Mr Haruna Iddrisu

Mr Speaker, just to note the observation and for purposes of information, I am aware that His Excellency the President, in a pre-budget and post budget engagement, directed all Ministers to demonstrate absolute responsibility and punctuality in ensuring that the Appropriation Bill is approved accordingly, particularly those standing by sector Ministers.

Mr Speaker

Hon Minister, you are always in the House to transact your business. Where are the rest of your Colleagues?
Hon Minister for Trade and Industry, you are always in the House. Yesterday, we passed a Bill that you introduced in this House; you are always here to transact your business. What about the rest of your Colleagues? In fact, the information you have provided has even made the matter worse. If they are not
respecting the President and they are not respecting the House, then I do not know who they would want to respect in this country.

Papa Owusu-Ankomah

Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister for Trade and Industry has said the President had given directives. That is a very serious statement. In spite of the President's directive, Ministers are not coming.
Mr Speaker, some of us have had the opportunity to serve, and I remember very well that I was at a conference in the United Kingdom when I was instructed by the President to return to Ghana and come to Parliament. Even my ticket-- Before he had called me, he had directed the High Commission to make arrangements.
Mr Speaker, so, if the President has given instructions and he does not wield the stick, I am sorry, it is going to be very embarrassing and this has been brought to our attention.
As a House, we ought to assist the President rule and govern effectively. [Hear! Hear!] So, the recommendation of the Business Committee is in the right direction. I am sure, for next week, no Minister has an excuse.
Mr Speaker, even though it is something that is not normally done, for you to direct the Clerk to write to His Excellency the President, bringing the concerns of the House to his attention because -- even the President's Minister for Government Business in Parliament sometimes throws up his hands in the air in despair. It is not good for our country, neither is it good for the presidency.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka

Mr Speaker, I believe it was important that this has to find expression in the Business Statement. This is because as you may see, we get the heat of the frustration trying to get our Hon Colleagues to come in.
But Mr Speaker, you can see in the Chamber a number of them are here. [Uproar.] Since yesterday, when the Hon Majority Leader instructed me to send some kind of caution to many --

Mr Speaker

Hon Majority Whip, you are the Chief Whip for the Majority side and in the British Parliament, you are the Government Chief Whip. Look at the Motions that we have listed. How many Ministers are here, and tell me whether all the Ministers in whose names Motions stand on the Paper are here.

Alhaji Muntaka

Mr Speaker, I perfectly agree with you, that is why I am saying that -- [Interruption.]Mr Speaker, as we speak now, all the Motions that are ready have their Ministers seated in the Chamber. Some, that are not yet ready are at the printing room and we are getting the Ministers on their way to be here. But as we speak now, all the Motions that are ready have their Ministers sitting in the Chamber.

Mr Nitiwul

Mr Speaker, in fact, yesterday, we should have taken Office of Government Machinery but where is the Minister for Finance?

Alhaji Muntaka

Mr Speaker, I thought, with the permission of this House, the Minister left behind his able Deputy and we have been working with him since yesterday. That permission was granted by us when he came to explain the challenges that he had and we agreed that his deputy -- and the Deputy Finance Minister has been sitting here since yesterday to assist us.

Mr Speaker

Hon Majority Chief Whip, are you aware that this week we had to suspend Sitting for one hour because there was no representative for Ministry of Finance?

Alhaji Muntaka

Rightly so, and I am saying that, that is why since yesterday we have seen this drastic change. Mr Speaker, I am not saying this because I am trying to defend them. I am agreeing with the House that they need to be up and doing. I am only drawing attention that since yesterday, we have had some encouragement and many of them are sitting in the Chamber today to assist us.
But that notwithstanding, I perfectly agree with the Hon Member for Sekondi (Papa Owusu-Ankomah) that you should assist us by getting the Clerk to write to the Office of the President, to ensure that everybody that needs to be here, is here on time, so that we do not have the unfortunate experience of having to suspend the House or move a Motion later than when it is supposed to be taken.

Hon Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs?

Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs (Dr Henry S. Daannaa)

Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢20,227,991 for the services of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs for the year ending 31st December, 2014.
Mr Speaker, in so doing, permit me to draw the attention of the august House to some of the very important responsibilities for which the amount of money is required.

Chairman of the Committee (Mr Kobena M. Woyome)

Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion and in doing so, present the Committee's Report.
Introduction
The Hon Minister for Finance, Mr Seth Terkpeh presented the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2014 financial year to the House on Tuesday, 19th November, 2013 in accordance with article 179 of the 1992
Constitution. Pursuant to Order 140(4) of the Standing Orders of the House, Mr Speaker referred the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs to the Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture for consideration and report.
Subsequently, the Committee met with the Hon Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, Dr Henry Seidu Daannaa and his team on Tuesday, 3rd December, 2013 and considered the referral.
The Committee expresses its apprecia- tion to the Hon Minster and his team for their co-operation.
Reference documents
The Committee made reference to the following documents during its deliberations:
i. The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
ii. The Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.
iii. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2013 Financial Year.
iv The 2014 Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs.
v. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2014 financial year.
Mission Statement
The Ministry exists for the development of effective interface
between Government and civil society on matters relating to chieftaincy and
traditional affairs for the promotion of peace, good governance, national cultural values and international partnership for the overall development of Ghana.
Performance for Year 2013
Table 1
The Committee noted that, out of the total budgetary allocation of GH¢l9,250,153 for year 2013, only GH¢7,745,284.55 constituting 40.2 per cent was released. It is worth noting that, only GH¢6,637,844.30 (46.7 per cent) out of an allocation of GH¢ 14,215,973.00 for compensation had been released.
For goods and services, GH¢439,954.25 representing 25.02 per cent of an allocation of GH¢1,758,450.00 was released. An amount of GH¢667,486.00 (20.4 per cent) out of an allocation of GH¢3,275,730.00 was released for assets.
The Committee expressed concern about the fact that a high percentage of the Ministry's allocation for goods and services (74.98 per cent) and assets (79.6 per cent) was not released, thus making it extremely difficult for the Ministry to fully and effectively implement its planned programmes for the year.
The untimely and non-release of approved funds affected, among others, the ability of the:
Houses of Chiefs to engage experienced counsels in the resolution of chieftaincy cases, and also acquire offices and residential accommodation;
Ministry to acquire office equip- ment and a permanent office accommodation.
The above, notwithstanding, the Ministry undertook the following activities:
i. Processed sixteen (16) Legislative Instruments indicating lines of succession to sixteen (16) stools/ skins for passage into law.
ii. Launched the Royal Codes of Ethics for Chiefs and Queen
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3 - 10.40A.M.

Hon Members, let us take Trade and Industry and then we move to reconsider your application for Office of Government Machinery.

Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Haruna Iddrisu) (MP)

Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity. I beg to move, that the Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢256,532,193 for the services of the Ministry of Trade and Industry for the year ending 31st December, 2014.
Mr Speaker, in doing so, let me state that it is the determination of Government to improve upon our export regime. We recently launched the National Export

Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Haruna Iddrisu) (MP)

strategy and accordingly, we are encouraging Ghanaian entrepreneurs, particularly young people, to venture into exports with the initiation of a National Entrepreneurs Export Award which would be to encourage young people to identify niche markets for purposes of export.

Mr Speaker, we would continue our aggressive trade promotion and investment drive, working in tandem with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GOPC) and the Ghana Free Zones Board. We intend to open trade offices in Turkey, Japan, China and South Africa to facilitate trade.

Mr Speaker, one of the major concerns of the Ghanaian private sector is the cost of doing business and they want an ease to do business. With the passage and assent of the new GIPC Act, Government would establish the one-stop shop which would have a technical committee to ensure speedy registration of companies.

We are also expanding the scanning infrastructure at the port to reduce congestion, in order that importers do not suffer penalties or demurrage for delays in the clearance of goods. Therefore, we would continue to work to reduce the time and cost associated with the clearance of goods and services.

In conclusion, Mr Speaker, we have also launched the third phase of the rural enterprise programme, which is intended to improve rural livelihood and rural income. 161 districts would benefit from this, with rural technology facility. So far, about 27,000 jobs have been created in terms of rural enterprises that have been supported and facilitated.

We would continue work on our industrial path and we intend that in each region of Ghana, we will develop an industrial path with dedicated access to water, electricity and ICT to promote industrial development in the future.

I will also in the course of the year, submit to the House, a revision of the Ghana Standards Authority in order that we improve its tenure.

Question Proposed.

Mr Speaker, since it is the same Committee, I suggest we take the Motion at item number 17 then after that we come to Government Obligations.

Mr Nitiwul

Apart from his suggestion, Mr Speaker had assured him that the Motion at item number 7 would be taken after --

Mr Speaker

I said that we should take this one then we look at it.
But he has made a point that, since it is the same Committee, I do not believe it is going to waste time, so from there, we move to the Motion at item number 7.

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu- Agyare)

Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that the House approves the sum of GH¢33,705,525 for the services of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts for the year ending 31st December,
2014.

The Ministry and its 14 agencies carry out key programmes, including management and administration, tourism product development, tourism research

and marketing, tourism quality assurance, culture, creative arts, heritage development and management.

In 2013, the sector was allocated GH¢18,585,375 out of which GH¢7,893,361 was for goods and services; GH¢3,288,379 was for assets GH¢2,635,167 for goods and services was released. Asset vote is yet to be released.

The programme for 2013, however, received some success. The Ministry continued with its effort to repackage tourism, culture and creative arts products for both domestic and international market, to maximize investment opportunities offered by such programmes, including participation in international fairs and events such as paragliding and carnival.

As part of harnessing national culture for development, activities undertaken by the culture agencies included organisation of national drama festivals for schools and colleges, organisation of cultural exchange programmes for artists-- [Interruption] -- that is the “stress- away” exhibition of cultural heritage materials and collection, conservation and documentation of sites, artifacts for museums.

The Ministry is currently also holding KIDDAFEST and Artifact Bazaar at the National Theatre.

The outlook for tourism in 2014 is good. In 2014, the Ministry will intensify its efforts to market Ghana's tourism products in targeted markets in Europe, America, Asia and Africa, by showcasing Ghana's tourism to travel trade practitioners, the media and investors at international tourist fairs.

Tourism product development would be done. Tourism quality assurance programme would be dealt with. Culture, creative arts and heritage management programmes would be done.

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu- Agyare)

The Ministry would pursue actions to prepare a legal and regulatory framework.

Mr Speaker, in this regard, I would like to move the Motion for Hon Members of this august House to consider and approve the Ministry's 2014 budget amount of GH¢22,705,525 for the implementation of the above programmes.

Question Proposed.

Chairman of the Committee (Alhaji Amadu B. Sorogho)

Mr Speaker, I beg to support the Motion ably moved by the Hon Minister.
Introduction
The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2014 Financial Year was presented to the House on Tuesday,19th November, 2013 by the Hon. Minister for Finance, Mr. Seth Emmanuel Terkpeh.
Mr Speaker referred the 2014 annual budget estimates of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (MTCCA) to the Committees on Trade, Industry and Tourism and Youth, Sports and Culture for consideration and report in accordance with article 179 of the Constitution of Ghana and pursuant to the Orders 140(4), 159 and 187 of the Standing Orders of the House.
In considering the annual estimates, the Committee met with the Hon Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, her deputy, Hon Abla Dzifa Gomashie, and the team of officials from the Ministry, Departments and Agencies.
Reference documents
The following documents served as a reference guide during the Committee's deliberations:
i. 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
ii. Standing Orders of the House
iii. MDAs 2013 actuals.
iv. Budget Statement and Economic Policy for the 2014 financial year.
v. Programmme-Based Budget Estimates for 2014 for the Ministry' of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.
vi. Executive Instrument (E.I. 2013).
Mandate and mission of the Ministry
The mandate is to provide a firm, stable policy environment for effective mainstreaming of Ghanaian culture into all aspects of national life and to ensure creative economy to the Tourism Industry. It exists to create a conducive environment for sustainable development of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts. This will be achieved through the formulation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of sector policies and plans in partnership with stakeholders.
Implementing agencies
1. Ghana Tourism Authority
2. Hotel Catering and Tourism Training Centre (HOTCATT)
3.Ghana Tourism Development Company
4. National Commission on Culture
5. Bureau of Ghana Languages
6. Ghana Museums and Monuments Board
7. National Theatre of Ghana
8. Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
9. W.E.B. Dubois Memorial Centre
10. National Symphon Orchestra
1 1. Ghana Dance Ensemble
12. Abibigromma Theatre Company
13. National Folklore Board
14. Pan African Writers Association
Performance for the year, 2013
The total budget of GH¢18,585,375 which was allocated to the Ministry and its 14 agencies was woefully inadequate. This puts a major limitation on the implementation of mandatory pro- grammes and activities of the Ministry.
Coupled with this was the fact that some line items such as assets and donor components had no releases, while goods and service fell short by 67 per cent.
In the case of assets (capital expenditure budget) out of the approved three million, two hundred and eighty- eight thousand, three hundred and seventy-nine Ghana cedis (GH¢ 3,288,379.00), no release has been made so far; resulting in real challenges for the replacement of old equipment and vehicles. This situation is bad, particularly as the Minister and her Deputy as well as Directors do not have vehicles, making movements difficult.
However, the Committee noted that releases for compensation far exceeded what was approved. This was basically as a result of the implementation of the Single Spine Pay Policy. The details are outlined in Table 1:
Table 1: Variance Analysis as at October, 2013.
Programmes and activities of the Ministry in 2013
Organised the 8th Okwahu Hang and Paragliding Festival at Atibie during the Easter festival. Organised the National
Chocolate Day on the 24"1 of February,
2013
Participated in the UNWTO 20 th Session General Assembly at Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zimbabwe/Zambia.
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Organised PANAFEST of which over 5000 African diasporas patronised the event.

Participated in the World Travel Market International Tourism Fair in Excel, London, UK.

Commemorated the 50th anniversary of the death of Dr. W.E.B Du Bois and also the celebration of his birthday.

Organised the second edition of African Choral festival in Cape Coast

Organised an exhibition titled “Ankobra Gold Route': Ghana- Dutch Common Cultural Heritage in collaboration with an Italian NGO, Ricercae Cooperazione in the Western Region.

Nomination Dossier updated with maps for submission to World Heritage Committee (Tongo Teng Zuk, near Bolgatanga).

Produced and distributed Efo Kodjo Mawugbe's “In the Chest of a Woman” and Sackey Sowa's “Firestorm” by Abibigromma to 45 second cycle schools in Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Southern Volta.

Restructuring of the Ministry

The Ministry and its implementing agencies are being restructured to reflect the mandate of the re-aligned Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts. This

was to develop their new vision, mission, mandate and functions in collaboration with Management Services Division (MSD)/ Office of The Head of Civil Service

(OHCS).

Restructuring of the Ghana Tourism Authority

The Ghana Tourism Authority restructuring process in line with the Tourism Act 817 is on course. This is to facilitate the collection of one per cent levy paid by patrons of tourism enterprises into the Tourism Development Fund.

The Ghana Tourism Authority inspectorate division

The Ghana Tourism Authority inspected over 100 up-market hotels country-wide. The outcome was the issuance of the registration and operating licenses to hotels in order to maintain standards and quality service delivery.

Budgetary allocation for 2014

For the implementation of its programmes and activities, a sum of GH¢33,705,525 has been allocated to the Ministry in the 2014 fiscal year to cater for compensation of employees, Goods and services and assets for itself and the fourteen (14) departments and agencies which fall under the Ministry. Budgetary allocations by cost centres and programmes are shown in Tables 2(A) and (B) respectively.

Chairman of the Committee (Alhaji Amadu B. Sorogho)

Programmes and activities for 2014

To contribute to the attainment of the objectives of the National Medium Term Development Plan (2014-2017), the Ministry will carry out five (5) programmes as follows:

Management Administration

Tourism Product Development

Tourism Research and Marketing

Tourism Quality Assurance

Culture, Heritage Management and promotion of creative arts

Under these programmes, the following activities will be undertaken:

Organise Greater Accra Regional Homowo (HOMOFEST) to boost culture,

Creative arts and tourism enterprises for national cohesion

Complete Accra Visitor Information Centre

Complete receptive facilities

Organise national tourism photo competition and job creation

Undertake feasibility study for marine drive tourism masterplan

Erect five (5) signages in regional capitals to promote tourists sites

Conduct research and collate data for tourism statistics

Promote Ghana in the international media

Market Ghana through participation in eight (8) international exhibitions and fairs

Produce tourism promotional materials (brochures, maps, CDs, fliers)

Market Ghana's tourism, culture and creative arts through participation in four (4) UNWTO/UNESCO international conferences

Organise World Tourism Day Celebration 2014

Organise familiarisation tours to tourist sites for policy and decision- makers, corporate Ghana and diplomats

Organise meridian festival to commemorate the Founder's Day celebration to signify Ghana's position as the centre of the world in Tema

Conduct inspections and license tourism plants in the ten (10) regions

Develop standards for new tourism enterprises (conference centres, SPAs', parks, health farms etc.)

Operationalise task force to enforce service standards and revenue generation

Organise training for 300 school leavers into the industry (HOTCATT)

Organise National Drama Festival for schools and colleges

Organise cultural exchange programmes for 60 artists and other officials

Establish Ghana Culture/Creative Arts development indicators suite (databank)

Complete regional theatre in Eastern Region

Organise training workshops for artisans in the regions

Organise annual KIDDAFEST and provide support for performing artistes

Organise national and international tours to promote Ghana's performing arts.

Rehabilitate the National Theatre.

Observations

Achievements

It is worthy to note that the Ministry maintained its position as the Fourth (4th) highest foreign exchange earner after gold, cocoa and remittances. It contributed about 4.7 per cent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Total employment created in both formal and informal tourism enterprises was estimated at 319,000, out of which 91,000 were direct jobs.

The Committee lauds the fact that international arrivals and receipts grew by 10 per cent by rising from 903,300 in 2012 to 993,600 in 2013 resulting in corresponding increase in receipts from US$ 1.7 billion to US$ 1.9 billion.

Critical projects

The Committee observed with dismay the inadequate allocation of thirty-three million, seven hundred and five thousand, five hundred and twenty-five Ghana cedis

(GH¢33,705,525) for 2014 against the Ministry's budget proposal of one hundred and sixty-two million Ghana cedis (GH¢ 162,000,000) to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts for the performance of its functions.

The Committee further noted that this may hamper execution of critical projects, such as Accra Visitor Information Centre (AVIC), tourist receptive facilities at Axim, Kpetoe, Gwollu, Wli, Saltpond, Salaga.

The Committee also observed that marketing and promotion of Ghana's tourism, culture and creative arts products and events will be constrained as well.

Again, requisite logistics such as equipment and vehicles for supervision, monitoring and ensuring of standards by hospitality service providers is constrained.

The Committee further observed that no special allocation was made to the creative arts as was done in 2012 and 2013 budget statements and economic policy documents.

Ghana Tourism Authority

The Committee was informed that the Board which is to manage the Tourist Development Levy under the Ghana Tourist Authority is yet to be established and as such the levies collected are yet to be utilized.

It was further revealed that the Authority was not efficient in the collection of Tourism Development Levy which is its mandate.

The Committee lauded the idea that the Minister has established an audit Committee to evaluate the efficiency of the collection of the Tourism Development Levy undertaken by the Ghana Tourism Authority.

Chairman of the Committee (Alhaji Amadu B. Sorogho)

National Commission on Culture

It is worthy to note that the Ministry through the National Commission on Culture will re-launch the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC) and have it celebrated in 2014.

The Committee was happy to note that the Commission was working hand in hand with UNESCO to come out with cultural indicators and redefine the parameters to include the informal village entertainment.

The Committee was also informed that the regional cultural centres organises drama festivals every year for second cycle schools. The Commission is planning to organise a national festival on culture in Accra.

The regional centres for culture are in the process of producing cultural books which are yet to be completed.

National Theatre of Ghana

The Committee lauds the idea that the National Theatre is organising a Bazaar on “made in Ghana” products as part of the KIDDAFEST.

However, the Committee was not happy with the maintenance culture of the National Theatre as most of its assets and buildings are in a deplorable state.

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park

Notwithstanding the financial constraints, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park was able to achieve 29 per cent of its set objectives for 2013.

The Park also collaborated with the Actors Guild on some programmes.

Dubois Centre

The Committee was informed that nothing was released to the Dubois Centre for its 2013 activities. However, the Centre was able to run some of its programmes through the renting of the Open Air Theatre for programmes. The location of the Centre at Cantonments has made it reduce the number of programmes it organises because of the nuisance it causes its neighbours.

Accra Visitor Information Centre

Further, the Committee was informed that the Accra Visitor Information Centre was 90 per cent complete and needed to have it fully completed to enable it begin to function.

Maximization of internally generated funds

The Committee further noted that efforts should be made by the various agencies to raise more funds internally through innovation and creativity.

Anything short of this means, that there is no value for money. For instance, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park could charge levies on foreign dignitaries and could also establish a Donation Board, which would oversee donations from both foreign and local dignitaries.

Commitments of the Ministry

The Committee further observed that previous arrears and commitments of the Ministry and its agencies had to be met from the same ceiling. This adversely affected the promotion of traditional programmes and ongoing investment activities, namely:

i. Participation in the international tourism exhibitions and fairs. For instance, World Travel Market Fair 2012, FITUR, VAKANTI and ITB 2013 could not be attended.

ii. CNN “Eye on Ghana Project” initiated to enhance global access to Ghana's tourism for over 1 billion people which was estimated at US$ 1.5 million had to be shelved.

iii. Completion of ongoing tourist reception facilities to enhance patronage at tourist sites and create jobs in the communities and management of over 28 sites is also marking time.

iv. New initiative to provide skill training for 10,000 youth and women at tourist sites is under- funded.

v. Expansion of new Ministry's mandate calls for the supply of adequate logistics, equipment and vehicles for proper coordination, supervision and/ monitoring of tourism and cultural programmes and projects.

Development Plan

The Committee was informed that implementation of the 15-year National Tourism Development Plan 2013-2027 requires preparation of investment profiles and proposals for the development of identified tourist sites, circuits and zones.

It came to light that the Ministry took a decision to organise 2013 PANAFEST

in order not to lose its organisation to several African countries including Nigeria, Senegal, Gambia and others, who are competing with Ghana to take over its organisation. For now, funding for it from the allocation has been inadequate.

The Committee is, however, of the view that funding is required for completion of unfinished projects such as the National Science Museum, rehabilitation of abandoned regional centres of National Culture and establishment of district centres for the National Culture.

The Committee noted that proposals from various communities for the development of cultural villages must be considered for funding.

Recommendations

Based on the above observations, the Committee wishes to make the following recommendations:-

The Ministry of Finance should ensure the upward adjustment of the Ministry's budgetary allocations and the timely release of the approved allocations to enable the Ministry perform its functions effectively.

The Committee recommends to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts as a matter of urgency to establish the Governing Board to manage the Tourism Development Levy so as to facilitate its utilization.

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts should ensure that the Ghana Tourism Authority is well- resourced to improve upon its efficiency in the collection of the one per cent Tourism Development Levy.

Chairman of the Committee (Alhaji Amadu B. Sorogho)

Conclusion

The joint Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism and Youth, Sports and Culture having examined the 2014 Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, recommends to the House to approve the sum of thirty-three million, seven hundred and five thousand, five hundred and twenty-five Ghana cedis (GH¢33,705,525) allocated to the Ministry to enable it carry out its programmes and activities for the 2014 fiscal year.

Respectfully submitted.

Mr Daniel Nii K. Titus-Glover

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity once again, to support the budget estimates for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts on behalf of the Hon Ranking Member, Prof. Yaw Gyan-Baffour.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has given us what they intend to do in terms of the mission statement of the Ministry.
Mr Speaker, I have a serious passion for tourism in this country because when one travels across the world, there are certain countries that do not have natural resources that we have in this country.
A typical example is The Gambia, which produces only groundnuts but tourism is a very important part of their national life. For that matter, seriousness is attached to tourism because that is what the country really stresses on.
Mr Speaker, I would always want to go back to history. In this your Committee's Report, the performance for the year 2013, a total of GH¢18,585,375 was allocated. What they had, Mr Speaker, is nothing to
write home about. When one travels to Nzulezu -- I was part of the Committee that travelled to Nzulezu and wish to state that, what we need is the partnership between the public and the private sectors for infrastructure to be developed in that area and one can imagine the amount of money that we would make from that area.
Mr Speaker, in 2013, under goods and services, it fell short by 67 per cent.; only 33 was available. What can one do with this money?
Mr Speaker, I am scared but I believe that the Hon Minister for Finance is going to do justice to make sure that something substantial is going to be released for the year 2014.
You would be surprised, Mr Speaker, under capital expenditure, they still have obsolete machinery and how can we promote -- [Interruption] Hon Chairman, please, let me speak.
Vehicles for the two Hon Ministers -- the Hon Minister and the Hon Deputy Minister do not have one. In the workings of the Committee, we made it known that the Chief of Staff must work hard to make sure that the Hon Minister and the deputy have their vehicles to do their job. It is sad that you have given them ministerial appointments and they do not have machinery to work with.
So, Mr Speaker, I am very happy and I believe that we will make sure that the right releases are given to the Ministry to enable them perform what is due.
With this opportunity, Mr Speaker, I am so grateful.
Thank you, very much.

Mr Kobena M. Woyome (NDC -- South Tongu)

Mr Speaker, I rise to urge the House to approve the estimates for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.
Mr Speaker, we have all observed that, for some time now, the reason, and I am sure the spirit behind the movement of culture to the Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Ministry, is to provide that good synergy, so that they are able to provide that immediate vehicle for us to enjoy and provide the platform to be able to attract tourists into this country and also promote internal tourism.
It is also because we cannot divorce the culture aspect from tourism. But we are yet to realise any good results from that wonderful move.
It is my wish that the Ministry of Finance is -- here to, I have realised that there is the need for funding for many of the wonderful projects and plans they have outlined in this Report for the year 2014, to be achieved because it is really critical. In certain jurisdictions, it is tourism that moves the entire economy and I believe we have so much to showcase to the whole world if we are able to showcase ours.
In fact, we have identified a lot and we are even identifying more of our tourism potential and that can ride best on the vehicle of culture. So, there is the need to really see these two work together and then create that wonderful platform for even job creation and to increase and add to the economy of the country.

Mr Speaker

Hon Member, the Motion is about the estimates. Conclude.

Mr Woyome

Mr Speaker, it is my wish that the entire allocation in 2014, if possible, be released, so that they are able to perform and add to the economy.
With this, I urge the entire House to approve of the estimates for the Ministry.

Mr Isaac K. Asiamah (NPP -- Atwima- Mponua)

Mr Speaker, this is the Report of the joint Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism and Youth, Sports and Culture on the estimates for 2014.
Mr Speaker, the amount allocated to the cultural aspect of this Ministry is about GH¢10 million and when we consider the fact that culture defines us as a people, and the totality of our lives. So, if we consider this paltry sum being allocated to culture, it is something that is unfortunate and we would urge Government to do something about it.
Mr Speaker, culture has a lot to offer this country. We cannot talk about tourism without culture. Culture is the fundamental basis for any tourism development, therefore, we must do something about it.
Mr Speaker, the Report also talks about the creative arts. Mr Speaker, the amount is very small because if we should be more concerned about the creative arts, it has got the potential of offering jobs for Ghanaian youth and also revenue to the State. So, let us do something about the creative arts. There are a lot of potentials out there -- our musicians, and even protecting intellectual property rights. They are composing all the time.
Mr Speaker, some compose and they get missing because as you know-- protecting intellectual property is something we need to critically look at as a country.
Musicians are doing a lot; they are writing and composing, but how do we protect these creative arts? So, it is something we must do more on and next year, I do not expect us to be sitting here

Mr Speaker

Hon Minister, do you intend winding up, otherwise, I will put the Question.

Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare

Mr Speaker, I would want to say a big thank you to Hon Members of this august House and urge the House to support the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.
Question put and Motion agreed to
Resolved:
That this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢33,705,525 for the services of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts for the year ending 31st December,
2014.

Minister of State (Alhaji Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo)(MP)

Mr Speaker, I beg to move,
that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢326,838,620 for the services of the Office of Government Machinery for the year ending 31st December, 2014.
Mr Speaker, the Office of Government Machinery comprises the Office of the President as the seat of Government, the National Security Council Secretariat and agencies under it, the 10 offices of the Regional Co-ordinating Councils, including the Regional Budget Offices and some organisations which do not fall under the existing sectoral delineations, and have therefore, been placed under the Presidency for the supervision and co- ordination of their work.
The Office of the President, which is the core government machinery, exists to provide administrative, managerial and technical services to the President of the Republic of Ghana, leading to improvement in the social, economic and political direction of the nation in the best interest of all Ghanaians.
Mr Speaker, the policy objective of this sector is to provide transparent, accountable governance through the provision of security; strengthening the rule of law and provision of requisite logistics to agencies in the sector to enable them play their expected roles in governance.
Mr Speaker, there are several other objectives that would be addressed when this provision is made and I would therefore, be grateful that Parliament approves this allocation for the Government Machinery.
Question proposed.

Mr Speaker, if the Hon Majority Leader will hold on, I am getting there. This document was provided to Hon Members of the Committee, in which they told us what they had done including appointment of custodians. I requested for a list. As I stand here today, that list has not come.
I have done my own homework and I am saying that we should protect ourselves. One, it is coming out that --

Mr Speaker

Hon Member, do you have a point of order? What is your point of order?

Mr Speaker, I have helped all of us; so, I would wind up because my other Hon Colleagues have more to say on other areas. I would just limit myself to these two areas.
Thank you very much.

Mr Speaker, I understand. I am just saying that from this year, this section of the Act must be put in place, so that at least, the Scholarships Secretariat would not have any arrears and our students would not be stranded.
Mr Speaker, the last part which is dear to my heart, is the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA). The second point the Committee noted had to do with the issue of tree planting and I am glad that the Hon Chairman took his time to go through the difficulties the tree planting exercise experienced.
Mr Speaker, in 2012, precisely around November, the Committee was informed that SADA had released GH¢33 million to Azontaba Cottage Industries to plant trees. Now, some of the trees have died and it is being blamed on dry weather. Mr Speaker, everybody who cares to know is aware that the SADA region is a savannah area.

Mr Speaker

Hon Members, let us have order in the Chamber.

Mr Speaker

Do you have a point of order?

Mr Okudzeto

Mr Speaker, I have been on my feet for a while. It has to do with the earlier point he was making about scholarships. He said that students had been thrown out of school outside the country. I just wanted to state for the records that we worked on these matters and no student has been thrown out. Indeed, there were challenges with delays, which we are resolving. No student has been thrown out of school. He is misleading the House.

Mr Nitiwul

Mr Speaker, does he work at the Scholarships Secretariat? I am surprised but let me leave it at that.

Mr Speaker

Please, conclude. Continue with the SADA; please, conclude with the SADA -- [Pause] -- Hon Deputy Minority Leader, you have the floor.

Mr Nitiwul

Mr Speaker, l am saying that whoever took the decision to plant the trees in the dry season did not do Ghana and all of us good. You do not plough GH¢33 million into planting of trees when you know that the trees were going to die. And so, it is was no surprise that bushfire burnt most of the trees -- [Interruption]

Hon Leaders of the House, this morning, when I met you in my lobby, I told you that as much as possible, inform Members of the House that my emphasis would be on the estimates and indeed, that was a brilliant job done by the Hon Member for Old Tafo to the extent that the House had decided to look for GH¢10 million-- because that is about the estimates.
We have devoted about two weeks debating the policy and the principles of this budget. I want people to debate the estimates, whether we should approve or not. Whether the estimates have been properly captured or not.
Hon Members, let us limit ourselves to the estimates. That is the Motion before us and that was the discussion I had with the Leadership of both sides of the House in my lobby this morning before we entered the Chamber.

Mr Nitiwul

Mr Speaker, the second point I was making had to do with figures and it was about the GH¢15 million that was given to SADA and SADA invested it in the Azontaba Cottage Industries. It is good if a corporate body would merge with SADA to be able to produce guinea fowls. [Interruption.]

Mr Speaker, I do not know the argument the Hon Member is -- I am saying that it is good to invest in guinea fowls; it would help our people. But Mr Speaker, you want to help 10,000 families, that is the vision you have, if you divide GH¢15 million by 10,000 families, each family would have GH¢1,500. I am saying that, that would have helped our people far better.

The Hon Minister has assured us that he would take up the matters that have been raised on the floor.

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker, I would want us to take item 8. There are some issues with the Judiciary.

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker, I would want us to reconcile some matters --

Debates of 13 Dec 2013

PRAYERS 10:10 a.m.

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:10 a.m.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 10:10 a.m.

Majority Leader/Chairman of the Business Committee (Dr Benjamin B. Kunbuor) 10:10 a.m.

Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 10:10 a.m.

CONSIDERATION STAGE OF BILLS -- 6:04 p.m.

THIRD READING OF BILLS -- 6:04 p.m.

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 6:04 p.m.

OFFICIAL REPORT 6:04 p.m.

CONTENTS 6:04 p.m.

CONSIDERATION OF ANNUAL ESTIMATES -- 6:04 p.m.

SECOND READING OF BILLS -- 6:04 p.m.

THE 6:04 p.m.

PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC 6:04 p.m.

OF GHANA 6:04 p.m.

PRAYERS 10:10 a.m.

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:10 a.m.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 10:10 a.m.

Majority Leader/Chairman of the Business Committee (Dr Benjamin B. Kunbuor) 10:10 a.m.

Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 10:10 a.m.

AND 10:10 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:20 a.m.

Dr Anthony A. Osei 10:20 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:20 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 10:20 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:20 a.m.

Mr Cassiel A. B. Forson 10:20 a.m.

Dr A. A.Osei 10:20 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:20 a.m.

Dr A. A. Osei 10:20 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:20 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 10:20 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:20 a.m.

Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah 10:20 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 10:20 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:20 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 10:20 a.m.

Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul 10:20 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 10:20 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:20 a.m.

Mr Nitiwul 10:20 a.m.

Mr Haruna Iddrisu 10:20 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:20 a.m.

Papa Owusu-Ankomah 10:30 a.m.

Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka 10:30 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:30 a.m.

Alhaji Muntaka 10:30 a.m.

Mr Nitiwul 10:30 a.m.

Alhaji Muntaka 10:30 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:30 a.m.

Alhaji Muntaka 10:30 a.m.

Mr Daniel Nii K. Titus-Glover 10:30 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 10:30 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:30 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 10:40 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:40 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 10:40 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:40 a.m.

DrKunbuor 10:40 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:40 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 10:40 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:40 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 10:40 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:40 a.m.

PAPERS 10:40 a.m.

-- 10:40 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 10:40 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:40 a.m.

ANNUAL ESTIMATES 10:40 a.m.

Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs (Dr Henry S. Daannaa) 10:40 a.m.

Chairman of the Committee (Mr Kobena M. Woyome) 10:40 a.m.

Mr Solomon N. Boar (NPP -- Bunkpurugu) 10:50 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 10:50 a.m.

Dr A. A. Osei 10:50 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 10:50 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:50 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 10:50 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:50 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 10:50 a.m.

PRAYERS

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

Majority Leader/Chairman of the Business Committee (Dr Benjamin B. Kunbuor)

Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows

CONSIDERATION STAGE OF BILLS --

THIRD READING OF BILLS --

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

OFFICIAL REPORT

CONTENTS

CONSIDERATION OF ANNUAL ESTIMATES --

SECOND READING OF BILLS --

THE

PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC

OF GHANA

PRAYERS

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

Majority Leader/Chairman of the Business Committee (Dr Benjamin B. Kunbuor)

Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows

AND

Mr Speaker

Dr Anthony A. Osei

Mr Speaker

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker

Mr Cassiel A. B. Forson

Dr A. A.Osei

Mr Speaker

Dr A. A. Osei

Mr Speaker

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker

Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker

Mr Nitiwul

Mr Haruna Iddrisu

Mr Speaker

Papa Owusu-Ankomah

Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka

Mr Speaker

Alhaji Muntaka

Mr Nitiwul

Alhaji Muntaka

Mr Speaker

Alhaji Muntaka

Mr Daniel Nii K. Titus-Glover

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker

DrKunbuor

Mr Speaker

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker

PAPERS

--

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker

ANNUAL ESTIMATES

Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs (Dr Henry S. Daannaa)

Chairman of the Committee (Mr Kobena M. Woyome)

Mr Solomon N. Boar (NPP -- Bunkpurugu)

Dr Kunbuor

Dr A. A. Osei

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker