Debates of 14 Jun 2013

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 11:05 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Business Statement for the Fourth Week, Chairman of the Business Committee -- Hon Majority Leader?
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 11:05 a.m.
Arrangement of Business
Statements
Mr Speaker, your goodself may admit Statements to be made in the House by Hon Members and Ministers of State.

Bills, Papers and Reports

Mr Speaker, Bills may be presented to the House for First Reading and those of urgent nature may be taken through the various stages in one day in accordance with Standing Order 119. Papers and committee reports may also be presented to the House.

Motions and Resolutions

Mr Speaker, Motions may be debated and their consequential Resolutions, if any, taken during the week.

ICT Training Programme for Members of Parliament (MPs)

Mr Speaker, the Business Committee takes this opportunity to sensitise all Hon Members, that the proposed ICT training programme scheduled for Hon Members is to commence on Tuesday, 25th June, 2013 and end on Thursday, 4th July, 2013. The venue and other details about the training session would be communicated to Hon Members in due course.

Conclusion

Mr 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.

Statements

Presentation of Papers --

(a) Request for approval of Govern- ment of Ghana's access to the international capital market to issue a second Eurobond up to one billion United States dollars (US$1.0 billion).

(b) Report of Ghana's represen- tatives to the Community Parliament of ECOWAS on the First Ordinary Session of the Third Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament held in Abuja, Nigeria from 6th to 21st May, 2013.

Motion--

Second Reading of Bills --

Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Bill, 2013

Committee sittings.

Statements

Presentation of Papers --

(a) Report of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) on the management of petroleum revenues for the period 1st January, 2012 to 30th June, 2012.

(b) Annual Report on the activities of the Ghana Audit Service for the years ended 31st December, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Motions --

(a) Adoption of the Report of the Committee of Selection on the re-composition of committees.

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Term Loan Facility amounting to three billion United States dollars (US$3.0 billion) between the

Government of the Republic of Ghana and China Development Bank (CDB)—Deed of Security Confirmation and Amendments to the Master Facility Agreement (MFA), Five Party Agreement (FPA) and Accounts Agreement

(AA).

Committee sittings.

Statements

Motion --

Adoption of the Report of Ghana's representatives to the Community Parliament of ECOWAS on the First Ordinary Session of the Third Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament held in Abuja, Nigeria from 6th to 21st May, 2013.

Consideration Stage of Bills --

Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Bill, 2013

Committee sittings.

Statements

Committee sittings.

Mr Speaker, there is a subsequent amendment on an addendum that has just been brought to my attention and at the appropriate time, I will ask for leave from Mr Speaker. The item on Tuesday, 18th June, 2013 -- “1(ii)” would be deleted from the Business Statement.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 11:05 a.m.


Mr 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 may be taken during the week.
Dr Anthony A. Osei 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, first, when the Hon Majority Leader was reading -- I do not know if today is Friday -- he mentioned the date of “Tuesday, the 17th of June”. He said “Tuesday, the 17th” -- [Interruption] -- He said “Monday, the 18th of June”. The Hansard would capture it but I think he meant “Tuesday, the 18th. So, I hope they correct it.
Dr Kunbuor 11:15 a.m.
Thank you:
I do not remember but just in case it was not in the “Pink Sheet”, I would want that it be corrected to the 18th of June,
2013.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the second point is on item number 2 -- there is supposed to be a “Report of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) on the Management of Petroleum Revenues”. I am just wondering how the Business Committee is anticipating that.
First of all, I am not aware of any meetings that have been held to discuss this matter and the matter, in my view, is one that would take -- [Interruption] -- The Committee has not met as of yet; that is number one.
Number two; in my estimation, the Committee's work would take quite some time, so that we should be aware of it. No meeting has been scheduled to look at it and it is quite extensive. So, you may want to take note.
Number three; I do not see any indication of the postponed Closed Sitting
being indicated for next week. Yesterday, I thought Leadership said that it had been rescheduled for next week. But the Business Statement gives us no indication, and I am wondering if it is being completely taken off. My intelligence is that Hon Members are looking forward to that Closed Sitting meeting. So, if the Business Committee can advise us.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Dr Kunbuor 11:15 a.m.
Thank you very much.
Definitely, Leadership is having consultations on the matter to make sure that it is very, very meaningful and would address the concerns of Hon Members.
In relation to the other matters and the volume of work on PIAC, definitely, that is appreciated. But we certainly will start the processes and we can always onload and offload to make sure that we accommodate it.
Dr Matthew O. Prempeh 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to comment on the absence of certain pertinent issues on the agenda.
Mr Speaker, article 184 of Ghana's Constitution, clause 1, talks about -- and I beg to quote:
“The Committee of Parliament responsible for financial measures shall monitor the foreign exchange receipts and payments or transfers of the Bank of Ghana in and outside Ghana and shall report on them to Parliament once in every six months.”
Dr A. A. Osei 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on a point of order.
In the Standing Orders of Parliament, it is only the Chairman who has all the powers, not the Ranking Member. So, I do not know how he is going to bring the Ranking Member in. He should check the Standing Orders. They are very clear who is responsible to move the Committee. It does not say the Chairman and Ranking Member. Our Standing Orders are very clear. They do not say even the Vice; they say it is the Chairman. So, why is he bringing in the Hon Ranking Member?
Dr Prempeh 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the issue that I raised --
Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
The issue is about the Finance Committee --
Dr A. A. Osei 11:15 a.m.
Yes.
Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
And the Hon Ranking member is a member of the Committee. Is he not?
Dr A. A. Osei 11:15 a.m.
Yes. So, are all other members. The Standing Orders are very clear --
Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Hon Member for Old Tafo, the article that the Hon Member referred to did not talk about the Chairman of the Committee; he talked about the Committee. And in fact, those additions of Chairmen and Ranking Members and all those things are necessary; it is the Committee that the Constitution is referring to.
Dr Kunbuor 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I guess that the question that Hon Prempeh raised was because of the clear visibility of the Hon Ranking Member on this floor. No single day had passed on any financial matter and the Hon Ranking Member has not performed his duty as the Hon Ranking Member. So, as a matter of course, it just
becomes clear that people might even be substituting the Committee for the Hon Ranking Member. So, I think it is highly appreciated --
Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Hon Members, let us hear the Hon Member. I have taken the comment of the Hon Majority Leader on the lighter side.
Dr Prempeh 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, in the spirit of the good that this work has worked, I think it is a matter of Leadership. Even issues to do with the Hon Majority Leader include the Hon Minority Leader per se. So, if I am mistaken, I am sorry.
But Mr Speaker, these constitutional obligations in the last four years have not been adhered to and so, I am calling on your goodself to make sure that constitutional obligations are first and foremost --
Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Is it the case that this House has not evoked these provisions of the Constitution or they have been evoking them except the last four years? This is because these things should be in the Hansard --
Dr Prempeh 11:15 a.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
So, if you are not too sure --
Dr Prempeh 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, my surety is the fact that in the last four years, we have not seen their reports.
Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
But before then -- what about the previous years -- had you seen their report before the last four years?
Dr Prempeh 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I was not an Hon Member of the House.
Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
That is why you should move the time element from your contribution. You are calling on the House to perform its constitutional duty.
Dr Prempeh 11:15 a.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, the second issue, even more important is, we have seen that this side of Parliament, the Auditor-General's Reports for certain years have been laid. But Mr Speaker, the Public Accounts Committee is in a quagmire now.
All those Reports that they deliberated on but were not laid, how do we fashion a system to make sure that this Parliament does not lose sight of the fact that there are countless number of Auditor- General's Reports that were worked on by the Public Accounts Committee in the last Session of Parliament -- in the Fifth Parliament -- but that were never laid and to have all those issues deliberated?
Dr Kunbuor 11:15 a.m.
We have gone down that road before, Mr Speaker. I am certain that the Hon Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and Hon Members of the Committee know the appropriate procedure to follow to make sure that the concerns in those Reports are addressed.
I had some discussions with them and I have given them alternative pathways to make sure that the House gets the benefits in those Reports and I guess in their subsequent meetings, those issues would be addressed.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to respond to the first issue that the Hon Member for Manhyia South raised.
I think that in a way, he is correct as far as the last Parliament is concerned. It is an issue that the Hon Chairman and I have discussed and something that we intend to follow. And part of the reason that it is important, is that, if we do not do that, when the Auditor-General's Report is reported on by the Public Accounts Committee, the harm would have been done. It is those reports that come from

the Bank of Ghana, that if we bring first, can draw our attention, even before the Public Accounts Committee meets. And I am sure the Chairman can confirm that. We have had some discussions and he has assured me that the report that they would write for the end of June this year
-- 11:15 a.m.
Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleague opposite talks about the Standing Orders, giving particular roles to Chairmen. Can he cite any one of the Standing Orders that says that the Chairman is the leadership of the Committee?
Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Any other comment on the Business Statement?
Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I think you would remember the efforts I have been trying to make contacting yourself and the Majority Leader on the issue of laying reports that are outstanding? I have given a very tall list of a large number of reports to be laid.
Fortunately, was it last week or so, five of them were laid and I thought they were going to follow sequentially. Up till now, nothing has come again and I am wondering when these reports would be laid. Mr Speaker, the 2011 Consolidated Account was signed by the Auditor- General on the 12th of July, 2012. Up till now, they have been sitting in the mails room, it has not been laid. Several other
reports are adding on and I cannot understand why this situation continues. We are waiting for these reports to help us decide what to do with them. We are having our second workshop over the weekend in Koforidua and we need even to lay hands on them, so that Hon Members can begin to read them before we start sitting in public.
So, Mr Speaker, I do not know how best you can facilitate the laying of these reports to enable us have some work to do.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, in relation to that.
I have an issue and I need your guidance.
As far as I am concerned, this Parliament is not seeing any Auditor- General's Report that was purportedly completed by the last Parliament. In other words, those reports were laid before the last Parliament, they have not been laid before this Parliament. So, even if there is a report, it cannot be brought to this Parliament when those Auditor-General's Reports have not been laid before this new Parliament, in my view.
My impression is that, unfortunately, the reports did not come. There is a new Public Accounts Committee, which does not have access to those reports, theoretically; they were not laid before them. So, all those reports, whether --
Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Hon Member, you must draw the distinction between the reports, so that I can understand the point you are making. We have the Auditor-General's Report and the Committee's Report. So, I would want you to draw the --
Dr A. A. Osei 11:15 a.m.
The Auditor-General's Report is before the last Parliament. Question: First, is it properly before this Sixth Parliament? Second, because the
Committee's Reports were not laid before the last Parliament, clearly, they have lapsed. The Committee's Reports have lapsed for the Fifth Parliament. So, the Committee must find a way, in my view, to convince its new members, as it were, to adopt their reports, even though they may not have read them. But as far as our rules are concerned, the Committee's Reports have lapsed, they were never brought here.
Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Let us not bedevil this point.
Hon Member for Old Tafo, your position is clearly the true position. This matter came up on the floor of the House about two or three weeks ago and my position was that the previous Parliament is different from this Parliament. At the same time, where the Constitution does not provide for the procedure to use, we are masters of our own procedure.
To that extent, it is for the Public Accounts Committee to decide whether they would take fresh evidence or to adopt the Report of the previous Committee. That is a matter for the Committee, yes. Then they would bring a report. If the Members of the House say that they do not like that approach, it is a different matter. So, these are matters that the Committee would have to decide on and bring proposals.
But I agree with you that those Reports in the first instance have to be re-laid if they have not been laid at all -- the Auditor-General's Report. They have to be re-laid first, referred to the new Public Accounts Committee of the Sixth Parliament and then they would go back and say that they are adopting the work of the previous Committee for A, B, C reasons or no. Others would say that they were not members of that original Public Accounts Committee of the Fifth Parliament and so, they are not privy to the evidence that was taken and therefore, they would cannot speak on them. So, they want it to start afresh.
But we are masters of our own procedures. So, that is a matter for the Committee to decide and then they can bring it to the floor of the House for us to look at or let us look at it at another level. So, this should not be a problem at all.
Dr Kunbuor 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I have had personal discussions with the Chairman of the Committee and one did not want to be unnecessar ily legalist ic or constitutional about a practical matter. And all that I said was that this matter lies entirely with the Committee.
I am also aware that if resistance is coming up by new members of the Committee, which is making it difficult for you to arrive at what you want, try and let Leadership intervene -- [Interruption]- - Wait, I am coming; let me finish-- Mr Speaker, otherwise, you cannot litigate over something that does not exist.
The Fifth Parliament has not referred any job to you for you to insist that a Report has to be laid. What has been referred to the Public Accounts Committee for a report to be laid? So, we are trying to find out the breach in which we can get the Committee to adopt the previous one, circumventing the constitutional requirement, so that we would still get the benefit of all what has taken place.
So, it is entirely your responsibility as Chairman, to make sure that you give the guidelines to your Committee members and assist them in this adoption process.
It should not be a matter we should come and litigate here because the only thing we can deal with on the floor here, is whether those Reports constitutionally have lapsed or not. And the answer is that they have lapsed. How can you put something on what does not exist? So, do not let us litigate that, let us assist one another and make sure that this thing finds life back into this Parliament.
Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Hon Members, these are matters that can be taken -- Fortunately, the composition of the Business Committee is such that it is made up of Leaders of both sides. So, if there is a certain business that ought to be taken- - Some of these matters can be resolved before we come to the floor of the House.
As of now, this is what the Business Committee is proposing. If you think that there should be an addition, the rules allow us not only on Thursdays as we used to, you can meet anytime within the week to bring supplementary business to the House. The rules of the House, our Standing Orders, are clear on these procedures.
So, when Leaders of both sides who are members of the Business Committee programme business for the House and we raise issues and all those things about the Business that is brought, then what are we doing at the Business Committee? I do not know.
Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to make reference to the Hon Majority Leader's contribution.
The Committee has met. We have agreed, both new and old Hon Members, that Reports that were laid in the previous Parliament will have to be re-laid for us to adopt. And then we would establish work- in-progress as to what we did with them. Then the Reports that we have prepared from the Committee's Reports can also be laid if we adopt them.
Based on that discussion, I have listed work-in-progress into different cate- gories; Reports that we started working on but we did not complete, some part public hearing; Reports that were laid that we did not touch at all and then new Reports that were coming. I have done this categorisation for the Hon Majority Leader. And all we are waiting here --
rose
Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:35 a.m.
That list I gave you contains all these Reports -- about 40 of them -- [Interruption]
Dr Kunbuor 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am rising on a point of order.
Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Hon Majority Leader, I would give you the chance to respond. Let us hear him.
Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, your suggestion of adoption has been done. All we need now is that all the Reports that we have listed and given to the Hon Majority Leader, should be laid in the House. That is all we need now.
Dr Kunbuor 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the channels for communicating with the Hon Majority Leader are known. I have just asked for guidance from the Clerks-at-the-Table. Is there any evidence of that communication to me as the Hon Majority Leader? What has happened -- [Interruption] --Wait. Let me finish.
What has happened is that he has come on the floor to me to seek my advice as to what he should do. It was at my instance I asked him to divide, sever them and put them into the various categories and let us proceed with what is not controversial and send the others back to his Committee.
As I sit now, there is no official correspondence that his Committee has made and issued a report and the report has come to the Hon Majority Leader. I do not have that evidence.
This is because it will go to the Clerks- at-the-Table. They will bring it to the Business Committee and the Hon Deputy Minority Leader would be at that Commi- ttee's meeting. We finished with the Business Committee meeting yesterday and there is no evidence that a matter like that has come back.
Let us be a bit candid with our processes and what his responsibility is and what is mine.
Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Hon Members, please, submit whatever you have. Submit it to the Hon Majority Leader, copy it to the Hon Ranking Member of the Business Committee and send a copy to the Speaker's and the Clerk's Office.
I would not take any further comment on this matter.
Dr A. A.Osei 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on the front page of the Business Statement, there is a proposed “ICT Training Programme for Hon Members”. And the proposed dates are Tuesday, 25th June to Thursday, 4th July, 2013.
Mr Speaker, may I ask the Hon Chairman of the Business Committee whether he is aware that 1st July is a holiday? And if so, how is that being accommodated in this time period?
Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Hon Member for Old Tafo, there is no indication that there will be training on 1st July.
Dr A. A.Osei 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it says that training commences on Tuesday, 25th June 2013 and ends on 4th July, 2013 -- 1st July is inclusive. It did not say except “1st July”.
Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
But why are you not talking about Saturdays and Sundays too?
Dr A. A.Osei 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am saying that on the basis of the white sheet -- [Laughter] -- it says that it commences on Tuesday, 25th June, 2013 and ends on 4th July, 2013. So, I am enquiring whether that includes 1st July.
Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Hon Majority Leader, does it include 1st July and weekends?
Dr Kunbuor 11:35 a.m.
Certainly, Mr Speaker, our rules and Standing Orders are clear. We have indicated to clear all doubts that this is actually for the Fourth Week.
Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
This is just a prior notice.
Dr Kunbuor 11:35 a.m.
Precisely.
Mr Benito Owusu-Bio 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, my comment is for our own good and very important indeed.
Mr Speaker, four years ago, we had a thorough medical examination --
Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Hon Member, please, welfare matters are not addressed on the floor of the House.
I have had a discussion with the Clerk and the Leadership of both sides of the House on this matter. There were challenges that were experienced in the last Parliament and the Clerk complained to me about them. So, at a Closed Sitting, it would be discussed and you would be briefed accordingly.
Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, when the Hon Member for Manhyia South raised the issue of Standing Order 171(2) on the functions of the Finance Committee, I thought it was very important. It is in the same vein, Mr Speaker, I believe we should, clearly, as a Parliament, look at Standing Order 184, which has to do with the Committee on Employment, Social Welfare and State Enterprises. That is something we have talked about at workshops and even during our informal meetings, we talk about it but we have never put it into action.
Mr Speaker, I believe that under your Speakership, we should put that Committee into action with regard to that particular matter. This is because it is very pre-emptive. Its function is similar to that of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) but it is pre-emptive. If we take that Committee work seriously and we allow them to work and we pre-empt some of the things, we would not have some of the scandals that we are having. Mr Speaker, I believe that we should find a way of directing them forcefully to look at it and then make sure that that thing is done.
So, I was happy when he raised it and I thought that I should bring this to our attention for us to look at it.
Dr Kunbuor 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, that is the context in which these committee activities would be looked at. Represen- tations have been made by a number of the committees which have equally significant roles to play by our Standing Orders, similar to that of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
If one takes the Works Committee, for instance, the nature of what they have been enjoined to do would be so significant, that also would have to get coverage. This is because there are a number of those specific matters that the Committee will need to know.
Second, is the Government Assurance Committee and I have had discussions with the Hon Chairman of that Committee -- where they think that assurances that have been made by Government, there should be an opportunity for a follow-up by the Committee to see the extent to which they have been implemented.
So, there is bound to be recast and allotment of time and resources of the House to all these Committees, so that we do not have a monologue. We can engineer all these Committees at about the same time to perform their responsibilities.
So, all these are being discussed at the Leadership level and it is a matter that we would bring to the House at the appropriate time.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want the Hon Majority Leader to address his mind to the fact that if there is going to be re-allocation, then it is good because we have been given certain documents that have fixed budgets. So, if Leadership is going to re-consider, I think it is in the right direction and we look forward to the re-direction.
I thank you.
Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Hon Members, that brings us to the end of the consideration of Business Statement for the Fourth Week ending 21st June, 2013.
Business Statement for the Fourth Week accordingly adopted.
Hon Majority Leader?
Dr Kunbuor 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to come under Order 53(2) to alter the Business of the day, so that we might take items numbered 5 and 6 of the Order Paper and the Addendum out of turn.
Mr Nitiwul 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we agreed to vary the order for us to take that Motion and then later on, we can do the Statements. So, it is perfectly in agreement.
Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Very well.
Hon Chairman of the Finance Committee, item number 5 on the Order Paper?
Hon Members, after taking this Motion, we would go to Statements. I have admitted two Statements for today.
MOTIONS 11:55 a.m.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr James K. Avedzi) 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House adopts the Report of the Finance Committee on the request for waiver of stamp duty on an offshore syndicated receivables-backed trade facility of US$1,500,000,000.00 for cocoa purchases by Ghana Cocoa Board for the year 2012/2013 crop season.
Mr Speaker, in doing so, I present your Committee's Report.
Introduction
The request for waiver of stamp duty on an offshore syndicated receivables- backed trade finance facility of one billion, five hundred million United States dollars (US$1,500,000,000.00)for Cocoa purchases by Ghana Cocoa Board for the 2012/2013 crop season was presented to Parliament by the Hon Minister in charge of Government Business in Parliament, Dr. Benjamin Bewa-Nyong Kunbuor on Tuesday, 4th March, 2013. Mr Speaker referred the request to the Finance Committee for consideration and report in accordance with article 174(2) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 169 of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.
Pursuant to the referral, the Committee met with the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance, Mr Kweku Ricketts-Hagan and officials from the Ministry of Finance, Ghana Revenue Authority and Ghana Cocoa Board and considered the referral.
The Committee is grateful to the Hon Deputy Minister and officials from the Ministry, Ghana Revenue Authority and Ghana Cocoa Board for attending upon it.
Reference
The Committee referred to the follow- ing additional documents during its de- liberations:
The 1992 Constitution of Ghana
The Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.
Stamp Duty Act, 2005 (Act 689).
Chairman of the Committee (Mr James K. Avedzi) 11:55 a.m.


Background

The cocoa industry has contributed significantly to the economic develop- ment of Ghana over the years. In the year 2010, cocoa contributed about a quarter of Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but this declined in percentage terms to 19 per cent in 2012 as a result of the contribution of oil to the country's GDP. The industry has over the years generated employment for millions of Ghanaians and serves as a major source of foreign exchange for the country.

Cocoa production has also increased significantly since the 1999/2000 crop season, reaching an all-time high of 740,458 metric tonnes in 2005/2006 crop season. This record was remarkably broken in the 2010/2011 crop season with a record production level of over 1.0 million metric tonnes. The increase in the levels of production requires substantial financial resources to enable the Ghana Cocoa Board finance the purchase of cocoa beans.

To this end, the offshore syndicated Trade Finance Facility was put in place in 1994 to enable the Ghana Cocoa Board secure a loan facility to finance cocoa purchases and for other payments each year.

The offshore syndicated Trade Finance Facility for 2012/2013 cocoa season is to enable the Ghana Cocoa Board purchase cocoa and make other payments to stakeholders in the 2012/2013 crop season. The financing arrangement involves a consortium of about thirty-eight (38) international and local banks providing a facility amounting to US$1,500,000,000.00 to finance the

purchase of 800,000 metric tonnes of cocoa beans for the 2012/2013 crop season. Section 32(6) of the Stamp Duty Act, 2005 (Act 689), however, requires the payment of 1per cent Stamp Duty on the facility.

Required waiver

The provisions of section 32(6) of the Stamp Duty Act, 2005 (Act 689) makes it imperative to pay a Stamp Duty of 1 per cent on loan facilities. To ensure that the full value of the loan is used for cocoa purchase in the 2012/2013 cocoa season, there was the need to waive the Stamp Duty on the loan facility. The amount of tax waiver required is 1 per cent Stamp Duty on US$1,500,000,000.00, amounting to US$15,000,000.00

Observation

Importance of the tax waiver

The Committee was informed that cocoa has over the years remained a major contributor to Ghana's economic growth and transformation. The loan amount will be used to purchase a projected 800,000 tonnes of cocoa beans at a projected FOB price of US$2,300 per tonne and at a projected cedi/dollar exchange rate of GH¢1.87 to US$1. The waiver is therefore necessary to ensure that the full value of the facility is available to the Ghana Cocoa Board to enable it pay for cocoa purchases and other liabilities in the 2012/2013 crop season.

The tax waiver amount being requested

The Committee observed that the Ghana Revenue Authority granted an interim waiver on the offshore syndicated receivables-backed trade finance facility

amounting to US$150,000,000.00. The stamp duty payable which was assessed at 1 per cent of US$1,500,000,000.00 was quoted at US$150,000,000.00. The Committee, upon a careful scrutiny came to the realisation that the required waiver amounted to fifteen million United States dollars (US$15,000,000.00) and not the interim assessment of US$150,000,000.00 calculated by the Ghana Revenue Authority and stated in the request. While admitting that this may be a mistake, the Committee was however, not happy that this was not detected before the request was submitted to Parliament.

The Committee therefore advises the officers of the Ghana Revenue Authority to be more diligent in the performance of their duties. Further, the Ministry of Finance is also advised to be more vigilant and pay attention to details to prevent embarrassment in future.

Conclusion

Having carefully examined the referral, the Committee recommends to the House to adopt its Report and approve by resolution, the request for waiver of Stamp Duty amounting to fifteen million United States dollars (US$15,000,000.00) relating to the offshore syndicated receivables-backed trade finance facility of US$1,500,000,000.00 for cocoa purchases by the Ghana Cocoa Board for the year 2012/2013 crop season in accordance with article 174(2) of the 1992 Constitution, section 36 of the Stamp Duty Act, 2005 (Act 689) and Order 169 of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.

Respectfully submitted.

Ranking Member of the Committee (Dr Anthony A. Osei): Mr Speaker, the

Report constrains me from seconding it. It says, “By majority decision.”
Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Hon Chairman, delete “majority”, please.
Mr Avedzi 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on page 4, paragraph 7.0, line 1, delete “majority”. So, “by majority decision” is deleted accordingly.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, this is a very awkward way because the Committee said it was by “majority”. I would have thought that an Hon Member, on the Majority side would second it, because -
- 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Hon Member, when you caught my eye, you made a comment that the Report --
Dr A. A. Osei 11:55 a.m.
“Constrains” me --
Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
You made reference to “majority” so, I thought that if they removed “majority”, you would not be constrained. That is why I asked him -- But I do not know whether you would still
-- 11:55 a.m.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would comment, but this is actually what happened at the Committee and I do not want to presume that I am taking a decision for the Committee. The Committee has not met to change --
Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Hon Member, the Report is now the property of the House and we have several times amended portions of a Report on the floor of the House. So, when you made the comment and I called the Chairman --
Hon Members, I would want to plead with you that you should not do anything based on some people's incompetence to politicise the cocoa industry. Clearly, it was a mistake. Instead of US$15 million,
Mr Nitiwul 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, clearly, we all know the source of the problem and I think the Minority side were clearly right by the arrangement we have done here. Clearly, it was not an issue of politicisation but it was an issue of procedure and by our understanding and from what we have discussed even from today, it is clear that the Minority is backing down from that position, that is why we are proceeding. So, I am sure that it more or less nullifies the position about majority decision. So, he can then go ahead and move with it.
DrA. A. Osei 11:55 a.m.
Since Mr Speaker has directed, I do not want to be held in contempt of the Speaker's directions.
Mr Speaker, I think the point has been made. Yesterday's Hansard fully captures our concerns about this.
I am further informed that Leadership has met and I do not want to be seen as usurping the powers of our Leadership. But I think the point has been made.
Tax waiver is not controversial and we should not think that it was out of politics. I think in the future -- [Interruption.] Point of order?
Dr Benjamin B. Kunbuor 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it is a point of information, just to put it in the context in which they have mentioned.

I intended to make that information available.
Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
But let him second the Motion, then you would come in at the appropriate time.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, as I said, I have no difficulty seconding the Motion. But in seconding it, I would want to raise a few issues which are not related to the earlier discussions.
If you look at the reasons for the tax waiver -- and here, let me repeat what the Hon Chairman said at page 4.0 “. . . to ensure that the full value of the loan is used for cocoa purchases.”
Mr Speaker, this is very, very important. The question is, was the full value used for cocoa purchases? The reason we are giving the tax waiver is for this purpose. So, if we have information that the full value was not used for cocoa purchases, then we should be interrogating the tax waiver.
I am quite clear in my mind that the full value was not used for purchases of cocoa. Construction of roads is not purchasing of cocoa.
Mr Speaker, if you go and see the report that has been given by the expenditure returns, certain other things went on. So, I think the Committee should have interrogated the matter further, so that -- It is not US$15 million that we are giving them. This is because, that is what the Act says. To the extent that they used it to purchase cocoa, then we waive it. But if it is not the full amount -- The US$15 million is the maximum.
I think in future, we should be asking these questions, bring COCOBOD and let them give us the full details, so that we can do the pro rata.
We should not allow them to just do this because they have done it in the past. Parliament must take charge.
They would be coming here soon with a new request for a loan and I think at that time, we should deal with this issue.
Mr Speaker, my constituency is not a cocoa growing area, so the roads are not coming there. That one, I cannot do anything about it.
With those few words, I beg to second the Motion.
Question proposed.
rose
Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Are you contributing or you are providing information, the one you wanted to provide earlier?
Dr Kunbuor 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I rose initially on a point of information just to put the matter in context, so that they would be aware that in Leadership discussion, we also did say this Motion would be taken today subject to a caveat.
We would want, at the appropriate time, to invite Mr Speaker in his ruling on this matter, to send consequential directives, that the Resolution would be taken subject to the particular institutions that originated this error, to consistently come up with the corrected position before the Resolution can be implemented.
This is the information we thought we should put there to assure Hon Members of the House, that we would not allow this situation to go unchecked.
Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka (NDC -- Asawase) 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion before the House on the waiver.
Mr Speaker, the issue of cocoa and our economy is a very critical one. I am coming on just two points which are general. They are not restricted to this particular waiver.
Mr Speaker, if you look at article 174 of the 1992 Constitution, we are the only institution --
Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Hon Majority Chief Whip, please, limit yourself to the waiver on the stamp duty.
Alhaji Muntaka 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am talking about the waiver on the stamp duty which affects others but not necessarily this one alone. This is because, these tax waivers that we always give are to enhance the operation of, for example, COCOBOD and the purchases that they are going to embark on. I think the Finance Committee needs to do more in terms of interrogating exactly what they are using all the money for.
State institutions normally get these waivers and when they have these waivers and taxes that are supposed to come into the Consolidated Fund -- It makes their books look good and many of them end up using them as bonuses because it shows in their books that they have done extremely well.
Mr Speaker, it is for this reason that I am saying that if we look at the National Health Insurance Fund, we take a lot of taxes to build up these funds -- the GETFund, Road Fund and other Funds - -When we do a lot of waivers without looking at exactly what activities are going to be carried out, we may gradually, as the very House that has the mandate to tax, be defeating the purpose of creating these Funds.
Mr Speaker, I have no objection to this waiver. This is not the first time it is happening. But I would want us, as a
Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Hon Member, the Motion is for stamp duty, which is one per cent. So, I do not see how the National Health Insurance Levy and the GETFund come in. It is about stamp duty which is one per cent. That is the Motion before us.
Alhaji Muntaka 11:55 a.m.
Rightly so, Mr Speaker. I know that the Act that established the issue of waivers exists. I am only reminding us as a House, whether we would not want to look at those Acts --
Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Yesterday, the House raised a lot of issues with regard to waivers.
Alhaji Muntaka 11:55 a.m.
All right, Mr Speaker.
So, I must say that this waiver, as stated in the Committee's Report, is to enhance the operations of COCOBOD.
I would only want to urge the Committee on Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs and the Finance Committee of this House to do more, so that we do not just engage COCOBOD when it comes to approving the loan for purchases and waivers to enable them carry out these operations, but other activities that COCOBOD carries out also and that we are sure that they are really protecting our interest very well.
With these comments, Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.
Dr Mathew O. Prempeh (NPP -- Manhyia South) 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise to remind the House that, the Official Report of 31st May, 2013, volume 787 -- just about a year ago, this same stamp duty waiver issue was brought before our august House and at that time, Mr Speaker was the First Deputy Speaker and I would quote what he said. But before I even get to the First Deputy Speaker, the Hon former Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee --
Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Hon Member, you would be able to quote but the rules say, I cannot take part in the debate. So, you would not be very fair to me.
Dr Prempeh 12:05 p.m.
All right, Mr Speaker. I will not quote you.
The issue of stamp duty waivers -- COCOBOD, in going to solicit for this facility, has paid over twice that amount of money out of this same principal sum as fees, arrangement and things for the benefit of foreign countries and foreign banks. COCOBOD did not have a problem with that.
Mr Speaker, COCOBOD did not have a problem with that; they paid. When it comes to the little that Ghana Government is going to get as stamp duty, they come here for a waiver. Meanwhile, COCOBOD is a commercial entity. So, when they were going to borrow the money, the terms and principles, Parliament need not approve that loan.
The dangerous thing is that the contingent liability of COCOBOD is on the Ghana Government. If we would not scrutinise their loans, why should we promote their waivers? Mr Speaker, US$15 million might be a small amount in terms of COCOBOD but it will be a huge sum in terms of Government; balance of

payments; build boreholes and secondary schools. So, this idea that we should grant COCOBOD -- They have so much profit that even Government used some of that money to build cocoa roads. Why then can they not pay the US$15 million?

Mr Speaker, we should take a stance in this House, that if COCOBOD thinks that the commercial loans they are contracting, it is good enough for foreign banks to earn profits, then Ghana Government should not waive their stamp duty. COCOBOD should be sufficiently liable to pay the stamp duty irrespective of the amount of money they contribute to Ghana Government. This is a separate entity.

Thank you Mr Speaker [Hear!Hear!].

Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing (Mr Sampson Ahi) (MP): Mr Speaker, I think that we all know the importance of the cocoa sector to this economy, particularly, to my constituency, Bodi.

Going by the suggestion given by the Hon Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, I think that as a country, we are not doing something right because the waiver that we are seeking to approve today is what we have been doing for the past 10 years, maybe, even more than ten years. Every year when COCOBOD syndicates loans of this nature, they come here and they ask for stamp duty waivers and, we have been doing it over the years.

I agree with the Hon Member that over the years, we were not doing the right thing. That is why he is suggesting that today, we should look at it.
rose
Mr Speaker 12:05 p.m.
Do you have a point of order?
Dr Prempeh 12:05 p.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker. But for mentioning my name and putting it into the wrong context-- I am not saying what we are doing is wrong and I did not even oppose the stamp duty waiver.
What I am saying is that what is good for the goose, is good for the gander. COCOBOD as we speak, is a limited liability company. It is not a non- governmental organisation (NGO) or a subvented company. It is going ahead and borrowing commercially from people who are earning fat interest on those loans and they do not see anything wrong with that. That is what I am drawing this House's attention to and not the fact that we should not grant the waiver.
Mr Ahi 12:05 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am not debating my Hon Colleague. I am only trying to echo what he said, that we should re- consider this method of granting stamp duty waivers to COCOBOD. That is what I just said.
The point I would want to make is that COCOBOD has never used the syndicated loan wholly to purchase cocoa in this country. In fact, the tarring of cocoa roads was introduced somewhere in 2002/2003. I remember very well that when COCOBOD sought for the same facility, US$100 million was earmarked for cocoa roads from which my constituency, at that time, Juaboso, benefitted. And so, for an Hon Member to suggest that when COCOBOD takes a loan, it should be used wholly for purchasing cocoa, is misleading because part of the money --
Mr Speaker 12:05 p.m.
Hon Member, the sense I get from that contribution is that whatever else we use the money for, should be apparent on the face of the records. That is the point being made.
Mr Ahi 12:05 p.m.
Mr Speaker, what I am seeking to do, is to say that, in fact, every year, after COCOBOD has sourced for the loan, they earmark some for cocoa roads, and some for COCOBOD scholarships to
Dr A. A. Osei 12:05 p.m.
On a point of order.
Mr Speaker, I do not know why the Hon Deputy Minister wants to go into an area and inadvertently, may be misinforming this House.
There are two issues. What the law says in terms of the Stamp Duty Act -- The amount we waive must correspond to the amount that is going to be used to purchase cocoa. If COCOBOD wants to build roads, nobody has a problem with that.
What I am saying is that, if we waive US$15 million, then US$1.5 billion must be used to purchase only cocoa. There is nothing wrong with doing other things. We are lawmakers, we must be seen to be doing what we would like COCOBOD to do, but if it is in violation of the law, we must do the proper thing.
The Hon Member should not let COCOBOD think that in trying to make a case, he may be misrepresenting them. The Hon Member should please, not go there. He should read the Report, it is very clear in what it says.
Mr Ahi 12:05 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I think my Hon Colleague emphasised my point -- [Laughter] -- I would want to say that this House should approve the waiver being requested for by COCOBOD,to enable them continue to service our cocoa farmers, so that the sector can continue to play the important role that they have been playing in this economy.
On this note, Mr Speaker, I would want to thank you for the opportunity.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah (NPP -- Sekondi) 12:15 p.m.
Thank you very much, Mr
Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to this debate and just to make a few observations based on the Report of the Committee.
Mr Speaker, I refer to page 4, bullet point 6 of the Committee's Report and to state that the observation made in this paragraph is very important even though I believe the statement in the Report is not that strong enough.
Mr Speaker, it says, and with your permission, I beg to quote, and I refer to the third line:
“The stamp duty payable which was assessed at one per cent of US$1.5 billion was quoted as US$150 million.”
The Committee upon a careful scrutiny came to the realisation that the required waiver amounted to US$15 million and not the interim assessment of US$150 million calculated by the Ghana Revenue Authority and stated in the request.
While admitting that this may be a mistake, the Committee was however not happy that this was not detected before the request was submitted to Parliament.”
I believe that the statement is rather lame. Mr Speaker, this House should frown upon slovenly and shoddy approach to work by public officials. I say this because if you look at the Memorandum submitted to this House by the Hon Minister, bullet point 5 -- Unfortunately, it was not numbered, and it says --
“The provisions of section 36 of the Stamp Duty Act, 2005, make it imperative to stamp duty alone which is one per cent of the facility. The Minister for Finance in con- sultation with the Commissioner of the Domestic Tax Revenue, acting in the capacity of the Commissioner- General, has assessed Stamp Duty of ‘so, so, and so' “on the facility.”
It is a clear statement and my worry is that this statement was generated from the

letter dated 25th October, 2012, addressed to the Hon Minister by the Acting Commissioner for the Commissioner- General. My worry is that, certainly, it is not the Acting Commissioner who would have generated the letter, a subordinate must have done it. It is patently an error but this error was not discovered by the Commissioner before she signed it. It went to the Hon Minister for Finance.Definitely, a subordinate must have worked on this. He also did not see it and the Hon Minister did not see it. It went to the Office of the President and it was also not discovered.

Some may think that it is much ado about nothing but it goes to the root of our systems.

If such an elementary mistake was not discovered, one can imagine if this was something that had legal consequences and placed a financial burden on the Exchequer -- and that is my worry. And that is my worry, that in a country like ours, such an elementary error was not discovered till it came to Parliament.

Having said that, it is also about the conclusion of the Committee's Report. It says:

“Having carefully examined the referral, the Committee by majority decision —”
Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
Hon Member, you were not here when the Motion was moved; the”majority” has been deleted now.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 12:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, what?
Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
Hon Member, it has been deleted. You were not here.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 12:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, —no, but it was a majority decision. Mr Speaker —
Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
Hon Member, something happened on the floor while you were not here. Something happened on the floor while the Motion was being moved; you were not here. So, as a result, there was a certain understanding.
Committee Reports can always be amended, and we have amended them several times on the floor of the House.
Make your point.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 12:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am making the point as a member of the Committee —
Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
Hon Member, make the point.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 12:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am making the point as an Hon Member of the Committee who insisted that a vote be taken. That is why I am referring to it.
Mr Speaker, it was a majority decision
-- 12:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
Hon Member for Sekondi, that is why, if you feel strongly about the Motion -- Hon Members must be in the House when Motions are being moved. Maybe, at that time, you would have made your point. But we have done it.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 12:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
But just to respond to the point that you made, that Hon Members must be at the House, I was in this House before proceedings commenced. There was a delegation of postgraduate students from New York University that had visited this House and I was invited by the Public Affairs Department of Parliament to have a discussion with them.
So, I would have been here. My failure to be here was not because I was — So, I would want to put it on record --
Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
Hon Member, I know that in terms of attendance, you are a very regular Member of this House. I am not suggesting that you were late in coming to the House.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 12:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
Hon Member, I am only relating it to the time the Motion was being moved.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 12:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the point I would want to make, even though this has been amended, is that, where a committee's report at any time indicates that the conclusion or the recommendation is not by consensus but by majority, I believe that it will help the House, for the reason for the majority decision or the reservations, to be stated. That is what —
Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
In fact, I appealed to Hon Members of both sides of the House, that we should not use the incompetence of the people assessing the tax to divide this House and therefore, end up politicising the cocoa industry.
I, therefore, made a special appeal to both sides of the House and we have agreed to delete the word “majority”.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 12:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, nevertheless, I will just conclude by saying that whenever and wherever it becomes apparent to this House, that public officials have been shoddy, slovenly or shabby, we must call them to book. That is the point I am making and I feel strongly about this.
This is because I have also had the experience of being in the Executive. It is not really the business of a Minister to be reading line by line every document. So, where, due to the error of subordinates, Ministers make mistakes, I believe that disciplinary action ought to be taken against them.
We have come a long way as a country and we always blame the politicians for not doing their work. It is in this light that I feel strongly about this because the error was so basic and for it to have gone to the topmost level of our country without being identified, means that there is something wrong with our systems.
I thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
Hon Members, I will take two more, one from each side.
The Hon Member here and then the Hon Member for Kwadaso.
Mr Mathias K. Ntow (NDC -- Aowin) 12:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to contribute to the Motion, that this House adopts the Report of the Finance Committee on the request for waiver of stamp duty on the off-shore syndicated receivables-backed trade finance facility of US$1,500,000,000.00 for cocoa purchases by the Ghana Cocoa Board for the year 2012/2013 cocoa season.
Let me first commend Mr Speaker for the consenting that we should delete the “majority”decision as was captured in the Report.
Secondly, as somebody from the heart of the cocoa growing area, let me use this opportunity to make one or two observations as far as cocoa purchase in this country is concerned. I wish the COCOBOD as an institution or as an organisation take or do a lot about the cocoa roads in the cocoa growing areas --
Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
Hon Member, limit yourself to the waiver. You have one minute more. [Laughter.]
Mr Ntow 12:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Hon Papa Owusu-Ankomah is from the coast; there is no cocoa in his area. [Laughter] Mr Speaker, with your indulgence —
Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
Hon Member, we should be very careful when we make certain comments on the floor. This Motion is before all the Hon Members of the House- - whether you are from a cocoa growing area or not. Therefore, every Hon Member is entitled to pass any comment that he wishes to so pass.
Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
Hon Member, conclude.
Mr Ntow 12:25 p.m.
Mr Speaker, what would I want to say is that, I support the Motion, that this waiver should be taken care of, so that the purchases could go on. But then, the supply of chemicals to the farmers --
Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
Hon Member, you are out of order.
Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto (NPP -- Kwadaso) 12:25 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to -- [Interruption].
rose
Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
Hon Member for Old Tafo, I have ruled him out of order because he was not talking --
Dr A. A. Osei 12:25 p.m.
Mr Speaker, his earlier statement that we should approve the tax waiver, so that cocoa purchasing can go on -- Mr Speaker, this is not about this year 's cocoa purchasing. This has happened. So, I do not know --
Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
That is why I ruled him out of order. [Laughter.]
Yes, Hon Member for Kwadaso, the last contribution.
Dr Akoto 12:25 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity.
I rise to support the Motion on the floor, except that I have a few comments to make, to draw this House's attention to the trends that we are seeing in the amounts borrowed for cocoa purchasing in accordance with the Memorandum which was supporting this request.

We see from paragraph 4 of the Memorandum to Parliament that at the peak of our production, at one million metric tonnes plus in 2010/2011, they borrowed US$1.5 billion to cover our purchases, And in the last two years, production has come down and it was estimated in 2012/2013 at US$800,000 and yet we are still continuing to borrow US$1.5 billion.

I think there is a mis-match somewhere. Not only that, if you take the exchange rate into consideration, the amount of cedis that is required to buy the smaller crop would be smaller than what happened in 2010/2011.
rose
Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
Do you have a point of order?
Mr Avedzi 12:25 p.m.
Exactly so, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
What is your point of order?
Mr Avedzi 12:25 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the point of order is about the issue of the same US$1.5 billion for last year and US$1.5 billion for this year. There is a basis for arriving at the US$1.5 billion which is captured under paragraph 5.0, where the FOB price was US$2,300.00, using an exchange rate of GH¢1.87 to one dollar. So, the basis is there for him to do the calculation.
Dr Akoto 12:25 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is precisely the point. If the Hon Chairman of the Finance Committee had exercised a bit of patience, he would have been privy to what I was going to say, to the effect that cocoa prices-- We are talking about
US$2,300.00.
In 2010/2011, when we reached our peak, cocoa price on the world market was more than US$2,300.00. So, he is actually coming to the point that I am making, that we should be extremely careful.

Several Hon Members -- rose --
Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
Hon Members, the point that the Hon Member for Kwadaso is making, is that, we should relate the amount of money that we borrow to the quantity that we produce. That is the point that the Hon Member is making.
Mr Ahi 12:25 p.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker, that is why I stood up. This is because in 2010/2011, when we reached the peak that he has alluded to, COCOBOD took a loan of US$2 billion. Because of the shortfall, COCOBOD has come down to US$1.5 billion. So, I do not see his point.
Dr Akoto 12:25 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Member is misleading this House and the whole world. If he looks at the document I am refer r ing to, the Memorandum, COCOBOD is compelled -- [Interruption.]
Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
Hon Members, the Hon Member started by referring to a Memorandum submitted by the Hon Minister for Finance. That was the first reference he made before making his submission, and when he made it, no Hon Member challenged him at that point.
Hon Member, continue.
Dr Akoto 12:25 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am just drawing the attention of this House to this anomaly and that the 2012/2013 crop season is almost here with us. It starts on the 1st of October and that the authorities should ensure that we borrow the exact amount to cover the crop and not over- borrow to put this country into more debt.
Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
Hon Members, that brings us to the end of the debate. I would now put the Question unless the Chairman of the Committee wants to wind up -- [Pause] -- Very well.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
Yes, consequential Resolution -- Hon Minister for Finance?
rose
Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
Are you the Minister for Finance?
Mr Forson 12:25 p.m.
No, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
Dr Kunbuor 12:25 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to crave your indulgence to allow the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance to move the consequential Resolution because the Hon Minister for Finance is absent.
Dr A. A. Osei 12:25 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am reluctant to oblige him because when you called for the Minister for Finance, my good Friend, the Hon Deputy Minister got up, so, I kept looking to see where the Minister was. [Uproar.] But since he is a good Friend of mine, I think I shall indulge.
RESOLUTIONS 12:25 p.m.
Minister for Finance) 12:25 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House is respectfully requested to adopt the following Resolution:
WHEREAS by the provisions of article 174 (2) of the Constitution, Parliament is empowered to confer power on any person or authority to waive or vary a tax imposed by an Act of Parliament; THE EXERCISE of any power conferred on any person or authority to waive or vary a tax in favour of any person or authority is by the said provisions made subject to the prior approval of Parliament by Resolution;
BY THE COMBINED operation of the provisions of section 26 (2) of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (Management) Law, 1993 (PNDCL 330), the Export and Import Act, 1995 (Act 503), the Export Development and Investment Fund Act, 2000 (Act 582), the Value Added Tax Act, 1998 (Act 546), the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, 2000 (Act 579) and other existing laws and regulations applicable to the collection of customs duties and other taxes on the importation of goods into Ghana, the Minister for Finance may exempt any statutory corporation, institution or individual from the payment of duties and taxes otherwise, payable under the said laws and regulations or waive or vary the requirement of such statutory corporation, institution or individual to pay such duties and taxes;
IN ACCORDANCE with the provisions of the Constitution and at the request of the Government of Ghana acting through the Minister responsible for Finance, there has been laid before Parliament a request by the Minister for Finance for the prior approval of Parliament the exercise by him of his power under the laws and regulations relating to the waiver and exemption of stamp duty amounting to US$15,000,000 on an Offshore Syndicated Receivables-Backed Trade Finance Facility of US$1,500, 000,000 for cocoa purchases by Ghana Cocoa Board for the year 2012/2013 crop season.
NOW THEREFORE, this Honour- able House hereby approves the exercise by the Minister responsible for Finance of the power granted to him by Parliament by Statute to waive such taxes and duties or to exempt the payment of stamp duty amounting to US$15,000,000 on an Offshore Syndicated Receivables- Backed Trade Finance Facility of US$1,500,000,000 for cocoa pur- chases by Ghana Cocoa Board for the year 2012/2013 crop season.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
Hon Members, further to the adoption of the consequential Resolution, I hereby direct that the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) through the sector Ministry, furnishes this House with information on the accurate assessment of the stamp duty on the US$1.5 billion by the close of day, Tuesday, 18th June,
2013.
The said information should be sent to the Office of the Clerk to Parliament.
I so direct.
Dr Kunbuor 12:25 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to crave your indulgence for us to take an item on the Addendum Order Paper.
Mr Speaker 12:25 p.m.
Very well.
Hon Members, I refer you to the Addendum Order Paper -- Presentation of Papers.
Dr Kunbuor 12:25 p.m.
In the same vein, Mr Speaker, I would like to ask for leave for the Deputy Minister for Finance to lay the Paper.
PAPERS 12:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker 12:35 p.m.
Hon Members, I have admitted two Statements today. The first Statement stands in the name of the Hon Minister of State at the Presidency responsible for Public Sector Reform,
Hon Azong, you have the floor.
Hon Second Deputy Speaker to take the Chair.
MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER
STATEMENTS 12:37 p.m.
Mr Alhassan Azong (Minister of State)(MP) 12:37 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to make a Statement with regard to an important event on the calendar of Public Service Administration in Africa, which takes place in Accra, Ghana, from the 17th of June to 23rd June, 2013.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:37 p.m.
Hon Members, let us have some order.
Mr Azong 12:37 p.m.
And the benefits to public servants, the population, civil society and private sector. [Interruption.] It is also to motivate and encourage public servants
-- 12:37 p.m.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:37 p.m.
Hon Minister, please, resume your seat until we have some order.

Thank you, Hon Members.
Mr Azong 12:37 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Let me just continue from where I left.
It is also meant to motivate and encourage public servants to continue the good work done and to come up with new initiatives and innovations, and to also obtain feedback from the citizenry on services rendered by public service organisations. It is also meant to prepare the Public Service in administration for a better future by proposing change for the social wellbeing of the population.
Generally, the fundamental objective enshrined in the African Public Service Day (APSD) is to give due recognition to the working conditions and the quality of men and women who devote their lives to diligently serve the African citizens. It is also to provide a platform to showcase, reward good initiatives and achievements in the public sector. It equally provides an invaluable opportunity for public servants to promote values such as professionalism, accountability, respon- siveness, ethics and performance in the delivery of value-for-money and quality public services.
Mr Speaker, the Africa Public Service Day (APSD) has been celebrated three times at the continental level. The first was in Namibia in 2007. The second and third were held in Tanzania in 2009 and 2011, respectively.
Mr Speaker, in response to a request at the AU-CAMPS Special Bureau Meeting held in February, 2012 in Bujumbura, Burundi, the Republic of Ghana accepted to host the fourth edition of the con- tinental celebration under the theme: “African Public Service in the Age of Open Government: Giving Voice to Citizens”.
To help deepen the understanding of this main theme and showcase African Public Services' achievements in that area, the following sub-themes were adopted for the African Public Service Day exhibitions by the extended Bureau of the AU-CAMPS meeting held on 18-19 Februaiy, 2013 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia:
Strengthening citizens partici- pation.
Enhancing accountability, trans- parency, integrity.
Enhancing access to information.
Empowering Management Develop- ment Institutes (MDIs) to build capacity in the public services for service improvement.
Mr Speaker, Ghana is privileged to be nominated to host the fourth edition of the Africa Public Service Day in the country of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, our own
Mr Azong 12:37 p.m.
Pan-Africanist President. Coincidentally, it is the same year that our continent, Africa, is commemorating the fiftieth (50th) anniversary of the creation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now African Union (AU), under the 50th anniversary theme: “Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance. Celebrating the Africa Public Service Day in Ghana, in this anniversary year, imposes on us the responsibility to also reflect on the contribution of the Ghanaian Public Service towards strengthening Pan- Africanism and African Renaissance.”
Mr Speaker, the Public Services in Ghana have, recently, come under a barrage of criticisms, especially with respect to the requirements imposed on them by globalisation, democracy, open government, transparency, freedom of information and a vibrant and ever- probing media.
It is on this score, Mr Speaker, that I call on Colleague Members of this august House to support and co-operate with our public servants and public service institutions that have been established to champion our development process through sustainable policies and by promoting innovation, service delivery and socioeconomic growth.
Mr Speaker, it is important to note that the Conference of African Ministers for Public/Civil Service (AU-CAMPS) have in the last decade developed ten (10) strategic programmes that would advance Africa's development growth agenda. Some of the programmes include:
African Public Service Day Celebra- tion

African Public Service Charter

All African Public Service Innova- tions and Awards

Human resources planning and policy architecture

Leadership and management development

ICTs as an enabler for service delivery in the Public Services

African Public Service Capacity Development Programme

Post conflict reconstruction and development

Performance management and measurement, including monitoring and evaluation

Public Service anti-corruption.

Mr Speaker, the celebration of the Africa Public Service Day, one of the programmes of the AU-CAMPS, is therefore, to draw attention to the important role that public servants continue to play in our development process. As per the established tradition, the fifty-four (54) member States are requested to take the opportunity of the continental celebration of the Africa Public Service Day to participate in the exhibitions to be held during this week- long celebration in Accra, Ghana.

The planned discussions and fora will also focus mainly on the theme while member States' exhibitions will be guided by the four (4) sub-themes highlighted above.

Mr Speaker, a national planning committee, chaired by Ghana's Public Services Commission, with members drawn from selected public service organisations, the private sector and the civil society organisations, was commissioned and is working, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to plan this continental event. It is an opportunity for us to collectively showcase to other segments of our societies and to the rest of the world, the service orientation and innovations of the Ghanaian Public Services.
Mr Speaker, a summary of the high- lights of activities include the following 12:37 p.m.
Arrival of participants and guests on Sunday 16th June, 2013.
Opening ceremony by H.E the President of the Republic of Ghana on Monday, 17th June at 10.00 a.m. at the Accra International Conference Centre.
Public sector fora on the theme and sub-themes, where both local and international speakers, including Ministers of State from some African countries, have been invited to speak.
Exhibition and policy fair by institutions that fall under the Governance and Public Adminis- tration sector/thematic areas.
Excursions to Cape Coast on Thursday (20th June) and Health Walk on Saturday (22nd June).
Closing ceremony and awards for the exhibitions on Sunday, 23rd June, which coincidentally, is the
AFRICA UNION PUBLIC SERVICE 12:37 p.m.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
Hon Minister, access is restricted in some of these and you go with invitation -- So, this invitation, is it that there would be no restriction of access or it would be followed up with invitation cards? This is because it is the Banquet Hall and the Accra International Conference Centre. Sometimes, you cannot just enter, you need a card.
Mr Azong 12:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, my under- standing is that, the State Protocol is handling those who are supposed to be invited and I believe Hon Members would be invited to the occasion.
Mr Emmanuel K. Bandua (NDC -- Biakoye) 12:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement made by the Hon Minister of State and the Member of Parliament for Builsa South, (Mr Alhassan Azong).
Indeed, it is a very important Statement because normally, such celebrations are very necessary. We are given the opportunity to reflect on the perfor- mances of such institutions to determine their successes and failures and to see the way forward.
I believe it is on this ground that I find it very apt that on the occasion of the celebration of the Fourth Africa Public Service Day in Accra, we find it necessary to hold this event. Indeed, the Public Services have performed a lot. Particularly, in Ghana, they have contributed a lot to the growth and development of the country. But on this occasion, it is necessary for us to find out whether or not they have really performed to our satisfaction.
I believe that they have done well. However, there are some challenges. The attitude to work of public servants in Ghana cannot be said to be the best. Indeed, on many occasions, if you go to their offices, you would find that many of them come late to office and they leave very early, particularly on Fridays. You would also realise that, if you want to access information from the public service, for instance, in Ghana, it is very difficult.
I do not think we need a Right to Information Act before we can access information. So, there is the need for us to re-orient the public service to enable them realise that the public is the centre of their activities. So that anything they do, they must ensure that the public is treated fairly and whenever complaints come, they should not take it as if we are indicting them, but just an opportunity for them to ensure that they improve upon
their services, to be able to achieve their goals and objectives for which they have been established.
We also realise that in Ghana, people are complaining that the public service is overbloated, to an extent that many people do not have sufficient work to do to enable them earn the salaries that they are given. There would be the need for us to ensure that the restructuring of the public service, which started some time ago, should be looked at again, so that the services are restructured to ensure that people are not underemployed in the various offices.
If it is restructured and people are moved from place to place, or people are given other jobs, not necessarily to declare, them redundant, but there can be moved from one office to the other, there can be changes -- If these things are done, I think that people would get adequate work to do. And if this happens, they would not be underemployed, such that they would not be encouraged to leave offices because they do not have anything to do.
So, I would urge Government to take this opportunity to ensure that the civil service or public service is restructured to ensure that they are able to get sufficient work to do, so that salaries are earned.
On this note, I do not think I have much to say, but to congratulate the Hon Member for Builsa South on the Statement that he made and to appeal that this Statement is taken serious, the necessary steps taken to ensure that the civil service is encouraged variously to improve on its performance.
Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah (NPP -- Takoradi) 12:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to add my voice to the Statement made by the Hon Minister.
Mr Speaker, I believe that the public service is very dear to this nation when it comes to the movement and the prosperity of Ghana.
Mr Speaker, I do believe that public service should be geared towards the success of the private sector because if you take the private sector -- and even in Ghana as whole, there are two things that happen to everybody -- We either die or we join the private sector after retirement. I, therefore, believe that the public sector should be dedicated to the prosperity, the promotion and achievement of the private sector.
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
Hon Member for Bekwai, I heard some legal position on the definition of corruption. That it only does something. Did you hear that? Do you have a view on that?
Mr Osei-Owusu 12:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, if you may repeat your question.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
The Hon Member for Takoradi gave a definition of corruption as it is now and was urging upon us that we should change its definition. I was wondering whether you heard that -- and whether being the Ranking Member on the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, very experienced lawyer, I would call you somewhere along the line as well
as Hon Joseph Yieleh Chireh -- and I would plead that you comment on that aspect of the law for us, for our education and edification.
Mr Osei-Owusu 12:45 p.m.
Very well, Mr Speaker.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
I can see another senior lawyer; there are so many senior lawyers all over the House. But bear that in mind; he is asking for re- definition of the -- And I can see Hon — he may also be given a bite at the cherry-- [Interruption]-- on the crime of corruption.
Mr Darko-Mensah 12:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, why I said so was that, those in public positions are paid with the taxpayer's money and therefore, they are supposed to be the gatekeepers and ensure that things move on well in this country. And therefore, if they allow themselves to be bribed, for people to be able to get those services that is duly earned, then I believe we should rather not be punishing both sides of the equation but rather those accepting the bribe. This is because it means they are taking double money for the same work that they have been given.
Mr Speaker, the last Hon Member who spoke also said that people are being paid and they do not get enough work to do. But consistently in the budget of this country, we have come to see that the Service Vote, consistently, is under- delivered. In areas where they have made certain amount of request to the budget office, they have been given lesser and lesser amount of money.
So, naturally, when you pay people and they do not have the tools to work with, you do not expect them to be fully employed. And I do believe that, that is an issue to deal with. Government should
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
Hon Member for Takoradi, I never knew that the public sector could be stretched to cover almost every aspect of our economy. Your contribution turned into a mini State of the Nation Address -- from galamsey to -- I thought we were just dealing with the public sector.
Mr Joseph Y. Chireh (NDC -- Wa West) 12:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much for this opportunity.
I wish to congratulate the Hon Minister for making the Statement and I think that this is an occasion for us to celebrate our public servants. When I say “public servants” -- You know the public services are under the 1992 Constitution defined under article 190?
All these services, we can see, have held this country very strongly, including the Clerk to Parliament and the staff of this Parliament. All these are public servants who have held together --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
Hon Member for Wa West, you said it was defined under what article?
Mr Chireh 12:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, article 190.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
Thank you.
Mr Chireh 12:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, without an efficient public service, there cannot be any good private sector. Indeed, a good private sector depends on an efficient public service and therefore, on this occasion, let us call on how we can build the capacity of civil and public servants everywhere.
Currently, this country has suffered over the years of neglect of training of civil servants in particular and public servants in general. We need to do something about it. We need to mount education, fast-track some of them because over the years, we have neglected to promote them properly, to train them properly and therefore, the inefficiencies that we experience -- some attribute them to corruption, some attribute them to ineptitude by the officers.
But clearly, we have not been doing our bit to build capacity in them. In calling for this, the Public Services Commission, which is the one institution responsible for an efficient system of public service in Ghana, must sit up and mount courses for the relevant institutions to bring them up to duty.
We have sent out a number of public servants into the international arena; one goes to the United Nations, and to the World Health Organisation and Ghanaians are excelling there.
That is why we must continue to build the capacity of those who are weakened, so that they can still aspire to go outside to serve in the international fora. If one goes to the AU, one finds so many Ghanaians. We are likely to lose that lead if we do not step up the effort.
So, for this whole week, let us be talking about them. Let us be praising them. In the person of L. A. Adu and others who have gone, the very prominent civil servants who pioneered the early years of our independence, so that in the end, Ghana will continue to shine.
On this occasion, let us celebrate our heroes and heroines and not condemn them.
Thank you, very much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu (NPP -- Bekwai) 12:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for inviting me to offer an opinion on whether both the giver and the receiver of bride should be prosecuted.
Alhaji Muntaka 12:55 p.m.
On a point of order!
Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleague should be fair in making his comments. In that, as a lawyer himself, he knows that there are always avenues for complaint. In fact, when somebody is trying to extort money from you, there are so many ways you can report, even if not to the police. And let us not provide cover for people who pay, that it is under extortion.
Mr Speaker, because I think he himself as a lawyer, will find it difficult to prove that someone frustrated you to get money from you. But once one pays bribe, both the giver and the receiver have committed an offence and I think he should leave it
Mr Owusu-Osei 12:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thought I was misleading the House in some way or another. But it was just an intervention to offer his opinion.
Mr Speaker, my opinion is that almost invariably -- Most instances, those who are giving bribes, particularly in the public service where people need a small thing -- he is entitled to a passport in 21 days; he is entitled to a driver's licence in one week; he is entitled to this in an hour -- Most invariably, the civil and public servants frustrate the process, such that unless one parts with money, one will not get the service one wanted.
We can pretend that, that is not the case but everyone of us can give an experience of one instance or another. The truth of the matter, Mr Speaker, is that, because we make in an offence for those who also give, we can never uproot the practice of corruption from the public service. The challenge is for those who are paid by the country to provide the service to provide the service expeditiously.
On the public service in general, one point that I would want to make -- As we are celebrating the Public Service Day in Africa, I wish to challenge all public servants to see ourselves as facilitators of businesses in the country. The reason we are there is to facilitate and provide services to the country. So long as we see
ourselves as facilitators, we will not become something else. Often, when an agency is a regulator, rather than facilitating the business, all they are trying to do, is to find means of stopping the business. Talking about agencies like Food and Drugs Authority, I have complaints from people who want to produce packaged water.
That when they have applied for their facilities to be inspected, the Authority will delay and refuse to come and inspect until one starts producing without their certificate and immediately, they come and stop one's business. In that way, they are not being facilitators.
Alhaji Muntaka 12:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, my believe that my Hon Colleague is a senior Hon Member in this House -- He is not a first-timer and he knows that our rules clearly provide that once the Food and Drugs Authority are not here to be able to respond, if he could make his comments with some kind of protection of others who are not here, so that it does not look like or reported as if Parliament descended on an organisation when in fact, they are not here to be able to respond.
I am just cautioning our Hon Colleague that what he is saying makes a lot of sense. He is contributing r ightly but the mentioning of persons who are not here, really flouts our Standing Orders and I would want him to take this on board rather than carry on and keep offending our Standing Orders.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi 1:05 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to seek your directive on this. From what the Hon Whip has said, I was under the impression that Members of Parliament were rather immune from making statements on the floor of the
House. But from what he is saying now, it looks like it is rather the opposite, that we have a limit and we do not have to descend on any agency even if it becomes necessary. I seek your direction, Mr Speaker.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
I did not understand Hon Muntaka in that way, unless of course -- If I tell you how I understood him. I understood him to say that, yes, we have this immunity. We do not have a limitation sensu stricto but our limitation is guided by the Standing Orders and the Standing Orders tend to suggest that where a person or an institution is not here to defend oneself, we should hesitate to say certain things about the institution.
I want him to refer me to the Standing Order that he is referring to. Just so that we all get clarity because it is difficult to - - I will not put pressure on him. I want him to take his time and look for the Standing Order --
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
Hon Asiamah or Deputy Minority Leader. you want to help us? If you want to help your Hon Colleague, the Leadership --
Mr Nitiwul 1:05 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the speeches of Members of Parliament are guided by Standing Order 93. From 93 (1), (2), (3), (4), it specifically has to do with matters that are pending in court. Standing Order 92 (2) has to do with offensive language, language that is insinuating or blasphemous. Then (3), it has to consider -- Up to about order 93 (3) to (5).
Mr Speaker, I think that though the Chief Whip may be trying to let all of us be cautious with what we do, particularly people who are not here to defend
themselves as it has been the practice that Speakers usually try to caution and protect people but it is not specifically captured in our Standing Orders in that form. But it is more like the British system where conventions are followed, that people say that because the person is not there to defend himself, we should tamper our language a bit and try and see what we can do.
But it is not really in the real Standing Orders that we should not mention somebody's name because the person is not here. I do not know, unless somebody would want to refer me to another Standing Order but Hon Members are guided by Standing Order 93.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
I think that the issue that has been raised, as I said before, we will allow the Chief Whip another bite at the cherry while we take the substantive debate. We will continue and come to the procedural debate because the issue he is raising is very important and we have to perhaps, together, arrive at some conclusion.
So, Hon Joe Osei-Owusu, can you continue while we sort this issue out.
Mr Osei-Owusu 1:05 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I was just coming to a conclusion, that in the final analysis, the public service exists to ensure that businesses and industries function, create jobs and give opportunities for Ghanaians to have services and to have jobs.
To that extent, while we are celebrating this day, I encourage all public servants to be mindful of the main purpose of their existence and to strive to be facilitators of business and not to be stumbling blocks of businesses.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
Hon Member, this is something for you to think
Ms Laadi A. Ayamba (NDC -- Pusiga) 1:15 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. I beg to associate myself with the Statement made by the Minister of State, Hon Alhassan Azong, in respect of the AU having its activities taking place in Accra under the theme “African Public Service in the Age of Open-governance, Giving Voice to the Citizens.”
Mr Speaker, listening to deliberations and looking at issues that are out, especially in the media today, it is realised that both public and civil servants have a lot to do, especially the public service.
Mr Speaker, today, in the newspapers, there is this issue in the Daily Graphic, having to do with some kind of malfeasance -- Certain activities that have taken place at the ports and it is reported that Anas Aremeyaw Anas is behind the scenes and doing his work as expected.
It is disheartening to have read a story where three people happened to be apprehended, including a national security officer. Notwithstanding the fact that the names of that national security officer and the two other people have not been mentioned, it gives us room to think and note with pain that although -- During the tenure of the Late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, there was an issue of bribery and corruption which came up from the same reporter and it was believed that a lot of action would have been taken, so that such practices, if not eradicated,

be reduced but unfortunately, it is getting worse.

Mr Speaker, I hope that this conference that is taking place in Ghana, will send down a very good message to our Civil Service, that it is not a matter of coming to the conference, taking decisions and only leaving them there. Whatever decisions that are taken, should not be a nine day wonder.

Mr Speaker, there is this issue of two trucks loaded with alcohol supposed to be taken to Togo, only for these containers with their contents, which on paper, states alcohol being offloaded in Ghana. This goes to tell us that there is a lot of mischief going on.

I would want to disagree with the fact that we should only punish those who take bribe. It takes the two. The fact is that, if the one who is supposed to give whatever bribe, does not give, the one who would be taking it would not have it. So, why should one person be punished? We are all supposed to do the right thing and the right thing does not start with any particular individual; it rests with all of us.

If some containers containing alcohol that were supposed to be offloaded in Togo are being offloaded in Ghana, what happened, who gave that chance and what is the problem? Mr Speaker, this leads us to make sure that our machinery, especially at the ports, work well.

It is unfortunate that we hear that even scanners are not working properly. Meanwhile, we know very well that these scanners are those that can help us know whatever is brought through our ports. We should make sure that these scanners get back to work; They should be able to work, they should be put back to work so that at least, whatever is being brought

into the country, is seen. We should also note that no matter where you are working. If we do not put our foot on the ground, what would simply happen is that, we would not be able to make good revenue.

This is because people would continue to capitalize on the weakness of some individuals who are involved in bribery and corruption and we would not have enough revenue.

Revenue would be properly collected because the scanner will tell you whatever is in the container and what should be taken.

So, Mr Speaker, I urge all of us to get involved, participate in the conference and make sure that we do things as expected of us.
Alhaji Muntaka 1:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is just because of the comment you made, that I should be looking through --
I would want to, with your indulgence, refer you to Order 93 (2).
Mr Speaker with your permission, I read 1:15 p.m.
“It shall be out of order to use offensive, abusive, insulting, blasphemous or unbecoming words or to impute improper motives to any other Member or to make personal allusions.”
I think that it is on the basis of this Order that I was cautioning my Hon Colleague, so that we would try to stay within the rules of our engagement.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
Hon Member, did you want to comment on this?
Mr Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi 1:15 p.m.
That is all, Mr Speaker. I think the governing area
here, if we look at the 1992 Constitution, from article 115, “Privileges and Immunities” -- Article 115 of the 1992 Constitution says; and with your permission, I beg to quote:
“There shall be freedom of speech .
. .” --”
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
Hon Anyimadu-Antwi, let us hold on for a while. I intend to rule on the matter in a minute and I intend to rely on some of these articles. So, let us hold on for a while, please.
I will take the next Statement and I urge Hon Members who are standing up now to sit down, listen to the next Statement carefully and rise after it has been delivered and then I will recognise them.
So, please, we have ended the Statement on public sector, and we are going to the Statement on “Fathers' Day”. Listen carefully. When you get up, I will recognise you.
Good fatherhood, a recipe for a good nation
Mr Collins Ntim (NPP -- Offinso North) 1:15 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity given me to make a Statement on Good Fatherhood, a Recipe for a Good Nation”, in commemoration of impending “Fathers' Day”.
Mr Speaker, Ghanaians celebrate the role of fathers on the third Sunday in June every year. As our society has chosen this day to celebrate fathers, it is appropriate to remind fathers of their God-given responsibilities; thereby encouraging them to strive for excellence in their quest to make the world a better place through nurturing and managing their homes properly.
-- 1:15 p.m.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
Thank you very much.
Hon Nii Titus- Glover.
Nii Kwatei Titus Glover:Mr Speaker, the name is Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
I am asking Hon Asiamah to standby because he will be called to examine whether he wants to add more attributes or agrees
with it. I want him to address that for the House.
Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover (NPP -- Tema East): Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement made earlier by the Hon Minister. I will add some few points to the one made by my Hon Colleague on Fathers' Day.
Mr Speaker, for about 20 years of my working life -- I have worked in the private sector -- And listening to the theme from the Hon Minister, it is so nice, so beautiful.
Public sector workers are the conduits, the vessels, through which Government machinery of Government work is conducted. I would want us to look at the attitudes, sometimes, of some of these public sector workers, then compare that to what we have in the private sector institutions. It will suffice you to note that the difference between the two, is something that we need to consider very serious.
A lot of reforms from past governments to see how we can re-engineer the work culture and practices in our public sector -- I am so concerned sometimes about the wastage of government resources in our public places, particularly our government accommodation,and the use of government vehicles. When you are using your own vehicle, because you know the money comes from your own pocket, there is a special care that you attend to this vehicle, there is a special care that you attend to your own home.
But when it comes to government- owned properties, we are found wanting, and sometimes, it becomes a huge resource drain and Government has to spend a lot of money to make sure we fix them back. Mr Speaker, the maintenance culture is equally crucial and I think that it is high time we looked at some of these areas very well.
The level of corruption is all over the place and sometimes, the very people who have been given the opportunity to provide these services are the same people who will sometimes use -- and they blame politicians.
I would want to urge our Hon Ministers who are in the House to be very mindful because sometimes, if you do not spend time to read documents before you, you will be caught up in the trap and your name will be dragged in the mud --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
That is Fathers' Day?
Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover: Mr Speaker, I am coming there. I missed your eye. I am coming down.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
Please, please, Fathers' Day. I did not even notice you but —
Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover: Mr Speaker, I am winding up on this one.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
No! End on this one, and move with speed and purpose to Father's Day.
Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover: Yes, Mr Speaker, I will comply.
Let me equally commend my Hon senior Member for his Statement on Fathers' Day, that comes off next Sunday.
As a father of four, I appreciate the role that the media sometimes play when it comes to Mothers' Day. They hype Mothers' Day for commercial purposes. It is unfortunate that we are not hearing anything from the media with regard to the celebration of Fathers' Day.

We need to commend fathers who are taking very good care of their homes. Of course, it is not all men who can be fathers. You can be a man but you cannot be a father. Just as our wives are so supportive in our homes -- I think that it is the two parents who work together to make sure the human development of our children can come up. With all the sacrifices that we make, both financially and materially, to make sure that our homes are sustained at all times, we equally need to commend our men and fathers.
Mr Isaac K. Asiamah 1:25 p.m.
On point of order. Mr Speaker, I think my Hon Colleague is misleading the House.
Mr Speaker, not all fathers are husbands. I think that should be made clear to him, so that he guides the way he is talking about husbands and fathers. There is a clear distinction that not all fathers are husbands; that is what I wanted him to understand.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
Hon Nii Titus-Glover, can you continue, please.
Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover: Mr Speaker, you can be a father; you have brought the child to the world, but the husband is very important --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
I hope you are addressing the Speaker?
Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover:Yes, Mr Speaker.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
I want to assure you that I am a husband as well as a father. [Laughter.]
Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover:Very well, Mr Speaker.
I would want to conclude by saying that those patriarchal attitudes of men, sometimes domineering, making our wives like doormats in our homes-- You would see a pregnant woman coming from the farm with the husband carrying loads of firewood on the head, you see a baby at her back and all you can see is the husband or the father carrying a gun on his shoulder and maybe, one cutlass. Seriously, these are some of the things that we can do.
If the couple can come together, support each other, make the home comfortable -- because if there is unity between the parents, it has some effects on the children that we bring up.
As politicians, like he said, we need to spend some time with our family, particularly with our children, to let them have a feel of us. This is because the job that we are doing is very tedious, time consuming and sometimes we are found wanting in our homes.
It is my prayer that as we celebrate Fathers' Day, we will all sacrifice our time on that particular day to have some good time with our wives and children.
On this note, Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for the opportunity.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Member.
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
Hon Members, please, resume your seats.
Before I recognise any Hon Member, I think that I was asked for direction by Hon Anyimadu. He invited me to give my direction on an issue that was brought up as a result of an Hon Member mentioning an institution and we were cautioned by Hon Muntaka, that in his view, we should restrict our mention of institutions, especially if what is mentioned is negative because they are not here to defend themselves.
Also, we asked for the Standing Order and he referred us to Standing Order 93 (2). I believe Hon Nitiwul also referred to a Standing Order. I think that these are interesting points and with your indulgence, I will give a short ruling.
Hon Members, this is my ruling on the matter.
The freedom of speech in Parliament is one of the privileges that have become an integral part of our parliamentary democracy. It is the part of the checks and balances that have also become necessary in the doctrine of separation of powers. A gagged Parliament would indeed, be a weak Parliament.
Erskine May, in his celebrated work, “Parliamentary Practices”, tells us in his 23rd Edition, from page 78, about the historical development of the privilege of freedom of speech. He recounts the struggle between Parliament, the Crown and the Courts as to what could be said in Parliament and what could not be said.
Erskine May tells us that article 9 of the Bill of Rights asserted that the freedom of speech and debate and proceedings in Parliament are not to be impeached or
questioned in any court or place outside Parliament. And indeed, that was the beginning of what has today become article 115 of our 1992 Constitution.
Article 115 of our 1992 Constitution is on freedom of speech and proceedings. It says, and with your permission, I beg to quote:-
“There shall be freedom of speech, debate and proceedings in Par- liament and that freedom shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place of our Parliament.”
Indeed, if it had not been the principle that the 1992 Constitution should be read as a whole, one could have come to the conclusion that this is the end of the matter.
But Hon Members, I also want to advert my mind to article 116 and 110 of the 1992 Consstitution. Article 110 is on the Standing Orders of Parliament. It says that we must regulate our procedures by Standing Orders. Indeed, our Standing Order 20 says that:
“There shall be freedom of speech, debate and proceedings in Parlia- ment and that freedom shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Parliament.”
I am of the considered view, therefore, that the freedom of speech in Parliament is not negotiable. The question is that, is that freedom of speech unfettered? Can a Member of Parliament on the basis of that freedom of speech say anything? Or has Parliament developed its own rules, practices or conventions to restrict itself?
Hon Members, the 1992 Constitution in article 116 (2) says that:
“Whenever in the opinion of the person presiding in Parliament a statement made by a member is prima facie defamatory of any person, the person presiding shall refer the matter for inquiry to the
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
Parliamentary Committee on Privileges which shall report its findings to Parliament not later than thirty days after the matter was referred to it.”
And I repeat “any person”, not just Members.
This, in my view, protects non-members of Parliament from matters that are said in Parliament.
However, we have developed a practice in Parliament based, I believe, on article 116 (2) of the 1992 Contitution and also on the principle of natural justice, that no man must be condemned without being given a hearing. We have developed a practice where we restrain ourselves, sometimes from commenting on persons, institutions, who are not present on the floor of Parliament.
Indeed, a window of opportunity is open to us to exercise our power of oversight, to invite such institutions to Committees of Parliament, to examine them on oath and to verily criticize them. But within the Chamber of Parliament, I am of the considered view that we should restrain ourselves.
Hon Members, this is my ruling.

We would continue, Hon Asiamah, whether or not the characteristics of fathership was complete or he wants to add a few more or subtract.
Mr Isaac K. Asiamah (NPP -- Atwima Mponua) 1:35 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, first of all, for the wonderful ruling. I think it is very educative, very inspiring and we all would have to abide by it and thank the Whip for the intervention.
Mr Speaker, I am making a special appeal, for the first time, that the Statement that was read by the Hon Member, should be read again in this House. This is a special appeal to your high office because this is the first time that I have listened attentively to such a very touching Statement.
Mr Speaker, I am saying this because every year, we mark Fathers' Day. This is my ninth year in this House but I have never heard such a soul inspir ing Statement like this on Fathers' Day and I am so much touched.
I thank the Hon Member who made the Statement.
Mr Speaker, I think from here, today, at least, Hon Members who are here and listened to the Hon Colleague, would have some attitudinal change. It is very important for all of us, and that is why I made a special request to you, that this Statement should be read again in the House and the timing should be good for every Hon Member or most of the Hon Members to be here to listen. It is such an all-encompassing Statement, that gives us more admonition.
Mr Speaker, in my opinion, the Hon Colleague spoke about spending time with our wives and children at home. I think it should be beyond homes. If we have a little time that you are travelling, maybe, to Koforidua for a workshop, at least, invite your wife -- [Interruption.] At least, the wife. Even if the children could be a bit of a nuisance, as we know of our children, at least, we should invite our wives; it is very important.
Right from here, some Hon Members are going to Koforidua. This is just an admonition to them, that indeed, it is not late --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
Hon Asiamah, I did not want any Hon Member to interrupt you but Hon Dr Prempeh is harassing me to recognise him, so, I have recognised him. But I would protect you; do not worry. If the intervention is going wayward, I would stop it.
Dr Prempeh 1:35 p.m.
On a point of order.
Mr Speaker, I thought in the era of gender neutrality, instead of saying “our wives”, because there are other female Hon Colleagues here who would go with their husbands. So, he should say “our partners”,
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
Hon Majority Chief Whip, are you asking a question?
Alhaji Muntaka 1:35 p.m.
Oh no, Mr Speaker -- [Laughter.]
Dr Prempeh 1:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I do not know who travels with the deskstop when the laptop is available.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
He is speaking in parables. He who has ears, let him hear, but do not answer the parable.
Continue with your contribution.
Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I think the occasion is Fathers' Day and that is why the emphasis is on fathers, and of course, their wives also come on board.
So, Mr Speaker, as I have said, it is important that the little time that we have and we have been going outside our homes, we should spend those times with our children and our wives; it is very important. It is not only Hon Members of Parliament, it is about all workers, all fathers in general. Whichever organisation you find yourself,l if there is a little time to
spend outside with your wife, it is most appropriate; it is not only in the homes.
It is always about the outside. That is what our wives and children even cherish most; that is where you showcase them. As for only the homes, Mr Speaker, they know, after all, wherever you go, you would come back. But they would want to also experience the outside life that you are always exposed to.
This is very important, and that is why I urge my Hon Colleagues here, at least, the immediate fathers who are here with me, to bear in mind that wherever they go, the little time that they have, they must spend some time with their children and their wives.
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
Hon Member for Shama, do you have a point of order, please?
Mr Essilfie 1:35 p.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
So Hon Member for Shama, are you asking whether they are chastising themselves?
Mr Essilfie 1:45 p.m.
Certainly, Mr Speaker.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
All right.
Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I think, as you know, if it is for only the good and the positive things, we would not be much concerned. It is about the challenges that we face, which must be highlighted and solved. That is our concern.
Mr Speaker, he met my wife, and I -- he knows it, at the Accra Mall -- He saw us, my child and me -- I am referring to my Hon Colleague. He saw my wife, my child and me at the Accra Mall and I would not say what I saw and the partner --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Hon Asiamah, how did he know it was your wife? Were you hand-in-hand?
Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I boldly introduced my wife to him and he saw both of us.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Hon Asiamah, did you have your arm around your wife?
Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:45 p.m.
He was having other meetings; I would not want to comment on these meetings.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Hon Asiamah, the Speaker is asking you a question. You have advised us here to do certain things -- to be nice, lovely and so on. We want to ask you, did you have your arm round your wife? Or she was walking --
Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:45 p.m.
Oh yes; I was holding her and my child was also inter --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Thank you, Hon Asiamah. I get the picture.
Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:45 p.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker.
Dr A. A. Osei 1:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, you have just given a ruling on a matter that was raised and you referred to Standing Order 93(2), where personal allusions are considered improper. And Hon I. K. Asiamah is trying to say that he would not say what he saw -- [Laughter] -- In my view, that is very serious and I am inviting you to ask him to withdraw it. He is an Hon Member of the House. No personal allusions should be made to us about who he was with.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Hon Akoto Osei, thank you.
The ruling was not in respect of Hon Members. The ruling was in respect of Statements made about outsiders. So, I said that -- I did not want to say it. But if you want me to say it, Order 93(2) is not applicable.
But I take what you are saying on board and unless Hon Asiamah is just saying it on a lighter side, I am sure he would not hesitate to withdraw it. No! He has said that he would not say what he saw. But I am sure that he did not see anything.
Hon Asiamah, did you see something?
Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the child pointed it out and I thank you for the intervention. It is just that he could not reciprocate my gesture; that is all that happened. I introduced my wife to him boldly but there was no reciprocal gesture. That is all that my concern was -- [Laughter.]
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Hon Asiamah, you are taking us from frying pan to fire.
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member for Shama --
Mr Essilfie 1:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I think Hon Asiamah is trying to impugn certain motives or improper motives to him seeing me with other people. [Laughter.]
The fact that I did not introduce the people I was with to him, meant that none of them was my wife. But he does not know if they are my nieces or whatever. So, as far as I am concerned, that is neither here nor there.
So, Mr Speaker, I would like to take an exception to what he said and therefore, he should withdraw it.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Hon Asiamah, withdraw it.
Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is just that he has given me further explanation, which I --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
No! Withdraw it.
Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:45 p.m.
So, based on the further and better particulars he has given, I withdraw it and I apologise to my Hon Colleague for the embarrassment.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Thank you.
Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as I said, I think, spending time with our children, is very important. As I said, paying of school fees by fathers themselves is critical; attending Parent- Teacher Association (PTA) meetings is critical. We must do all these things as fathers.
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Hon Akoto Osei --
Dr A. A. Osei 1:45 p.m.
On a point of order.
Mr Speaker, when we make assertions in this House, we are supposed to provide the evidence. Hon Asiamah has said that he went to pay his child's fees; can he provide the evidence that he went himself? Where is the evidence? It is just hearsay. He was not there; I was not there. So, how can he say that --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Hon Akoto Osei, how is it possible that the man who went to pay his fees was not there? You were not there but he was there because he was paying the fees.
Dr A. A. Osei 1:45 p.m.
Where is the evidence?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
He would show it to you after adjournment; he would show it to you. I direct that Hon Asiamah shows Hon Akoto Osei his fees.
Now, it is Friday and it is 1.39 p.m. and I do not intend to go past 1.45 p.m. So, Hon Asiamah would say his last contribution then we would take one each -- [Interrup-tion] -- On that clock, it is -- but I have a clock here; this is the official clock.
So, as I said, Hon Asiamah would finish with his contribution -- [Interruption] -- It is close to 2.00; but this is 1.40 p.m. So, Hon Asiamah, finish, please; conclude --
Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I have some of the bills and the fees in my car, so, I would show them to the Hon Colleague.
Mr Speaker, as a said, my last admonition is that this country should consider granting paternity leave to fathers, so that in case our wives are also doing labour after labour, we can also have time, we would be in our houses, and our wives too can go and work, so that we assist them in taking care of the newly-born babies. So, paternity leave is due for Ghana. That is my special request.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
I would take the Hon Member for Hohoe.
Hon Member, I have lived in Hohoe before, so, I would continue recognising you; very bias, I admit.
Deputy Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation
Mrs(Dr) Bernice A. Heloo)(MP) 1:45 p.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the Statement made by the Hon Member on Fathers' Day.
I would like to say that one of the most important legacies that we have in Africa, is the family, including the extended family, and in the family, fathers play a very important role. Even though we may be pointing out some of the negative activities of fathers, their positive contributions, in my mind, overshadow most of the negative activities that we have outlined.
On this day, therefore, I would want to commend all fathers for the good work that they have done. This is because children always remember the little things done for them. They never forget all those little things, like holding their hands, taking them to school, going there to pay their fees yourselves and all that. And we the mothers also feel very happy when you stay with us, comfort us, share our problems with you and you give us pieces of advice.
On this note, I would want to commend all my Hon Colleagues and thank them. I would want them to continue even better, so that in total, we would secure the legacy
that we have, that is, our nuclear and extended family.
I would also encourage Hon Members to institute awards in their various communities to deserving fathers as a way of motivating people in the communities to do the best things that we all require.
On this note, I wish all fathers a Happy Fathers' Day and hope that next year, we would see better fathers in Ghana.

Several Hon Members -- rose --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Hon Members, the Hon Majority Chief Whip was the one who gave me the indication for us to go on, so, I am asking the Hon Deputy Leader also to give me an indication as to who to call. The Hon Chief Whip and the Hon Deputy Leader have told me they would not contribute today, that is why. So, Hon Deputy Minority Leader, you tell me who I should call.
The Hon Deputy Leader has chosen and I will abide by his choice --
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Hon Member --
Dr A. A. Osei 1:45 p.m.
Before he does, I think we should note that there are only two female Hon Members of Parliament who are here on Fathers' Day to make a contribution and we would want to acknowledge them. One here and one there. Where have all the women gone to?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 p.m.
Can you mention their names for the records?
Dr A. A. Osei 1:55 p.m.
The Hon Member for Hohoe and the Hon Member for Awutu Senya East. I think that Mr Speaker should really do something for them because they have done very well.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 p.m.
I think I would recognise their wonderful effort by staying with us. I think if the Hon Member for Awutu-Senya East wants to say a few words, we would give her the opportunity. So, after the Hon Member has spoken, the Hon Member for Awutu Senya East has the choice to say something if she wants, then we would bring proceedings to an end.
Mr Solomon N. Boar (NPP -- Bunkpurugu) 1:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you, for giving me the opportunity.
The importance of Fathers' Day in Ghana or the world over cannot really be underestimated. If you read about Fathers' Day all over the world, history tells us that Fathers' Day was mooted by a female. This lady was one Ms Sonora Louise Smart Dodd, when --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 p.m.
Hon Members, having regard to the time, I, therefore, direct under Order 43 that because of the state of business, Sitting be held outside the prescribed period of 2.00 o'clock.
Please, continue.
Mr Boar 1:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, when her mother died and left five of her siblings, it was her father who took good care of all of them and nurtured them up to a very appreciable level. This lady was so pleased and she had to moot the celebration of Fathers' Day all over the world. So, the importance of Fathers' Day is not something that we should underestimate.
If you look at what fathers do in the lives of their children, you would realise that as fathers, we are responsible for the emotional upbringing of our children. We
are those who are traditionally supposed to be in charge of their financial needs, their physical upbringing and their social upbringing. So, it is very important that when we are talking about Fathers' Day, parents in general are commended for the good work that they are doing all over the country and the world as a whole.
For the daughters in the homes, even before they choose a husband, they recognise that the most important number one person in their lives is their father. That is the more reason it is very common, when you ask a female whether if she sees the father and the husband getting drown, which of them she would like to save first, she would tell you that it is her father. This is because as for my father -- [An Hon Member: Are you sure?] In fact, in most cases. that is what I have experienced, and the stories I have listened to all over; that is what --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 p.m.
Hon Member, were you drowning and you were saved or -- [Laughter.] You have experienced it? You experienced a situation where you as a father and your daughter's husband, the two of you were drowning and she chose you, and that is why you are here? Or you saw it?
Mr Boar 1:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, this was a debate, and at the end of the day, the one who took that path won the day. I believe that she justified it and convinced me, and that is why I am using that as an example in this august House.
Mr Speaker, it is very important that fathers are well celebrated. I would want to encourage our spouses to try and help us give Fathers' Day celebration a national bite.
It appears when it comes to Mother's Day celebration, our spouses or partners would be pushing us to the wall to try and help them celebrate it and celebrate it very well. But when it comes to Father's
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 p.m.
Hon Members, I think there can be nothing better than to end this discussion of Father's Day with a contribution from one of our mothers, Hon Mavis Hawa Koomson, Member of Parliament for Awutu-Senya East. We will let you have the last word.
Mrs Mavis Hawa Koomson (NPP -- Awutu-Senya East) 1:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity.
I would also want to thank the Hon Member for Old Tafo, Dr Anthony A. Osei for recognising the two of us here; myself and the Hon Member for Hohoe.
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 p.m.
Do you have a point of order?
Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:55 p.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker.
I think you gave her the opportunity to talk and not Hon Akoto Osei. So, she should rather thank you; it is very important. You recognised her and not
any other Hon Member here. You have got the power to do so and not any other Hon Member here. So, I take exception to that. She should withdraw it and give you that respect and honour that you deserve as the Speaker.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 p.m.
Indeed, today, my very good friend, Hon Isaac Osei has not got the opportunity to speak. So, I think I would let him comment on this matter, and I hope that you are going to defend me.
Mr Isaac Osei 1:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I was rather surprised at the intervention of the Hon Asiamah. This is because the Hon Member for Awutu-Senya East said of Hon Akoto Osei, to thank him for recognising the two of them being here during this debate, and not being given the opportunity to speak. So, Mr Asiamah, I believe misunderstood the lady.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 p.m.
I am not disappointed.
Hon Member for Subin, I knew you would defend my honour. In the method of speech in Parliament, some Hon Members as they get up, the first thing they say is that: “Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to speak.” Some Hon Members say it at the end. I have noticed that Hon Mavis Koomson says it at the end. So, she would thank me before she sits down. I am not worried; I know she would thank me.
Mrs Koomson 1:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I acknowledged you before going to acknowledge what Dr Akoto Osei said. In fact, you were the first person I acknowledged.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 p.m.
I am inviting you to thank me for your last sentence as well.
Mrs Koomson 1:55 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is important we celebrate Father's Day because it is fathers who have made us what we are today, especially I, Mavis Hawa Koomson. Without my father, I would not have been here, and I know the role my husband also plays, especially taking care of his children in the house.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 p.m.
Hon Members, I would not recognise any point of order.
Mrs Koomson 1:55 p.m.
Yes, like I said, it is fathers who determine the sex of the child. So, I am pleading with Ghanaians or men who always blame the woman when she produces a female child. The blame should rather go to the men, not to the women because it is the man who determines the sex of the child.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:05 p.m.
Now, I accept points of order -- [Laughter] -- No! Still, I will not accept points of order.
Hon Member, continue.
Mrs Koomson 2:05 p.m.
Mr Speaker, if I said the man is the head of the family, it does not mean that the man should always do what he wants in the house, especially dictating so much to the wife or children. At least, they all come together to bring up the children.
We know in Ghanaian culture, it is the man who actually makes sure that the family is well attended to. But I believe these days in Ghana, we the women also contribute.
On this note, I would want to call on all Ghanaian women to help their husbands in the home to take very good care of the children, so that they will become

responsible children of the nation and contribute well to the nation.

I say Happy Father's Day to all fathers, especially my husband.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity and special Happy Father's Day to you too.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:05 p.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Member.
Thank you very much, Hon Members.
The last contribution has already been made. Significantly, we wanted a female Hon Member of Parliament to end it all.
Hon Members, I thank you for staying so long. Today is Friday. I thank you for your contributions. I know that in spite of all the laughter and noise, we are discussing very serious issues. And it is my prayer that our friends above me in the ink fraternity will take our message out to the general public, that we have made very important contributions today on the public sector as well as Father's Day.
We have been invited to this programme -- when State Protocol invites us, please attend.
It is past two o'clock and after two o'clock, the Speaker's power becomes enhanced because the power to adjourn now rests solely in my bosom. So, I can let you sit here till tomorrow morning or I can let us adjourn. But I have decided to adjourn.
So, Hon Members, the House is adjourned to next Tuesday, at ten o'clock in the forenoon or so soon thereafter that we shall convene.
Thank you very much.
ADJOURNMENT 2:05 p.m.
  • The House was adjourned at 2.04 p.m. till Tuesday, 18th June, 2012 at 10.00 a.m.