Debates of 12 Feb 2013

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 11:15 a.m.
OATHS 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Hon Members, the Oath as you are aware, was based on a correspondence addressed to the Clerk to Parliament that submitted the writ of election for the Akatsi South Constituency, and which was won by the Hon Gentleman that I administered the Oath to.
Hon Minority Leader, do you have anything to say in line with our practice when there is a by-election?
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, nothing useful.
Dr Benjamin Kunbuor 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, given the peculiar circumstances of this by-election and the fact that any statement might end up drawing your goodself into it, I think it is prudent we do not make any statement now.
Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Hon Members, I do not know why you are having a difficulty. But that is consistent with the practice of the House and maybe, you did not get the

point I was trying to make when I called the two Leaders. I would want to give them a second chance -- [Laughter] so that they would review their earlier response.

Hon Minority Leader --
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speak- er, really, my attention was focused elsewhere when you called, so I was out of tune. But now that you succeeded in bringing me on track, I think the most ap- propriate thing to do to our Hon Colleague who has just joined us, is to congratulate him for joining this fold.
Mr Speaker, before coming here, I heard on radio, that somebody was serious- ly positioning himself to send this matter to court. I do not want to believe at all that the alacrity of this swearing-in has been occasioned by whispers in the corridors elsewhere. I do not want to believe that at all. Mr Speaker, be it far from me, that I would comment on those lines. But I think we should congratulate him. I would think that if anybody survives any elections, in particular, parliamentary elections, that person ought to be congratulated.
It is a very hot House. Unfortunately, when he joined us, we had about complet- ed the orientation workshop for Members of Parliament. I would think that he would position himself to learn quickly at the feet of the Majority Leader. And I believe, the effort of the Majority Leader would be complemented effectively by some of the “Omar Bongos” on the side of the Majori- ty, including the Hon former Leader of the House, Mr Cletus Apul Avoka, the Hon Joseph Yieleh Chireh --and I see one of the three wise men whose stars --
The stars have not been detected yet. However, I believe they would soon be detected. That person is the Hon E. T. Mensah. These are the “Omar Bongos”; there are a few “Mugabes” there as well.
Mr Speaker, I believe they would fill in.
But let me indicate to the young man that the vacancy that he has just filled is
going to be a very tall order for him and the shoes may be too big for now. But I would suggest to him that if he positions himself to learn quickly -- Mr Speaker, I believe on occasions, he can also come to you quietly for bits and pieces about how you succeeded in maintaining the seat for six consecutive terms and you need to imbibe him with that spirit.
Mr Speaker, having said that, I would
want to believe that my Hon Colleague would live up to expectation.
My own attitude, Mr Speaker, has been that this Parliament -- now that we have a Speaker from Parliament-- must learn from the other jurisdictions where the recognised parties would not be contesting a seat at the backyard of a Speaker. Mr Speaker, this experience is in the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.
The fortunate thing, however, is that our Speaker, even though he came from Parliament, has to vacate his seat. In those places, when the Speaker remains an Hon Member of Parliament, he is not contested in his own backyard. But we can take useful lessons and see how to move on as a nation.
Once again, Mr Speaker, let me con- gratulate my dear Colleague and junior Brother and I hope that he would live up to expectation, pretty soon.
Dr Kunbuor 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to join the Hon Minority Leader in welcoming our new Hon Member to the House and to congratulate him for a battle well fought and in addition, to indicate that he would certainly have a lot of support from the older Members and the Leader- ship of the House.
Certainly, the Hon Member would have a lot of good things to learn from this House. But I have heard other Members unilaterally offering him assistance. This is because there are also very bad things in this House that he must avoid as much as he can -- [Some Hon Members: Like?] -- Particularly, when the forces of darkness are involved -- [Laughter] -- He must, as well as possible, avoid those types of lessons.
I did hear the Hon Minority Leader in- dicate clearly whispers he had heard about a possible contestation of his election. I would want to assure the Hon Member that it has become part of the fashion in this country. [Laughter.] The good thing is that, whoever would want to go to court, can go to court. But I am sure the Akatsi South Constituency is very, very far away from “Obra Spot” and we might not have the drama of “Obra Spot” to whatever litigation would come.
But on a more serious note, Mr Speak- er, I would want to welcome the Hon Member to the House and wish him all the best.
Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Leaders, thank you
very much.
I would only want to add by saying that as a young Hon Member of Parliament, former Speaker Justice Annan used to tell us that “you are an Hon Member for those who voted for you and those who voted against you and you are representing all of them. Make sure you take all their interests on board in discharging your responsibilities.”
Hon Members, thank you, very much.
ANNOUNCEMENTS 11:25 a.m.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE 11:25 a.m.
VICE PRESIDENT 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Members, we have communication from the Vice President.
Hon Members, the nomination is re- ferred to the Appointments Committee for consideration and report to this House.
SPACE FOR COMMUNICA- 11:25 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 11:25 a.m.
  • [No correction was made to the Votes and Proceedings of Friday, 1st February, 2013.]
    • Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Hon Members, we also have some Official Reports for correction.
    We will start with the Official Report of Wednesday, 30th January, 2013.
    Any correction?
    Ms Sarah Adwoa Safo 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, at column 282, paragraph 6, line 5, it reads: “Most at times, when there is a outbreak. . .” I think it should read “. . . when there is an outbreak . . .” The “a” should be “an”.
    Also, my comment followed right after Hon Titus-Glover's Statement, but I find it placed elsewhere. I believe that the necessary correction should be done. I was the first to contribute after the Statement was made by Hon Titus-Glover.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Very well.
    Any other correction?
    Mr Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, column 271 -- “Frank Annor- Dompreh”. The spelling of “Annor” ends with the letter “h” and not “r”.
    Then, Mr Speaker, when you go to
    column 279, my goodself, paragraph 2, line 10 -- “it behoves all of us . . .” There is an omission of “on” and I would want that correction to be inserted.
    Then coming back to lines 12 and 14,
    “good access to our homes”, not “in our homes” -- “good access to our homes, our offices and our shops.” The “in” should be deleted.
    I would also want to state that, immediately after my Statement, Hon Adwoa Safo was the next Hon Member who rose to support it.
    Ms Laadi A. Ayamba 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    column 259, under “Motions”, paragraph 1, line 5, the spelling of “until”; an “l” should be added. It should be double ‘l'.
    Mr Vincent Oppong-Asamoah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, column 279, paragraph 4, the fifth line -- I said “meteorologist” but it has been written as “mythologist”.
    Mr Anthony O. Boakye 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    column 298, paragraph 5 -- The name “Osei B. Amoah” -- I think it should be “Osei Boakye Anthony ”. This is because I rose on a point of order when Hon Ayamba spoke on fire outbreaks. Rather, the name has been changed to “Osei B. Amoah”. I think I made that interruption.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    It should be --
    Mr Boakye 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I said
    something about a sweeping statement being made by our Hon Colleague.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Is Hon O. B. Amoah
    here?
    rose
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Is that correct? Do you
    have your Hansard of 30th January, 2013 with you?
    Mr O. B. Amoah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I did
    not speak on that day.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Very well. So the Hon
    Gentleman is correct.
    Mr Magnus K. Amoatey 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to go to column 282, the last paragraph. The sentence there opens: “Mr Speaker, I think it is about time we added our voices to the rush in certain road constructions.” I propose that we correct it to read, “I think it is about time we added our voices to the hasty manner in which road constructions are carried out during election years.” This is my proposed amendment to that paragraph, column 282, the last paragraph.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Very well.
    Dr Anthony A. Osei 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am not sure I follow his amendment.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    What he is trying to say
    is that “added” should be “add”.
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, if he is
    referring to column 282, he was not the one who made the contribution, so how can he just propose --
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    It is more of grammar
    than changing the meaning of the word.
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon
    Member who made those statements is in the House.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Member for Old
    Tafo, I agree entirely with you but in this case, it is more of correction of one word.
    It does not change the meaning.
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my only suggestion is, maybe, we should ask the Hon Member if she agrees. This is because she has not --
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    “Added” and “add”, which one do you think in the context, would be the proper word that should be used? Hon Member for Old Tafo, “added” and “add”?
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, having
    gone to Achimota, it would be obvious which direction I would go.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Which is that direction?
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the
    direction? It will not be those of Accra Academy; that one, I am sure.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Which one is your
    direction?
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not
    propose to change any thing there. I just wanted to make sure that the Hon Member who made the statement is comfortable with the amendment.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    I agree with you, but it
    does not change the meaning of what she said but just the spelling. It is more of grammar.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, I was not here and so, I would not want to go into any litigation. But if an Hon Member speaks and makes grammatical mistakes, could the Hon Member come back the following day to effect corrections? [Some Hon Members: No!] Not until the Hon Member rises and says that he or she was not captured correctly, and the Hon Member makes grammatical mistakes -- This is supposed to be a verbatim report.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Minority Leader,
    you know, that is why we have the Hansard Department and they do editing of what we say here once it does not change what you want to say. Otherwise, we would not have an Editor of Debates. So, if there is a spelling mistake, should we say it should not be corrected? That is the situation here now. Unless you want to call the Hon Adwoa Safo to say that the word “added” should remain.
    If that is what we want -- We want the Hon Member for Dome Kwabenya to say that in the face of the error and on the face of the record, we should let it be there. If that is what we want, let me hear from her.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, before you hear from her, I am suggesting that when it comes to the correction of the Votes and Proceedings, we should capture the --
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    I agree with you
    absolutely.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
    I know the Hon Lady is more than capable of speaking the Queen's English and indeed, she speaks the Queen's English perfectly.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    So we should let the
    “added” stay? Is that what you are suggesting? We should allow the “added” to stay?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speak- er, I believe on this occasion, the Hansard Department did not capture exactly what she said. But I was trying to go to the kernel of the matter before us --
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Hon Member, is it “add-
    Ms Safo 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, if I heard the Hon Member, it was not a correction of a word but a rephrasing of what I said. And if the intent and purpose for which I said it is well captured, which I believe it is, then I believe that it should stand the way it is. It was not a correction to a word but he attempted to rephrase the entire sentence.
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    No! He did not rephrase it. What he tried to do is that instead of: “Mr Speaker, I think it is about time we added our voices...”, he thinks it should read: “Mr Speaker, I think it is about time we add our voices...”
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speak- er, that is most ungrammatical to say that “. . . it is time we add our voices.” It should be, “. . . it is time we added our voices.” That is why I am saying that the Hon Lady, I know, speaks impeccable Queen's Language --[Hear! Hear!] -- And so, the person who attempted to correct whatever she is deemed to have said, should rather check himself before attempting any correction.
    Mr William O. Aidoo 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I refer to column 302, paragraph 3. I do believe I was not captured correctly. Line 4, what I indeed, said was: “The Ghana National Fire Service personnel who day in and day out go through excessive danger in the course of their duties . . . ” -- “day in and day out” as opposed to “day in day out”.
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Very well.

    Hon Members, the Official Report of Wednesday, 30th January, 2013 as correct- ed, is hereby adopted as the true record of proceedings.

    Official Report of Thursday, 31st Jan- uary, 2013.
    Mr Matthew Nyindam 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, column 356, paragraph 11, the name of a village in my constituency is wrongly spelt and I beg to read: “If you go to my constit- uency, places like Gulibi quarters, Kitare, Balaja Bator Lonto and Nicanchina”. Mr Speaker, “Nkanchina” is wrongly spelt. I do not know if the Hansard Department will see me or I should spell it?
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Spell it.
    Mr Nyindam 11:45 a.m.
    It is “N k a n c h i n a”.
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Any other correction? [Pause.]
    Hon Members, the Official Report of Thursday, 31st January, 2013 as corrected, is hereby adopted as the true record of proceedings.
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Hon Members, at the Commencement of Public Business -- Presentation of Papers.
    PAPERS 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, do you have the item 6 (c)?
    Dr Kunbuor 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, that is so. We have discussed between ourselves, the two caucuses and they are printing out the Report.
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Do you want to have
    it laid?
    Dr Kunbuor 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, yes, we can have it laid.
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Minority Leader, it is a Report of Leadership, so I would want to find out from the Minority Leader --
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speak- er, I would want to believe that what the Majority Leader said is really a mix-up. I am told that the Report is ready. It has been printed. But of course, if it is now in print, it cannot be laid. It has been printed, so, I am told. That being the case, I believe he can lay it on behalf of --
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Are we taking it today?
    Dr Kunbuor 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think we can lay it. The issue is one of distribution. It is not that it is being printed.
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Very well.
    Item 6 (c).
    By the Majority Leader--
    (i) Report of Leadership on the constitution of the membership of the Pan-African Parliament.
    (ii) Report of Leadership on the constitution of the membership of the ECOWAS Parliament.
    Item number 7, Hon Majority Lead- er, are we ready or we should take item number 9 first?
    Dr Kunbuor 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, perhaps, we can take item 9. The Hon First Deputy Speaker has been in touch with me and it has also been distributed.

    Mr Speaker, we will take item number

    9.
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Hon Members, item number 9.
    MOTIONS 11:45 a.m.
    Dr Benjamin Kunbuor (on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee) 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that notwithstand- ing the provisions of Standing Order 80 (1) which require that no Motion shall be debated until at least, forty-eight hours have elapsed between the date on which notice of the Motion is given and the date on which the Motion is moved, the Motion for the adoption of the Second Report of the Committee of Selection on the composition of other Standing and Select Committees may be moved today.
    Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved accordingly.

    Second Report of the Committee of Selection on Composition of

    Committees of the House
    Majority Leader (Dr Benjamin Kunbuor)(on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee) 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House adopts the Second Report of the Committee of Selection on the composition of other Standing and Select Committees.
    1.0 Introduction
    1.1 On Wednesday, 9th January, 2013, Parliament, pursuant to Standing Orders 151 and 152 and an established practice appointed and mandated the Committee of Selection to prepare and report on the list of Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, Ranking Members and members for the composi- tion of Standing, ad hoc and Select Com- mittees of the House.
    2.0 Deliberations

    2.1 The Committee met on Friday, 8th February, 2013 and considered the composition of the membership of the committees of the House based on a ratio of 45:55 as approved by the House. In accordance with the convention of the House, the Committee in its deliberations had recourse to the proposed lists of mem- bership for the committees presented by the Leadership of both the Majority and Minority Caucuses.

    3.0 Guiding principles

    3.1 In discharging its mandate, the Committee took note of article 103 (5) of the Constitution and Standing Order 154, which require that the composition of committees of the House reflects as much as possible the different shades of opinion in Parliament.

    3.2 The Committee also had regard to the provisions of Standing Order 153, which require that except for Deputy Speakers and leaders of parliamentary parties, every Member be appointed to at least, one (1) but not more than three (3) of the Standing Committees of the House.

    4.0 List of committees

    4.1 Per Standing Orders 151 and 152 of the House and having regard to estab- lished practice, the Standing, ad hoc and Select Committees of the House are as indicated below:

    A. Standing Committees

    1. Standing Orders Committee

    2. Business Committee

    3. Committee of Privileges

    4. Public Accounts Committee

    5. Subsidiary Legislation Committee

    6. House Committee

    7. Finance Committee

    8. Appointments Committee

    9. Committee on Members Holding Office of Profit

    10. Committee on Government Assur- ances

    11. Committee on Gender and Children

    12. Special Budget Committee

    13. Committee of Selection

    14. Committee on the Judiciary.

    B. Special or ad hoc Committee

    Committee on Poverty Reduction Strategy.

    C. Select Committees

    1. Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs

    2. Committee on Lands and Forestry

    3. Committee on Health

    4. Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs

    5. Committee on Works and Housing

    6. Committee on Local Government and Rural Development

    7. Committee on Communications 8. Committee on Foreign Affairs 9. Committee on Employment, Social

    Welfare and State Enterprises

    10. Committee on Defence and Interior

    11. Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism

    12. Committee on Environment, Sci- ence and Technology

    13. Committee on Education

    14. Committee on Youth, Sports and

    Culture

    15. Committee on Mines and Energy

    16. Committee on Roads and Transport.

    4 . 2 A p p o i n t m e n t s a n d B u s i - ness Committees

    4.3 The Committee hereby draws atten- tion to the fact that Parliament, at the third Sitting of its Meeting held on Wednesday, 9th January, 2013, approved its First Re- port on the composition and membership of the Appointments Committee and the Business Committee of the House.

    5.0 List of other committees of the House

    5.1 The Committee accordingly pro- poses for consideration by the House, the attached composed list of membership of the rest of the Standing Committees, special or ad hoc committee as well as the Select Committees of the House.

    6.0 Recommendation and Conclusion

    6.1 The Committee respectfully recom- mends to the House to adopt the Report and approve the list of membership of the committees as composed in the attachment to the Report.

    Respectfully submitted.
    Minority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Men- sah-Bonsu) 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Mo- tion.
    Mr Speaker, I notice that on page 2, the list is short by the names of two Hon Members. So, number 24 should read “Hon Kennedy Nyarko Osei”. This is on page 2 of the attachment -- and the 25th name should be “Hon Robert Nachinab Doameng Mosore”.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to con- gratulate the Committee of Selection for a very good job done and also, of course, by extension, congratulate the offices of
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    Mr Magnus Kofi Amoatey (NDC -- Yilo Krobo) 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker--
    Mr Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Member, I have given the floor to the Hon Member for Tamale South.
    Mr Haruna Iddrisu (NDC -- Tama- le South) 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
    May I refer you to page 5, item 8, to do a correction of my name rightly and appropriately called “Iddrisu Haruna” and not “Iddrissu”.
    Mr Speaker, may I also refer you to page 10 -- I assume that the Hon Member for Akatsi South at the time was not known to this House. You took him through the rituals of swearing an oath. So let item 2 be deleted from Hon Akatsi South to read “Bernard Ahiafor”, my very good Friend and Colleague from the Ghana School of Law. So, I know his name very well. So
    Mr Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Member, we are discussing the Report of the Committee of Selection. We are not discussing problems with our Standing Orders. It is an issue of relevance.
    Mr Iddrisu 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, there is rel- evance; they quoted Standing Order 151 in the Report. With your indulgence, I would refer you to your own Committee's Report. Mr Speaker, refer to Guiding Principles -- reference is made -- list of Committees, Standing Orders 151 and 152
    -- copiously referred to in your Commit- tee's Report. And probably, Mr Speaker, if you allow me to land, you would ap- preciate my argument. New committees have emerged, for instance, in respect of the Standing Committees.
    You would notice Mr Speaker, that cor- rection was done to Committee on Gender and Selection. For instance, Committee on Judiciary, it is not mentioned in the Standing Orders. The Minority Leader was referring to Petitions Committee, the Special Budget Committee, they must reflect in the Standing Orders. That is the thrust of my argument.
    Mr Speaker, I have no problem with it other than to add that not just the review of the Standing Orders, but the work of the committees -- Mr Speaker, this is the citadel of democracy; we are represen- tatives of the people.
    We need to carry the Ghanaian public along and I think that many of the commit- tee sittings must be made public, not just the Public Accounts and the Appointments Committee.
    Every other committee of Parliament -- we should have recourse to respect the inputs of the public, for them to be able to evaluate. That is why sometimes, Mr Speaker, rightly or wrongly , Members of Parliament are judged wrongly. This is because they do not participate in debates or Second Reading -- the public do not appreciate the work they do on the quiet at the level of the committee.
    With these few words, Mr Speaker, I as- sociate myself with the Motion and I hope that Hon Members will avail themselves of committee work and not just be men- tioned. This is because you are identified in this particular committee while you are not ready to support it. There have been instances where the Finance Committee, Mines and Energy Committee, we had to sit and the Clerks had to labour calling Hon Members to show presence. That should not be the attitude with which we
    should approach the work of this House.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mrs Gifty Eugenia Kusi (NPP -- Tarkwa-Nsuaem) 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion. Mr Speaker, before this Report is adopted, I would want to urge the Committee of Selection to look at the following corrections and try to amend them for this Report to be acceptable.
    Mr Speaker, the Standing Orders Com- mittee has no female Member of Parlia- ment; the Works and Housing Committee has no female Member of Parliament; the Defence and Interior Committee has no female Member of Parliament and the Mines and Energy Committee has no female Member of Parliament.
    So if they can arrange to sit down to try and include us -- because if we are present, we would add more ideas to the discussions of these committees. Mr Speaker, I hope even if we adopt it, they should do the corrections.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Members, I think the Hon Member has raised a very impor- tant issue on the floor. There might be an explanation. Let me hear from the Leaders on this matter.
    Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Mun- taka (NDC -- Asawase ) 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, this is one business -- at a point in time, some of us wished we were not deeply involved.
    Mr Speaker, we are 274 Hon Members as of this morning and -- we have our Sisters who are 29 now. Fifteen of them from the Majority side and I think 14 are from the Minority side. Mr Speaker, if you look at the Standing Order that talks about every Hon Member being on, at least, one Standing Committee, the Whips on both sides decided to extend it to equally
    mean one Select Committee, so that Hon Members could be on board.
    Ms Shirley A. Botchwey 12:05 p.m.
    On a point of order.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Muntaka keeps referring to the female Members of Par- liament as his Sisters. I do not believe that I am his Sister. I am his Colleague. I think that we have just come back from orientation and it was something that came up. We are not to be called sisters, wives, aunties or whatever. We are Hon Colleagues or Hon female Colleagues.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Members, are we allowed to say “wives” outside the floor of the House? [Laughter.]
    Ms Botchwey 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, outside the Chamber, we can deal with that but I think even that is wrong.
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    I agree with you.
    Alhaji Muntaka 12:15 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker. I take the concern of our Hon Colleague -- [Interruption.]
    rose
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Gifty Kusi, do you have a point of order? You raised an issue and I want to get an explanation.
    Mrs Kusi 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, he has made a statement that I think is not correct -- [Interruption.]
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Very well.
    Mrs Kusi 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if he says that we are only 30 -- even when we were 19 or 25, every committee had a female Member of Parliament. He should check his records and do the right thing as the Majority Chief Whip. I would want to urge him to go back to the records and see that we have female Members of Parliament on all the committees. Our numbers do not matter; we can be 30 but we can have two or three committees. Mr Speaker, I do not agree with that assertion.
    Alhaji Muntaka 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I under- stand the sentiments of my Hon Colleague opposite -- [Interruption.]
    Mr Isaac K. Asiamah 12:15 p.m.
    On a point
    of order.
    Mr Speaker, I do not support the argu- ment by the Hon Majority Chief Whip.
    Mr Speaker, in this House, there has been an arrangement by Leadership, what they call affirmative action or positive action, that they can belong to three, four or five committees. Therefore, the same arrangement can be extended to our female Colleagues. If we feel that we have a few women here-- as leaders have found it expedient to belong to three or four committees, equally, female Members of Parliament here -- because of their numbers, can also be allowed to belong to three, four or five committees.
    This is because that arrangement is here; it is happening; leaders are enjoy- ing that arrangement; we can extend the arrangement to our female Members if we are concerned about women empower- ment. Mr Speaker, that is very important. So, the dispensation for our leaders to belong to three, four or five committees, should be extended to our female MPs here.
    That is my concern Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Chief Whip, why
    I thought you should address this issue -- if it were one or two committees -- that would have been different but she men- tioned about four or five committees -- I stand corrected -- where we do not have gender representation and I think that it is something that we ought to look at. That is why I wanted to find out from you whether there could be an explanation from you.
    Alhaji Muntaka 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, on
    a more serious note, we have a specific number of committees. Mr Speaker, if we had decided to feature our female Colleagues on every committee, some Members would not have committees at all. Mr Speaker, the reason is that, when we were 200 Members, the committees that we had, were the same number of committees that now we are sharing for the 275 Members.
    That is why Mr Speaker, if you look through, you would see that almost 90 per cent of Members are on only two commit- tees. So, if we would want to feature our female Colleagues on every committee, it would mean we would be putting some of our Colleagues at a disadvantage of not being on a committee at all and that would be against the Standing Orders of this House.
    Dr Anthony A. Osei 12:15 p.m.
    On a point of
    order.
    Mr Speaker, I do not know why my good Friend from Asawase is going on
    a tangent that may create a problem for all of us.
    Mr Speaker, the Committee's Report refers to Order 154. I would want to quote;
    “The composition of the Commit- tees shall as much as possible reflect the different shades of opinion in Parliament.”
    Mr Speaker, mathematically, our fe- male Colleagues constitute over 10.5 per cent. Now, if we have a committee of 25 and you put one, that is four per cent. Mr Speaker, Order 153(2) gives you a leeway; it does not extend to Select Committees. It says:
    “Except for the Deputy Speakers and the Leaders of the Parlia-men- tary Parties no Member may be ap- pointed to more than three Standing Committees”.
    The Hon Chief Whip, should take his time. A serious matter has been brought up, for the committees where we do not have membership and you have a ratio of 10.5 per cent and you are not meeting our Standing Orders. I think this matter can be addressed properly without being emo- tional about it. Let us do the best that we can and reflect our own Standing Orders. If not more than three, it means that, the female Colleagues, some of them could serve on three Standing Committees, so that we can get female --
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Members, we have a Committee of Selection; the names that we have here come from the various cau- cuses that we have put together; when they raised the issue and mentioned about four committees, I thought if it were one or two without female representation at all, it is quite interesting. That is why I wanted to get some explanation for it. The Majority Chief Whip tried to tell the House about the challenges and difficulties they had.
    Let me hear from the Deputy Minority
    Leader.
    Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speak- er, I would want to urge Hon Colleagues to have some bit of patience on this very matter.
    We have 30 committees, 16 Select Committees and 14 Standing Committees. Mr Speaker, the real committees that do the oversight apart from the Finance Committee and maybe, to some extent, Gender and Children's Committee are mostly the Select Committees and that is why the caucuses try as much as possible to put every Member on, at least, one Select Committee.
    I would give you the challenge that we faced; for example, if you look at the Minority side of the House, the spaces that were available to the Minority side of the House on the Select Committees of the 16 were 131, meanwhile, the Minority Members altogether are 123. So you have just eight Members who could have more than two Select Committees. If you are not careful and you say that you want to put every female Member on a committee, some Members may not get a Select Com- mittee at all. This is because you have 131 and only eight Members could get more than two Select Committees.
    So Mr Speaker, you are faced with that dilemma. So the first thing you need to do, is to get every Member a committee. That takes 123, leaving eight. Now, the female Colleagues are 15. Who does not get and who gets? So you try as much as possible to go back to the Standing Orders to see how to go about it. The problem is that, some Members are disadvantaged because some committees meet regularly, others do not. So the most important thing is to look at which committees do not meet regularly and try and see the eight people you can fill.
    Meanwhile, from the Standing Orders, it says that Leadership -- for the fact that
    Dr Matthew O. Prempeh (NPP -- Manhyia South) 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is probably mathematically wrong to say that women constitute about 10 per cent of the committee, so it should be reflect- ing. In that case, you have to take every committee and take the represen- tation of Parliament before you can see whether the women would get there. So when you come to a committee that has 27 members, then if you have 10 per cent, it is probably only one; so the mathematics might not only be saying that we should put women on every committee.
    I think that we should have adjusted ourselves to accommodate a woman on every committee. I do not have a problem with that.
    Mr Speaker, let us put it on note, that the idea that we would start arguing for gender balance -- Gender balance does not mean imbalance against a certain other group. Mr Speaker, I wanted to rise to say that we should not take this waiving Order 80 because if we go back to our caucuses, we would have something serious to say about some of these Standing Committees.
    That is why I was even against us taking it on emergency. This is the first time some of us are seeing this Report. Mr Speaker, there is nothing wrong giving us the Report a couple of days to go and
    digest as a House, make inputs for the right changes to be done.
    Mr Speaker, if I find out that Akatsi South appears on this paper, just like the Hon Member for Tamale South (Mr Haruna Id- drisu) said, what about Buem? Mr Speak- er, we have to be very careful that certain things we are doing in this House do not augur well -- [Interruption] -- Women constitute ten per cent but when you have a 20-member committee, that means, only one, and when you have an 18-member committee, probably, even none.
    So Mr Speaker, we have to take a com- prehensive look at this Report. Mr Speak- er, you have to defer the deliberations on this Report for us to go into our caucuses to deal with certain things.
    Mr Speaker, when people say regional
    balance and on certain committees, you find out that there is a preponderance of a certain region, then I have a problem with that. So Mr Speaker, if it would not harm us, let us go back -- [Interruption] --It is a disincentive, what is going on here --
    Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Hon Member, the in- formation I was given this morning was that the caucuses met and that is why we Sat late.
    Dr Prempeh 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, you are right. Then my Minority Caucus met, and we were told --
    Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    I learnt both caucuses
    met and that is why we Sat late today.
    Dr Prempeh 12:25 p.m.
    We did not discuss
    this. Mr Speaker, when our caucus met, we were told that the list would be ready this evening; they did not tell us that it was already in the printing room. But I said if people are going to get up and talk about gender balance, regional balance, ethnic balance and all those balances, one of the imbalances I have found here is, regional.
    If people are going to talk about sen- iority, I have found some imbalances with the seniority in some of the rankings. We might not want to say everything on the floor of this House. But please, Mr Speak- er, use your discretionary power to defer further deliberations and let the caucuses go and meet on this before we come back to speak.
    Mr Mutawakilu Adam 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, mine is not on the issue of gender bal- ance on the committees. On page one, Mr Speaker, when you look at the ratio, at one point, we said 55 is to 45 and at another point, it is 45 to 55 and I have a problem with that. Mr Speaker, they represent different things. If it is Majority is to Minority, it must continue and be consistent as 55 is to 45. I would want it to be cleared for me.
    Mr Justice Joe Appiah 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    we have 30 women in this august House but looking at the Committee on Gender and Children, we have names like Hon Ju- liana Azumah-Mensah, Hon Laadi Ayam- ba, Hon Ntoso Hellen Adjoa, Hon Cudjoe Ghansah Comfort Doyoe (Mrs), Hon Kusi Gifty Eugenia, Hon Ama Pomaa Andoh and Hon Mavis Hawa Koomson (Mrs).
    Mr Speaker, we have 30 women and
    only one committee has eight women -- Gender and Children -- eight women. So they have to amend their records and do the right thing, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Theophilus T. Chaie 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speak- er, page 10, number 11, “Hon Doyoe Cudjoe Comfort (Mrs),” the “Q” there is supposed to be “G” - “Ghansah;” so the “Q” should be changed to “G.” That is the correct name.
    Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Hon Members, I think
    that if there are any issues that should be resolved, I would want you to go back to
    your caucuses to resolve them and then the caucus leaders can come and make suggestions to any amendments that they would want to make.
    Hon Members, let me refer you to
    Standing Order 151(2):
    We have not suspended that Standing
    Order before taking that Motion; and that Standing Order says that within the first ten days of every Session, we must have the Report. Today is our last day and we have not as a House decided to suspend that Standing Order and therefore, the rules are very clear, we have to approve this Report, today being the last day.
    But I would urge the Leadership of both sides of the House to take into account the views expressed on the floor of the House in their various caucuses and in the course of the week, if possible, bring the necessary amendments which they are entitled to make, so that we can have some of them corrected.
    I want to make one point; when I was

    Any way, that is on the lighter side.

    Hon Members, so I would want us to adopt the Report by putting the Question and then any corrections can be brought in the course of the week, so that we can correct them. But for four important committees of the House without female representation, I think that Leadership of both sides of the House should take note and do something about it.

    Question put and Motion agreed to.

    Resolved accordingly.
    Dr Kunbuor 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we would
    Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    We have Motions
    numbers 7 and 8 -- the Third Report of the Appointments Committee. I have my copy here.
    Dr Kunbuor 12:25 p.m.
    Yes, we can take that item; it is being distributed -- [Interrup- tion] -- We have been told it is being distributed. The Chairman of the Com- mittee has confirmed to me that it is being distributed.
    Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Hon Members, I have a copy here and I would want to plead with you. The discussion that I had with Leadership of both sides of the House in the Speaker's Lobby this morning shows that time is not on our side. There are other things that we need to pay attention to and we need to -- I want us to take this Report today, if possible.
    Dr Kunbuor 12:25 p.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker, we
    would take item number 7.
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, unless we are not expected to read and contribute effectively, these Papers are now being given to us and we are expected to --
    Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Hon Member for Old
    Tafo, do you know the Hon Deputy Mi- nority Leader?
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:25 p.m.
    Yes, Sir.
    Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Do you know that he
    has spoken for your side?
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am
    speaking for myself. I am saying the fact that I would not contribute does not mean I should not be given an opportunity to read
    it. But it is now being given to us.
    Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    I agree with you; you are entitled to get every document. I agree that you are entitled to every document. But the other aspect of the contribution is what -- that is why I was asking whether --
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, maybe, after I have read it, I may change my mind as an Hon Member of Parliament. But I do not want to be --
    Mr Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Hon Member for Old Tafo, you know that you have leaders and when the leaders speak, they speak for your side?
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, all I am
    saying is that while he is reading it --
    Mr Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    If you do not want to
    treat them as leaders, you know what to do.
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am
    saying you should give us a few minutes, so that before he reads it, we would have read it. That is all.
    Mr Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Hon Member for Old
    Tafo, I see you holding a copy in your hand.
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, all I am
    wondering is, if I am not expected to read it, why is it being given to me, just so that I have a copy? Is that what Parliament is about?
    Dr Kunbuor 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, a lot of water has gone under the bridge on this matter and I guess that much as I appreci- ate the concerns and the eagerness of my Hon Colleague on the other side to actively participate in relation to this Report, I
    would want to indicate that if the Motion is moved and there are any concerns, that can then be taken at that particular time.
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am sorry, I think that my Hon good Friend is misreading me. His choice of the words “actively participate” is completely not correct. I would want to avail myself as an Hon Member of Parliament to be given the opportunity to read any report that is given to me. That is my job as an MP. So I think that the Hon Majority Leader is getting me wrong.
    Mr Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Hon Members, let us move to item number 7. First Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Committee
    -- 12:35 p.m.
    rose
    Mr Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Manhyia South --
    Dr Prempeh 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have the Committee's First Report, Second Report and now, the Third Report. There is a fundamental flaw that you might have to look at.
    Mr Speaker, the Reports have over a time come here as a consensus report. Mr Speaker, none of the nominees had a consensus approval; they all had a majority approval and I would want you to take very good cognisance of that fact as regards our Standing Orders and the Constitution. I might come back later.
    Mr Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Hon Member, I totally disagree with you. I am not going to take a debate on this matter. The decision whether it is by consensus or not, is taken at the Committee meeting, it is not taken outside the Committee meeting.
    Hon First Deputy Speaker, move item
    number 7, Motion.
    MOTIONS 12:35 p.m.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Ebo Barton-Odro) 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that notwithstanding the pro- visions of Standing Order 80 (1) which require that no Motion shall be debated until at least, forty-eight hours have elapsed between the date on which notice of the Motion is given and the date on which the Motion is moved, the Motion for the adoption of the Third Report of the Appointments Committee on H.E. the President's nominations for Ministerial appointments may be moved today.
    Mr Alfred K. Agbesi 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved accordingly.
    Mr Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Item number 8 --
    Third Report of the Appointments Committee
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Ebo Barton-Odro) 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House adopts the Third Report of the Appoint- ments Committee on H.E. the President's nominations for ministerial appointments.
    1.0 Introduction
    His Excellency President John Drama- ni Mahama communicated to Parliament for prior approval, the nomination of the following persons, among others, for ap- pointment as Ministers pursuant to article 78 (1) of the 1992 Constitution:
    1. Hon Dr Benjamin Bewa-Nyog
    Kunbuor -- Minister-designate
    WA-NYOG -- MINISTER-DES- 12:35 p.m.
    IGNATE IN CHARGE OF GOV- 12:35 p.m.
    ERNMENT BUSINESS IN PAR- 12:35 p.m.
    LIAMENT 12:35 p.m.
    -- MINISTER-DESIGNATE 12:35 p.m.
    FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY 12:35 p.m.
    AH- OPONG -- MINISTER-DES- 12:35 p.m.
    IGNATE 12:35 p.m.
    FOR JUSTICE AND AT- 12:35 p.m.
    TOR- NEY-GENERAL 12:35 p.m.
    MAH-KOFI BUAH -- MINIS- 12:35 p.m.
    TER-DESIGNATE, MINISTRY 12:35 p.m.
    OF ENERGY AND PETROLEUM 12:35 p.m.
    - - M I N I S T E R - D E S I G - 12:35 p.m.
    NATE, MINISTRY OF TRANS- 12:35 p.m.
    PORT 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Alfred K. Agbesi (NDC -- As- haiman) 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion and to urge this House, all Hon Members to support the Motion and approve of the nominees the Committee has hereby recommended to the House.
    Mr Speaker, as Committee members, we were satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt that the President could not have made any better nominations than these persons who submitted themselves before the Committee for recommendations to this House.
    Mr Speaker, we are also grateful to the President that he has introduced the appointment of a Minister responsible for Parliamentary Business, which in one way or the other, would move Government Business further forward and achieve the aim of the President, that is, a “Better Ghana” for all of us.
    Mr Speaker, the nominee, in the per- son of Dr Kunbuor, satisfied us that even though he is going to be responsible for Government Business, the issue of separa- tion of powers is not to be sacrificed on the altar of expediency -- that he would make sure that Government Business moves and the work of Parliament hereby also moves, so that the issue of separation of powers is achieved by the end of the day.
    Mr Speaker, we had a lot of delibera- tions, we interviewed the nominees and at the end of the day, they satisfied us. Particularly, we were convinced that the Minister-designate for the Attorney-Gen-
    eral and Ministry of Justice would advise Government legally, and pursue what is necessary for Government to deliver on its mandate.
    Mr Speaker, the Committee was left in no doubt at all that at the end, all the nominees satisfied us, they are qualified to be Members of Parliament and Ministers of State. In that regard, the Committee has recommended that unanimously, this House approves all of them as Ministers.
    Mr Speaker, I hereby call upon all Hon Members that they support this Motion. Let us support all the nominees for the President's agenda to be carried out and Government Business achieved.
    With these words, Mr Speaker, I call upon all Hon Members to support the Motion.
    Question proposed. Mr David Tetteh Assumeng (NDC
    -- Shai-Osudoku): Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity. I beg to support the Motion and urge all Hon Members to support and vote massively for the approv- al of the nominees.
    Mr Speaker, before I continue, I would want to draw attention to an issue raised by a comrade Friend here during the last approval, and I am referring to Hon (Dr) Hannah Bisiw, who raised an issue wheth- er people who are sitting fence today in approving these Ministers, will tomorrow come to this House to ask Questions of them.
    Mr Speaker, in my view, I think this is not a good example for us, because people would be moving to ask for projects for their constituencies, people would be go- ing to various offices to request of projects to develop their areas and they are sitting on the fence today. Mr Speaker, we are be- ing paid with the taxpayer's money and we must be seen to be discharging our duties.
    Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    on a point of order.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member who just took his seat has made a point which is like, with all due respect, a street language he is repeating on the floor of the House, that some Members of the House are sit- ting on the fence and it would be morally wrong for them to collect their salaries at the end of the month.
    Mr Speaker, there are legitimate means of raising concerns of Hon Members in the House. Members are sitting in here, we are not obliged to make any comment or take part in any proceedings.
    It is part of the parliamentary processes. Therefore, for him to say that it is morally wrong to collect salaries at the end of the month because on a particular issue an Hon Member does not rise to speak or an Hon Member does not exercise the right to vote or exercise his right to abstain, is with all due respect, Mr Speaker, repeating the street language, which is unbefitting of an Hon Member of this House and my Hon Friend.
    I remember that our Friend in the last Parliament wore a red band saying that Members' emoluments, if they were in- creased was immoral, yet he is collecting his salary, the improved emoluments. That same Hon Member is now stating that it is immoral for an Hon Member not entitled to exercise his right in this House.
    Why, he today, is no longer wearing
    Mr Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Have you finished with your contribution?
    Mr Assumeng 12:45 p.m.
    No, Mr Speaker. My Leader wanted to speak, so I would want to yield to him. Meanwhile, I have not finished.
    Dr Kunbuor 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we see the importance of this Committee's Report and I am particularly happy that both sides of the House are engaging the issues. But I would be glad if we could do the engage- ment in a more decorous manner, so that we can come to some understanding in relation to the Committee's Report. It does take time. But I am sure our Colleagues on the other side would join us in this debate.
    Mr Assumeng 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think I have succeeded in achieving my aim. [Interruption.] My aim is to draw both sides of the House into the debate and I think that I have succeeded.
    Mr Speaker, in my view, raising points of order is also participating in the debate. So Mr Speaker, I am very happy and I think that I have succeeded and therefore, the taxpayer's money can be accounted for properly.
    Mr Speaker, I thank you for the op- portunity and urge that all of us should participate and vote massively for these nominees.
    Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah (NDC -- Ho West) 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I support the Motion for the adoption of the Third Re- port of the Appointments Committee for the nominations of His Excellency. Mr Speaker, I would want to be brief on three
    of my Hon Colleagues, especially Hon Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.
    Mr Speaker, we all came to this House in 2009 and he was nominated to assist the Minister for Energy and by hardwork, today, he has risen to become the Minis- ter-designate for Energy and Petroleum.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to urge him to continue the good work he had started in the Ministry and that he would even do better than when he was a Deputy Minister. Mr Speaker, I would also want to urge him that the dum so, dum so we are experiencing all this while, as a Minister in charge of Energy, this would be a thing of the past.
    Mr Speaker, Hon Dzifa Aku Attivor, who is also a constituent, has also distin- guished herself and today, she has been elevated to become the Minister-designate for Transport. Mr Speaker, I wish her well and congratulate her, and hope that she would do even better than when she was the Deputy Minister.
    Finally, Mr Speaker, my senior Brother and Colleague, Hon Haruna Iddrisu, who, when we came to this House, has taught us a lot of lessons. He was the Minister for Communications in the last Government and today, he is the Minister-designate for Trade and Industry. Mr Speaker, I wish him well and expect that he would do very well in the trade and industry portfolio.
    Finally, Mr Speaker, as a member of Government Assurances Committee and a Chairman of that course, I would like to urge all the Ministers, that all the assuranc- es they have given during their vetting, we have taken notice of them and we would bring them to book if these assurances are fulfilled.
    Thank you for the opportunity, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speak-
    er, just a few observations.
    First of all, as you rightly pointed out, I think the Minority has taken a position on the nominees and we decided not to attend to the Business of the Appointments Committee.
    Mr Speaker, it does not mean that when reports come here, we cannot avail ourselves of those reports. We have to look at them because once they are laid, they become a property of the House; it is the property of the House, not a property of the Majority. People should appreciate this point.
    Mr Speaker, yes, the Deputy had said that they were not going to take part in the deliberations, that is the debate ensuing from the Report. But we are here and when it came to the voting, they abstained.
    Mr Speaker, I believe people know the import of abstention. I believe people should appreciate the import of abstention.
    But having said that, Mr Speaker, the Hon Member -- And I got up just when he was about winding up and you beckoned that I should resume my seat -- For the Hon Member to have spoken about immo- rality -- that the conduct of the Minority amounting to immorality -- I think that is highly improper and very offensive. Mr Speaker, it goes against the grain of Standing Order 93(2) and his refuge was that he succeeded in drawing the Minority into the debate. Mr Speaker, I do not know the import of that. But clearly, what he said offends or breaches Order 93 (2) --
    “It shall be out of order to use offensive, abusive, insulting, blas- phemous or unbecoming words or to impute improper motives to any other Member or to make personal allusions.”
    Further to that -- If he would listen because I see him shaking his head --
    “(5) The conduct of Mr Speaker, Members, the Chief Justice and
    Mr Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Hon Member for Shai Osudoku, what do you say to that? Your plan is to get more -- and the Hon Minor- ity Leader has spoken. [Laughter] -- But they are taking serious objection to the use of the word “immoral” -- That it is immoral for them to collect their salaries. What do you say?
    Hon Member, what did you say?
    Mr Assumeng 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I sat for quite a long time, so I do not know what he was referring to. In any case, I am very happy that all of us are participating in this issue. So, if he thinks that by using the word “moral” -- I am not the Pope -- [In- terruptions] -- I used the word “moral”. It was not “immoral” -- This is because we need to come together to work. Then I withdraw that one. Yes, I withdraw it. I am happy that we are all participating and I would want unity to prevail in the House.
    Mr Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Hon Members, I would take one more contribution and put the Question.
    Dr (Mrs) Bernice Adiku Heloo (NDC -- Hohoe North) 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I support the Motion, that this Honourable House adopts this Third Report.
    Mr Speaker, may I comment on the importance of the growing number of women who are being considered for appointments at the highest level of lead-
    ership in this country.
    Looking at the list, Mr Speaker, there are two women, highly qualified, highly experienced and of repute, who have been vetted and waiting for their confirmation to be appointed.
    I would therefore call on this Honour- able House to adopt this Third Report and accept the President's nomination for the various Ministerial apppointments.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved accordingly.
    Mr Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Hon Members, accord-
    ingly, Hon Dr Benjamin Bewa-Nyog Kunbuor has been approved as the Min- ister in charge of Government Business in Parliament. Hon Haruna Iddrisu, Minister for Trade and Industry, Mrs Marietta Brew Appiah-Opong, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice; Hon Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Energy and Petroleum and Hon Dzifa Aku At- tivor, Minister for Transport have been approved.
    Hon Members, on your behalf, I con- gratulate all of them.

    Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Alfred A. Agbesi 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we have Motion numbered 12 but after consultation, we have decided to defer it till tomorrow.
    On that note, I beg to move, that hav- ing regard to the work of the House, we adjourn to tomorrow at ten o'clock.
    Mr Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Any seconder?
    Hon Minority Leader, Motion for adjournment.
    Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thought the Hon Majority Leader sounded in the morning that upon
    adjournment, we would have a joint Cau- cus meeting and I did not hear that from my Hon Colleague. That is number one.
    Number two, Mr Speaker, it seems to me that we were trying to impose an unnecessary burden on ourselves. Mr Speaker, Order 151 (1) provides:
    “At the first meeting of every ses- sion of Parliament there shall be appointed a Committee of Selection comprising Mr Speaker as Chair- man and not more than nineteen other Members.”
    It is at the First Meeting of every Session and it is not at the First Sitting of every Session. This is the tenth Sitting of this Session. Further to that, Order 151 (2) provides --
    Mr Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, there is a Motion for the adjournment of the House.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:55 p.m.
    I know. Mr Speaker, I am going to that. I would work that into --
    Mr Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Very well.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, Order 151 (2) provides:
    “Unless it is otherwise expressly provided it shall be the duty of the Committee of Selection to prepare and report within the first ten sitting days after its appointment lists of Chairman. . .”
    It seems to me that the Committee itself was appointed on the third Sitting day and not on the first Sitting day of this Session, which then would mean that we have two more days to run for the expiry of the ten Sitting days.
    But having said that, Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion moved by the Hon
    Deputy --
    Mr Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Do you want to with- draw the Committee's Report and do --
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speak- er, far it be from me, that I would make any such proposition. I was just bringing it up for further exudation and enlighten- ment.
    Mr Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Very well.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    ADJOURNMENT 12:55 p.m.
    SPACE FOR TABLE - PAGE 12:55 p.m.
    SPACE FOR APPENDIX - 12:55 p.m.