Debates of 20 Jul 2010

MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:10 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:10 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Hon Members, Correction of Votes and Proceedings of Monday, 19th July, 2010.
Page 1 ... 4 -
Mr Joseph Y. Chireh 10:10 a.m.
Mr Speaker, from page 4 you get to page 15, there is a problem about it and I want to draw the attention of Mr Speaker to this.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:10 a.m.
You are absolutely right. I have the same challenges, and that was why I called the Table Office. But there are some that are correct. I think it is not widespread; some are correct. Yes, Hon Minister, some are correct; there are some from page 4 -
Hon Members, page 5 ... 6 --
Maj. Derek Yaw Oduro (retd): Mr Speaker, page 6, serial 20: “Boateng Beatrice Ms.” I am aware she is not in the country; she has travelled with Madam Speaker, but she has been booked absent; if correction could be made.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Very well; Table Office to take note. I do not know whether she actually filled the form to

ask for permission. So Table Office to check whether she signed the leave of absence form.

Page 7 ... 11 --
Mr Joseph Y. Chireh 10:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
if you look at number (xvi) on page 11, there is this amendment that I proposed yesterday. It should be “Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ghana (ICAG)” not “Institute of Chartered Accountants” alone “Ghana” should be added.
Also my name is not properly spelt
there, the middle one, so they should be kind to me.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:20 a.m.
Which
one are you more interested in, your name or both?
Mr Chireh 10:20 a.m.
Both, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:20 a.m.
Very well, “Institute of Chartered Accountants,
Ghana”. Pages 12 19--
Dr Anthony A. Osei 10:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, yesterday, it was advertised that your Committee on Finance was going to meet and we did actually meet but there is no report of it here.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:20 a.m.
Very well, I am sure the Clerk to the Committee has not forwarded it to the Table Office.
Hon Members , the Votes and Proceedings of Monday, 19th July, 2010 as corrected be adopted as the true record of proceedings.
Question time - Item 3 on the Order Paper.
Hon Minister for Local Government and Rural Development?
ORAL ANSWERS TO 10:20 a.m.
QUESTIONS 10:20 a.m.
MINISTRY OF LOCAL 10:20 a.m.
GOVERNMENT AND RURAL 10:20 a.m.
DEVELOPMENT 10:20 a.m.
Minister for Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Joseph Y. Chireh) 10:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, measures have been put in place by the Ministry in dealing with the perennial fire outbreaks, not only in Kumasi Central Market but all other markets. The details will be made available when I appear before this House to make a Statement on the frequent fire outbreaks in our markets as was directed by Madam Speaker sometime ago.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Banda 10:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, without
giving us the details, can he please, tell this august House one or two measures his Ministry has put in place to curb this disturbing phenomenon?
Mr Chireh 10:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the detailed measures will be before this House. I do not want to pre-empt any discussions but we are looking at first of all, things that ought to be provided in markets, like having to take insurance, ensuring that market places are accessible to the Ghana National Fire Service when there is an outbreak and preventive measures in general -- these are the ones that I intend to bring to this House to inform the House accordingly.
Mr Banda 10:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, when should
this House then expect him to brief us on the details his Ministry has put in place? When should we expect him in this august House?
Mr Chireh 10:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, very soon, before this House rises.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:20 a.m.
Hon
Member, your last question if you have any.
Mr Banda 10:20 a.m.
Finally, when should
we expect these measures being operationalised -- when should we expect, if you can --
Mr Chireh 10:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, part of the
measures are recommendations and some are currently being undertaken-- in any case, because of the activities linked to these fire outbreaks, some measures are already being taken by the individual Assemblies in order to mitigate the effects of these outbreaks. So when I finally come here, the details would be made public.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:20 a.m.
Hon
Member for Manhyia, last supplementary question on this Question.
Dr Matthew O. Prempeh 10:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on the 29th of June, 2009, in this House, a Statement was made and that necessitated Madam Speaker's ruling. It has been one year plus, Mr Speaker. I want a ruling from yourself if Madam Speaker or your goodself asks an Hon Minister to come and report, how long would it take? And to use that Mr Speaker, not to answer an Hon Member's Question. Mr Speaker, indeed, it is not right. So I would like you to rule -
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:20 a.m.
Hon Member, it is not for you to say whether it is right or wrong. You can express it in a way but the way you are putting it - ask your question.
Dr Prempeh 10:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, how long
-- after one year, one month that Madam Speaker gave that ruling, he has not found it appropriate to come and answer or give us a report on that, and he is avoiding an Hon Member's Question. How long should we wait for his report?
Mr Chireh 10:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the directive by Madam Speaker was for me to come and outline measures that we are taking to do this. It requires us to do very comprehensive work. Indeed, we have to get almost all markets which were affected one time or the other. What were the reports out of the committees of enquiry that we set?
It requires quite a deep reflection also on the things, that is why it has taken me this long.
But I can assure the Hon Member that there are other competing responsibilities. I do not intend to be too long in answering to this House and I would want to say that it is the nature of the things we are to do to make it to this House, that is why the delay. He should not be disappointed.
I also want to add that I am not dodging the Question posed. How long can I dodge it when I have stated that it would be before we rise?
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:30 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am not convinced and persuaded by the ways of the Hon Minister responsible for Local Government and Rural Development.
Mr Speaker, a Question is asked, the Hon Minister comes to answer it. Clearly, the Answer proved to be unsatisfactory. Further questions ensued whereupon Madam Speaker then asked the Hon Minister to come with further explanations by way of a Statement. That was way back in June before this Parliament`s long recess. Mr Speaker, if a Question had been asked of the Hon Minister, he knows that he was not supposed to use more than three weeks in responding to the Question.

Mr Speaker, by the provisions of our Standing Orders, the Minister who is a very diligent Member of Parliament knows that when referrals of Bills are made to committees, they are not to stay there for more than three months. So commonsensically, the Hon Minister would know that he does not have to take more than three weeks to respond to Madam Speaker's directive. Then he waits for twelve calendar months and he is telling us that he still needs time.

Mr Speaker, with respect to my Hon Colleague and Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, I think he is taking too long,
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:30 a.m.
Hon
Minority Leader, are you asking a question or you are making a statement?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:30 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
this is a commentary before the question.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:30 a.m.
So let us
hear you.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:30 a.m.
Mr
Speaker, the question is, how long should this House wait on him for him to come with the Answer?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:30 a.m.
He has
provided the answer already. He says before we rise.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:30 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
as you do know, this House was supposed to have recessed on the 22nd of July. Now, by the application and appeal made by the Hon Majority Leader -
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:30 a.m.
He is
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:30 a.m.
Mr Speaker, who knows if we would have to extend again. So when is he coming with
the Statement?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:30 a.m.
Hon
Minister, when exactly are you making the Statement?
Mr Chireh 10:30 a.m.
Mr Speaker, first of all,
there seems to be some confusion as to what I was asked to do. It was the Hon Isaac Osei who made a Statement following the fire outbreak and there were discussions arising out of which Madam Speaker directed the Ministry to come to this House, outlining measures to prevent these. It was not a Question that was asked.
As I indicated, it requires detailed work to be done. I know that the Hon Minority Leader insists that we who come to answer Questions here do diligent work. Perhaps, trying to ensure that what I bring here meets with his expectation, that is why the delay.
But I ask him that , he should understand that when I say “before we rise”, it is because we still have to get some information, which is very critical to make it complete. That is why I cannot give a categorical answer as to when this would happen. But I can assure him, I take this House very seriously and I want to make sure that what is required of me in this House, I do it well.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:30 a.m.
Hon
Members, we move to the next Question.
Afrancho Market (Operation)
Q. 528. Mr Augustine Collins Ntim asked the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development measures put in place by the Ministry to have Afrancho market in the Offinso North District operationalised.
Mr Joseph Y. Chireh 10:30 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Afrancho market was initiated in 1997 as a community self-help project to be
executed in phases. In September 2006, construction of twenty-seven (27) lockable stores, thirty (30) stalls and a meat shop at a total cost of GH¢30,653.50 was awarded and completed in 2007 with funding from the Community Based Rural Development Project.
Traders could however, not be relocated to the market because the initial design had no provision for auxiliary facilities, such as public places of convenience, electricity, water supplies and storage facilities/warehouses.
Mr Speaker, as part of measures to operationalise the market, funding has been secured under the Social Investment Fund for the construction of a 10-seater wc toilet. Construction, which is above lintel level started in February, 2010 and due for completion in August, 2010. The cost of the project is fifty thousand, four hundred and three Ghana cedis, fifty Ghana pesewas (GH¢50,403.50). The market would become operational as soon as the construction of the toilet facility is over.
Meanwhile, electricity to the market has been earmarked to start as soon as the community in which the market is situated is connected under the Un-electrified Communities Project by the Ministry of Energy.
Mr Ntim 10:30 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister, in paragraph one, indicated that traders could not relocate to the market because the initial design had no provision for auxiliary facilities, such as public places of convenience, electricity, water supplies and storage facilities as well as warehouses.
Mr Speaker, can he tell how he intends to extend potable water and a warehouse to the market?
Mr Chireh 10:40 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Answer
I gave is indicative of the measures we
Mr Chireh 10:40 a.m.


are going to take to do that. You cannot build a toilet facility which requires water without extending water to it. So, this will be part of the programme.
Mr Ntim 10:40 a.m.
Mr Speaker, apart from
this auxiliary facilities so mentioned, the market is inaccessible, simply because the road networks are in serious bad shape. So, can the Hon Minister tell how he intends to liaise with the Ministry of Roads and Highways to have these roads motorable?
Mr Chireh 10:40 a.m.
Mr Speaker, indeed,
the Assembly which is undertaking this project would have to deal with all the agencies that are necessary to provide the infrastructure and the facilities, including the access roads. And I am sure that in operationalising this market, all these facilities that are mentioned would be very well taken care of.
Mr Ntim 10:40 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister has also indicated that the community in which the market is situated is going to be connected under the Unelectrified Communities Project by the Ministry of Energy. Now, as we speak, the community is hooked to the national grid, so how does he link that one to the statement made to the fact that it is unelectrified, and that his Ministry is going to add it to the unelectrified communities together with the Ministry of Energy? How does he reconcile that statement?
Mr Chireh 10:40 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I can
reconcile it. Why not? The point is that, has the market been electrified? No. Part of the delay of electrifying it was because the community was not connected. The Hon Members is saying that the community - that is good information he has provided.
Thank you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Hon
Member, you have exhausted your three supplementary questions so, we move to the next Question standing in the name of the Hon Member for Asunafo South (Mr George Boakye).
Disbursement of District Assemblies' Common Fund
Q. 529. Mr George Boakye asked the
Minister for Local Government and Rural Development what measures the Ministry had put in place to ensure that 2 per cent of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACP) meant for the disabled was disbursed to them by the various District, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies.
Mr Joseph Y. Chireh 10:40 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Ministry, in collaboration with the National Council on Persons with Disability and the Ghana Federation of the Disability under the authority of the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, have developed and launched the guidelines on the disbursement and management of the 2 per cent DACF for persons with disability.
With the co-opera t ion of the Administrator of the DACF, the 2 per cent has now been deducted at source and is with the Administrator. The Ministry has directed all Assemblies to open bank accounts for persons with disability and forward the account numbers to the Administrator of the DACF to enable him transfer the amount due into these accounts. The Assemblies have also been directed to disburse and manage the funds in line with the approved guidelines.
Mr Boakye 10:40 a.m.
Mr Speaker, in the Minister's Answer, with your indulgence, I would like to quote:
“The Ministry, in collaboration with the National Council on Persons with Disability and the Ghana Federation of the Disability under the authority of the Ministry of
Employment and Social Welfare, have developed and launched the guidelines on the disbursement and management of the 2 per cent DACF for persons with disability.”
Mr Speaker, to enable Hon Members of Parliament to play our monitoring role effectively, can he tell us what these guidelines for the disbursement and management of the fund are?
Mr Chireh 10:40 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I can make
copies available to this House or the Hon Member on request. They are written documents which we use in the guidelines. I also want to say that the requirement, there is the consultation. How do they make it effective? We know that in the past it was difficult for disabled persons to access this, that is why the various institutions involved came together with these guidelines. And in any case, I can make it available to you if the Hon Member wants it.
Mr Boakye 10:40 a.m.
Mr Speaker, can the
Hon Minister tell us how much has been deducted and lodged with the DACF as of now?
Mr Chireh 10:40 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I cannot tell
off hand but it is 2 per cent of so far, what has been distributed, according to the formula approved by this House this year.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Yes, your
last supplementary question.
Mr Boakye 10:40 a.m.
Mr Speaker, can the Hon Minister tell the House the role of these two national associations of the disabled and that of the Hon Minister for Employment and Social Welfare in this new dispensation?
Mr Chireh 10:40 a.m.
Mr Speaker, you know
that the Ministry of Employment and
Social Welfare is the Ministry responsible for the Council on Disability. The Council on Disability is arising out of an Act passed by this Parliament. So, they are a kind of a Board. The Federation is one that federates all the different associations of the disabled persons or people with disability.
So, together with the Ministry, the one which is backed by law, the other which is also by the various associations, they came to an understanding. Initially, everybody said they wanted to administer this separately but we did not think that that was the best way.
So, under the aegis of the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, this arrangement has come and the guidelines were developed. As far as I am concerned, this is how we have collaborated and we are facilitating the releases of the funds for the use of people with disability.
Thank you.
Mr Boakye 10:40 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the major problem with respect to the release of the Common Fund has been the delay in the release. Now, with this 2 per cent to the disabled, can the Hon Minister tell the House measures being put in place such that it will not be affected by this canker of delay?
Mr Chireh 10:40 a.m.
Mr Speaker, as I
indicated, it will depend on the approval of the formula by this House. Subsequent transfers of the fund to the Common Fund Administrator and using the formula, the 2 per cent will be released. If you are talking about the accounts that we have directed them to open, as soon as they open the accounts and if money is transferred to the Common Fund Administrator, he will automatically credit the accounts of these Assemblies for the onward disbursement to persons with disability.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
The last
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.


question on this.
Mr David T. Assumeng 10:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
I want to know from the Hon Minister whether it will be possible to consider the association at the district level to be part of the signatory to the accounts of the group.
Thank you.
Mr Chireh 10:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it will bring
a bit of conflict and also because that person may not be an appropriate official and it may be inconveniencing. Indeed, whatever goes there may be an audited -- just like any other accounts, and if he is concerned about it being available to them or being used properly, this would be subjected to all the auditing that has to be done with all public funds that are transferred to other people.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:50 a.m.
Thank you
very much for attending upon the House to answer Questions. You are discharged.
Hon Members, I have admitted one Urgent Statement for today. The Hon Member will make the Statement, there will not be any comment.
STATEMENTS 10:50 a.m.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim (NDC -- Tain) 10:50 a.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to make this Statement on the lack of access road to Tain.
Mr Speaker, the people of Tain in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana cannot travel from the district to any of its neighbouring districts since Sunday, l8th July, 20l0. This is due to the fact that all the three bridges on the River Mprim which links Tain District to the Jaman
District to the west, the Berekum District to the south west then west Municipality to the south have all become impassable due to the river which over flowed its banks on Sunday, l8th July, 2010.
Mr Speaker, as a result of this, Tain has once again become an island, not in terms of deciding who should rule Ghana, but in terms of both geographical, local and economic transactions.
One serious effect is that, if urgent steps are not taken to solve the problem, it might delay the completion date of the construction of the Bui Dam, since both workers and materials cannot be transported from anywhere to the site.
Mr Speaker, I will therefore use this opportunity to call on all stakeholders especially the Minister for Roads and Highways to make sure that we solve this problem.
Thank you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:50 a.m.
Hon Members, that brings us to the end of Statements.
Item 5 - Presentation and First Reading of Bills.
Mr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo 10:50 a.m.
Mr
Speaker, the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning is unavailable. He sent a message to say he is very much engaged doing government business elsewhere and would have wished that if the Hon Minister for Education does the laying on his behalf. Mr Speaker, I would therefore like to request your permission to ask the Minister for Education to do the laying on his behalf.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, ordinarily, we would have had no problem but Mr Speaker, as you do know, these are very, very important documents, this particular Bill - Petroleum Revenue Management Bill. Mr Speaker, it is very, very important, and that is why I asked the other day, that it is not for nothing that persons laying the Papers may, if it is required, explain the import of the Papers.
Mr Speaker, we are just about to proceed on recess, and one would want to know what it is that this Bill contains. I am not too sure the Hon Minister, a Cabinet Minister, may be able to respond to this.
Mr Speaker, the other day when the Bill on Petroleum Exploration and Production was raised, I raised a similar concern and even though it was laid or purported to have been laid last week, it is only today that we are having copies of that Bill.
Mr Speaker, are we serious in this House? There should be greater seriousness on the part of those transacting business for and on behalf of Government.
Mr Speaker, I will leave the matter here.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:50 a.m.
Hon
Member, because of what happened the last time on the other one, I insisted that these copies be available before this one is laid and they have made copies to me. I even directed that they must make copies available to the Leaders even before this particular one is laid.
Mr Cletus A. Avoka 10:50 a.m.
Having heard
you I have nothing useful to add, except to assure my Colleague and other Hon Colleagues that yes, the Government and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning attach great importance to the Bill. But as we would appreciate, the purpose of this morning's assignment is just to lay the Bill and if there is any action to be taken on it, that will be followed up. So I appreciate the concern. We will draw the attention of the various Ministers to that.
Thank you.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would not want to further litigate what my Hon Colleague has said but indeed, there is more to just rising and bowing to
signify the laying of a Paper.
BILLS - FIRST READING 10:50 a.m.
Mr P.C. Appiah-Ofori 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,

Mention my name. Mr Speaker, where is the document laid? You see, it has become chronic that we lay -
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
Hon Member--
Mr Appiah-Ofori 11 a.m.
Where is it?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
Hon P. C. Appiah-Ofori, the point has been made by the Hon Minority Leader and we have responded to it. I have a copy. In fact, I saw a copy in the Speaker's lobby before I allowed it to be laid. I asked of the other one dealing with exploration and the Table Office advised me that it is available and every Hon Member is going to get his or her copy by the close of the day.
It is on that basis that I agreed that this document be laid today. I have my copy.

In fact, I have directed that the Leaders of both sides be given copies before the Paper is laid to assure the House that the documents are available. The documents have been available, all of them; that is the advice I have been given; that there are sufficient copies to be distributed to Hon Members.
Mr Appiah-Ofori 11 a.m.
So when are we going to get them? You see, Mr Speaker, this is a very important document. It is something which affects the whole country. So everybody should have access to it so that we can put our heads together to arrive at a sensible decision. You do not limit it to a few people I am going to -
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
Hon P. C. Appiah-Ofori, you know that the document has to be laid first. Secondly, if the document is not available, then I do not think that the Committee will even start its work.
I agree with you that every Hon Member of this House should have access to the document, that is what the rules say; that is what our rules say. Every Hon Member, whether you are in the Committee or not, we should all have access to this document and I do not think that there could be any compromise on this matter.
Mr Avoka 11 a.m.
Mr Speaker, to allay the fears of my Hon Colleagues, and following your directive, I also have copies of the two Bills, that is, the Petroleum Exploration and Production Bill, and the Petroleum Revenue Management Bill. So I am confident that by the close of day, Hon Members will have their copies. So there should be no cause for alarm or fear.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Members.
Item 6 - by the Chairman of the Committee -
Mr Pelpuo 11 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Chairman sent a message that he was indisposed but a member of the Committee is available to do that on his behalf.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
Very well. But why do they not have a Vice Chairman to the Committee? If the Chairman is not there, is the Vice Chairman not there?
Mr Pelpuo 11 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Vice Chairman has travelled and that is the reason we are applying to you to allow Hon Baaba -
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
Is the Report ready, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
Mr Pelpuo 11 a.m.
Mr Speaker, yes, the Report is ready.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
Very well. Yes -
PAPERS 11 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
Hon Members, the Paper has duly been laid and is for distribution to Hon Members.
Hon Majority Leader, item 7, is that right?
Mr Avoka 11 a.m.
That is so, item 7. The Hon Minister for Education is in the Chamber.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
Hon Minister for Education, item 7 -
BILLS - SECOND READING 11 a.m.
Minister for Education (Mr Alex Narh Tettey-Enyo) 11 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that the University of Ghana Bill, 2010 be now read a Second time.
In doing so, permit me to espouse the main principles of this Bill.
The purpose of the Bill is to repeal and replace the University of Ghana Act, 1961 (Act 79) passed 49 years ago, to enable the university undergo transformation and modernisation.
This has become necessary in view of the perceived deterioration in the university's academic standards and general service delivery. The steady decline suffered by the university over the years has been due to a number of internal and external factors. These include the phenomenal growth of the student population, largely due to the Education Sector Reforms initiated in 1987.
The phenomenal increase in the student population however, proceeded without a corresponding expansion of infrastructure, improvement in faculty strength or change in administrative systems.
Furthermore, considerable embarrass- ment was caused by a major examination
scandal that rocked the university during the 2004/05 academic year, and brought Ghana's premier university under close public scrutiny. This compelled an entire re-appraisal of the university's long-term strategy for development and therefore, triggered the university`s quest for a visitation, the first since its autonomy in 1961. The Council accordingly, convened a visitation, with the support of the Government of Ghana.
The Bill takes into consideration, recommendations made to and accepted by the Governing Council of the university.
Mr Speaker, in summing up the panel's recommendations, it became apparent
to the Council that the University of Ghana Act (1961) needed to be replaced by a new Act with proposed changes to reflect current good practices in chartered universities worldwide.
Mr Speaker, the Bill seeks to strengthen the position of the university's Governing Council and other office holders in the performance of the functions prescribed for them.
It also seeks to strengthen student representation in governing bodies as pertains in similar institutions elsewhere.
Mr Speaker, clause 1 establishes the University of Ghana as a body corporate with perpetual succession, while clauses 2 and 3 provide for the award of degrees and the membership of the university.
Clause 4 provides for the aims of the university, which principally are:
to provide higher education, undertake research, disseminate knowledge and to foster relationships with external bodies and persons.
Clause 5 deals with the principal officers of the university, namely, the Chancellor, Chairperson of the University Council and the Vice-Chancellor.
Furthermore, clauses 6 and 7 provide for the office of the Chancellor and occurrence of a vacancy in the office of the Chancellor.
Mr Speaker, the appointment of the chairperson of the University Council by the Chancellor is provided in clause 8. The appointment would be in consultation with the President, and shall be from among the Government nominees. The appointing of the Vice Chancellor by the University Council is provided in clause 9, while clause 10 deals with the appointment of the Pro Vice Chancellor(s).
The administration of the university is provided under clauses 11 to 23. These clauses provide for the University Council,
Minister for Education (Mr Alex Narh Tettey-Enyo) 11 a.m.


the functions of the Council, the members of the Council, meeting and powers of the Council. Furthermore, provision is made for the establishment of the Academic Board, its functions and composition. Clauses 20, 21, 22 and 23 deal with the appointment of the Registrar of the university and his functions, convocation, the internal organisation of the university, property and contracts, respectively.

Mr Speaker, the financial matters of the university are provided under clauses 24 to 28, and contain mainly the funds of the universsity, accounts and audit, annual report, exemption from taxes, duties and other charges and the disclosure of interest.

Clauses 29 to 36 deal with miscellaneous matters. Clause 29 deals with anti- discrimination, while clause 30 deals with student governance by providing for a Student Representative Council which represents duly admitted and registered students of the university.

Clause 31 deals with matriculation. A body to be known as the University of Ghana Appeals Board is provided for under clause 32. This Board will hear and determine matters or acts of omission which conflict with the statutes, breach of employment contract and grievances by students against the university on matters related to welfare and discipline.

Clauses 34, 35 and 36 deal with the transitional provisions, interpretation and repeal of the University of Ghana Act, 1961 (Act 79). However, it saves the statutes, regulations, bye-laws, notices, orders, directors, appointments, policies, instructions, guidelines or any other Act lawfully done under the repealed enactment.

Mr Speaker, finally, the University of Ghana Bill, when passed, will enable the university keep pace with trends and practices in modern chartered universities worldwide.

Mr Speaker, I beg to move.

Question proposed.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Mathias A. Puozaa) 11 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to present the Committee`s Report on the Motion moved by the Hon Minister for Education
1.0 Introduction
Mr Speaker, pursuant to articles 103 and 106 (4) of the 1992 Constitution and Orders 125 and 186 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, the University of Ghana Bill was referred to the Committee on Education for consideration and report in accordance with Order 126 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.
2.0 Deliberations
The Committee, in considering the Bill
first held a stakeholders forum on the 9th July, 2010 to seek views on the proposed Act. The Committee also benefited from written memoranda and oral submissions presented by interested groups and individuals.
The Committee is grateful to the Minister for Education, the Pro-Vice Chancellor and his team from the University of Ghana, personnel from the Ministry of Justice and Attorney- General, as well as the other stakeholders for providing the necessary inputs and clarifications during the examination of the Bill.
3.0 References
In considering the Report, the Committee made reference to the following documents:
a. The 1992 Constitution
b. The S tand ing Orders o f Parliament.
c. University of Ghana Bill
d. The University of Ghana Act, 1961 (Act 79)
e. The Statutes of the University of Ghana, Legon, August 2004
f. The background notes from the Ministry of Education
g. Presentations and clarifications by stakeholders
4.0 Background information
The University of Ghana has since 1961 been guided and managed under the University of Ghana Act, 1961 (Act 79) despite the massive changes in policy and focus of the university. To be in tandem with the current operations and modern practices of charted universities worldwide, there is the need for the university to review its statutes and management.
The review has become more necessary as a result of the perceived deterioration in the university's academic standards and general service delivery, coupled with the steady decline suffered by the university over the years due to a number of internal and external factors.
These include the phenomenal growth of student population from 10,000 in the year 2000 to over 28,000 in 2006, due largely to the Education Sector Reforms initiated in 1986. The phenomenal increase in the student population however, proceeded without a corresponding expansion of infrastructure, improvement in faculty strength or change in administrative systems which have created problems.
The Bill seeks to modify the role and composition of the University Council, restructure and re-organise the existing
dysfunctional organisational structure by expanding the membership of the Council from fifteen to over twenty members to enable it play an effective role as the governing body of the university.
It also seeks to strengthen the position of the university`s governing council and other office holders in the performance of the functions prescribed for them. Students' representation would also be strengthened in the governing bodies as pertains in similar institutions elsewhere.
5.0 The purpose of the Bill
This Bill seeks to repeal and replace the University of Ghana Act, 1961 (Act 79) passed 49 years ago, to enable the university undergo transformation and modernisation to keep pace with trends and practices in modern chartered universities worldwide.
6.0 Divisions of the Bill
The Bill is divided into four main sections, namely,
Establishment of the university
Administration
Financial matters
Miscellaneous
7.0 Highlights of the clauses of the Bill
The Bill consists of 34 clauses. Clause 1 establishes the University of Ghana as a body corporate with perpetual succession Clause 2 provides for the award of degrees by the university, while clause 3 is on the membership of the university.
Clause 4 states the aims of the university which are to provide higher education, undertake research, disseminate knowledge and foster relationships with