Debates of 8 Dec 2009

MADAM SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:55 a.m.
ANNOUNCEMENTS 10:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Hon Members, I have received communication from His Excellency the President and I shall read it to you:
“7th December, 2009
The Rt. Hon Speaker Office of Parliament Parliament House Accra
Absence from Ghana
In accordance with article 59 of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, I write to inform you that I will be absent from Ghana from the evening of Monday, 7th December, 2009 to Wednesday, 9th December, 2009 during which period I shall attend the swearing-in ceremony of the President-Elect of the Equatorial Guinea, Mr. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
During my absence from Ghana, the Vice President H.E. John Dramani Mahama, shall, in accordance with article 60 (8) of the Constitution, act in my stead.
Kindly accept, Right Honourable, the assurances of my highest consideration.
(Sgd.) PROF. JOHN EVANS ATTA-MILLS
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA 10:55 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Hon Members , we commence Corrections of Votes and Proceedings and the Official Report.
We are on Votes and Proceedings dated 7th December 2009.
Pages 1 - 31 --
Mr. Hodogbey 10:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, Committee on Special Budget met yesterday but it does not seem to be included in the Votes and Proceedings.
Madam Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Committee on what?
Mr. Hodogbey 10:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, Special Budget.
Madam Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Special Budget.
Thank you.
Hon Members , the Votes and Proceedings of Monday, 7th December, 2009 as corrected is adopted as the true record of proceedings.
Now, we move to the Official Report of Wednesday, 25th November, 2009. [Pause.] Any corrections?
Mr. O. B. Amoah 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I wish to refer to column 1646, second paragraph on the submission made by Hon Joe Ghartey. That paragraph, the last but one line which talks about:
“Alhaji Issifu's Hotel which was demolished legally . . .”
The word should be “illegally”, it is
not “legally”. There is “i-l-”, before that, “during the NDC period”. That was the point he made.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Did he say illegally?
Mr. O. B. Amoah 11:10 a.m.
He said “illegally”.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
All right, since he is not here that is why -- [Interruption] -- were you here when he said “illegally”?
Mr. O. B. Amoah 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I was here. That was why Alhaji Issifu had judgment against Government. If it was legally, he would not have had judgment; he said illegally.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Well, it may be legally, but you can still have judgment -- [Interruption.]
Mr. O. B. Amoah 11:10 a.m.
Very well, Madam
Speaker.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
So we get it down as “illegally”.
Mr. O. B. Amoah 11:10 a.m.
Then the next paragraph, the first line, they talk about “KAS International”. It is “Calf”, C-A- L-F. “Calf International”, so it will affect the next line too. Madam Speaker, I believe the Hansard office should probably listen to the tape again. If you read the whole paragraph, it does not really bring out what was said by Hon Joe Ghartey. The sentences are even disjointed. I can give examples. For instance, after the second interruption, and I quote:
“And this is investment you call judgment debts that arise out of bad contracts that you entered into investments in the future . . .”
It does not convey what he said:
“And then two days before they left office, Dr. Ato Quarshie signed a contract; is that what you call
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Well, normally, I am
very comfortable when the man himself raises it.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
But I was not here
Mr. O. B. Amoah 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Well, the last line of that paragraph:
“Do not say what you do not know.”
Mr. O. B. Amoah 11:10 a.m.
Yes, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
I do not know, I was not here that day.
Mr. O. B. Amoah 11:10 a.m.
Yes, Madam Speaker. I hope it is not being referred to me -- [Laughter.]
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
No, no, I am just quoting what is there.
Mr. O. B. Amoah 11:10 a.m.
Very well, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
It refers to me because I was not here. So you have corrected it. You said it does not make good sense.
Mr. O. B. Amoah 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the sentence -- [Interruption.]
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
What sentence were you going to correct?
Mr. Amoah 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I said after the second interruption:
“And this is investments you call judgment debts that arise out of bad contracts that you entered into investment in the future.”
Madam Speaker, that is what I am saying.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
And what do you suggest is the correct thing? [Pause.] Yes, Hon.
Alhaji Sumani Abukari 11:10 a.m.
On a point of order. Madam Speaker, the Hon Member is not Hon Joe Ghartey. If he does any such corrections now, he will be thinking for Hon Joe Ghartey. I think we should allow Hon Joe Ghartey to come, and maybe on a subsequent date if he seeks your permission, he may be allowed to do his correction if he wants to. Right now, he is trying to put himself in the shoes of Hon Joe Ghartey, and I can see that the shoes are much bigger than his feet -- [Laughter] -- So, please, let us leave it at that.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Hon Member, that is the little difficulty that we have; that the Hansard may have got down what they heard. You did not hear that, you heard another. But if he had been here himself then we will take it straight from him that this is what he said. But did he see you before to tell you to correct it on those lines?
Mr. O. B. Amoah 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
in all sincerity, I have not seen Hon Joe Ghartey today, but I was with him when he was making his submission. For instance, the name of the company is not “KAS”.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Yes, you have corrected that one.
Mr. O. B. Amoah 11:10 a.m.
It is not “KAS”, it is “CALF”.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Yes, it is not “KAS”, it is “CALF”, you have corrected that. Yes, anyway, if he comes and he still thinks this is not what he said, I think he could go back on it. But I find it difficult now that he is not here to change it. So, we leave it open.
Any other corrections in the Official Report?

Now, we move to Question time. Yes, Hon Minister, you are welcome.
rose
Mr. Samuel Ayeh-Paye 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I want to -- [Interruption.]
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Yes, Hon Majority Leader.
Mr. Bagbin 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Hon Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing is on an official duty in Korea and has instructed the Hon Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing to come and answer these Questions for and on his behalf, and that is why we have the lady here before me, who is well known to be one of the Deputy Ministers for Ministry of Water Resources, Works
and Housing. So, I will just crave your indulgence and that of my Hon Colleagues to permit her to do so.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Yes, I do not see anybody -- Yes, Hon Member.
rose
Mr. Ayeh-Paye 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I asked the Hon Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing when the following -- [Interruption.]
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Hon Member, let us listen to the Hon Member -- [Interruption.]
Mr. Owusu-Agyemang 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, thank you very much.
Madam Speaker, not that I am protesting, but the Hon Majority Leader says the Hon Minister had gone to Korea. I want to know whether he left last night because in the Votes and Proceedings, Hon Abongo was at a meeting yesterday. Either this is wrong or something is wrong. If he has gone for some time then the Votes and Proceedings is wrong. I just want a clarification from there.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Yes, let him check first and -- [Interruption.]
Mr. Bagbin 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, what we have on the Votes and Proceedings is talking about a meeting on Wednesday, 2nd December, 2009 at 3.00 p.m. That was long ago -- [Laughter] -- today, is what?
Some Hon Members 11:10 a.m.
8th December.
Mr. Bagbin 11:10 a.m.
And this meeting was held on 2nd December; so he is gone -- [Interruption.]
rose
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Yes, thank you. Hon Member, I think he had enough time to travel.
Mr. Owusu-Agyemang 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, normally, this Votes and Proceedings refer to the previous day, that was why I did not catch the date properly.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Yes, now, Hon Member, can you put your Question?
Mr. Ayeh-Paye 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, thank you.
rose
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Yes, Hon Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu?
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I believe, ordinarily, that we do not have cause to disagree but since the Majority Leader is referring to a meeting which occurred on the 2nd of December, 2009, may we know when the Minister left?
Madam Speaker 11:20 a.m.
That is, if he knows it. But he knows he is not in. Honourable, do you know the correct time?
Mr. Bagbin 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Minister left in the evening of Thursday, 4th of December; I know this because some Hon Members of Parliament are with him there on an official duty. It is 4th December, in the evening, and that 4th December fell on Thursday.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I just wanted to make sure because whereas the Majority Leader was referring to a meeting on the 2nd of December, the Minister was with us in this House on the 4th of December and

I can attest to that, which is why I said because he had been here later than the 2nd of December, I wanted to know. But he has told us that he left on the evening of 4th, that is after he had been with us and had another meeting with us on the 4th of December, in which case, we agree for the Deputy Minister to answer the Questions.
Dr. Anthony A. Osei 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I am confused. Wednesday was the 2nd of December. So the 4th cannot be Thursday. There is something wrong. Either he left on Thursday, which is 3rd of December, or the 4th; it must be a Friday.
Madam Speaker, may we know when the Minister really left -- Thursday, the 3rd or Friday, the 4th?
Mr. Bagbin 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, he left on Thursday, it is 3rd. Well, on the records here we have 4th. If you look at page 23 of the Votes and Proceedings, what is there is Thursday, 4th December and it has not been corrected; so that has misled me. It is 3rd.
Madam Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Thank you Leader; you know we have a man of figures here and he is very particular about dates and time. So we have corrected that.
Yes, Honourable, can you now put your Question?
Mr. Yaw Ntow-Ababio 11:20 a.m.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Better still, if you look at page 5 of the Votes and Proceedings, the Minister is supposed to have travelled officially but his name is listed here as absent without permission. But the Minister who has travelled officially is supposed to be absent with permission.
Madam Speaker, I do not know where the Majority Leader is hiding, and why we should not let whatever circumstances that are preventing the substantive Minister to be in this House to be laid bare.
Madam Speaker, I need your direction.
Madam Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Honourable, he is not the President; if he is an Hon Member of Parliament then even if he is in the country and he does not come to Parliament, his name will be listed as absent, would it not? Because it is only the President who must tell you where he is going.
Mr. Bagbin 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, you are
very right in this. Even though I do not have the size of an elephant, I do not hide. [Laughter.] I am not hiding anywhere. It is just that, yes, he is on an official trip and His Excellency the President granted him permission. But he has, as an Hon Member of Parliament, not sought that permission from Parliament by filling usually the leave of absence form, which is what the Clerks-at-the-Table use to compile the list of attendance.
So as an Hon Member of Parliament, for some reason, you may be absent from the House without filling those forms and you will be stated as absent, not adding “with or without permission”. You are just absent and you are entitled to not more than fifteen days. If you absent yourself continuously for more than fifteen days then the handshake has gone beyond the shoulder. And when your handshake goes beyond the shoulder, you know what happens.
In that case, you will be taken to have vacated your seat. That is the consti- tutional provision but one day, two days, you can do that and be listed as just absent.
Mr. Ntow-Ababio 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
an ordinary Hon Member of Parliament like my humble self would have given this excuse. But we are talking about a Minister who is also an Hon Member of Parliament, who is supposed to answer a Question on the floor of Parliament. If he has officially been given permission by the President to travel, I am of the opinion that he should inform the House.
Even the President who is not an Hon Member of this House, when he is travelling, informs the House. The Minister is billed this morning to answer this particular Question which has already been submitted to him and he is aware. But he did not care as a Minister of State and left, because he can absent himself for fifteen days without permission.
Madam Speaker, I will need your direction in this instance because we are talking about discipline.
Madam Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Before I give the direction, I will want to hear from them.
Mr. Bagbin 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I think my Colleague is reading some things into even the position of the Minister so far as Parliament is concerned. He is a Minister of State and at the Executive level, he is so regarded nationally. But when you come to the floor of the House, he is an ordinary Hon Member of Parliament like you. He is not holding any office in Parliament. He is a Minister of State and at the Ministry level, he can mandate the Deputy to perform this function for him and that will be accepted.
The President is constitutionally obliged to write to us when he is leaving the country. That is why you get that; it is the Constitution that says so. It is not just his pleasure or anybody's, it is the Constitution, the rule of law which we all obey. So I think that, yes, the Minister could have gone the extra length which is sometimes difficult practically because of
Madam Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Thank you, Honourable. I think we have the clarification. I am clear about it and I hope you are.
Shall we, therefore, move on?
At last, Honourable, can you put the Question?
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 11:30 a.m.
MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, 11:30 a.m.
WORKS AND HOUSING 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Ayeh-Paye 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the road from Nsawam through some of these communities to Suhum which is under construction dual carriageway and it is going to divide some of these commu- nities into two and women and children are going to cross from one side of the community to the other to fetch water.
From now to 2011, I want to ask the
Minister if something could be done to construct boreholes at vantage points to save the women and children who would be crossing the road from one side of the community to the other side to fetch water.
Dr. Bisiw 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker, in my Answer to the Question, I made mention that there is a programme that begins from 2010; that is just some few weeks from here, and 2011 and based on the per- formance of the communities under the assessment, the FOAT, his communities could also benefit from the allocation of the 100 million DKK. However, I will suggest, Madam Speaker, to the Hon Member that the various District Assemblies, I am sure, if they apply, the experts, those in charge will take note of that.
Mr. Ayeh-Paye 11:30 a.m.
I do not think my question has been well answered. What I am saying is this: the road from Nsawam
to Suhum is now going to be a dual carriageway and it is going to divide some of these communities into two. It means that women and children going to fetch water have to cross this dual carriageway, from one side of the community to the other. We have agreed to wait till 2011. But from now till 2011, I want to ask if boreholes cannot be constructed at vantage points for the people to fetch water instead of them crossing this dual carriageway, from one side of the community to the other.
Madam Speaker 11:30 a.m.
Hon Member, is this your second question? Are you still on the first? But this is a second question. Yes, Hon Deputy Minister, he has made his suggestion and he is asking you whether this cannot be done.
Dr. Bisiw 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker, again, it is 2010 and 2011, so based on the per- formance of his district, the communities could benefit from this project -- [Interruption.]
Madam Speaker 11:30 a.m.
Hon Deputy Minister, please, address me -- Madam Speaker -- instead of the Hon Member.
Dr. Bisiw 11:30 a.m.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. The communities could benefit some few months away, when we go into 2010. Then also -- [Interruption.]
rose
Madam Speaker 11:30 a.m.
I think I have solved the problem. I saw why -- [Laughter.]
Mr. I. K. Asiamah 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker, it is not solved yet.
Madam Speaker 11:30 a.m.
Let her finish then. Hon Asiamah, what is it? I have solved the problem. [Uproar.]
When you are answering them you say
“Madam Speaker”. You can look at them, but you do not have to mention the name of the Hon Member of Parliament. Hon Minister, I am not saying you should be looking at me, you can be looking at them but it is just that you address me.
Dr. Bisiw 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I saw in the Answer, 2010 and 2011. It does not mean that your communities or those communities, Madam Speaker, will benefit in 2011. It could be 2010 depending on the performance of these communities.
Madam Speaker 11:30 a.m.
Has the Questioner finished the three questions? He has only one more question and he can give it away because this is a constituency-specific question. So I think I will give it to you.
Mr. Kwame Osei-Prempeh 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker, in the Deputy Minister's Answer, she said that if a community performs creditably, and in another instance, she said by good performance. What is the criterion to determine the performance of a district to qualify for this?
Dr. Bisiw 11:30 a.m.
There is an assessment programme -- Functional Organisational Assessment Tool (FOAT) and this is done under a local service delivery and governance programme which was instituted by the local government. So that is what they use; on the new decentralization programme that is being run, they have certain criterion that they use. So I am sure that, Madam Speaker, when we consult or go to the various districts, we will get the criterion for assessment.
Mr. Osei-Prempeh 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, it is just that I am not sure the Hon Deputy Minister has answered the Question. The House is listening, the whole nation is listening. She should tell us about the criterion which a district would have to satisfy to meet it.
Madam Speaker, if it is under local government, I believe it may be a cross- Ministerial thing and he is asking a question on it. Is she telling us that she does not know the ingredients which go into determining that criterion? If that is so, we take it but if she knows, she must tell the House.
Madam Speaker 11:40 a.m.
Because the rules say that we do not have an argument or a debate with the Answer but when you get the Answer then -- Unless you want clarification, but to say you are not satisfied, I cannot allow you another question.
rose
Madam Speaker 11:40 a.m.
Hon Nitiwul, you are not entitled to ask a question.
Hon Members, shall we move to the next Question?
Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I wonder whether this is a new ruling, new convention being introduced because normally, constituency-specific questions attract their own comments and - [Interruption.]
Madam Speaker 11:40 a.m.
It is a new rule. I do not know whether you were here when we took a decision.
Mr. Owusu-Agyemang 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, then I was not.
Madam Speaker 11:40 a.m.
I do not know. I think you were not here.
Mr. Owusu-Agyemang 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I was not -- I was not in.
Madam Speaker 11:40 a.m.
That is why. I understand it because the House took a decision that up to the time when the Budget is passed, we will hurry up and not ask -- You were absent from the House.
Thank you.
The next Question.
Madam Speaker 11:40 a.m.


Water Supply to Seniagya (Restoration)

Q. 231. Mr. Frank Boakye Agyen asked the Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing what was being done to restore water supply to Seniagya, in the Sekyere East District in the Ashanti Region and to improve the whole water supply in the district capital of the twin town of Effiduase and Asokore.
Dr. Bisiw 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Small Town Water Supply Scheme in Seniagya in the Sekyere East District of the Ashanti Region was one of the 110 non-viable systems handed over from the then Ghana Water and Sewerage Corporation (GWSC) to the District Assemblies in 1997 and rehabilitated and subjected under the Community Ownership and Management concept by the Community Water and Sanitation Agency in 1998.
The rehabilitation of the Seniagya water supply system was part of 40 small town water supply schemes financed under the first phase of an IDA support of US$26.7 million for the National Community Water and Sanitation Programme (NCWSP) from the year 1996 to 2000. The rehabilitation was designed to cover a projected population of 6,174 inhabitants with a designed horizon of 15 years.
The current population of Seniagya, according to the 2000 population census data released by the Ghana Statistical Service and projected into the year 2009 at a national growth rate of 2.6 per cent is 5,293 inhabitants. The rehabilitation has since been completed, and the scheme has been commissioned and operational since 2000.
Monitoring activities of the CWSA however, indicated that the Seniagya Small Town Water Supply Scheme developed a problem, sometime last year 2008. The submersible pump used to extract and lift water from the borehole into the high level tank burnt out as a result of power outage/electrical problem.
Under the key tenets of the Community Ownership and Management concept, the communities through structures (primarily
the Water and Sanitation Development Boards, private sector service providers) that underpins the sustainability of the systems, are enjoined to operate and manage their water supply scheme at the community level.
The Water and Sanitation Develop- ment Board (WSDB) under the guidelines for operation and maintenance must have generated sufficient funds to replace the burnt submersible pump and thus restore the system to normalcy. The onus therefore is on the community through the Water and Sanitation Development Board to fix and restore their broken-down system, for which they are fully aware and know precisely where to access the requisite parts and services.
Madam Speaker, the Effiduase and Asokore water supply system is based on ground water from six (6) boreholes. Currently, exploratory works and test drilling of boreholes for the improvement of the water supply system produced no results because of very low yields of ground water.
Any future improvement of the system to cater for increased water demand of these two towns should be part of the Kumawu water supply system and that is subject of a feasibility study currently on-going under the Konongo, Kumawu and Kwahu Ridge Water Supply System expansion project.
Mr. Agyen 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, in the case of the Effiduase-Asokore twin towns, the Hon Deputy Minister indicates that the water system to be put in place for Kumawu must benefit the twin towns. In the Budget Statement of this year, the water and sanitation item was captured on pages 105 and 106 but no mention was made about any amount being allocated or any amount being given for any works to effect the water supply system in Kumawu so that Effiduase-Asokore would benefit.
Would the Hon Deputy Minister tell
Mr. Agyen 11:40 a.m.


this House when the Kumawu water system would take off so that Effiduase and Asokore would benefit?
Dr. Bisiw 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I would need notice to bring the details later.
Mr. Agyen 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, notice will be duly served.
In the case of the Seniagya water supply system, the Hon Deputy Minister indicates that the community must have ways and means of making sure water supply is in place. But is this not the responsibility of her Ministry to make sure that the people of Seniagya drink good water?
If that is so, does the Ministry not have to ensure that those who have the responsibility to make sure water supply is continuously given to people of Seniagya do so? Is it not the duty of the Hon Deputy Minister to make sure water is supplied to Seniagya town? And if that is so, what is the Ministry doing?
Dr. Bisiw 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, in my Answer, I said “Under the key tenets of Community Ownership and Management concept”, with the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), after the projects are completed and handed over to the community, they pass on from our Ministry to the local government, that is, to the District Assemblies so that we have the Water and Sanitation Development Boards and the Water and Sanitation Committees at the various communities and the small towns.
Mr. Agyen 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Ministry has officers and offices in every district capital. What role do those offices and officers play in making sure water supply is done?
Dr. Bisiw 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the role of our officers at the various districts and regions is to train the people of the communities to form the Water and Sanitation Boards or Committees.
Mr. Agyen 11:50 a.m.
The last one. Will the Hon Deputy Minister assure the people of Effiduase and Asokore as well as Seniagya when water will be made abundantly available to them?
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon Deputy Minister, he says assure them; can you really? If so, say so.
Dr. Bisiw 11:50 a.m.
I may not be able to give him exact time or assurance on this.
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
But Hon Deputy Minister, I think he says, can you assure them that it will come? You have talked about the time, but what about providing the water sometime? I think that is what he was getting at. Was that not it, Hon Member?
Mr. Agyen 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, that is exactly so.
Dr. Bisiw 11:50 a.m.
The assurance is already there because we have done the training of the Water and Sanitation Boards at the various District Assemblies and communities. So that assurance is there. We continue to give technical support to them and since it has come to our notice, we are following it up and we are sure that the training will be ongoing.
Pipe-borne Water (Provision)
Q. 233. Mr. Charles S. Hodogbey asked the Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing what plans were in place for the communities in the North Tongu Constituency, stretching from Juapong, Dofor Adidome to Mepe Horkpo areas to provide them with pipe- borne water.
Dr. Bisiw 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the communities of Dofor Adidome and Horkpo in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region are planned for small

town pipe schemes under the ongoing Local Service Delivery and Government Programme in which DANIDA has committed 100 million Danish Kroner (DKK) into the rural water sector. The programme is rolling till 2011 and the communities of Dofor Adidome and Horkpo are scheduled to come on board the programme in 2010.

The community of Mepe is served under the three district water supply scheme. This scheme is one of the notable flagships of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) in which DANIDA/GoG/DFID invested a colossal sum of US$11 million in the design and construction of a surface scheme anchored on the Lower Volta to serve over 120 communities across two regions in three different districts, namely, North Tongu District in the Volta Region, Dangbe East and Dangbe West District in the Greater Accra Region.

There are no immediate plans to serve the community of Juapong. However, Government will keep its dialogue with development partners open in a bid to secure funds to provide a small town water supply scheme for the community of Juapong.
Mr. Hodogbey 11:50 a.m.
Most often when cost is spelled out in dollars, pounds sterling and other currencies, it is much easier to relate it to our Ghana cedi. I would like to know how much the 100 million Danish Kroner is in dollars or Ghana cedis.
Dr. Bisiw 11:50 a.m.
I would have loved to know but I do not know the exchange rate of the Danish Kroner to Ghana cedis.
Mr. Hodogbey 11:50 a.m.
The problem with our water system is supply, that is production and distribution of water. The greatest problem in Ghana is, we have several water systems all over the country but no water flows through the system. So I would like to know from the Hon Deputy Minister if this particular programme or system will guarantee that there will be constant flow of water all the time.
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon Deputy Minis- ter, he wants to know whether water will flow when you lay the pipes.
Dr. Bisiw 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I may not be able to give that guarantee but, yes, I
can assure him that we have competent people in place forming committees to see to it that they do a proper layout and a proper system in this situation.
Mr. Hodogbey 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, my last question is, how many communities, including the Dofor Adidome to Mepe Horkpo areas will be covered under this programme?
Dr. Bisiw 11:50 a.m.
They are 120 communities.
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
The next Question stands in the name of Hon John Duoghr Baloroo, Member for Lambussie.
Mr. Dominic B. A. Nitiwul 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Hon Member is in his constituency on an emergency mission and I have his permission to seek your indulgence to ask the Question.
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Yes, so ask the last Question for him.
Potable Water (Provision)
Q. 234. Mr. Dominic B. A. Nitiwul (on behalf of Mr. John Doughr Baloroo) asked the Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing when Piina Senior High School, Piina town and Karni town would get potable water.
Dr. Bisiw 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, Piina and Karni are both small towns in the Lambussie Karni District of the Upper West Region. Their respective populations, according to the 2000 population census data released by the Ghana Statistical Service and projected at an annual national growth rate of 2.6 per cent into the year are 1,688 and 2,966.
Karni is covered 50 per cent and Piina 100 per cent under previous interventions with 5 and 6 boreholes respectively fitted with hand-pumps. A sixth borehole is slated to be drilled in Karni under the GH¢30 million Government of Ghana investment package in rural water in the 2009 Budget allocation to the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA). CWSA has completed the procurement
process and is waiting for the release of funds to start construction.
The deficit coverage of 50 per cent in Karni and the conversions of both systems in Karni and Piina into small towns' water supply schemes are planned to be met under a new Government of Ghana/ World Bank initiative, which is currently in progress.
The CWSA in collaboration with the World Bank is preparing this new initiative. It is valued at US$60 million and dubbed “Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation Project”. The project is scheduled to take off in June 2010. Both Piina, Piina Senior High School and Karni are programmed to be beneficiary communities under this new project.
Mr. Nitiwul noon
Madam Speaker, the town of Karni and Piina really need water. Would the Hon Deputy Minister consider looking for some emergency fund somewhere to give them water now, hoping to get the project in 2010 to stop. Madam Speaker, I say this with the fact that the Ministry has given me an Answer to my Question where on average -- [Pause.]
Madam Speaker noon
Have you finished?
Thank you. I think people can take over your three questions.
Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu noon
Madam Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister, in answering the Question has cited the 2000 population census data and given us the population for the two communities, that is, Piina and Karni. She said it is the projected national growth rate of 2.6 per cent into the year 2009 to give us the population for the two communities.
Madam Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister is aware that before we arrive at a national average we do factor in the local situations, in particular districts, regions and so on, and so the 2.6 per cent that she used may not be relevant for both Piina
and Karni which are known to be very populous areas and districts.
Does she consider the use of 2.6 per cent to do the projection of the 2000 population credible in the circumstance?
Mr. A. S. K. Bagbin noon
Madam Speaker, my Hon Colleague did not land properly because he is now seeking her opinion, talking about whether it is credible. He said, is it credible? -- She is going to tell us whether it is credible or not credible, that is her opinion. Whether the 2.6 per cent that she has used in her projection of the population is a percentage that is credible to be used for those communities, that is -- [Interruption] -- not the Upper West Region. It is those communities, not the Upper West Region.
He is talking specifically of Piina and Karni and those are just -- it is an opinion and I think that at this stage, he cannot be seeking the opinion of the Hon Deputy Minister. It is an opinion.
Madam Speaker noon
Hon Member, can you put it in another form?
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu noon
Madam Speaker, this certainly cannot be an opinion. The Hon Deputy Minister is giving us facts and I am looking at the basis for the facts that the Hon Deputy Minister is providing this House. And I am asking whether she knows the population growth of the Upper West Region and in particular the districts. This is not seeking opinion, Hon Majority Leader; that is the principle underpinning the question that I asked. [Laughter.]
Madam Speaker noon
Hon Member, ask the question again, now that we know the principle?
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu noon
Madam Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister has given us a population growth of 2.6 per cent, that is the national population growth. What is the population growth rate of the Upper West Region and the district population growth rate?
Madam Speaker noon
Hon Deputy Minister, do you know it?
Dr. Bisiw noon
Madam Speaker, what is being used in the Answer was taken from the Ghana Statistical Service. If it is my person, Madam Speaker, I do not know that population growth, I would need time to go and consult.
rose
Madam Speaker noon
Is it an objection
or you have a question to ask?
Dr. M. O. Prempeh noon
Madam Speaker, considering that these communities need water urgently and the Hon Deputy Minister envisaging that it would be provided in June, would she be minded to use some of the money the Ministry is allocating to renovation of bungalows costing 1.2 billion per renovation of one bungalow to bring water to these communities immediately instead of
2010?
Madam Speaker, water is life and if they have so much money to renovate one bungalow at 1.2 billion, would she consider taking some of that money to supply immediately these communities with water?
Madam Speaker noon
But is this a fair question? Can she do that? [Laughter.] Put another question; you know she cannot do that.
Dr. Prempeh noon
Madam Speaker, I thought water is life.
Madam Speaker noon
Yes, so put a question on water is life. [Laughter.]
Dr. Prempeh noon
Madam Speaker, with your direction, would the Hon Deputy Minister consider that instead of giving 1.2 billion per renovation per house, she would use that money or she would consider next time to use that money to provide water for these needy communities?
Madam Speaker noon
Well, I think it is the same question, is it not?
Dr. Prempeh noon
Madam Speaker, since the Hon Majority Leader says it is the same question, I would ask another one.
Madam Speaker noon
Well, I did not hear that one. [Laughter.] That is my own view.
Dr. Prempeh noon
Madam Speaker, water is more important than housing in life. As a doctor, water is more important for life than housing. So would she consider that the Ministry would use this money more prudently in giving these communities water than renovating bungalows?
Madam Speaker noon
Hon Deputy
Dr. Bisiw noon
Madam Speaker, in my Answer, I made mention of an amount of GH¢30 million that has been allocated by the Government of Ghana as an investment package into rural water supply in the 2009 Budget allocation and there is a seed borehole that is slated to be drilled in Karni under this project.
Madam Speaker noon
Hon Deputy Minister, you mean that water would be provided, is that what you are saying? I hope you got it like I did.
Hon Members, I think at this stage, I should thank the Hon Deputy Minister for coming and then deal with the Hon Member's case after the Hon Deputy Minister leaves us.
Hon Deputy Minister, thank you very much for coming to answer our Questions. We hope you would come again when your Minister travels.
Thank you.
Yes, there is another Question listed. But Hon Members, the Question 232 stands in the name of the Hon Member for Bimbilla (Mr. Dominic B. A. Nitiwul).
The desired Answer indicated by
WRITTEN ANSWERS TO 12:10 p.m.
QUESTIONS 12:10 p.m.
Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing (Mr. Albert Abongo) 12:10 p.m.
Madam Speaker --
Mr. Nitiwul 12:10 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I am grateful. I really desired a written Answer and I am satisfied with it. But Madam Speaker, just to put on record that the Answer given by the Hon Minister states that 1.2 billion was used in renovating one government bungalow and I thought that it was seriously very excessive con-sidering the fact that Ghana does not have money -- [Interruption.]
Madam Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon Member, that is why you should not have asked for just a written Answer. You should have asked for oral Answer so that you could put it to her here. So next time if you do that, the Hon Minister will answer your Question for you.
Well, thank you. We have finished with Question time.
Madam Speaker 12:10 p.m.


Insert printed Answer to Questions here Insert printed Answer to Questions here
  • [P ri nt ed u nd er
    • O 12:10 p.m.
    Mr. Bagbin 12:10 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, item 5 (a), we want to do further consultation on that item because I recall that it was laid before and therefore I need to reconcile the dates and what happened before we can consider it. We need to discuss with the sector Minister and look at our records, reconcile them before we come back to the House. So we will not urge that 5 (a) be laid, it should be stood down.
    Madam Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    So it is 5 (b) - Minister for Finance and Economic Planning?
    Mr. Bagbin 12:10 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, 5(b) (i) and (ii) stand in the name of the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning. Now, the Minister just sent a note to me that he is with the Committee on Finance and I believe that we can in the circumstances, allow another Minister here, in the person of the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways just to lay those two Papers for and on his behalf.
    Madam Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Minority Leader, any objection?
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:10 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, no objection to the issue raised by my Hon Colleague. I really wanted to make a point about the Question before we came to the Commencement of Public Business. Maybe, we can exhaust this one and then I may make just a brief observation about Question 232 if you do not mind, Madam Speaker.
    Madam Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    Question 232?
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:10 p.m.
    But as to what my Hon Colleague raised, I have nothing against it.
    Madam Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    So we can carry on with the Hon Minister to lay the Papers? - [Pause.] All right, Hon Leader, I think he has no objection to the Hon Minister.
    PAPERS 12:10 p.m.
    Madam Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    We move on to item
    6 -- Motions.
    Mr. Bagbin 12:10 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, item 6 will be taken with your kind permission and that of my Hon Colleagues by the Attorney-General and Deputy Minister for Justice. The Minister is now with the group discussing the issues arising from the energy sector and has just mandated the Deputy Minister to come and move this motion on her behalf. So the Deputy Minister just briefed me and if the House would not object to that, he will proceed to move the motion. The Committee members are available and I am told that the Vice Chairman will be seconding the motion for and on behalf of the Chairman.
    Madam Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    Do we need to second this motion? [Pause.] It is here that the Alternative Dispute Resolution
    Bill, 2009 be now read the Second time but then we do not need a seconder of it, do we?
    Mr. Bagbin 12:10 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, being a motion, usually the Chairman, in reading the Report of the Committee seconds the motion and that can be done by the Chairman, the Vice Chairman or a member of the committee, and the Ranking Member can equally do it.
    Madam Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    No, but Order 81 says that:
    “Unless otherwise provided in these Orders, every motion unless made at the Second Reading or Consideration Stage of a Bill, must be seconded, and if not seconded shall not be debated or entered in the Votes and Proceedings.”
    So this one, we do not need secondment, even if it is a Report, or am I wrong?
    Mr. Bagbin 12:10 p.m.
    You are right, Madam Speaker. Just that the practice, what they do, when they do that, they just say, “In seconding the motion, I wish to present the Report of the Committee”. But by Order 81, it is not the motion that should be seconded.
    Madam Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    It is not necessary, all right. Maybe, for the abundance of caution - yes.
    So the Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs will present the Report.
    Mr. W. O. Boafo 12:10 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, item 6 was not advertised yesterday. What was advertised yesterday was the Ghana Revenue Authority Bill for Second Reading. And this practice is not good for the House because we prepared on the basis of what was advertised and we are being taken by surprise so far as this particular Bill is concerned - because
    we need to prepare, we need to carry the Bill into the House, we need to bring the Report to the House and if it was not advertised then we are disadvantaged.
    Madam Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Leader?
    Mr. Bagbin 12:20 p.m.
    That is true. My attention has just been drawn to the fact that it was advertised the whole of last week but for some reason it could not be taken. Yesterday, it was not advertised. It was the Ghana Revenue Authority Bill that was advertised. But that Bill's Report is not ready. So, because they advertised this last week they thought that could be taken.
    Just now, my attention has been drawn to it. And I agree with Hon W. O. Boafo that that practice should cease. Because usually we have to be given notice and we prepare to come and do a good job -- that is the whole House.
    So, I would in that circumstances, urge that we do not take this item today and then we put it for tomorrow. So, we will schedule it for tomorrow where Hon Members would have sufficient notice.
    In the circumstances, we would have to move to item 7.
    Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
    Hon Members, item 7 -- continuation of The Interpretation Bill at the Consideration Stage. [Pause.]
    rose
    Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, I think we are changing over, so Mr. Second Deputy Speaker will take charge of the matter you wish to raise.
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:20 p.m.
    Very well, Madam Speaker.

    Madam Speaker, not to question that at all but I thought I have something relating to Question 232 which I felt, maybe, will serve a better purpose if you were presiding. And I intend to make this a very short observation, with respect to you, Madam Speaker.
    Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
    I thought he (Mr. Second Deputy Speaker) could handle it even better because it is a legal matter and it relates to the rules, does it not?
    Anyway, I can stop now and listen to it.
    Yes, Hon Minority Leader?
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:20 p.m.
    Madam
    Speaker, thank you very much.
    Madam Speaker, I saw the Question 232 and you have made your ruling on it, that it was not marked with asterisk so the Hon Member had to be provided with a written Answer.
    Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
    Yes.
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:20 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I myself was getting very interested in the Question and I thought -- The other day we had a very similar development in the House regarding a Question that was also asked without asterisk and it was construed to mean that the Hon Member ought to be given the Answer. But looking at the Question that we have listed, I think that we should have this on record:
    “To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing how many government bungalows have been renovated or are under renovation, the total cost of all the
    Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Leader, he has made a point. The Questions come direct to the Speaker. I thought, like Statements, should they not come through the Leaders?
    Mr. Bagbin 12:20 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I do agree with my Hon Colleague, the Hon Minority Leader on this issue. Even though we do not have any Standing Order saying that Questions should be routed through the Leadership of the House, in practice, we have always tried to advise that that be done for a good reason. And it is not meant to stop Hon Members from asking Questions but to make sure that some of these loopholes are plugged and the Questions are properly tailored. It is a learning process and we learn together.
    And this Question, as my Hon Colleague said, with the greatest respect, seemed to have gone through the blind side of the Speaker and it was admitted.
    Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
    I think “the blind side of the Speaker” -- I was looking
    at it. It was not -- Anyway, carry on. [Laughter.] Because it was not blind to me, when I saw it I realised it was too broad to be admitted but it has been admitted.
    Mr. Bagbin 12:20 p.m.
    Exactly. That is why I said that when you saw it you realised it was too broad and open-ended, it is the time that you did not see, that it went through the blind side -- [Laughter.] So, we would try to urge our Hon Colleagues to understand the situation and let us work together and get these Questions properly framed.
    Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
    Yes, I think since we have raised it at this point -- because it has been agitating my mind. Hon Members pass Statements through their Leaders to me but Questions come direct to me. But we are all engaged in doing the proper thing. And it does not mean that when a Leader says the Statement should go to me -- Normally, I also have an input. I think it will not be too out of place to suggest that Questions should be seen by the Leaders before they come to me.
    If that is feasible, I think we should discuss that. Because most of the times, when the Speaker stops the Question for some very small reason like this, it is misunderstood also. And in any case, it could have been corrected, even if it is a mistake, before it is admitted or turned down. So, I find nothing wrong with passing it through the Leaders if it is possible.
    Hon Majority Leader, is it possible that you also see the Questions before they are brought to me? The Clerks could show them to you.
    Mr. Bagbin 12:20 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, we would actually plead that that be done.
    And the Whips are properly positioned to perform that for and on behalf of Leadership. But usually, the Whips discuss with us. So, we would advise that that be followed.
    rose
    Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang 12:20 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I have no objection to the suggestion. But there is caveat. So long as it does not lead into a vetoing process of the legitimate concerns of Hon Members of Parliament, then I would support it wholeheartedly. I think we are trying to decentralise and not to concentrate power and authority in the hands of anybody in this country.
    So, I would like to say that ,yes, we can go along with it but it should not lead to a vetoing power of whoever is vetting it. That, I think, is important because we have our rights as Hon Members of Parliament, which we must jealously guard and we will subject ourselves to the Leadership for guidance.
    But then comes a time that an Hon Member of Parliament feels that something must be aired and it should be aired. I see the Hon Leader shaking his head, so I have no problem with it. So, he agrees that he will not use his veto power, conferred or latent, that will be given to him.
    Thank you.
    Madam Speaker 12:20 p.m.
    Except that we thought of passing them through their Whips. It is not that the Whips on this side (points to the Majority side) will be vetting that on this side. Because the Statements that come to me pass through the Leadership of whoever wanted to make the Statement.
    rose
    Madam Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    Before you speak, let me take it from the Whips here.
    Mr. E. T. Mensah 12:30 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I am really concerned about his fears. Madam Speaker, you can realise that he was even vetoing my standing up. And the Leadership, as one is aware, do not have the history of being autocratic; they have been very consultative and all those Questions which have passed through us, we do discuss and draw attention so that the “t's” would be crossed and the “i's” would be dotted so that what happened -- it is not the first time; it has happened a couple of times because the Questions were not passed through the Leadership. So his fears are far-fetched and I do not think it has any basis at all.
    Mr. Owusu-Agyemang 12:30 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, it depends upon what he has eaten. If he eats Banku, then we have a problem, but if he does not, then we do not have a problem. [Laughter.]
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:30 p.m.
    Madam Speaker, I think that as the Majority Leader said, the Leadership exists for guidance purposes to Hon Colleagues who file Questions, so that Questions that are posted are seen to conform to our rules of procedure and also to help the Hon Members themselves make the strongest political points that they may want to achieve. It is not in any way intended to undermine the legitimate rights of Hon Members.
    But Madam Speaker, the other thing

    that the Majority Leader referred to rather tangentially, is maybe, the Question having been approved on the blind side of Madam Speaker. If I understand it, there are Deputy Speakers and in the absence of Madam Speaker, they act as the Speaker. Madam Speaker, so it does seem to me that the Majority Leader was referring to the possibility of the Question having been admitted by a Deputy Speaker or the other.

    Madam Speaker, I think, for record purposes, we should get this straight. Our Standing Orders, Order 13 (2) provides and with your permission, I read:

    “Whenever the House is informed by the Clerk-at-the-Table of the unavoidable absence of Mr. Speaker, the First Deputy Speaker shall perform the duties and exercise the authority of Mr. Speaker in relation to all proceedings of the House until Mr. Speaker resumes the Chair, without any further communication to the House.”

    Madam Speaker, the duties of the Deputy Speakers are here explained; they are to perform the duties of Mr. Speaker in relation to all proceedings of the House. So the duties of the Deputy Speakers are, in my view, confined to this Chamber -- presiding and conducting business -- not administrative. Madam Speaker, the point is also reinforced by Order 13 (3) and with your permission, I quote:

    “Whenever the House is informed by the Clerk at the Table of the unavoidable absence of both Mr. Speaker and the First Deputy Speaker, the Second Deputy Speaker shall perform the duties and exercise the authority of the Speaker in accordance with paragraph (2) of this Order.”

    Paragraph (2) talks about conducting business, that is proceedings of the House.

    Madam Speaker, I think these are the

    boundaries set for the Deputy Speakers. They cannot suo motu act for you in matters pertaining to administration unless you specifically so direct. If the practice is going off the mark, Madam Speaker, we should be careful.

    I thank you.
    Madam Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    Hon Leader, is he right?
    Mr. Bagbin 12:30 p.m.
    Well, Madam Speaker, I think that my Hon Colleague is very right on that and particularly with regard to issues of admissibility of Questions. If you look at Order 66 (1), it is very clear on that. It says and with your permission, I quote:
    “Mr. Speaker shall be the sole judge of the admissibility of a Question.”
    No doubt, it is beyond doubt that when it comes to these functions, it is Madam Speaker, and there is a vast difference between a Speaker and the Deputy Speaker and the late Rt. Hon Peter Ala Adjetey so ruled when he was the Speaker of this House. And I recall that the late Justice D. F. Annan also did rule that there is a vast difference between a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker. A Deputy Speaker is a Deputy Speaker and not a Speaker. And there was good reason why they gave those rulings.
    But these days, water seems to be passing under the bridge and I think that we have to patch the loopholes and make sure that things are properly streamlined. So I totally agree with him; it is just for the purposes of the record and for the -- as my Hon Friend has said, edification of all of us so that we stick to the rules and the practice of the House.
    Madam Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    Yes, I think the two former Speakers were right; we cannot be the same because we are not Members of

    Parliament (MPs). The Speaker does not join a party. As soon as you are appointed the Speaker, you drop certain functions. And so we cannot be the same, that one, I agree.

    But thank you for referring to these sections and it will help us in our work.
    MR. SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER
    Mr. Second Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    Hon Majority Chief Whip, may we have your direction at this stage? I believe we are on item (7) -- Interpretation Bill.
    Mr. E. T. Mensah 12:30 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, yesterday, we decided that the concerns raised were such that it would be necessary for the Select Committee to go back to the drawing board, clean up the documentation and then bring it back. My information is that they were not able to meet and they are therefore, requesting that we stand this item No. 7 down until they have been able to meet and dealt with the issues and the concerns raised.
    Mr. Second Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    Hon Members, that indeed, was the clear understanding that we came to yesterday. The Hon Member for Akropong? (Mr. W. O. Boafo), I think you have been in consultation with the Hon Deputy Attorney-General and that you are going to meet over this so that you would give us a clear direction when we next come to look at this Bill any further?
    Mr. W. O. Boafo 12:30 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, that is correct. We have discussed the issue and he is proposing a meeting between his Department and the Select Committee and those of us who proposed the amendments so that we thrash out our issues before coming to the House, otherwise, it would be this going forth and coming back; we want to stop that.
    Mr. Second Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    Thank you very much, Hon Boafo. In the circumstances, if we may have any further directions from Leadership.
    Mr. E. T. Mensah 12:30 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker,
    Committee Sittings. I therefore, move that this House do adjourn till tomorrow 10.00 o'clock in the forenoon. I so move, Mr. Speaker.
    Mr. Second Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader?
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I think just so that when we come to it tomorrow we will be able to work very fast on it. I really agree with the proposal by my Colleague, the Chief Whip for the Majority except to observe that with respect to the Deputy Attorney- General and Minister for Justice, that he would endeavour to be in this House.
    Mr. Speaker, Questions have been filed and she never comes. Bills are pro- grammed for consideration and she is nowhere. The Majority Leader alluded to her attending an equally important function outside the Chamber. That may be excusable, it may be convincing but it is not persuasive at all, knowing that she never finds space to be with us in this Chamber. And we have had to tarry on this Bill for a considerably long period. If she had been here, we would not still be in this quagmire.
    Mr. Speaker, I will plead with you to direct that she attends the Sittings of this House as and when necessary, including when we have to meet tomorrow, so we get this behind us.
    Mr. Speaker, I second this motion for adjournment, even if it is being done

    grudgingly.

    I thank you.
    Mr. Second Deputy Speaker 12:40 p.m.
    Thank you. Hon Deputy Attorney-General, will you help us as to how we can make some progress. What kind of progress we should expect so that perhaps, this does not keep on appearing until appropriate time because from all indications we are not likely, for example, to make progress on this tomorrow. So if you can help us have an indication.
    Mr. Ebo Barton-Odro 12:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, actually, I have been conferring with the Chairman of the Select Committee. We intend having the meeting today so that tomorrow when we come, we can deal with the subject-matter appropriately. We intend having the meeting today.
    Mr. Second Deputy Speaker 12:40 p.m.
    Very well. Hon Boafo and all who are inputting in this regard, if you will kindly take note so that tomorrow we make progress.
    Mr. W. O. Boafo 12:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, if we can reconsider the date for the meeting and then we come on Thursday because --
    Mr. Second Deputy Speaker 12:40 p.m.
    Chairman of the Committee, this is very, very important to us so that we come and discuss this matter meaningfully. So if you can skip tomorrow or whatever, so that we will be certain that all those - it is because of the various views that we appear to be going forward and back-ward. If you will need two days, so that we resolve them once and for all --
    Mr. I. A. B. Fuseini 12:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, indeed, we had wanted to meet yesterday and today is a good day for such a meeting. In fact, the only difficulty we have is that we had even concluded on clause 4, when the Attorney-General and Minister for
    Justice wrote her views about an enacting formula which we want to put before Hon Members. But we had discussed in substantial detail the way we want the enacting formula to be.
    Indeed, clause 5 (v) which has been amended by insertion, we have done further work on it and we just want to show that to Hon Members to see whether they will agree. Indeed, there is no substantial difference existing between us and the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice except that we are thinking that we should use the words of the Constitution. Well, she has come with a suggestion, we would want to put it before Hon Members.
    Hon Members, I think that if we just have some five minutes, we will look at them. We have considered these matters before. Indeed, she is not coming out with anything new, except that she is thinking that we must go back to the old enacting formula which we have already con-sidered. I think five minutes of our time today will settle the matter.
    Mr. Second Deputy Speaker 12:40 p.m.
    Very well, for the avoidance of doubt -- [Inter- ruption.]
    Mr. Ambrose P. Dery 12:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, the history of this Bill shows that it is replete with several adjournments to the next day and then we come and things are not done. I believe that if we are depending on the Deputy Attorney- General and Minister for Justice and the rest of members of the Committee, tomorrow could have been but I do not think that it is right for us to take any action behind the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice.
    So out of abundance of caution, if we can skip tomorrow and put it definitely for Thursday, then whatever is agreed today is firm tomorrow and when we come on Thursday, it should by consensus go through. This is what I humbly want to propose.
    Mr. Second Deputy Speaker 12:40 p.m.
    Hon Members, it is quite clear that the consensus is that this matter be put firmly for Thursday so that it will be deliberated upon. And if the Hon Attorney-General and Minister for Justice will also be present, so that we will have this matter duly concluded.
    Any other matter?
    Mr. E. T. Mensah 12:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, with regard to the concerns raised by the Hon Minority Leader, we will endeavour to ensure that the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice makes herself available on Thursday because that has been emphasized by the Hon Deputy Minority Leader as well.
    So we will make sure that we explain the importance of her presence here on Thursday and I believe that she will oblige and come and join us.
    I thank you very much.
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:40 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, since the vote on the motion appears to be arrested for the time being, I do not know whether we cannot also firm our thoughts on the motion listed as item 6, that is the Alternative Dispute Resolution Bill. Are we going to have it tomorrow or we do so on Thursday when the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice will be present in the House? Do we do it tomorrow? Let us firm our minds on that and then we will be sure on that.
    Mr. Inusah Fuseini 12:50 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, since that is the Second Reading, we could present it tomorrow so that if there is need to look at the Bill itself together with the amendments to the Interpretation Bill, we could combine them because that meeting is going to be on Wednesday. So tomorrow morning we could have the Second Reading of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Bill, then if there are issues that
    Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:50 p.m.
    Mr.
    Speaker, I do not dispute what my Hon Colleague is saying, except to remind ourselves that by what we are doing, that is the Interpretation Bill, the new position after the passage of this Bill will be that in interpreting Acts, the memorandum should be considered as part and parcel of it.
    Now, the espousal of the memorandum depends so much on the person or the Minister shepherding the Bill, in this case, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice. And I thought that we should give this vent by starting off tomorrow with her. That is not in any way to derogate from the powers and functions, should I say, limited powers and functions of the Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice. So, Mr. Speaker, I believe it is in this spirit that I am making this intervention.
    I thank you.
    Mr. Second Deputy Speaker 12:50 p.m.
    Majority Chief Whip, can you give us any indications about this possibility? My problem is that there will be very little time. For Thursday, the Hon Attorney- General and Minister for Justice will have notice; Wednesday, there may be very little time, but if you will give us an indication, we will take the cue from you and proceed accordingly.
    Mr. E. T. Mensah 12:50 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I believe that she will hear this on air -- I will see her personally and appeal to her to try and be here.
    When I was talking about endeavouring to let her be present, I also had at the back

    of my mind that I will get her to come and pull a surprise at least, here tomorrow before Thursday. [Laughter.] So, I think it is possible.

    And since the motion was arrested long ago, I wish to take the opportunity to move again that this House do adjourn till tomorrow ten o'clock in the forenoon.

    Mr. Speaker, I thank you.
    Mr. Dery 12:50 p.m.
    Mr. Speaker, I second the motion, looking forward to the surprise tomorrow. [Laughter.]
    Question put and motion agreed to.
    ADJOURNMENT 12:50 p.m.