Debates of 3 Jul 2009

MADAM SPEAKER
PRAYERS 11 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 11 a.m.
Madam Speaker 11 a.m.
Hon Members, we commence with Correction of Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 2nd July, 2009. Pages 1, 2, 3, 4 . . . 8.
Prof. (Emeritus) Samuel Kwadwo
Amoako: Madam Speaker, there is a typographical error - item number 8 -
“The following Paper was laid: By the Minister for Finace and Economic Planning …”
“Finance” is not correctly spelt.
Madam Speaker 11 a.m.
Thank you.
Pages 9, 10 . . . 14.
Dr. A. A. Osei 11 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
yesterday the Finance Committee had a very long meeting which lasted almost till the evening, but I do not see a notice of it here at all. A very important meeting, I must say.
Madam Speaker 11 a.m.
Yes, thank you.
The Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 2nd July, 2009 as corrected be adopted as the true record of the proceedings.
We move on to the Official Report of
Madam Speaker 11 a.m.


2nd July, 2009.
Mr. Simon Osei-Mensah 11:10 a.m.
Madam
Speaker, column 1215, under “Urgent Questions”, ‘Mr. Simons Addai' should be ‘Simon Osei-Mensah'. It appears twice on column 1215 and then on column 1216, it is still there - ‘Mr. Simons Addai'. It should be corrected to ‘Simon Osei- Mensah'.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Hon Members, the
Official Report of Tuesday, 2nd July, 2009 as corrected represents the true record of proceedings.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Ernest Attuquaye Armah (Trobu-Amasaman) 11:10 a.m.
To ask the Minister for the Interior when the Police would move to the newly completed police office accommodation at Dom-Sampaman built by the community.
Mr. Robert Sarfo-Mensah (Asunafo North) 11:10 a.m.
To ask the Minister for the Interior when a fire tender would be allocated to the Goaso National Fire Service Station.
Statements
Laying of Papers -- Report of the Finance Committee on the Economic Governance and Poverty Reduction Credit (EGPRC) Agreement between the Govern- ment of the Republic of Ghana and the International Development Association (IDA) for an amount of SDR193.8 million (US$300.00 million equivalent) for General Budget Support.
Motion --
Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Economic Governance and Poverty Reduction Credit (EGPRC) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the International Development Association (IDA) for an amount of SDR193.8 million (US$300.00 million equivalent) for General Budget Support.

Committee Sittings

11. 20 a.m.

On Tuesday, 7 th July, we have programmed three Questions. But as I indicated earlier on, one of the Hon Members has given notice in writing of her intention to withdraw one of the Questions. That is Question number 50 which stands in the name of Hon Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, Member of Parliament for Weija, the most populous constituency in the country.

She has, in her own writing, submitted a memorandum of her intention to withdraw it, and her reason being that, Answers that were given to a Question earlier on by the Minister have satisfactorily responded to Question number 50, and she so wants it withdrawn. So we may not on that day put that on the Order Paper again, unless otherwise stated.

Urgent Question --
Ms. Grace Addo (Amansie West) 11:10 a.m.
To ask the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology whether the Ministry was aware of the
environmental effects of surface mining at Tontokrom, Takorase and Bonteso, and what measures were being taken by the Ministry to address the clashes between the mining companies and the constituents to protect the lives of the neigh-bourhood communities.
Questions --
Mr. Francis Addai-Nimoh (Mampong) 11:10 a.m.
To ask the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology whether the Ministry was aware of the environmental effects of surface mining in the Ajenua Bepo Forest Reserve and the measures being taken by the Ministry to address same for the protection of lives in the neighbourhood communities.
Ms. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway (Weija) 11:10 a.m.
To ask the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology whether the Environ- mental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) has conducted any studies on the negative effects of siting communi- cation masts in residential areas and if so, whether the Ministry can share some of the key findings with the House.
Statements
Laying of Papers --

This is talking about Ashanti Mampong

would be available to answer the Question himself.

I think it is quite an important issue that he wants to deal with properly in the House and he wants the Answer to be convincing.

Madam Speaker, we did this in accordance with our Standing Order 160(2) and Order 53. The details of the Business from Monday to Friday are itemized on the rest of the pages.

We decided at the Business Committee, taking a cue from suggestions from the floor of the House, to put in the Business Statement, the Questions themselves, not only the Question numbers and I think this is what has been captured in the Business Statement before you.

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.

Urgent Question --
Mr. Adamu Daramani-Sakande (Bawku Central) 11:10 a.m.
To ask the Minister for the Interior what was the status of the enlistment process of over seven thousand persons who had been shortlisted for screening into the Ghana Police Service this year.
Questions --
M r. Wi l i a m O f o r i B o a f o (Akropong): To ask the Minister for the Interior what steps the Ministry had taken to identify and prosecute
Mr. Adamu Daramani-Sakande (Bawku Central) 11:10 a.m.


Well, I am speaking English. [Laughter.] In English, it is called “Ashanti”, in Twi, it is called “Asante”. [Interruptions]
rose
Mr. Bagbin 11:10 a.m.
Why, is it a point of order? I am presenting the Business - [Interruption.]
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:10 a.m.
Madam
Speaker, the Hon Majority Leader says that the name “Ashanti” is in English. Madam Speaker, it is a corruption of the word. Nobody has accepted it, and so, Madam Speaker, the correct rendition is “Asante” and not “Ashanti”. The Hon Majority Leader should not be assuming that “Ashanti” is English, it is the English version of “Asante”, it is not.
Mr. Bagbin 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, well,
Mr. Emmanuel A. Owusu-Ansah 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, we may know it as “Ashanti” corrupted, but the name of the town is Asante Mampong.
Mr. Bagbin 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, it is the
Asante Mampong Water System, where I have had roots for about 20 years. My
Hon Colleague has never stayed there up to that number of years.
(b) Report of the Finance Committee on the Buyer's Credit Agree- ment between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and BNP PARIBAS Bank of Belgium for an amount of €67,608,000.00 for the construction of the Ada Coastal Protection Works to be undertaken on contract with Messrs Dredging International Services, Cyprus (DISC) and International Marine and Dredging Consultants (IMDC) of Belgium.
(c) Report of the Committee of Selection on changes in the membership of committees.
Motions --
(a) Adoption of the Report of the Joint Committee on Works and Housing and Finance on the Offtake Agreement among Ghana Water Company Limited, EarthWater Ghana Limited (EWG) and Government of Ghana for the Abstraction and Production of Potable Water for Delivery to Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL).
(b) Adoption of the Report of the Joint Committee on Works and Housing and Finance on the Water Concession and Support Agreement between Ghana Water Company Limited, EarthWater Ghana Limited (EWG) and the Government of Ghana for the Abstraction and Production of Potable Water for Delivery to Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL)
Committee Sittings

Questions --
Mr. Ernest Attuquaye Armah (Trobu-Amasaman) 11:10 a.m.
To ask the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development what the Ministry was doing to impress upon the Ga West District Assembly to complete the two-storey nurses quar ters project which was commenced over eight years ago, but stopped.
Mr. Simons Addai (Techiman South) 11:10 a.m.
To ask the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development what plans the Ministry had to construct the Techiman Market which had been taken over by kiosks and containers.
Statements
Laying of Papers
(a) Report of the Finance Committee on the request for waiver and tax exemptions on equipment/ machinery to be imported or purchased locally, corporate and expatriate PAYE taxes amounting to €11,642,706.00 in respect of the Korle Lagoon Ecological Restoration Project (KLERP)Stage IV.
(b ) Repor t o f the F inance Committee on the request for waiver and exemption of tax liability on equipment and materials to be imported or purchased locally amounting to €28,743,883.00 in respect of the Network Expansion and Loss Reduction Project for the Electricity Company of Ghana.
Motions
Committee Sittings

Questions --
Mr. Simons Addai (Techiman South) 11:10 a.m.
To ask the Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture what plans the Ministry had to support the chiefs and people of Techiman who had initiated a move to put up a Cultural Village.
Rev. Benjamin B. Donkor (Hemang Lower Denkyira): To ask the Minister for Tourism what was the fomular for sharing of the proceeds from the Kakum National Park.
Mr. Simons Addai (Techiman South) 11:10 a.m.
To ask the Minister for Tourism whether the Ministry had plans to develop the spiritual fish habitat on the Tano River as a tourist attraction.
Mr. Isaac Kwame Asiamah (Atwima Mponua) 11:10 a.m.
To ask the Minister for Employment and Social Welfare when negotiations for wages and salaries for workers would be concluded in view of the rise in fuel prices and the subsequent increase in cost of living.
Statements
Motions (a) Adoption of the Report of the
Committee of Selection on changes in the membership of committees.
(b) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Export-Import Bank of the United States of
Mr. Isaac Kwame Asiamah (Atwima Mponua) 11:10 a.m.


America (presented by Messrs UEM Inc. of USA) for an amount of US$15,323,979.00 to finance the rehabilitation and expansion of the Mampong Water System.

(c) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Buyer's Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and BNP PARIBAS Bank of Belgium for an amount of €67,608,000.00 for the construction of the Ada Coastal Protection Works to be undertaken on contract with Messrs Dredging International Services, Cyprus (DISC) and International Marine and Dredging Consultants (IMDC) of Belgium.

Committee Sittings

Questions --
Mr. Kwabena Okyere Darko- Mensah (Takoradi) 11:10 a.m.
To ask the Minister for Information when Ghanaians would be able to watch the premier league on Ghana Television (GTV) since the other networks did not cover the hinterlands/most rural areas.
Statements
Laying of Papers
Motions --
(a) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the request for waiver and tax exemptions on equipment/ machinery to be imported or purchased locally, corporate and expatriate PAYE taxes amounting to €11,642,706.00 in respect of the Korle Lagoon Ecological Restoration Project (KLERP)Stage IV.

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the request for waiver and exemption of tax liability on equipment and materials to be imported or purchased locally amounting to €28,743,883.00 in respect of the Network Expansion and Loss Reduction Project for the Electricity Company of Ghana.

Committee Sittings
Mr. Kweku Agyeman-Manu 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker, this Question on cocoa mass spraying has been coming up and you yourself ruled that we would hear the Question on the 7th of July. Unfortunately, again, we are being told by the Leader - [Interruption.]
Madam Speaker 11:30 a.m.
No, I did not rule, I said from the Report it had been scheduled for 7th July 2009.
Mr. Agyeman-Manu 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker, with respect, I stood up last week Friday here and I also questioned why that Question was not listed for this week, and I was reminded that you said it would be brought to this place on the 7th of July.
Madam Speaker 11:30 a.m.
Yes, it was scheduled for the 7th of July.
Mr. Agyeman-Manu 11:30 a.m.
Unfortunately, again, this morning, the Leader is telling us that it would only come on at the discretion of the Minister's availability. It means that if the Hon Minister is not available, this Question will not be heard before we rise and go away for our constituency work.
Meanwhile, we are aware that the Hon Minister has been so lucky, despite the lean government policy, has two able Deputy Ministers. Even last week, Madam Speaker, the Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing was brought here at the last hour, when the Hon Minister was here and had been called to Cabinet meeting; the Deputy Minister had to come and stand in for him. Why can we not have this Question listed for one of the able-bodied Deputy Ministers, and I can suggest one of them if the Leader wishes that I do so, come to answer the question for us?
Madam Speaker, if you look at Public
Agenda for today, the problem is boiling and if we do not talk about it in Parliament here, our people who are affected are waiting to hear something from this House. So we cannot continue to allow this Question to be pushed away.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Maj. (Dr.) (Alhaji) Mustapha Ahmed (retd): Madam Speaker, I have an observation to make and it is that, the Business Committee, this time round, is working very hard and ensuring that Questions are answered or tabled timeously for the Ministers to appear before Parliament to answer them.
But Madam Speaker, I have an observation about, maybe, an oversight or
an unfinished business with regard to the formula for the National Health Insurance Fund. We have not had the opportunity to approve this Fund because the Board was not in place. Now that the Board is in place and has been inaugurated, I was expecting that the formula for the Fund would be tabled for discussion. So if the Leader can say something about this formula for us.
Mr. Bagbin 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I want to assure my Hon Colleague that the Question on cocoa spraying will not be shelved at all. We will do everything to try and get the Minister to come to answer it timeously.
The issue of the formula on the National Health Insurance Scheme is also being considered and it is most likely that if it is available next week, we will programme it for the House next week.
That is why I say that this Business Statement is subject to amendment as we go along, according to the exigencies of the situation.
So we are likely to receive it, but once we have not received the report, that was why we did not schedule it. But if we get the report during the course of the week, we can even programme it next week, that is the formula for the National Health Insurance Scheme.
Prof. (Emeritus) S. K. Amoako 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker, when the Chairman of the Business Committee was giving the details for the week, he mentioned that five Questions would be asked on Monday in addition to the Urgent Question. And again, on Tuesday -- he announced that Question number 50 has been withdrawn by Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchway -- [Interruption.]
Madam Speaker, I just wanted to suggest to the Chairman of the Business
Committee, whether he would consider moving two of the Questions listed for Monday to Tuesday. This is because last Tuesday, I was listed to ask a Question and I was denied the opportunity of asking it and robbed of the supplementary questions that I had to ask.
So in view of the fact that we have as many as five Questions in addition to the Urgent Question for Monday, would he consider shifting two of the Questions to Tuesday so that everybody will have the opportunity to ask the Questions and get good Answers?
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Majority Leader has alluded to the correction that you gave, in respect of the appearance of the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning in the House on Tuesday, 7th July, and he informs that he has some indications that the Minister may not be in the country on the 7th of July and that is, coming Tuesday. May we ask him to follow up if the Minister is going to be in the country on Tuesday, so he appears to answer the Question?
It is important to have the information given to the Member who is asking the Question, so that he will stand by knowing that it may come on, on Tuesday.
Madam Speaker, I say this because when my Hon Colleague told me about the possible inability of the Minister to be in the Chamber on Tuesday because of a proposed trip, further enquiries indicate to me that he will be in the country on Tuesday. So let him enquire further and if, indeed, he is going to be in the country on Tuesday, then he will have to be in the House to respond to the Question.
As my Hon Colleague has indicated, some controversy has been generated by
some developments regarding the spraying gangs and it is all over.

Madam Speaker, the Hon Majority Leader also informed us that we have not had the report from the Health Insurance Authority. I believe that he meant the formula and not the report. Because the formula will have to come to Parliament, it will then have to be referred to the Committee of the Whole to discuss and then a report from the Committee will come to the plenary for a final resolution of the matter.

Again, I had an indication that it has been brought to this House, and I thought we were going to consider it this week. But if it is not in good shape, it has to be done next week; we are ready. The important thing is that, it must be done before we adjourn. So, if the Hon Majority Leader would be very positive on that, then we can move forward.
Mr. Bagbin 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I think I indicated earlier on that at the time of the preparation of the Business Statement, the information we gathered was that the Hon Minister would not be available. But recent information seems to have deferred. I stated that when I was presenting the Report, and if that is the situation, it would be scheduled for him to come and answer.
The National Health Insurance Formula, as I stated, is not before the Business Committee. When it is before the Business Committee, we would look at it and if there is space for next week, we will schedule it. If not, we will do that next two weeks.
Definitely, it is to be considered by the Committee of the Whole and it meant that we have to programme it to be considered by the Committee.
Mr. Bagbin 11:40 a.m.


So, these are matters that are subject to being confirmed as we go along.

On the first issue, looking at the Business Statement, we decided to present those Questions on Tuesday; one, because the Hon Minister will be available that day. Two, because many of them are constituency specific and the supplementary questions are usually not that many. Three, because Business on that day is quite light.

Apart from the Questions, we only have one Paper for us to lay and a Motion for us to move and if possible consequential Resolution. But if you looked at the day we proposed, there is a lot of Business for the House. That is on Tuesday; there is a lot of Business there. And that is why it is not advisable to shift Questions from Monday to Tuesday. We would try to give room and I am sure Madam Speaker is prepared to give more room for Question time.

In fact, this morning we had an opportunity to look at it and we will be coming to the House at the appropriate time for us to look at this private business of Question time, whether we could not relocate it by reviewing the Standing Orders so that Question time could come after Public Business. And that will give more room and more time for Hon Members to ask the Questions and supplementary questions.

Madam Speaker is very concerned about the limited time that our Standing Orders permit for Question time and she wants to give more room for that. But we are going according to our Standing Orders and until we review our Standing Orders, we are so bound. So, that is the position now. But we will consider it later on.
Mr. Ambrose P. Dery 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I just, with your permission, want to add my voice to the urgency in respect of the formula for the National Health Insurance.
Madam Speaker would recall that we were called back to consider that, but it did not quite materialise. My information is that they are spending and we should try to regularise the situation as soon as possible.
So, I would entreat the Hon Leader of the House to send information to the Hon Minister to ensure that it is brought and not to say that we are waiting - Oh! My Hon Friend, the Hon Minister is here. I did not see him - That is an urgent issue and that my learned friend, the Hon Minister for Health, would do well to bring it up so that latest next week we will deal with it.
Mr. C. S. Hodogbey 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, most of these issues that have been brought to the floor could have been resolved at the Business Committee meeting because most of the Hon Members who have asked these Questions are Hon Members of the Business Committee. But they come in here to argue as if these have not been discussed - [Laughter.]
Mr. Dery 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I think the Hon Member is completely out of order. We did not discuss the National Health Insurance Formula at the Business Committee meeting. And I want to draw his attention to the fact that Hon Maj. (Dr.) (Alhaji) Mustapha Ahmed (retd) who spoke is the Hon Chairman of the Health Committee and he raised the issue here, that is why we have to deal with it here.
Madam Speaker 11:40 a.m.
Any other com- ments?
Mr. Herod Cobbina 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I rise this morning to register my displeasure against the Hon Member of Parliament for Nkwanta and the Hon
Mr. Herod Cobbina 11:40 a.m.


Minority Leader for using the publication in today's Public Agenda as a basis for the answering of a Question which had been kept for far too long.

Madam Speaker, what he saw in the publication today are mere allegations. And one cannot use allegations to substantiate the arguments in Parliament here. This is because, I was confronted on Tuesday by the reporter of the Public Agenda. I had to explain my side of the issue. And if one reads further, one will see that I have explained. I have refuted the allegation, it is never true. The one who made the allegation is not known in the constituency - [Interruptions.] -- [An Hon Member: What allegation?] - Is in the newspaper. Read from the Public Agenda.

So, I am sure Madam Speaker would give the opportunity to the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning to come and answer the Question.
Mr. Agyeman-Manu 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I am wondering if my Hon Colleague who just spoke is the Hon Member of Parliament for Akotombra or so, I am not very sure. But I just want to tell him that I am not the Hon Member of Parliament for Nkwanta. I have been consistently repeating where I come from and the people I represent. I come from Dormaa Ahenkro and I represent Dormaa West; the very good people of Dormaa.
Madam Speaker, I did not use this

Madam Speaker, what I intend using this thing for will happen on Tuesday when the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning comes here. [Shows a copy of the ‘Public Agenda' newspaper] - Today, I just cited an instance, that there are several things happening in almost every village in the six or so cocoa regions we have in this country. So, I do not understand why he wants to come and tell the whole world that what has been published is not true. He should write a rejoinder to the Editor, not in this House.
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Any other com-
ments on the Business Statement?
rose
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Is it a comment on
the Business Statement?
Mr. Frimpong 11:50 a.m.
No, Madam Speaker.
But I think it is in the interest of the House.
Madam Speaker, it is unacceptable, the noise that goes on in the House - [Uproar] Madam Speaker, it does not augur well for this Parliament at all - [Interruption.]
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Sometimes it comes
from the other side too.
Mr. Frimpong 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I
Mr. Frimpong 11:50 a.m.


always say that the noise that goes on in the House makes your sweet soft words difficult to be heard and becomes very difficult for somebody to make a point. Madam Speaker, what type of democracy are we practising?

So please, Madam Speaker, the point I am making is that -- we do not want to mention names. Some deep voice - [Interruptions.] Look at them, they are making noise. It is unacceptable; it does not augur well for this House. Madam Speaker, I think people must be brought to book.
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Thank you,
Honourables. The Business Statement as presented is adopted.
Now, we move on to Questions: -- Item (4). The Hon Minister for Health is here. The first Question stands in the name of Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchway.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 11:50 a.m.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH 11:50 a.m.
Ms. Botchway 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
can the Hon Minister tell us or give us an indication of when this will be done, when they are likely to get a response from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning? I am asking this Madam Speaker, because already the name has been changed to Ga South Municipal Hospital and yet the facilities remain the same.
Dr. Yankey 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, we have some applications which have been lodged with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and once given the approval, there are processes that have to be gone through. The facility, even before, can be disbursed, has to come before the House for approval; Cabinet has to approve it before it comes to the House. So I cannot really give any specific time frame within which. But I believe that it would be - We want to pursue this project as quickly as possible.
Ms. Botchway 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I
would like to know from the Hon Minister whether he would consider equipping the hospital with say, x-ray facilities, ultra- sound and other facilities, such as a generator. I am asking this because, I think the first quarter of this year saw a

sharp rise in the number of patients to the hospital or the clinic and we are looking at over 8,000 people visiting the place in the first quarter. So if he can give us an indication of whether he would be able to do this for the hospital.
Dr. Yankey 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, as part
of the developments of satellite health facilities, the Weija, Achimota and the rest are going to be part and parcel of these new developments. It is being done because we would want to decongest Korle-Bu and Ridge Hospitals.
So all the facilities that need to be provided for these health sites would be given. We would give all the necessary equipment and instruments that would be required for these new hospitals, so that at least, they would be up to the grade of district hospitals. All the necessary facilities and equipments would be provided.
Mr. C. S. Hodogbey 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
talking about Communicable Disease Clinic at Weija, with the H1N1 disease now at our border in la Cote d'Ivoire, I would like to know how prepared the clinic is, to handle this situation if there should be one.
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon Member, I did
not quite get the question.
Mr. Hodogbey 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
what I would like to know is, with the H1N1 disease now at our border in la Cote d'Ivoire -
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
H1N1?
Mr. Hodogbey 11:50 a.m.
That is the swine
disease, the swine flu. I would like to know how prepared the clinic is, to handle this situation, now that it has killed about 300 people worldwide and about 670,000 people have already got the flu. I would
like to know how prepared the clinic is, to handle the situation if there should be one.
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon Minister,
can you - [Pause.] Yes, Hon Minority Leader?
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:50 a.m.
Madam
Speaker, I notice that the Majority Leader is here. He is a specialist in arresting questions, but he is not arresting this question, which is completely unrelated to the Question before us. Can we appeal to him to arrest the question?
Mr. Bagbin 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I do
not arrest questions that are admitted by you. [Laughter.] But I think this is a completely new issue. It is a main Question and the Hon Minister would need notice to get the right information to come and answer. [Hear! Hear!]
Mr. Bagbin noon
Madam Speaker, in his Answer to the Question, paragraph (2), the Hon Minister said and with your permission, I quote:

“Expansion and upgrading of the clinic would be done as soon as funds for capital projects submitted for consideration are approved by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MOFEP).”

Can the Hon Minister tell this House whether or not, what has been submitted is part of what has been approved this year or he is anticipating a supplementary budget?
Dr. Yankey noon
Madam Speaker, I do not want to create the impression that what we are asking for this particular facility, is part of the budget for this year. No, it is not for this year. We are actually preparing ourselves for the next year and the next two years. So some applications have been made to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to consider these so that as and when the time comes, we are

able to undertake these projects.
Madam Speaker noon
We move on to the next Question which stands in the name of Hon Frank Boakye Agyen, Effiduase-Asokore. Hon Member, ask your Question?
Effiduase-Ashanti District Hospital (Upgrading)
Q. 48. Mr. Frank Boakye Agyen asked the Minister for Health when the district hospital at Effiduase-Ashanti in the Sekyere East District of Ashanti would be upgraded to befit the status of a district hospital with commensurate facilities.
Mr. Bagbin noon
Madam Speaker, just
to emphasize that my Hon Friend from Effiduase has pronounced the name “Ashanti” and so I was correct after all.
Madam Speaker noon
Thank you. I noticed it too. [Laughter.]
Dr. Yankey noon
Madam Speaker, the Effiduase Government Hospital is the main health facility in the Sekyere East District of Ashanti. The hospital currently has a limited space available for its operations.
The Ministry of Health with support from the Sekyere East District Assembly started a number of development projects to provide the hospital with facilities, such as, a theatre, wards and mortuary. However, these projects have stalled due to lack of funds.
The Ministry wil l continue to collaborate with the District Assembly for the completion of all ongoing projects.
Further upgrading of the hospital with facilities and provision of accommodation for staff would commence as soon as funds are available from the Ministry's capital expenditure budget.
Mr. Agyen noon
Madam Speaker, pages 172, 173, 174 of the Budget Statement
for the year 2009 took care of some infrastructural development in some hospitals in the country. The Effiduase District Hospital was excluded. May I know from the Hon Minister how soon those facilities he knows are lacking would be provided?
Dr. Yankey noon
Madam Speaker, as soon as funds are available.
Mr. Agyen noon
Madam Speaker, the hospital, the Hon Minister admits, is the health provider in the whole district. It extends its activities to Kumawu and Afram Plains Districts as well. In fact, it is the referral hospital area and takes care of about three hundred out-patients daily. Nevertheless, the hospital does not have the following facilities: the maternity unit is too small; no x-ray department; no records department. The only ward takes care of women, men and children. Staff allocation is woefully inadequate. The OPD is too small to take care of anything and so on and so forth.
Madam Speaker, when would the Hon Minister make funds available since he admits it is the only health provider for the whole district and takes care of Kumawu and Afram Plains Districts as well? When would the funds be available for upgrading the hospital?
Dr. Yankey noon
Madam Speaker, like the Hon Member, I would wish that all the district hospitals are upgraded, equipped with modern equipment to take care of the sick. We are working towards improve- ment and enhancement of quality care in this country. And we are working around the clock, all over the world to look for funds.
So let me assure the Hon Member that I believe that sometime next year -- this year, I am not too sure, I will not say it is
Mr. Maxwell Kofi Jumah noon
Madam Speaker, I just want to find out whether the upgrading of the district hospitals would include the Kumasi Sub-Regional Hospital at Chirapatre.
Madam Speaker noon
Hon Member, I think that is another matter which he has to have notice about.
Mr. Jumah noon
Madam Speaker, I heard the Hon Minister mention district hospitals. In this case, I am talking about regional hospitals. [Interruptions.] Whether it would include - But if he considers it as a new subject matter, I can ask another question next time.
Dr. Osei noon
Madam Speaker, in his Answer to the Question, the Hon Minister said, the last but one line, paragraph one, and with your permission, I quote:
“To provide the hospital with facilities, such as theatre, wards and mortuary.”
That begins to define what is required to upgrade from a district hospital. Would the Hon Minister be kind enough to give us the full list of requirements that are needed for this purpose because he has only listed some? It would help us so that when we are asking questions, we can be more precise.
Dr. Yankey noon
Madam Speaker, we have a number of jobs to do on this particular hospital. They lack so many facilities. These are just examples of some of the things that we would be doing. But it is a long list which I do not have here.
Mr. S. K. B. Manu noon
Madam Speaker, I would like to find out form the Hon Minister, if he would bring to this House the list and schedule of upgrading of district hospitals in this country since many hospitals at the district level are also crying for upgrading.
Madam Speaker noon
Hon Member, your question is, if he would bring -- Are you requesting it? If you are requesting, it then you better send your question -
Mr. Manu noon
Madam Speaker, I rise to ask the Hon Minister when he will bring to this House the list and schedule of upgrading of district hospitals since many of them in the country are crying for upgrading.
Madam Speaker noon
Hon Member, but have you asked him to bring it here? Put it in a Question to him and ask for these things and he will bring them to you. He did not bring these things because -
Mr. Manu noon
Would the Hon Minister consider bringing to this House, the list and schedule of upgrading of district hospitals in the country?
Dr. Yankey noon
Madam Speaker, I would be happy to bring the list to the Honourable House.
Meanwhile, the Capital Investment Management Unit is undertaking an inventory of all the district hospitals in the country and then from the inventory, we would know those which really need upgrading. Some may just need equipment and that is it. So I would be happy to bring the list to this Honourable House as soon as the inventory is completed.
Madam Speaker 12:10 p.m.
The next Question
stands in the name of Hon Simons Addai.
Forikrom Health Centre
(Accommodation)
Q. 58. Mr. Simons Addai asked the
Minister for Health what steps the Ministry was taking to provide accommodation for the nurses at the Forikrom Health Centre.
Dr. Yankey 12:10 p.m.
Madam Speaker, the
Forikrom Health Centre has accommo- dation for the Medical Assistant and some other staff. However, the accommodation block has deteriorated over the years.
The Ministry of Health in collaboration
with the Techiman Municipal Assembly and the Chief of Forikrom are renovating the building. It is hoped that renovation works would be completed by the end of this year. The construction of new residential units for staff would be done by the end of next financial year.
Mr. Addai 12:10 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I would like to know from the Minister if he is aware that none of the nurses lives in that place at the moment.
Dr. Yankey 12:10 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I am
not aware.
Mr. Addai 12:10 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I want to
know when the renovation the Minister is talking about started.
Dr. Yankey 12:10 p.m.
Madam Speaker, from
the information available to me, some work had already started but has stalled for some time and so the Ministry of Health is working with the Chief and the Municipal Assembly to continue with the work. Hopefully, as I said, next year, some accommodation would have been built for other staff who do not have any now.
Tanoso Health Centre (Collapse)
Q. 59. Mr. Simons Addai asked the Minister for Health what steps the Ministry was taking to curb the total
Dr. Yankey 12:10 p.m.


collapse of Tanoso Health Centre which is in dire need of medical equipment.
Dr. Yankey 12:10 p.m.
Madam Speaker, the
challenge of inadequate equipment is not only limited to Tanoso Health Centre but the majority of health facilities within the Techiman Municipality. Most of the equipment are old and obsolete.
However, plans are far advanced to
procure basic equipment to all health facilities in the Techiman Municipality under the High Impact Rapid Delivery (HIRD) Programme of the Ministry to meet the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The Regional Equipment Manager has already gone round all the health facilities within the municipality to assess the equipment situation and quantities that may be required by each facility.
Mr. Simons Addai 12:10 p.m.
Madam Speaker,
may I know from the Hon Minister when actual supply of equipment will take place?
Dr. Yankey 12:10 p.m.
Madam Speaker, once
assessment has been completed and we know exactly how much we need, we will cost them and hopefully, sometime next year, we should be able to supply some of the equipment.
Tobacco Control Bill
Q. 63. Mrs. Catherine Abelema Afeku asked the Minister for Health as a matter of urgency, when the Tobacco Control Bill would be laid in Parliament.
Dr. Yankey 12:10 p.m.
Madam Speaker, the
Tobacco Control Bill is currently being looked at by the Ministry for submission to Cabinet for consideration, after which period, it would be forwarded to Parliament for further action.
Mrs. Afeku 12:10 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I would
like to find out from the Hon Minister if there is a delay either at his Ministry or at the Attorney-General's Department in making sure that this gets to Cabinet as it has been in the pipeline for quite a while. I would like to know where the delay is coming from.
Dr. Yankey 12:10 p.m.
Madam Speaker, there is
no delay. It is the process of fine-tuning of the draft Bill before it gets to Cabinet and that is why it has taken some time. We have actually finished reviewing the Bill and hopefully, sometime this month, it will be sent to Cabinet for consideration and thereafter, it will be brought to the House for consideration and acceptance.
Mrs. Afeku 12:10 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I would
like to find out from the Hon Minister if there is any educative programme to sensitize the youth as and when this Bill is in the process, just so that we are prepared for the anti-smoking environment that we all wish to have in our country.
Dr. Yankey 12:10 p.m.
Madam Speaker, before
the Bill is promulgated, there is some planned sensitization programme so that the public will be educated on what the Bill carries and also to educate people with respect to the observance and compliance of the law. So yes, some educational programme will accompany the entire process.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:10 p.m.
Madam
Speaker, I would want to know from the Hon Minister what is happening with the Tobacco Control Bill at his Ministry. I am asking this because he has used three expressions. What he has said on the Answer sheet is that the Tobacco Control Bill is currently “being looked at”, then he says in another breadth, the Tobacco Control Bill is “being reviewed”. Thirdly he says it “is being revised”; the three phrases, definitely, are not the same. What is happening to the Bill in his Ministry?
Madam Speaker 12:10 p.m.
He asks, what is the
correct phrase?
Dr. Yankey 12:10 p.m.
Madam Speaker, to
be precise, the Ministry has finished reviewing the Bill and is in the process of preparing the memorandum and sending it to Cabinet.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Thank you Hon
Members.
We move to commencement of Public Business and the Laying of Papers.
Hon Minister, thank you for responding to our call to answer Questions. Thank you for coming.
PAPERS 12:20 p.m.
Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Item 6 - Laying
of Papers. Chairman of the Committee? Item 6 (a) --
Mr. Bagbin 12:20 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I have an indication that the promoter of the L.I. has submitted that it be withdrawn. There are some matters that are to be looked at, and when I got in touch with the Committee, they confirmed and agreed that I, the one who laid the L.I. should, on behalf of the promoters of the L.I., withdraw it, and I so withdraw the L.I. from the House.
rose
Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Hon Member, it has been withdrawn.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:20 p.m.
Madam
Speaker, when you called item No. 6 (a), the Chairman of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee rose up and bowed, which means that the Report has been duly laid. Now, the Hon Majority Leader gets up, and he says that he is withdrawing it. I do not know what procedure the Hon Majority Leader is availing himself of.
Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Hon Member, the mere bowing does not mean that it was laid. It was not read out, was it? It was not read out, so the Hon Majority Leader came in at the right time to inform us of the status. So as far as I am concerned, it has not been laid.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:20 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I agree with you.
Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Thank you.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:20 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I agree with you but in much the same way, once a document is before this House, it is the property of the House. The Hon Majority Leader can only make an application to withdraw, and it is subject to your permission and with the indulgence of the House. So in the same breadth then, it has not been withdrawn because he can only seek the indulgence of the House so to do. It is for the House to grant it.
Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, he says you should go through the process. It is here now -- [Interruption.]
Mr. Bagbin 12:20 p.m.
Madam Speaker, again, my Hon Colleague cannot stand on this leg too, because the first one collapsed, and he has jumped to the second one. What I simply did is to make the submission, it is subject to the consideration of the House - [Interruption] -- And that is what I have done. [Laughter.]
Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Hon Members, we
can only agree to the request to withdraw it. So we agree, it is withdrawn.

Now, we move to the 6 (b) (i) --

By the Chairman of the Committee --
Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Item (c) (i) -
Mr. J. K. Avedzi 12:20 p.m.
Madam Speaker, the item (c) (i) is still with the Committee. We have not finished work on it and so we should defer it to next week.
Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
What about item (c) (ii)
Mr. Avedzi 12:20 p.m.
Madam Speaker, the same.
Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
This takes us to
item 7.
MOTIONS 12:20 p.m.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr. J. K. Avedzi) 12:20 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 Report of the Finance Committee on the Economic Governance and Poverty Reduction Credit (EGPRC) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the International Development Associa-tion (IDA) for an amount of SDR193.8 million (US$300.00 million equivalent) for General Budget Support may be moved today.
rose
Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Hon Member, are you seconding the motion?
Mr. P. C. Appiah-Ofori 12:20 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I rise to second the motion.
Mr. Frederick Opare-Ansah 12:20 p.m.
On a point of order. Madam Speaker, I believe the -- [Interruption.]
Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Hon Member, hold
on. It has been moved and seconded. This motion has been moved and it has been seconded. It is a procedural thing and so I have to put the Question now.
Mr. Opare-Ansah 12:20 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I have a problem with it, that is why I am on my feet.
Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Yes, all right.
Mr. Opare-Ansah 12:20 p.m.
Madam Speaker, the motion seeks to suspend a Standing Order for us to be able to proceed with work on the Report. As it were, this is a very important document, where we are about to commit the Government of Ghana and the people of Ghana to a facility running into several millions of dollars.
Madam Speaker, if you look round the room, you can see ushers are still in the process of distributing this Report. I am a member of the Finance Committee, and I just got a copy of the Report. I have not even finished reading page 1 and already we are moving to suspend a Standing Order so that we will begin the Consideration of this Report.
I believe it is proper that we do due diligence to this document, and so if it will not be too much, I will ask that we defer this, and give Hon Members the opportunity to properly digest the contents of this Report, so that the debate and the decisions that we take will be seen to be based on substance.
Madam Speaker, thank you.
Mr. Bagbin 12:20 p.m.
Madam Speaker, if this issue had been raised by an Hon Member who is not with the Committee, it would have carried more weight. This is his Report, and he cannot be telling us that he has not read his Report. It is his Report. But Hon Members can say that they are not part of that Committee, and they need time to read the Report.
This Report is coming from his Committee, he took part in the deli- berations, and that is why I am saying that if it had come from somebody else, it would have carried more weight.
The second issue is that, we got in
touch with the Committee -- the Ranking Member is here, the Chairman is here, and they all agreed that, there was the need for us to expedite action on this particular facility. That was why we agreed to even programme it for today, and for us to debate it; that is not to say that Hon Members cannot raise issues on it. I am just saying that as a member of the Committee, I was not expecting that from him. I was expecting it from a non- member, not a member of the Committee.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:30 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I am not going to discuss the substantive matter. Maybe, we will come to that. But on the issue raised by the Majority Leader that a member of the Committee cannot rise up and say that he has not seen the Report, I am surprised. I am surprised because - [Interruption.] He said he had not seen the Report. Madam Speaker, as I said, I am surprised.
I am surprised because the Majority Leader, some eight years ago, when he was the Chairman of a committee came under the Chairman who was supposed to pilot a report and made a u-turn and disagreed with his own Report in this House. So can he decide that a member of the Committee cannot say that he has not seen or read the Report? It is strange, going by his own track record in these matters.
Madam Speaker, I rest my case for the time being.
Mr. Bagbin 12:30 p.m.
Madam Speaker, the
issue he has raised is completely different. At a committee level, you can disagree with a report the committee is submitting and you are permitted on the floor of the House to air that disagreement. It is different from you saying that you have not even seen your committee's report in the sense -- it is very different because the Report is coming from the Committee; the Committee members are reporting to the House on a matter that we have referred to them. That is the issue, that you can disagree not only at the committee level but even on the floor with the Report of the Committee that had been submitted. They are different things altogether.
Madam Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Hon Members,
Mr. Bagbin 12:30 p.m.
Madam Speaker, we
actually did consultation in this matter. In fact, the Minister was scheduled to address the Association of Bankers at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel but because of the importance of Parliament and the matter in issue, he is here based on what we communicated to him that the House - both sides of the House -- particularly taking notice from the information from the Committee are prepared to discuss and debate the matter today. In fact, that is why we actually programmed it.
Looking at the Business Committee's Report, this matter was programmed for next week Monday but because of their indication we brought it forward. That is why I am saying that it is a surprise. We believe there is urgency involved and that urgency was admitted by the Committee. But if the House is saying that they will not for any reason, we are all here.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:30 p.m.
Madam
Speaker, the Minister responsible for Finance and Economic Planning is here with us in the Chamber. Indeed, on the Provisional Order Paper of yesterday, this one has not been listed. The Business Committee meeting and presenting its Report has programmed this for Monday, but the Minister is here.
If there is urgency about it, we want to hear from him and the House will, judging from what he will tell us, may go on and consider it. If there is no urgency about it, then given the circumstances that we find ourselves in, we may perhaps, decide to do it on Monday.
This is a very serious document before us and we need time to digest it in order for us to meaningfully debate the matter in issue.
rose
Madam Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Your Leader has
Mr. Daniel Botwe 12:30 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I am not sure it is a question of ruling. The issue is -- [Interruption.]
Madam Speaker 12:30 p.m.
I said we are going
on. The motion has been moved and seconded.
Question put and motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Madam Speaker 12:30 p.m.
We move on to
item 8 then
MOTIONS 12:30 p.m.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr. James Klutse Avedzi) 12:30 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House adopts the Report of the Finance Committee on the Economic Governance and Poverty Reduction Credit (EGPRC) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the International Development Association (IDA) for an amount of SDR193.8 million (US$300.00 million equivalent) for General Budget Support.
Madam Speaker, in doing so, I wish to
present your Committee's Report.
1.0 Introduction
The Economic Governance and Poverty Reduction Credit (EGPRC) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the International
Development Association (IDA) for an amount of one hundred and ninety-three million, eight hundred thousand Special Drawing Rights (SDR193.8 million) [equivalent US$300.00 million] for General Budget Support was laid in the House on Thursday, 2nd July, 2009 in accordance with article 181 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
Pursuant to article 103 and Order 171(1) of the Standing Orders of the House, the Agreement was referred to the Finance Committee for consideration and report.
The Committee subsequently met and considered the Agreement with the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Hon Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Hon Fifi Kwetey, and officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and hereby presents this Report.
2.0 Background
Ghana's stable macro-economic environment enjoyed over the last few years has come under severe stress, due mainly to domestic and external shocks. Ghana suffered an energy crisis in 2006/07 as a result of drought, leading to a shift from the reliance on hydro to thermal power generation at a time of rising crude oil prices which adversely affected the economy.
Again, the global food crisis in 2008 also impacted negatively on most sub- Saharan African countries including Ghana. The country's inflation and exchange rates were thus negatively affected by the soaring crude oil and food prices of the 2006/07 period and the current global financial crisis.
Ghana's overall balance of payments at the end of 2008 recorded a deficit of US$941 million compared to a surplus
of US$413 million in 2007, including sovereign bond proceeds. The 2008 deficit led to a decline in the stock of the country's gross international reserves to as low as 1.8 months of import cover.
Recognizing the economy's critical challenges this year, Government has requested for a frontloading of the annual 3-year Poverty Reduction Support Credits (PRSCs) to support the 2009 budget requirements. The Economic Governance and Poverty Reduction Credit (EGPRC) of US$300.00 million is therefore being contracted from the IDA to support actions which would contribute to the attainment of the 2009 budget objectives, protect the poor during the adjustment and to begin addressing the structural causes of fiscal imbalances as well as create conditions for inclusive growth when Ghana begins to realize oil revenue.
3.0 Purpose of the Loan
The purpose of the facility is to support government's efforts to restore budgetary discipline and tackle long-standing public sector and energy issues, while protecting the poor.
4.0 Terms and Conditions
The terms and conditions of the facility are as follows:

Interest Rate -- Nil

Service Charge -- ¾ of 1 per cent (or 0.75 per cent)
Madam Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Hon Minister, he is asking whether there is an urgency.
Dr. Kwabena Duffuor 12:30 p.m.
Madam
Speaker, the issue before us today is very important and I would wish that we deal with it today so that Monday, Tuesday, a draw-down will take place for us to have resources to manage the system. If you look at the speed with which the World Bank helps the nation, normally, it takes two to three months to get such a facility. But in our case, it was so short because they see that the pressure is quite huge and therefore, we needed resources to manage the economy.
This is a very urgent appeal and therefore, I will plead with Hon Members that we try to get this through so that Monday, Tuesday, we will have some resources to manage the nation, please.
Madam Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Hon Minority
Leader, your question has been answered that it is quite urgent.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:30 p.m.
Madam
Speaker, in landing, the Minister stressed on the urgency and I believe in that regard, we need to go along. Initially, he said it is very important. Nobody doubts the importance and if it is very important, that is the more reason why we should do better diligence. But if it is very urgent, then perhaps, it brings another dimension to it. So if it is very urgent as he himself has alluded to, then of course, we will proceed in that vein.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:40 p.m.


on withdrawn credit balance

Commitment Charge -- maximum of one half of one per cent (0.5 per cent) per annum on unwithdrawn balance

Grace Period -- 10 years

Repayment Period -- 25 years excluding the grace period (January 15 and July 15 of each repayment year)

Operation Type -- stand-alone, two tranches

Closing Date -- June 30, 2010

5.0 Observations

The Committee observed that the programme will assist the Government to stabilize the economy and pursue strategies which will safeguard future growth, provide social protection and thereby limit the impact of the global financial crisis. The support is further expected to help vulnerable groups from sliding deeper into poverty, which could further threaten the progress that Ghana has made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The Committee was informed that under the International Development

Association's Fifteenth Replenishment Account (IDA15), Ghana can disburse from all ongoing and proposed projects and programmes a maximum of US$450.00 million a year for the next three years; with a minimum of US$100.00 million from the amount each year for General
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:40 p.m.


Budget Support operations. This means that the total disbursements for Ghana over the next three-year period could reach US$1.35 billion.

The Minis ter for Finance and Economic Planning, Hon Dr. Kwabena Duffuor explained to the Committee that the US$300.00 million facility, if approved, would be withdrawn in two equal instalments of US$150.00 million each.

First tranche release conditions set by the Government of Ghana and agreed to by the IDA include inter alia that Government

reconstitutes the Boards of Volta River Authority (VRA), Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC);

opens a Treasury Single Account (TSA) at the Bank of Ghana and identifiy the MDAs accounts to be connected to the account;

implements a net hiring freeze in the public sector (excluding the absorption of trainees in education and health); and

increases the number of households covered by the “Livel ihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP)” Programme since June

30, 2008;

ensures that at least 80 per cent of total number of procurement contracts processed in 2008 by MDAs covered in the PPA sample have followed procurement methods and procedures in accordance with the Public Procurement Act; and

begin regular publication of comprehensive and detai led quarterly fiscal outturns with no more than one quarter lag.

Actions to be taken by Government before the second tranche would be released include among others that Government,

submits to Parliament a Freedom of Information Bill and if approved, adopt a related implementation plan including a budget for its imple- mentation;

appoints a Minister of State to be responsible for Public Sector Reforms and to eliminate ghost workers from Ghana Education Service (GES) payroll;

completes consultations with stakeholders on draft legislation concerning the proposed Ghana Petroleum Authority and the oil and gas regime, and for Cabinet to approve such draft taking into account the results of the consultations; and

revise the classification of pro-poor public expenditures based on an assessment of their effective impact on poverty, for use in the 2010 Budget;

takes contingency fiscal measures, once the Public Wage Bill for 2009 has been established, to correct any deviations in respect of the fiscal deficit and the share of pro-poor expenditure targets set forth in the 2009 Budget; and

completes through the Ministry of Energy, consultations with stakeholders on an electricity sector financial recovery plan and approve

the said plan through Cabinet.

The Minister for Finance and Economic Planning informed the Committee that the Government's macro-economic target for 2009 is to achieve a fiscal deficit not exceeding 9.4 per cent of GDP and that Government is committed to using innovative means including revenue enhancement to achieve that target.

Expec ted outcomes f rom th is US$300.00 million package include protected pro-poor expenditure as a ratio of actual over budgeted pro-poor expenditure, enforced net hiring freeze in the public sector excluding trainees in education and health, reduced public subsidies to the operations of the energy sector as a percentage of GDP and expansion in the number of regular LEAP beneficiaries.

The technical team from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning informed the Committee that about three thousand (3,000) ghost names were removed from the health sector payroll last year. Currently, there is a headcount underway in the Ghana Education Service (GES) to help weed out ghost names.

The Committee was assured that the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) would not necessarily be affected by the net hiring freeze since jobs under the Programme are non-established posts.

Members admonished the Ministry to be wary of subvented institutions like the universities which often recruit without recourse to central government.

Some members were not happy that the net hiring freeze condition would make it difficult for young graduates to join the public sector since the public sector in Ghana has proven to be the biggest employer. The technical team however

explained to the Committee that the net hiring freeze is only meant to ensure that MDAs stay within their staff ceilings and that recruitments could be made to replace staff who would leave or retire.

The Committee noted that the expected outcomes are meant to be achieved in about three years after the necessary prior actions have been implemented.

Excluded expenditure or items that the credit funds may not be applied towards include alcoholic beverages, tobacco, radioactive and associated materials, pearls, precious and semi-precious stones whether worked or unworked, nuclear reactors and parts thereof, tobacco processing machinery, and jewelry of gold, silver or platinum. Also excluded are expenditure on goods intended for military or paramilitary purposes or for luxury consumption.

6.0 Conclusion

The Committee has critically examined the Agreement and found the terms to be highly concessional. The programme for which the loan is being contracted was also found to be very beneficial to the nation's developmental needs.

The Committee, therefore, respectfully recommends to the House to adopt this Report and approve by Resolution, the Economic Governance and Poverty Reduction Credit (EGPRC) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the International Development Association (IDA) for an amount of one hundred and ninety-three million, eight hundred thousand Special Drawing Rights (SDR193.8 million) [equivalent US$300.00 million] for General Budget Support in accordance with article 181 of the Constitution, sections 3 and 7 of the Loans Act, 1970 (Act 335) and Standing Orders of the House.

Respectfully submitted.

Mr. Ignatius Baffour Awuah (NPP

- Sunyani West): Thank you Madam Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to second the motion.

But Madam Speaker, before I even move into that, I just want to say that even though the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning has just indicated the importance and the urgency of this particular motion, a clear observation of membership of this House shows that we those on the Minority side outnumber those on the Majority side, meaning that we are attaching more importance to the motion than those on the Majority side.

Madam Speaker, at the time the motion was moved, we on the Minority side were 43 and those on the Majority side were 25. The number has just moved up to 33 after the bell was rung.

Madam Speaker, I am only bringing this up to let everybody know that we on the Minority side are interested in getting Ghana to move forward rather than those on the Majority side.

Madam Speaker, in seconding the motion, I would want to say that during the reading of this year's Budget, one thing became evident and that was, there was a financing gap. This financing gap which was observed really needed to be filled and one of the ways that this financing gap can be filled is to go for a loan to support the budget programme. This loan can either be taken domestically or externally.

By going for a domestic loan, Madam Speaker, the Government will then be competing with the private sector for funds locally and in that way dwarfing

the private sector. So we on the Minority side agree with Government for going for an external loan, more especially, from the World Bank.

But Madam Speaker, in reading newspaper headlines, one gets the impression that this loan we are taking from the World Bank is free money. But Madam Speaker, I want to put it on record that this is a loan and it is not free and I want the whole country to know that it is not free money.

Madam Speaker, as the Chairman of the Finance Committee indicated, the money is going to attract interest and we are going to repay this money within a stipulated time. So, as I said, it is not free money; it is not a gift money to Ghana; it is money that we are going to pay back. If we are going to pay back, then indeed, we must also make sure that this money is used judiciously to enhance the well-being of the people of Ghana.

Madam Speaker, apart from it not being free, there are some triggers which Ghanaians need to be aware of. By triggers, Madam Speaker, I mean there are conditionalities attached to the taking of the loan. The loan, as we have been told, is going to be released on two tranches. The first tranche which will be due in July, Madam Speaker, the conditionalities are not that stringent. But with the second tranche which will be released in September, Madam Speaker, if you would permit me, I will mention some of the triggers which we will have to meet.

Madam Speaker, the World Bank is requesting the Government to designate a leader in Government to be in charge of Public Sector Reforms. Madam Speaker, this means that Government is to appoint a Minister responsible for Public Sector Reforms. His Excellency the President
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:50 p.m.


promised the people of Ghana that he was going to lead a Government which will be lean, but here is a case we are being asked to have a Minister responsible for Public Sector.

Indeed, this is one Ministry that His

Excellency, in his bid to provide the people of Ghana a lean Government, scrapped it but now the World Bank is saying that we should go back for it. [Interruptions.] So this clearly shows that His Excellency former President Kufuor was right in establishing the Ministry of Public Sector Reforms. [Hear! Hear!]

Madam Speaker, this also shows that His Excellency the President is not having it that easy, easy in the sense that even though on his own, he does not want to appoint a Minister for Public Sector Reforms, now he is being forced to go in for that.

Madam Speaker, apart from that

trigger, there is also the clause that there should be net hiring freeze in the public sector except within the Ministries of Health and Education. We are not too clear about this but the little interpretation -- By saying that there is a net hiring freeze, what it means is that, if we are going to recruit 100 people within a year, we then should ensure that 100 people are out of the public sector.

The Hon Minister for Defence, within this Meeting, came here to Parliament and said that recruitment in the Ghana Army for this year was suspended. We have also been told that the Ghana Police Service is not going to do recruitment this year. I am inclined to believe that these actions were taken by Government just because
Mr. D. T. Assumeng 12:50 p.m.
On a point of order. Madam Speaker, I want the Hon Member to know that in 2007, 27 police recruits were dismissed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and he should take note of that. [Hear! Hear!]
Mr. Awuah 12:50 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I just want my Hon Colleague on the other side to know that if in 2007, 27 recruits for the Ghana Police Service were dismissed, that is not enough justification to cancel a whole year's recruitment exercise by the Ghana Police Service. [Interruptions.]
Mr. Avedzi 12:50 p.m.
On a point of order. Madam Speaker, my Hon Colleague made a statement which is factually incorrect, that the public sector is the largest employer. It is not true. The public sector employs only 600,000 people and the largest sector that employs in this country is the private sector. So for the records, he is factually wrong; he is not telling the truth.
Mr. Awuah 12:50 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I just want to thank my Hon Colleague for drawing my attention to it. But what I
Mr. A.W.G. Abayateye 12:50 p.m.
On a point of order. My Hon Friend said the Hon Minister for Defence came to this House and said this. I want him to note that there are over a thousand soldiers who have retired but because their benefits have not been paid to them, they are still there. So they have to go out before new recruits can come in. [Interruption.] Their benefits should be paid by the previous Government and that was not done and they are still there. So they have to go out before new people can come in. I want him to take note of that.
Mr. Awuah 1 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I just want to thank my Hon Colleague for that information but I just want him to know that if we are talking of arrears in the military, it is not something which was invented during the NPP era. It is something NPP also inherited from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) era. So it is not something which is new.
Madam Speaker, looking at the crime situation of this country right now, I think it will even be in the interest of Govern- ment to even suspend this recruitment exercise and also find a way of augmenting the numbers of our police and military so that at least, they can ensure that the people of Ghana go about their businesses in a very safe condition.
Another trigger or conditionality which we would have to look at and brace ourselves for is the condition that there should be removal of subsidy in the energy sector. If we are going to remove subsidy
within the energy sector, what it means is that, we have to improve upon efficiency in the energy sector to maintain the same level of prices that we pay for energy- related activities that we enjoy.
But given the short time that we are going to have this trigger being implemented, my fear is that if subsidy on energy, if subsidy on electricity, if subsidy on fuel, if subsidy on water are going to be removed, it will mean that the ordinary Ghanaian will have to pay more to compensate for the subsidy to enable the utility companies to be in operation. This means that life is going to be more unbearable for the ordinary Ghanaian. It is going to be more difficult for the ordinary Ghanaian.
Madam Speaker, I am raising all these because this loan is being contracted for the people of Ghana by a Government that promised the people of Ghana a better Ghana. It also came on the slogan ‘I care for you.' Are these the people who care for us as a people? [Some Hon Members: Shame! Shame!] Is this the better Ghana that we want to live in? This is to let us know that Ghanaians should brace themselves up for more hardships in the coming future. [Interruptions.]
Madam Speaker, it is for these conditionalities, that is why the NPP Government, in realising the need to care for the people of Ghana, in realising the need to make sure that they make life bearable for the people of Ghana, shifted from the World Bank to other sources of funding for this country.

Madam Speaker, what I am saying is that, US$300 million - Yes, that is money. But I would want to believe that this is not big enough money to push us through this hardship. [Interruptions.] The Government should have rather looked for
Mr. Awuah 1 p.m.


some other sources of funding than this.

Madam Speaker, on this note, I want to end by saying that I second the motion.

Question proposed.
Mr. I. A. B. Fuseini (NDC - Tamale Central) 1 p.m.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to contribute to the motion on the floor of the House. And Madam Speaker, I wish to urge the House to resoundingly approve of the loan for the betterment of the people of Ghana - [Hear! Hear!]
Madam Speaker, there is no doubt that
this loan that the Government of Ghana is contracting is a good loan.
MR. FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
Mr. Kwame Osei-Prempeh (NPP - Nsuta-Kwamang/Beposo) 1 p.m.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to support the motion on the floor of the House, and in doing so, to make a few observations.
Mr. Speaker, no doubt the granters of this loan mean well in helping us. This country has come very far and the last Government made every attempt to wean this country off the World Bank and their conditionalities.
Mr. Speaker, it was not for nothing, because while helping us, the conditions which are imposed tend to help the very people the loans are meant to help, that is, the poor and vulnerable.
Mr. Speaker, looking at the condi- tionalities of this loan, some of them are very interesting, like “. . . net hiring fees, except trainees in education and health.”
Just this week I met the group of young men who have completed the Agricultural College and their problem was that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture is no more employing them. [Interruptions.] Mr. Speaker, what it means is that now, unless and until people are retired or forced from the Civil Service, these young people will never find a job. They have had specialized training, and if they are not going to be employed, where do they go?
Mr. Speaker, it is not only that; now, one meets most of the principals of the training colleges -- I have met about three or four this year, and they told me that the new directive is that this year recruitment into training colleges must come down, which means that most young people are going to lose the opportunity to train and get employment because of these austerity measures which are being put in place. They turn to hurt.
Mr. Speaker, that aside, my joy about this document is that it ridicules the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government [Interruptions.] Mr. Speaker, when we said that we could fight corruption through legislation, the Hon Members then on the
other side of the House, in opposition shouted, “corruption”, “corruption”.
Mr. Speaker, one of the most important steps this country has ever taken in the fight against corruption was the passage of the Public Procurement Authority Act, (PPA), passed by the NPP Government [Hear! Hear!] Mr. Speaker, I had the chance to be a member of the Board for about three years and if you see the colossal amount of money that the PPA saved this country, it is amazing. Because - [Interruption.]
Mr. Joe K. Gidisu 1:10 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, on
a point of order. The Hon Colleague on the floor was an immediate past Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and there is no Procurement Authority Act which he is referring to.
Mr. Osei-Prempeh 1:10 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I
Mr. Joe K. Gidisu 1:10 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, it
is not the Board he is referring to, he is referring to the Act.
Mr. Osei-Prempeh 1:10 p.m.
I have talked

Mr. Speaker, it is interesting that the

World Bank is hitting on this thing. I believe that the new Government would allow the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) to work because it is in the interest
Mr. Osei-Prempeh 1:10 p.m.


of the nation, it saved a lot of money for us. And for Ministers and appointees, it is a safeguard for them. This is because if one follows what is laid down in the law, there is no way that one would be caught in any act of corruption or anything. It may, at least, become a safeguard for the person.

I believe that members of government now should rather applaud the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government for such a foresight and for bringing in such a law.

Mr. Speaker, another thing which the NPP Government introduced, which this country failed to take notice of, is the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), the first of its kind in this country, that people who are poor were given sustenance allowance.

Mr. Speaker, as at last year, 15,000
Mr. E. T. Mensah 1:10 p.m.
On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, I want to find out from my Hon Brother on the floor whether they were paying party members or poor people.
Mr. Osei-Prempeh 1:10 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I
am not here for him to pose a question to me. But let me say that if he cares to find out, majority of the people who benefited
were even in constituencies where the NPP did not win. [Laughter.] In regions where the NPP had no support, people had that money, which means that it was not for NPP members, it was for poor Ghanaians.
Mr. Speaker, let me say that people
who think like my Hon Friend who just asked me a question will not seek to divert these funds to their supporters alone but use them for the benefit of the good people and the poor people of Ghana who deserve them.
On that note, I thank you for the
opportunity.
Mr. A. K. Agbesi (NDC - Ashaiman) 1:10 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I felt very relieved when I saw this loan being sourced for. Mr. Speaker, I want to urge all Members of this House to support this loan; we should support this loan with one aim and that is, reduction of poverty.
Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt at all
that throughout this country, a lot of communities are faced with poverty. No doubt that my Hon Colleague who has just finished speaking told this House that the previous Government brought in the LEAP. That was a programme that was to reduce poverty but in implementing it, Mr. Speaker, it became a tool for giving food to a segment of the population which was seen as purely NPP. [Uproar.] There was a lot of discrimination in administering the LEAP but I am happy that, this loan, when secured, is going to be used for the majority of Ghanaians despite political division - [Interruption.]
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:10 p.m.
Mr.
Speaker, on a point of order. Mr. Speaker, the Hon Member on the floor, the Hon Member for Ashaiman (Mr. Alfred Agbesi) is making a categorical statement about the LEAP. He says it was distributed to party members. [Interruptions.] Mr.
Speaker, it does not involve shouting, it does not involve shouting at all. It is for the Hon Member to lend credence to this categorical statement that he has made. Would he substantiate? Otherwise, he must withdraw.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:10 p.m.
And Mr.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
Hon
Minority Leader, you raised a point of order against the statement made by the Hon Member for Ashaiman.
I will give the chance to the Hon Member for Ashaiman but that does not prevent the Chair from asking any other person to assist the Chair in making a determination. So I will call the Hon Member for Ashaiman, but if there is any other person who can help me make a determination, I shall do so.
Mr. Agbesi 1:10 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, my
constituency is Ashaiman. Mr. Speaker, I also hail from a constituency called South Tongu. Mr. Speaker, in my constituency, Ashaiman, I will give a vivid example and answer the question posed by the Hon Minority Leader.
Mr. Speaker, in Ashaiman which is my constituency, I saw about 50 people at the rural bank seated and waiting to be given money. Immediately I started speaking to one of them about 13 came and said they were supposed to be members of that group but they were asked to go back
because they belonged to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) -- [Uproar.] The rest were given the money because they belonged to the NPP. That is the example for Ashaiman, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, in my hometown
constituency which is South Tongu, a similar example emanates. In my village, people who were identified as NPP were given the money and the people identified as NDC were denied. [Some Hon Members: Oh!] Mr. Speaker, this is my answer to his question. In any case, this is not the time for question.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:10 p.m.
Mr.
Speaker, this is a grand - I would not say that the Hon Member is misleading the House, it is a grand deception of the people of this country. Mr. Speaker, the LEAP was not given by the banks at all. The Hon Member does not know this and he is polluting the environment, he should come properly.
Mr. Agbesi 1:10 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that
rose rose
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
Hon
Minister for Roads and Highways - Hon Minority Leader, I thought you
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:20 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, that was a complete interjection. You called me, I was on my feet, I was making a submission, then he interjected.
But Mr. Speaker, I have stressed that what my Hon Colleague, the Hon Member for Ashaiman, whom I have considerable respect for, on this occasion, is grossly misleading this country. The statement from him amounts to a grand deception of this country and he should not be allowed to make this statement here. He must withdraw that statement.
rose
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 1:20 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, let me hear the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways. He has been on his feet for some time; then, I will call you.
Mr. J. K. Gidisu 1:20 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, one could even look at the programme. It is livelihood empowerment against poverty. And the poverty-stricken people in the communities are identified before they are empowered - [Interruptions] - Mr. Speaker, I do not know why this could generate the kind of reaction that the Hon Minority Leader is spearheading. The censorship for those poverty-stricken people in the communities was done along party lines - [Uproar] - And in North Tongu District, which includes my constituency, it was on party lines.
One needed to bear a party card to be empowered. And because of the fact that that is a stronghold of the NDC, to allow some people to come on board, I can provide an NDC strong member who through the procurement of an NPP
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 1:20 p.m.
On this matter, I will only hear from the Hon Leaders so that we can proceed.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:20 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways who just intervened referred to a censorship that was done on partisan lines. Mr. Speaker, if he had said that a census was done on partisan lines, I would have responded. He said “censorship”; I would leave it at that. [Interruptions.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 1:20 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, you were on your feet earlier.
Mr. Bagbin 1:20 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, this is something that can easily be proved or disapproved. We will get the relevant authority to come to the floor and give the names of those who benefited and we will look for their party affiliation and we will get to know whether they were NPP or CPP or NDC or whatever. It is very easy to prove. I do not think we should allow this to degenerate into something else. Let us debate the motion on the floor and leave these side issues. Let us focus on the motion on the floor.
rose
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 1:20 p.m.
I have made the point that I will hear only from the Hon Leaders. I have heard from the two Hon Leaders. I think that I should call - Hon Member for Ashaiman, have you finished?
Mr. Agbesi 1:20 p.m.
No, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 1:20 p.m.
But you must veer away from the kind of
statements that you made.
Mr. Agbesi 1:20 p.m.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will just wind up.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the facility is to support government's effort to restore budgetary discipline and tackle long- standing public sector and energy crisis.
rose
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 1:20 p.m.
Hon Minority Leader?
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:20 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I invited you to rule on a submission by my Hon Colleague. Mr. Speaker, I said that he has no basis to make such allegations. What he went on to say was to make further allegations without any proof.
Mr. Speaker, every one of us know that the indices which were used -- [Some Hon Members: Everyone knows] - That is what I said, “every one of us knows”. Did you hear everyone of us knows”? everyone knows.
Mr. Speaker, the Department for

Mr. Speaker, HIV indices were used.

Pro-poor indices were used. If the Hon Member is indicting DFID here for going partisan, he should prove so.

Mr. Speaker, I insist that that statement

was very outrageous and the Hon Member should withdraw it. It should not be acceptable in this House. I invite you to rule on this, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 1:20 p.m.
Hon Minority Leader, the Hon Member said he went to a rural bank in Ashaiman and the people said they were driven away because they were not members of a particular party. You also came and said those were lies. You have also responded to it. I am not in a position to rule on this matter. [Interruptions.] Yes, you have also responded by saying that they were lies -- from “grand deception” to “lies”. The records will show your response to it.
So Hon Member for Ashaiman, continue.
Mr. Agbesi 1:20 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, thank you very much.
This is a facility aimed at alleviating the real poverty of the people, not the previous programme of alleviating the poverty of the people. It is geared at the people who are suffering. And I have said that in my constituency, we have a lot of such people and this loan is going to alleviate their poverty once and for all.
Mr. Speaker, I thank you very much for the opportunity.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 1:20 p.m.
Hon Members, I have decided to defer debate on this issue to Monday when the House reconvenes. But before then I want to take guidance from the Leadership of the House.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:20 p.m.
Mr.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 1:20 p.m.
Hon Minority Leader, two people have spoken from both sides.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:20 p.m.
No.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 1:30 p.m.
Hon Osei-Prempeh has spoken. Two people have spoken from your side. The Hon Chairman, strictly speaking, presented the Report of the Committee which was unanimous.
So, in actual fact, only one person spoke from the Majority side.

Hon Members, you do not need to

quarrel over this matter. Hon Members, the truth of the matter is that based on the guidance and the ratio that the Leadership have worked on, I think that the figure is fair. When we come back on Monday, we would start from the Minority side. I will not have minded; the guidance that I have taken from Leadership is that this debate

should be deferred to Monday. So we will continue on Monday.

Hon Majority Leader?
Mr. A. S. K. Bagbin 1:30 p.m.
Mr. Speaker,
from the very beginning, there was an indication that we will continue with the debate on Monday. It is fair that we defer this matter to Monday where we will start with the Minority side before coming to the Majority side. I have a clear indication that - [Pause.] I am getting a clear indication that we should adjourn till Monday when we will reconvene to continue the debate on this Motion and other Motions pending before the House.
This is going to crowd the work on Monday; there will be a lot of work on Monday.
I just want to plead and urge Hon Members to attend the proceedings on Monday in their numbers to enable us take these Motions and the consequential resolutions. Other matters definitely will also be considered along the same lines.
In this respect, I beg to move.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:30 p.m.
Madam
Speaker, in seconding the motion, I want to remind the Majority Leader, because he spoke about other matters, that there are other very serious matters - [Laughter] - which require the House to sit as the Committee of the Whole. Let me remind him to bring matters to a closure next week, possibly on Wednesday.
Madam Speaker, I second the motion.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 1:30 p.m.
Before I

Question put and motion agreed to.
ADJOURNMENT 1:30 p.m.