Debates of 23 Jul 2010

MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:17 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:17 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:17 a.m.
Hon Members, Correction of Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 22nd July, 2010. Page 1 … 7 -
Mr Simon E. Asimah 10:17 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
page 7, item (b), “By the Hon Chairman of the Finance Committee, Mr. James Kluste Avedzi”, the “s” is between “t” and the “e” - “Klutse”.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:17 a.m.
Very well.
I am sure the Hon Member himself has not seen it.
Page 8 … 11 -
Mr W. O. Boafo 10:17 a.m.
Mr Speaker, page
11, paragraph 10, clause 5. If my memory serves me right, I believe the new rendition which was read out by Mr Speaker, was to the effect that we should rather stick to the rendition in the Constitution, so that the reference to the modified rendition of the oath in the Schedule to the Bill is deleted but not modified. I stand to be corrected by the Hansard.
Mr Inusah A.B. Fuseini 10:17 a.m.
Sorry for
bringing you back, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, at page 6 -
Dr Anthony A. Osei 10:17 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I
beg to disagree with my senior Colleague. I think that the rendition said: “as in the Constitution and as modified”. So, the word “modified” was read by Mr Speaker yesterday. I remember vividly.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:17 a.m.
The
Table Office should cross-check from the Hansard and confirm the true position.
Prof. (Emeritus) Samuel K. Kwadwo
Amoako: Mr Speaker, on the same page, clause 4, “paragraph (f), line 3, delete “technical” and inser …”. The spelling of “insert” is not right. So, we have to insert the “t”.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:17 a.m.
Very well.
Table Office should take note.
Mr Fuseini 10:17 a.m.
Mr Speaker, sorry for
bringing you back. Mr Speaker, at page 6, number 27, my name is recorded as being absent yesterday. But I remember taking part in the debate yesterday.
Mr Deputy Speaker 10:17 a.m.
I can confirm
that you were present.
Mr Fuseini 10:17 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Stephen A. Kwao 10:17 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
I refer you to page 7, item (b), “By the Hon Chairman of the Finance Committee, Mr James Kluste Avedzi” the spelling of “Klutse” -
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
It has been
corrected already. It has been corrected by the Hon Member for South Dayi.

Hon Members , the Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 22nd July, 2010 as corrected be adopted as the true record of proceedings.

We also have the Official Report of Wednesday, 14th July, 2010.

Yes, the Hon Member for Old Tafo.
Dr A.A. Osei 10:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, a few corrections, starting on column 2372, where my name is “Dr A.A. Osei,” line (3). I think the word on line (3) of my statement should be “avert”. I do not think it should be “advert”.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Which of the lines; which of the paragraphs?
Dr A. A. Osei 10:25 a.m.
Substantive paragraph (2): “Dr A. A. Osei.” Mr Speaker, initially, I said that it is important -- the third line; I believe the word should be “a-v-e-r-t”, not “advert”. I stand to be corrected but I think it should be “avert our minds to it”.
Then column 2385; this is a quote and if you look at the document on colum 2384, they should match. So the first one, line (1): “According to the result” not “results”. This is an exact quotation from the document on the previous page. So the words should be the same and the first thing I noticed is that: “According to the result”, not “results”. And in that same one: “and was selected as the concerned,” with an “ed” and you can see that from the document; it should be exactly so. Then column 2387, the second paragraph, line (2): “where is”. The “is” should go out. “. . . where the source of funding is”. So the first “is” should be deleted.
Column 2389, the first paragraph after “Mr First Deputy Speaker”, the second line, Mr Speaker: “. . . how can you have a sovereign guarantee”; it should be “over 250 million in insurance”, not “to insurance “ to insure the loan?”
Mr Speaker, again, on column 2395, the third line on the first paragraph on top 10:25 a.m.
“US$141 million” and the words; “all on stock” should be deleted. Then in the last line, it should be “. . . to that interest payment”, not “payments”. There should not be any “s”. Then 2395, the last paragraph: “Your current debt stock,” not “dest stock.”
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Fuseini 10:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, column 2435: “Mr Fuseini: Mr Speaker, I need further clarification on your direction,” not “or your direction”,
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Another correction? Yes, the Hon Member for Shai Osudoku?
Mr David T. Assumeng 10:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, column 2366, the fourth paragraph, line (1): “. . . I am also happy that there is a point in the Agreement, that is, the EPC ...” and these should be a full stop. “The Water Resources” that came should be deleted, then the sentence continues.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Very well. Hon Members, the Official Report of Wednesday, 14th July, 2010 as corrected is hereby adopted as the true record of proceedings.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 10:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 10:25 a.m.
Arrangement of Business
Question(s) to Ministers
Mr Speaker, the Committee has programmed the following Ministers to answer Questions asked of them during the week: No. of Question(s)
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 10:25 a.m.
i. Minister for Employment and Social Welfare -- 2
ii. Minister for Education --
4
iii. Minister for Food and Agriculture --
4
iv. Minister for the Interior -- 4
Total Number of Questions -- 14
Mr Speaker, in all, four Ministers are expected to attend upon the House to respond to fourteen (14) Questions during the week.
Statements
Mr Speaker may allow Statements duly admitted by your goodself to be made in the House.
Bills, Papers and Reports
Mr 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.
Motions and Resolutions
Mr Speaker, Motions may be debated
and their consequential Resolutions, if any, taken during the week.
Sittings on Mondays/Extended Sitting
Mr Speaker, Sitting will be held on Monday. Extended Sittings will also be held whenever necessary during the week.
Mr Speaker, since the House is expected to rise on Tuesday, 3rd August,
2010, committees with referrals are urged to expedite work on them and present their reports on schedule for consideration by the House. Committee meetings are also expected to be scheduled at periods that may allow Hon Members to be available during plenary sessions for the conduct of business before the House.
Conclusion
Mr Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 160 (2), the Committee submits to this Honourable House, the Business of each Sitting of the week and the order in which it shall be taken during the week.

Questions --

*475. Mr George Boakye (Asunafo South): To ask the Minister for Employment and Social Welfare what plans the Ministry has put in place to improve conditions in ICESS schools to make them more responsive to the needs and aspirations of the unemployed youth.

*591. Mr Justice Joe Appiah (Ablekuma North): To ask the Minister for Employment and Social Welfare about the labour strength

of this country as at January 2009.

Motions --

(a) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Agreement between the Government of Ghana and Fr. Lürssen Werft GmbH & Co. KG of Germany for an amount of US$37,867,500 (€28,050,000) for the purchase and refurbishment of two former German Navy Fast Attack Craft Type S143, setting-to-work of the ships, supply of equipment, inventory and spares, training of crews and the transportation of the ships to Ghana.

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Loan Agreement between the Government of Ghana and Commerzbank AG of Belgium for an amount of €8,210,129.00 for the supply of the second batch of 50 VDL Jonckheere buses and spare parts under Belgian Government Concessionary Finance.

(c) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Buyer's Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Poly Technologies Inc. of Beijing, China, for an amount of one hundred million United States dollars (US$100,000,000.00) for the procurement of strategic equipment to re-equip the Ghana Army and the Ghana Air

Force and also improve barracks accommodation for the soldiers.

Consideration Stage of Bills --

University of Ghana Bill, 2010.

Education (Amendment) Bill, 2010.

Savannah Accelerated Develop- Development Authority Bill, 2010.

Economic and Organised Crime Bill, 2009

Committee Sittings.

Questions --

*575. Mr Augustine Collins Ntim (Offinso North): To ask the Minister for Education when the Ministry will absorb Nkenkaasu Community senior high school into the public school system.

*576. Mr John Agyabeng (Agona East): To ask the Minister for Education what is being done so far to provide adequate infrastructure for senior high schools in the country.

*577. Mr Asamoah Ofosu (Kade): To ask the Minister for Education what steps the Ministry is taking to provide Kade Senior High School with classrooms to enable them admit new students to first year of senior high school next academic
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 10:25 a.m.
year.
*579. Mr Stephen Yakubu (Binduri): To ask the Minister for Education the detailed plans when Binduri will be given a senior high school.
Motions --
Second Reading of Bills --
Students Loan Trust Fund Bill,
2010
Consideration Stage of Bills --
Savannah Accelerated Develop- Development Authority Bill, 2010

Economic and Organised Crime Bill, 2009

Committee Sittings.

Questions --

*538. Mr Simons Addai (Techiman South): To ask the Minister for Food and Agriculture why work on the irrigation project at Kaniago in the Techiman Municipality has come to a halt.

*584. Mr Samuel Ayeh-Paye (Ayensuano): To ask the Minister for Food and Agriculture why fertilizer coupons are not yet ready for farmers to purchase subsidised fertilizers for the main farming season this year. *596. Mr Leo Kabah Alowe (Chiana/Paga): To ask the Minister for Food and Agriculture when all

the dams in the Upper East Region will be dredged and rehabilitated to promote dry season irrigation farming in the region.

*597. Mr Simon Atingban Akunye (Pusiga): To ask the Minister for Food and Agriculture how many dams will be allocated to the Pusiga Constituency to boost the agricultural sector performance especially during the dry season.

Laying of Papers --

(a) Report of the Finance Committee on the request for Service VAT Exemption for an amount of US$990,000.00 for the National Communication Backbone Network Project (Phase I).

(b) Report of the Finance Committee on the Mixed Credit Facility between the Government of Ghana and the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium and KBC of Belgium for an amount of €9,474,271.00 for the supply of additional fire tenders, aerial rescue and fire fighting platforms, water tankers and other related fire fighting equipment for the Ghana National Fire Service and a request for tax and duty exemptions amounting to €1 ,928,932.00 on the equipment/machinery to be imported in respect of the Mixed Credit Facility.

(c) Report of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on the Ghana AIDS Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2010.

Motions --

(a) Adoption of the Twentieth

Report of the Appointments Committee on the President's nomination for ministerial appointment.

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Report of the Auditor-General on the Public Accounts of Ghana (Ministries, Departments and Other Agencies of the Central Government) for the year ended 31st December, 2005.

(c) Adoption of the Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Report of the Auditor-General on the Public Accounts of Ghana (Ministries, Departments and Other Agencies of the Central Government) for the year ended 31st December 2006.

Committee Sittings.

Laying of Papers --

Report of the Joint Committee on Finance and Works and Housing on the Supplier's Credit Financing Agreement between the Government of Ghana and STX Engineering and Construction Ghana Limited for an amount of US$1,525,443,468.00 for the construction of 30,000 units of houses under the Security Services Housing Project.

Motions --

Third Reading of Bills --

Economic and Organised Crime Bill, 2009.

Savannah Acceelerated Deve- lopment Authority Bill, 2010.

Consideration Stage of Bills --

Students Loan Trust Fund Bill,

2010.

Committee Sittings.

Questions --

*518. Mr Ben Abdallah Banda (Offinso South): To ask the Minister for the Interior what steps the Ministry is taking to deal with the accommodation problem faced by police personnel in the Offinso South Municipality.

*519. Ms Grace Addo (Amansie West): To ask the Minister for the Interior when the Amansie West Constituency in the Ashanti Region will be provided with a fire station.

*520. Mr Augustine Collins Ntim (Offinso North): To ask the Minister for the Interior what measures are being put in place by the Ministry to provide Asuosu and Afracho communities in the Offinso North District with police stations.

*521. Mr Alfred Kwame Agbesi (Ashaiman): To ask the Minister for the Interior what immediate practical measures the Ministry has put in place to avoid the recurrence of death in the over- crowded Ashaiman District Police cells which was constructed to accommodate not more than twelve (12) inmates at a time.

Motions --

Second Reading of Bills --

Ghana AIDS Commission
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 10:25 a.m.
(Amendment) Bill, 2010
Third Reading of Bills --
Students Loan Trust Fund Bill,
2010.
Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for Service VAT Exemption for an amount of US$990,000.00 for the National Communication Backbone Network Project (Phase I).

Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Mixed Credit Facility between the Government of Ghana and the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium and KBC of Belgium for an amount of €9,474,271.00 for the supply of additional fire tenders, aerial rescue and fire fighting platforms, water tankers and other related fire fighting equipment for the Ghana National Fire Service and a request for tax and duty exemptions amounting to €1,928,932.00 on the equipment/machinery to be imported in respect of the Mixed Credit Facility.

Committee Sittings.
Mr Samuel Ayeh-Paye 10:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
on page 2 of the Business Statement, item 3, Question number 584 stands in my name. I filed this Question about two months ago as an Urgent Question, and I asked this Question at the time that Ghanaian farmers needed fertilizer so
Mr Samuel Ayeh-Paye 10:35 p.m.


urgently during the main farming season. And for two months and now that some of the farmers have started -
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 p.m.
Hon
Member, the rules of this House are very clear. You do not determine whether it should be an Urgent Question or not. The decision whether your Question is an Urgent Question, is entirely a matter for the person who admits the Question, that is Madam Speaker. So, if it is coming not as an Urgent Question, then you should know that Madam Speaker, in her wisdom, has decided to admit your Question as an ordinary question and not an Urgent Question. Therefore, to do so, is to be questioning Madam Speaker's decision.
But that is her discretion; it is her discretion, complete discretion. What you should have done when it was not coming and you thought it was critical, was to try to see the Table Office and try to get Madam Speaker and your Leaders to see what they could have done. But it is for Madam Speaker to decide whether the Questions which you have marked as urgent should be admitted as an Urgent Question or should not be admitted as urgent. So, it has not been admitted as urgent so -
Mr Ayeh-Paye 10:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank
you.
Mr W.O. Boafo 10:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the
Hon Minister for Health appeared in the House to answer Questions on the H1N1 vaccines and it came out that the effects of the vaccine are telling on the general populace. He gave the indication that he was not aware, and he said he would be coming back to address us. And we have heard on the airwaves, people testifying about deaths occurring after the vaccine. So, I just wanted to find out -
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 p.m.
Hon Member for Akropong, he did not say he was not aware. He said there were problems and he did mention some of them. They were certain details that he said he would find time to come and brief the House. So, it is for the Business Committee to programme him to come. I do not know whether it is in the Business programme for next week.
Mr Boafo 10:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is not and that is precisely why I am up to find out from the Deputy Majority Leader when the Minister for Health would come to the House to brief us further on this H1N1 vaccine and the adverse effects on the populace. It is of national interest, so I think they would attach some urgency to it. If the Deputy Majority Leader would answer the query.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 p.m.
Hon
Deputy Majority Leader, get in touch with the Deputy Minister. I am privileged to have a piece of information which I could make available to the House. They were thinking of whether to come on Tuesday or Wednesday, so when you get in touch with the Ministry, they will be sure when they will come. They were supposed to come on Monday but there is an international conference on cervical cancer, so they are thinking that immediately after that conference, they will be able to come to address the House on the issue raised by the Hon Member for Manhyia.
Mr Pelpuo 10:35 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. We would do as you have indicated and try to contact him and get him to come as soon as he is available.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 p.m.
Hon
Deputy Majority Leader, get in touch with him and liaise with the Leadership on the other side so that you will know the exact time that he will be coming.
Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah 10:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I note that this afternoon there is supposed to be a meeting of the Joint Committee on Finance -
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 p.m.
Are you
on the Business Statement presented to us?
Mr Kan-Dapaah 10:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am
on the Business Statement.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 p.m.
Which
page?
Mr Kan-Dapaah 10:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, page 3, number 4. I have to start from the Order Paper to make my submission more meaningful.
I know that there is a scheduled meeting this afternoon to discuss the Suppliers Credit Finance Agreement between the Government of Ghana and STX Engineering. And that, the Business Statement also indicates that on Thursday, 29th July, 2010, a Paper would be laid by the Committee. I was wondering whether a new Suppliers Credit Financing Agreement has been laid before the House.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 p.m.
Hon
Member, when it gets to Thursday and Laying of Papers, then the question you are asking will be matured to ask.
Mr Kan-Dapaah 10:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, not
really. The Committee cannot possibly meet on a Paper that has not been laid before the House.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 p.m.
Hon
Member, you remember when I was in the Chair and this issue cropped up, what was withdrawn at that time was the Motion. When we get there,it would have been matured to raise the issue that you are raising now.
Mr Kan-Dapaah 10:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, except
I know that the Hon Chairman had an answer to give, which probably, may
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 p.m.
He is not
in charge of the Business Committee.
Mr Kan-Dapaah 10:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, he got
up to give an explanation. I think this is a very important matter.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 p.m.
I know
why you are raising the issue. I also have similar concerns as yours, but the point is that let us get there because this is the business they have programmed for us. When we get there, we would then take it up.
Mr Avedzi 10:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Joint Committee is meeting to take a strategy, because last week, it was withdrawn and the whole thing was referred to the Joint Committee. The Joint Committee is meeting to take a step on how to deal with the thing, so he should hold his breadth. At the appropriate time, if on Thursday, a new Bill has not been laid or is laid and the report is prepared, then he can ask questions on that. But the Joint Committee is meeting to strategise.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 p.m.
Hon
Members, you know the consensus of the House the last time? I do not want us to belabour this point. The consensus was that, as much as possible, let us take inputs from the floor. Based on what transpired on the floor, we all agreed in principle that housing for the security agencies was proper but the documentation must be in the proper form. So, let us see -- I do not know. I am not a member of your committee but also maybe, to take input to enrich the final documents or take views, we do not know. So, let us go there because nobody -- I stand to be corrected, nobody from both sides of the House, we are ad idem on the end
products, that is providing housing for our security agencies.
T h e p r o b l e m w a s w i t h t h e documentation, so, maybe, I do not know the nature of the thing - maybe, when we go there, they are going to take an input from you because I know as a matter of fact. I have privileged information that there is a consultation between the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader to see whether there could be inputs and all those things. So that together, we can fashion out something that will be in the national interest.
Mrs G. E. Kusi 10:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I just
want to be clear. This Agreement that they are going to consider at this meeting, is it the old one in which some of the pages were blank -
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 p.m.
Hon
Member, how can you pre-empt a committee meeting? Hon Member --
Mrs Kusi 10:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, what we are
saying is that in the old one, some pages were blank, so we are expecting the new one to be laid before the Committee can consider it. That is what we are saying.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 p.m.
Hon Member, when I made the order the last time, there was only one matter before me, and that was the Motion on the Committee's Report and that was what was withdrawn. That was the only matter before me. At that time, in line with Standing Order 82, when the application was made, there was only one matter on the Order Paper, and that was what was before me and what has been withdrawn. What was not before me that day could not be withdrawn.
Let the Committee go and do its work and when that time comes, we can all raise whatever issues we want to raise on
the floor of the House. You know very well that nobody is going to gag anybody from raising the relevant issue. The last time, I gave the Ranking Member over one hour, so that the voice of the Minority was properly heard.
Dr A. A. Osei 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I want to assure my Leader that we are not going to be looking at any new agreements that are not before the House. So she should be rest assured that as the Chairman said, he wants to call a meeting for us to strategise on the way forward.
So we would appear at the meeting and assist our Chairman to move the House in order.
Mr Charles S. Hodogbey 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am standing on Order 60 (3), and if you permit me I read:
“A Minister shall not take more than three weeks to respond to a question from the House.”
I filed a Question since the last Session. It came in the weekly Statement; it was flushed out and this Session it came more than three times in the weekly Statement. It came in the provisional Statement in the Order Paper. This Question has not been answered by the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning. I would like to know what is actually causing the trouble. It is a Question relating to emergence of so many bags in the country.
Mr Pelpuo 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, as you indicated earlier, it is important that when Members file Questions and Questions appear to be missing from the list of Questions, that they draw Leadership's
Dr Prempeh 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I wanted the Acting Leader of the Business Committee to inform me on certain issues. Mr Speaker, if something is withdrawn from the House, how does the Committee of the House work on it. The reason I am asking is that -- I am not challenging your ruling --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon Member I think we have resolved that matter. Let us wait, this is the Business Statement. They have programmed something -- when we get there, Thursday, 29th July, 2010, then all the issues that we are raising -- but this is only the Business --
Dr Prempeh 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am not challenging you on that track. I am just asking the Chairman of the Business Committee, that if something is formally withdrawn from this House, can the Committee, if the matter is not re-presented, work on it? It is just a simple question. I am not being specific.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon Member, I overrule your question.
Yes, any other comment? Hon Leadership -- the Business Committee -- we have a lot of Bills, some of these Bills are very technical and very important.
Talking of Questions, you know that
ordinarily, we would have risen today; do you think that we should continue taking Questions, Deputy Majority Leader?
Mr Pelpuo 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, in my presentation, I alluded to the fact that if Public Business is heavy on us, we may have to reschedule the Questions because it
is a necessity - except Hon E. T. Mensah's Question which has appeared here several times and the House has ordered him to come here and answer them. That should be an exception but the rest of them will be subject to the Public Business and the fact that we might not have enough time to deal with Public Business and take these things at the same time, Mr Speaker. So Mr Speaker, perhaps, you would indicate to the House -
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Yes, let me hear from the Acting Minority Leader first.
Mrs Gifty E. Kusi 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, at the Business Committee, we discussed this issue and realized that there are days that we may think we would be very busy but something may crop up, so we leave it there. If we have enough time, we would do it.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Very well, I think that is a better way to go but we must all accept the general principle that the Public Business takes precedence over Private Members' Business, especially from next Monday going.
Hon Members, that brings us to the end of the consideration of the Business Statement for the tenth week ending Friday, 30th July, 2010.
It is Question time - Is the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways here?
Mr Pelpuo 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Minister is unavoidably absent but his Deputy is here to take the Questions and I would apply to you to permit him to stand in for the Minister and respond to the Questions required.
Mrs Kusi 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we have no problem but we want to find out where the Minister is.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Deputy
Majority Leader, they want to know where the Minister himself is.
Mr Pelpuo 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Minister has indicated to us that he is out of town. He wished he had been here to answer the Questions but the fact that he has also prepared his Deputy to -
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, they have no objection to the Deputy Minister who is a Member of the House to answer the Questions but where is the Minister?
Mr Pelpuo 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, there is a conference at Elmina where he has to be, that is why he is unable to be here. That is why I said he is out of town and will not be able to come in to answer the Questions. But if his Deputy can be allowed to answer the Questions, we would be happy - [Interruption.]
I do not know what else you want me to say. I am saying he is out of town, he is at Elmina.
Mrs Kusi 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I wonder why the Deputy Minister did not go to Elmina instead. If he can come here, is he saying Parliament is not as important as what he is doing in Elmina?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon Member, you have agreed already that you do not have any objection to the Deputy Minister, but you only want to know where the Minister is. Now, they have told you where he is -
ORAL ANSWERS TO 10:45 a.m.
QUESTIONS 10:45 a.m.
MINISTRY OF ROADS AND 10:45 a.m.
HIGHWAYS 10:45 a.m.
Mr K. A. Asiamah 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Hon Deputy Minister if the Ministry is aware of what is happening right on the ground, because the approaches to the bridge are being heavily eroded, and very soon that side of our district will be cut off from the main land. The south would be cut off from the north by September when the major rains set in. I would like to know if there are tentative measures to get this bridge completed as early as possible. Here he did not state the date and what measures they have taken to get this done. The position of the Answer is correct, it is very cute; but I would have been happier if he had even explained how they will get it done.
Thank you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Did you get the question? Very well.
Dr Quaye-Kumah 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, yes, we are very much aware. The information we have is, because the approaches have not been filled, that is why the erosion is continuing. So we are trying to address that issue. That is why I said we are organizing for some funds to fill the approaches then the problem will be solved.
Thank you.
Mr K. A. Asiamah 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, what I would like to ask is, if the Ministry knows it is that simple and he is very aware when the rains set in, it will cause serious damage, why is it not done by now, and why is he not being specific, to say maybe, by the end of next month but he is saying by the end of the year? This is what bothers my imagination.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Hon Deputy Minister, the Hon Member wants you to be specific.
Dr Quaye-Kumah 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it is estimated that between now and the end of the year, we would be completing the work. That is why I said “by the end of the year”. So we could start anytime from now, but before the end of the year, I can assure you, we would be done with it.
Mr K. A. Asiamah 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would take the Hon Deputy Minister's word for it. But I hope they would not be overly parsimonious towards the rehabilitation of that bridge.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Member.
Question number 418, standing in the name of the Hon Member for Offinso South -
Mr Augustine C. Ntim 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Member is not in the House and he has asked me to crave your indulgence to ask the Question on his behalf.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Very well,
Hon Member.
Mr Ntim 10:55 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Tarring of Abofour-Kyebi, Kyebi- Brekum, et cetera Roads
Q. 418. Mr Collins A. Ntim (on behalf of Mr Ben Abdallah Banda) asked the Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways when the following roads would be tarred:
(i) Abofour-Kyebi
(ii) Kyebi-Brekum
(iii) Kyebi-Brahabebome
(iv) Kyebi-Ahwerekrom
(v) Ahwerekrom-Anyinasusu.
Dr Nii Oakley Quaye-Kumah 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Abofour-Kyebi (6.0 km)Kyebi-Brekum (8.0 km) Kyebi- B r a h a b e b o m e ( 4 . 0 k m ) K y e b i - Ahwerekrom (10. km) Ahwerekrom- Anyinasusu (11.4 km) roads are all located in the Offinso South District of the Ashanti Region. They are engineered and are in a fair condition.
The Ministry of Roads and Highways has no immediate plans towards the bituminous surfacing (tarring) of these roads. A road condition and traffic survey would be carried out on these roads in 2011. Based on the outcome of the survey, detailed engineering studies would be carried out on the roads to determine their qualification for bituminous surfacing.
Meanwhile, these roads will continue
to receive the annual routine maintenance activities until the completion of the road condition and traffic surveys and the engineering studies. The outcome of the survey will inform the decision to surface- dress the roads.
Mr Ntim 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, as a result of the recent downpour, most of the feeder roads in Offinso are simply unmotorable. Now, can the Hon Deputy Minister give an indication when precisely is the Ministry going to take routine maintenance works on the following roads: Abofour - Kyebi, Kyebi - Berekum, Kyebi - Brahabebome, Kyebi -Ahwerekrom and Ahwerekrom - Anyinasusu?
Thank you.
Dr Quaye-Kumah 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, this is information he has just given me that the roads are very bad due to the heavy downpour. So I would take it upon myself and get the engineers on site so that we will see how best we can reshape those roads immediately.
Mr Ntim 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am happy about the answer given by the Hon Deputy Minister, but I would be glad if he can give me a more specific time frame so that at least, the people can be rest assured. Because as we speak now, Offinso, as you know, used to be and is still the food basket of Ghana and essentially the communities in which the roads in question are being talked about. The farmers there cannot ply the roads, the foods are locked up. So if he can give me specific time frame within which farmers are to expect some kind of relief.
Dr Quaye-Kumah 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, since you say it is a road that carts food into the town, I am going to discuss with the
Hon Minister to see if it is possible that we can put it under the emergency work on the roads.
Mr Ntim 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, now, in the Hon Deputy Minister's Answer, in the first paragraph, he did indicate that the roads mentioned are engineered and are in a fair condition. But Mr Speaker, the road from Kyebi to Brekum is unengineered, so if the Hon Deputy Minister can also give an indication when proper engineering assessment is going to be conducted on the road.
Dr Quaye-Kumah 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, as at the time I got the information, that road had been engineered. But if he says it has not been properly engineered, we would get back to it immediately and see what we can do.
Undone Part of the Ring Road in Sunyani (Construction)
Q. 421 . Mr Kwasi Ameyaw- Cheremeh asked the Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways the measures the Ministry was taking to construct the undone part of the Ring Road in Sunyani.
Dr Nii Oakley Quaye-Kumah 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Sunyani Ring Road is located in the Sunyani Municipal Assembly area of the Brong Ahafo Region. It is 14.17 kilometres. Out of that , 5.22 kilometres have been bituminous surfaced and 3.4 is gravel- surfaced, while the remaining 5.55 kilometres are not engineered at all.
Current Programme
The Ministry, in 2007 engaged a
consultant, Messrs Twum-Boafo and Partners to carry out a design of the road.
The Ministry received a preliminary design from the consultant on 14th January, 2010. The comments of the Department of Urban Roads and the Ministry on the design will be sent to the consultant with an invitation to make a formal presentation to the Ministry.
Future Programme
When the design is completed by the end of 2010, the Ministry will then seek funding towards the construction of the road.
Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 11:05 a.m.
I want to know from the Hon Deputy Minister whether the comments of the Department of Urban Roads are ready, and if they are ready, when the comments would be transmitted to the consultant for the final designing of the unengineered part of the road.
Dr Quaye-Kumah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
the comments are ready and since he has brought this issue up, I will ensure that it is acted on immediately.
Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
the information that the Hon Deputy Minister gave us was that by the end of this year, the Ministry would be seeking funding towards the construction of the road. May I know from him if the process of fund-sourcing has started or it would start at the end of the year?
Dr Quaye-Kumah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the
process of fund-sourcing has already started. And when we get these moneys, we should be able to consider this road as well.
Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 11:05 a.m.


following from the last answer given by the Hon Deputy Minister, I want to know the possible sources of funding for the project.
Dr Quaye-Kumah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we
have so many sources of funding that we are looking at. We are looking at Government of Ghana, we are looking at other groups that want to come in and do pre-financing. So whichever we get through, we shall consider it as well.
Mrs Gifty E. Kusi 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, from
the Hon Deputy Minister's Answer, he said that they received the design on 14th January, 2010 and they were yet to send it to the consultant with an invitation to make a formal presentation and it is taking a whole year before it will be completed.
Mr Speaker, I want to find out how
long does it take for such a design to be completed.
Dr Quaye-Kumah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it is
very true. The designs he brought initially had some problems-- so he went back and -- we will have to look at them, then we can give them the conveyance letter before he can take it up completely.
Mr Boafo 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the Hon Deputy Minister whether they have any time-lines at all for this project; any time-lines. The design from the consultants to be commented upon by his Department -- how long? After the Department has finished its comments, it is going to be sent back to the consultant for final presentation; how long? And when do they expect him to commence work? Can he give us any indication whether his Ministry is guided by any time-lines at all for the efficiency of doing this work?
Dr Quaye-Kumah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
yes, we do have time-line, depending on the length of the road and the magnitude of what we are supposed to be doing. Sometimes, it could take six months to even a year for the design to be done.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
The last supplementary question.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, in an answer to a supplementary question, the Hon Deputy Minister said that there were several sources of funding including the Government of Ghana (GoG). Since the GoG Budget was approved, is the Hon Deputy Minister telling us that this funding for this road was already in the 2010 Budget, and if it is not, where is the GoG funding he is seeking coming from?
Dr Quaye-Kumah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, as to whether this road is in the 2010 GoG Budget, I am not privy to that information. I do not know if this is so.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Hon Deputy Minister, the question is that you mentioned GoG as one of the possible sources of funding and he is asking you whether it is in the 2010 or -
Dr Quaye-Kumah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I now understand your question.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
I am not asking the question. It is his question. My understanding of the question is what I am transmitting to you.
Dr Quaye-Kumah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, that is what is to come.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, if it is part of the 2010 Budget that was approved earlier -- if it is not, then where in the GoG is he going to source the funding from?
Dr Quaye-Kumah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it is the designing that was on the Budget and that is what we are doing now. So once that is completed, then we can go ahead
to source for funds for the construction of the road.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
What he is saying is that it is the designing. In any case, the design must be complete before you go and look for funding. It is the designing that will determine the cost.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, he said then they would go and source for the funding, and I was wondering, where in the GoG? Is it the Ministry of Roads and Highways? Is it from the Defence Department budget? Where in the GoG? The GoG is not amorphous. Does he have any ideas because he is sure that GoG has some money, unless he is telling us that it would be contained in the upcoming Budget, then I can --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
That is my understanding.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:05 a.m.
Then he should make it clear.
Dr Quaye-Kumah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, that is exactly so. It will be coming in the upcoming Budget.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Hon Members, we move to the next Question, standing in the name of the Hon Member for Asunafo North.
Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, subject to your indulgence, the Hon Member has requested me to ask the Question on his behalf. He is not in the Chamber today.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Go ahead.
Tarring of Goaso Town Roads
Q. 422. Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh (on behalf of Mr Robert Sarfo-Mensah) asked the Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways when the Goaso town roads would be tarred.
Dr Nii Oakley Quaye-Kumah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, Goaso is the capital town of the Asunafo North Municipal Assembly area in the Brong Ahafo Region. The total length of roads in the town is estimated to be 8.8 kilometres, out of which 2.4 kilometres is bituminous-surfaced and 6.4 is gravel surfaced.
Under the District Capital Roads Improvement Project (DCRIP), which is funded by the Japanese International Cooperat ion Agency (JICA), 2.0 kilometres of the Goaso town road will be upgraded to bituminous surface. The contract was awarded on 7th July, 2010 but the contractor is yet to mobilise to site to commence the works.
The GHA has also assigned a contractor to patch potholes on the 2.4 kilometre paved section of the roads. Work is yet to commence. The remaining 4.4 kilometre gravel section will be considered in future programmes.
Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister says that a contract has been awarded on 7th July, 2010 and the contractor is yet to mobilize to site. I want to know when exactly the contractor will be on site.
Dr Quaye-Kumah 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the
mobilization is left with the contractor, because sometimes they will have to move their equipment from one area to the other. So we have given him a period of about three months to be able to do that.
Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
I further want to know from the Hon Deputy Minister, the contract period; the contract has been awarded for which length of time? When is the contractor supposed to complete the works?
Dr Quaye-Kumah 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the
Dr Quaye-Kumah 11:15 a.m.


contract period is supposed to be two years.
Mr Boafo 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, in an answer to the question, the Hon Deputy Minister indicated that two kilometers of the Goaso town roads would be upgraded to bituminous surface. May I know from him when this upgrading is going to take place?
Dr Quaye-Kumah 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, as I
said, we have a standing order with JICA and every year they give us money for the upgrading of the district capital roads. We have not got the money for this year but when we get it, we would do the upgrading immediately.
Mr Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, from the Answer given by the Hon Deputy Minister, the remaining 4.4 kilometres gravel section would be considered in future programmes. I want to know from him what he meant by “future programmes”. When exactly does he think the 4.4 kilometres which is half of the total length of the roads, would be considered for tarring?
Dr Quaye-Kumah 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, road construction in this country is an ongoing process. Everyday we are trying to construct roads, so when I say “future” it could be any time from today. [Hear! Hear!]
Mr Mathias K. Ntow 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I want to know from the Hon Deputy Minister, apart from that Goaso road, what plans does the Ministry have to take care of other districts in the country where roads are not tarred or upgraded to a certain level.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Hon
Member, we are talking about Goaso
town roads, so I do not think that that is supplementary.
Mr Charles S. Hodogbey 11:15 a.m.
Mr
Speaker, I would like to know from the Hon Deputy Minister, the cost of bituminous surface per kilometre of road.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Hon
Member for North Tongu, is it in relation to the Goaso road in particular? Because we have different classes of roads, so you have to relate it to the Goaso road.
Mr Hodogbey 11:15 a.m.
Yes, I want to know
about the bituminous-surfaced Goaso capital road, how much is the cost per kilometre.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
How
much is the cost per kilometer of the surface dressing at Goaso?
Dr Quaye-Kumah 11:15 a.m.
To construct a bituminous surface for a kilometre could cost us about GH¢700,000.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Hon Members, that brings us to the end of Question time.
We thank the Hon Deputy Minister for coming to the House to answer Questions. You are discharged. H o n Members, at the Commencement of Public Business, laying of Papers, 6 (a) by the Chairman of the Committee.
PAPERS 11:15 a.m.
- 11:15 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Hon Members, we have item 7 on the Order Paper. I have a copy of my Report here but I do not know if Hon Members have got them, that is, the Appointments Committee's Report. It has been laid by a member of the Committee; I do not know if we have them? If we have them, then we should take the Motion --
Very well, item 7, Hon Member for Mion?
MOTIONS 11:15 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Item 8 on the Order Paper, on behalf of the Chairman
of the Committee, Hon Member for Mion?

Twentieth Report of the Appointments Committee on the President's

Nomination for Ministerial Appointments
Dr Ahmed Y. Alhassan (on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee) 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House adopts the Twentieth Report of the Appointments Committee on the President's nomination for Ministerial appointment.
1.0 Introduction
His Excellency, President J. E. A. Mills in a l etter dated 5th July, 2010 communicated to Parliament for the approval of the nomination of Alhaji Issaku Saliah, for appointment as Upper West Regional Minister, pursuant to article 256 of the Constitution.
In accordance with Order 172 (2) of the Standing Orders of the House, the nomination was referred to the Appointments Committee for consideration and report.
The name of the nominee was subsequently published in the media in accordance with Standing Order 172 (3). Memoranda were also invited from the public as part of the mechanism to ensure that the nominee satisfied the requirements of the Constitution.
2.0 Reference Documents
The Committee referred to and was guided by the following documents during deliberations on the above mentioned nominee:
1. the 1992 Consti tut ion of
Dr Ahmed Y. Alhassan (on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee) 11:25 a.m.


the Republic of Ghana;

2 . t h e S t a n d i n g O r d e r s o f the Parliament of Ghana; and

3. the Curr iculum Vi tae of the nominee.

3.0 Procedure

In line with the procedure of the Committee, the nominee took the Oath of a witness. He also answered questions on issues ranging from his record of office, experience and the position to which he has been nominated, as well as general matters of national concern.

4.0 Observations and Recommendations

Alhaji Issaku Saliah - Upper Regional Minister-designate

4.1 Background

Alhaji Issaku Saliah was born on 15th June, 1952 at Manwe, Wa, in the Upper West Region.

He attended Fongo Primary School and Wa Middle Day School, all in Wa for his elementary education from 1958 to 1966.

Between 1966 and 1973, he attended Navrongo Secondary School, Navrongo, for his GCE ‘O' and ‘A' Level Certificates.

He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy and Political Science) honours degree from the University of Ghana, Legon in 1976.

He later pursued a post-graduate d i p l o m a p r o g r a m m e i n P u b l i c Administration at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) from 1978 to 1979.

He worked with the Upper Quarry Limited, Bolgatanga from 1985 to 2001,

where he served as the Managing Director from 1992 to 2001.

Alhaji Saliah has held a number of positions including the Chairman of the National Hajj Committee from 1995 to

2001.

He was the Member of Parliament for Wa East Constituency from January, 1993 to January, 2005. In Parliament, he served on a number of committees including Finance, Local Government and Rural Development, Public Accounts, among others. He was also the Chairman for several committees including the Transport and Communications (1993- 1995), Roads and Highways (1996), and Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs

(1997-2000).

4.2 Plans for the region

On his plans for the region, the nominee indicated that the issue of peace and security in the region would be high on his agenda.

He said the region is plagued with a number of chieftaincy conflicts. This situation is retarding the region's growth, thereby contributing to the high poverty levels in the region. There is, therefore, the need to address this situation for the region to develop.

He also indicated that the region is endowed with natural resources, including fertile land and therefore, if given the nod, he would undertake a programme to motivate the youth to go into agriculture. Animal rearing and marketing would also be looked at as a means of creating jobs in the region. All these would be done in line with government policy.

4.3 Diffusion of tension

On how he would diffuse tension in the region, the nominee informed the

Committee that he would run an open administration and also give and take advice.

He indicated his awareness of some concerns in the region and pledged to be neutral. He would also get the people to work together to win their trust. The activities of the Regional Co- ordinating Council would be to tone down temperaments and promote peace and security in the region.

The nominee further informed the Committee that he is from a village in Wa that does not ascend to the paramouncy of the Wa Traditional Council. He is, therefore, of the view that this situation would portray him as a neutral person as he has no interest in that kingship.

4.4 Upper Quarry Limited

The Committee observed that the nominee was the Managing Director of Upper Quarry Limited during the time he was the Member of Parliament for Wa East Constituency.

The nominee in explaining the circumstances, averred that he sought and was granted permission from Rt. Hon Speaker, through the Committee of Members Holding Office of Profit.

The Committee is of the opinion that it is most incongruous for a Member to hold a full time employment as a day-to-day administrator of a company concurrent with his membership of Parliament.

In the event, the Committee held that the nominee was not culpable of any wrongdoing.

T h e C o m m i t t e e r e c o m m e n d s accordingly to the Standing Orders Committee to review the Standing

Orders to prevent a reoccurrence of a similar situation. As well, the Committee recommends the promulgation of a code of ethics for Members of Parliament.

4.5 Decentralization and efficiency

On the issue of decentralization and efficiency, Alhaji Saliah indicated that effective decentralization should lead to growth and development in the region. This should be backed with the necessary resources to the districts. To him, decentralization would not be complete without the necessary fiscal resources.

4 .6 Relevance of the Regional Minister's Office

On the relevance of the Office of the Regional Minister, the nominee said the office was very relevant. He said given the current constitutional framework, a number of resources are being channelled to the districts.

There is, therefore, the need for a

co-ordinating body like the Regional Minister and the RCC to co-ordinate all the activities of the decentralized bodies in the region to ensure that they are being executed in line with government policy.

5.0 Recommendation

The Committee observed that the nominee was calm and responded to issues posed to him satisfactorily.

T h e C o m m i t t e e , t h e r e f o r e , recommends by consensus that the House approves of the nomination of Alhaji Issaku Saliah as a Regional Minister for the Upper West Region.

6.0 Conclusion

The Appointments Committee has
Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi (NPP - Techiman North) 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion and to give full support to the Report and to support the recommendation of a fine gentleman, who is being considered to be the Chief Executive of the Upper West Region.
Mr Speaker, as I indicated, he is a fine gentleman. The Committee noted that he has a wealth of experience and knows the region pretty well and therefore, he would be able to discharge his duties commendably.
Mr Speaker, there was some caution about the nature of that particular region, especially the conduct of “foot soldiers” in the region as far as Regional Ministers are concerned. But he appeared confident enough to have the arsenal to deal with “foot soldiers”, especially those who get to him in search of jobs. We hope he would be able to withstand the pressures.
Mr Speaker, the point raised about his attachment to Upper Quarry Limited is worth noting. Indeed, as the Hon Member who presented the Report indicated, some anxiety was expressed about how
one could become a full-time Member of Parliament (MP) as well as a Managing Director. But Mr Speaker, it looks, as the Report points out, that this is not the fault of the candidate. The lapses could be laid at the doorsteps of the House, and our plea is that in future such loopholes are sealed.
Indeed, what astonished some of us who are new Members of Parliament was the fact that he was also a member of the Committee on Members Holding Office of Profit and therefore, we did not doubt his declaration that indeed, he looked for and obtained permission to occupy that position. The Committee did not even make an attempt to verify that, but we took his word for it. We only hope that this may not occur in future.
So, Mr Speaker, with these few words, I wish to also add my voice to the recommendation made by the Committee and wish the ex-MP all the best in the Upper West Region.
Question put and motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon
Members, the nomination of Alhaji Issaku Saliah as Upper West Regional Minister accordingly approved by the House.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
Mr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on the Order Paper, we have a lot of Bills to deal with. But today is Friday and the convention is that we break early to have committee meetings and for Members of Parliament to do other duties outside this House. And so, if I do not have any other signal from the opposite side of the House, I beg to move, that the House adjourns tilll Monday, next week.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Member for Sekondi, Motion has been
moved for the adjournment of the House. Are you seconding the Motion?
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 11:25 a.m.
Yes. I have been authorised by the pro tem Leader of the Minority side that I could second the Motion -
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Very well.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 11:35 a.m.
But before doing so, I observed that the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority Bill has been listed for consideration and I see that there are many, many amendments, and I wonder whether we have gone through the winnowing stage. It may assist us because during the Consideration Stage of Bills, Mr Speaker, you will note that the interest of Hon Members is very low and I have observed that probably, it is because of the tediousness of the process and so many amendments that we come and debate on the floor of the House.
So I would plead with Leadership that with respect to this Bill, we try and go through the windowing stage, and if there are some that are not contentious -- they are just typographical errors, as much as possible, before we come to that stage, there is that understanding, so that we do not take too long a time. There are four Bills that have reached the Consideration Stage. Having regard to the rate we deal with the consideration of Bills, I doubt whether we will be able to go through them even though I know we ought to go through them.
Having said that, Mr Speaker, I beg to
second the Motion for adjournment.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Hon
Members, before I put the Question, the point raised by the Hon Member for
ADJOURNMENT 11:35 a.m.
  • The House was accordingly adjourned at 11.37 a.m. till Monday, 26th July, 2010 at 10.00 a.m.