Debates of 5 Jul 2013

MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 11:30 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 11:30 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:30 a.m.
Hon Members, the Correction of Votes and Proceedings --
Mr Frederick Opare-Ansah 11:30 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am coming under Order 13 of the Standing Orders.
Mr Speaker, under Order 13 (a), the- Clerk-at-the-Table is required to have informed us of the reasons for the absence of Mr Speaker which has necessitated your assumption of the Chair.
We have not been told anything and when you read Order 13 (1) and (2) combined, it is clear that during a Sitting of the House, when Mr Speaker so desires that the First Deputy Speaker takes the Chair, he so directs and we all hear it.
In order13 (2), Mr Speaker, it is required that the Clerk informs the House of the absence of Mr Speaker before the First Deputy Speaker takes the Chair. We have not been informed of any such thing.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:30 a.m.
All right.
Thank you very much.
I believe we have to make a distinction. I think I have ruled on this issue before, that if he moves out of the jurisdiction, then there will be the need to inform the House. He is within the jurisdiction except that he is not available to Chair the proceedings for this morning. So, that is it.

and Proceedings of Thursday, 4th July,

2013.

Page 1. . .16--
Dr Anthony A. Osei 11:30 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am sorry to take you back to page 11, item 6.
If my memory serves me correctly, I believe the Hon Minister responsible for Environment was added to the team and it should have read, and I beg to quote:
“The Minister responsible for Local Government and Rural Development shall in consultation with the Ministers responsible for Environment and Finance…”
I think that was the amendment that was proffered. So, this one, I am not sure why it is still there.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:30 a.m.
The Table Office will take note of that.
So, we go back to page 12 . . .18--
Dr A. A. Osei 11:30 a.m.
Mr Speaker, sorry again.
Page 13, item 16. I believe it was settled that the word should be “handset” and not “handsets”. So, that amendment did not pass but here it looks like -- [Interruption] -- Sorry.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:30 a.m.
Page 17. . . 21 -- [Pause]
Hon Members, the Votes and Proceedings for Thursday, 4th July, 2013 as amended, adopted as a true reflection of the proceedings for that day.
Hon Members, we have one Official Report for the 2nd of July, 2013, I hope Hon Members have copies.
Yes, any corrections?
Dr A. A. Osei 11:30 a.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker, column 1088, the first substantive paragraph, it says “8 million.” It should have read “8 billion”, not “million.”
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:30 a.m.
The Hansard Department, please, take note.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:30 a.m.
Column 1018, the first substantive paragraph, the figure “8 million” should be “8 billion”, not “million.”
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:30 a.m.
Any more?
In the absence of any further corrections, the Official Report for Tuesday, 2nd July, 2013 as amended, is hereby adopted as a true reflection of the proceedings for that day.
Hon Members, Business Statement for the Seventh Week -- Chairman of the Business Committee?
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 11:40 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 11:40 a.m.
Arrangement of Business
Question(s)
Mr Speaker, the Committee has programmed the following Ministers to respond to Questions asked of them during the week:
No. of Question(s)
i. Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing -- 2
ii. Minister for Health -- 1
iii. Minister for Education -- 1
iv. Minister for Roads and Highways -- 5
Total number of Questions -- 9
Mr Speaker, in all, four (4) Ministers are expected to attend upon the House to respond to nine (9) Questions during the week.
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 Order 119. Papers and committee reports may also be presented to the House.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 11:40 a.m.
Motions and Resolutions
Mr Speaker, Motions may be debated and their consequential Resolutions, if any, taken during the week.
Committees of Selection and House
Mr Speaker, due to unavoidable circumstances, the Committee of Selection was unable to meet on Tuesday, 2nd July, 2013 to consider changes in the membership of committees. The Com- mittee's meeting is, therefore, rescheduled to be held on Tuesday, 9th July, 2013. Members of the Committee are hereby urged to avail themselves for the consideration of the Committee's business.
Mr Speaker, the House Committee is also expected to meet on Tuesday, 9th July 2013 to discuss pertinent matters.
ICT Training Programme for MPs
Mr Speaker, as mentioned during the presentation of the Business Statement last week, the proposed ICT training programme for Hon Members is scheduled to take place on Monday, 8th July, 2013 and Monday, 15th July, 2013 respectively. The training programme would be held at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). 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

Consideration Stage of Bills --

Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Bill, 2013

(Continuation)

Committee sittings.

(Committee of Selection to meet to consider changes in the membership of committees)

Questions

*4. Mr Herod Cobbina (Sefwi Akontombra): To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing the outcome of investiga- tions by the Hydrological Services Department to assess the extent of soil erosion in Kojokrom, Aprutu, Nkwadum and Bopa in 2008.

*5. Mr Herod Cobbina (Sefwi Akontombra): To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing when the following towns in Sefwi Akontombra would be provided with Small Town Water and Sanitation Systems: (i) Ackaakrom (ii) Kojokrom (iii) Essase- Denwuakrom (iv) Aprutu (v) Nkwadum-Besibema.

Statements

Presentation of Papers --

Report of the Committee of Selection on changes in the Mem- bership of committees.

Consideration Stage of Bills --

Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Bill, 2013

(Conclusion)

Committee sittings.

Questions

*12. Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah (Ho West): To ask the Minister for Health what measures the Ministry has put in place to convert the Ho Regional Hospital into a teaching hospital for the University of Health and Allied Sciences.

*13. Mr Charles Obeng-Inkoom (Agona West): To ask the Minister for Education what measures the Ministry is putting in place to address the issue of “teacher absenteeism” in pre-tertiary educa- tional institutions with a view to ensuring higher performance in relation to teacher delivery.

Statements

Motions

Third Reading of Bills --

Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Bill, 2013

Committee sittings.

Questions

*6. Mr Joseph Kwadwo Ofori (Akan): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the road from Ahamansu Junction through Ahamansu, Ampeyo, Pampawie,

Dapaah to Dapaah Junction (in the Kadjebi District) would be gravelled and tarred.

*8. Mr Joseph Kwadwo Ofori (Akan): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways why the road construc- tion from Asato in the Kadjebi Distr ict to Akposokubi in the Biakoye District has stalled over the past six years.

*9. Mr Joseph Kwadwo Ofori (Akan): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways what short-term measure the Ministry has to address the pot- holes on the main trunk road from Hohoe through Jasikan to Kadjebi.

*10. Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah (Ho West): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways the status of the eastern corridor roads contract.

*11. Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah (Ho West): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Adomi/Senchi Bridge will be closed for rehabilitation works to begin.

Statements

Motions --

Adoption of the Report of the Committee of Selection on changes in the membership of committees.

Committee sittings.

Mr Speaker, due to unavoidable circumstances, the Committee of Selection was unable to meet on 2nd July, 2013 to consider the changes to the membership. This meeting has therefore, been rescheduled to be held on Tuesday, 9th July, 2013. Members of the Committee are hereby urged to avail themselves for the consideration of the Committee's business.
Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto 11:40 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like the House to take note of the delays in the meeting of the Committee of Selection. I do not know how many times the meetings of the Selection Committee have been postponed. It is actually affecting the work of the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs.
Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka 11:40 a.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleague is misleading this House and grossly so.
Mr Speaker, the sense is that every committee has a Vice Chairman. Mr Speaker, your goodself is in the Chair to represent Mr Speaker himself. So, to say that because there is no substantive Chairperson, the Committee has not been able to meet, I think, he, as an Hon Ranking Member, should equally be held responsible. He knows that it is the duty of the Hon Ranking Member and the Chairperson to meet and organise meetings -- and they have a Vice Chairperson.
But like he has seen on the Business Statement, these are matters that we are trying to address. But he should not create the impression that because there is no substantive Chairperson, that Committee is not able to do anything. I do not think it is a fair comment to make from an Hon Ranking Member of such a Committee.
Dr O. A. Akoto 11:40 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I think this intervention is not a point of order and he is actually contradicting what is happening on the ground with the work of this Committee.
I have it on record and members of the Committee will attest to that -- the Clerk to the Committee will attest to it. I have written a letter to the Chairman of the Committee -- and it is on record -- to convene a meeting -- even when we had the last recess, for us to discuss important matters.
That meeting was not convened and up to today, I have not had the courtesy of a reply to that correspondence that I made. So, I have it on record that it is not for want of trying that this Committee has not met. Mr Speaker, this is why I am very frustrated that we keep postponing the Committee of Selection meetings and the sooner they got down to a meeting to get the r ight people in place for this Committee to get going, the better for this House.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Dr Kunbuor 11:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I guess the point by the Hon Member has been taken.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
All right, Hon Members, it is important that our attention is drawn to the effect that the delay is having on some of the committees. So, as much as possible, we would get Leadership to arrange for that meeting to take place as early as possible, so that we can avoid any mishaps. I think that should do.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on a different matter --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
I invited the lady; I am hearing a male voice.
Ms Shirley A. Botchwey 11:50 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, over two weeks ago, I tabled a Motion. We have had two or three Business Statements since and I have not seen it on any of the Business Statements. So, I need to find out from the Hon Majority Leader what has happened to my Motion.
Dr Kunbuor 11:50 a.m.
Well, I guess that I am hearing about her Motion for the first time, officially. But I do know that there was an
issue of a number of Motions that came up in the Business Committee and then subsequently, with the Hon Speaker and the Speaker did give an indication what would happen in relation to the Motions. But officially, nothing has reached me yet on that Motion as Chairman of the Business Committee.
Her leadership did indicate to me that there was that Motion and she wanted to know at what stage it had reached. We pursued that at the Leadership meeting and we did get some response. So, I guess action is being expedited on it.
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I thought when the question was raised about the apparent inaction or the alleged inaction of the Committee of Selection, the answer really lay in the programme for next week Tuesday, that the Committee had been slated to meet to transact business relating to the issues raised by the Hon Member for Kwadaso.
As regards the fact that the Hon Majority Leader is alluding to, that the leadership of the Minority, by obvious inference, perhaps, is holding back the work of the Committee -- [Interruption] -- He has not said so, I know, but I said inferentially, what he said means that maybe, we are holding back -- But I am not aware that the Minority side is holding back -- I think that it has been on the drawing board for quite a while and fortunately, on Tuesday, the Committee is going to meet to do exactly that.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I believe yesterday, the Hon Majority Leader indicated to the House that in presenting the Business Statement today, he would give us guidance on what is going to happen to the joint Caucus -- It is neither on the Business Statement nor did he say a word about it. So, could he elaborate on what has happened, so that we see our way clear on what to do?
Dr Kunbuor 11:50 a.m.
Yes, thank you.
Mr Speaker, normally, we would deal with our Special and Standing Orders Committees in the Business Statement but when it comes to the Joint Caucus, we
Mr Yaw Owusu-Boateng 11:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it is about six months that this House started Sitting or we were inaugurated; and as the Hon Dr Matthew O. Prempeh stated about two weeks ago, we have a clause in the Constitution, that is, article 184 and with your indulgence, I beg to read:
“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.”
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
May I hear from the Leadership?
Dr Kunbuor 11:50 a.m.
Well, Mr Speaker, the Business of this House is business on which we are notified and we receive the necessary documentation. We do not invent business for this House. Now, what I guess the Hon Member is asking for, is that, we should do a follow-up and draw the Hon Minister's attention to fulfilling that particular obligation. But I think nothing prevents the Hon Member from
even filing an Urgent Question to make sure that the Hon Minister attends to the House to address this matter -- [Interruption.] But talking for the Business Committee, we normally, would programme the business for the week that are ready and have been assessed by the Committee to be in a state on which we can conduct business in the House.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Yes, Hon Minority Leader, can we hear from you or you want to defer to Hon Dr Akoto Osei?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, maybe, before I come in.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, for the information of the House, this matter came up about two weeks ago and the facts were laid bare. I am surprised that the Hon Majority Leader does not remember -- [Interruption] -- The last Parliament is the last Parliament; the practice was that the Committee never wrote to the Bank of Ghana.
I invited the Speaker to direct the Committee to write to the Bank of Ghana to do the work and that was what the Speaker ruled. The Committee -- we are not performing our job; it is as simple as that.
The Speaker invited the Hon Chairman -- In fact, if you go to the records, you would notice that we said that we would consult. But the Hon Chairman has never written -- and we have advised him that in our Standing Orders, an Hon Ranking Member or a Vice Chairman cannot write -- It is only the Hon Chairman that can call a meeting.
It is only the Chairman who can call a meeting. So, if the Chairman refuses to call the meeting, we cannot work as a committee. It is a serious matter. It is a

very serious matter. This is because those reports, if they came to the House, we could have avoided a lot of issues with the foreign exchange. This is the 1st of July, Bank of Ghana would put up the report next month. I think they should be directed to bring a report in two weeks or so, if the report is available. That is the only way to go.
Dr Kunbuor noon
Thank you very much.
So, this is essentially not a matter for the Business Committee but that the Hon Member is directing the Hon Speaker to direct the Hon Chairman of the Committee. Or he is bringing to the attention of Mr Speaker, that there was a decision by Mr Speaker to direct the Hon Minister for Finance? The Business Committee would patiently wait and immediately we receive this, we would treat it with dispatch.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu noon
First of all, Mr Speaker, I think that it does not even have to involve the Committee writing to the Bank of Ghana. This relationship should ordinarily be symbiotic. The Bank should, in response to article 184, send the relevant information to the House through the Committee. And the Committee then would be positioned to monitor -- because the Committee cannot go and sit at the Bank of Ghana and be doing the daily monitoring. The monitoring would come in reports submitted to the Committee from the Bank of Ghana.
Of course, if the Bank of Ghana is proving intransigent, the Committee may have to write to them. But when the Committee writes, it would suggest that the Bank of Ghana is being difficult in coming out freely and voluntarily on this. But that, in my view, is what the Constitu- tion really implies. They should not be coerced; they should not be forced to bring the relevant information to the House.
Dr Kunbuor noon
Well, the Hon Minority Leader is a very prominent member of the Committee; he is actually the Vice Chairman of the Committee. So, we would put our heads together and ensure that we expedite action on this matter.
Dr Prempeh noon
Mr Speaker, I do not know the sort of law or which part of the Constitution that makes the Bank of Ghana so inaccessible to Hon Members of Parliament. Mr Speaker, thank God, the Hon Deputy Ministers for Finance are here.
Micro-finance institutions, savings and loans institutions are failing day in day out in this country. Founders and those who have established these savings and loans groups are running away with thousands of cedis of Ghanaians. It has got to do with our oversight responsibility; it has got to do with our oversight responsibility.
rose
Dr Prempeh noon
It is the Bank of Ghana that registers and licenses micro-finance institutions. And Ghanaians -- from Techiman to Manhyia to Asawase -- they are collecting loans day in day out and people are running away with our monies and he is asking, what it has got to do with Parliament? We are the representatives of the people. Yes, the Business Committee should schedule the Governor of the Bank of Ghana to come here.
Mr First Deputy Speaker noon
Yes, Hon Majority Leader --
Dr Kunbuor noon
Mr Speaker, I am rising on a point of order.
I guess that when the Business Statement is presented on the floor of this House, we have over-indulged Hon Members in terms of the types of comments that they can make. The Business Committee is a unique Committee; that is where all the Leadership take part in.
That does not mean one cannot comment but when one gives the impression that there is some business that has been referred to the Business Committee and they have failed to consider it, that is unfair.
Whether micro-ceilings and mini ceilings, that has never been a matter that has been referred to the Business Committee and so, let us keep to the confines of what has come to the Business Committee and ask for explanations why they have not been put on the Business Statement. In all civilized democracies, go and watch the Business Statements, it is sufficiently bi-partisan and it does not hold the House even for more than five minutes.
Let us begin to handle these things by reading our own Standing Orders properly, Mr Speaker.
Dr Prempeh noon
Mr Speaker, I do not know what is partisan about what I am talking about. I have not accused the Business Committee of dereliction of duty. I am bringing the attention of Ghanaians to the fact that the Bank of Ghana -- Mr Speaker, we just talked about the fact that Bank of Ghana is not even presenting the foreign exchange receipts to us. We call the Bank of Ghana and they do not come.
rose
Dr Prempeh noon
When the Vice President was vetted by this House, the issue came up, he said he would report; nothing happened. Now, another savings and loans company has bolted and it is Ghanaians who are losing money --
Mr First Deputy Speaker noon
Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader -- [Interrup- tion] -- Order, order, please.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, you have the floor.
Mr Agbesi noon
Mr Speaker, the Hon Majority Leader and Chairman of the Business Committee has presented the Business Statement for the coming week. Mr Speaker, it has been a Statement of this House, which Mr Speaker has ruled
on that, when the Business Statement has been given, we are to comment on the Business contained in the document, not anything that comes to our mind as the Hon Member is doing. He is just off record; he is just talking. This is something which is not contained here. Mr Speaker, kindly bring him to order.
Dr Prempeh noon
Mr Speaker, I take serious exception to what the --
Mr First Deputy Speaker noon
You do not have the floor; you do not have the floor, Hon Dr Prempeh --
rose
Mr Agbesi noon
Mr Speaker, he must be disciplined. The House is a disciplined place; he must be disciplined. What he is doing is completely out of order and he must be brought to order.
Mr First Deputy Speaker noon
All right, all right. Hon Deputy Minority Leader
-- noon
Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul noon
Mr Speaker, Leadership must help Hon Members of Parliament to run this House effectively but if Leadership gets into squabbles, it becomes a big problem. When he says that “you must be disciplined; the House is a disciplined House”, I think that it is in bad taste. It is in bad taste -- [Interruption.]
Mr First Deputy Speaker noon
Order! Order! Order! There is too much noise in the Chamber.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, what did you say?
Mr Agbesi noon
Mr Speaker, I said Mr Speaker should bring him to order; he is completely out of order. He is completely out of order. Mr Speaker, bring him to order. This is because the Hon Majority
Mr First Deputy Speaker noon
Yes, Hon Matthew Prempeh --
Dr Prempeh 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I hope when I rose, you gave me the chance to speak, that is why he is talking about that. [Interruption.] Mr Speaker, if the Hon Deputy Majority Leader wants us to descend into the gutters that he lives, we can all go there. But it does not augur well for the House -- [Interruption] -- When he says anything that comes out of my mind --
I would want him to apologise and withdraw that. If he does not, he would be inviting some of us to use words he might not understand. If he claims I am indisciplined, what is the basis for his statement? Mr Speaker --
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon Member, please, resume your seat. Hon Deputy Majority Leader, please, resume your seat.
I remember that when you started speaking without me having given you the floor, I asked you to sit down. I believe the discipline he is talking about has to do with that. [Interruption.] Hon Members, Order! Order!
Hon Members, let us go by our own norms and conventions. If the Speaker has not ceded the floor to you, you do
not have the right to make any statement. So, can we make some progress?
Hon Members, with regard to the issue concerning the Bank of Ghana, the Speaker has already ruled on it. So, what we need to do is to draw attention to the ruling of the Speaker early on and to make sure that that ruling is complied with as early as possible. I think that should bring the matter to a close.
Mr Edwin Nii L. Vanderpuye 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in believing that we should be able to respect the rules and regulations in this House, I seriously think that the words used by the Hon Member, Hon Matthew Opoku Prempeh should be withdrawn and he must apologise --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon Member, I have ruled on that matter and it has been put to rest.
Mr Vanderpuye 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon Member, please, resume your seat.
Mr Vanderpuye 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, but he does not live in the gutter.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon Member, I have ruled on that matter and it has been put to rest. Let us not resuscitate it.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thought when we had the pre-Sitting meeting, it was in a very tranquil atmosphere and we really informed ourselves that we were not going to keep long in the House today. The Leaders in the House must assist the Chair in managing the House.
Mr Speaker, you have already ruled on this and I would plead with my Hon Colleagues to let sleeping dogs lie. Admittedly, what I heard from both sides -- From my Hon Colleague, the Hon

Deputy Majority Leader and from my Hon Colleague, the Hon Member for Manhyia South -- If you have to rule, both of them may be guilty of the language that is offensive. You cannot single out one person and say that I heard this. You cannot single out one person; the two are equally guilty. But Mr Speaker, you want to shut the door for us to move on.

Mr Speaker, but having said that, I think we should all understand that no committee generates its own business. The Business Committee does not generate its business and the other committees also do not generate business until and unless they are referred to them.

We should understand that. But I think the issue raised by the Hon Member for Manhyia South should concern us as a House. However, the various committees are also really disabled because nothing has been referred to them.

In other jurisdictions, relevant committees could proactively delve into issues of national importance. Our Parliament does not have that. We do not have that leisure. It is good that we are all talking about reviewing our Standing Orders, perhaps, we could find space for that. We have always insisted that it is important for us to have that window opened to the various committees.

Mr Speaker, that is where the problem really is and we should situate it within that context. I believe as early as possible, when we have time to do that, we should factor all these things into that and come up with Standing Orders that would serve the purpose of the country and indeed, of our Parliament.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Dr Kunbuor 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I guess that all these issues would be addressed when the code of conduct is in place, and then the House would be able to confine itself to the margins of decency befitting a House of this nature.
We do know that in almost every Parliament, there are peculiar actors who develop a particular reputation and it is tolerated and actually indulged by the House. That perhaps, reduces the level of boredom that Hon Members would otherwise, be going through if we did not have these types of interventions that take place. So, it is all in a good measure to liven up the House.
But let us, again, try and be clear about the lines, that we do not cross some lines, to allow an otherwise lively engagement to degenerate -- I think to that extent, I would agree with the Hon Minority Leader. The Leader must assist the Chair to put some form of decorum and decency into what goes on on the floor.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Any more contributions with regard to the Business Statement as presented?
Mr Frederick Opare-Ansah 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Majority Leader, in an earlier submission on the Business Statement and the ensuing debate, said that we had been over-indulging in the kind of comments that come out of the Business Statements and must be restricted to what is contained in the Business Statement.
Mr Speaker, the time for commenting on the Business Statement is really the only time in our Orders available for Hon Members to bring up all kinds of concerns that they may have regarding the business of this House.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon Member, your point is well made.
Dr Kunbuor 12:10 p.m.
As a matter of procedure, Mr Speaker, I guess we have to clarify this. As a very Senior Member of the House, he knows that there is sufficient time to introduce other matters that are not in the Business Statement and not when a matter has already been mentioned by Mr Speaker. In fact, in between the presen- tation of the Business Statement and any other item, either using the Leadership or rising to catch Mr Speaker's eye, you can introduce any matter.
The challenge we are talking about here is when Mr Speaker has mentioned a specific item and there are particular processes in the Order Paper associated with it. You must let that determine and before you start another item, you can always raise any issue.
So, by saying that we should relate what we are saying to the Business Statement, applies to all other items on the Order Paper, that midway through an item on the Order Paper, regardless of the state, you cannot go and introduce a matter that is not directly related. Otherwise, even at the Second Reading of a Bill, we would go and be talking about my village bridge that has collapsed and has not been repaired.
That is why the order of business in the House is structured. So, I can agree with him even if he draws attention to Leaders, that even before you start the business of the House, there is a pertinent matter I would want to raise, and he would be accommodated by the Chair.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Any more comments on the Business Statement?
Mr Boniface G. Adagbila 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I have a concern in relation to the statement made. The Hon Majority Leader and Minister for Government Business in Parliament advised the Hon Member here to contact his leadership for information on the Committee of Selection of the House. It appears this becomes a secret agent business because I think it is for our consumption; we need to know what the issues are. [Interruption.]
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon Member, I believe you also heard him add that it is not every issue that should be raised in the Chamber. So, I think that it is enough to take care of that situation.
Mr Adagbila 12:20 p.m.
But Mr Speaker, what pertains here is for all of us to consume. So, it means that apart from contacting the Leadership, over two hundred of us will not be in the know?
In the same vein, sometimes Hon Members are making a presentation in this House and even Mr Speaker will say, “See me in my Chambers.” So over two hundred of us are put in the dark? So, we need to curtail some of these secrete agency business. [Laughter.] That is the point I am making. [Hear! Hear!]
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Hon Member, I do not think that if you are asked to consult your Leadership, it amounts to a secret meeting.

Any more contributions? Otherwise, the Business Statement for the Seventh Week ending Friday, 12 th July, is accordingly adopted by the House.

Hon Members, one Statement has been allowed and that is in the name of Hon Dominic Napare, MP for Sene East Constituency on the development of Digya National Park as a tourist centre.
STATEMENTS 12:20 p.m.
Mr Dominic Napare (NDC -- Sene East) 12:20 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to make a Statement on the development of Digya National Park (DNP), which is located largely in the Sene East and West Districts as a huge resource potential, the development of which has long been ignored.
Mr Speaker, the Digya National Park is unique as it spans across traditional, political and regional boundaries. It is, therefore, national in character and its development will benefit directly many regions of the country.
Mr Speaker, traditionally, Digya falls under the Nkomi, Kumawu and Ajade Traditional Councils. Politically, the Park comes basically under Sene East and West, and overlaps into Afram Plains North and South, and Sekyere West Districts. The Park, with a land area of 3,478 km2, is the first wildlife protected area.
It is Ghana's second largest Park after Mole National Park (NP), created in 1911 but gained national park status in 1971 under the Wildlife Reserve Regulation
(L.I. 710).
Mr Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Order! Order! Hon Members, Order. Hon Member, proceed.
Mr Napare 12:20 p.m.
Mr Speaker, looking at the strategic imperatives of the Digya Park, alongside the Ghana wildlife policy, and in the light of the above observations of biological inventories and socio -- economic potentials, I strongly suggest that the sector agencies and Ministry -- Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the public/private partnership unit at the Presidency, District Assemblies and Regional Co-ordinating Councils within the Park's catchment area, work with a combined effort to:
(a) actively ensure the protection and maintenance of the physical, biological and aesthetic features of the Park;
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Hon Members, contributions are now invited
Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh (NPP -- Nsawam-Adoagyiri) 12:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.
Mr Speaker, I think that was a very excellent Statement captured by the Hon Member. Indeed, I am impressed by the subject area captured by the Hon Member.
Mr Speaker, looking across the country, the development of Parks and to some extent, Parks and gardens have become a problem and a challenge to this country. I can authoritatively say that the Department of Parks and Gardens falls under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and I would want to make one or two interventions.
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 12:30 p.m.
On a point of order.
Mr Speaker, I find it very difficult to find the direction of the Colleague, the Hon Member who is contributing to the Statement. The Hon Member talked about national Parks and he is talking about the Department of Parks and Gardens. What is the relationship between the Department of Parks and Gardens and the national Parks?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Hon Member, indeed, I was minded to also draw your attention to the fact that there is a distinction between a national Park and the Department of Parks and Gardens.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the supposed correction by the Hon Member.
In going ahead --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Why do you want to qualify the correction?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with your kind indulgence, if I can just continue, with the greatest respect.
Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka 12:30 p.m.
On a point of order.
Mr Speaker, I appreciate the situation, that my Hon Colleague is a new Member. But if he should take his Standing Orders very seriously, he would know that when Statements-- we are to make comments to support them. We do not make comments that generate debate, and where he is going, if he is not careful, he would draw the Statement into a debate.
So, Mr Speaker, I think my Hon Colleague is completely out of order and his attention should be drawn that he should stay within the Statement, so that we can make progress.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Hon Member, I believe that this Statement is a constituency-specific Statement. As much as possible, let us direct our contributions in that direction.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with the greatest respect to the Hon Chief Whip whom I have a lot of respect for, I would have wished he had identified a single item in this Standing Order, where I have offended.
Mr Speaker, as a matter of fact, as I earlier said, this matter is a national matter. As long as it is specific to a constituency, it also concerns the nation as a matter of national concern. It is important that we look beyond the limited area the Hon Member had captured and extend the matter further without being controversial, and here, I have not been controversial at all. I am still speaking to the core of the issue, the thrust of the matter.
Mr Speaker, with your kind support and in going further, I am saying that a court of competent jurisdiction has ruled. I am saying this in the face of the fact that the necessary funding that is supposed to be given to the national Parks to be able to develop other Parks in the Hon Member's constituency as well as other relevant constituencies, is not coming.
Alhaji Muntaka 12:30 p.m.
On a point of order.
Mr Speaker, I thought my Hon Colleague would take a cue from what you said but since he wants to be schooled, I would encourage him to look at Standing Order number 70 (2) and Mr Speaker, with your indulgence, I beg to read:
“70. (2) A Minister of State may make an announcement or a statement of government policy. Any such announcement or statement
should be limited to facts which it is deemed necessary to make known to the House and should not be designed to provoke debate at any stage. Any Member may comment briefly, subject to the same limitation.”
Mr Speaker, it is a Statement that has been made and he is supposed to make his contribution within the Statement that has been made. He should not -- and Mr Speaker, you heard him emphasising, and with the greatest respect, ignorantly saying that since it is about a national issue, we should allow him to extend beyond the Statement.
This would be gross misleading of the House and I think that our Hon Colleague should try and stay within the Statement and should not, with emphasis, make submissions that would degenerate the Statement of the Hon Member who made it into debate.
Mr Patrick Y. Boamah 12:30 p.m.
On a point of order.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Majority Chief Whip referred to Order 70 (2) as the basis for his point of order. The side note reads, “Statements by Mr Speaker and Ministers”.
I do not know when the President appointed the Hon Member for Sene as an Hon Minister of State, to come under this provision. He is an ordinary Hon Member and I would not allow the Hon Member for Asawase to mislead this Honourable Parliament of the Republic of Ghana.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member, please, proceed but begin to wind up.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am grateful for your indulgence.
The Hon Muntaka made a submission, which I take exception to.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Please, proceed with your contribution and leave that out.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, he used the word “ignorantly” and it is important we set the records --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Do you want to make a contribution or I stop you?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, going further --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Go ahead with your contribution, please.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for your indulgence.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Please, proceed with your contribution. And I am asking you to wind up, so that we can make some progress.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:30 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. A few suggestions -- [Interrup- tion.]
Mr Nitiwul 12:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in fact, I heard it myself. The Hon Member has a point when he rises to complain to you. Of course, in this House, you are the only one who can give every Hon Member protection. The Hon Majority Chief Whip actually used the word “ignorantly”, that he ignorantly made that statement.
Mr Speaker, he is complaining to you that that submission is in bad taste and because it has gone into public record, he should withdraw it. That is what the Hon Member is putting to you and inasmuch as you would want him to continue for us to make progress, it has dented his image. I think that the Hon Member has the right to make that complaint to you, Mr S peaker.
Mr Agbesi 12:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I think that the Hon Majority Chief Whip was referring the Hon Member to the situation where his contribution is generating a debate on the floor. In that sense, he said that if he is ignorant of the matter, that he should not go beyond Statement in order for it not to generate a debate on the floor -- I believe it is in that context.
If it is in that context, then I think the Hon Majority Chief Whip would be right. But if the Hon Member feels that it is a submission which impinges on his integrity, I believe that he can easily withdraw that one for the process to continue.
Alhaji Muntaka 12:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with the greatest respect, I know that we are Hon Colleagues here and there is no way I would refer to my Hon Colleague as ignorant. What I meant was that since what he is saying is national in character, we should be allowed to make comments broadly about the nation. And I said that he is ignorant of the law because the ignorance is that in a Statement, one has to make their contribution and comments within the Statement.
But if my Hon Colleague is offended that the use of the word “ignorantly” was referred to him, I am not referring to him. I am saying that he is conversant with the rules. I am sorry; I do not mean to be rude to him or to claim that he is ignorant. I am saying that he is not privy to the facts that comments are supposed to stay within the Statement but not to say that he is ignorant. I am not trying to be rude to him, not at all, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:40 p.m.
Now, Hon Member, please, your concluding statement.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I have accepted the apology and I am moving on -- [Uproar] --
In moving on, Mr Speaker, a few suggestions. -- [Interruption.] -- Mr Speaker, if I can have some control over the House before I can speak; if I can have some protection.
Mr Speaker, what this Government needs to initiate is a public --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:40 p.m.
Hon Member, your last sentence.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:40 p.m.
We want to see this Government initiating a public-private partnership to ensure that --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:40 p.m.
Thank you. Your statement has been made. Resume your seat.
Dr Kwamena Donkor (NDC -- Pru East) 12:40 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to associate myself with the Statement made by the Hon Member for Sene East.
Mr Speaker, the Digya National Park presents a major opportunity for opening up, especially the north-eastern corridor of the Brong-Ahafo Region to development and to create a multiplier effect for that part of the Brong-Ahafo Region, which is the most deprived in the region.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:40 p.m.
Order! Order!
Let us have some order. An Hon Member is on the floor.
Dr Donkor 12:40 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the protection.
Mr Owusu-Bio 12:40 p.m.
On a point of order.
Dr Donkor 12:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, for the information of the Hon Member, the animal family contains various sub-families -- [Laughter]
Mr Speaker, more importantly, the Sene District where this Park is located -- is quite deprived. So, by developing this national Park into a major attraction, it will create the multiplier effect of attracting other related investments into that part of the Brong -Ahafo Region.
It is for this reason that I support the Statement. If we are to develop our naturally-endowed tourist potential, then we cannot do that without prioritizing the Digya National Park. As I said earlier, the fauna today, has become a major investment attraction and people fly from all over the world to experience the beauty of various forms of fauna.
So, in addition to the animal population, there are other assets in that Park and it is for this reason that the development of the Park should be seen as a national priority.
Mr William O. Aidoo (NPP -- Afigya Kwabre South) 12:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to contribute to the Statement on the floor.
My take, is a potentially very con- troversial one. Why do I say that? Eco- tourism as my Hon Friend, Dr Donkor said, generates a lot of income, it contributes towards Gross National Product (GNP). But I would implore the good people of this country to reduce their consumption of game meat to encourage the population of the -- [Interruption.] Mr Speaker, if we reduced the consumption of game meat -- [Interruption]
Mrs Elizabeth Sackey 12:40 p.m.
On a point of order.
Mr Speaker, if I clearly heard my Hon Colleague, he did say that we should reduce the consumption of game meat. I would want him to clarify because some of us have special game meat that we use for our daily meal. Therefore, if he stands on the floor of this House and says that we should reduce its consumption, then he should clarify and let us know exactly before we are called.
Mr W. O. Aidoo 12:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, exactly what I said, potentially, very controversial -- The associated employment opportunity that eco-tourism will bring to the people of Sene will out-weigh in no measure the money that is created from the consumption and sale of game meat.
Mr Speaker, I would not say so much. I would reduce it here and reiterate again that the good people of this country
should reduce the consumption of game meat to encourage eco-tourism in this country.
Alhaji Seidu Amadu (NDC -- Yapei/ Kusawgu) 12:50 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to speak in support of the Statement ably made by the Hon Member for Sene East.
Mr Speaker, the Digya National Park, apart from being the second largest in the country, is of course, endowed with so many animal species like explained by the Hon Member who made the Statement including fauna of unique character. Unfortunately, the peculiar location of the Digya National Park makes it highly inaccessible. That is why the lamentation of the Hon Member who made the Statement has to be listened to.
If one wants to access the Digya National Park, one can do that through Atebubu -- That is, if one comes from Kumasi, through Ejura, Atebubu through Sene, then to the Digya National Park. One can cross also over from Krachi and get there. One can leave from Akosombo and get there. In the Eastern Region, one can go through Nkawkaw, Adawso, get to Afram Plains and get there.
All these roads have unique challenges because of the nature and character of the roads leading to these areas. Therefore, there is the need, if we want to improve on tourism and up the revenue we make in terms of tourist attraction in this country, there is the need for us to look at the Digya National Park in a very special way, for that matter, other national Parks located in other parts of the country.
Mr Speaker, the Volta Lake has a very peculiar character; made up of so many dead wood in the river. We have been
Mr Henry Quartey (NPP -- Ayawaso Central) 12:50 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to contribute to the Statement made by my Hon Colleague.
Mr Speaker, talking about tourism, I think that Ghana has a lot of potentials, for that matter, to generate revenue through tourism. Mr Speaker, with your permission, let me cite a few areas and examples. For instance, the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum has been turned into a car park and a funeral or recreational centre, if I may put it.
Mr Speaker, perhaps, we could re- name it 12:50 p.m.
“The Founding Fathers of Ghana” and that could generate a lot of revenue for us. People could come in and go there and read some history about Ghana -- [Interruption.] Mr Speaker, again, I recently visited some areas about three days ago, the coastal sea protection.
It appears that the Government spends quite a lot of money in reclaiming the land. I noticed that indeed, if the tourism industry is able to create, for that matter, some tourism interest by way of ensuring that those lands that are claimed with the taxpayer's money, we can generate some sights for people to come and visit.
Mr Gabriel Essilfie 12:50 p.m.
On a point of order.
Mr Quartey 12:50 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to repeat: “invisible trees” and channelling moneys into so-called Akomfem projects. Maybe -- [Interruption]
Mr Kwabena Mensah 12:50 p.m.
On a point of order.
Mr Speaker, clearly, you could see the direction the Hon Member is heading towards. He is provoking debate on the floor of the House. Instead of him to define “invisible trees” he is going into another angle. So, Mr Speaker, I pray that you direct him to define “invisible trees”.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:50 p.m.
Hon Member, please, restrict yourself to the Statement as presented by the maker and let us avoid debate as much as possible.
Mr Quartey 12:50 p.m.
Mr Speaker, a typical example is when you are going to Teshie for instance, a company has been able to reclaim the land around the La Beach and they are putting up high-rise buildings there. My humble plea is that the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and the other related agencies or bodies look at ways of making our beaches more attractive for tourists to come and visit. And I repeat, so that moneys that are channelled into areas that we cannot see, begin to be redirected into practical areas.
Mr Richard M. Quashigah (NDC -- Keta) 1 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to associate myself with the
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member, are you up on a point of order?
Mr Frimpong 1 p.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Member across sitting, is quoting some figures and he cannot refer to any document. In this House, one cannot just quote figures and go. He must tell us where he is quoting the figures from otherwise, he must withdraw them.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
Hon Member, your source of information?
Mr Quashigah 1 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Member can refresh his memory if he visits the website of the Ghana Tourism Board.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Frimpong 1 p.m.
I do not want to talk about the dressing. Mr Speaker, I cannot visit that website as we speak --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
Hon Member, you asked for the source of information. He has given the source; if you insist, you can ask him to download and make it available to this Honourable House.
Mr Frimpong 1 p.m.
Thank you very much Mr Speaker --
Exactly that. So, he should download the information and present it to the House for us to know that what he is saying is coming from a particular source, otherwise, he should withdraw them.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
All right I have so directed.
Hon Member proceed.
Mr Quashigah 1 p.m.
Thank you so much, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from the heckling of the Hon Member on the other side of the House -- [Hear! Hear]
Mr Speaker, like I did mention earlier, I had the opportunity of visiting The Gambia, I returned last night and I was privileged to witness the tremendous effort that is being made in that country, as it were, to rake so much resources from tourism in that country.
As we speak today, the economy of The Gambia rely solely on tourism but having visited their facility and having visited their beaches and some of their Parks, it is clear that we have greater potential than The Gambia has. If we are able as it were to effectively work and inject capital into the various potential that we have, we must be making a lot of money from the tourism industry. And I think
that the issues that our Hon Colleague from Sene raised, in connection with the Digya National Park, are very pertinent and of the need for the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts as it were, to take note of these things and do all that he can to ensure that the Digya National Park becomes a great resource for this nation.
It appears that we are gradually becoming a sleeping giant when it comes to tourism. I say so because even in my own constituency, Keta, we have very sandy beaches better than the ones that I witnessed in The Gambia and I am very confident that, if we focus on the development of these tourism potentials that we have, this country will be moving in the right direction and we will be doing better than we are doing today.
The fact is that, Government is doing a lot in that direction, but we think that a lot more can be done.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to associate myself with the Statement.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
Hon Members, I can see a lot of interest being generated, unfortunately, time is not on
our side. I will like to apologise. A lot of Members will have to travel back to their constituencies and so on and there are some committee meetings.
So, we will bring the contributions to a close but I will wish to direct that the Statement together with the document that the maker of the Statement indicated in the course of his presentation that he had, should be given to the Table Office, so that that together with his Statement and the contributions on the floor, would be submitted to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts as well as Lands and Natural Resources for the necessary action to be taken -- [Hear! Hear ].
Mr Albert K. Agbesi 1 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this House do adjourn to Tuesday, the 9th of July, 2013.
Mr Dominic B.A. Nitiwul 1 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
ADJOURNMENT 1 p.m.