Debates of 19 Feb 2010

MADAM SPEAKER
PRAYERS 11:05 a.m.
- 11:05 a.m.
Madam Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Yes, Hon Minority Leader, anything before Correction of Votes and Proceedings?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:05 a.m.
Madam Speaker, obviously, yes.
Madam Speaker, I rise to crave your indulgence on a matter that is of grave importance to us. I believe it is of urgent public importance as well.
Madam Speaker, yesterday some event happened. A gentleman, while partici- pating in the morning show of a radio programme -- [An Hon Member: And so what?] -- was stopped midstream. I could hear an Hon Member say “and so what?”
Madam Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Order! Order! Order, please! Hon Members, let us hear the Hon Minority Leader. He has the floor. Please, let us listen to him.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:05 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the gentleman was whisked away on the instructions of the Special
Assistant to the former President and Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He was taken to the Regional Police Headquarters and then whisked to the court, processed with lightning speed and taken into prison custody.
Madam Speaker, we believe that what happened was a tragedy and a rollback. It affects all of us, in particular, the Communications Officer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who has been so treated.
rose
Madam Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Hon Member, this is not a debate. It is a Statement, so let us listen to him. [Interruptions.]
Mr Fuseini 11:05 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I have a point of order.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:05 a.m.
Hon Member, Madam Speaker has not given you space so why do you persist in interjection? Madam Speaker has not given you space. She has not recognized you.
Madam Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Order! Hon Member, in a debate, we have these rules about points of order, correcting and others. But this is not a debate. This is a Statement which we do not even know -- So I said, let us listen to him. [Interruptions.]
Order! Order! It seems you have been overruled. I do not think you have a point of order. So you have been overruled. So please, sit down. Let me hear the Hon Member.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:05 a.m.
Madam Speaker, in the circumstance, we, in the Minority caucus have decided that we are unable to participate in the proceedings of this House -- [Interruptions] -- and accordingly, we withdraw from this House until further notice. [Uproar.]
Madam Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Order! Order!
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:05 a.m.
Madam Speaker, but this House is for Ghanaians, whom we represent and accordingly, we shall keep an eye on whatever happens here in our absence. We shall keep an eye on whatever happens here even in our absence. [Interruptions.]
Madam Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Let us listen to the Statement.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:05 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I thank you. [Interruptions.]
Madam Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Order! Order! Hon Members, I thought the other side was going to react - [Interruptions.]
Order! Order! Please, order!
Thank you, Hon Gentlemen.
Order! Order! Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader, the Hon Minority Leader has made a speech. Have you got anything to say?
Mr. John T. Akologu 11:15 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Hon Minority Leader in -- [Interruptions.] Madam Speaker, the Hon Minority Leader and the group, for that matter, in applying the tools available to them have made known to this House that they will not take part in the Business of the House henceforth because of a certain situation.
Madam Speaker, while it is within their right to do so, we on this side would have thought that if they make a complaint or raise a point against some action, and demand that it should be resolved in a certain manner, they should allow the one some time to be able to respond before they can even take any further action. As it is now, I think that the action of the Minority is like trying to bend the hands of this House and the Government into submission; I think, this is unfortunate.
Madam Speaker, I think that this House would have rather been done a service, and for that matter, the country at large if this issue had been raised in a form of a Statement here for us to discuss because it borders on democratic practices. And we are all aware that our democracy is a very young one, it is fledgling, and we have to go through a number of processes, transformations and so on to become perfect. So when these things arise, we should rather seize the opportunity on the floor of this House to see how best the issues can be resolved.
Madam Speaker, it is in this regard that I thought the Hon Members, just like the Leadership of the Minority have remained to listen, should have sat down and listened to this side, and then we will decide the way forward. Madam Speaker, I want to appeal to my Hon Colleagues opposite, through the Leadership that is here that they should rather come back
to the Chamber and let us find a way of resolving this matter together. We have done this thing before; Leadership could have retired with Madam Speaker; we will look at it, and then we will inform the authorities that are concerned about this thing and then we find a way forward.
Madam Speaker, so it is in this connection that I want to appeal to the Minority through the Leadership that is here for them to come back so that we rather address the situation. We have a lot of important Business on the Order Paper today, most of which is even coming from their side. I do not know what service we will be doing this nation if the Business on this Paper is not taken today.
Madam Speaker, with these few words, I think that I will call on the Hon Minority Leader to urge his people to come back to the Chamber.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:15 a.m.
Madam Speaker, thank you very much. [Interruptions.] Madam Speaker, the Hon Deputy Majority Leader has spoken, he has admitted to the existence of a problem. The appeal is to try to find an amicable resolution. We have determined to pursue a course, but we have said that we are leaving the door open, and for now, we are saying that we are withdrawing from proceedings. That is not to say that every avenue is closed. We shall continue to be in dialogue and consultation with Leadership of -- [Interruptions.]
Madam Speaker, I thought that if one spoke about dialogue to find an amicable resolution of the matter, it is to allow for the growth of this Parliament and democracy -- [Interruptions] -- I believe the rather raucous interventions would not prevent me from making my
point -- [Interruptions.] Madam Speaker, on that note, since
Madam Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Order! Order! Hon Member, the Minority side has left its Chief Whip -- [An Hon Member: To do what?] -- to listen -- [Laughter] -- and report back. So please, let us get on with the Business.
Mr E. K. D. Adjaho 11:15 a.m.
Madam Speaker, thank you very much. Madam Speaker, it is good that the Leader and his team have left, but they have left the Chief Whip here, which shows that not all of them have boycotted the proceedings. Madam Speaker, but I think that this development calls for the intervention of Leadership. I would have thought that our Hon Colleagues opposite should have engaged us.
I have had the privilege of serving in Leadership for 12 years on the front bench of this Honourable House. And several times, even involving Members of Parliament of this House -- and I can cite Hon E. T. Mensah as a very good example. We, the then Minority, engaged as a first point of call, when we felt strongly about some issue, the Leadership of the Majority at that time. It happened to Hon Mumuni, when he was going home and his car was seized; we engaged them. Hon Victor Gbeho, after a programme, he was going home, they chased him to collect his car.
We tried to engage the Leadership of the other side, and I would have thought that, as Hon Colleagues here, working together in the collective interest of this country,
they would have tried to engage us to see whether we could have found a way out before this -- Their absence, definitely, will affect the work of this Honourable House. I would have preferred that -- But Madam Speaker, I want to crave your indulgence that given the situation in the House, the Hon Deputy Majority Leader has spoken for the Majority side. He has spoken for all of us on the Majority side, and I would crave your indulgence that we let the matter rest so that we do not inflame passion.
So that no further comments are taken on this matter while, as the Hon Deputy Majority Leader did say, we try -- We would have thought that they would have engaged our side to find an amicable solution to this problem in the collective interest of this House so that the work of this Honourable House can progress.
I think that the point has been made and at this stage, I will crave your indulgence not to take further comments on this. But Madam Speaker, it is entirely your discretion so that no further inflammatory or any statement be made that will provoke further debate on the floor of the House, especially so when they are not here.
Madam Speaker, thank you very much.
Madam Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Yes, I do not want any Hon Member to inflame any passion. The Minority has walked out, which they are entitled to do. And your suggestion that the Leadership should engage them is proper. From here, there will be an engagement; it happens all the time. And thankfully, we will see them back as quickly as possible. For this reason, I do not think we need to comment on the walkout any more because it is within their democratic rights. [Interruptions.] But when it happens, then there is an engagement of the Leadership, which I
Madam Speaker 11:15 a.m.


hope will happen, and then we will carry on with the Business.
rose
Madam Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Members, I do not intend to hear any more because I do not think it would advance us anywhere.
What is done is done; we are craving that there is an interaction and that as early as possible, we get a solution to this problem. And not knowing what you are going to say, whether it is going to be inflammatory or not - [Pause.] Yes, if it is information to that -

Inusah A. B. Fuseini: Madam

Speaker, just this morning, the person, on whose behalf and in solidarity with whom the Minority has walked out, has been granted bail by the High Court of this country.
Madam Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Member, has
it not been done before and before and before?
Mr Fuseini 11:25 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I do
not want to engage Madam Speaker on a debate in this matter.
Madam Speaker 11:25 a.m.
No! No! You are
saying that as if it is the first time.
Mr Fuseini 11:25 a.m.
Madam Speaker, a matter
of this nature has never been done in this House, that where an individual of this country has been arrested pursuant to an alleged infraction of the laws of this country, it has motivated Members of this House to move out of this House; it has never happened. It has never happened.
Madam Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Member, are
we to take these decisions for a political party? What they intend to do, are we to tell them what to do when they find that they need to do something?
Mr Fuseini 11:25 a.m.
Madam Speaker, we are
Madam Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Anyway, I am glad
you said you were giving us information. I think it is well taken that he is on bail.
Mr Enoch T. Mensah 11:25 a.m.
Madam
Speaker, thank you. I also want to put some information out there.
Since last night people have been comparing my situation to that of this young man who went and made an emphatic statement about something which most of you will be emotional about. When one loses his property - and he nearly lost his wife and child because they were in the house when the incident occurred.
The man made an emphatic statement that it was the former President who burnt the house and that he had information; that is why they went for him. With mine, I was alleged to have whispered that the plan had worked -- and the laws of this land, that if you want to arrest a Member of Parliament, you have to go through a certain process, through the Speaker of Parliament before you invite him or her for interrogation -- But I was waylaid in the night -- I had information from within
that I should not sleep in the house, so I ran away, I did not sleep in the house.
In the morning, the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) sent for me that they only wanted to have a discussion with me and that it will not even last for one hour. I went there at 11.00 a.m. and at 4.00 p.m. I faced a panel, and that was when I was told that it was alleged I had organized the Nima people, given them drinks and they went and misbehaved and even hooted at the former President at 37. And that when I got there, I was carried and yet I did not know or I had no inkling about what had happened.
So it is quite different from mine. And I was held there for more than fifty hours. It was after the Leadership then had engaged the other Leadership -- Mr. J. H. Mensah and others were involved and people went on the street before I was granted bail. I was served with recognizance bail, but up to today nobody has told me what I did. So I just want to put this on record that they are two different things. This guy was heard loud and clear on radio network; the night before they went and had a similar thing at Choice FM with emphasis.
I did not utter any word, I had then not gone to Nima for six, seven weeks before that incident even happened. I did not also go to the Accra Sports Stadium but I was linked to it. So they are two different things. A Member of Parliament who should have been arrested through the due process but it did not happen -- This time, the man was arrested and sent to court.
So they went through the due process and he has been granted bail. Mine was after some pressures from all over. So they are two separate things. When people are talking about this thing, they should know what they are talking about.
I thank you very much, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Pelpuo, are
you going to suggest anything that will push forward -
Mr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo 11:25 a.m.
Maybe,
Madam Speaker 11:25 a.m.
What have they
done?
Mr Pelpuo 11:25 a.m.
Madam Speaker, they
have announced at a Press Conference that they will continue to boycott Parliament until the gentleman who was arrested for doing what he had done is released.
Madam Speaker 11:25 a.m.
But the man, we
hear, is released.
Mr Pelpuo 11:25 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I am
talking about an announcement I heard from them. And what we are saying is this, that this is an institution which is part of the three arms of Government. The Judiciary is an independent institution, we cherish it because of the concept of the rule of law and we want to see the Judiciary operate in such a way as not to give the impression that Parliament is going through the back-door to give them pressure to take a decision they would not ordinarily have taken.
So I believe very strongly that this House must say something about this that in events where things like this occur outside Parliament and people have an opinion about it, because they think it touches on the human rights of a citizen
of this country, the matter must be debated here; quality debate must be listened to by the people of Ghana so they can have an informed position about what happened.
Madam Speaker 11:25 a.m.
I do not say
anything in this House. You must say something. You know, I do not join in debates, even adjournment has to be approved by you. So use the House. As for Speaker, she is your servant.
Mr Pelpuo 11:25 a.m.
Madam Speaker, so we
are saying that we are unhappy about what has happened. The sanctity of the House must be maintained, the Judiciary must be left to do its own work. We are not condoning anything that is against human rights of people but that when they occur, there is an independent institution that is taking care of it and Parliament must not be seen as threatening the institution either directly or indirectly, in violation of the Constitution.
Madam Speaker, that is my submission.
Madam Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Thank you for your intervention. I do not know whether we are going to keep on and on. I just wanted to find out from the Hon Majority Leader what to do now.
Hon Majority Leader, what happens when there is such a walk-out?
Mr Akologu 11:35 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I think
rose
Madam Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Order,! Order!
please. Let us hear him.
Alhaji Abukari 11:35 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I think that when we were on the other side, we walked out a number of times but it was for very legal and constitutional reasons. I think that it is unfortunate that we import into this House a form of defence for someone who is alleged to have done a criminal act and leave the House on those grounds.
Madam Speaker, what the gentleman is alleged to have said, if he did say it, was impugning a criminal act to the former President. Because if he said he burnt the House, it means he had committed arson and, Madam Speaker, you understand these things better than we do. So if the former President is alleged to have committed a crime, it is only natural that they invite the only witness who claims he saw it to help the police to go into the matter because up to now, nobody has given any inkling into what caused that fire.
So if this House is now going to stand up and defend people for their alleged criminal acts, it is most unfortunate. We are the people who fashion out the laws in this country and we must see to it that the laws are obeyed. If anybody infracts the law, we should not go and defend him by walking out of this House, otherwise, what is the use of our standing here and making those noises?
Madam Speaker, what has happened and my Hon Friends walking out is most unfortunate and I am appealing to them to come back because we should not be seen to be supporting anybody's criminal act. What the guy did, if it is true, was criminal. To have alleged that the man whom he said burnt his own House -- He was not even in Accra when it happened and to allege that he is the one who burnt his House. It is most outrageous. The police did their work by asking him to help them unravel the mystery around the burning of that House. So on that basis, I do not see why
we, as lawmakers should walk out on this House for that reason.
Madam Speaker, I think that it is most unfortunate but they have the right to walk out when it is normal and legal. But this one is most unfortunate.
Madam Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Yes, thank you.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, do we carry on with the work here?
Mr Akologu 11:35 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I
indicated that we have had enough opinions expressed on this and we should proceed with the rest of the business. Correction of Votes and Proceedings and then we continue
Mr. Frederick Opare-Ansah 11:35 a.m.
-- rose
-- 11:35 a.m.
Madam Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Order! Order!
Mr. E. K. D. Adjaho 11:35 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Minority side of this House through their Leader announced to this House and indeed, to the whole country and the whole world that they are boycotting proceedings until further notice. If the Hon Gentleman who is on his feet wants to disassociate himself from the Hon Minority Leader, he should say so. [Hear! Hear!] Otherwise, he has no locus to make any submission. He is at liberty to contribute but if he wants to disassociate myself he should do so before we listen to him. Otherwise, he has no right to be here to make that statement.
Madam Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Well, Hon Member,
we do not know what he is going to say. Whether he is coming back, do we not even want to hear that? He is here on the other side. I do not know whether he is going to say now, thank you for the intervention and that he is going to advise his people - Do we not want to hear that? So, please, if he is going beyond
- [Interruptions] - Hon Members, I am inclined to listen to the gist of what he is going to say. Are you coming back?
Mr Frederick Opare-Ansah 11:35 a.m.
Madam
Speaker, I was duly elected by the people of Suhum - [Interruptions] -- to represent them in the Parliament of Ghana and that right, no amount of shouting by the Majority side can take it away from me. I am here by right on the same strength of the election process that brought each and everyone of us here today. Whether I disassociate myself from my Hon Colleagues or not, it is a matter of my caucus. It is not a matter for this House to debate.
Madam Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Hon Member, if you
are going to reply to the issues then I will -
Mr Opare-Ansah 11:35 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I
am not replying to the issues. I continue to Sit here as a Member of Parliament, there are proceedings going on on the floor of the House and I believe that I am entitled to raise a point of order at any time.
Madam Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Yes, Hon Members, if he is here, he is here as a Member of Parliament and he says he can Sit in.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, can he not Sit in? All he is saying is that as a Member of Parliament, he can Sit down.
What do you say?
Mr Akologu 11:35 a.m.
Madam Speaker, he was
on his seat when his Leader announced that all Members of the Minority side including him -- He did not challenge his Leader.
Madam Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Do you expect him
to challenge his Leader?
Mr Akologu 11:35 a.m.
Madam Speaker, he should. He should have said that,
“I am not part of it, I am not part of the decision. I want to do business on behalf of my people”.
He should have said that, that he is not part of that decision. He should have said that. He did not say it and he is now trying to sabotage this House - He does not have any locus standing to do this thing here.
Mr Opare-Ansah 11:35 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
Some Hon Members 11:35 a.m.
No! No!
Mr Opare-Ansah 11:35 a.m.
Then keep quiet
and listen to me - [Interruptions] - or he does not want to hear what I have to say?
Mr Akologu 11:35 a.m.
I am not apprehensive of
what he is going to say. I am just following due process.
Madam Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Hon Members, I am
not going to ask him to leave, I will not call upon him to speak but I will not ask him to leave because - [Interruptions] - Shall we carry on? Yes, Hon Member, you can Sit; that is your seat but your people are not here, so I will not allow you to ask a question.
Mr G. K. B. Gbediame 11:35 a.m.
Madam
Speaker, I think that your decision must
Mr. Opare-Ansah 11:45 a.m.
I want to seek clarification on your ruling - [Interruptions.]
Mr. E. T. Mensah 11:45 a.m.
Madam Speaker, even if he moves the motion for you to vary your decision, there will be nobody to second the motion. It will be an exercise in futility, so he should Sit down.
Mr. Opare-Ansah 11:45 a.m.
Madam Speaker, all I am seeking is to get a very clear understanding of your ruling.
Madam Speaker 11:45 a.m.
The clearer thing is that you made a point that you are a Member of Parliament and I said that, yes, if you want to Sit in, yes, you can take your seat but because your side of the House is not here, I will not call on you even when you stand.
Mr. Opare-Ansah 11:45 a.m.
Madam Speaker, do I take it -- [Interruptions.]
Mr. E. T. Mensah 11:45 a.m.
Are you challenging the Speaker? Madam Speaker said “Sit down” and that even if you stand up, she will not call you. So you Sit down - [Interruption.]
Mr. Opare-Ansah 11:45 a.m.
I am not debating. I want to be very clear in my mind what Madam Speaker's ruling means - [Interruption.]
Madam Speaker, I represent the people of Suhum in this Chamber; am I to understand that today, 19th October, 2010, the voice of the people of Suhum cannot be heard in Parliament? Is that the ruling
of Madam Speaker?
Mr. E. T. Mensah 11:45 a.m.
Madam Speaker, he took that decision, he was part of that Leadership that today they are not going to transact business here. So people of Suhum have heard him loud and clear - [Interruptions.]
Mr. Opare-Ansah 11:45 a.m.
What the Hon E. T. Mensah has just said, the police should be arresting him under section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act under which the boy was arrested because he is partly offending it. Was he there when the decision was taken?
Madam Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Hon Leader, I did not call him, so I have not heard him. Can you carry on with your -
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 11:45 a.m.
Madam Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Hon Members, Correction of Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 18th February, 2010.
Pages 1- 8 -
Mr. S. E. Asimah 11:45 a.m.
Madam Speaker, page 8, item 10, number 3, “Hon John Tia Akologu, Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing,” I think it is wrong. It is “Minister for Information”
Madam Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Yes.
Madam Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Is that all the correction on that page?
Dr Y. A. Alhassan 11:45 a.m.
I also think that, that same page -- [Interruptions.] carried one on Hon A. S. K. Bagbin's appointment as “Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing” and I believe that is why there is no 4 -- there is 1, 2, 3, and 5, so it means that must be

Page 11, item 3, In attendance, (ii) I think the name is “Beatrice” and not “Bearice” -- I do not know -- The Headmistress.
Madam Speaker 11:45 a.m.
That is not her name?
Dr Alhassan 11:45 a.m.
There is no “T” in the “Beatrice”.
Madam Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Hon Members, the Vote and Proceedings of Thursday, 18th February, 2010 as corrected is adopted as the true record of the proceedings of Thursday, 18th February, 2010.
Now, we move on to the Official Report of 16th February 2010

Hon Members, in the absence of any corrections, the Official Report of 16th February, 2010 is hereby adopted as the true record of proceedings.

Hon J. T. Akologu, we are now on Business Statement for the Week.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 11:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 11:55 a.m.
Arrangement of Business
Question(s)
Madam Speaker, the Committee has programmed the following Ministers to respond to specified Questions during the week:
No. of Question(s)
i. Minister for Energy
5
ii. Minister for Local Government and Rural Development 7
iii. Minister for Education 7
Total Number of Questions 19
Madam Speaker, in all, three Ministers are expected to attend upon the House to respond to nineteen (19) Questions during the week.
Statements Madam Speaker may allow Statements duly admitted to be made in the House.
Madam Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 11:55 a.m.


Bills, Papers and Reports

Madam Speaker, Bills may be presented to the House for consideration and those already before the House may be taken through the various stages. Papers and committee reports may also be laid. The Business committee urges Committees with referrals to expedite action on them.

Motions and Resolutions

Madam Speaker, Motions may

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

The State of the Nation Address

Madam Speaker, in accordance with article 67 of the Constitution, H.E. the President of the Republic will deliver to this Honourable House, a Message on the State of the Nation on Thursday, 25th February 2010. Hon Members are therefore, called upon to hold themselves in readiness for the Message.

Conclusion

Madam Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 160(2), the Committee submits to this Honourable House, the Business of each Sitting and the order in which it shall be taken during the week. Tuesday, 23rd February 2010

Questions --

*405. Mr. Theophilus Tetteh Chaie (Ablekuma Central): To ask the Minister for Energy what the Ministry is doing to ensure that all rented rooms in compound houses

are given separate meters.

*406. Mr. Robert Sarfo-Mensah (Asunafo North): To ask the Minister for Energy when the electrification project for the following communities will be completed: (ii) Asuoadai, (ii) Nyamebekyere, (iii) Mpamase, (iv) Daudakrom, (v) Ahantamo, (vi) Asumura, (vii) Anyimaye, (viii) Mfante, (ix) Manukrom.

*407. Mr. Joseph Kwaku Nayan (Nkwanta North): To ask the Minister for Energy when the following communities in Nkwanta North will be connected to the national electrification grid: (i) Pibilla, (ii) Ogyiri, (iii) Tenjase, (iv) Kabre-Akura, (v) Abunyanya.

408. Dr. Kojo Appiah-Kubi (Atwima Kwankwoma): To ask the Minister for Energy when the following communities in the Atwima Kwankwoma Constituency will be connected to the National grid: (i) Tweapease, (ii) Winsa, (iii) Krofrom, (iv) Amoafo.

*440. Mr. Francis Adu-Blay Koffie (Prestea/Huni Valley): To ask the Minister for Energy how much has accrued from the Prestea Urban Electrification from 31st December 2003 to 31st December 2008.

Statements Presentation and First Reading of Bills --

Ghana AIDS Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2010.

Laying of Papers --

Report of the Joint Committee on Finance and Roads and Transport on the Loan Agreement between

the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the African Development Fund for an amount equivalent to fifty-three million, five hundred and ninety thousand Units of Account (UA53,590,000.00) [equivalent to US$80.35 million] to partially finance the Awoshie- Pokuase Road and Community Development Project.

Motions --

Second Reading of Bills --

Plants Bill, 2009.

Committee Sittings.

Questions --

*355. Mr. Kwabena Amankwa Asiamah (Fanteakwa): To ask the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development what immediate plans the Ministry has for the rehabilitation of the following dilapidated markets: Begoro, Osino, Ahomahomasu, Bososu, Aborso and Dede Sewerako.

*356. Mr. Joseph Kofi Adda (Navrongo Central): To ask the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development why the caterers for the School Feeding Programme are being asked to reapply while the caterers and food suppliers of other educational institutions are not being told to do likewise.

*357. Mr. Kwame Amporfo Twumasi (Nkoranza South): To ask the Minister for Local

Government and Rural Development what plans the Ministry has to upgrade the Nkoranza South District Assembly to a Municipal status.

*358. Mr. Augustine Collins Ntim (Offinso North): To ask the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development what pragmatic measures are being urgently put in place to strengthen Ghana's decentralisation process as a tool for fighting poverty in the rural areas.

*359. Mr. John Agyabeng (Agona East): To ask the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development to explain how stool land revenue paid to District Assemblies are utilized.

*461. Mr. Kwasi Ameyaw- Cheremeh (Sunyani East): To ask the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development what plans the Ministry has to expand the School Feeding Programme to cover all primary schools in the country.

*462. Mr. Kwasi Ameyaw- Cheremeh (Sunyani East): To ask the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development when Assembly Member s i n t he country will be paid remuneration commensurate with their functions and duties.

Statements

Laying of Papers --

(a) Report of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on the Intestate Succession Bill, 2009.

(b) Report of the Committee on Defence and Interior on the
PRESENTATION OF THE STATE 11:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Hon Members, before we adopt the Business Statement, I thank the Hon Leader for the announcement about the change of the Leadership in this House from the Majority side. We welcome all of them and we congratulate them to be appointed to this very, very important Leadership positions in the House. We expect much from them.
Once again, we congratulate them.
Now, Hon Members, do I take it that the Business Statement is adopted as presented?
Mr. Charles S. Hodogbey 11:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I would like to suggest that most often, as we all know, we receive copies of the Bills that we discuss in this House but the moment they go to the committee level, changes are made. I, therefore, would suggest, if the changed copies could be distributed to Hon Members so that when we are contributing to them at the Consi-deration Stage, we can make some meaningful contribution to those changes.
The second issue is that, I filed some Questions regarding finance and education, up till now, none of them has come for answering by the Hon Minister. So I would like to know what is happening because according to our Standing Orders, no Question should stay more than three weeks for the Hon Minister to answer Mine has passed more than even six months.
Mr. Akologu 11:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, on the issue of the Questions, I believe they
Mr Sulemana I. B. Iddrisu 12:05 p.m.
Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity. I think it is pertinent for us to recognize the new Leadership that we have or that has just been announced in this House. We are so confident in their ability to deliver and it would be out of touch if we do not add our voices to the new membership. [Interruptions.]
Madam Speaker, each and everyone of the new membership is a capable, affable and astute politician who would be capable of steering the affairs of this House to maximum progress. We think that other Hon Colleagues are also preparing to add their voices to the new Leadership and to say Ayekoo.
To those of our Hon Ministers who were dropped, the President has made it abundantly clear that the NDC abounds in talents; we have “Maradonas'” among us, like the Hon E. T. Mensah whose track record is beyond reproach.
Everyone knows his ability to deliver. He has been the longest serving Minister for Youth and Sports in this country. He has been the longest serving Mayor of Accra and he has delivered beyond reproach. So we would like to congratulate Hon E. T. Mensah for his appointment or his promotion to a new ministerial appointment.
Hon John Tia Akologu on the other hand, is also known to be -- [Inter- ruptions] - Ah! I have not finished - Should I wind up? [Interruptions.] Madam Speaker, I have been asked by the Leadership to wind up because we still have business to do in the House. And so in winding up, I call on them to give us their maximum best in their new endeavours. [Hear! Hear!]
Madam Speaker 12:05 p.m.
Yes, Hon Tia Akololgu, the Questions - is there a Question from this side of the House? Hon Zigah, Hon Cobbina - is there somebody -
rose
Madam Speaker 12:05 p.m.
Yes, which Question is that, Question number --?
Mr. Ahaligah 12:05 p.m.
Yes, Madam Speaker, the Hon Member is on an assignment outside the House and has asked me to
Madam Speaker 12:05 p.m.
Hon Tia Akologu, do we have the Minister for Roads and Highways here? Or do you have any plans for Question time?
Mr Akologu 12:05 p.m.
Madam Speaker, the motion on the Energy - the Hon Minister has an important assignment to do and he has asked the Hon Deputy Minister to represent him. Madam Speaker, we want to take that item so that the Deputy Minister would also get the opportunity to join the Minister in the discussion that he is holding with the World Bank. So we would stand down the Questions now and take items 6 and 7 and then come back to the Questions.
Madam Speaker 12:05 p.m.
I thought you said the idea was to release the Hon Deputy Minister, or he is not here?
Mr Akologu 12:05 p.m.
Madam Speaker, he is here.
Madam Speaker 12:05 p.m.
But I thought the idea of the Question was to release him so that he goes to join -
Mr Akologu 12:05 p.m.
No, the Question is for the Hon Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways but the motion is to the Hon Minister for Energy, and the Deputy Minister is here and he has to join his Minister to continue some other business.
Madam Speaker 12:05 p.m.
Yes, Chairman of the Committee, motion No. 6. I thought we had moved the motion the last time?
Mr Moses A. Asaga 12:05 p.m.
Yes, Madam Speaker, we were debating the motion when an issue came from one of the Hon Members about the fact that the -- [Interruption.]
Madam Speaker 12:05 p.m.
Did you withdraw your Report?
Mr Asaga 12:05 p.m.
No, we did not withdraw
it, we were only supposed to make the corrections and then come back to the House; and we have done all the corrections.
Madam Speaker 12:05 p.m.
Yes, but then it means a new report, is it not?
Mr Asaga 12:05 p.m.
No, it is not a new report.
Madam Speaker 12:05 p.m.
Is it the same report? If there are corrections in the report -
Mr Akologu 12:05 p.m.
Madam Speaker, the Committee was to meet and iron out some few grey areas and then inform the House about their conclusions and that is what the Hon Chairman of the Committee is about to do and then we continue from there. They did not withdraw the Report.
MOTIONS 12:05 p.m.
Mr Moses A. Asaga 12:05 p.m.
Madam Speaker - [Interruption.]
Madam Speaker 12:05 p.m.
Contributions?
Mr Asaga 12:05 p.m.
Yes, but let me make the following submission.
Madam Speaker, I beg to seek your leave and the indulgence of the House to amend portions of the Committee's Report. Madam Speaker, paragraph 9.1 on page 7 of the Report, we would delete and substitute the following:
“The Committee noted with dissatisfaction a general improve- ment and the terms of this Agreement compared to other Agreements before the discovery of oil.”
Madam Speaker 12:05 p.m.
Yes, any contri- butions?
Mr Clement K. Humado (NDC - Anlo) 12:05 p.m.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to the motion. Indeed, I am doing so because I am a Member of Parliament for the municipality, the offshore of which is the subject matter for this Agreement, that is the Keta Municipality. Indeed, we in that part of the country have always prayed that an oil find should be made so that we can also feel proud to contribute to the developmental process of this country.
Now, I want to move to the substance of the Agreement. I find the role of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) in this Agreement to be very, very important. The role that has been crafted to it, I believe, has hedged government's interest in this Agreement. Indeed, GNPC is responsible at all stages of exploration, through development to production and they would be closely in custody of any information that arises during all these stages as well as tracking the costs and expenses involved. I would like to refer to article 10.1(a) of the Agreement which has to do with royalty share.
I have studied that part of the Agreement alongside the memorandum submitted by the Hon Minister, and even though the 10 per cent royalty on the oil find was a little below what was in the Agreement for the Southern African Company, it is still much above the other Agreements that have been
presented in the cost comparison.
So I believe that the 10 per cent royalty for the oil is reasonable as well as the 5 per cent in the gas. What is even more important is that, the ownership of the gas has been moved from Afren Energy in the previous Agreement and it is now owned by Government on whose behalf GNPC is acting.
So I think that generally, the role of GNPC, acting on behalf of Government has been very well crafted in this Agreement and the royalty shares for both oil and gas are also quite reasonable.
The other important aspect of the Agreement has to do with training of Ghanaian counterparts of which about US$1 million has been devoted for their training. This is very important because in some agreements very minimal amounts have been devoted for this purpose and I think that this Agreement has emphasised the need for training Ghanaian local counterparts to be involved during the development and production stages.
Madam Speaker, it is our hope that in the next oil drill which falls under this Agreement, oil should be found in very commercial quantities which would be developed and produced and the revenues of this oil find would go a long way to help the development process of this country.
Madam Speaker, with these few observations, I urge the House, even though it is just one side, to support this motion to ratify the Agreement so that the benefits of this Agreement would accrue to the development process of this country.
Mr E. T. Mensah (NDC -- Ningo- Prampram) 12:15 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I rise to also support the motion and in doing so, to indicate that when you look at the observations and recommendations, it is quite clear that this is an improvement on
the terms of the Agreement in favour of Ghana. For instance, Madam Speaker, with your permission, if I may quote 9.1.2:
“The Committee was informed that the objective of the Ministry and GNPC was to improve on incremental basis -- [which is fantastic] -- the benefits that would accrue to the country in later contract negotiations. [Which is quite unprecedented.] It was observed that, for instance, the State received 33 per cent additional oil entitlement if the rate of return of investment exceeds 32 per cent. This compares favourably to the Cosmos and Vanco Agreements where the State is expected to receive 35 per cent and 30 per cent additional oil entitlement respectively, if the rate of return is about 40 per cent.”
The GNPC, we are also told, has an interest of 15 per cent. Madam Speaker, I think that we cannot ask for anything better than this. I, therefore, wish to commend the Committee for the thorough work that it has done and invite the House to approve same.
rose
Madam Speaker 12:15 p.m.
Any o the r contributions? Is the Hon Member for Jomoro, Ms Samia Nkrumah standing? Hon Member, did you want to make a contribution?
Ms Samia Yaba Nkrumah(CPP -- Jomoro) 12:15 p.m.
Yes, Madam Speaker. Two things; number one, I want to register my discomfort that we are approving this Agreement in the absence of the Minority - [Interruptions.] Irrespective of who caused it, yes, but I would have preferred to see them. Even though I do agree that we must ratify this Agreement, because if we are thinking of national interest, we have to conclude that we need to explore and drill the oil.
We are aware of the fact that sometimes we make certain compromises in the short- term. But it is at the end of the day for the future or for the longer term gain. We know that we sometimes have to overlook certain things. But until the State can drill and explore oil on her own, we have to resort to private companies to help us do so.
At the same time, I would urge that in future -- and I would hope that the Right of Information Bill will be passed; that the National Petroleum Bill will be passed because we definitely need more transparency, not only in the disclosure of details relating to agreements, but in everything to do with the oil industry.
Even at our committee level -- and I have to say this; I am afraid that very often we do not have the expert, legal support that would equip some of us - I am not talking about our experienced Hon Members; but some of us who are new, we do not have the expert, legal advice that would help us make informed decisions. At the end of the day, we realise that this is a growing democracy and we are all making our best to contribute to the best of our ability.
Mr E. K. D. Adjaho (NDC -- Avenor/ Ave) 12:15 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I am not really minded to contribute, except that the Hon Member for Jomoro has raised some one or two points. Yes, as much as possible, we would wish that our Colleagues on the Minority side are here for us to have the debate on this matter.
Mr E. K. D. Adjaho (NDC -- Avenor/ Ave) 12:25 p.m.
But listening carefully to the Chairman of the Committee, he did say that the Hon Member for Adansi Asokwa, Mr. K. T. Hammond who raised the concerns, had a discussion with him and his concerns had been addressed in the Report that is amended. It is important to place this on record for the sake of emphasis.
Number two, the Hon Member, just like myself, are members of the Mines and Energy Committee. I did not attend that meeting; by the time I got to the meeting, the Committee had then closed and the Report is a unanimous one; both sides of the House at the Committee agreed to the Report and even went on to say that it was an improvement over previous ones that this Honourable House had approved.
If the other side of the House had any strong reservation, they would have even taken it at the Committee level. This is a unanimous Report, the motion was moved by the Chairman of the Committee and was seconded by the Hon Deputy Minority Chief Whip, who was a former Chairman of the Committee on Mines and Energy of this House in the previous Parliament and who has a lot of experience working on this Committee.
I have worked with her for so many years on petroleum agreements and exploration agreements and all those things. And it is important that the impression is not sent out there that we are taking this motion in the absence of the Minority.
Clearly, it is a unanimous Report because both sides of the House at the Committee have agreed that this Report should be adopted. The only concern which was raised by the Hon Member for Adansi Asokwa (Mr K. T. Hammond) who is not a member of the Committee has been addressed and the Chairman made the point on the floor of the House. That is my only contribution.
With all these submissions, I support the motion.

Deputy Minister for Energy (Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah): Madam Speaker, I rise to urge this Honourable House to support the motion as has been presented by the Committee.

Madam Speaker, I wanted to point out that this Agreement has been in existence since 2002. It started with a company called Devon and then it was sold to Afren. Afren has so far spent over US$48 million in the exploration work. Their determination to continue to explore can be seen in efforts they have made in looking for partners who have the financial and technical ability to join them in the exploration. That is why in this Agreement, they have partnered with Gulf Atlantic and Mitsui Exploration and Production to continue the exploration.

My Colleagues have pointed out the advantages and the benefits to Ghana with this exploration. But it is very important to point out that with this Agreement as an improvement over the previous one, the gas component, what we call the -- the benefit to Ghana is that when this company finds oil and there is an additional gas, that goes to the country.

The implications for us in the energy sector in terms of our electricity cannot be overemphasized. There are also advantages in terms of training. In this Agreement, we will get US$1 million a year for training and development for Ghana.

There is also a one-time payment of US$2 million for technological development. A combination of this clearly shows that this Agreement is an improvement over the previous one. And it is with these words that I urge my Hon Colleagues to support the motion.
Mr Asaga 12:25 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I rise to
wind up and to thank our Hon Colleagues for this support and also to mention that getting Keta Basin on track and discovering oil in Keta Basin is so important for our oil industry. And once that is done, then the Voltain Basin would be the next to the extent that even people in Bimbilla, there will be discoveries of oil there.
I thank you very much.
Question put and motion agreed
to.
Madam Speaker 12:25 p.m.
Hon Leader, we
move to item 7. Do we do it today?
Mr Akologu 12:25 p.m.
Madam Speaker, as I indicated early on, I wish to apply for your permission and crave the indulgence of the House to allow the Hon Deputy Minister for Energy to move the Resolution.
RESOLUTIONS 12:25 p.m.
Mr Asaga 12:25 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I rise to second the motion.
Question put and motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Mr Akologu 12:25 p.m.
Madam Speaker, we have one amendment on the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Bill, 2009 at the Consideration Stage to take. I will apply that we just take it to complete the business for the Energy Minister so that he can withdraw from the House before we get to the Questions - [Pause.]
Madam Speaker, it is the Chairman
Madam Speaker 12:25 p.m.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, I am about to change places. Mr. First Deputy Speaker will chair the motion; I have another appointment.
MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
Mr Akologu 12:29 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as indicated,
we will take the amendment on the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Bill, 2009 at the Consideration Stage. There is only one amendment to take. The Chairman of the Committee will take us through that before we get back to the Questions.
BILLS -- CONSIDERATION 12:29 p.m.
STAGE 12:29 p.m.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Moses A. Asaga) 12:29 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, Clause under “Royalties”, line 4, delete “6%” and substitute “5%”.
Mr Speaker, speaking to th is amendment, it used to be a band of 3 to 6 per cent, but most of the companies in Ghana have been paying only 3 per cent. Again, in the 3 to 6 per cent, the calculation based on the rate of return was quite a tedious job and therefore, we were not able to capture the royalties in
a neat manner. We believe that with the single digit 5 per cent, it will bring in more revenue and we had done the calculations for it.
Also at 5 per cent, Ghana is still very competitive compared to its neighbours. So it is with this reason that we are bringing in the 5 per cent flat. I ask Hon Members to support the amendment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr Clement K. Humado 12:35 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for allowing me to support the amendment.
The first question I asked myself was, why do we move from 6 per cent to 5 per cent? 6 per cent would have obviously brought in more revenue than the 5 per cent. But why we had to move from 6 per cent to 5 per cent is because the method of the royalty calculation is based upon production rather than profit.
Elsewhere it is based on profit where the State shares both the cost and the revenues with the mining companies. Where we have a boom for gold like we have now, we could have probably been at 6 per cent. But because the market is not stable, when the prices of gold and other minerals go down, if we do not adopt a reasonable royalty rate, most of the companies will fold up and go out of business.
I believe that it is because we want to position this country to be competitive with our neighbouring countries, that is what has necessitated the movement from 6 per cent royalty to 5 per cent even though it is one percentage point lower. So I wish to urge Hon Members to understand
the principle behind this downward movement and to support the motion for the amendment.
With this, I support the motion for the
amendment and urge all Hon Members to do same.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
Any other contribution? I thought somebody was going to justify whether the Ministry of Finance - because as you rightly pointed out, it is also a revenue measure. What will be the impact? Whether the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has been brought into the picture, in arriving at the 5 per cent for the records -- they are not here?
Mr Asaga 12:35 p.m.
Yes, Mr. Speaker. The Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning sent a letter to the Mines and Energy Committee insisting that it should now be 5 per cent instead of 6 per cent. We have a copy of the letter. But he was also mentioning why it should not be 6 per cent. When we use the 5 per cent calculation for this year, we would be getting about GH¢186 million as against GH¢97 million in the previous years. So it is still revenue enhancement.
Secondly, when we read all the royalties in Africa, we noticed that apart from hard mineral like diamond, most of them on the average and the highest was 5 per cent and that was why we decided to go to 5 per cent to keep our competitiveness in the country for more investment.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
Very well. I just want to be sure that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning that introduced the Bill, their input is taken on board. Now you have clarified that matter.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
Hon Members, that brings us to the end of the Consideration Stage of the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Bill, 2009.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
Are you the Deputy Majority Leader or outgoing Deputy Majority Leader, now that you have announced your own end?
Anyway, Hon Deputy Majority Leader, that is on the lighter note.
Mr Akologu 12:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I announced

Mr Speaker, we will now get back to Question time and I want to apply for your permission to allow the Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways to stand in for his Minister.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
Very well. The first Question on the Order Paper stands in the name of the Hon Member for Ketu South (Mr Albert Kwasi Zigah).
Mr Raphael K. Ahaligah 12:35 p.m.
Mr
Speaker, the Hon Member is on an assignment outside the House and has asked me to ask the Question on his behalf. With your permission, can I go ahead?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
Very well. Permission granted.
Mr Ahaligah 12:35 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, thank you.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 12:35 p.m.
MINISTRY OF ROADS AND 12:35 p.m.
HIGHWAYS 12:35 p.m.
Mr Ahaligah 12:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to know from the Deputy Minister -- Though this road is not in their programme, if they could give it a special consideration.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo 12:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the
answer is, yes and that is why we indicated that we would be liaising with the District Assembly in order to take a decision on the way forward.
Mr Ahaligah 12:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to know from the Deputy Minister how soon they would do that.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo 12:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we have regional officers in the region who would be assigned to follow up

immediately from here.
Mr Wisdom Gidisu 12:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in the Deputy Minister's Answer, he indicated that the road is mainly within Aflao town in the Ketu South District and that the District Assembly should liaise with the Department of Feeder Roads to plan for these township roads. I want to know from the Hon Deputy Minister whether it is the Ministry's plans to have all roads in the district capital tarred.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo 12:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, that is the policy that all district capital road networks would be systematically upgraded to some kind of status that makes them absolutely motorable. So the answer to that is, yes, but it is budget related and we are programming at the level of the Ministry and with our agencies for a systematic sustainable programme.
Mr David T. Assumeng 12:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Deputy Minister stated that they would liaise with the District Assembly. Is he implying that part of the road toll will also be decentralized to the District Assembly to enable them do the work?
Mr Mettle-Nunoo 12:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Question relates to policy. Mr Speaker, the Road Fund, which normally benefits directly from road toll has a set and laid- out policy on which roads, region by region, district by district receive moneys for maintenance, routine maintenance, periodic maintenance and in some cases, redevelopment. The policy of whether District Assemblies would be given the money directly is not the case here. We normally liaise with them to decide on which roads are priority, and to carry out the work as necessary.
We also have district feeder roads, urban roads and in some cases, highway representatives in the various regions and
districts. So, we work very closely with them, but the management of the funds is controlled at the level of National Road Fund Secretariat.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
Yes, last
supplementary question.
Mr Ernest A. Armah 12:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
I want to know from the Hon Minister which specific roads in various districts are these special funds allocated to. Because it does usually occur that there are roads that we know for 20 years nothing has been done about and there are roads in specific areas which, as soon as they get disturbed in a way, they are as soon as possible brought into shape. So, I want him to determine which specific roads and who determines these roads which should be taken care of.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
Hon Member, what is your question? I want to find out whether it is supplementary or a substantive Question.
Mr Armah 12:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is supplementary.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
So what is the question?
Mr Armah 12:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, my question is that who determines which roads should be taken care of?
Mr Mettle-Nunoo 12:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the question can be answered in three different ways. The first is that, we have a national programme of upgrading different types of road network; and some of these roads are highways related, urban roads related and feeder roads related. So, in terms of budgeting, the programme is developed on the basis of these three agencies that implement our road maintenance programme.
Mr Speaker, naturally, we liaise with regions, and we liaise with the District Assemblies, but as you can understand,

the budget has been totally over-extended, and we are trying to rationalize some of the roads. Some roads may look strategic, but in terms of the frequency and usage, and in terms of their economic relevance, they may not be on high priority.

In some cases also, some roads are not economically viable, but politically, they are significant. And all of these considerations are taken into account when the budgeting and prioritization of roads are being done by the Road Fund.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
Thank you. Yes, the very last one.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim 12:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I
would like to know from the Hon Deputy Minister, what means by “politically significant roads”.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo 12:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, “politically significant roads” is exactly what I am saying. You have a whole country with regions, districts, and in some cases, we have the food growing areas, we have the industrial areas, we have the residential areas, we have towns, villages and so on. And with limited resources, you cannot simply develop every location at the same time; so there is a national plan and a national policy for a sturdy and systematic development and upgrading of that road network.
Now, on the basis of prioritizing that budget, which is very limited therefore, we have set criteria. Do you have economic returns? What is the frequency by which this road is used, even in terms of what road can be tolled? What road should be upgraded, resurfaced, reshaped and so on.
All of these things go into the consideration because the value-for- money per kilometre is what determines whether you are going to go asphalt, you are going to go concrete or you are just going to do gravelling and so on and so forth. So, it is all of that combined that
informs whether beyond any economic consideration, you must look at also other social and political considerations.
Mr. Speaker, that is what I meant by politically expedient considerations.
Agbozume-Kpedzakope Road (Resumption)
Q. 148. Mr Raphael K. Ahaligah (on behalf of Mr Albert Kwasi Zigah) asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when work would resume on Agbozume to Kpedzakope Road.
Mr. Mettle-Nunoo 12:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Agbozume to Kpedzakope feeder road is 2.5 kilometres long. The road is located in the Ketu South District of the Volta Region. The road is un-engineered and is in a poor condition. Presently, no contract for civil works has been awarded for this road.
Future Programme
The road has, however, been planned for rehabilitation. Engineering studies were carried out on the road in 2009. Due to budgetary constraints, the road could not be included in the 2010 Budget. The road would be programmed for rehabilitation in 2011.
Mr Ahaligah 12:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in his own Answer, he said the road is un-engineered, in a poor condition, and it is only in 2011 that this road will be considered. Is it not worrying to his outfit?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
Hon Member, you are soliciting an opinion. It is against the rules of the House. You are asking for the Hon Deputy Minister to express his opinion. You are asking whether it is not worrying. You are asking him to express an opinion. So, ask the question again.
Mr Ahaligah 12:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister has just told us in his Answer that the road is un-engineered and in a very poor condition. I want to know what his outfit is doing about it.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo 12:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I believe in my response early on, I indicated that, yes, the road was un-engineered and in a bad or poor condition, and it is for that reason that engineering studies have been undertaken. These studies would inform how the road works would be conducted as and when we start implementing the programme. So, it is not any more a situation where it is -- we have done some work, we have done some movements. We have sent people out there, they have done the necessary engineering studies, and that will be factored into the Budget for 2011, as well as we have the necessary information, technically, to implement the programme.
Mr Ahaligah 12:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister has given specific time of maintaining the road, that is, 2011. May I know when exactly the work would start on this road by 2011, what time?
Mr Mettle-Nunoo 12:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we have indicated that we will factor it into the Budget in 2011. So, as and when this Honourable House approves the Budget for 2011 --

Sefi Akontombra Roads (Tarring)

Q. 150. Mr. Herod Cobbina asked the
Minister for Roads and Highways when the following roads would be tarred 12:55 p.m.
(i) Nsawora Junction-Yawkrom Bodi, (ii) Nsawora-Kojokrom Sui-Yawkrom, (iii)
Pekyi Junction-Kramokrom Kordjour- Kwaku Atta, (iv) Akontombra-Dadieso.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo 12:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Nsawora Junction-Yawkrom Bodi road consist of three road sections. The first section is the 14 kilometres Nsawora Junction- Yawkrom feeder road. The second section is the 8 kilometres Yawkrom-Bodi Junction. This section is the regional road, R1 26. The last section, the 2 kilometres Bodi Junction-Bodi road is part of the National road N12. These roads are located in the Sefwi Akontombra District of the Western Region. The roads are engineered and in a fair condition.
Future Programme
There are no immediate plans to surface- dress these road sections. They would be considered for surfacing alongside other roads in future. Meanwhile, routine maintenance will be carried out on the roads in the 2010 programme.
(ii) Nsawora-Kojokrom Sui-Yawkrom
Background
The Nsawora-Kojokrom Sui-Yawkrom feeder road is 14 kilometres long. The road is in the Sefwi Akontombra District of the Western Region. The road is engineered and also is in a fair condition.
Future Programme
The road will be considered alongside other roads in the planning for future bitumen-surfacing programmes. Mean- while, routine maintenance works will be carried out on the road in 2010.
( i i i ) P e k y i J u n c t i o n - Kramokrom Kordjour-Kwaku Atta
Mr Mettle-Nunoo 12:55 p.m.


Background

The Pekyi Junction-Kramokrom Kordjour-Kwaku Atta feeder road is 25.3 kilometres long. The road is located in the Sefwi Akontombra District of the Western Region. The road is engineered and is in a fair condition.

Future Programme

The road will be considered alongside other roads when planning for future bitumen surfacing programmes. Routine maintenance works will be carried out on the road in 2010 to bring the road to good condition. (iv) Akontombra-Dadieso

Background

The Akontombra-Dadieso road is part of the Sefwi Wiawso Akontombra- Dadieso road. This is an important link between Sefwi area Aowin Suaman area. It is a gravel road and in a fair to poor state.

Current Programme

The current programme is to surface- dress the road from the Sefwi Wiawso end from the Enchi end and eventually link up at Akontombra. Currently, two contracts are ongoing, that is, km 0.5 by Messrs Eagle Noir and km 5 -10 by Messrs Frankard. Repair works are currently on-going on the km 10 - 20 and km 20- 30 sections by Messrs Midwest Contract Works respectively. The Akontombra- Dadieso roads will then be considered on completion of this project.
Mr Cobbina 12:55 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the Answer given me by the Deputy Minister. In the Answer to the Question on Nsawora-Kwaku Atta, Sui and Akontombra-Dadieso itself, he said work would be carried out on routine maintenance basis in 2010. Will he please
inform the House when exactly within the year 2010 routine maintenance will be carried out on these roads?
Mr Mettle-Nunoo 12:55 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, these roads have been identified as part of our regular routine maintenance for this year. The departments and agencies responsible are finalizing the procurement process of the contractors to do the respective roads. As you know, we must follow procurement procedure and as soon as these are completed, the contracts will be awarded and the work will commence. I believe this will be as soon as practicable.
Mr. John Gyetuah 12:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, may I find out from the Deputy Minister, considering the torrential rains in the Western Region, will his Ministry consider awarding contracts or having special package for Western Region due to the fact that the region is built on the forest belt?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
Hon
Member, we are talking about specific roads but you have carried it to all the roads in Western Region. They do not fit into the - it is not a supplementary question, so I will give you another opportunity to ask the question again.
Mr Gyetuah 12:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I want to
find out from the Deputy Minister, such roads that have been mentioned in the Question, he is saying that they will be considered this year. I want to find out from him, when exactly will the project start?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
That
question has just been answered, that they are passing through the procurement process. That is the last question asked by the Hon Member who asked the substantive Question, in whose name the Question stood. But I know what you want to say, you should find a way of putting it to the Deputy Minister and I will allow him to answer the question.
Mr Gyetuah 12:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with regard
to the roads that have been mentioned in terms of the construction, may I know from the Deputy Minister -- the Akontombra area, I share a common boundary with him -- May I know a special programme that he would have in future for the area?
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
Hon
Deputy Minister, they want to know whether you have any plan for those areas joining Akontombra.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo 12:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thought I answered the question that work will start from two ends and hopefully, they will all link up with Akontombra. It is a budget-related constraint and we will continue to do what we have indicated here and hopefully, when we re-assess the situation, we may come back in the next 2011 Budget with a specific programme. But for now, this is the programme of work that we have identified.
Mr David T. Assumeng 1:05 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in view of the fact that the area is a cocoa producing place -- an area where large quantities of cocoa are being produced; will the Deputy Minister consider liaising with other agencies like the COCOBOD to plan a specific programme to get roads within that area rehabilitated soon?
Mr Mettle-Nunoo 1:05 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as you know, he is quite right in saying that that is a cocoa growing area and indeed, we are in a very close working contact with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the COCOBOD and they in fact, put some money at our disposal for the maintenance and reshaping of a lot of these roads. So, for the working relationship, we do have a working relationship with the COCOBOD
and they have been financing some of these programmes.
But the difficult terrain that he is relating to is more of an engineering difficulty, maintaining roads in water- logged areas, where heavy axle loads continue to ply those roads, it means that on an ongoing basis, you are endlessly dealing with these challenges. But we are doing our best in that regard.
Mr Wisdom Gidisu 1:05 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
I want to know from the Hon Deputy Minister whether the Ministry has plans to carry out engineering studies on un- engineered roads because this question often shows its ugly head on the floor of the House. Engineered roads, un- engineered roads - un-engineered roads are not in good condition and engineered roads are in a fair condition - Meanwhile, most of our roads in the rural areas are un- engineered and I want to know whether they have a plan to carry out engineering studies on these roads.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
Hon Member, that is not a supplementary question.
Mr. Simon E. Asimah 1:05 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in an answer to a question, the Deputy Minister said that the process for procurement had started. My question is, can he tell us how much had been estimated in the 2010 Budget for these works?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
What is your routine maintenance budget for 2010? That is the question.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo 1:05 p.m.
I do not have the specific answer presently but we presented to this Honourable House our comprehensive programme for this year and I believe that you will remember we were even asking for more money and
Mr Mettle-Nunoo 1:05 p.m.


there was a lot of understanding but the Budget was really constrained.

I do not think the issue is so much about how much, it is about how effectively and prudently we apply these resources and we are trying to emphasise more on routine maintenance and periodic maintenance. But I believe that at some later date, I might be able to furnish you with the specific budget for that particular exercise.
Mr M. K. Ntow 1:05 p.m.
Mr Speaker, from the Deputy Minister's Answer and with your indulgence, I want to quote:
“The Pekyi Junction-Kramokrom Kordjour-Kwaku Atta feeder road is 25.3 kilometres long. The road is located in the Sefwi Akontombra District of the Western Region. The road is engineered and is in a fair condition.”
May I know from him the last time that he used that road that he is claiming here that it is in a fair condition?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
Well, he does not need to ply the road to know whether it is in a fair condition. He works with other technical people. But I will allow the question.
Where did you get the information that it is in a fair condition?
Mr. Mettle-Nunoo 1:05 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we have reliable information from our agencies on the ground responsible for the road. That is how come I am able to say and report emphatically that the road is engineered and is in a fair condition. This is part of our regular monitoring exercise. So personally, I have not recently gone there but my officers have given me very reliable information which I am reporting to this Honourable House.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member, your last supplementary.
Mr M. K. Ntow 1:05 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the
Kwaku Atta-Kordjour road is the worst in the whole world -- not Ghana. Mr Speaker, I think the era of arm-chair leadership must cease because the road - [Interruption] -- the road is in a very bad condition.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
Hon Member, you cannot impute improper motive to an Hon Member of this House and by extension, Ministers who come here enjoy all those privileges. The only privilege they do not enjoy is the right to vote and therefore, that part of the arm- chair leadership must be expunged from the records.
Ask the question that you want to ask.
Mr M. K. Ntow 1:05 p.m.
The information given to the Hon Deputy Minister is very wrong. May I know when actual construction work will start on the Kwaku Atta road?
Mr. Mettle-Nunoo 1:05 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I do not know what technical competence informs his stating that this road in particular in reference here is the worst in Ghana. We have different types of roads - [Interruption.]
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
Hon Deputy Minister, when are you going to do the work, that is the question. I think I have ruled on that matter. So you should just address the question.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo 1:05 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I have indicated that routine maintenance is ongoing in 2010 and as soon as the procurement exercise is done, the contract will be awarded. That is my answer to the question.
Maj. (Dr) (Alhaji) Mustapha Ahmed (retd): Mr. Speaker, two key words run through the Answers that the Minister has provided. One is engineering, the second is routine maintenance. Can he tell us what these words mean?
Mr. Mettle-Nunoo 1:05 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I used “un-engineered” and “engineering” studies.
When we indicate that a road has not been engineered, it means that you have not taken various levels, you have not aligned the road, you have not taken options of whether you are cutting through a hill or whether you are going through a valley, you have not assessed the actual cost of the construction of the road in terms of how safe it is, whether the terrain is safe or whether you should totally avoid that corridor and look for a better motorable option. That is what we mean by the road is un-engineered.
So a footpath can be upgraded by a community and it becomes a track road. It can be upgraded later and it becomes a road that is motorable, it can be upgraded later and bridges begin to link up that road to other footpaths and so on. So that is what we mean by, strictly speaking in modern technology, an unengineered road.
When a road is engineered, it means that technical studies and services have been carried out which allow for a programme of work or a programme of contracting to be awarded on the basis of the engineered options. That is what I mean.
Now routine maintenance means that you have carried out some work on a particular road and it has reached a certain level and from time, you need to go and either resurface, reshape and do some maintenance to it. Even spot maintenance, filling of potholes, patching pavement and so on are all part of the routine maintenance regime. So as and when we identify some stress on the various roads that we have implemented, we go back and carry out routine maintenance. That is what I meant by routine maintenance.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
Hon Members, Question number 205 -- Hon
Majority Leader, I know 205, 210, 216, the persons in whose names those Questions are standing are not here.

Baba S. I. Iddrisu: Mr Speaker, I would like to crave your indulgence to comment on 205, 210 and 216. Since the Hon Members willingly left this House, it means they are not interested in the developmental process of the Legislature. So, I will seek the indulgence of the Leader of the House and your permission, Mr Speaker, to delete their names and the Questions from the Order Paper for today.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
Hon Member for Yendi, where you are sitting, that is not the role you are supposed to perform. You were performing the role very well, except on this particular occasion. Anyway, that is on the lighter side, Hon Majority Leader.
Mr Bagbin 1:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, since the Members are absent, I think that the Questions cannot be asked. Because nobody has their instructions to do so and therefore, that will be the end of them. So we will move on to the next item on the Order Paper.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
Hon Members, I have tried to look at the Standing Orders, I have consulted my technical advisors -- the Clerks-at-the- Table. I looked at Standing Order 68 (3) which says that:
“In the absence of the Member asking the question any Member so authorised may, with Mr Speaker's prior permission, ask the question on behalf of the absent Member.”
Clearly, nobody has stood up to say that he has been so authorized, so 68 (3)
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
“Any Questions remaining on the Order Paper after the time allocated for Questions has passed shall be printed in the Official Report.”
I have also noticed that it is not one of
time allocated. So I think that I will go by the suggestion made by the Hon Majority Leader, and I think that those Questions have lapsed in a way. That brings us to the end of Question time.

Hon Majority Leader, which item? We have taken item 8 already and we have taken items 6 and 7 too.
Mr A. S. K. Bagbin 1:15 p.m.
That is so Mr Speaker. I have been so advised that the other items on the Order Paper have already been taken. So in the circumstance, I will beg to move, that we adjourn till Tuesday at 10.00 in the forenoon, when we shall reconvene to continue with the business of the House.
I beg to move.
Baba Iddrisu: Mr Speaker, I beg to second the motion for adjournment.
Question put and motion agreed to.
ADJOURNMENT 1:15 p.m.