about 12 good years after the publication was so made in the Crystal Clear Lens.

    Madam Speaker, Fifi Kwetey did not invent stories. Fifi Kwetey culled the story from a publication in the Daily Graphic -- [Interruption] -- Madam Speaker, if at all a publication contained in a newspaper is wrong, does it entitle an Appointments Committee appointed by this House to assess a person, to hold that person responsible for the wrong content in the newspaper?

    Madam Speaker, I am praying that

    all the Hon Members of this House, including my Hon Friends on the Minority side, that a unique opportunity has been given to Fifi Kwetey to prove himself in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning; endorse him, endorse the Report and then he will work to the betterment of this country.

    Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.
    Minority Leader (Mr. Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu) 6:30 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I thank you very much for the opportunity to contribute to this motion on the floor, in respect of this House being called upon to adopt the Eleventh Report of the Appointments Committee on the President's nomination for Deputy Ministerial appointments.
    Madam Speaker, the nominee before
    us is in the person of Mr. Fifi Kwetey. Madam Speaker, I see from the reference documents that the following documents served as the reference documents for the Committee during deliberations and vetting of the nominee: the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana; the Standing Orders of Parliament of Ghana;
    Madam Speaker 6:30 p.m.
    Order, please.
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 6:30 p.m.
    Madam
    Speaker, as I was saying, I am learning for the first time that the Committee was given reports from the security agencies in respect of this nominee.
    Madam Speaker, I want it to be put on
    record that those on our side were never given any such reports. If indeed, there were reports from the security services in respect of this person, then I submit that for whatever reason, we were not given copies of those reports.
    Mr. Adjaho 6:40 p.m.
    On a point of order.
    Madam Speaker, there are these routine background checks that we do on the nominees; we write to the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and the Ghana Police Service. If there is nothing in the report, it is routine that they have checked and there is nothing on them.
    Madam Speaker, I would like to tell you that this report I have, my Colleague on the floor, the Hon Minority Leader looked at it; he had made his input fully into the matter. I have a copy of his corrected version in my hand. If he had requested to have a look at the reports from them, I would have made them available to him. Madam Speaker, he is aware that I informed him that the checks that we had done, there were nothing.
    Indeed, it is with regard to this nominee, in the course of the vetting, the report
    that we received from the BNI indicated his grades at the “O” Level. Those who listened to the vetting would have realized that I said that the background check showed that these were the grades the nominee had at the “O” Level. I am surprised that the Hon Member is pursuing that line of argument.
    Indeed, in the case of Elvis Afriyie and the rest, I want to find from him to tell this House whether he has seen those reports or he has not seen those reports and why he has not raised them.
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 6:40 p.m.
    Madam
    Madam Speaker 6:40 p.m.
    Order! Order! Let us carry on. Hon Minority Leader, carry on with your contribution.
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 6:50 p.m.
    Madam
    Speaker, my Colleague is expressing surprise. What is more surprising and more honest, if I had written in my own hand writing, then let me assess after you have looked at it. Let me have it back so that I know whether you have factored these things into the Report. He declined to give it to me up to now that I am speaking, and that is honesty. Madam Speaker, this is most surprising. This is most surprising! [Interruptions.] Madam Speaker, but I move on.
    Madam Speaker, if we can live with such attitude in this House when I thought that we should have mutual trust and respect for each other, and this is the
    attitude of the Chairman and if you think it should be countenanced, Madam Speaker, the judgement is yours.
    Madam Speaker, but coming to the nominee. Here we have a person who alleges that all the gold reserves of this country have disappeared, a categorical statement.
    Madam Speaker, the second one that came from him was that the gold reserves that he said had disappeared had indeed been stolen by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government, a categorical statement.
    Madam Speaker, integrity of a person matters. Integrity of a person matters in this. Madam Speaker, the nominee made the allegation again, that a local National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman in the person of one Abu Mohammed had been assaulted by Nana Akufo-Addo's thugs, which had rendered the victim a cripple till date. It turns out that that indeed was a palpable falsehood.
    Madam Speaker, it is rather amazing what has been captured in this Report on page six and I would want to read. Madam Speaker, on the stories that he had churned out which contained no truth, he said and I quote:
    “The necessary checks were done to confirm all issues before they were put in public domain.”
    Madam Speaker, when the nominee was further questioned, he said what he did, he thought, was the truth and that given the opportunity he would do the same thing over and over again. Madam Speaker, so it is surprising that this Report captures it that he assured the Committee that, issues that took place during the
    political campaign are over and if given the nod he will be a Deputy Minister for all and not for any political party.
    Madam Speaker, this is not what transpired at the Committee level and we take serious issue to this. Madam Speaker, this is a complete misrepresentation of what happened before the Committee which is what I sought to correct. I sought to correct this, that this, indeed, is not what happened.
    Madam Speaker, as I said, integrity of a person matters. Madam Speaker, I am not saying this because I consider myself as an angel. We are all human and to err, as they say, is human. So if a person makes a mistake and upon flashing back, he realizes that he has made a mistake, let him apologize for it. That is whoever bears the identity of true humanity.
    Madam Speaker, but if a person is called upon, and he says given the opportunity, I will repeat it, that certainly cannot sit well with us. Madam Speaker, we make laws in this House. This House of Parliament, the primary responsibility is to enact laws.

    We are told by this gentleman that he holds a person accountable for the making of a law, the contribution that the person makes. That indeed, is true, because before a person makes any contribution, it must reflect the principle of that person. But then, this man then says that he will go further to question the motive of the person making the contribution on the floor and he chooses to impute whatever motives that he chooses to the person who makes the contribution.

    Madam Speaker, this is really at variance with our own rules and procedure.
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 7 p.m.
    We pointed this one out to him, and he says given the opportunity, he will do the same thing again. Madam Speaker, that is why some of us find it difficult to support his candidacy.
    He is a young man -- I hear my Hon Friend there saying that, oh, I should not worry, it is a done deal. Yes, it may be a done deal, but I believe that the integrity of this House does matter -- [Interruptions.] You do not compromise on that and yet you will fully support somebody who calls in to question the integrity of this House. Madam Speaker, I believe we must be very careful in what we do because posterity will judge us.
    Let me say as a matter of fact that a few hours ago, I learnt that the nominee wanted to see some of us to maybe, have some engagement, an interface. Madam Speaker, we could not meet him because time, indeed, was not on our side. Maybe something useful would have come out of it if we had had time to meet him. But I have stated the facts as they happened before the Appointments Committee.
    Madam Speaker, some of us are firm in our conviction that what transpired was most improper, most unfortunate, most irregular and that this House should not be seen or deemed to be supporting a personality who demonstrated beyond every shred of doubt, that integrity is something else.

    Madam Speaker, if I should allege that the gold reserves -- [Interruptions] -- Madam Speaker, I am winding up.

    Madam Speaker, if I should allege that the gold reserves of this nation have disappeared, and you put me in charge of this gold reserves and I turn round to say that well, but I told you, I did not find any because before going there, I told you that the gold reserves were nowhere, what will be the result?

    Madam Speaker, as I said, I am appealing to Hon Colleagues, let us be very discerning, let us be very patriotic and rise to the occasion and do what is right for this nation.

    Madam Speaker, I thank you for this opportunity.

    Majority Leader (Mr. A. S. K.

    Bagbin): Madam Speaker, this House is called upon to adopt the Eleventh Report of the Appointments Committee and that Report is on the presidential nominee, in the name of Fifi Kwetey to be one of the Deputy Ministers of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.

    Madam Speaker, I have listened

    to the contributions made so far and I believe it is in the spirit of what we agreed upon, that is, we agree to disagree and that is contained even in the Report of the committee because it is a majority decision.

    So we have agreed to disagree. This is not the first time. It has happened many, many times on this floor, particularly, when we disagreed on political grounds and clearly -- [Laughter] -- all the reasons adduced had to do with statements he had made that had political implications and definitely, they were made on political platforms and also in publications edited by him.

    So Madam Speaker, I am not surprised at all if Members on the other side of the House disagree with us on this matter. I am not surprised. But it is clear that some of them in making very audacious statements

    Madam Speaker, definitely, when we were on the other side of the House, we had occasions to disagree with our Colleagues on these matters but at least, my Colleagues, some of whom are here, when we even disagreed with them and made these political statements, at the end of the day, we supported their motions. I can cite copious examples. My Senior Brother Hon I. C. Quaye is here -- [Uproar.] Madam Speaker, I know very well -- [Interruption.]

    Sheikh I. C. Quaye: On a point of correction. Madam Speaker, I can re- member that the decision taken on me at that time was by consensus.
    Mr. Bagbin 7 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, my Hon
    Senior Brother, I. C. Quaye has clearly vindicated my point that we agreed, even in spite of disagreement, on consensus [Hear! Hear!] I will not continue with the rest.

    Madam Speaker, I expect that as we grow in our political culture, these statements and debates would guide all of us to develop towards the rules of decent and in fact, civilized language when we are dealing with each other.

    So, I totally agree that we should express our revulsion when we feel that the language or stories carried by other side of the political divide are distasteful, but I do not think that we should carry it to the extent of being vengeful or trying to use that to act against some materials that we could use to develop the nation.

    It is with this that Madam Speaker, we want to implore my Hon Colleagues on the other side of the House to vote for the candidate.[Interruption.]Madam Speaker, the word is “implore”and therefore, we would urge Madam Speaker to put the Question and let us decide and allow things to move in the right direction -- [Interruptions.]
    Mr. Adjaho 7 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I think
    the point has been made.
    I thank all Hon Members from both sides of the House.
    Madam Speaker, as has been said, we must agree to disagree. At times we agree and at times we disagree. Madam Speaker, I believe at the end of the day, we should arrive at a certain consensus on this matter.
    Madam Speaker 7 p.m.
    Order! Order!
    Mr. Adjaho 7 p.m.
    I think that on this
    Prof. Michael Aaron Oquaye 7 p.m.
    On
    a point of correction. Madam Speaker, definitely, the word “vengeance” is not acceptable. [Hear! Hear!] Madam Speaker, because it necessarily connotes bad motive on the side of those who are making a certain line of argument. Madam Speaker, I do not think this is fair at all.
    Prof. Michael Aaron Oquaye 7 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, if we are looking at matters of whether a man said, “I will do it all over again” or that we should forget the issues that took place and we do not know what the distinction is, if a person who is going to be at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, talks about our gold reserves having been depleted and stolen -- [Interruptions] -- please. Madam Speaker, if a person should express disapproval in this kind of context, I would not call that vengeance.
    Madam Speaker, I believe that that line of argument should be eschewed and then we make progress, otherwise, it would make life very difficult for us.

    Madam Speaker, I am serious about this; we must respect certain issues of principle and this Republic cannot be taken for granted.

    Madam Speaker, I object to this.
    Mr. Bagbin 7 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I was
    going to agree with the Second Deputy Speaker, but he did not end well. Because the first part of us trying to move away from using words like ‘vengeance' and the rest which I agree with him, but the second part of him trying to justify some of the earlier statements, I disagree with him because as -- [An Hon Member:
    Let us vote] -- Madam Speaker -- [Inter- ruptions.] Madam Speaker, my Hon Colleagues opposite, on the other side of the House, are so much in love with Hon Asaga -- [Interruptions] -- I take the message and I would carry it forward so that your darling Hon Asaga would be made a Minister -- [Uproar.]
    Mr. Adjaho 7:10 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I have

    Madam Speaker, the point that is being made is that we should not judge anybody, and it is in that spirit that I said that.

    I would end by urging all Hon Members to take a cue from that singular statement made by the Hon Member for Manhyia so that we can support the nominee.

    Finally Madam Speaker, if I am

    permitted, if the House would allow

    me, I would just end by quoting Hon I. C. Quaye, when he got up and said “Agbenaa”.
    Madam Speaker 7:10 p.m.
    Hon Members, my attention has been drawn to the fact that at present in the House, there are more than half of all Hon Members of Parliament to enable the House to proceed with a secret ballot, in accordance with article 104 and Standing Order 109 (1).
    Mr. Opare-Ansah 7:20 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, to ensure that each Member here present and voting has the opportunity to duly cast his or her vote and also to ensure fairness in the voting process, I wish to request that during voting the Clerks call out our names and we come out and put our votes in the ballot box -- [Interrup-tions.]
    Mr. E. T. Mensah 7:20 p.m.
    Madam Speaker,
    Madam Speaker 7:20 p.m.
    Order! Order!
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 7:20 p.m.
    Madam
    Speaker, some of us have not been given any ballot paper.
    Madam Speaker 7:20 p.m.
    Hon Members,
    I am not taking any objection. We are voting, we are going to vote -- can
    everybody please sit down? Everybody, please sit down and let us do the voting.
    rose
    Madam Speaker 7:20 p.m.
    Order! Order!
    Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr. Bagbin 7:30 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, there
    has been some consultation and we are proposing that the papers that have been distributed to some and not others, will not be used for the voting again. A completely new voting or ballot paper has been produced and we are further proposing that this one should not be distributed. It will be there, a Member would go, he will be given one, he will vote there, go back and that will ensure fairness.

    I only need to add that this is the real official ballot paper of Parliament. [Shows a ballot paper.] In view of the time constraint, we could not print the name of the --[Interruptions.] Madam Speaker, I was simply saying that -- [Interruptions.] [Prolonged pause.]
    Madam Speaker 7:30 p.m.
    Order! Order! Hon
    Members, we are ready for the voting. And I think, like was suggested, we have the names of everybody here. Your name would be called, you come and take your ballot paper and you vote one by one. It will take time but I think it will be acceptable to all.
    So, can we please start the voting?
    Madam Speaker 7:30 p.m.
    Hon Members, let us clear the table. The Clerk will be there alone. When the name is called, the Hon
    Madam Speaker 7:30 p.m.
    Clerk, can we start -- [Interruptions.] Order! Can we all have silence and watch what is happening?

    Now, we can see everything that is happening.

    Clerk, call out the names one by one. When the Hon Member comes, you hand the ballot paper to him or her.
    Madam Speaker 9:10 p.m.
    Hon Members, the results of the secret ballot are as follows:
    Mr. Fifi Kwetey
    AYES -- 117
    NOES -- 106
    Hon Members, Mr. Fifi Kwetey secured
    MR. FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
    Mr. First Deputy Speaker 9:10 p.m.
    Hon
    Majority Leader?
    Mr. Bagbin 9:10 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, may we
    now take item 6 (b) -- Laying of Papers and we are expecting the Report of the Finance Committee on the Appropriation Bill to be laid.
    PAPERS 9:10 p.m.
    Mr. Bagbin 9:10 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, we now take motion number 15, page 4 of the Order Paper.
    Mr. First Deputy Speaker 9:10 p.m.
    Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, item 15.
    Suspension of Standing Order 80 (1)
    Minister for Finance and Economic Planning (Dr. Kwabena Duffuor) 9:10 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, that notwith- standing the provisions of Standing Order 80 (1) which require that no motion shall be debated until at least forty-eight hours have elapsed between the date on which notice of the motion is given and the date on which the motion is moved, the motion
    for the Second reading of the Appro- priation Bill, 2009 may be moved today.
    Mr. J. K. Avedzi 9:10 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I beg to second the motion.
    Question put and motion agreed to.
    Resolved accordingly.
    Mr. First Deputy Speaker 9:10 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr. Bagbin 9:10 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, we now take motion number 16 on page four of the Order Paper.
    Mr. First Deputy Speaker 9:10 p.m.
    Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning?
    BILLS -- SECOND READING 9:10 p.m.
    Minister for Finance and Economic Planning (Dr. Kwabena Duffuor) 9:10 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I beg to move that the Appropriation Bill, 2009 be now read a Second time.
    Mr. Speaker, the object of this Bill is to provide for the withdrawal of sums of money to meet government expenditure for the 2009 financial year from the Consolidated Fund and other funds to provide for related matters. This is in accordance with article 179 (2) (a) of the Constitution that states and I beg to quote:
    “ ( 2 ) T h e e s t i m a t e s o f t h e expenditure of all public offices and public corporations, other than those set up as commercial ventures --
    (a) shall be classified under programmes or activities
    which shall be included in a Bill to be known as an Appropriation Bill and which shall be introduced into Parliament to provide for the issue from the Consolidated Fund or such other appro-priate fund, of the sums of money necessary to meet that expenditure and the appropriation of those sums for the purposes specified in that Bill;”
    Mr. Speaker, the Government is requesting that a sum of money not exceeding GH¢9,793,131,406.30 be issued from the Consolidate Fund during the financial year commencing on the 1st day of January and ending on the 31st day of December 2009.
    Mr. Speaker, I beg to move.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr. J.
    K. Avedzi): Mr. Speaker, I rise to second the motion. And Mr. Speaker, in doing so, I present the Report of your Committee. 1.0 Introduction
    The 2009 Appropriation Bill was presented and read the First time in the House on Friday, 27th March, 2009 and referred to the Finance Committee for consideration and report in accordance with article 179 (2) of the Constitution and Standing Orders of the House. This followed the presentation of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the 2009 Financial Year by the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Hon Dr. Kwabena Duffuor.
    The Committee met and considered the Bill with the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Hon Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Hon Seth Terkper and
    Minister for Finance and Economic Planning (Dr. Kwabena Duffuor) 9:20 p.m.
    officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and hereby submits this report.
    2.0 References
    In examining the Bill, the Committee referred to and was guided by the following:
    The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana
    The Budget Statement and Eco- nomic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2009 Financial Year.
    The Reports of Parliamentary Committees on the 2009 Annual Estimates of Ministries, Depart- ments and Agencies (MDAs).
    3.0 Background Information
    Pursuant to art icle 179 of the Constitution, the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning acting on the authority of His Excellency the President has requested the House to approve and authorize the withdrawal of monies from the Consolidated Fund and for the withdrawal from other funds for the running of the State during the financial year commencing on the 1st day of January 2009 and ending on 31st December 2009.
    4.0 Object of the Bill
    Pursuant to article 179 (2) (a) of the Constitution, the Appropriation Bill, 2009 is seeking Parliamentary authority to enable a sum of money not exceeding nine billion, seven hundred and ninety-three million, one hundred and thirty-one thousand, four hundred and six Ghana cedis, thirty pesewas (GH¢9,793,131,406.30) to be issued from the Consolidated Fund and
    other public funds during the financial year commencing on the 1st day of January and ending on the 31st day of December 2009 for the purposes of meeting government expenditure.
    The specific purposes for which the sum shall be appropriated have been specified in the schedules to the Bill, all geared towards efficiently carrying out the services of the Government for the 2009 financial year.
    The summary of expendi tures covered in the Bill is captioned “FIRST SCHEDULE (SECTION 1)” and attached to this Report.
    5.0 Observations
    The Committee, during the course of its deliberations, observed that in accordance with article 180 of the Constitution, this honourable House in November, 2008 approved an amount of two billion, two hundred and eighteen million, five hundred and six thousand, nine hundred and thirty-one Ghana cedis (GH¢2,218,506,931.00) for expenditure in advance of appropriation (vote on account) to enable the carrying on of the services of Government for the first quarter of the year 2009.
    The Committee further observed that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) shall be permitted to retain and use an amount of three hundred and eighty-six million, eight hundred and eighty-one thousand, three hundred and ten Ghana cedis (GH¢386,881,310.00) of Internally Generated Funds (IGFs) during the 2009 financial year.
    Again, the Committee noted that the Bill includes a sum of money not exceeding one hundred and thirty-one million, seven hundred and eighty-eight thousand Ghana cedis (GH¢131,788,000.00) of HIPC allocation to be utilized during the financial year commencing 1st of January and ending 31st day of December 2009.
    An amount of money not exceeding ninety-three million, two hundred and seventy thousand Ghana cedis (GH¢93,270,000.00) of Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) is included in the Bill to be utilized during the 2009 financial year.
    O u t o f t h e t o t a l a m o u n t o f GH¢9,793 ,131 ,406 .30 pro jec ted payments in 2009, the Committee noted that GH¢3,012,736,795 would constitute statutory payments whilst discretionary payments would also amount to GH¢6,780,394,611.
    The Committee noted that an amount of approximate ly GH¢5,750,000 from HIPC funds would be granted to Members of Parliament (MPs) to undertake various developmental projects in their constituencies. It was further explained that each Member is expected to receive an amount of about twenty-five thousand Ghana cedis (GH¢25,000) of this allocation.
    Hon Members were informed that
    the District Assemblies' Common Fund (DACF) is not calculated on the total revenue but rather on the total tax revenue which does not include loans and grants and IGFs.
    It was observed that the personal emolument figure in the Bill is different from what is in the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government. The technical team from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, however, explained to the Committee that this has come as a result of the removal of the Personal Emoluments (P.E) of the National Service Secretariat (NSS) which was wrongly added to the P.E. of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and at the same time provided for in the Budget of the Ministry of Education.
    Some Members drew the attention of the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning to the fact that the anticipated revenue from the restoration of import duty on some food items may not be realized since the Minister has indicated his unwillingness to continue with the Bill for now. They, therefore, advised the Minister to take necessary steps to increase
    the projected revenue in order to ensure that the expenditures contained in the Bill can be met.
    5.1 Urgency In accordance with Order 119, the
    Committee has determined that the Bill is of an urgent nature and should therefore be taken through all the stages of passage in one day under a certificate of urgency. 6.0 Amendments Proposed
    After carefully considering the Bill, the Committee respectfully proposes the following amendments to the Bill:
    i. Clause 4 - Amendment Proposed, l ine 3, between “shall” and “utilised” insert “be”
    ii. Clause 6 - Amendment Proposed, After “shall” insert “be deemed to have”
    iii. Clause 7 - Amendment Proposed, After “2008” insert “(Act 748)”
    v. First Schedule (Section 1) -- Amendment Proposed - “Total payments” add GH¢0.30 and “Statutory Payments” add GH¢0.30
    7.0 Recommendation and Conclusion
    The Committee, having carefully considered the Bill, recommends that the sum of money not exceeding nine billion, seven hundred and ninety-three million, one hundred and thirty-one thousand, four hundred and six Ghana cedis, thirty pesewas (GH¢9,793,131,406.30) be approved to be issued from the Consolidated Fund and for withdrawal from other funds for the purposes of financing all Government operations during the financial year commencing 1st January 2009 and ending 31st December
    2009.
    Respectfully submitted.

    Question proposed

    MR. BAGBIN] [DR. DUFFUOR]
    Dr. A. A. Osei (NPP Old Tafo) 9:20 p.m.
    Mr.
    Speaker, thank you for allowing me to contribute to the motion numbered 16 on the Order Paper at page four.
    As the Chairman has just indicated, this motion seeks the authority of this House, to spend a certain amount of money. Now, since it is seeking the authority of this House, it is particularly important that the House is fully satisfied that these moneys would be available when Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) request those sums from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.
    Mr. Speaker, I want to recall some of my earlier discussions when we were debating the Budget, to draw the attention of the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning that, it is important that certain things are taken into consideration as we consider this Bill.
    Mr. Speaker, I want to draw his attention to the items listed on page 10 of the highlights of the Budget, because that is where he listed the cost-saving measures. Mr. Speaker, the crux of his fiscal programme depends on whether or not these saving measures are real. I want to draw his attention to a few items which in my view are not real.
    To begin with, we discussed the issue on the savings from HIPC to budgets that were supposed to realize GH¢80 million, but that are not going to be realized. [Interruption.] It is related, yes. The entire 9793 -- [Interruption.]
    Mr. Twumasi-Appiah 9:20 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker,
    on a point of order. Mr. Speaker, we are discussing your Committee's Report and the Hon Member on his feet is referring to certain highlights.
    Mr. Speaker, the highlights are not part of the Report under discussion now.
    So on the issue of relevance, I would want my Hon Colleague opposite to talk to the Report before us which is under discussion.
    Dr. Osei 9:20 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, let us go to page two of the Report; the Chairman read this to us -- starting from page one:
    “ In examining the Bi l l the Committee referred to, and was guided by the following . . . ”
    If you go to page two, the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2009 Financial Year, which is the Budget Statement. Is it not this document? Mr. Speaker, these are pieces of advice my Hon Colleague should just take them in so that the Hon Minister can take note.
    Mr. Speaker, I am drawing attention to it because every argument that we have heard in the last couple of days suggests - [Interruptions.] Mr. Speaker, I think the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning needs this; so you take your time.
    The second item which we drew his attention to in Committee is the issue of the restoration of food tariffs, that they were expecting to raise GH¢43 million, subsequently revised to GH¢72 million. We know that we have not passed the Bill yet, so it represents a potential gap.
    Mr. Speaker, in the Budget Statement, this House has already reduced petroleum taxes. If you look at what happened last year, and if you look at what we have done, at the minimum, the Hon Minister stands to lose as little as GH¢100 million and it could be much higher. But all those are reflected in the Budget Statement which would be funding these expenditures.
    Mr. Speaker, the principle of saving GH¢116.3 million from the Treasury Savings Account, I am afraid, it is going to be difficult to get. Mr. Speaker, realizing an additional GH¢22.2 million from the additional Communications Service Tax through effective monitoring
    Mr. Avedzi 9:20 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I want to refer my Hon Friend to page six of the Report under item seven - Recommendations and Conclusion.
    Dr. Osei 9:20 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I am not yielding.
    Mr. Avedzi 9:20 p.m.
    “The Committee highly considered the Bil l -- [Interruptions]. recommends that the sum of money not exceeding,”
    which means that the amount we are asking for, if the revenue is not up to that level, we can spend less than what we are asking for. We are only asking that the sum should not exceed this amount. So if he is talking about revenue not being generated, it is not an issue that we should bring, that would affect what we are doing here.
    Dr. Osei 9:30 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, my Chairman is a returning Member of Parliament. This language is not new to him nor to me. We know the language. We are required to state this language; it is not new. So I am not sure of what he is talking about. [Interruptions.]
    Mr. Speaker, just today on the recommendation of the Committee on the Judicial Service, we have already increased the original amount by an additional GH¢20 million. For the Parliament House, we were thinking about increasing it by another GH¢25 million.
    Mr. Speaker, if you listen to every Minister, every Minister is supposed to go and ask the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning for more money to increase their budgets. But already, we are having gaps. What it means Mr. Speaker, is that there is a lot of financing gaps in this Budget and the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning is going to have a lot of difficulty trying to meet all the demands from Parliament, from the military, from the Internally Generated Funds (IGFs).
    Mr. Speaker, with all of these issues, it is difficult for me to support this without qualification and I choose my words
    advisedly. It is difficult for me to support it without qualification.
    Mr. Speaker, the Committee, in the Report on page five talked about only one item. I am drawing his attention to it; there are other important items that he needs to look at.

    Mr. Speaker, of late, this House has come under extreme pressure from the public alleging that we do not do due diligence to issues and reference was made to the gratuity issues, Chinery Hesse Report. I think we should move from the stage where all of us know what it is that we are approving. This is why I am pointing these things out.

    The Minister has promised to come back some time in the course of the year with what may be called a revised Budget. For that reason, and given the time constraint, it is very understandable that constitutional requirements require us to pass an Appropriation Bill before Tuesday for the President's assent. So I can see the urgency in the Minister wishing for us to do this. But I am qualifying my support that there is a lot of work that needs to be done if we are to feel comfortable passing this.

    So Mr. Speaker, as I told him earlier on, this side of the House, if he finds it reasonable to seek our opinion on the type of work that needs to be done, we would be glad to help him. But we think that we would be supporting this by qualifying it, because of these gaps that I have talked

    about.

    With these few words, I want to thank you for allowing me to contribute to the Bill.
    Minister for Communications (Mr. Haruna Iddrisu) 9:30 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to associate myself with the motion. But in doing so Mr. Speaker, may I refer you to page two of your Committee's Report and in particular whether it would warrant a correction. Paragraphs 3.0 and 4.0. Mr. Speaker, in particular, if you look at paragraph 4.0, I do not want to quote all of it for want of time.
    “To be issued from the Conso- lidated Fund and other public funds.”

    My attention has been drawn to the fact that it is a constitutional matter. But let me end by urging the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning to ensure that there is timely release of the allocations for HIPC. Members would recognize that there is an appreciation of the figure upwards, at least by -- [Interruption.] -- whatever it is in real and nominal terms you can undertake more micro projects in the Nwabiagya Constituency than you did the last time with support from the HIPC resources.

    Mr. Speaker, it is also significant to add that even in respect of the District Assemblies Common Fund, with the new review that Government is undertaking,

    it is expected that Hon Members will get much more higher nominally than they used to get in order to be able to support their projects in their constituencies.

    Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.
    Minority Leader (Mr. Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu) 9:30 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I believe at the Committee level, the Finance Committee was confronted with some of these problems and apparent inconsistencies in the presentation that was made to us. I believe that the Minister will take care of them in the course of the year.
    We all agree that after the swearing- in and of course, because of the three rounds of election that the nation had to go through, there was scan time to look at some of these details. We hope and pray that the Hon Minister will take cognizance of these issues that have come up, particularly regarding potential gaps attributable to the restoration of food tariffs, the fact that we had to hold on reduction in taxes of petroleum products.
    What we have witnessed today in respect of Judicial Service, even that of the House of Parliament and in other minor areas like the increase in the number of children to be provided for regarding the school uniforms and so on, we believe the Hon Minister is capable of looking at these things.
    They are matters of concern which is why we all agree that, yes, given the exigencies of the times, in spite of these difficulties, deficiencies and irregularities, we must give a qualified support to the Minister on the proviso that he will look at it in details and when he comes to present the supplementary budget or the mid-year review, we would have realised these
    Mr. First Deputy Speaker 9:30 p.m.
    Hon Minister, do you want to wind up or I should put the Question? Very well, I will put the Question.
    Question put and motion agreed to.
    Resolved accordingly.
    Suspension of Standing Order 128 (1)
    Dr. Kwabena Duffuor 9:30 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, that notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 128 (1) which require that when a Bill has been read a Second time it shall pass through a Consideration Stage which shall not be taken until at least forty-eight hours have elapsed, the Consideration Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2009 may be taken today.
    Mr. Avedzi 9:30 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I beg to second the motion.
    Question put and motion agreed to.
    Resolved accordingly.
    BILLS -- CONSIDERATION 9:30 p.m.
    STAGE 9:30 p.m.
    Mr. Avedzi 9:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, clause 4, line 3, between ‘shall' and ‘utilize' insert ‘be'. Mr. Speaker, if ‘be' is not inserted, it does not make the sentence - it is grammatically incorrect, so we have to insert ‘be'. So it shall read as follows:
    “… being part of the total amount specified in Section one of this Act shall be utilized during the financial year”
    Mr. Haruna Iddrisu 9:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I beg to agree with the insertion of the word ‘be' so that it will read appropriately as “. . .
    this Act shall be utilized during the financial year commencing on 1st January”.
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 9:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, just to make it whole, because we are commencing the financial year on 1st January, 2009 and ending on 31st December, 2009. So I move that we insert
    “2009.”
    Mr. First Deputy Speaker 9:40 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, is it a different amend- ment?
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 9:40 p.m.
    Yes.
    Mr. First Deputy Speaker 9:40 p.m.
    Then let me put the Question on the one moved by the Chairman of the Committee then you can come in and move your amendment.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 9:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, clause 4, the last but one line, after “January”, insert
    “2009”.
    Mr. Avedzi 9:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I think when
    you put “2009” it makes it clearer, so we should accept the amendment.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Mr. Bagbin 9:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, with the acceptance of this amendment proposed by the Hon Minority Leader, it means there must be consequential amendments because at clause one the same phrase had been repeated there and it goes through clauses two and three and I think that it is consequential. I do not want us to wait until that time.
    Mr. First Deputy Speaker 9:40 p.m.
    Very well, the drafting section will take note so that we do not go back. They are conse- quential.
    Clause 4 as variously amended ordered to stand part of the Bill.
    Clause 5 -- Ordered to stand part of the Bill
    Clause 6 -- Commencement
    Mr. Avedzi 9:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, clause 6, after ‘shall' insert ‘be deemed to have' so that the clause shall read as follows:
    “The Act shall be deemed to have come into force on the first day of January, 2009”.
    Mr. Haruna Iddrisu 9:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I beg to second the proposed amendment. I believe that the original, as it was, would have -- our Constitution frowns on retroactive legislation, if we maintain it as it is,
    “That, this Act shall come into force on the first day of January.”
    That is the connotation I got.
    Dr. Osei 9:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, what the Hon Member said --
    Mr. First Deputy Speaker 9:40 p.m.
    Hon Ranking Member, I have not called you.
    Mr. William Boafo 9:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I believe the same Constitution provides exemption for legislation in respect of financial bills. So my Colleague is misleading the House.
    Mr. Joseph Yieleh Chireh 9:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, if you look at it, the past Appropriation Bills that we have passed always have this phrase and we all know that in law making, you have what we call a legal friction of “deemed to” and because we have spent money since January up till today, we must deem this to have been part of this Appropriation.
    That is why it is appropriate to do so. It does not involve any retroactive legislation.
    Thank you.
    Dr. Osei 9:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, my good Friend
    has raised the issue I was going to bring to the Hon Minister's attention.
    Mr. First Deputy Speaker 9:40 p.m.
    Very well.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Clause 6 as amended ordered to stand part of the Bill.
    Clause 7 -- The Appropriation Act, 2008 (Act 748) is hereby repealed.
    Mr. Avedzi 9:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, clause 7, after ‘2008' insert ‘Act 748' to give the specific Act that is being repealed.
    Mr. First Deputy Speaker 9:40 p.m.
    This is a straight forward amendment and I will put the Question.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Mr. Chireh 9:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, it is important for us to make ‘c' in the “consolidated Fund there a capital letter because that is how it should be. So the Hansard Department should take note. It is not an amendment I am making.
    Mr. First Deputy Speaker 9:40 p.m.
    You mean the ‘c' in the “consolidated Fund” should be capital ‘C'? So I will not propose a Question, it is drafting problem. I agree with you, the drafting office should take note of that. It is a typographical error; it should be capital ‘C', I agree.
    Now, we move on to the Schedules of the Bill -- [Interruptions.] Indeed, I have already ordered -- I did not see that really as an amendment and so I have ordered that it forms part of the Bill. So I have done that. There is no need for me to put the Question on it.
    Mr. Avedzi 9:50 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I beg to
    move, The First Schedule; Total Payment, add “GH¢0.30”, and Statutory Payment; add “GH¢0.30”.
    This is necessary, because the amount that we are approving has GH¢0.30 as part of the total amount; but the Schedule did not take care of that GH¢0.30 pesewas. So we have to add it to make sure that it corresponds with the amount we are approving.
    Mr. First Deputy Speaker 9:50 p.m.
    Hon
    Chairman, I am not getting the import of the amendment. Can you explain it? Let me understand it.
    Mr. Avedzi 9:50 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, if you read
    the section 1, subclause (1), the amount there has 0.30, that is line 4, the figure is 0.30, that is the total amount we are appropriating but if you come to the Schedule, the total payment has no 0.30 or 30 pesewas. So we are adding that one to correspond with the amount we are appropriating.
    Dr. Osei 9:50 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I have no
    problem with that.
    Mr. Chireh 9:50 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, if we adopt
    it as proposed, you will be inserting the Ghana cedi in the wrong place. What we are trying to amend is to add 0.30 -- [Interruption] -- What I am saying is that the amendment is seeking to introduce 0.30 -- [Interruption.] Wait, you are confusing me. I am saying that if you add the amendment as it is, what will the figure be reading? What will you be saying it is? [Interruption] -- I am talking about the value; I am talking about the tidiness of it.
    Mr. Avedzi 9:50 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, if you
    add 0.30, the figure will now read
    GH¢9,793,131,406.30.
    Mr. First Deputy Speaker 9:50 p.m.
    Hon
    Minister, all that we are doing is adding 30 pesewas. That is the import of the amendment.
    Mr. Chireh 9:50 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, the import is
    for us to say that after this figure, add 0.30 that will make -- but if you add the cedi sign, technically speaking - in any case, there is no cedi sign in the Appendix. That is why I am saying that you just say that insert 0.30 to the figure.
    Mr. First Deputy Speaker 9:50 p.m.
    Hon
    Members, I will put the Question on the Schedule.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    First Schedule as amended ordered to
    stand part of the Bill.
    Mr. First Deputy Speaker 9:50 p.m.
    I will now
    put the Question on the whole schedule.
    The Schedule ordered to stand part of
    the Bill.
    Mr. First Deputy Speaker 9:50 p.m.
    The Appropriation Bill is deemed to have passed through the Consideration Stage.
    MOTIONS 9:50 p.m.
    Dr. Osei 9:50 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I beg to second
    the motion.
    Question put and motion agreed to.
    Resolved accordingly.
    BILLS -- THIRD READING 9:50 p.m.
    MADAM SPEAKER
    CLOSING REMARKS 10 p.m.
    Madam Speaker 10 p.m.
    Hon Members, we have come to the end and before I close, may I call on the Hon Minority Leader, if he has anything to say before I go to the Majority Leader and then I will close up.
    Minority Leader (Mr. Osei Kyei-
    Mensah-Bonsu): Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to make a few remarks at the end of this action packed and rather tiresome, yet fruitful Meeting. We must be most grateful to God for His bountiful mercies and blessings bestowed on all of us in coming this far.
    Madam Speaker, this Meeting has been an eventful one in the sense that it being the premier Meeting of a new Parliament. We have witnessed election of your goodself as the Speaker of the Fifth Parliament of the Fourth Republic, the Swearing-in of a new group of Members of Parliament, 228 out of the 230 Members that this Parliament must comprise, the delivery of the State of the Nation Address, the prior approval of the President's nominations for Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial positions.
    Madam Speaker, we also witnessed the presentation of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the 2009 fiscal year and its subsequent debate and the consideration of the Annual Estimates of the various Ministries, Departments, Agencies and other arms of Government.
    I believe Members have worked extremely hard during this Meeting and I am most grateful to all.
    Madam Speaker, let me take this opportunity to allay the fears of some Members of the ruling Government and erase some impressions being created
    Madam Speaker 10:10 p.m.


    I believe the Majority appreciates that we have performed our assignment as a responsible Opposition for the greater good of Ghana. We have concurred many, many issues and only criticized when the need had arisen. Madam Speaker, we have always criticized to reform and not to destroy.

    In the course of executing this responsibility, a few individuals and groups have perceived us to be frustrating the legislative process, especially our role on the Appointments Committee. Let me reiterate that we are resolved to protect, uphold and defend the Constitution and will not yield to pressures from persons or groups who to all intents and purposes, do not fully understand the tenets of parliamentary democracy.

    Let me reiterate that, we are committed to consensus building, the near parity of Members in the House enjoins us to do just that. We are prepared to partner the Majority Party in moving forward the development agenda of this great nation. In the discharge of this role and of this noble business, we expect reciprocity from our Colleagues.

    In His Excellency the President's State of the Nation Address to this House, he requested for maximum co-operation from the Minority side. Madam Speaker, calls for co-operation risk being unheeded to, if the Government does not walk the talk.

    Madam Speaker, since 7th January,

    the House. As Members of the Minority we intend to partner the media to ensure that Government is kept on its toes.

    It is my hope that we will come back rested, refreshed and poised to continue with the work entrusted to us by the good people of Ghana.

    Madam Speaker, I wish all of us a

    Happy Easter.

    Thank you very much for your kind indulgence.

    Majority Leader (Mr. A. S. K.

    Bagbin): Madam Speaker, let me just also express our sincere gratitude to the Almighty God for seeing us through to the end of the First Meeting of the Fifth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana which commenced on Wednesday, the 7th day of January, 2009.

    Madam Speaker, within these eight

    weeks, the House held a total of 34 Plenary Sittings, during which it performed its usual duties and functions which are deliberative, legislative among others.

    Madam Speaker, it is worthy of note that His Excellency the President, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills on Thursday, the 19th day of February, 2009 delivered to this House the Message on the State of the Nation in pursuant to the provisions of the 1992 Constitution. It is my belief that this Message gave so much hope to Ghanaians as a whole, and that this House passionately debated the Message.

    Madam Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all Hon Members for their reverence and

    commitment to the will of the people of this country during the course of the debate and in fact, the gratitude that we express through you, to His Excellency the President.

    Madam Speaker, the House was also privileged to host the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning who on the authority of His Excellency the President, on Thursday, 5th March 2009 presented to Parliament the Financial Policy of the Government of Ghana for the year ending 31st December 2009.

    Madam Speaker, I wish to commend Hon Members for their time and efforts in debating, discussing and in fact, approving the estimates, particularly since yesterday we have glued in this House and as at now even though it is after ten o'clock at night, Members are still here to make sure that the Appropriation Bill is passed. I think we need to commend ourselves highly for this commitment to national duty.

    Madam Speaker, during this Meeting also 46 Papers were laid before the House. There were four Bills and 38 reports of Budget Estimates from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) which were submitted by various committees of the House. The four Bills as you all recall, include the Customs Excise (Petroleum Taxes and Petroleum Related Levies) (Amendment) Act 2009 and the Airport Tax (Amendment) Act 2009, Act 782.

    Madam Speaker, it must be emphasized that all these deliberations were geared towards the improvement of the living conditions of the people of this country and we are glad as a House, to be part of that effort.

    Madam Speaker, during the Meeting 62 motions were tabled and moved and in fact considered and approved. The motions were mainly from committees
    Madam Speaker 10:20 p.m.
    on Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial appointments, approval of Budget Estimates on the MDAs and the passage of the Bills mentioned. We also passed two resolutions and these resolutions dealt with the composition of the Pan African Parliament and ECOWAS Parliament.
    There were 16 Statements that were made by Members on matters of public importance. Some were ceremonial and others were non ceremonial in nature.
    We received 19 communications from His Excellency the President, mostly on travels and nominations, either members of the Council of State or Ministers or Deputy Ministers of State. We also did appoint members of the Parliamentary Service Board.
    Madam Speaker, let me just say that it was sad to all when within this short time we lost one of our experienced Members, in the person of late Edward Kojo Salia. I think his loss disheartened the entire nation, particularly Members of this House and members of the Jirapa Constituency. May I take this opportunity to once again pray that the good Lord will receive his soul and get him a very good comfortable place for him to rest in peace till we meet one day.
    Madam Speaker, I will want to emphasise my gratitude to all Members of this House, the spirit with which we have conducted the business of Parliament, the spirit of co-operation, the spirit of consensus building and the compromises that we have struck. In fact, I must say that His Excellency's exhortation did not fall on deaf ears.
    Even though we have been compro- mising and building consensus over the years, I can testify to the fact that we have really deepened, widened and furthered
    the ambit of consensus building for this Meeting. I am very grateful and hope and pray that we will continue along this path, at least, if not for our personal benefit and the dignity of the House, but for the national good.
    Let me at this stage, Madam Speaker, thank you sincerely after your baptism of legislative fire. I believe you have endeared yourself to the hearts and minds of Members -- [Hear! Hear!] You have held the House together. You have at least given hope to Members that you are going to be firm and impartial in presiding over the business of the House and I think Members are very, very grateful to you.
    Madam Speaker, I can equally testify to the fact that you truly have experienced capable and competent Deputies in the persons of the First and Second Deputy Speakers. [Hear! Hear!]. Even though it is early in the day, I can say to Madam Speaker and her Deputies, that we are proud of your performance and Ayekoo to all of you.
    I will also want to thank our brothers and sisters of the Parliamentary Press Corps, I believe they have come truly of age and I highly commend them for the discipline, commitment and zeal to excel in their duties as members of this Parliamentary Press Corps. We have had a very smooth and cordial working relationship with the press corps and I believe that if not for their performance not much would have been heard of our activities in this House. I can assure them that Parliament will continue to partner with them to advance the cause of democracy and the interest of our people.
    For the Clerk and the hard working, ever ready, ever willing and experienced staff of the Parliamentary Service, I can once again applaud you for making sure
    that even in the absence of facilities, logistics and the pressure of time, you have been living up to our expectation.
    Madam Speaker, I will want to conclude by highly commending members of the Leadership, who in my absence held the House together and I think performed very well to get most business of the House through before I returned from my almost two weeks absence. I once again emphasise my gratitude for the tremen- dous support I got from the House in my moment of sadness and bereavement.
    Madam Speaker, I just want to end here by wishing all Hon Members not a restful recess because I know it is not possible to rest. This is the time that we will now have to go and face the other aspect of our parliamentary duty, trying hard as much as possible to satisfy our constituents who have no end in their demands -- [Laughter] -- and who at the same time are unwilling to hear of the conditions of Members being improved -- [Laughter.]

    I pray that we still maintain our cool and try as much as possible to use our experience to hold our constituencies together, so that at the end of the day we once again get the opportunity to be here.

    I know that very soon some of you would also be called the ‘Mugabes' of this House and that definitely, is a testimony of the excellent performance of your duty as a Member of Parliament [Hear!Hear!] and I can testify to that.

    So Madam Speaker, I thank you very much and once again, I am very grateful for the patience, tolerance and endurance of Hon Members in making sure that within this short period we have passed through all the commitments that were loaded on us and I would say may the Good Lord continue

    to bless all of us bountifully.
    Madam Speaker 10:20 p.m.
    Hon. Members, we have come to the end of an eventful Meeting for which Hon Members and indeed, the Speaker need to take a restful holiday. I admit that with each Sitting, the bond between myself and Memberes of this honourable House become more cohesive in spite of a few “friendly” exchanges that I sometimes receive from some Hon Members of the Minority backbench. Indeed, I have come to love the stimulating experience, so I hope Hon Members also do. After all, a vibrant democracy could not be developed and sustained in the absence of tolerance for cross fertilization of ideas. I hope the good people of Ghana would appreciate that it is in the best interest of democracy that sometimes multiple views are forcefully expressed by Hon Members on the floor of the House.
    I wish to thank Members of this honourable House, especially the Leadership whom I have consulted on a number of occasions for guidance. As Hon Members are aware, most of our deliberations for the Meeting have been on committee reports and on the budget estimates of the respective sector Ministries.
    In view of the shortness of time and other logistical constraints, the Chairmen and members of committees of the House have also performed tremendously well to complete work on referrals made to their committees. I hope they would continue to maintain that performance in the next Meeting.
    I also thank all the staff of the Parliamentary Service, especially the Clerk and his deputies, as well as the press corps for providing efficient services to prop our work in the House.
    It is my prayer that the Good Lord who heeded our prayers and endowed us with good health to go about our duties during
    ADJOURNMENT 10:20 p.m.