Odekro | What has your MP done for you?

Mr Speaker

Hon Members, I apologise for the late start of proceedings today. There is a programme involving the members of staff of the Parliamentary Service and the Leadership of the House had to be there. This programme was put in place before the House decided to Sit on Mondays. That explains the late Sitting for today.

Dr Stephen Nana Ato Arthur

Mr Speaker, I was absent with permission on Friday but I have been marked present. I would want that change to be effected.

Mr Speaker

Which page?

Dr Stephen Nana Ato Arthur

Page 2, number 56, absent with permission, but I have been marked present.

Mr Speaker

Very well. Table Office to take note.

Hon Members, the Votes and Proceedings of Friday, 13th December, 2013 as corrected, are hereby adopted as the true record of proceedings.

Mr Isaac Osei

Mr Speaker, I did not quite get the Majority Leader.
Is he saying that that is the wrong side of the House and that this is the right side, because he said it in his own words?

Dr Kunbuor

Well, depending on the subject in question, we have to accept some practical sides, that both sides of the House are right. But he happens to be at a side of the House he did not belong.

Mr Speaker

Hon Members, I would refer to item 4(c ) again.
By the Chairman of the Committee --
Report of the Special Budget Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of Parliament for the year ending 31st December, 2014.

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker, item 4(d) and (e) are not ready. When they are ready, at the appropriate time, we would make the necessary application. So, I propose we go to item number 5.

Mr Speaker

Item number 4(d) and (e) are not ready?

Dr Kunbour

That is so, Mr Speaker.

Minister for Education (Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang)

Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢5,816,315,034 for the services of the Ministry of Education for the year ending 31st December, 2014.
Mr Speaker, the amount is required to be disbursed for the Ministry's activities in respect of compensation of employees' goods and services and capital expendi- ture.
The Ministry has 20 agencies through which it implements its policies. Among these agencies are the Ghana Education Service, National Service, the National Council for Tertiary Education and others.
The policy focus and trust for 2014: Mr Speaker, in 2014, the Ministry would continue to work towards the achievement of its priority objectives as captured in the Education Strategic Plan and National Medium Term Development Framework.
In this connection, the Ministry would focus on the following key policy areas -- improving management efficiency, improving equitable access to and participation in quality education and training, improving the quality and teaching of learning outcomes, especially in language, mathematics and science and promoting life skills and training.
Now, programme structure: The amount for which approval of this august House is being sought would facilitate the implementation of the Ministry's programmes under the new budget structure, namely; programme 1 --
Management and Administration; Programme 2, Basic Education; Programme 3, Second Cycle Education; Programme 4, Non Formal Education; Programme 5, Special and Inclusive Education; Programme 6, Tertiary Education.
Budget Allocations: Mr Speaker, the Ghana Education Service, which is the largest implementing agency of the Ministry has been allocated a total amount of GH¢3,580,1395; representing 61.6 per cent of the Ministry's total budget allocation for the implementation of programme 2, that is, basic education; Programme 3, Second Cycle Education and Programme 5, Inclusive and Special Education.
Mr Speaker, the tertiary sector has been allocated an amount of GH¢1,587,844,499, representing 27.3 per cent of the sector's total budget allocation, for the 2014 fiscal year. Out of this allocation, 58.2 per cent has been earmarked for the payment of employee compensation with the remaining 42.8 per cent going into non- salary activities for implementation of programme 6, which is tertiary education.
Mr Speaker, the main Ministry and other agencies have been allocated 10.5 per cent and 0.6 per cent to implement programme 1, that is, Management and Administration and Programme 4, non- formal education respectively.
Highlights of key operations: Mr Speaker, first, proposed policy initiatives. To achieve improved outcomes from ongoing activities and initiatives and address new concerns, the Ministry will in 2014, implement the following measures among others:
One, to address the issue of equitable deployment of teacher and improve the quality of teaching and learning outcomes everywhere the GES will redeploy teachers from overstaff schools to schools where there are shortages of teachers or where there are no teachers at all.
Two, to improve time on task and ensure value-for-money, the Ministry of Education will design and implement a policy of zero tolerance for absenteeism that ensures no pay for unjustified absence from school.
Three, the Ministry in collaboration with all stakeholders, will finalise proposals towards adoption of a sustainable funding policy for tertiary education and seek approval for its implementation.
Finally, the Ministry and relevant stakeholders will continue with the enforcement of implementation of standardised school fees and resolve the outstanding issue of motivation paid directly by pupils to teachers.
Mr Speaker, the rest of the detailed report is before you and I would wish to respectfully beg the House to allow me to move for the approval of the total amount of GH¢5,816,315,034 for the implemen- tation of the programmes and activities of the Ministry of Education for the 2014 fiscal year.
Respectfully submitted.
Question proposed

Chairman of the Committee (Mr Mathias A. Puozaa)

Mr Speaker, I beg to support this Motion ably moved by the Minister for Education.
Mr Speaker, in so doing, I present the Committee's Report.
Introduction
1.1 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 Terkpeh in accordance
with article 179 of the 1992 Constitution. Pursuant to Order 140(4) and 186 of the Standing Orders of the House, the Rt. Hon. Speaker referred the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Education to the Committee on Education for consideration and report.
1.2 The Committee subsequently met with the Hon. Minister for Education, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and her team on Saturday, 7th and Sunday, 8th December 2013 and considered the referral.
The Committee expresses its appreciation to the Hon. Minister and her technical team for their co-operation.
2.0 Reference documents
The Committee made reference to the following documents during its deliberations:
i. The 1992 Constitution of the Re- public of Ghana.
ii. The Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana
iii. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government Ghana for the 2013 Financial Year
vi. The 2014 Annual Budget Esti- mates of the Ministry of Education
v. The Budget Statement and Eco- nomic Policy of the Government Ghana for the 2014 Financial Year.
3.0 Mission statement
The Ministry exists to formulate and implement policies that would ensure quality and accessible education to all Ghanaians to meet the needs of the labour market, and equip of all Ghanaians with requisite skills to achieve human development, good health, poverty

Mr Speaker

Hon Members the back- ground noise is getting out of control. Why? I thought we sent a signal to leaders and yet the noise is continuing. Why?

Prof. Fobih

So, Mr Speaker, my agitation is that, the scheme should rather orientate itself so well that most of our youth who pass through that channel or section of the Ministry, would be attracted to some of the jobs that they are introduced to and they would want to do that and probably, get the resource that they need from government or some other sources.
Mr Speaker, one last thing I would want to mention is again, the issue of quality, relative to teachers. We would find that the Ministry has a very good plan to train teachers. The projection is 83.7 per cent in 2013. Whether they did achieve that, is another matter. Then 90 per cent in 2014 and then 100 per cent in 2016.
This is the projection in their mid-term budget for 2014 to 2016. But in reality, you find that the strategy that the Ministry is adopting does not really match up to this expectation; it is rather going the opposite direction. In 2011 - 2012, 42, 000 national service personnel were recruited as teachers; we call them transient teachers because just one year -- they are temporary teachers and one year they are off at the basic level, very important level that every educator will tell you-- you need a better trained teacher to teach classes one and two, et cetera, and not the secondary schools. But this is the type of people we are putting into the basic education level to teach.
In 2012 - 2013, this number from 22,000 rose to 45,000. So, we are going up. In 2013 - 2014, we have 49,600, that is, 62 per cent of the 80,000 in the budget book.
But in 2014 - 2015 we are hoping to reach 56,000. So, from 42,000 in 2011/2012, we are hoping to rise up to 56,000 going up. Why should we not devise a policy that will rather reverse this trend, so that we know that we care about quality teachers at the basic level, rather we are projecting for more of such teachers to the basic level and we think we will get quality, and we are already with it?
I think we should begin seriously to critically analyse our policies which are not working well. Maybe; the policy is good but it is not working well. So, we should ask ourselves, what is wrong that it is not working well. Is there anything that we can do here and there to put things right, so that we can move on track? This is exactly what I am saying, that our talk about quality is sometimes elusive.
Last year, I talked about textbooks and fortunately, in the Report, you find that the textbook situation has been addressed by the Minister, I appreciate that but I am again talking about national service personnel, which last year I emphasised and I am hoping that this time round, we will all see the need to reverse this trend. We cannot eliminate it overnight. I agree. But we should do something and put in place a policy that we are sure that over time, it would work well to shift to our course and this is what Mr Speaker, I am concerned about.
To conclude, I am saying that, there are many shortfalls in service activities of the Ministry and its agencies and these shortfalls are vital as we can see. They are vital for the success of our education enterprise and if we really care, then I am pleading that the Ministry of Finance, if in the course of the year, there are some additional funds, the Ministry should be considered, so that at least, a bare adequate fund will be put into the Ministry

Mr Speaker

It must relate to estimates. We have passed the policy stage and we are now on estimates. So, every contribution -- I gave enough chance to him because he is the Ranking Member for the Minority but as much as possible, we are approving estimates. It must relate to the estimates; we have finished with policy, the figures.

Mr Nortsu-Kotoe

Thank you Mr Speaker.
In the budget for 2014, there is a total allocation of GH¢13, 328, 884.00 for WAEC. In 2013, for the BECE, each candidate was charged GH¢33 cedis and Government paid a subsidy of GH¢23.10 per candidate, leaving GH¢9.90 for each candidate to pay. For 2014, there is an increment in the fees by 51.5 making it
GH¢50 cedis per candidate. Government is subsidising GH¢35.00 and each candidate will pay GH¢15.00. The reason is the r ising cost of production of examination papers, accommodation for officers and their transport and increase in allowances paid to invigilators and supervisors.
Mr Speaker, I wish strongly to suggest that while we are giving meaning to Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE), I would urge the Ministry of Education to absorb from 2015 the payment of examination fees at the BECE level, so that parents could be given that as a motivation, to make sure they provide other things that are necessary or needed for the education of their children.
Mr Speaker, I know that, some Members of Parliament are paying the registration fees for candidates in their constituencies and these are monies they could have used for other development projects or programmes. So, I plead that the Ministry, in its next 2015 budget, make up provision to pay on behalf of candidates.
Mr Speaker, as noted in the budget, the National Inspectorate Board (NIB), is doing its best in inspecting and monitoring programmes in our various schools and teacher absenteeism and teacher preparedness, availability and use of textbooks and other learning materials and then work of circuit supervisors and community participation is about 60 per cent.
We would urge the Ministry, in releases to NIB to make sure that enough provision is made for them, so that they can check absenteeism, lateness to work and other things that affect education in this country.
Mr Speaker, in the Budget Statement, there is provision for the construction of regional education offices in the country.
Mr Speaker, if we go to the Volta Regional Office of Ghana Education Service (GES) in Ho, in 1971, when I first stepped foot in that building, I was afraid I would fall. This is because it is a wooden structure, and as we speak today, the office is still in that wooden structure. There is the need for the Ministry of Education and GES to make sure that they provide offices for these departments and agencies under them.
If we go to Accra Regional Office here, it is nothing to write home about. As they have this in their budget, my appeal to them is not to start many projects at a time that they cannot complete, they should make sure that they do what they can complete within the period, so that we can have value- for- money.
On that note, Mr Speaker, I support the Motion. Thank you.

Mr Speaker

I will take the last comment on the left hand side of the House.

Mr Moses Anim (NPP -- Trobu)

Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to also contribute to the debate on the floor.
Mr Speaker, the issue really is about quality teaching and learning outcomes and that is where we realised that funding into quality teaching and learning outcomes were a problem because monies directed to those activities were not adequate.
Mr Speaker, let me buttress my point with the GES estimates as your Committee went for the 2014 Budget hearing. The
GES has it that, for the performance of 2013 on government non-salary budget, has it that, the total non-salary was to be GH¢18,707, 301 but only 8,561,217 was released. Mr Speaker, these are areas that impact on quality teaching and learning outcomes.
Mr Speaker, let me come to the performance of the 2013 Social Intervention Project (SIP) Budget. School uniform, at the budget hearing, when you look at the 2013 Budget, the Finance Minister said he was going to release GH¢28 million for school uniform but from the budget hearing, zero was released.
The amount released as GH¢499,000 was an arrears payment for 2011 and 2012. Meaning that nothing was released for school uniforms. On exercise books, the Finance Minister was supposed to release GH¢28,672,000 but zero was released in that direction. Capitation grant is in arrears of GH¢9,974,717 and these are areas that impact on quality teaching and quality learning outcomes.
Mr Speaker, when we assessed the placement figures of the 2012/ 2013 academic year, we realised that GH¢38,830, that is, 10 per cent of the total candidates who wrote the examination were not placed. We asked questions about what was going to be done to them, but there were no answers to that effect. As a result, we have out-churned 38,830 pupils into the system who were not placed this academic year.

Mr Nortsu-Kotoe

Mr N. S. Azumah

Look at the variance, it is great and I think that something should be done about this amount -- [Interruption.]
Then also an amount --

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr Speaker, that is so.
I realise that in accord with Act 815, some allocation has been made to the Ministry of Education. It is a paltry figure, in current terms, of about US$47 to US$48 million. If one juxtaposes this with the anticipated revenue from the petroleum revenue, we are looking at the involvement of just about 5.8 per cent in the Ministry of Education, of the anticipated revenue from oil.
And I was going to ask the Minister for Finance, now ably represented by the Deputy, that in accord with clause 21(3) of the Act, does he think that we are doing justice to this. This is because the Act provides that, for any financial year, in order to maximise the impact of the use of the petroleum revenue, the Minister shall prioritise not more than four specified areas, in sub-section (3), where submitting a programme of activities for the use of the petroleum revenue.
3237Annual Estimates -- Min. of 16 December, 2013 Health 3238 3239 Annual Estimates -- Min. of 16 December, 2013 Health 3240

Dr Anane

Yes, they are all on the estimates, because at the discussion, this issue came in and they --

Mr Speaker

Yes, but relate it to the estimates before us.

Dr Anane

Thank you, Mr Speaker.
We note the high capital input into the acquisition of medical equipment. Mr Speaker would remember that in 2012, an amount of GH¢320 billion was approved for the acquisition of medical equipment for our health institutions. We have been informed in this budget that some have been deployed to the various institutions.
Mr Speaker, acquisition and deploy- ment are important, but the amount of moneys that we are expending on these acquisitions require that we have a deeper look into the acquisition process.
I would want to submit for the Ministry's consideration that instead of now acquiring the equipment, we may have to reconsider leasing equipment, so that instead of the Ministry taking responsibility of these equipment, the equipment lease and the supplier would be the one that would take care of all the equipment, so that the cost that we incur would be lessened; and the maintenance as well as the pilfering which necessitate our continuous acquisition of these equipment would be curtailed.
This is a big issue and it is creating a big problem when it comes to our health budget. So, the Ministry may have to seriously consider them.
Mr Speaker, with these, among many observations which we cannot be relating here, I would want to still call on the House to approve the budget of GH¢3,553,707,814 to enable the Ministry to prosecute these activities for the fiscal year 2014.
I thank you, Mr Speaker, for your attention.

Mr Speaker

One each, and I will put the Question.
Hon Members, we have to make progress, and that is why I am giving the Hon Ranking Members enough time.

Mr Augustine C. Ntim (NPP -- Offinso North)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity given me to associate myself in approving the sum of GH¢3,353,707,814 for the activities of the Ministry of Health for the fiscal year 2014.
In doing so, I have some observations.
The first observation has to do with the relativities in terms of the budgetary allocation between 2013 fiscal year and 2014. When you juxtapose the two, you would realise that there is a shortfall of about 166 million and I find this not good for the Abuja Protocols. This is because as per the Abuja Protocols, member countries are supposed to ensure that the sector allocation does not go below 12 per cent and I think in the course of the year, the Ministry of Finance should also work to support the Ministry in bridging that gap.
Again, much has been said about health insurance but I think the major concern about the health delivery systems in Ghana has to do with the delay in the release of the Health Insurance Fund by the Ministry of Finance to the Authority.
Mr Speaker, to address this challenge, this House came out with an Act, Act 582 to address that and within that, there is a segment that indicates that within one month of collection of the levies, Ministry of Finance should endeavor to release that money to the National Health Insurance, so that they will be able to allocate to various service providers and because there is a systematic delay, there seems to be a health delivery challenge. I think that the Minister should take note of that.
Again, apart from the delay in the health insurance -- was a major gap. When you analyse the 2013 Budget, GH¢118 million was supposed to be given to health insurance for its operations. As we speak today, when you look at the 2014 Budget, there has not been any indication, how the Ministry of Finance is going to provide that money for the services of the National Health Insurance. It is a major concern that we need to look at.

Mr Speaker

Hon Member, conclude.

Mr Ntim

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, when you look at the last paragraph of the Report, you would realise that the Ministry is doing well by providing training for nurses including the national ambulance but then we were told that about 2,000 nurse trainees that were churned out last year have not been absorbed. There is the issue of employment and I think that we need to look at that.
Apart from that, the Committee also observed the general attitude of health workers and that is a major concern --

Mr Speaker

Thank you very much.
Hon Gifty Kusi, I am giving you the chance because of gender, otherwise, I was going to put the Question.

Mrs Gifty E. Kusi (NPP -- Tarkwa- Nsuaem)

Mr Speaker, I have a problem with the estimates in the budget, page 212, Appendix 7A of the budget.
Mr Speaker, there are some mistakes in the health budget. When you calculate what is here and on page 2 of the Report, you have some little differences which I think the Ministry of Finance should have taken their time to correct before bringing this budget to this House.
Mr Speaker, page 212, number 33, the column on internally generated funds (IGFs) is 1,204,377,565 but when you put the two together, the figure that is there is GH¢1,363,622,800; when you add these two, it should end with 801 and the same thing happens to the one for development partners.
The sub total added up to GH¢781, 262,001. It should be ‘000'. So, I think the Ministry of Finance should take note and know what to do, whether they will bring an errata or something to this book, that is the budget.

Mr Speaker

Hon Member, are you talking about IGFs of the Ministry of Health at page 212?

Mrs Kusi

Yes, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, the eighth column, “Internally Generated Funds” the first one, GH¢1,204,377,565, if you add it to the next column, which is GH¢159,245,236, the amount that is there is 801. So, it is correct in the Report but it is wrong in the Budget Statement.This one should have been corrected, So, when you add it, it does not tally. I told the Ministry of

(EOCO) will intensify its operations to combat economic and financial crimes and human trafficking as well as illegal cyber activity. The Legal Aid Scheme will continue to provide legal services to the indigent and marginalised group of our society. It will also step up the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism in the resolution of disputes.

The Law Reform Commission will keep on with the conduct of research into areas of the law that require modification such as the Minerals and Mining Law and the Law of Contract.

Mr Speaker, the Council for Law Reporting will also publish the Ghana Law Reports and Review of Ghana Law, which are major reference materials for lawyers. The Registrar-General's Department will earnestly pursue the efficient execution of registering businesses, trademarks, patents and marriages. The goal of the department is to considerably reduce the period taken to register a business from the current three (3) days to a maximum of two (2) days in 2014. The Copyright Office will also continue to protect copyright and related intellectual property.

Mr Speaker, it is worthy to note that two (2) officers have been appointed by the Office of the President to assist in the ongoing Legal Sector Reform intended to bring about an effective and efficient legal service, which can be properly monitored.

Mr Speaker, the budgetary allocation for 2014 fiscal year is, however, woefully inadequate for the effective and efficient discharge of the Ministry's onerous mandate.

Mr Speaker, in the year 2013, for goods and services, the Ministry was allocated GH¢ 2,074,985.00, yet as at the end of October 2013, only GH¢ 924,441.49 had been released and spent by the Ministry.

In the same vein, for assets, an amount of GH¢5,298,150.00 was allocated to the Ministry, out of which only GH¢ 545,998.07 had been released and spent as at the end of October, 2013.

With these releases, we were unable to execute a lot of our projects and activities. Indeed, we could not fulfil the country's obligations to International Organisations like Asian African Legal Consultative Organisation (AALCO), International Criminal Court (ICC), International Association of Prosecutors, et cetera.

Therefore, an allocation of only GH¢ 2,060,580 for goods and services and GH¢ 1,085,940 for assets for the entire 2014 fiscal year will no doubt, seriously constrain the capacity of the Ministry to carry out its constitutional mandate.

This systematic under resourcing of the Ministry, is undoubtedly, adversely affecting the administration of justice. Certainly, we will not be able to equip our Attorneys with essential skills to review agreements or represent the State in civil cases or engage in international arbitration and fulfil our commitment to international organisations and provide the necessary logistics for the Ministry.

If we do not have sufficient computers, Attorneys will have to take turns to use them and how do we work expeditiously? If we do not have sufficient vehicles, how do the State Attorneys move from court to court to represent the State Honorable?

I am therefore making a passionate appeal to this Honourable House to assist the Ministry of Justice and Attorney- General's Department to salvage this situation by increasing the budget allocation to the Ministry.

With these few words, Mr Speaker, I beg to move.

Respecfully submitted.

Question proposed

Chairman of the Committee (Mr A.S. K. Bagbin)

Mr Speaker, I stand to support the Motion and in doing so, I would like to present the Report of the Committee.
Introduction
In accordance with article 179 (1) of the Constitution, the Minister for Finance, Mr Seth E. Terkpeh, on the authority of His Excellency, the President of the Republic, presented the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government for the 2014 Financial Year to Parliament on Tuesday, 19th November, 2013.
Pursuant to article 103 (1) and (3) of the Constitution and Standing Orders 140 (4) and 179 of the House, the 2014 Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General's Depart- ment was referred to the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for consideration and report.
Deliberations
The Committee during the considera- tion of the Estimates was assisted by the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, Hon Marietta Brew Appiah-Opong and other Officials from her Ministry. Officials from the Ministry of Finance were also in attendance to assist in the deliberations.
Reference
The Committee referred to the under- listed documents during its deliberations on the Estimates:
i. The 1992 Constitution of the Republic;
ii.The Standing Orders of Parliament
iii. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the 2014 financial year;
iv. The budget estimates of the Ministry of Justice for the financial year 2013; and
v. The Report of the Committee on the 2013 Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General's Department.
Mission of the Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General's Department
The Ministry of Justice exists to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent legal environment.
In achieving this, the Ministry seeks to:
i. entrench in the core of the body politic, an abiding respect for the rule of law and a constant observance of human rights;
ii. ensure equality of access to justice and equality of treatment before the law for all citizens;
iii. promote by law social justice;
iv. facilitate the operations of a fair, efficient and transparent legal system;
v. propagate a culture of due process and legality; and
vi. strengthen investment prospects of the national economy.

Chairman of the Committee (Mr A.S. K. Bagbin)

i. 4,000 copies of stock Ghana Law Reports and Review of Ghana Law.

ii. 2,000 copies of 2003 - 2005 / 2006 -2007 volumes 1 and 2 GLR.

iii. 2,000 copies of 2010 - 2012 volume 1 & 2 of GLR.

iv. 2,000 copies of review of Ghana Law (2006 - 2007) volume 1 and

2.

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) would continue with its awareness creation on economic and organised crime through public education. The Office would also facilitate the prosecution of offenders and recover proceeds from crimes committed to promote effective and efficient anti- corruption systems, transparency and accountability.

The General Legal Council anticipates calling two hundred and seventy (270) lawyers to the Bar to enhance the quality of justice delivery in the Country. This will add to the existing number of Legal

Practitioners in the country, to help improve on the entrenchment of the Rule of Law. A total of forty (40) trained magistrates will also be called to the Bench. A total of thirty (30) complaints bordering on professional misconducts would be investigated by the General Legal Council.

This will help improve professionalism and uphold the ethical standards within and among the legal fraternity. The Council would also license one thousand, seven hundred and fifty (1,750) lawyers and three hundred (300) law firms to aid proper regulation of private legal practice in Ghana. Further, the Council would train forty (40) lawyers in specialised Commonwealth Legislative Drafting to aid the enactment of good laws.

Budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Justice for year 2014

A total amount of sixty-four million, four hundred and ninety-four thousand, nine hundred and ninety-five Ghana cedis (GH¢64,494,995.00) has been allocated to the Ministry of Justice for the year 2014. The details are shown in the following Table:

Observations and recommendations

The Committee observed that apart from compensation for employees which was released timeously, releases in respect of goods and services and Assets were very low. The Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General's Department was therefore confronted with a lot of challenges. These included the Ministry's inability to meet its logistical needs such as computers with accessories and vehicles.

The unavailability of computers delays the work of Attorneys as they are unable to process their own work, but have to rely on the pool of Secretaries. The situation does not only slow down the work of Attorneys but also makes it difficult for them to conduct research as well as investigations. The lack of vehicles also denies the Attorneys the opportunity of being regularly transported to and from the courts. This adversely affects their performance.

The inadequate funding also resulted in the non-payment of allowances for the Staff and Board Members of some Agencies under the Ministry.

The Committee observed that the Ministry is compelled to continue to contend with the inadequate office space because of Government's inability to complete the ten (10) Storey Law House Project intended to help address the problem. During the consideration of the 2013 Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General's Depart- ment in March this year, the Committee was informed that work on the Project had stalled since 2010.

This was as a result of non-release of funds by the Ministry of Finance to settle

an amount of nine hundred and fifty-two thousand, eight hundred and sixty-three Ghana cedis, forty-one pesewas (GH¢952863.41) owed to the Contractor for work to continue. The Ministry therefore made provision for the continuation of the Project in its 2013 budget but sadly, the situation is still the same as nothing has been released by the Ministry of Finance to cater for it.

It was also noted by the Committee that the budget allocation for goods and services is woefully inadequate, especially so when the Ministry now has to pay for its utility bills from its own coffers with the directive by His Excellency, the President that, prepaid electric meters be fixed for all Ministries. The Ministry will also be unable to meet expenditures in respect of maintenance and running of official vehicles.

Other commitments also to be affected are monies owed to external Solicitors and subscription fees to international affiliates such as the Asian-African legal Consultative Organisation (AALCO), the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) and the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Committee, therefore, calls on the Ministry of Finance to intervene in this regard, to enable the Ministry meet its international obligations.

The Committee noted that some Agencies under the Ministry could generate revenue if well-resourced. The Council for Law Reporting was identified as one of such Agencies which could generate funds from the printing of the Ghana Law Reports. With the opening of several institutions offering law courses, there is high demand for the Ghana Law Reports.

It is, therefore, the prayer of the Committee that the Ministers for Justice and Attorney-General and Finance would

SPACE FOR TABLE 2 - PAGE 10 -12.45 P.M.

devise modalities to assist the Council to be able to publish the Reports to satisfy the demands of the growing legal fraternity.

The Committee was of the strong view that since the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General is the Chief Legal Adviser to Government, so it should be the responsibility of the Ministry to second Lawyers to all Ministr ies, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The Committee, however, noted that some MDAs have established Legal Departments in their outfits without recourse to the Attorney-General's Department.

The Attorney-General recounted instances where the Ministry had been compelled to intervene to save the State from incurring judgment debts occasioned by the actions and inactions of such MDAs. The Committee would like to call on Government to address the matter and allow the Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General's Department to take charge of all the lawyers working in the MDAs.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, the Committee is mindful of the important role the Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General's Depart- ment plays in the Legal System of the country and therefore needs to be adequately resourced.

On this premise, the Ministry projected that an amount of ninety-three million, four hundred and ninety-four thousand, five hundred and seventy-one Ghana cedis, eighty-nine pesewas (GH¢93,494,571.89) would be required to undertake its activities in 2014.

The amount was, however, reduced to sixty-four million, four hundred and ninety-

four thousand, nine hundred and ninety- four Ghana cedis (GH¢64,494,994.00) by the Ministry of Finance. The reduction of the amount requested would have a telling effect on the operations of the Ministry.

The Committee, therefore, appeals to the Ministry of Finance to find alternative ways of meeting the financial needs of the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General's Department.

The Committee recommends that the House approves the sum of sixty-four million, four hundred and ninety-four thousand, nine hundred and ninety-five Ghana cedis (GH¢64,494,995.00) for the Ministry of Justice and Attorney- General's Department for the 2014 financial year.

Respectfully submitted.

Mr Speaker

Hon Members, the Motion is for the consideration of the House. Who is the Ranking Member?

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr Speaker, the Hon Member for Asokore is the Ranking Member. But a quick observation -- Mr Speaker, the Deputy Minister for Finance is holding fort for his Minister -- he has been most conversational where he is sitting and he is not listening. May we ask him to move to his place? He is so conversational, sitting there engaging ladies in some other discourse other than his own remit. May you ask him to come to his seat. [ Laughter.]

Mr First Deputy Speaker

Hon Deputy Minister, come and take your seat. This is your budget --
12. 55 p.m.

Mr Frank Boakye Agyen (NPP) -- Effiduase/Asokore)

Mr Speaker, I am happy to have the opportunity to contribute to the Motion moved by the Minister for Justice and Attorney- General.

Mr Frank Boakye Agyen (NPP) -- Effiduase/Asokore)

extend her authority effectively to this area to enable the Ministry realise a lot of the monies floating about.

Mr Speaker, the amount realised and given to the Ministry this year is GH¢93.4 million, instead of the GHC64.4 million requested. That is fine but then, it is woefully inadequate, having regard to the fact that this Ministry must be able to make sure that rule of law, fairness to every citizen, particularly investors and when that is done, investors will be attracted.

So, the Ministry should not only limit itself to realising its core mandate of making sure there is rule of law and order, but then, it should be able to do acts or help in creating an environmence whereby investors will have confidence in the courts and the legal system by investing in this country to help uplift the sinking economy of this country.

Therefore, the amount of GH¢64,494,995 given to the Ministry, Mr Speaker, is not the best and effort should be made to make sure more -- it is woefully inadequate --

Mr Speaker

Conclude.

Mr Agyen

Mr Speaker, there is a way of also raising income for the Ministry, that is to say, allowing the Registrar- General's Department to upgrade its income by reviewing the current amounts charged in order to rope in more money for the running of the Ministry and by way of emphasis, licensing legal firms should be taken care of, so that accountability and what the money collected is used for must be known.
Mr Speaker, I would conclude at this level.

Mr Speaker

Thank you very much; Hon Member for North Dayi.

Mr George Loh (NDC -- North Dayi)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity to support the Motion on the floor of the House, calling on the House to approve of the budget of GH¢64,494,995 for the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice and its allied departments.
Mr Speaker, it goes without saying, that the A-G's Department is a crucial department for the sustenance of our democracy in the country. Even more importantly, a lot has to be done from the A-G's Department to sustain the business climate in this country.
Mr Speaker, it is interesting to note that when it comes to compensation for the A- G's Department, a lot has gone into it and we congratulate the Government for, at least, trying as much as possible to provide the extra resources. If you look at the budget that was originally approved, over GH¢10 million has been added to cater for compensation, which is commendable.
Mr Speaker, the most important thing that lawyers do is legal work; that is why for some of us, it is a bit worrying that goods and services which is an area where monies are provided for the Ministry to procure the important tools of the trade seems to be dwindling.
Less than 50 per cent of what they demanded, was provided by the Minsitry of Finance. Mr Speaker, it is worrying because we all know that the Attorney- General's Department has local and international obligations. They must attend international arbitrations on behalf of the country and also represent Ghana
at various international courts across the globe. All these are financed from their “Goods and Services” budget.
So, Mr Speaker, if it is turning out that we are rather reducing the budget that supports the real work that they do, then we must look at it again. Of what benefit would it be if we pay lawyers well and they sit down and cannot work because they have not been given the tools with which they must do their work? I think that the Ministry of Finance should look at how they can assist the Attorney- General's Department to generate more income.
This is because they have the capacity and as the Hon Chairman rightly said, most of the agencies under the Attorney- General's Department, like the General Legal Council, Council for Law Reporting and all the allied agencies have the capacity, if assisted, to increase their internally generated funds (IGFs).
But more importantly, even those that have IGFs like the Registrar-General's Department, they are allowed to retain only a certain portion, about 20 per cent of the IGFs. I believe that it is time the Ministry of Finance took a second look at that and possibly increase the quantum that they need to retain, so that they can use that to assist that Ministry to be able to carry out its core mandate.
It is crucial for our sustenance as a democracy, it is crucial for business and it is crucial for a Government that wants to get a “Better Ghana” to ensure that the Attorney-General's Department, which is the principal legal adviser to the Government, gets the resources that it needs to be able to deliver its portion of the “Better Ghana Agenda”.

Ms Sarah A. Safo (NPP -- Dome/ Kwabenya)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity.
Mr Speaker, I associate myself with the Motion on the floor for this Honourable House to approve the sum of GH¢64,494,995 for the services of the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney- General's Department.
Mr Speaker, as already enumerated by Hon Members, the Ministry has as part of its functions or mission, ensure fair, efficient, transparent legal environment for all Ghanaians and as a State's principal attorney for this State.
Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General's Department -- funds that have been projected to be allocated to the Ministry for 2014, was GH¢93,494,571.89, but this has been seriously slashed to GH¢64,494,995. This tells us clearly that the amount is woefully inadequate for the services that the Ministry performs on behalf of this country.
Mr Speaker, if you look at the agencies that come under the Ministry, as already enumerated by Hon Members who spoke early on, I would want to focus on the Legal Aid Board. Mr Speaker, the Legal Aid Board needs to be well resourced, because not everybody here in Ghana can afford the services of a lawyer or a legal practitioner and this Board is set up particularly to take care of the needy who need representation in the law courts.
But Mr Speaker, if you go to the Legal Aid Board, I believe that lawyers here would bear me out that only a few committed Ghanaian lawyers would work

Ms Sarah A. Safo (NPP -- Dome/ Kwabenya)

under the conditions that we find the Legal Aid Board. I am therefore, pleading with the Ministry of Finance to look at the budget again and the Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General's Department to also take particular care of lawyers who offer services on pro bono basis at the Legal Aid Board.

Mr Speaker, the Legal Aid Board also settles matters through the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and I had the pleasure of working there and I tell you, Mr Speaker, especially on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when they do the ADRs, you would find a few lawyers there.

This is because the conditions of service are bad and it is about time as a country, we moved from a situation where up-coming and bright lawyers start their professions in the Attorney-General's Department and as and when they get the best legal training and practice, they exit because of the conditions of service. We need good lawyers at that Ministry as we find in the private sector.

Mr Speaker, I would move on to the Registrar-General's Department, since it is an agency under the Attorney-General's Department, that we resource the Department well, in that it registers our intellectual property rights or owners of this country. And for that matter, they are also an important agency at the Ministry.

Mr Speaker, in concluding, I would urge this Honourable House to approve the sum of GH¢64,494,995 for the services of the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney- General's Department.

With these words, I end my submission.

Mr Speaker

Hon Minister, do you intend to wind up?

Mrs Appiah-Opong

Mr Speaker, I would like to thank you and this Honourable House for the level of appreciation of the problems confronted by the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney-General's Department. We have taken note of the issues raised with regard to increasing --

Dr Mathhew O. Prempeh

Mr Speaker, if you could please, tell the Hon Minister for Justice and Attorney-General to raise her voice, so that we can hear -- [Interruption.]

Mrs Appiah-Opong

Mr Speaker, I would like to thank you and the Honourable House for the level of appreciation of the problems that confront the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney- General's Department. We have taken note of the issues raised with regard to increasing our IGFs and enhancing our generated funds. [Interruption.]
I, therefore, beg to move, that the money should be granted.

Mr Speaker

How are you going to maintain your vehicles? Have you read the Committee's Report?

Mrs Appiah-Opong

Mr Speaker, we would maintain our vehicles; I have seen the issues raised with regard to the money given to us for goods and services and we would plead with the Ministry of Finance if they could increase the sums for us. But I leave that to the House.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved:
That this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢64,494,995 for the services of the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney-General's Department for the year ending 31st December, 2014.

Mr Speaker

Hon Minister, we thank you very much for attending upon the House to move your Motion.
Mr First Deputy Speaker to take the Chair.
Hon Majority Leader --

Dr Kunbuor

Motion number 16, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker

Minister for Environ- ment, Science, Technology and Innovation.
Hon Members, we should try as much as possible to exhaust all the Motions that have been listed on the Order Paper for today and the reports that are ready. My two Hon Deputies and I are around. So, let us try and push them, so that we can rise at the correct time.

Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (Dr Joseph Oteng-Adjei)

Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢245,955,307 for the services of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation for the year ending 31st December, 2014.
Mr Speaker, the Ministry exists to promote sustainable development by deepening and strengthening market- driven research and development for sound environmental governance, science, technology and innovation, through intensive awareness creation, collaboration and partnership.
Mr Speaker, the key agencies under the Ministry are Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana Atomic Energy Com- mission, Council for Scientific and Industr ial Research and Town and Country Planning Department.
Mr Speaker, the amount being requested would be used to implement various programmes and projects including, among others, the implementa- tion of phase II of the action plan for the utilisation of local building materials in the construction industry and also continue the procurement and distribution of 50,000 laptops to Information and Communi- cation Technology (ICT) laboratories of Ghana Education Service-accredited senior high schools (SHS), vocational and technical schools and individual first year students in public tertiary institutions.
Mr Speaker, we would also select and disburse bursaries to 7,000 MASTESS beneficiaries in the 2014/2015 academic year. Mr Speaker, in the light of these, I respectfully request that this Honourable House approves an amount of GH¢245,955,307.00 for the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation for the 2014 financial year ending 31st December.
Question proposed.

Chairman of the Committee (Mr Simon EdemAsimah)

Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion moved by the Hon Minister. And in so doing, I present the Committee's Report.
Introduction
The Minister for Finance, Mr Seth E. Terkpeh presented to Parliament, the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government for the 2014 financial year on Tuesday, 19th November, 2013 in

Chairman of the Committee (Mr Simon EdemAsimah)

accordance with article 179 (1) of the Constitution. Pursuant to Orders 140 (4) and 185 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, Mr Speaker referred the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) to the Committee on Environment, Science and Technology for consideration and report.

Deliberations

The Committee met on Tuesday, 10th December, 2013 and considered the Estimates. The Hon Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Joe Oteng-Adjei and his technical team were in attendance to assist the Committee in the consideration of the estimates. The Committee is grateful to them for their assistance.

Reference documents

The Committee referred to the under- listed documents during its deliberations on the Estimates:

i. The 1992 Constitution.

ii. The Standing Orders of Parliament.

iii. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Govern- ment of Ghana for the 2014 financial year.

iv. The Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 (Act 490).

v. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Act, 1996 (Act 521).

vi. The Atomic Energy Commission Act, 2000 (Act 588).

vii.The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2013 financial year.

viii. The Report of the Committee on Environment, Science and Technology on the 2013 Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology and Innovation.

Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI)

Mission Statement

MESTI exists to promote sustainable development by deepening and streng- thening market driven Research and Development for sound Environmental Governance, Science, Technology and Innovation through intensive awareness creation, collaboration and partnership.

The vision of the Ministry is to attain sustainable development through the utilisation of Science, Technology and Innovation for wealth creation and sound environmental governance in a modern and competitive economy.

Policy objectives of the Ministry

To achieve its goal of ensuring accelerated socioeconomic development of the nation through the formulation of sound policies and a regulatory frame work, to promote the use of appropriate environmentally friendly, scientific and technological practices, the Ministry would pursue the following policy objectives:

Promote the application of Science, Technology and Innovation in all sectors of the economy.

Strengthen the appropriate institu- tional framework to promote the development of science and technology research.

Promote sustainable extraction and use of mineral resources.

Promote green economy.

Reduce loss of biodiversity.

Reduce vulnerability of coastal communities.

Manage waste, reduce pollution and noise.

Reduce pollution and poor sanitation in the coastal areas.

Enhance capacity to adapt to climate change impacts.

Mitigate the impacts of climate variability and change.

Use Low Carbon Growth (LCG) as a specific approach to integrate the link between climate and development.

Streamline spatial/land use planning system in Ghana.

Departments and agencies under the Ministry

The following are the key agencies under the Ministry:

i. Environmental Protection Agen- cy (EPA).

ii. Ghana Atomic Energy Commission

(GAEC).

iii. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

iv. Town and Country Planning Department (TCPD).

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12 - 1.15 P.M.

Performance review of the 2013 Budgetary Allocations

Chairman of the Committee (Mr Simon EdemAsimah)

i. 40 officers (out of 100 targeted) have been trained in GIS applications for property tax administration, street addressing and building permitting. This is expected to ensure efficiency in development control, increase Internally Generated Fund (IGF) of the MMDA and promote orderly development.

ii. 2 - Planning Schemes were prepared for the 80MW Power Plant enclave in Anochie, Ellembele Distr ict. This is expected to guide spatial location of investments and coordinate sectorial initiatives in the area.

iii. A site has been identified for Land Use Planning Scheme to cover the proposed 400MW

solar energy facility at Bodi, Kakease-Bole. This is expected to help align and coordinate all projects in the area and increase competitiveness.

iv. Implementation of Street Addressing Projects completed in Prestea Huni Valley, Tarkwa Nsuaem, Bibiani/Ahwiaso/ Bekwai and Sefwi-Wiawso.

2014 Budgetary estimates

A sum total of two hundred and forty - five million, nine hundred and fifty- five thousand, three hundred and seven Ghana cedis (GH¢245,955,307.00) has been allocated to the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation for the implementation of its programmes and activities for the 2014 financial year. Below is a breakdown of the allocation by sources of fund:

Outlook for the 2014 financial year

MESTI has outlined a number of programmes and activities to be implemented in the 2014 financial year. Among these are the following:

Continue the Implementation of Phase II of the Action plan for the utilisation of local building materials in the construction industry and also continue the procurement and distribution of 50,000 laptops to ICT laboratories of GES accredited SHS and individual first year students in public tertiary institutions.

Select and disburse bursaries to 7000 MASTESS beneficiaries in 2014/2015 academic year; and re- launch, raise funds and operationalise the STI Fund and also organise 2nd Ghana Science Congress.

Promote the cultivation of local high yield rice e.g. “Sika Mo” and “Gbewaa” aromatic/perfumed rice through provision of breeder, foundation and certified seed.

Commence procurement procedures for geological equipment to be used

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TABLE 3 : 2014 Budgetary Allocation (Programme Based)

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Mr First Deputy Speaker

Hon Member, we appreciate it but restrict yourself to the --

Mr Addai-Nimoh

Mr Speaker, it is on this note that I would urge this House to adopt the Report and subsequently approve the money meant for the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.
Deputy Minister for Defence (Mr Tei Ebenezer O. Terlabi) (MP):Mr Speaker, I rise to associate myself with the Motion on the floor and in so doing, I would like to take note, especially of some improvement in the remuneration of the staff of the various research institutions under the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.
Mr Speaker, I am saying so, because apart from the tools that one needs to do one's research, there must be that sense of motivation and I believe that the increase from GH¢136 million to GH¢147 million is indeed, significant and I believe that is another source of motivation.
Mr Speaker, going through the Report, it has been noted that Town and Country Planning Department really needs to be resourced, so that they can have offices in all the districts. For that matter, Mr Speaker, I would like to appeal to the Ministry of Finance to, as a matter of urgency, do something in that area, so that they can have enough funds to improve.
What is happening is that, we have problems with planning and it is as a result of that that we do not have these offices, and for that matter, the staff goes close to where development is now. We do not have to wait till all the areas become like Accra before we start planning.
So, Mr Speaker, with these, I would urge the House to support the Motion.

Dr Matthew O. Prempeh (NPP -- Manhyia South)

Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion ably moved by the Hon Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation as regards his estimates for 2014-- [Some Hon Members: We cannot hear you.] --

Mr First Deputy Speaker

Hon Member, you were complaining some time back.

Dr Prempeh

Mr Speaker, you heard it?

Mr First Deputy Speaker

Yes, so, now, people are complaining they cannot hear you.

Dr Prempeh

This is just a tick of -- we would get there.
Indeed, I tend to support the Hon Member for Asante-Mampong when he said that this Ministry's mandate is about service and regulation. Mr Speaker, the CSIR's mandate is about science and research.
Mr Speaker, research does not necessarily translate into application or technology and if we want the CSIR's mandate to be fully functional, this is where the ABFA is very important and that the Government should commit itself to funding and the use of the ABFA in dedicated areas of the economy where we
can have a multiplier effect. Just one research outcome of the CSIR has the potential of transforming the economy of this country and that we should put our moneys where our mouths are.
Mr Speaker, it is only interesting that this particular Ministry is one of the few Ministries in this budget-hearing that certain aspects of their budget, they had 100 per cent. Mr Speaker, the Committee was reluctant to say that in the coastal area project -- sanitation has been a major issue in this country. When one looks at our District Assemblies Common Fund deductions, sometimes up to 50 per cent is deducted for sanitation.
Mr Speaker, if those moneys are deducted for sanitation, why should we give extra money for coastal protection when they are all under districts in this country? It must be single work being paid double.
Mr Speaker, so, we have charged the Hon Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation to streamline coastal sanitation and District Assemblies Sanitation Project, so that the country has value for money.
Mr Speaker, we have also charged the Hon Minister that in the distribution of laptops, they should be laptops that are future-proof. The laptops should not be laptops without CD ROMs and USB surfaces, so that when one takes them to the schools, the children cannot do anything because already the laptop has no software on them.
Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Education should make sure that when they are developing textbooks and curricula, they develop the soft copies of these things, so that in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and
Innovation, those laptops which have already been populated by relevant software to not become an article of dressing, but an article of education and learning.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved:
That this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢245,955,307 for the services of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation for the year ending 31st December, 2014.

Minister of Transport (Mrs Dzifa A. Attivor)

Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that the Honourable House approves the sum GH¢89,949,128 for the services of the Ministry of Transport for the year ending 31st December, 2014.
In so doing, let me highlight the major expenditure of the Ministry and its agencies for the year 2014 under the various budgetary items.
Compensation -- GH¢ 11,210,933
This is to meet the salaries and other emoluments for personnel of the Ministry and its agencies.
Goods and services -- GH¢12,392,794, this is made up of GoG, ABFA, IGFs and donor funding.
This is to cover administration, research, monitoring of projects and programmes and other expenses, as well as special projects such as the Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS) and the West Africa Trade and Transit Facilitation Project.

Chairman of the Committee (Mr Michael C. Boampong)

Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion to approve the Estimates for the Ministry of Transport for 2014 and to present your Committee's Report.
Introduction
In fulfilment of article 179 of the 1992 Constitution, the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government for 2014 financial year was presented to the House by the Minister for Finance on Tuesday, 19th November, 2013.
In accordance with Standing Orders 140 (4) and 189 of the House, the budget estimates of the Ministry of Transport were referred to the Committee for Roads and Transport for consideration and report.
The Committee met on the estimates with the sector Minister, Hon Mrs Dzifa Attivor, the Chief Director and Heads of subvented agencies of the sector ministry and the schedule officer and other officers from the Ministry of Finance.
Uniquely, the estimates considered for the sector Ministry for 2014 is a departure from the previous year. The new budgeting system for the 2014 is programme-based and covers the main Ministry and the following subvented agencies:
(i) Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA).
(ii) Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).
(iii)Government Technical Training Centre (GTTC).
(iv) National Road Safety Commission
(NRSC).
(v) Regional Maritime University
(RMU).
It is instructive to state that the Ministry gives support to some self- financing Agencies under its purview such as the Volta Lake Transport Company (VLTC) and the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) for social intervention.
Reference documents
The Committee made reference to the following documents during the consideration of the estimates:
(i) The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
(ii) The Standing Orders of Parliament.
(iii) The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the 2014 financial year.
(iv) The Draft Annual Estimates of the Ministry of Transport for 2014 financial year.
(v) Report of the Committee on the 2013 estimates for the Ministry of Transport.
Vision of the Ministry of Transport
The following statement constitute the vision of the Ministry of Transport:
“To create an integrated, modally complimentary, cost effective, safe, secure, sustainable and seamless transportation system responsive to the needs of society, supporting growth and poverty reduction and capable of establishing Ghana as a transportation hub of West Africa”.
Mission and policy objectives
Mission
In order to realise the above vision, the Ministry's mission is “to provide leadership and guidance for the

Chairman of the Committee (Mr Michael C. Boampong)

development of Ghana's transportation system through effective policy formulation, market regulation, asset management and service provision”.

Policy objectives

The policy objectives of the Ministry of Transport are:

(i) Establish Ghana as a transportation hub for the West African sub-region.

(ii) Create and sustain an efficient transport system that meets the user needs.

(iii) Integrate land use, transport planning, development planning and service provision.

(iv) Create appropriate environment for private sector participation in the delivery of Transport Infrastructure.

(v)Develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated policy, governance and institutional framework.

(vi) Ensure sustainable development in the transport sector

(vii) Develop adequate human resources capacity and apply new technology.

Performance in 2013 fiscal year

Railway sub-sector

After the completion of the rehabilitation of the railway line from Tema Harbour to Tema Japan Motors (Community 1), construction of stations along the Accra-

Tema rail line began at Baatsona, Achimota, Odaw among others and has reached 80 per cent completion. During the year under review, the construction of Tema Community 1 railway station was completed.

The Railway masterplan has com- pleted during the 2013 fiscal year and the draft final report has been circulated to stakeholders. It is expected that the stakeholders' forum will take place on 13th December, 2013 to validate the draft report.

A pre-feasibility study of the eastern railway line from Accra to Kumasi through Boankra was completed during the year under review.

GRDA continued work on the reconstruction of the Sekondi-Takoradi suburban railway line but the pace of work reduced significantly in 2013 due to inadequate funding.

Maritime and inland waterways sub- sector

The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has been able to install the terrestrial sensors for the Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMIS) at the coastal areas. The project, which is substantially completed, is designed to provide surveillance or real time information of all vessels that enter Ghana's maritime jurisdiction and even beyond.

The Ministry procured three (3no.) 50- seater high speed passenger ferries and one modular passenger/freight vessel for various ferry crossings on the Volta Lake.

The Ministry concluded the signing of contract agreement for the development of eleven (11 no.) fish landing sites at Axim, Dixcove, Moree, Mumford, Elmina, Winneba, Breku, Gomoa Fete, James Town, Teshie and Keta.

The construction of net-mending wharf and dredging of canoe basin at the Tema Fishing Harbour has commenced.

Road transport services sub-sector

The National Road Safety Commission continued the sensitisation of the general public on road safety rules and regulations, monitored the implementation of road safety strategies and set standards for road safety equipment as enshrined in the National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS III).

As a result of the above stated programme, the NRSC trained over 13,016 drivers and vehicle owners on road safety practices and first-aid administration. The Commission also trained 126,000 school children across the country in safe road crossing practices.

Again, the Commission collaborated with the Local Government Services Secretariat (LGSS) to organise a sensitisation workshop on mainstreaming road safety into activities of MMDAs for Heads of Religious Bodies in the country.

Another significant achievement the NRSC made was towing of 2,567 vehicles that were either crashed as a result of accident (1,197 vehicles) or disabled (1,370 vehicles) nationwide which hitherto had contributed to accidents on our roads.

Chairman of the Committee (Mr Michael C. Boampong)

To improve the quality of driver and vehicle testings, the Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) introduced Computer Based Theory (CBT) testing of prospective drivers in 22 out of 25 Offices of DVLA nationwide. This ensured reduction of fake vehicle and driver licensing documents.
Aviation sub-sector
The Ministry of Transport pursued its policy of encouraging private sector participation in the aviation industry. This, indeed, resulted in a competitive operation in the domestic aviation service delivery.
The KIA Phase III rehabilitation - project continued, and it is about 47 per cent complete. Feasibility study and design for expansion of the KIA terminal building were completed, while the additional parking bay to accommodate eight (8no.) wide-body aircrafts continued.
The rehabilitation works on the asphaltic concrete overlay of the Kumasi Airport runway and its extension commenced.
Financial performance for 2013
Summary of 2013 budget: Releases and expenditure for the Ministry and its agencies.

TABLE 1: Approved budget against disbursement for 2013 fiscal year

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Budgetary allocations for the Ministry of transport and its agencies for 2014

The Ministry of Transport and its agencies have been given a budget allocation of GH¢89,949,128.00 for the fiscal year 2014. The breakdown per expenditure items per the MDAs are as follows:

TABLE 2: Budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Transport and its agencies for 2014

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Chairman of the Committee (Mr Michael C. Boampong)

Observations and recommendations

The Committee noted that non- subvented Agencies under the Ministry of Transport have over the years defaulted in the submission of their annual report and audited accounts to Parliament. Indeed, it is a requirement in the various Acts that established the Agencies to submit annual reports and audited reports to Parliament.

The Committee has already commu- nicated its displeasure to the defaulted agencies through the Ministry to immediately conform to the law by submitting the backlogged reports to Parliament by 15th February, 2014.

Generally, low disbursements and in some cases, non-disbursements affected the operational efficiency of the Ministry and its subvented agencies in 2013.

While the Committee is aware that there has been challenges in revenue mobilization in 2013 and delays in payment of authorised releases due to the processes involved in the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), the Committee recommends that all the high profiled projects that were affected by the lack of funding should be kept in view for special treatment when enough funds are subsequently mobilized.

The Committee continues to note the inherent potential of the Government Technical Training Centre (GTTC) in the reduction of youth employment by providing them with the basic skills and training in the Auto industry that could greatly enhance their prospects of being self-employed or being employed by the established companies. But this not- withstanding, GTTC has continued to be in a sorry state due to inadequate funding.

The Committee has therefore, scheduled a meeting with the Minister for Transport to discuss modalities for resourcing the Centre.

Over the years, the Regional Maritime University has consistently applied for an amount of GH¢10,500,000.00 to procure a vessel to facilitate seafaring training for its students but the pleas have gone unheeded. The Committee was informed that the Ministry has now resorted to solicit assistance from some friendly Missions in Ghana.

While the Committee expects fruitful outcome from the venture, the Committee appeals to the Government to assist the University procure the essential vehicle to raise the job value of the students trained by the University as well as the status of the Institution. Indeed, the country could derive much revenue from the export of seafarers. Philippines for instance, make a lot of revenue from the export of their seafarers.

The Committee also noted that the Ministry of Transport has to re-prioritize some of its projects for Public Private Partnership (PPP). Consequently, a chunk of infrastructural works within the ambit of GRDA such as the Sekondi-Takoradi suburban rail line project, the Accra- Nsawam suburban rail line project, Kumasi-Ejisu rail line project, the Boankra project, and the feasibility studies for the central line have all been repackaged for loan financing through PPP arrangement due to budget constraints.

As this arrangement requires Government's guarantee for the realisation of these projects, the Committee urges the Government to expedite such guarantees to enable the Ministry undertake the needed infrastructural investments to improve the rail transport system in the country.

Conclusion

To enable the Ministry execute its programmes and activities, the Committee recommends that the House adopts the Report and approve the sum of eighty- nine million, nine hundred and forty-nine thousand, one hundred and twenty-eight Ghana cedis (GH¢89.949,128.00) for the Ministry of Transport for the 2014 financial year.

Respectfully submitted.

Mr Kwabena Owusu-Aduomi (NPP -- Ejisu)

Mr Speaker, thank you for allowing me to support the Motion to approve the sum mentioned for the Ministry of Transport.
Mr Speaker, if you look at the Committee's Report, at page 7, Table 1, you would realise that the disbursement that the Ministry has had as at the end of September is even less than three per cent. Indeed, it is 2.7 per cent.
Mr Speaker, this is a serious situation because for the five years that I have been in this House, I have never seen a disbursement which is even less than 10 per cent but this one, it is even less than 10 per cent, Mr Speaker.
As for donor, there was no disbursement at all. The overall effect is that, the Ministry's performance will substantially be affected. What is most important to me is the completion of Vessel Traffic Management Information System. We simply call it (VTMIS) . The Government did well in erecting this facility to provide surveillance on our maritime jurisdictions. This project is still not completed. Of late, there have been
complaints of piracy and armed robbery along the Gulf Coast of Guinea. Mr Speaker, if the nation is able to have this facility completed, definitely, we would be able to survey all our maritime jurisdictions and if there is any piracy or armed robbery, this machine would assist us so that we counter.
The developed countries which have a lot of ships are making capital out of this piracy and armed robbery along the Gulf Coast of Guinea, so that they can increase the cost of import. And I urge the Government to have a quick look at the completion of this all important project.

Mr Foster J. Andoh

On a point of order.
Mr Speaker, my Hon Friend quoted the disbursement for 2013 for the Ministry of Transport by saying that it is only 2.7 per cent. Going by the ceiling against the disbursement as at November, 2013, it is 27.3 per cent and not 2.7 per cent. So, I think there is a typographical mistake over there.

Mr First Deputy Speaker

Hon Ranking Member, how do you respond to that?

Mr Owusu-Aduomi

Mr Darko-Mensah

Mr Speaker, looking at the figures that were expanded on the Ministry of Transport for 2013, it is clear that the Ministry is one of the few Ministries that are underfunded in this country.
Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Transport is key to the development of this country, especially the railway sector. Mr Speaker, if you take the difficulties with the railway sector, you would come to realise that it is plainly Government's inaction that is creating this difficulty. We are all aware that the 2007 Eurobond, GH¢90 million was allocated to the railway sector, yet that money was never paid to the railway sector.
Secondly, in the 2012 Eurobond, the second one, US$32 million was allocated to that Ministry and that was also not paid to the Ministry. So, clearly, in my view, I think that some people are just starving the Ministry from developing and undergoing its own transformation.
Mr Speaker, if all these sums of money can be made available, I do believe that the issue of retrenching workers at railways would never be an issue. Mr Speaker, I still strongly feel that retrenchment is not the issue; the issue is the investment in the railway sector that would make sure that it becomes productive and the workers can do the

Mr Darko-Mensah

work they have been doing. In fact, the railway workers have been trained and they have the skills to make sure that the railway can work.

In fact, if ordinary Ghanaian business- men can track bauxite from Awaso to Takoradi and make profit, then naturally, railways can make better profit for this country. So, the issue is about investment in the railways and it has nothing to do with the workers.

Mr Speaker, in moving forward, if you also take the issue of training vessels for the Regional Maritime University, Mr Speaker, a lot of the coastal communities have a lot of young men and women who are always engaged in this area of the economy. Unfortunately, the Regional Maritime University just needs US$10 million to purchase a training vessel.

For a very long time, they do not seem to have this resource to train the young men in this University. So, I strongly believe that it should be given the priority, so that they can train more young men and women who have the requisite skills to move the country forward.

With these few words, I would like to conclude.

Mr First Deputy Speaker

It looks like this Motion is generating so much interest. All right. I will take one last one.

Mr Samuel Aye-Paye (NPP -- Ayensuano)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to support the Motion on the floor. Mr Speaker, in doing so, I would want to look at the Government Technical Training Centre.
Mr Speaker, the Government Technical Training Centre is an institution under the
Ministry of Transport and its mandate is to train the youth in this country in the maintenance and repair of vehicles. Mr Speaker, looking at the number of vehicles that we continue to have in the country, there is the need for the country to train more mechanics and technicians in repair and maintenance of vehicle.
Also, looking at the new technology in vehicle manufacturing, it is important that the Government Technical Training Centre is positioned in such a way that it can be in a good move to train the mechanics that we already have in the country.
Mr Speaker, looking at the amount in terms of item 2, that is the “Goods and Services” given to the Government Technical Training Centre, I wonder whether the centre can make good use of the money or it is enough to undertake the various services that they have. A visit to the centre, Mr Speaker, shows clearly that it needs a lot of resources.
Although not being mentioned in the budget, I would suggest that we look at the GYEEDA Fund, the money that is meant for other modules in the GYEEDA and seed a percentage to the Government Technical Training Centre since they are also going to train the youth in the country, so that they can make proper in- roads for the development of the country.
Mr Speaker, we are talking about the balance left to pay the ferries constructed by or for the Volta Lake Transport Company Limited. Other Hon Members who spoke have made mention to the fact that only 10 per cent of the money was paid last year and provision has been made to pay the remaining balance this year.
Mr Speaker, I am not looking at the balance left to be paid, but I think that there should be a proper ferry and bus replacement policy. We buy buses and ferries for such agencies under the
Ministry and we need to charge the agencies to work and pay for the ferries and the buses that we bought for them. If that is done, they would take good care of those buses.
For instance, the Metro Mass Transit, every year, the Ministry looks at its budget and purchase buses for Metro Mass Transit Limited. The question is, what is the policy, the bus replacement policy that needs to be put in place to ensure that either they work to pay for the buses or we give them as a capital to invest and then come out with a clear replacement policy where they can replace the buses if the ones that we bought for them go bad.
So, as much as we are looking for the remaining GH¢4 million to pay for the construction of the ferries, the Ministry should also need to meet and come out with a replacement policy for them.

Mr First Deputy Speaker

Yes, Hon Member, are you up on a point of order?

Dr Prempeh

Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister for the Interior whom the House has given the chance to represent his Minister, should note that the Chair has already ruled that we should speak to the estimates.
Mr Speaker, time is far spent. That is why you allowed him to speak. He should not be telling us the policy framework for 2014; he should speak on the estimates, so that we can quickly approve or disapprove.

Mr Agalga

Mr Speaker, I being guided --

Mr First Deputy Speaker

I think that the Hon Deputy Minister is moving a Motion and he is talking about the ambit of the Ministry of the Interior and to relate it for the need for the approval.
So, Hon Deputy Minister, please proceed.

Mr Speaker, logistics that are to be procured include

Heavy transport vehicles operational vehicles, communication and surveillance equipment for the agencies with particular emphasis on the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, the Ghana Prisons Service, the Narcotics Control Board and National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
Establish a common automotive maintenance workshop in the four zones of the country: northern sector, middle sector, southern sector and Greater Accra to reduce cost of maintenance and promote standardisation.
Establish service standards to promote quality service delivery.
Continue with the revision of out- dated Acts and Regulations governing the operations of Agencies and conduct monitoring and evaluation of the projects and programmes carried out by the Departments and agencies.
Mr Speaker, I pray that the sum of GH¢1,013,251,214 be approved to enable the Ministry discharge its mandate of maintaining law and order in the country.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Question proposed
2. 15 p.m.

Chairman of the Committee (Mr George K. Arthur)

Mr Speaker, I beg to support the Motion and in doing so, present the Committee's Report.
Introduction
The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the 2014 financial year was presented to Parliament
by the Hon Minister for Finance, Mr Seth Emmanuel Terkpeh on Tuesday, 19th November, 2013 in accordance with article 179(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
The draft budget estimates of the Ministry of the Interior were accordingly referred to the Committee on Defence and Interior for consideration and report, pursuant to Orders 140(4) and 158 of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.
The Committee met with the Hon Deputy Minister for the Interior and heads of agencies under the Ministry, as well as officials of the Ministry of Finance, to thoroughly deliberate on the estimates for 2014 pertaining to the Ministry and its agencies.
The Committee is grateful to the Hon Minister and officials who acknowledged its invitation and attended upon it.
Reference documents
Your Committee referred 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 Government for the 2014 financial year.
iv. The MTEF Programme Based Budget Estimates (2014) for the Ministry of the Interior.
Mission of the Ministry of the Interior
The Ministry of the Interior (MT) seeks to ensure the maintenance of peace, protection, internal security and stability for human safety and accelerated socio- economic development.
The Ministry's mandate is implemented through the following agencies:
(a) Ghana Police Service.
(b) Ghana Prisons Service.
(c) Ghana National Fire Service
(GNFS).
(d) Ghana Immigration Service (GIS);
(e) National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
(f) Narcotics Control Board (NACOB).
Additionally, the Ministry has an oversight responsibility over the following agencies:
National Peace Council (NPC)
Migration Unit (MU)
Ghana Refugee Board (GRB)
National Commission on Small Arms (NACMA) and
Gaming Board (GB). Performance for 2013
For the year 2013, the Ministry of the Interior among other things maintained law and order, peace and stability. It generated an amount of GH¢ 26,684,713.26 as IGF.

Chairman of the Committee (Mr George K. Arthur)

Observations and recommendations

The Committee observed that the duty of ensuring peace, safety, security and stability is so vital that it cannot be taken for granted. Any disruption of peace in the country will definitely throw our development agenda out of gear.

From Fig.1.0 it is evidently clear that most of the Ministry's allocation goes to compensation of employees, leaving goods/services and assets with far too small an amount to sustain meaningful work.

Fig.1.2 however, indicates that the Crime Management Programme received the highest allocation of funding.

As the security agencies intend to work hard to reduce crime rate (robberies, drug trafficking, murder, car snatching), the amount being granted is still inadequate to meet minimum operational needs. In essence, the agencies are sustained with salaries and not given enough logistics to work.

The Committee observed that the inability of GNFS to purchase adequate reserves of core fire-fighting and operational equipment such as, breathing apparatus, fire resistance suits, foam compound, fire fighting hoses and communication equipment is as a result of inadequate budgetary allocation. This would however, adversely affect its operational efficiency and effectiveness when confronted with crisis situations.

The Committee notes efforts of the Ghana Prisons Service at managing costs and further wishes to recommend to the Ministry of Finance that the Welfare Fund of the Service be paid in full.

The critical role of the Ghana Immigration Service demands resources for border control and security in the wake of increasing influx of foreigners and smuggling of goods in and out of the country. The Service is challenged with inadequate residential and office accommodation and lacks communication (Radio/Signal) equipment for its operations.

Conclusion

The Committee, after a careful examination of the draft estimates is of the view that the level of budgetary allocation for the Ministry of the Interior, unfortunately, remains far from adequate. If Ghana is to continue to enjoy accelerated socio-economic development and attract local and foreign investments as well as tourists, it is important that we place premium on protection of human life and property.

It is, therefore, recommended that extra budgetary allocation is made available to the Ministry to enable the agencies perform their assigned roles.

This notwithstanding, the Committee recommends to the House for approval, the total budgetary allocation of one billion, thirteen million, two hundred and fifty one thousand, two hundred and fourteen Ghana cedis (GH¢1,013,251,214) made to the Ministry of the Interior for the financial year ending 31st December

2014.

Respectfully submitted.

Mr William O. Boafo (NPP -- Akwapim North)

Mr Speaker, I beg to contribute to the Motion on the floor of the House.
Mr Speaker, for the year 2014, the Ghana Police Service intends to acquire helicopters to aid police operations especially surveillance. They also would
SPACE FOR TABLE 1.3 -
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like to acquire these helicopters with sitting capacities of about 10 people and above, so that they can lift the police personnel to places in cases of emergency. They want to assert their independence from the versatile Ghana Air Force.

Mr Speaker, in addition to the helicopters, they also would like to complete the 38 uncompleted houses which are found in the bushes in the various communities.

Mr Speaker, it is also their intention to redevelop the Police Hospital in terms of structures as well as replacement of obsolete equipments. Mr Speaker, in addition to these three basic programmes for the 2014, they also intend to enhance capacity building especially when now they have police academy. They also now would like to upgrade the academy to the level of the Ghana Armed Forces Staff College (GAFCSC), so that it would also attract international participation.

Mr Speaker, in addition, they will also engage themselves in weaponry training and deepen police visibility and improve on the night patrols in industr ial, commercial and residential areas.

Mr Speaker, with these laudable objectives, we were all expecting that the allocation to the Ghana Police Service will be enhanced. It is unfortunate that the allocation to the Ghana Police Service demonstrates some gap funding.

Mr Speaker, the Ghana Police Service requires GH¢624 million for their needs but they were given GH¢529 and there is a funding gap. For goods and services, they require GH¢45.5 million but they were given GH¢6.6 million approximately. Mr Speaker, this will affect their ration and it

will affect the management of police cells, medical refunds and medical supplies in the Police Hospital.

Mr Speaker, it is therefore, imperative that the Minister for Finance takes a serious look at this shortfall if they would want the Ghana Police Service to deliver the way we expect them to do. Mr Speaker, you will see that at various points within the city and other areas, we have police presence in the form of tent city policing, with this tent city policing-- they live under tents.

Mr Speaker, it is the intention of the Ghana Police Service to replace these tent structures with well-equipped structures which can withstand the drains of bad weathers. Mr Speaker, this calls for an increase or a revision or extra budgetary allocation to the Service for the purposes of goods and services.

Mr Speaker, the Ghana National Fire Service has imported quite a number of fire tenders. Mr Speaker they require some communication equipments and other installations to be done on these equipments. Their expectations will not be realised if we are to stick to the amount which has been given to them in respect of goods and services.

Mr Speaker, the programme they have drawn up to train the personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service equally demands a second look at the provision which has been made to them under the budget.

Mr Speaker, if you look at the way the fire outbreaks have been occurring rampantly in the country, and our expectations of a higher level of performance, there is the need for all of us to agree that that particular outfit needs some level of higher attention.

Mr Speaker, the Ghana Prisons Service is an institution which we pay least attention to because their feeding

programme is something which is not good to write anything about at all.

Mr Speaker, the per diem for the Ghana Prisons Service is deplorable, and there is the need for it to be reviewed. The Ghana Prisons Service needs more resources to upgrade the welfare and human rights of prisoners to meet international standards.

Mr Speaker, there is overcrowding in so far as the prison cohabitation is concerned and you will find remands and convicts put together, the old offenders and the young ones put together. Mr Speaker, there is the need therefore, to make sure that the asset aspect of the Ghana Prisons Services is enhanced to enable them put up a separate facility for remand prisoners.

Mr Speaker, the other issue is that the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) is also handicapped with regard to “goods and services” allocation. This is because Mr Speaker, they would also like to acquire ammunition if the legislation which is being proposed to arm them to enhance the patrolling of our boarders goes through this House.

Mr Speaker, the current state of the ammunition is not something which we can recommend to the House to accept at all. So, there is the need for all these areas to seriously be taken into account so as to have extra-budgetary allocation for the resources of the Ministry by the Contingency Fund to enhance the performance of the Ministry of the Interior.

Mr Speaker, the Ministry is in charge of our home security and we are all concerned about our personal safety in the country, and we need to pay better attention to the Ministry.

Mr Speaker, with these few words, I would like to support the Motion.

Mr Joe Ghartey (NPP -- Esikadu/ Ketan)

Mr Speaker, on Saturday, I hosted some inmates at the Ankaful Maximum Security Prisons and the officers in charge gave me the opportunity to see a bit of the Prisons. As I was leaving, they said to me “talk about us”-- I mean, the officers. I said to them “you are doing a good job.” They said “talk about us; tell the people of Ghana the job we are doing.” And I said “where should I talk about you?” And they said “talk about us in Parliament.”
When they said that I smiled and said, “how can I just get up in Parliament and start talking about a prisoner unless maybe, I bring a Statement?” Little did I know that the good Lord in his own way would give me the opportunity today, to talk about the good work that they are doing at the Ankaful Maximum Security Prisons.
Mr Speaker, I was told that there are only two maximum security prisons in Africa -- one in Ghana. At Ankaful and one in South Africa. Indeed, when you look at the standard that is kept at the Ankaful Maximum Security Prisons, the only thing we can do is that, we can pray that the other prisons can rise up to that standard. Mr Speaker, I have had the opportunity to visit several prisons, not as an inmate but as a visitor.
I visited Kumasi Central Prisons and it was difficult for me to be there. This is because you could see that people were living under unfriendly conditions.
There is one prisons where I was told that the inmates soak their towels in water as they are going into their cells. And I asked “why do you soak your towels in water” and I was told that it is so hot inside the cells that you soak your towel in water

Mr First Deputy Speaker

Thank you very much.
Hon Minister, do you want to wind up?

Mr James Agalga

Mr Speaker, I wish to express our profound gratitude to Hon Members for supporting the Motion moved.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Second Deputy Speaker has raised quite a number of issues and I would want to take this opportunity to commend him for the role he played with regard to the introduction of the “Justice for All” programme, which is being continued.
Mr Speaker, I would want to add that in addition to the “justice” for all programme, it is the intention of the Ministry of the Interior to initiate some legislation, to as it were, introduce non- custodial sentencing measures into our criminal jurisprudence as a way of decongesting our prisons.
With the completion of phase two of the Ankaful Maximum Security Prisons, Mr Speaker, it is our belief that it is going to go a long way to help decongest our prisons.
I thank Hon Members so much for the support.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
That this House approves of the sum of GH¢1,017,799,220 for the services of the Ministry of the Interior for the year ending 31st December, 2014.

Hon Members, we will go on a break for one hour and when we resume, the Hon Second Deputy Speaker will take the Chair.
3.00 p.m. -- Sitting suspended.
4.10 p.m. -- Sitting resumed.

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker, if we could take item number 21, so that we sort out the rest of the Motions.

Debates of 16 Dec 2013

PRAYERS 10:55 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:55 a.m.

Dr Stephen Nana Ato Arthur 10:55 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.

Dr Stephen Nana Ato Arthur 10:55 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.

Dr Benjamin B. Kunbuor 10:55 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.

Dr Kunbour 10:55 a.m.

PAPERS 10:55 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 10:55 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.

Mr Isaac Osei 10:55 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 10:55 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 10:55 a.m.

Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.

Dr Kunbour 10:55 a.m.

BILLS -- FIRST READING 11:05 a.m.

MOTIONS 11:05 a.m.

ANNUAL ESTIMATES 11:05 a.m.

Minister for Education (Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang) 11:05 a.m.

Chairman of the Committee (Mr Mathias A. Puozaa) 11:05 a.m.

UNESCO 11:05 a.m.

UNESCO 11:05 a.m.

Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.

Prof. Fobih 11:25 a.m.

Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.

Mr Nortsu-Kotoe 11:25 a.m.

Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.

Mr Moses Anim (NPP -- Trobu) 11:25 a.m.

Mr Nortsu-Kotoe 11:25 a.m.

Mr Anim 11:25 a.m.

Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.

Mr Anim 11:25 a.m.

Ms Laadi A. Ayamba (NDC -- Pusiga) 11:45 a.m.

Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.

Ms Ayamba 11:45 a.m.

Mr Namoro Sanda Azumah (NPP -- Chereponi) 11:45 a.m.

Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.

Mr N. S. Azumah 11:45 a.m.

Mr N. S. Azumah 11:45 a.m.

Mr Ablakwa 11:45 a.m.

Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.

Mr N. S. Azumah 11:45 a.m.

Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.

Mr N. S. Azumah 11:45 a.m.

Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.

Mr N. S. Azumah 11:45 a.m.

Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:45 a.m.

Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang 11:45 a.m.

Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:45 a.m.

Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang 11:45 a.m.

Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.

Dr Kunbuor 11:45 a.m.

Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.

ANNUAL ESTIMATES 11:45 a.m.

Minister for Health (Ms Hanny- Sherry Ayittey) 11:45 a.m.

Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.

Mr N. S. Azumah 11:45 a.m.

Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:45 a.m.

Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:55 a.m.

Chairman of the Committee (Mr Joseph Y. Chireh) 12:05 p.m.

SPACE FOR TABLE --SOURCE OF 12:05 p.m.

Mr Speaker 12:05 p.m.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:05 p.m.

Mr Speaker 12:05 p.m.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:05 p.m.

Mr Speaker 12:05 p.m.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:05 p.m.

Mr Speaker 12:05 p.m.

PRAYERS

Mr Speaker

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT

Dr Stephen Nana Ato Arthur

Mr Speaker

Dr Stephen Nana Ato Arthur

Mr Speaker

Dr Benjamin B. Kunbuor

Mr Speaker

Dr Kunbour

PAPERS

Mr Speaker

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker

Mr Isaac Osei

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker

Dr Kunbour

BILLS -- FIRST READING

MOTIONS

ANNUAL ESTIMATES

Minister for Education (Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang)

Chairman of the Committee (Mr Mathias A. Puozaa)

UNESCO

UNESCO

Mr Speaker

Prof. Fobih

Mr Speaker

Mr Nortsu-Kotoe

Mr Speaker

Mr Moses Anim (NPP -- Trobu)

Mr Nortsu-Kotoe

Mr Anim

Mr Speaker

Mr Anim

Ms Laadi A. Ayamba (NDC -- Pusiga)

Mr Speaker

Ms Ayamba

Mr Namoro Sanda Azumah (NPP -- Chereponi)

Mr Speaker

Mr N. S. Azumah

Mr N. S. Azumah

Mr Ablakwa

Mr Speaker

Mr N. S. Azumah

Mr Speaker

Mr N. S. Azumah

Mr Speaker

Mr N. S. Azumah

Mr Speaker

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr Speaker

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang

Mr Speaker

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr Speaker

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang

Mr Speaker

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker

ANNUAL ESTIMATES

Minister for Health (Ms Hanny- Sherry Ayittey)

Mr Speaker

Mr N. S. Azumah

Mr Speaker

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr Speaker

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Chairman of the Committee (Mr Joseph Y. Chireh)

SPACE FOR TABLE --SOURCE OF

Mr Speaker

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr Speaker

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr Speaker

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr Speaker

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu