Debates of 15 Jul 2011

MADAM SPEAKER
PRAYERS
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT
Madam Speaker
Hon Members, Correction of the Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 14th July, 2011.
Page 1...20
Mr Alfred W.G. Abayateye
Madam Speaker, let me take you back to page 13.
Under the meeting of the joint Committee on Finance, Defence and the Interior, "In attendance", item (iv), it should be "GP" and not "Cep". It should be "Gp Capt IR Wayoe" and not "C-e-p".
Maj. Derek Yaw Oduro (retd): Madam Speaker, page 12, "Attendance," the last but one name, that is item (xxii), "Major Derek Odoru (rtd)". That is wrongly spelt. My name is Maj Derek Oduro(retd), not "Odoru".
Alhaji AbduI-Rashid Pelpuo
Madam Speaker, if you look at page 14 of the Votes and Proceedings, I was marked as present at the Business Committee meeting but because I did not appear in the Chamber, I was marked "absent"- I do not know whether it does not contradict the principle of attendance. If it does not, then I think I should have been marked "present."
Madam Speaker
You were not there? All right.

Hon Members, the Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 14th July, 2011 as corrected are hereby adopted as the true record of proceedings.

We do not have an Official Report, so we move on to item 3.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
Majority Leader/Chairman of the Business Committee (Mr Cletus A. Avoka)
Madam Speaker, I wish to present, on behalf of the Business Committee, the Business Statement for the week ending Friday, 22nd July, 2011.
Madam Speaker, the Committee met on Thursday, 14th July, 2011] and arranged Business of the House for the Tenth Week ending Friday, 22th July, 2011.
Madam Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows
Arrangement of Business
Madam Speaker will realise that for next week, we have not programmed any Minister to come and answer Questions in the Chamber. That is because, as indicated earlier, this House is expected to rise sine die on Friday, 22'" of July, 201 l and we have a tall order of other businesses to do between today and, Friday of next week, or particularly, rMonday to Friday of next week. That explains why we have tried to address the issue of completing those outstanding matters pending before us and then defer Question time until further notice.
Statements
Madam Speaker may allow Statements duly admitted to be made in the House.
Madam Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows
Bills, Papers and Reports
Madam Speaker, Bills may be presented to the House for consideration and those already before the House may be taken through the various stages. Papers and committee reports may also be presented to the House.
Motions and Resolutions.
Madam Speaker, Motions may be debated and their consequential Resolutions, if any, "passed during the Period.
Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, 19th July, 2011, the House is expected to commence and conclude debate on the Supplementary Estimates of Government for the 201 l Financial Year, submitted by the Hon Minister. for Finance and Economic Planning yesterday. We hope that we can use one day to do the debate and then the following day, Wednesday, we might be able to pass the Supplementary Appropriation Bill. So we have, at least, Tuesday and Wednesday to address the issue of the Supplementary Budget.
Sitting on Monday/Extended Sittings
"Madam Speaker, the Business Committee, having regard to the state of business of the House, recommends that the House Sits on Monday, 18th July, 2011. That is the last and only Monday that we have before we rise. So in the light of the heavy schedule that we have before us, the Business Committee respectfully recommends to this House that we*Sit on Monday, 18th of July, 2011
Madam Speaker, the Business Committee further recommends that the House have extended Sittings with immediate effect for the remainder of the Meeting to enable us complete our work on schedule.

So we urge committees to submit their reports timeously for the consideration of Plenary.

Madam Speaker, let me emphasise this. I have said it several times and it looks like Committee Chairmen and Ranking Members do not seem to address their minds to it, that it is important that we do not fix committee meetings in the mornings when we are supposed to be in Plenary or in the Chamber to do the business of the day.

So we would urge committees to programme their meetings, particularly, from now onwards, late in the afternoons, so that we can use the morning session to do a lot of the Plenary business and then later in the day, after two O'Clock, they can have their committee meetings. It is important "for us to do so.

Madam Speaker, those matters that are before us which we are not able to take between now and 22nd of July, 2011, committees may have to look at those reports during the vacation. It is anticipated that the vacation will last until 18th of October, 2011 when we will resume.

Madam Speaker, the foregoing arrangement would ensure that the House completes all scheduled business before the recess. However, any unfinished business at the end of the Meeting would be carried over to the next Meeting beginning Tuesday, 18th October, 2011. Madam Speaker, the House is expected to rise Sine Die on Friday, 22nd July 2011.

Conclusion

Madam Speaker, in accordance with Standing. Order 160(2) and subject to Standing Order 53, the Committee submits to this Honourable House, the order in which the Business of the House shall be taken during the week.
Madam Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows


Presentation of Papers -

(a) Report of the Finance Committee on the Supplementary Estimates for the 2011 Financial Year.

(b) Report of the Committee on Roads and Transport on:

Ghana Maritime Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2011.

Ghana Maritime Security (Amendment) Bill, 2011.

Ghana Shipping (Amendment) Bill, 2011.

Motions-

Adoption of the Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Report of the Auditor-General on the Information Technology Systems of St. Louis Secondary School, Kumasi.

Consideration Stage of Bills -

Renewable Energy Bill, 2010

Committee sittings.

Presentation of Papers -

(a)Report of the joint Committee on Finance and Defence and Interior on the Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Deutsche Bank Sociedad Ano- nima Espanola (Spain) for an amount of sixty million, thirty- four thousand, six hundred and thirty-six euros (-60,034,636.00) for the acquisition of two (2) C- 295 military aircrafts for the Ghana Armed Forces.

(b) Report of the joint Committee on Finance and Defence and Interior on the Financing Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) for an amount of one hundred and five million, three hundred and seventy thousand, one hundred and seventy-seven United States dollars and nine cents (US$l05,370,177.09) to finance the purchase of one (1) Embraer 190 aircraft, integrated logistics support and the construction of one (1) hangar.

(c) Report of the joint Committee on Finance and Defence and Interior on the Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Fidelity Bank Ghana Limited for an amount of eleven million, seven hundred and fifty thousand euros (11,750,000.00) (Ghana cedi equivalent) to finance the acquisition of two (2) DA42 MPP Guardian Surveillance Aircraft.

Motions -

That this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢1,463,123,559.00 as Supplementary Estimates of Government for the 2011 Financial Year. Third Reading of Bills - Health Institutions and Facilities Bill, 2010.

Committee sittings.

Presentation of Papers -

(a) Report of the joint Committee on Finance and Health Financing Agreement among the Government of the Republic of Ghana, Deutsche Bank AG, New York and Belstar Development LLC, USA
Madam Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows
For an amount of US$250,000,000.00 to finance the supply and installation of equipment for selected health 1 institutions nationwide and a request for waiver of VAT and taxes on equipment and materials to be imported under the loan facility.
(b) Report of the joint Committee on Finance and Health Loan Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Bank Hapoalim B.M. of Israel for an amount of three hundred and fifty- nine million United States dollars (US$359,000,000.00) for the design, construction, procurement and equiping of a 597-bed university hospital in Legon and additional works on the Ho Regional and Hohoe District Hospitals.
(c) Report of the Finance Committee on the Loan Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Kreditansalt fur Wiederauibau (KfW) for an amount of 7.0 million and a grant of 0.5 million to finance the e-Zwich Rural Branchless Banking Project.
(d).Report of the Finance Committee on the Financing Agreement between the "Government of the Republic of Ghana and the International Development Association (IDA) for an amount of SDR36,0_O million (US$57.00 million equivalent) to finance the Third Agriculture Development Policy Operation.
(e) Report of the joint Committee on V 2 Finance and Works and Housing on the Buyer's Credit Agreement between the Government of the

Republic of Ghana and ABNAMRO Bank N.V. of The Netherlands for an amount of thirteen million euros (*13,000,000.00) to finance the additional works of the Barekese Water Supply Expansion Project

Motions -

Second Reading of Bills -

Ghana Maritime Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2011,

Ghana Maritime Security (Amendment) B11l,2011. Ghana Shipping (Amendment) Bill,

2011.

Adoption of the Report of the joint Committee on Finance and Defence and Interior on the Credit Agreement between the‘ Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Deutsche Bank Sociedad Anonima Espanola (Spain) for an amount of sixty million, tl1irty-four thousand, six hundred and thirty-six euros ('60,034,636.00) for the acquisition of two (2) C-295 military aircrafts for the Ghana Armed Forces.

[Consequential Resolution] Adoption of the Report of the joint Committee on Finance and Defence and Interior on the Financing Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) for an amount of one hundred and five million, three hundred and seventy thousand, one hundred and seventy-seven United States dollars and nine cents (uss105,370,1"/7.09) to finance the purchase of one (1) Embraer 190 aircraft, integrated logistics support and the construction of one (1) hangar.
Madam Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows
Adoption of the Report of the joint Committee on Finance and Defence and Interior on the Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Fidelity Bank Ghana Limited for an amount of eleven million, seven hundred and fifty thousand euros (*11,750,o00.00) (Ghana cedi equivalent) to finance the acquisition of two (2)DA42 MPP Guardian Surveillance Aircrafts.

Consideration Stage of Bills -

Veterans Administration, Ghana Bill,

2010.

Presidential (Transition) Bill, 2010.

Committee sittings.

Motions -

Second Reading of Bills - Health Training and Research Bill, 20l0

Adoption of the Report of the joint Committee on Finance and Health Financing Agreement among the Government of_ the Republic of Ghana, Deutsche Bank AG, New York and Belstar Development LLC, USA for an amount of US$250,000,000.00 to finance the supply and installation of equipment for selected health institutions nationwide and a request for waiver of VAT and taxes on equipment and materials to be imported under the loan facility.

Adoption of the Report of the joint Committee on Finance and Health Loan Agreement between the ‘Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Bank Hapoalim B.M Of Israel for an amount of three hundred and fifty-nine million United States dollars (US$359,000,000.00) for the design, construction, procurement and equiping of a 597-bed university hospital in Legon and additional works on the Ho Regional and Hohoe District Hospitals.

Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Loan Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Kreditansalt fur-Wiederaufoau (KtW) for an amount of 7.0 million and a grant of 0.5 million to finance the e-Zwich Rural Branchless Banking Project.

Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Financing Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the International Development Association (IDA) for an amount of SDR3 6.00 million (US$57.00 million equivalent) to finance the Third Agriculture Development Policy Operation.

Adoption of the Report of the joint Committee on Finance and Works and Housing on the Buyer's Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and ABN AMRO Bank N.V. of The Netherlands for an amount of
Madam Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows
Thirteen million euros (13,000,000.00) to finance the additional Works of the Barekese Water Supply Expansion Project.

Committee sittings.

Motions --

Third Reading of Bills -- Veterans Administration, Ghana Bill, 2010.

Renewable Energy Bill, 2010.
THE HOUSE EXPECTED TO RISE
Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah
Madam Speaker, as far back as February, 2010, the Right to Information Bill was laid and you referred it to the joint Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and Communication.
Madam Speaker, this is one Bill which when passed, would be an essential tool for the fight against corruption in public service. For this reason, many Ghanaians are looking forward to the passage of this Bill,
May I know, Madam Speaker, from the Hon Majority Leader, when the Report of the Joint Committee would be tabled for the House to. consider it?
Madam Speaker
Hon Majority Leader, are you getting this down, so that when you get up to reply, you would reply all these issues, so that We are fast about them?
Papa Owusu-Ankornah Madam Speaker, I propose that the Constitution provides that Bills, when laid before Parliament, coming from the Executive, should not spend more than three months at committee. Unfortunately, 'it seems as if for some of the Bills, we have not really been adverting our minds to this- This is because even the Presidential Transitional Bill was referred to the committee late last year and it was laid only sometime last month Obviously, it had been in committee for more than three months.
So I just want to draw the attention of the House to this particular provision of
Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh
Madam Speaker, 50II1@time in 2009 or early 2010, the GhaI1=1A1DS Commission (Amendment) Bill Was laid before this House.
Unfortunately, Madam Speaker, it was referred to the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee instead of probably the Health Committee and it has stayed there till now. It is not a Subsidiary Legislation or anything, it was a substantial amendment of Ghana AIDS Commission and it has stayed there till now.
I would beg that you refer it to the Health Committee since we are tackling a Lot of the Health Bills, so that we consider it and bring it as quickly as possible to the floor f0I further discussion.
Mr Charles S. Hodogbey
Madam Speaker, my concern relates to the House rising on Friday, 22"" July sine die. Then on the first page of the Report, Madam Speaker, we are expected to be back here on Tuesday, 29th July, to commence debate, and conclude it -
Madam Speaker
Hon Member, "29th" has been corrected to "l9th".
Mr Hodogbey Thank you, Madam Speaker'
Madam Speaker
Hon Larbi, were you about t0 contribute?
Nana David Larbie Madam Speaker, my question has been answered.
Ms Grace Addo
Madam Speaker, about a month ago, I asked an Urgent Question about Second cycle students' scholarship. The Minister for Education came and informed the House that she was not the
one to respond but the Chief of Staff was supposed to answer that Question. Madam Speaker, I have also realized that I cannot invite the Chief of Staff directly. I did so but I have realized I cannot do so; it is a Minister who should come to the House and answer that Question. So I expected that the Business Committee would call me and redirect me as to what to do; it has not been done.
Madam Speaker, it is urgent because very soon these students will be going on vacation, they will be writing examinations, some of them would be sacked and there is the need for the needy to be su ported. It was also captured in the Budget that scholarships would be given to the needy or students in need.
Madam Speaker, my worry is, most of the students in my constituency had the scholarship but that of the 2009 has still not been paid and if the Hon Minister had the opportunity to come to the House, she should be able to explain things to us, so that some of us would not be worried about some of these things. Up till now, I have not heard anything from whoever is supposed to be responding to this.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker
Is the Hon Leader noting all these issues for answers?
Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang
Madam Speaker, this point as been canvassed before and made many a time. And Administrations or Governments, whether New Patriotic Party (NPP) or National Democratic Congress (NDC), are all guilty of it.
Madam Speaker, the programmes of government are well known but somehow, for some strange reasons, they decide to bring in the last week, packed loans and credits and the rest including, now, the Supplementary Budget, and then we Sit on Mondays and we disrupt ourselves; then we come in with extended Sittings and they give us "JSS lunch" and all these things.
Dr Prempeh
Madam Speaker, I realized that you asked the Hon Majority Leader to be noting the issues but the issue I raised lies in your bosom. The referral that was made to the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee was a referral probably made in error. Sol asked that you redirect it, so that we have a look at it--the Ghana AIDS Commission Bill.
Madam Speaker
The day that it was referred, were you here?
Dr Prempeh
Madam Speaker, you had given me permission to be elsewhere.
Madam Speaker
Where?
Dr Prempeh
Elsewhere. And I have brought it to the attention of the Clerks- at-the-Table as well and he knows about it.
Madam Speaker
Well, if it can be done, why not?
Mr Justice Joe Appiah
Madam Speaker, I submitted a Question since last year about the 1,000 per cent increase of the road tolls and up to now, this Question has not come on the floor of the House. So I want to find out from the Leadership when the Question would be tabled here -[Pause.]
Madam Speaker
l thought you were carrying on.
Mr Appiah
Madam Speaker, I asked a Question "since last year about the 1,000 per cent increase of the road tolls and up till now, I have not heard anything about it. I want to ask the Leadership, when will this Question be tabled?
Madam Speaker
Hon Kusi, last intervention before he can reply.
Mrs Gifty E. Kusi
Madam Speaker, the Minority side, one of our Colleagues
Mr Avoka
Madam Speaker, with regard to the issue on the Right to information Bill, you will recall that this Bill has attracted a lot of public interest and of attention to the extent that when the joint committee on Communications and Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs wore about submitting a report, we had petitions flying from all over the country that they had not properly studied the Bill, they needed more time to look at it and submit memoranda.
On account of that, it was deferred and then we decided that the Committee should undertake regional tours to ascertain the views of Ghanaians in various parts of the country but they ran into problems of funding, to be able to undertake the regional tours.
I have now been informed by the chairman of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs that the World Bank has come in {Q salvage OI IO bail them out and therefore, during the recess, they will embark on the regional tours, collate the views of Ghanaians in the various parts of the country and then when we come hook in October, we can then take that Bill.
So Hon Colleagues are right; it had boon hero for some time now but these are some of the challenges. It is a Bill that has attracted a lot of interest, a lot of attention, o lot of concern from the public and various people want to make input. Indeed, the Committee had been collating views from stakeholders within the Accra Metropolitan area. So many people have been appearing before the Committee but

they now want to make some regional tours. So we will permit them to undertake the regional tours, collate the views and then when we come in October and they submit their report, I hope that we might take it before the year ends - But we appreciate the importance of that Bill or that law.

With regard to the Ghana AIDS Commission, I think it might have been inadvertent. If anything at all, it should have been referred to the joint Committee on Health and Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs but not the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs alone. And I expected that even the Health Committee alone might have had enough capacity to handle the Bill. So the Chairman has indicated to me that the Report is ready and it can be laid on Monday.

Without prejudice to that, if Madam Speaker would be minded, the Health Committee might have the opportunity to look at it and if they have any views, they can assist the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affair and they can lay the Report on Monday or Tuesday for the consideration of this august House.

My Hon Colleague who talked about the Question to the Chief of Staff - yes, there are Hon Ministers in the Office of the President who could come here and answer Questions on behalf of the Chief of Staff. If an Hon Member directs his or her Question to the Chief of Staff, there will be Hon Ministers who will come and answer it.

The Hon Minister for Education was right in saying that it did not fall within her ambit. So if she redirects her Question to the Chief of Staff, we have several Hon Ministers of State in the Office of the President who will come and perform that responsibility for and on behalf of the Chief of Staff. So that can be taken care of in the near future. And if an Hon Member submits a Question - Let me
Mr Avoka
state that Questions from Hon Members are not submitted to the Business Committee, neither are they submitted to the Hon Majority Leader nor the Leadership; they normally go to the Clerks-at-the-Table and then they forward them to Madam Speaker to admit in one way or the other and then they go to the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MIDAs) to get the response.
So I want to suggest humbly, that if an Hon Member lodges a Question with the Clerks and then it is delayed, he or she should go there and find out whether it had been admitted or not, whether it had gone to the Ministry and whether it had come back or not. But if a Member waits and comes to the Chamber and the Hon Majority Leader or the Business Committee is not privy to that Question and he or she asks why the Question has not yet come here, we only get to know when the Answers have come from the various Ministers and then we have to programme them.
That is the stage at which the Business Committee gets to know that a Question was tabled. Until the Question is ripe to be heard in this august Hose, the Business Committee is not privy to it as at that stage.
So I will implore Hon Members, to not file and forget about it for a year and then come to the Chamber and ask where the Question is or where the Answer is; Hon Members should be able to follow and assist us. And if they have difficulties, then they can leave it with Leadership. That is the procedure.
Madam Speaker, I do not know of somebody having an interest and not pursuing that interest. I do not under- stand. If he or she pursues it and is having

difficulty about getting the response from the Ministry, then that is where the Leadership comes into play. But if one just asks a Question and then the following day he or she comes to the Chamber and asks the Leader where the Answer is when the Leader is not privy that the person has even asked that Question, I do not think that that is the way to go about the business.

lO.50a.m.
Madam Speaker
I think the Hon Leader has answered the questions. We have said before that you chase up to the Table Office and get to know the stage it has reached. I think last week we said it the week before. So that is what the Hon Leader has told us-
rose rose
Madam Speaker
.Were you going to disagree with that, Hon Hackman Owusu- Agyemang?
Mr Owusu-Agyemang
No, Your Excellency -- Sorry - [Laughter] Madam Speaker, well, I think we are all hoping that you would continue to act for several more times.
Madam Speaker, but what the Hon Majority Leader said is absolutely unacceptable to an institution. When we file a Question, the Clerks are there, they should follow up. And so if he says that "it is only when I get a response" - No!
Madam Speaker, I do not think- There is a division of labour and good management means that we should not be chasing the Clerks all the time on "What has happened to my Question?" The Question has gone, Madam Speaker has
Madam Speaker
Well, let us look at the rule.
Mr Owusu-Agyemang
The Clerks are paid to do the job. "The Hon Majority Leader is there, so I do not think it should be our responsibility. They should follow up and let them - I will not go to a Minister and find out what has happened to my Question. It is absolutely Wrong; that is not the Way to go.
The way to go is that those who are responsible, once Madam Speaker has accepted it, they must follow it and then come back. If there is no-response, they must tell the Minister to bring the response. What kind of management are we running if we have to go and chase it ourselves? Are we the Clerks? What kind of thing is that?
Madam Speaker
Hon Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, enough.
Yes, Hon Papa Owusu-Ankomah, I think last time you drew our attention to a certain Standing Order. What was the Order which shows that one follows his or her Question? What was the Order?
Papa Owusu-Ankomah
Madam Speaker, it is Standing Order 66(3). It says:

"There shall be a Questions Record Book to be kept by the Clerk which shall be open to inspection by Members and which will record -

(a) the Questions asked by Members;

(b) the Questions admitted by Mr Speaker and the time of their transmission to the Ministers or Members concerned;

(c) the answers given to the Questions; And

(d) Questions which have received no answers"

Madam Speaker, I have enquired; there IS such a Questions Record Book and the last time I urged Hon Colleagues who are worried about Questions to enquire from the Questions Record Book and then raise the matter on the floor of the House. This is because Questions have been filed for over a year, Ministers do not answer them and nothing is done to them. Probably, when we begin moving Motions -
Madam Speaker
Hon Member, I just wanted the Standing Order which you quoted - [Laughter]
I thank you for drawing my attention to that Order and then I will decide the meaning of that.
I think the meaning that has been attributed by the Leader of the Business Committee is correct. We have 230 Members of Parliament here. We have a workload here which you yourselves, Members of Parliament (MPs) complain of, that we are not following and we are rushed at the last minute.
We cannot load the Table Office with looking at everybody's Question and then informing them. So we are just saying that follow Order 66 up, go and inspect the Book, see where your Question has reached and then when you have a problem, of course, raise it here; because most of these Questions can be answered after you look at the Book. That is all we are saying.
Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah
Madam Speaker, I just want to comment that the funding that was needed by the joint Committee on the Right to Information Bill was promised by the World Bank and has been available for many months now. But I am encouraged to hear from you that during the recess, the Committee will work on it and we want to take this as an assurance that when we resume, the report would be brought to the floor for us to consider. We want to thank you for the assurance that you have given to the nation.
Madam Speaker
I» think your questions have been answered and the Business Statement as presented is accepted.
Shall we move on to item 4 then?

Yes, Hon Members, if I may remind you, we have so much to do and we have one hour for Questions. So if I rush you, please, it is not because I do not want you to air things out. Otherwise, I may have to refer the matter just for printing and I prefer that at least, some of the Questions are aired in the House.

So shall we go on then? The first Question stands in the name of Hon Simon Edem Asimah (South Dayi).
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
MINISTRY OF ROADS AND
HIGHWAYS
Minister for Roads and Highways -- (Mr Joe K. Gidisu)
Madam Speaker, the new roads and bridge toll rates were introduced in February, 2010 and not January, 2010.
The total revenue collected from February, 20 10, Madam Speaker-- though we stated May, 2011, I have just updated the figure to June this year -- therefore is GH¢52,936,000.
Some of the measures put in place to reduce revenue leakages at toll booths include:
automation of toll stations;
monitoring of toll collections in collaboration with the Police and National Security; and
Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning is also introducing point of sale devices at the toll booths to give us real time results on revenue collection.
Madam Speaker
Yes, Hon Member, your three supplementary questions?
Mr Asimah
Madam Speaker, I think I am satisfied with the Answer and I want to thank the Hon Minister for his brevity -- [Interruption]- and the concise Answer to my Question.
Madam Speaker
Hon Members, order! I do not know why we are agitated about - He says he is satisfied but that does not close the door to Hon‘ Members who want to make contributions since it is not a constituency-specific Question. I will open the door for other Hon Members, so I do not think we should be too worried about his last statement.
Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu
Madam Speaker, I would like to ask the Hon Minister what percentage increase has been registered between the old regime and the current one.
Madam Speaker
What does the Hon Minister say?
Hon Member, what is the question again?
Mr Osei-Owusu
Madam Speaker, I asked for the percentage increase between the previous toll regime and the current one. And I see that he is calculating.
Madam Speaker
No, I think he is looking at his papers.
Mr Osei-Owusu
Very well.
Madam Speaker
Yes, Hon Minister, do you have the percentage of the difference between the old and the new? He has put a question to you.
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, I do not immediately have it.
Mr Charles S. Hodogbey
Madam Speaker, my question is so simple.
Now that the Hon Minister has admitted that there have been leakages in the toll collection, can he tell the House the percentage of leakage to warrant the measures being taken?
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, I think the toll collection monitoring has been one of the very effective programmes we have carried out so far. I would want to indicate, for example, that when we started the collection in February, 2010, if you take the Kasoa-Mallam station, for example, the first week they collected GH¢135,66l. The second week they collected GH¢l26,957. The third week they collected GH¢133,875. And the fourth week they collected a GH¢141,451.
Madam Speaker, I would want to, for example, give the picture of the same toll station as at the end of December last year.
The Kasoa-Mallam station collected a GH¢l54,l48 for the first week; GH¢151,000 for the second week. And the total for that month was GH¢679,000 as a result of the automation of that toll point. So, in effect, as I noted, the measures We have taken are yielding results. And those toll points where we do not have automation, I noted that we have stepped up other checks like the National Security and the Police assisting to control the leakages.
Mr Justice Joe Appiah
Madam Speaker, may I crave your indulgence to read fiorn the Hon Minister's Answer:
"Some of the measures put in place to reduce revenue leakages at toll booths include:
automation of toll stations,
monitoring of toll collections in collaboration with the Police and National Security; and
Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning is also introducing point of sale devices at the toll booths to give us real time results on revenue collection."
Madam Speaker, during the congress of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Sunyani, all the Yutong buses that passed through the toll booths did not pay any tolls. - [Uproar] -
Madam Speaker, what is the Hon Minister doing to stop this bad practice?
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, we expect Hon Colleagues to assist, in some ways, to monitor the leakages. I can cite, for example , Hon David Assumeng who helps very much with the Dodowa tolls. I thought my Hon Colleague would have
Papa Owusu-Ankomah
Madam Speaker, I want to know from the Hon Minister whether the toll booths are being directly administered by the Ministry or they are being sourced-out on contract to third persons; and if it is the latter, What are the terms?
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, so far, all the tolls throughout the country are being administered by the Ministry tluough the Ghana Highways Authority.
Alhaji Joseph A. Saaka
Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate the Hon Minister on, at least, improving upon the revenue. But my question is, which major sector has benefited from this revenue collected?
Could the Hon Minister tell us.
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, all the agencies that are contingent on the Road Fund benefit from the revenue generated.
Madam Speaker, the agencies which I believe most of our Hon Colleagues know - the Ghana Highways Authority, the Feeder Roads Department, the Urban Roads Department, the Ghana Roads Commission, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Department (DVLA) also take part of the revenue they collect for their services.
Mr Joseph B.Aido0
Madam Speaker, I have used the Twifo-Praso bridge a number of times. And I have noticed that

that bridge toll station use the District Assembly market ticket as a bridge toll. May I know, in using the market ticket, if all the revenue generated at the station will be coming to the Ministry or going to the Road Fund?
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, I believe my Hon Colleague is referring to the Assin-Praso tolls.
Madam Speaker, I would Want to assure him that I have up-to-date report on the collections at that toll booth. For example, if you take the month of January, 2011 at that Assin-Praso station, the first week they collected GH¢6,400. So, if they are using the District Assembly's market receipts, they would not have been paying into the Road Fund. That is not correct. The Ghana Highways Authority has receipts issued to these tolls and that accounts for the up-to-date returns that are made to the Ministry.
Mr Dominic A. Azumah
Madam Speaker, my question is closely related.
Madam Speaker, I would want to know from the Hon Minister what stop-gaps - in fact, in implementing the toll fees, there are occasions at the toll booths when there are breakdowns of the machines, creating a lot of heavy traffic jams, especially on the Accra-Tema Motorway. What steps are being taken in such situations to remedy them? Sometimes it creates traffic jams for close to two hours or so. What measures is the Hon Minister taking, that when these things occur, to immediately address those concerns?
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, that is why I noted that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning is helping us to introduce point of sale devices. These point of sale devices are machines that would be put at toll booths which are not
Mr Samuel K. Obodai
Madam Speaker, I would like to know from the Hon Minister if the toll operation is being done by a private company or the Ghana Highways-
Madam Speaker
I thought the question had been asked and answered, that no private company was collecting the tolls.
Mr Gershon K.B. Gbediame
Madam Speaker, I want to find out from the Hon Minister, if he would not consider giving the collection of these tolls to the physically challenged, so that it would serve as a good point of employment for them.
Mr J. K Gidisu
Madam Speaker, that is a welcome idea, but it has some challenges. If you look at where these toll booths are located, they are normally out of town and the movement of such people to those points. Unless we are able to provide very close accommodation and other facilities, it would be very difficult in our present circumstances to take them though it is a welcome situation we are considering.
Mr Owusu-Agyemang Madam Speaker, these are quite impressive results, Mr Minister; it is quite impressive the amount of money they have collected. I believe that if education goes to the peop1e- because sometimes when you pass the toll booths, you give them the money and they do not give you receipts. So if the

receipts are securitized and the general public is told to demand receipts, it will help.

But having collected that impressive amount of money, Madam Speaker, would the Hon Minister be prepared to use some of this money, at least, the roads that are not being worked upon, to smoothen them?

If you take the Adenta, that piece, Jesus Christ! It takes you about one hour to cross because dents, what have you, pools of water-- can he not use some of the money to make sure that at least, if it is not being constructed, transportation is facilitated?

One thing in Ghana we do not do is that, when we are constructing roads, we do not even provide alternatives - Saturdays, they do not work; holidays, they do not work and we have a lot of difficulties. Would the Hon Minister consider using some of these funds to, at least, level some of the places, if he cannot do them now - grade them and level them so that we can pass? It is impossible, Madam Speaker; it is frustrating; I am appealing to him: Can he use some of this money to at least, temporarily fix some of these roads, so that we can pass on them?
Madam Speaker
So the question is: Would he consider? Is that the question to him?
Hon Hackman, is the question whether he would consider?
Mr Owusu-Agyemang
Whether he would consider using some of the funds realized to temporarily fix some of these roads.
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, we have been really snuggling to respond to the type of emergencies my uncle the Hon Member is referring to. Madam Speaker, the only challenge is that at times, it becomes very difficult to reach out to the various points at the same time. Some

Several Hon Members -rose-
Madam Speaker
Hon Members, let us move on. We have devoted enough time to this Question.
Roads in the Offinso North District (Construction)
Q. 635. Mr Agustine Collins Ntim asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Ministry would construct the following roads in Offinso North District:
(i) Afrancho town roads; (ii) Nkenkaaso town roads; (iii) Nkenkaaso-Seseko feeder road; and (iv) Asempaneye-Amponsakrom- Papasi and Nyamebekyere roads.
Mr Joe K. Gidisu
Mr Speaker, the Afiancho town roads were part of the 15- kilometre town roads programmed for upgrading to bituminous surface level under District Capital Roads Improvement Programme in 2008. Madam Speaker, the challenge with that particular project is that, we have difficulty in funding it. The Ministry does not have any immediate programme, but would consider it for bituminous surfacing when funds are available.

Madam Speaker, the Nkenkaaso town roads, this is also one of the major towns along the Kumasi-Techiman highway. This town as well, is in the Offinso North District. The roads in the town are engineered and have gravel surface. They have a total length of 1.5 kilometres and the conditions are fair on it. The Ministry does not have any current programme for its rehabilitation, but Would continue to undertake routine maintenance as and when it becomes necessary.

Madam Speaker, the Nkenkaaso- Seseko feeder road, this is 18.6 kilometres in stretch and also in the Offinso North District. It is an engineered gravel surface road and it is in a fair condition. The Ministry, as of now, does not have a current programme for the road- Meanwhile, we will have routine which would be carried out this year on those roads.

Madam Speaker, the Asempaneye- Amponsakrom-Papasi and Nyamebekyere; these are feeder roads which are 8 kilometres and 10 kilometres long respectively. These roads are also in the Offinso North District. The Ministry does not have any current programme for the roads. However, routine maintenance works would be carried out by the end of the year. The future programme is that they would be considered for bituminous surfacing subject to the availability. of funds.
Mr Ntim
Madam Speaker, the Hon Minister has just given an indication that the Ministry does not have any current programme for these roads. Again Madam Speaker, in the first paragraph, the Hon Minister has said that the Afrancho town roads were part of the District Capital Roads Improvement Programme in 2008. Madam Speaker, may I find out from him what is the status of that programme started in 2008?
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, the status is that they were contingent on the Government of Ghana (GoG) and not sufficient budgetary provisions were made. In my own district, there is a similar road which had to be suspended and I believe that has been the reason behind terminating the project at the point where it is now.
Mr Ntim
Madam Speaker, as we speak now, some of the roads in the district, for example, the Asempaneye - Papasi roads, the Nkenkaaso-Seseko roads, the level of deterioration is such that the farmers cannot even cart their farm produce to the market centres. The tomatoes are getting rotten; the maize, cocoyams and yams and all other foodstuffs are getting rotten.
Madam Speaker, may I find out from the Hon Minister, as an interim measure, what can the Ministry do to address that problem?
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, we would be linking up with our District Assembly in the Offinso District to see what assistance, in collaboration with the Ministry, can address the problem.
Mr Ntim
Madam Speaker, I was expecting him to say that maybe, he would link up, not only with the Assembly but with of course, the Member of Parliament (MP), so that at least, We would be able to monitor what we are saying. So what can he say about that?
Mr J. K. Gidisu
That is a very good point he has raised because the MP could also assist with his Common Fund by buying fuel for the grader. So Madam Speaker, I would be linking up with my District Chief Executive (DCE) to properly
link up with my Colleague the MP to see What assistance he could give the Assembly in addressing the problem.
"Amoadamu" Bridge at Offinso South (Completion)
Q. 63 6. Mr Ben Abdallah Banda asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the "Amoadamu" bridge on the Offinso Newtown road in the Offinso South Constituency would be completed.
Mr Joe K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, "Amoadamu" is_ a suburb in the Offinso located in the Offinso Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
In September, 2008, a contract was awarded for the construction of 2 No. 2/ 1200mm diameter pipe culvert across the Amoadamu River and the filling of the approaches to the culverts. This was completed in January, 2009.
Mr Banda
Madam Speaker, I just want to find out from the Hon Minister which construction company was awarded this contract and whether all the contract sum has been paid to the company and when was this done.
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, unfortunately, because the project had been completed on our records, I did not go into the details of the contractor. I believe, with the terms we agreed on, having completed the work since 2009, by now, he should have been paid.
Mr Banda
Madam Speaker, I want to find out from the Hon Minister if a project of this nature is awarded on contract, how do they verify whether the project has been completed or well executed.
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, I think the Hon Colleague says he is not very sure of the definite situation of that bridge. Madam Speaker, I would want to go back to the Answer.
I have just been informed that the contractors for that bridge were Messrs Construction Managers and the contract was awarded on the 23" of September, 2008. The commencement date was 7th October, 2008 and the intended completion date was 7th January, 2009. The actual completion date was 11th October, 2010. The contract sum was GH¢88,33l.54.
Madam Speaker, certified to date was GH¢45,617.50; which means the Ministry has some money to honour the final works done and the physical completion is 100 percent.
Madam Speaker, we have a decentralized system of the Ministry; this is under the Department of Feeder Roads or any of the agencies and they have their engineers at those levels who certify the completion of the status of the Work. And I believe that that is the case with the Amoadamu River and the bridge over it as well.
Completion of Nakpanduri- Bunkpurugu Road (Tarring)
Q. 638. Mr Emmanuel Kwame Duut asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when construction work to complete the tarring of the Binde- Bunkpurugu portion of the Nakpanduri- Bunkpurugu road which had 'CIlI'I16Cl into a death trap would commence.
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, Nakanduri-Bunkpurugu road is 37.4 kilometres in length. It is in the Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo District of the Northem Region. The first 20 kilometres from Nakpanduri to Binde has been upgraded to bituminous surface. The remaining 17.4 kilometres is a gravel road in a poor condition.
Madam Speaker, the Ministry has engaged Mobile Maintenance Unit 1 (MMU 1) of the Ghana Highways Authority (MMU 1) to upgrade the 17.4 kilometres into a bituminous surface. Studies have been completed and mobilization is currently underway for works to commence. Stockpiling of gravel is currently in progress near the Najong- Yunyoo road.
Madam Speaker, this is the state of works on that road.
Mr Duut
Madam Speaker, I am aware that the stockpiling started a couple of months ago but it is at a standstill now and rains have set in and the condition of the road is deteriorating more and travelling in that area is becoming more difficult. How soon is the maintenance unit going to take to complete the road?
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, it is as a result of the importance we attach to that road, that is why we did not give it to any contractor but rather demobilized the Mobile Maintenance Unit of the Ministry. Yes, we agree that they have been there for the past two months and the
Mr Duut
Madam Speaker, I am satisfied with the Answer and I hope the Minister will expedite action on it for the road to be completed soon.
Kwashieman/Sowutuom/Ofankor Road (Construction)
Q. 640. Mr Ernest Attuquaye Armah asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the road from Kwashieman overhead bridge through Sowutuom to Ofankor joining the main Kumasi road would be constructed.
Mr Joe K. Gidisu
The Kwashieman- Ofankor road is located in the Ga South Municipal Assembly area in the Greater Accra Region- The 3.7kilornetres from Kwashiman to Sowutuom is surface- dressed.
In November, 2010, 3.7 kilometres from Sowutuom to Ofankor was awarded for construction. This was when funding had been secured for the Awoshie-Pokuase road of which Anyaa-Ablekuma is part. The contract sum was GH¢3.5 million, to be completed in six (6) calendar months. The works were varied to take care of drainage Works that were not in the original contract
The contractor has completed the 5 kilometre drains and have primer sealed the 3.7 kilometre road as well as 700m of the first sealing. The Works are expected to be completed by the end of 2011.
The future programme for that road is that s ections from Kwashieman to Sowutuom that do not initially have drains are being procured for the roadside drains to be constructed by the first quarter of 1'
2012.
Mr Armah
Madam Speaker, I am satisfied with the Answer.
Mallam-Kasoa Road
(Fatal Accidents)
Q. 642. Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchway asked the Minister for Roads and Highways what the Ministry was doing - ‘to curb the high number of fatal accidents that occurred on the Mallam-Kasoa road.
Mr Joe K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, the 17.1 kilometre Mallam-Kasoa road is part of the N1 Highway which serves as a regional route, as part of International Trans-West Africa Highway that connects Ghana and la Cote d'Ivoire. The road has asphaltic concrete surface and is in a good condition. However, it has experienced an upsurge of traffic crashes (mainly pedestrian related and ‘Rear-End' collision) in recent years.
A Road Safety Audit was ordered in December, 2010 by Ghana Highways Authority (GHA) to identify potential safety problems and measures to eliminate/reduce the problems on the roadway. The study was completed in January, 2011 with the recommendation that the median should be fenced in built- up areas to control the erratic pedestrian crossings. All street lights and roadway delineation should be restored to enhance safety at night.
The GHA is preparing estimates of the works involved for the procuring of safety improvement works to address the problem. Funds would be sought to address the problem after completion of the estimates.
Ms Botchway
Madam Speaker, all the measures or most of them that the Hon Minister has provided in his response, all relate to the future. Apart from traffic lights that he says are being installed, there is nothing that is done immediately to curb the number of fatal accidents and I underline "fatal". As of when I filed the Question, some time last year, we had over 45 deaths for just that year, 2009.
If the Hon Minister will recall, sometime last year, some children were killed and it was so bad that the police had to wear black bags and shovels to collect the remains, put them in the black bags to take to the mortuary. So what is the Hon Minister doing immediately to curb the fatal accidents?
All the plans he had outlined in his response are all very good but we need immediate solutions. Would he consider, for instance, rumble strips at the areas where we have communities? This is

because there are communities along that Whole stretch. Would he please, consider rumble strips on the road? I know that he cannot put ramps because it is supposed to be a highway.
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, I share the sentiments expressed by my Hon Colleague Member of Parliament for the area. But as I earlier noted, the erection of traffic lights at those intersections, in a way, are also meant to control the speed of the vehicles. But the last recommendation she has made will be taken on board and we would see how best to manage it.
Ms Botchway
Madam Speaker, the Hon Minister also talks about public education. Can he tell the House where and when this public education has taken place‘? This is because I do not have any information on public education of the communities along that stretch being held by the NRSC or any other body under him
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, the public education, the Hon Member also has it as an obligation, not only the NRSC. She as the Member of Parliament, who visits the area regularly, should equally take up the education on road safety measures among her constituents. That will go a long way to assist the attempts being made by the Ministry. It is a joint responsibility of which she is a very high stakeholder.
Ms Botchway
Madam Speaker, just a follow-up to that. All well and go0d,I do not have any problem being part of the public education in the constituency. But he has actually mentioned the NRSC. I am not aware- At least, 1 expect them to invite me to be part of whatever outreach they are undertaking. So far, I have never ever, ever been invited; I do my informal
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, for such a public education, there are various target groups. One of the most important target groups is the drivers. The Ghana Road Safety Commission (GRSC) goes to the lorry stations to talk to the drivers. And if we are able to tone down the speed of drivers and their respect for road safety rules on the road, that will go a long way and they will descend to the communities.
But, as I noted, public education is always an ongoing process and there are various target groups to reach out to in that exercise. They will definitely come down to the communities but I will encourage her also to step up her role in that wise.
Ms Botchway
Madam Speaker, my last question.
I think if he provides me with funds, I will be very willing to do something which will be very meaningful for the communities. In his response, all these measures that he has outlined are subject to funds becoming available. Can he tell the House when we can expect funds to be available?
Is he going to take something from the Supplementary Budget that we are going to approve for that particular project or is it going to be next year? Let us not forget that people are dying on weekly basis.
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, we would endeavour to stretch out to those measures that we have identified. This is because we have really taken the trouble to find out measures we should take, the implementation of those measures, definitely, is a priority to the Ministry and we would do whatever we can to reduce the loss of life on that road.
rose
Madam Speaker
Are you asking a question?
Mr J. J. Appiah
Madam Speaker, yes.
Madam Speaker
No! That is a constituency-specific Question. So, no more questions for that. Let us move on.
Mr J. J. Appiah
Madam Speaker, it is part of my constituency. I share boundary with her.
Madam Speaker
What do you mean? It is not your constituency.
Mr J. J. Appiah
Madam Speaker, I share a boundary with her.
Madam Speaker
No questions.
Next Question stands in the name of Hon Benjamin Kofi Ayeh. Hon Ayeh, can you put your Question?
Nkwantanum-Asaman Cocoa Road (Standstill)
Q. 734. Mr Benjamin Kofi Ayeh asked the Minister for Roads and Highways why work on the Nkwantanum-Asaman Cocoa Road had come to a standstill for about a year now.
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, the 28.6 kilometre Nkwantanum-Asaman feeder road is located in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region. It is an engineered gravel surface road and in a fair condition.
Mr Ayeh
Madam Speaker, in view of the fact that a large section of the road has been made unmotorable, and that a couple of bridges along the road are being repaired by small-scale miners who operate in that area, one cannot even drive more than 20 kilometers per hour on that road. Would the Hon Ministre explain to me what he means by the road being an "engineered gravel surface road and in a fair condition?
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, the bridges he referred to are part of the engineering works. So, for the identification of those initial culverts and other drains that ought to be made have been made and the contracts for the bituminous surfacing of the road is what would be repackaged. As of now, the Ministry, that is, the Department of Feeder Roads is seriously repackaging that for re-awarding to more effective contractors.
Mr Ayeh
Madam Speaker, does the Hon Minister still stand by the fact that the road is in a fair condition?
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, yes. The road being fair by way of being motorable is a matter of degree and for that matter, I still stand by the fact that it is fair.
Mr Ayeh
Madam Speaker, would the Hon Minister explain to me why it has taken over three years for the contract of Phases l and III to be terminated when the contractors have not been to the sites?
Mr J. K. Gidisu
Madam Speaker, those are the bureaucratic processes that were involved but I want to assure him that we have as a result, taken pragmatic steps to immediately award this contract after it is repackaged.
Madam Speaker
This brings us to the end of Question time.
Let us thank the Hon Minister for coming to answer our Questions.
Thank you.
Hon Members, I have admitted a Statement from the Hon Minister for Youth and Sports.
STATEMENTS
Minister for Youth and Sports (Mr Clement Kofi Humado)
Madam Speaker, I wish to respectfully inform Parliament about the National Sports Festival dubbed "National Unity Games" due to be held from the 17th to 27th July, 2011 in Accra.
Madam Speaker, the revival of the National Sports Festival after 7 years of inactivity, is certainly a fulfilment of a pledge in the National Democratic Congress' Manifesto, in which the Party promised to revive this all-important sporting event.
Minister for Youth and Sports (Mr Clement Kofi Humado)
Aside the beneficial effect of sports on health and productivity of citizens, the organisation of the National Unity Games (NUG) is to foster unity, patriotism and national cohesion required for the growth and development of the country. The Games will also be used to identify talents from the districts and regions who can subsequently be nursed and nurtured for future international competitions.
Madam Speaker, it is a widely held view in Ghana, that most of the "Lesser Known Sports" are starved of competition and attention. The organisation of the Games will therefore, create the necessary platform to grow these lesser known sports at competitive levels. The Games will also serve as the necessary platform to prepare Ghana's teams for the forthcoming All Africa Games due to take place in Maputo, Mozambiques in October this year, BCOWAS Games, and Olympic Games scheduled for next year,
2012.
Madam Speaker, what is particularly exciting about the upcoming Games is the renaming of the event as "NATIONAL UNITY GAMES" with the theme "Uniting the People through Sports".
We are all aware of the tensions associated with political, ethnic and traditional rivalries as well as frustrations of the youth in society. To keep the unity of our country intact, it is important that once in a while, an event of this nature is organised to bring the people together. Indeed, the National Unity Games seek to unity Ghanaians of all walks of life through sports.
Madam Speaker, about 5,000 sports- men and women from all the ten (10) regions of Ghana, the security services and tertiary institutions will assemble in the national capital, Accra from 17'" to 27th ' July, 2011 to vie for honours in twenty (20) sporting disciplines.

Disciplines to be competed for at the Games are: Colts Soccer, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Chess and Disabled Sports. The rest are: Handball, Hockey, Judo, Karate-Do, Netball, Cycling, Scrabble, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tae kwon do, Tennis, Volleyball and Weightlifting.

It is significant to note that for the first time, colts soccer has been included in the list of twenty (20) sports disciplines in the upcoming "NATIONAL UNITY GAMES". The inclusion of colts soccer is in direct response to the concerns raised by His Excellency, President J. E- A. Mills about the neglect of colts soccer and the need to revive it to serve as nursery ground for our senior national football teams.

Through colts soccer, the Abedi Peles, Stephen Appiahs, Asamoah Gyans, Michael Essiens, to mention a few, were all unearthed; and it is hoped that the forthcoming Colts Soccer Tournament will produce more future stars for Ghana football.

The venues for the competition include The-Accra Ohene Djan Sports Stadium, University of Ghana Legon Sports Stadium, El Wak Sports Stadium, the National Hockey pitch, as well as various places within the University of Ghana campus earmarked for some sporting activities. All the athletes and officiating officials will be accommodated at the University of Ghana.

Madam Speaker, the Opening Ceremony will be held on Sunday, the 17th of July, 2011 at the Accra Sports Stadium under the patronage of I-LB Prof. J.E.A. Mills, the President of the Republic of Ghana, who himself was a keen sportsman and sports administrator. In order to live up to the theme of the Games, invitation is being extended to leadership of all the political parties, youth groups, educa-
Madam Speaker
Hon Members, any contributions? [Pause] None.
This is the end of Statements time.
Let us move on to -- Leader, Presentation of Papers; Commencement of Public Business. Who is the Leader today? Leader, Presentation of Papers, item 6. Yes, Chairman of the Committee, item 6.
PAPERS
BILLS --FIRST READING
Madam Speaker
The Presidential (Transition) Bill, 2010 -- Hon Minister.
Mr Ebo Barton-Odro
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister is currently out of the country attending a Law Ministers' Conference in Australia and if I could be permitted to move the Motion on his behalf, I would be grateful.
Madam Speaker
Yes, any objection? [Pause] No objection. So you are permitted.
BILLS --SECOND READING
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Emmanuel K. Bandua)
Madam Speaker, I beg to support the Motion and in doing so, I present the Committee's Report.
1.0 Introduction
1.l Parliament was seized with the Presidential (Transition) Bill on 28*‘ October, 2010, when it was presented and read the First time in the House. The Rt. Hon Speaker, pursuant to article 106 (4) and (5) of the Constitution and Standing Order 179 of the House referred the Bill to the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for consideration and report. The Committee is pleased to report as follows:
2.0 Deliberations
2.1 The Committee held a workshop with relevant resource persons to consider the Bill. The Hon Deputy Attorney-General and Deputy Minister for Justice, Mr Ebo Barton-Odro, Prof Kwamena Ahwoi of the Ghana ' Institute of Management and Public Administration (G I M P A), Nana Ato Dadzie, former Chief of Staff and private legal practitioner, Prof. Justice V. C. R. A. C. Crabbe, Statute Law Revision Commissioner, Attorney-General's Office and Dr Michael Ofori-Mensah from the Institute of Economic Affairs, were among

others in attendance at the invitation of the Committee to assist in deliberations.

3.0 Acknowledgement

3.1 The Committee is grateful to the Deputy Attorney-General and Deputy Minister for Justice and the other resource persons for their attendance and technical input during the consideration of the Bill. The Committee is also grateful to the Institute of Economic Affairs for supporting the facilitation of the Workshop.

4.0 Reference documents

4.1 The Committee had recourse to the under- listed documents during deliberations:

a. The.1992 Constitution;

b. The Standing Orders of Parliament; and

c. Presidential (Transition) Bill.

5.0 Background

5.1 It is ironic that throughout the history of Ghana, only the Fourth Republic has witnessed a successful change in government through the transfer of political power from one political party administration to a different political party administration. Indeed, the Fourth Republic has recorded two major peaceful transfers of political power. Be that as it may, these two transitions are noted to have been characterised by administrative lapses and controversies especially with regard to the management of State assets.

The Constitution of Ghana after independence, did not provide for formal transition arrangements and this has resulted in difficulties during the transfer of power from an outgoing government to an incoming one.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Emmanuel K. Bandua)
The difficulties encountered during previous transitions have necessitated the establishment of a legal framework for the transfer of power from an outgoing government to an incoming one.
6.0 Object of the Bill
6.1 The Bill seeks to establish a framework for the political transfer of administration from one democratically elected Government to another democratically elected Government and to provide for the regulation of the political transfer of power and for related matters .
7.0 Provisions of the Bill
7.1 The Bill provides for fourteen clauses under the following headings: the transition team; functions of the team; meetings of the team; sub-committees; advisory council; handing-over notes; availability of the handing-over notes; presidential estates unit; inventory of assets; vacation of official residence; election of Speaker; swearing-in of the President; interpretation and transitional provisions. These clauses are organised under four main headings, namely, the transition team, handing over notes and assets, election of Speaker and swearing- in and miscellaneous. 8.0 Clause 1
Clause 1 provides for the appointment of specified key officers as the Transition team by the incoming President within a specified time frame.
Clause 2
Clause 2 relates to the functions of the Transition team which include, among others, the designing of comprehensive practical arrangement to regulate the political transfer of power following

elections. It also enjoins among others, the expeditious payment of salaries, allowances, facilities, privileges and benefits of outgoing State functionaries as determined under article 71 of the Constitution.

Clause 3

Clause 3 enjoins the Transition team to commence work within a specified time, determine its own procedure for meeting as well as the mode of arriving at decisions.

Clause 4

Clause 4 relates to the composition of specified sub-committees, their mandate and membership as well as the procedure for conducting affairs at their respective meetings.

Clause 5

Clause 5 establishes an advisory council, provides the mode of selecting the membership of the council and makes the decision of the council binding on the Transition team and its sub-committees.

Clause 6

Clause 6 enjoins specified State functionaries including outgoing Presidents and Ministers of State to prepare handing over notes on their stewardship within specified period among others for presentation to the Administrator-General.

Clause 7

Clause 7 imposes obligations on the Administrator-General to make available copies of the handing over notes to specified State functionaries other than members of the Executive.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Emmanuel K. Bandua)
Clause 8
Clause 8 establishes the Presidential Estates Unit under the authority of the Administrator-General in whom power is vested to among others procure, secure and keep inventory of State assets and ensure that such assets and properties of Government are maintained in good condition and tenantable repair for transfer where necessary.
Clause 9
Clause 9 enjoins the Administrator- General to prepare an inventory of assets in a national register taking stock of all official assets both in the official and private residencies of State functionaries. It provides for such stock taking to be done in the presence of the head of the household within specified period before an incumbent President leaves office and prior to the assumption of office by officers of an incoming administration.
Cause 10
The provisions of clause 10 govern the vacation of office by the incumbent Administration and also specify the time, the manner and the arrangement for vacating official residence by the incumbent Administration.
Clause 11
Clause 11 makes provision for the election of a Speaker and Deputies and specifies the time frame for the conduct of the elections.
Clause 12
Clause 12 provides for the administration of the oath of office to a person elected as President on a specified date.

Clauses 13 and 14

Clauses 13 and 14 relate to interpretation and transitional provisional arrangements respectively.

9.0 Observations

9.1 The Committee observed that the Bill is a novelty in the history of the country as far as formal political arrangements for the transfer of the reins of government are concerned and that, the provisions therein by and large have emerged from the unique experiences of the country as obtained from the past two transitions.

It was further observed that the Bill provides for the following: an institutional framework for resolving transitional disagreements, the promotion of transparency and accountability in the management of State assets, resolution of grey issues which often occasion challenges during transitions, structured time frame for effective management of transitions, improvement in the timing of presidential inaugurations, formalised arrangements with regard to handing over notes as well as improved arrangements for vacation of office and official residence by State functionaries.

9.2 Institutional framework for resolving transitional disagreement

The Committee observed that under this subject matter, the Bill provides for the establishment of an advisory council to manage and resolve transitional disagreements which may arise during a transition. Membership of the advisory council include two persons each appointed by both the outgoing and the incoming Presidents and a third person appointed by consensus by the two appointees to chair" the Council. The advisory council provides a practical approach to resolving disputes which
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Emmanuel K. Bandua)
often tend to be politicised and its decisions on disagreements referred to it are binding on the transition team together with sub-committees working under the team.
This unique arrangement which seeks to remedy a gap in our Constitutional scheme of things would undoubtedly help minimise, if not completely, put to rest frequent issues of sharp disagreements, which have characterised past transitions in the country.
9.3 Transparency and accountability in the management of State assets
The Committee also observed that the Bill provides in-built mechanisms designed to promote, uphold, strengthen and ensure transparency and accountability in the management of State assets. It specifically provides for periodic stock- taking and a detailed inventory of Executive assets, thereby limiting expropriation of State assets which, allegedly, occur during transitions.
Clause 9 of the Bill enjoins the creation of a national register to cover lands vested in the President as well as other official assets both in the official and private residences of key State functionaries including Ministers of State. Provision is made under the Bill for the establishment of a Presidential Estates Unit (PEU), which is charged with keeping an inventory of Executive assets of the State in addition to the maintenance of those properties.
The accountability measures extend to Executive level transitions beside regime change which may occur within continuing administration by reason of Cabinet re-shuffle. Such unique arrangement, which is long overdue would help obviate frequent accusations by incoming

governments of incumbent governments of inefficiencies in the management of State assets and ultimately enhance good governance.

There is the added advantage of clarity in terms of public office holders whose tenure end with that of the outgoing President thus, resolving the grey issues of public officers who may continue in office, a decision often left to the discretion of the incoming President. This arrangement would in the Committee's view, help to neutralise potential accusation of political Witch-hunting that has characterised the two transitions witnessed so far.

It would also help the nation to avoid the allegations of seizure of bona tide assets of some members of outgoing administration which often results in strained relations between outgoing and incoming Government officials.

9.4 More formalised arrangements in terms of handing-over notes.

The Committee also took note that the Administrator-General is also given the responsibility of taking custody of comprehensive handing-over notes from an incumbent administration for the immediate information and necessary action by the new Government. Obligation is imposed on an incumbent Government to present the handing- over notes on the activities of the office of the President, Ministries, Departments and agencies, among others, to the Administrator-General at least, thirty days before Presidential elections.

The Committee took note of the fact that, the institutional framework pres- cribed by the draft legislation such as the Administrator-General's role could help address or even eliminate the possible use of State facilities by individuals who do not qualify for such entitlements.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Emmanuel K. Bandua)
9.5 Improved arrangements for vacating of office and official residence
The Bill requires both an incumbent President and the Vice to vacate their official residences prior to the presidential inauguration day but makes provisions for them to be temporarily accommodated in alternate official residence for six months. Duri.ng this period, permanent arrangements expected for State functionaries in that regard pursuant to the implementation of article 71 of the Constitution are expected to be concluded for such persons among others.
This arrangement, in addition to the existing arrangement for outgoing Ministers and other political appointees to vacate their official residence, the Committee believes is certainly a better and more orderly approach which would help minimise the thorny issues associated with this subject matter.
10.0 i. Clause 1 - Amendment proposed - subclause (1), paragraph (a), delete "incumbent President" and insert "following persons".
(Chairman of the Committee)
ii. Clause 1 -Amendment proposed -- subclause (1), closing paragraph, rephrase as follows:
"(c) the Head of the Civil Service, the Head of the Local Government Service, the Secretary to the Cabinet and the National Security Co-ordinator to constitute a Transitional Team".
(Chairman of the Committee)
iii. Clause 2 -Amendment proposed - Paragraph (c), closing paragraph, line 3, delete "or accorded to those persons Without undue delay" and insert "before the President-elect assumes office".
(Chairman of the Committee)

iv. Clause 3 -Amendment proposed - subclause (4), line 3, before "detennination" insert "expeditious".

(Chairman of the Committee)

v. Clause 4 -Amendment proposed - subclause (1), paragraph (d), line 1, delete "Committee" and insert "Team".

(Chairman of the Committee)

vi. Clause 10 --Amendment proposed- subclause (1), line 3, delete "move" and insert "moves".

(Chairman of the Committee)

vii. Clause ll --Amendmentproposed- subclause (1), line 2, delete "0f' and - insert "to".

(Chairman of the Committee)

viii. Clause 12 -"Amendment proposed - line 2, delete "precisely at 10:00 hours".

(Chairman of the Committee)

ix. Long Title -Amendment proposed --- line 1, delete "in practice".

(Chairman of the Committee)

11. Recommendations and Conclusion The Committee notes that the initiation and introduction of the Bill is a further step by the nation to establish proper guidelines to govern transition in government. Above all, the Committee perceives the proposals encapsulated in the Bill as critical components of good governance, as good governance is much more about smooth and orderly transfer and handover of political power from one government to the other as it is about the process and deliverables of the art of governance.
Madam Speaker
Hon Members, pursuant to Standing Order 127, a full debate shall arise on the principle of the Bill, on the basis of the explanatory memorandum and the Report of the Committee.
Hon Members, you may make your contributions now.
Mr Isaac K. Asiamah (NPP--Atwima- Mponua)
Madam Speaker, today is -
Madam Speaker
Hon Member, it should be on the basis of explanatory memorandum and the Committee's Report.
Mr I. K. Asiamah
Madam Speaker, today is my happiest day. Why am I saying so? This is because it is a Bill I have been part of when I used to work with the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) as a Policy Analyst for my political party. Hon Haruna Iddrisu was also working for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the Political Analyst and we worked closely together to fashion out this very important Bill, and I commend the IEA and other civil society organisations for bringing this very important Bill to the attention of Government.
Madam Speaker, indeed, in my view as a young politician, I am so much interested in the way we, as politicians, treat

ourselves; the decency that we deserve is so important- So it is good that, at least, we are making an arrangement that seeks to ensure that there is decency in our transitional arrangement and that indeed, whenever a government or apolitical party loses power, that political party and of course, people in Government should be given or treated with that kind of respect that they deserve.

Madam Speaker, over the years, and this one, I do not blame any political party, I think it is being a bad practice for Ghana, bad practice for our politicians that indeed, as long as a political party loses power, they are seen as demonic, satanic, devils and people who have had nothing to do and have contributed nothing to the nation.

Madam Speaker, that in my opinion, is sad.

Sometimes, I ask myself, is it even worth it that you accept a position in Government to work for Mother Ghana, that you sacrifice yourself so much for the country and when you are exiting, you are seen as anti-progress and demonic? Madam Speaker, this country must call it quits; we must stop that bad practice.

So I am happy that we are regulating this kind of arrangement, so that come 2013, when His Excellency Prof. Atta Mills would be leaving power peacefully, indeed, the arrangement would be in such a way that it would be decent, proper and we would give respect to each other_ That is my major concern.

It is important and I am happy that the various provisions in the Bill would indeed, solve and cure that kind of disease that has afflicted this country over these years -- talking of the transitional committees that would be formed, functions of the team and, meetings of the team, so that Madam Speaker, even funding of the transitional team should be well spelt out, so that one does not go and sit there and act as -
Mr I. K. Asiamah
Bureau" of National Investigation (BNI) official, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and do all sorts of things- It should be well spelt out so that if one chairs the transitional committee, he or she does not have that power to do Whatever he or she likes, and that, power is regulated by law. That is what we call "rule of law and openness".

Madam Speaker, I am so much happy that at least, we are going to have a transition committee next time "round, come 2013 January, with clear cut demarcations, clear cut rules for them to comply and obey.

Madam Speaker, handing »over notes - - It is important that as an existing Hon Minister, you have ample time, flexibility, without fear, to do prepare handing-over notes. But as soon as a party loses power, the next thing - prosecutions, prosecutions, as if they were all there to steal. We must respect ourselves as politicians.

Now, Ghanaians are even questioning the privileges that Hon Members of Parliament have. Why are they questioning them? They are questioning them because we ourselves have done much more damage; we have destroyed ourselves; we have damaged ourselves.

That is the kind of situation we find ourselves in, to the extent that a common privilege to an Hon Member of Parliament, Ghanaians are questioning it. It is because of what you and I have done to ourselves. This practice must stop and must stop forthwith. So I am happy that we have this arrangement that seeks to ensure that indeed, there is decency.

Madam Speaker, another issue is about the estate of the President - presidential estate -- it is important. A President who has served this country for, maybe, eight

Mr Fritz F. Baffour; On a point of order.
Madam Speaker
The House always has sooth-sayers. Does it not?
Mr I. K. Asiamah
. Madam Speaker, for God's sake, even as Hon Members of Parliament, vehicles for us, sometimes we would need one in the constituencies and one in Accra. For some of us who have served for eight years, going home, sometimes, a common vehicle for the President becomes problematic. Mean- while, we have created an Office of the former President, or we are supposed to have offices of former Presidents.
How do they run those offices? Simple, simple things that our former Presidents deserve, then we complain. Why? We need to build our democracy; respect people who have held high offices; give them what they deserve to work with and to work properly for Mother Ghana.
Madam Speaker, former President Rawlings won the Hunger Project Award for Ghana. He was given some money after exiting power. That money was used to support a project the University for Development Studies (UDS). Former President Kufuor too has won the Poverty Award by the World Food Programme. He is going to be given money, and as he has said, that money is going to be used to support a project for Ghana, not for himself. So even if they leave office, they still contribute to the socio-political and economic development of this country. So why do we then treat them badly?
Mr I. K. Asiamah
Madam Speaker, in my view, it is important that as politicians, we do what is good for this country and what posterity would judge us for. So they deserve what they deserve. Former Presidents should be given what they deserve. We should not treat them as satanic and enemies of the State.
Madam Speaker, another issue is about official residences of people who have headed offices. This is important because even if a landlord wants to eject a tenant, he gives him ample time, at least, six (6) months for him to get rid of whatever it is that the person has. But what do we see in this country? A new government comes, the next thing, "Vacate your residence".
This practice is, indeed, bad. A former Minister of State, a former Deputy Minister, former District Chief Executives should also be given some respect; they deserve it for sewing this country, so that they will take their time and exit peacefully. Elsewhere, we do not even hear of these things because the institutions work- They work smoothly, we do not hear of them. Why should that not be happening here?
I am happy that this Bill, when passed, and I hope it is going to be passed, would make sure that we have smooth transfers in terms of residences, offices and whatever it is, so that Ghanaians would indeed, see politicians as being responsible for their conduct and as being respectful of themselves. That is very important.
Madam Speaker, the last issue I want to touch on is about the election of a Speaker. In my opinion, I would propose here that when Nana Akufo-Addo comes, you should remain as the Speaker of this House -- [Hear! Hear.!] Nana Akufo-Addo

is going to ensure that Madam Speaker remains the Speaker of this House. Madam Speaker, for some of us, we believe that you have demonstrated -
Madam Speaker
Well, this is not in the explanatory -- and that is why I urge you to stick to the explanations given here. [Laughter]
Mr I. K. Asiamah
Madam Speaker, I want to conclude by saying that you have demonstrated enough qualities for Mother Ghana. That in my view, is very important. Some of us were very critical of you initially but I think over the years, you have demonstrated that you are a real mother -
Madam Speaker
I thank you. I thought you were the leader of that team --- [Laughter] Anyway, I will like to hear this from you on the day that we finish our term. All right?
Mr I. K. Asiamah
Madam Speaker, so, aboutthe election of the Speaker, for example, there have been some debates about it- the timing of it and everything -- and not only that, some of us would one day prefer that, at least, the kind of rush that we do, for example, when the inauguration is done, then we move to the grounds here -
We believe that whenever the President is to be sworn -in, we do not need to go to the Independence Square to have it. It should be done here, because this whole edifice is symbolic- This edifice contains some spirit. So the moment you move it outside Parliament, that spirit is taken away and that, in my opinion, is important. This one is not to lambast any political party; we have all made the mistakes and it is important we admit them.
Madam Speaker
Hon Member-
Mr I. K. Asiamah
Madam Speaker, my last word.
Madam Speaker
Hon Member, but you never talked about expansion of the House which goes with what you are saying. You mean the same House should remain and swear-in a President?
Mr I. K. Asiamah
Madam Speaker, the capacity of this House?
Madam Speaker
Yes.
Mr I. K. Asiamah
Madam Speaker, What is going to happen is that, even if they come and they surround this whole compound, they are- all over, it is important, but at least, for the official ceremony, we can have closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras all over the place. We can have -
Madam Speaker
Yes, that is your suggestion. I think it is good.
Mr I. K. Asiamah
Madam Speaker, oh, no. Sorry, I mean giant screens. I am so much in love with the CCTV cameras that were in Sunyani, so I think they have indeed - [Laughter] But the giant screens can be mounted all over the place
Madam Speaker
I thank you.
Mr I. K. Asiamah
But the giant screens can be mounted over the place, so that they can witness it outside and feel the spirit of parliamentary precincts. They are all over the place and they are

feeling it. That atmosphere is good and it will help our democracy. So that is my suggestion that, indeed, next time round, let us have the President sworn-in by the Chief Justice here in this august House and witnessed by your able Leadership.
Alhaji Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo
On a point of order.
Madam Speaker, the Hon Member who just spoke has been on his feet for nearly 15 minutes now. I am just suggesting that because this is a very important Bill and it is Friday and time is very limited, we should have, at least, five minutes and maximum, seven minutes for Hon Members to speak, so that we can have many more Hon Members speaking- [Some Hon Members: Are you Madam Speaker?] That is why I am appealing to her. I am not saying that [Interruption] - It is not a ruling.
Madam Speaker
I appreciate that Fridays Hon Members are very desirous of closing early but this is only talking about the explanatory --I do not think Hon Members will have too much to say except when we come to the real Consideration of the Bill. So you are right.
Let us have two from here, two from there, so that we can all go and have a good weekend, if you agree.
Mr I.K. Asiamah
Madam Speaker, I share his sentiments and as I began by saying, because I have been part of this Bill over these years, when I was the Policy Analyst for New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the head office and even when I came here, with your permission, I was doing that job. So the Hon Member should bear with me, we have been part of this Bill over these years, that is why I said that today is my happiest day because indeed, we have seen this Bill coming into fruition.
Mr Fritz F. Baffour (NDC - Ablekuma South)
Madam Speaker, I beg to support the Motion. This Bill is long overdue. Our country is made up of very emotive people when it comes down to politics. Sometimes you have to be cold blooded about some of the decisions that we make. If you look at the transitions in the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA), you see that once the Prime Minister has been removed from office through an election, Within a day, he is moved out of Downing Street.
It is the same thing with the President of the United States in the White House. This is because they have a cold blooded approach to it, because they realize that if they leave it to emotions, then we have the country in some kind of strife so We have to be very careful about it.
So this Transition Bill, just giving you an example, is very, very important to the Well being of this country. The thing is that, when people are in office and they have been in office for a long time and they get entrenched, it becomes very, very difficult for them to go into another mood and that self denial has created a problem and that problem comes about with insults and as the Hon Member said, demonising the

opposition or the other parties and things like that. We have to be very careful to remove that completely and this Bill helps and promotes that.

It also gives us the opportunity to give ourselves back our dignity. Right now, in the body politic of this country, politicians are regarded as rogues and we are negated at almost every instance. It is because we hammer ourselves on the wrong kind of platforms, but when we have the backing of legislation that gives the tos --- and fros of how to do the right thing; then we know that we can actually deal with ourselves on a cold blooded level.

I am talking again about the emotiveness of the situation. Once a party has come into power, after being out of power for a long time, we get people trying to do things over and out. But right now, with the Transition Bill, we know that we have got to do things right and it has to be done with a calculated and logical approach.

It is also very important for us, to understand that once we have come across that and there is a public awareness that we have a Transition Bill and people have got certain entitlements and those entitlements are based in the law, then, We can reduce the insults and the cacophony that comes about at the time of the Transition.

So basically, I am very much in support of this and I am asking my Hon Colleagues here to pass the Motion for the Second Reading.
Mr Joe Ghartey (NPP - Esikadu Ketan)
Madam Speaker, since we passed the Interpretation Act, the Memorandum to Bills have achieved greater significance. It has been elevated to a higher level than it was before under the previous Interpretation Act.
Madam Speaker
Thank you. Since the Bill has already been referred to the appropriate Committee, it is a good comment which I hope will be considered.
Minister for Communications (Mr Haruna Iddrisu ( (MP)
Madam Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to associate myself with the Motion that the Presidential (Transition) Bill, 2010 be now read a Second time.
In doing so, Madam Speaker, it is "important that we commend ourselves and not nag about how early or how late we have come as a country. If we read the
Minister for Communications (Mr Haruna Iddrisu ( (MP)
preamble to the Constitution, Madam Speaker, We dedicated to ourselves this Constitution and dedicated to ourselves the practice of multi-party constitutional democracy as guaranteed under article 55 of the Constitution. What this Presidential (Transition) Bill, 2010, Madam Speaker, seeks to address, is how we manage the period between Political Party Elections or the conduct of General Elections and the critical vacuum between that period and the inauguration of an incoming administration.
Madam Speaker, lam minded that, even in the United States, with its two hundred years history, between 1860 and 1861, one of the most disastrous transitions in the United States of America's history was that of James Buchanan to Abraham Lincoln and even further up to Clinton and George Bush. There were issues during the Clinton-Bush era, where the outgoing President was accused of keeping gifts which were meant for the White House . Therefore, as a learning curve, we are not doing too bad as a country.
What explains the lateness of this Bill is our chequered political history by the military interventions that we have experienced overtime. But between 1993 and date, Madam Speaker, we have dedicated ourselves, we have practised to the admiration of the rest of the world that Ghana has now become a beacon of hope in democracy, And this Presidential (Transition) Bill, 2010 will only go to facilitate healthy transition between succeeding Administrations and outgoing Administrations. But what it requires, Madam Speaker, is co-operation; co- operation between and among political parties and the political leadership of our country.
Also for us all to commit, and when I say commit, I am referring to every public office holder from the President through

Members of Parliament to other elected Members. We must avoid what I will describe as the slightest question of impropriety, because the bane of the transitions as we witnessed between 2001 and 2009 have been the question of impropriety. Who has done this Wrong, who has taken this asset or property meant for the State as an individual property?

So it also requires, Madam Speaker, that public officials also seek to distinguish at all times what is property for the State and what is individual and personal properly. What should be paid for by the State and what should be paid for by that individual?

Madam Speaker, this leads me to my next point. We must learn to honour service to our country and service to our nation. Madam Speaker, it is a harmless Word for an incoming President to say:

"Farewell to the outgoing President; thanks for your service to our country".

This is just enough to recognise that the outgoing President has done his part, Whether within a four-year period or eight- year period, if he is lucky.

But our problem in Ghana is that, we fail to recognise and honour people's sacrifices to our country right from the President through the Speaker, to elected Members and I think that we need to strengthen co-operation.

Madam Speaker, as for accusations of damage, theft, vandalism and prangs, those are issues that can be addressed and avoided even before we go to the knitty gritty of this.

Madam Speaker, let me now support the Hon Joe Ghartey on the matter of even in the United States of America, the incoming President always knows how many persons at the level of Chief Executives or Director-Generals as We have the equals in Ghana will go with him?
Minister for Communications (Mr Haruna Iddrisu ( (MP)
Madam Speaker, one of my pains, even having a two and a half year history life as Minister of State, is that most often we use State resources to train Ghanaians and they exit and suffer undue political colouration. "Get him off' and the "Proceed on leave syndrome". We saw it in 2001, we saw it in 2009 and it is not an acceptable practice. Indeed, we are hemorrhaging State resources by the training we offer those persons, yet we find them unsuitable for those jobs.
Madam Speaker, our dilemma has always been how patriotic will they be to the incoming Administration if they do not share the political philosophy and values of that Administration. Will they work as saboteurs or will they support the incoming Administration to succeed? I think that our public servants can also learn a lesson and make a meaningful contribution to public service.
It is a question of loyalty and I think that Ghanaian public servants should stop this partisan loyalty. Loyalty is not to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) or New Patriotic Party (NPP) or Convention People's Party (CPP) or Peop1e's National Convention (PNC). One's loyalty is to the State and to the Republic and public servants must respect that. I have seen too many good Ghanaians suffer because of the tag put on them that he is an NDC activist, so in 2001,2004, he necessarily suffered.
In 2009, same have happened and I think that Madam Speaker, even as we get this through, we all must make a commitment that our public servants will demonstrate loyalty to the State and to the Republic but they must be guaranteed security of tenure.
Madam Speaker, my final words are that, even as we accept multi-party constitutional democracy, there are

lessons for us to learn and this, my admonition is to us politicians whether NDC or NPP or PNC. I have seen people in their widest of imaginations say that, "our Party will rule forever" or "our Party will rule for thirty-two years". I have heard people say "forty years". Madam Speaker, that is legally untenable and we must respect the rights of the Ghanaian people.

The Constitution says that "sovereignty resides in the people", so when you say "my party will rule forever' it is an affront to the very provisions of the Constitution which guarantees -
Madam Speaker
Why do you say so? If they keep winning forever, is it not in consonance with the Constitution?
Mr H. Iddrisu
Madam Speaker, forever? Madam Speaker, I am just emphasising the point that we respect the sovereign rights of the people.
Finally, Madam Speaker, we should also begin to respect the principle of the revolving door and the principle of the revolving door is that, governments will walk in and out through political party creations. As we walk in, uphold the dignity and honours of people who have served this country and learn to say "Thank you" for service to our country.
We have seen the concept of lame duck Presidents. Once between the period of the election _- Madam Speaker, that is my final point. Ministers of State must learn to prepare their handing-over notes early, particularly as election periods approach. It is not an issue whether it is your political party, Which mandate is being renewed or not. Whatever it is, the transition means that, anew era will dawn, anew Administration will come into being and therefore, between the period of the election and the inauguration, all of us must learn to get our handing-over notes
Madam Speaker
Order!
Mr H. Iddrisu
Madam Speaker, with these few comments, let me commend the Institute for Economic Affairs for their continuous contribution to the growth and development of our democracy together with other civil society organisations and in particular the Dutch Institute of Multi- Party Democracy which has been supporting the capacity building of our political parties.
I thank you.
Madam Speaker
Thank you, Hon Member. But if I heard you rightly, at the beginning, you said Presidents and Speakers do not recognise their predecessors. If you said so you are wrong. I did recognize and congratulate my predecessor - [Hear! Hear!]
Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang (NPP --New Juaben North)
Madam Speaker, this is a very interesting Bill and I want to take off from where the Hon Member for Tamale South (Mr Haruna Iddrisu), the Minister for Communications took off that governments have perpetual succession and this, we in this country, must understand.
Madam Speaker, this is one Bill where the Memorandum is much bigger than the Bill itself. So the Bill itself is not able to capture the spirit of the whole essence of this because normally, we talk about the spirit and letter of laws. So I believe that -
Madam Speaker
Hon Member, "spirit and letter" does not mean it has to be very bulky. Is it? It is just the wording -
Mr Owusu-Agyemang
No, Madam Speaker, I am not saying that. But what I am saying is that reading the Bill itself, one has to be guided by the Memorandum and the Memorandum captures the spirit. For example, the Memorandum talks about the swearing in and everything but I would leave that for the others. I just want to understand, this Bill has come at the right time.
It is now leading us to a more civilised way of governance, of handing over -- whoever is in power. lt is leading to the situation whereby, for example, one does not expect in United Kingdom that the Labour Party takes over, so the Metro- politan Commission of Police (MCP) is immediately dismissed, or the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is dismissed. It is gradually leading us to a situation where we would make sure that certain members of the administration are above politics and that the CDS or the MCP and what have you and the rest -
But Madam Speaker, in trying to understand this Bill, it is very difficult for me, and in discussing the principle in the Second Reading, I think needs clarification. For example - I just chose this because you are in the Chair, Madam Speaker. It says:
"The election of the Speaker -
Within 48 hours after the declaration of the results of the Presidential Election and the general election, the Clerk of Parliament shall summon a meeting of the elected Members of Parliament to elect a Speaker and Deputy Speakers . . ."
Now, these elections are held on the 7th and unless these are changed simultaneously with the Constitution, or the law of the Electoral Commission, I have a difficulty in understanding it. Elections
Madam Speaker
Hon Member, I know you have been dealing with the Memorandum, we have referenced to it. But these are the fine points that after today, we would consider on each section of the Bill and these would come in handy. Today is just a broad outline about the Memorandum which introduces the Bill. But I am not saying that you cannot refer to this, but to hurry matters up if we can
stick to the Explanatory Memorandum because most of what you are saying will come when we come to really debate the Bill at the Consideration Stage, if I may just come in here. But carry on.
Mr Owusu-Agyemang
Madam Speaker, I raised those points in order to understand because at the Consideration Stage, if. I take the Report of the Committee, unless of course, these amendments are made by Hon Members, which have not been done; because what have been proposed here do not cover the point that I was making. But in discussing the principle, of this, I would like to say that it is important that the chronology and the sequencing and the configuration of the whole transitional process is within the context of the Constitution and the electoral laws. That was the point that I was making.
Then, finally, I just want to say that the spirit which is captured in the Memorandum, to a very large extent, we as a people, must also capture it in our minds and we would move then from the dramatic partisanship, "winner takes all" that we have in this country. I believe the time has come now, Madam Speaker, that we should now take, if you like, the moral high ground of politics or in Africa, should then begin to understand that from one administration to another, it is almost a matter of course and that we should all prepare for the situation.
As far as the vacation of the premises are concerned, I believe that all these should be done with the best of intentions and goodwill and people should not be haunted out unnecessarily and then taken care of.
Again, the issue of the Administrator- General taking care of the assets of the State is important. If it is done on a regular basis, then we know precisely what is there
Mr Owusu-Agyemang
and then what belongs to the State. It cannot be the case that at the end of the day, Ministers or you have the privilege of serving as a Minister and one day you are disgraced as having done this, having done that, and if the Administrator- General is really minded to do his job properly, then these should not be difficulties.
But I believe, Madam Speaker, what is not captured here is also the provisions of article 7 l of the Constitution which they should try and capture by way of -- I do not know - this one, I do not know whether we can have regulations or addendum or whatever it is. It is not there and so therefore, it would still leave to the whims and caprices of those who are in charge to do what they want and I do not think that is what we want. One has served the nation as a Member of Parliament, as a Minister, one has done it to the best of his ability and I do not think one should be demonised, one should be chastised for these.
I think "at the end of the day, one has served the country and instead of being appreciated, one is called names because one has taken a loan or taken a little car, vehicle and things like that. All these must be spelt out, so that we know precisely where we are going as a nation.
But having said that, Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate IEA just as everybody has done, for initiating this and this is what we should do --- the NGOS and individuals. Obviously, this will involve a charge on the purse of the State, that is why the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice submitted this to Parliament. I believe, Madam Speaker, that in the fullness of time, we, as a people, gradually, gradually, God willing, Insha Allah, would be able to do things in a more civilised way and the transitions would be smooth and that we shall not

unnecessarily give hiccups to ourselves.
Madam Speaker
I do not know whether we should go on and on. We have a lot of things today; a lot of other Motions even though it is Friday. Let us have one on either side. One more each from the Majority and Minority sides before we come to the Hon Minority Leader.
Dr Ahmed Y. Alhassan (NDC - Mien)
Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Motion on the floor.
I believe that this Bill is born out of our collective experience as a nation and our short experiment as a democratic country. I think in passing this Bill, this experience that We have gained over time, should inform the provisions that will be inside the Bill.
Obviously, as a nation, we have agreed to hand-over power, which is a good plan for us. I think we have done so in the last couple of years in a civilised manner. It has been very peaceful. I think what the Bill is setting out to do is to improve on the quality of the transition as We move into the future. It is not about 2013. I think it is about future transitions and how we can manage it in a better and qualitative manner.
It is about organising our transitions peacefully, so that it will be devoid of any acrimony, if there is any. We are looking for a time-tested Act that can guide our conduct when we are making transitions from one government to the other.
So, I think Hon Members ought to face the Bill with some objectivity, so that we can avoid the specifics that are qualitative depending on where one stands as an
Dr Ahmed Y. Alhassan (NDC - Mien)
individual. I believe that the Bill is meant to eliminate the tit-for-tat behaviour of governments when they are either getting out of power or when they are coming into power. I even think some provision should be made to tie down some governments - the government of the day - so that some commitments, particularly financial commitments can be stopped at a certain period of time, so that the next government will have the freedom to engage.
There are situations where at the last minute, some financial commitments are made by the sitting government and handling it immediately the next government comes into power becomes rather difficult for the entire nation- I believe we need something like this to get things going.
I believe the quality should also bring about a situation where governments can predict the people who can be inheriting them in future. In certain dispensations, at least, in the case of the United Kingdom, even the sitting government allows the opposition to read the books of governance even before they come to power. That is probably because their institutions are strong enough to expose governance to the citizenry, so that they can make informed decisions as they come into power. I believe this Bill should go far enough to get us into that era.
But I want to caution that the transition should be so managed that we do not consign our collective hope and progress into a group of people who do not have the mandate of the people to handle our governance process. I am saying so because so many ideas can come up in the administrative conditions and may make us lose the very essence of the Bill.
We do not have to divide our country to those who are informed and those who are not informed, so that those who are

informed are now organising the transition for us. I think we should manage this as a country.

Madam Speaker, where Parliament locates for the incoming President to take his oath of office, so far as I am concerned, is neither here nor there. We sat outside this Chamber for President Obama to address Parliament of Ghana. I believe, the sanctity and the traditions and the cultures of the institution must be carried to the location. As Africans our leadership is usually very physical.

The way we relate to our leader, should be physical and I believe that is why some of these oaths have to be taken in the open, so that the people can feel a part of it. It is often argued that the President should take his oath in this Chamber. But I think that in the Westminster system, where the Prime Minister himself is an Hon Member of Parliament, yes, it makes sense because the Prime Minister will have to Sit in Parliament to have his oath being taken indoors. I believe they have other traditions that make the citizens relate with the Government as a new Government.

For instance, it is a whole ceremony getting the Prime Minister to go to the Queen or the King to receive the official endorsement as Prime Minister or a new coming Government before he comes back to the Chamber and so on and so forth. So, I think that the cultures must also be taken on board in prescribing where and how our governments should take the swearing in oath.

Lastly, Madam Speaker, I just want to say that if you look at other countries, the outdoor systems have been worthwhile. The South Sudan that was recently made a country, Madam Speaker, your goodself was present. I believe the Whole ceremony was more outdoor than indoor. I believe the people felt a part of it, which I think
Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu (IND - Bekwai)
I thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity.
Madam Speaker, the year 2001 was the first time, as a country, we had the opportunity to do a peaceful transition from one political party-led administration to the other. The fall-outs were not pleasant for all of us. We did the same thing in 2009 and we are not satisfied, as a country, as a people, with the fall-outs. My Hon Colleagues earlier have mentioned how we politicians have demonised each other in the eyes of the general public such that today, our populace has become almost extremely cynical regarding politicians.
I believe it is out of the dissatisfaction we ourselves have experienced and the kind of public image we have created that is leading to this Transition Bill. In my view, we are trying to forge a new culture; a new culture which will base on structures; a new culture which will be informed by regulations; a new culture which is an institutionally-based arrangement for resolving transitional disagreements.
Disagreements are bound to happen. They happened in 2001. They happened in 2009. But the challenge has been how to manage it in such a Way that the country will be the winner. In my view, we have not done so well. Therefore, this Transition Bill is a welcome one. It is a very useful and welcome intervention, which we must take seriously.

Madam Speaker, then we move to the next level of transparency. Politics is about representation. Anytime the people represented, do not seem to understand the processes and have doubts what negotiations are there between the major political players, there is a tendency to be cynical, as we are experiencing.

This Bill is an opportunity for us to do everything in the open to enable us ensure transparency in our transitional arrangement such that by the time we are out of it, either the outgoing Government of the incoming Government, the amount of acrimony we generate such that co- operation in the governance or the country is stifled, will be a thing of the past.

Madam Speaker, I think somehow the culture we are trying to get out is what has brought the kind of impunity that has manifested in the foot-soldier activity we experienced or we are still experiencing. Actually, because the leaders have failed all of us to provide leadership, which suggests that we respect each other, our support takes it beyond what we can even imagine. Unless we did something immediately, I am sure we will be over-run very soon. This one, therefore, Madam Speaker, is a very welcome intervention.

But I think there is some gap we must look at. We are looking at this Bill largely as apolitical transitional arrangement. But we have to look at the economic transitional arrangement as well. Under the Constitution, I think under the Directive Principles of State Policy, projects started by an outgoing Government must be continued by an in-coming Government. There are no arrangements to cover how that ought to be done. That shortfall is affecting the country. Today, We can talk, give many examples of what
Madam Speaker
Yes, last speaker, Hon Member, and shall we hurry up with it. Today is Friday, we have a long list. So if you can sort of wind up.
Minority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu)
Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to this Presidential (Transition ) Bill, before us. Madam Speaker, I believe that we should all be enthused by this Bill,

which seeks to create a more congenial and more civil environment for the exit of a departing Government and entry of a succeeding administration.

Madam Speaker, looking at the Bill before us, I noticed that the Memorandum to the Bill is a 16-page document, whereas the body of the Bill itself is only eight pages. Madam Speaker, the fact that we have spent so much time trying to elaborate in the Memorandum, what is occasioning this Bill, in my opinion, is suggestive of the fact that the antecedents to this Bill are not worthy at all.

Madam Speaker, before I proceed further, I noticed that the Short Title of the Bill is "The Presidential (Transition) Bill". But we are talking in the same Bill about what to do in Parliament, particularly relating to the election of a Speaker. The Speaker of Parliament is not part of the Executive or indeed, the Presidency. So it seems to me that the proper designation or description of this Bill should be: "A Transition Bill", or "A Governance Succession Bill" and not "Presidential Bill". This is because in that case; we would not have any place for what goes on in Parliament and Parliament certainly cannot be in the armpit of the President.

So I believe, Madam Speaker, we need to address that.

Madam Speaker, an Hon Colleague has already spoken about the fact that this deals with only political transitions and not economic transitions. We have often lamented the fact that we do not have a long-term national development plan. Madam Speaker, that has often given way or given cause for the recriminations that we see in the system. If we had a long- term development plan Which the various political parties would be buying into and even crafting their own manifestoes
Mr Ghartey
On a point of order.
Madam Speaker, I believe that this is
None

My very Hon Leader is giving categorisations to parties - "centre-left, centre-right" and so on. When I look at all, I can challenge that. For example, when I look at the policy of health; when he says "centre-left", how can "Cash and Carry" be centre-left'? We can challenge that.

So my Hon Colleagues on the other side can also challenge several things that we have done and say that we are extreme right and so on. So this business about - In this small Memorandum -- categorising and cataloguing political parties, I plead with my Leader, that this time, I beg him, the distance seems one step enough, in my view.

Madam Speaker, also this business about we are all the same and there should be some common denominator, then we should have a Union Government. That statement undermines the Constitution. There is a multi-party democracy. The general thing is that all of us are trying to help Ghana, but we present different programmes and the people choose.
Madam Speaker
Well, I will protect you when it comes to that. [Laughter]
Mr Joe Ghartey
Madam Speaker, I have always wondered what we would do Without you. But I am convinced that we would be useless without you.
Madam Speaker
Yes, Minority Leader, can you hurry up; it is about 1.00 p.m. now. I want to finish with this item before I rise.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu
Madam Speaker, I would not want to react to What my Colleague, the Hon Member for Esikadu/Ketan (Mr Joe Ghartey) has said. But Madam Speaker, the reality of our Constitution is that there cannot be extreme leftist parties in this country. " That is the reality, unless he does not believe in the Constitution. [Laughter]
Madam Speaker
Let us move on from that, because you said you were not going to react.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu
I am not going to react.
Madam Speaker, the other thing that 1 am concerned about is What the Memorandum itself captures, that is, on page 4 -
"The factors which seemed to have inhibited the transfer activities may be summarized as follows":
Madam Speaker, the first two relate to severe time constraints, that is, between elections and when the succeeding administration is sworn-in. One would think that the Bill would attempt to cure that mischief; it does nothing about that. So I am really -
Madam Speaker
Well, that obviously, would not come under such a Bill, but rather the Electoral Laws. Is that not so? That is where times are fixed for elections and taking overs; is that not so?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu
Madam Speaker, the Memorandum to any Bill addresses a mischief that obtains and then suggests remedies to cure that mischief.
Madam Speaker
That is so.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu
So if it is not positioned to suggest any cure for the mischief, then why mention it?
Madam Speaker
Well, other people who are concerned with it will take note because if you say election is 7th and swearing-in is 8th, obviously, it might lead to some changes and that is a suggestion that, as you say, comes from the Memorandum. But let us move ahead. I do not want to stop you, but I may threaten to leave the Chair because I have to leave now for somebody else, whereas, I could have stayed a few more minutes to finish with this item.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu
Madam Speaker, l would not do anything to occasion the actualisation of your threat.
Madam Speaker, the one very important body which the Bill seems to have glossed over is the National Commission for Civic Education (N CCE) - the role that the NCCE should be playing in such a transition or the period leading to the transition. I thought that the education that the NCCE should be giving should also be projected in such a Bill, so that people would come to the realisation that politics is about choice, it is not about retribution and vengeance; it is not about scandalising and vilifying political opponents the way we seem to be doing on daily basis.
These days, any statement that you put out there, is subject to twist and turns and people are descended on personalities. Perhaps, people would come to the realisation that politics should rather be issues-based and not person based.
Madam Speaker, I think all of us, as politicians in this Chamber and outside this Chamber-- in Parliament and within the Executive, should also be leading the crusade on daily basis by what we say, by our demeanour, our disposition to lead the crusade that we are all in one basket. My Colleague disagrees with me but We
rose
Madam Speaker
Well, I did say I will defend you if you are in trouble.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu
Madam Speaker, finally, I think there is something that is also missing. The Transition Bill, as I see it, relates more to the succession of a new political party rather than the intra-party change.
Madam Speaker, every now and then, even within the same party, a Minister is shuffled out for a new person to assume that position. There are real problems and I think that even though it does not directly relate to us, if it is possible to find some space for that, so that the person who departs that office, even within the same party, would come out with a clean and clear conscience that he has served his country, he has served his party, he is exiting and he has done his part for somebody else to continue and that indeed, he is not an enemy within the same party.
Madam Speaker, I believe that would do all of us a lot of good.
Madam Speaker, with these few words, I thank you very much for your indulgence.
Madam Speaker
Yes, I must thank the Hon Minority Leader for being very concise on this occasion, but at the same time, putting all the facts in. And. also to comment that I have noticed that when Ministers are reshuffled and they come to the House, as I Sit here, I see the way they are treated with respect. It is a good thing and I think it is worth talking about.
rose
Madam Speaker
Yes, Hon Members, however, much as we all wished to contribute, Hon Member, I hope you would not mind if we cut short. We are well past one o'clock and I will not be able to Sit past one o'clock. It is three hours or more since I Sat and it is just not possible, I wanted to take this one. So if you agree with me, all that they said, unless you have something different, then I think, maybe, I could say half a minute or so - half a minute, tell us what you want to say. But it seems like there is consensus.
Alhaji Pelpuo
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Well, given the constraints of time, it does not look like you can endure the -
Madam Speaker
Well, you can say a sentence or two, if you have something different. But if it is the same, why repeat ourselves?
Alhaji Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo
Madam Speaker, my contribution rests on the fact that we have been running the Fourth Republic, and so far, it has been the only period in our political life, in the over 5 0- year period of our political life, where power has transited leader to the other by constitutional means and from one democratically elected Government to the other. We strove on this convention and have reached a point where we can now turn back and say we have gained some experience.
Madam Speaker
Thank you, Hon Deputy Majority Leader, for your short but very thought-provoking intervention.
Hon Members, I thank you all; this concludes the debate and at the conclusion, I would now put the Question.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
The Presidential (Transition) Bill, 2010 was accordingly read a Second time.
Madam Speaker
Hon Pelpuo, are we going on, so that we change the Chair? It is one o'clock. I think We have about 45 minutes -
Alhaji Pelpuo
Madam Speaker, we would have wished to continue, but to day is a very short day, a Friday and often we do not travel too long. I have got signals from the Minority bench indicating that they would want that we curtail debate
Madam Speaker
In other words, are you suggesting an adjournment?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu
Madam Speaker, I notice that the Hon Minister for Defence has been very patient. He has waited for a very long time. But he certainly wants the beneficiaries of this Bill to hear that he is doing this, he is piloting this on their behalf and I thought that Monday would be a very good time so that maybe, we could do it first.
I sympathise with him having had to wait here all this long. But I will suggest to him that it will do him a lot of good if it is done first thing Monday morning. Other than that, I would not have much against what he - but I think Monday will be better for him.
Madam Speaker
Yes, I am sure the Hon Minister is grateful to you. But I have no doubt that staying here, he has enjoyed hearing the matter on a very important Bill and can one day say he was part of it too. So if you schedule it for Monday, first thing, that will be good because we cannot just refer to it and not debate it. So I agree. Are you therefore, suggesting that we have -
Alhaji Pelpuo
Madam Speaker, yes, except that we can be sure that he will be here on Monday. He is one of the Ministers who do not have a Deputy and he cannot be absent and if Monday, he has something critical to do, it might-
Madam Speaker
Is this Bill not more critical than any other thing?
Alhaji Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo
Madam Speaker, having made that point, I would want to crave the indulgence of the House and your goodself that we would expect him on Monday but should there be any
2913 Presidential (Transition) 15 July, 2011 Bill, 2010 -- Second Reading 2914
ADJOURNMENT