Debates of 21 Feb 2014

MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 11:05 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 11:05 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Hon Members, we do not have any Official Report for correction.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader -- Business Statement for the Fifth Week?
Mr Alfred K. Agbesi 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to present the Business
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
All right.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 11:05 a.m.
Chairman of the Business Committee) 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Committee met yesterday, Thursday, 20 th February, 2014 and arranged Business of the House for the FifthWeek ending Friday, 28th February,
2014.
Mr Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 56(2), the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows:
Arrangement of Business
Question(s)
Mr Speaker, the Committee has programmed the following Ministers to respond to Questions asked of them during the week:
No. of Question(s)
i. Minister for Health -- 5
ii. Minister for Education -- 5
iii. Minister for Roads and Highways -- 5
Total number of Questions -- 15
Mr Speaker, in all, three (3) Ministers are expected to attend upon the House to respond to fifteen (15) Questions during the week.
The Questions are of the following types:
i. Written -- 1 ii. Oral -- 14
Statements Mr Speaker, in accordance with Order
70 (2), the Hon Minister for Gender,
Children and Social Protection has been scheduled to make a Statement on “The plight of head-porters (“Kayayei”) in the country” on Thursday, 27th February 2014.
Mr Speaker may also admit Statements to be made in the House by Hon Members in accordance with Order 72.
Bills, Papers and Reports
Mr Speaker, Bills may be presented to the House for First Reading and those of urgent nature may be taken through the various stages in one day in accordance with Order 119. Papers and committee reports may also be presented to the House.
Motions and Resolutions
Mr Speaker, Motions may be debated and their consequential Resolutions, if any, taken during the week.
Message on the State of the Nation
Mr Speaker, H.E. the President of the Republic is expected to deliver a Message on the State of the Nation on Tuesday, 25th February 2014, in accordance with article 67 of the Constitution. Hon Members are accordingly entreated to attend upon the House punctually for the event.
Debate on the Message on the State of the Nation
Mr Speaker, subject to the availability of copies of the State of the Nation Address, a Motion to thank H.E. the President for the Message would be moved on Thursday, 27th February 2012. Hon Members are therefore urged to participate actively in the debate after the Motion has been moved.
Mr Speaker, in order to ensure that as many Hon Members as possible make their contributions, the Business Committee has recommended the following time allocations:
(i) Mover of Motion -- 20 minutes
(ii) Seconder of Motion -- 20 minutes
(iii) Other Hon. Members--5 minutes each
Mr Speaker, the time allocations may however, be varied based on the exigencies of the state of business on each Sitting day.
Security and parking arrangements for hosting the President to present the Message on the State of the Nation
Mr Speaker, to help ensure security and order around the precincts of Parliament and to enable the smooth running of activities on the day of the presentation of the Message on the State of the Nation by the President of the Republic, Hon Members are kindly urged to adhere to arrangements made for parking of vehicles at the main car park reserved for Members of Parliament.
Statutory Funds
Mr Speaker, the Committee of the Whole is expected to meet on Wednesday, 26th February, 2014 to discuss the formulae for the Statutory Funds. The Motions on the formulae may be taken on Thursday, 27th February 2014.
The Business Committee, therefore, urges Hon Members to take note of the proposed date for the meeting of the Committee of the Whole and participate in the discussions accordingly.
Chairman of the Business Committee) 11:05 a.m.
Briefing by the Electoral Commissioner
Mr Speaker, arrangements have been made for the Electoral Commissioner to brief the House at the Committee of the Whole on preparations towards the conduct of the pending District Assembly Elections. The scheduled date is Wednesday, 26th February, 2014. Hon Members are entreated to take note and avail themselves at the briefing to actively participate in the deliberations.
Conclusion
Mr Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 160(2) and subject to Standing Order 53, the Committee submits to this Honourable House, the order in which the Business of the House shall be taken during the week.

Message on the State of the Nation

Questions --

*29. Mr Kennedy Nyarko Osei (Akim Swedru): To ask the Minister for Health what plans the Ministry has for the construction of a district hospital at Akim Swedru, the district capital of Birim South.

*50. Mr Solomon Namliit Boar (Bunkpurugu): To ask the Minister for Health why Bunkpurugu- Yunyoo has no district hospital.

*51. Mr Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi (Asante Akim Central): To ask the Minister for Health when the newly -proposed hospital at Konongo would be constructed.

*52. Ms Patricia Appiagyei (Asokwa): To ask the Minister for Health what measures the Ministry is putting in place to expand and improve the facilities at the Kumasi South Hospital which has been upgraded to the status of a regional hospital.

*53. Mr Frank Boakye Agyen (Effiduase/Asokore): To ask the Minister for Health what steps are being taken to upgrade the facilities at the district hospital at Effiduase to enable it serve the catchment area more effectively.

Statements

Presentation of Papers --

(a) Annual Report of the National Commission on Civic Education for the year 2011.

(b) Proposed formula for distributing the District Assemblies' Common Fund (DACF) for the year 2014.

(c) Proposed formula for the dis- bursement of the National Health Insurance Fund for the year 2014.

(d) Proposed formula for the dis- tribution of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) for the year

2014.

Motions --

(a) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Financing Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the International Development Association (IDA) for an amount of US$30,000,000.00 and a US$10,000,000.00 grant

from the Statistics for Results Facility Catalytic Fund to finance the Ghana Statistics Development Project.

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Health on the Commercial Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Bouygues Batiment International of France for the design, construction, procurement and installation of equipment for the upgrading and major rehabilitation of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital at Ridge, Accra.

Consideration Stage of Bills --

Trademarks (Amendment) Bill, 2013

Plant Breeders Bill, 2013 (Continuation of Debate)

Committee sittings.

Committee of the Whole to be briefed by the Electoral Commissioner on preparations towards the conduct of the pending District Assembly Elections.

Questions --

*34. Mr Solomon Namliit Boar (Bunkpurugu): To ask the Minister for Education what steps are being taken to improve the educational infrastructure in Nakpanduri and Bunkpurugu Senior High Schools.

*55. Mr Simon Osei-Mensah (Bosomtwe): To ask the Minister for Education the number of two- storey dormitory and six-classroom blocks constructed between January 2009 and December 2012, indicating their locations and sources of funding.

*56. Mr Yaw Afful (Jaman South): To ask the Minister for Education when the dormitory project of Our Lady of Providence Senior High School at Kwasiborkrom in the Jaman South District as well as similar projects awarded before December 2008 will be completed.

*57. Mr Hennric David Yeboah (Afigya/Sekyere East): To ask the Minister for Education when the S.D.A. Senior High School at Agona-Ashanti will be assigned a school bus.

*58. Mr Robert Sarfo-Mensah (Asunafo North): To ask the Minister for Education plans the Ministry has put in place to construct a new Administration Block for the Mim Senior High School since the old block got destroyed last year.

Statements --

“The plight of head-porters (“Kayayei”) in the country”.

(Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection)

Presentation of Papers --

(a) Report of the Committee of the Whole on the proposed formula for distr ibuting the Distr ict Assemblies' Common Fund (DACF) for the year 2014.
Chairman of the Business Committee) 11:05 a.m.
(b) Report of the Committee of the Whole on the proposed formula for the disbursement of the National Health Insurance Fund for the year 2014.
(c) Report of the Committee of the Whole on the proposed formula for the distribution of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) for the year 2014.
Motions --
(a) That this Honourable House thanks H.E. the President for the Message on the State of the Nation which he delivered to Parliament on Tuesday, 25th February, 2014.
(Commencement of Debate)
(b) Adoption of the Report of the Committee of the Whole on the proposed formula for distributing the District Assemblies' Common Fund (DACF) for the year 2014.
(c) Adoption of the Report of the Committee of the Whole on the proposed formula for the disbursement of the National Health Insurance Fund for the year 2014.
(d) Adoption of the Report of the Committee of the Whole on the proposed formula for the distribution of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) for the year 2014.
Consideration Stage of Bills --
Trademarks (Amendment) Bill, 2013 (Continuation)
Plant Breeders Bill, 2013 (Continuation of Debate)
Committee sittings.

Questions --

*61. Mr John Gyetuah (Amenfi West): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the only bridge on River Bisaa linking communities like Attaala, Berekum, Ohiampenika, Kwao and other communities on the Nkekenso Junction to Ohiampenika feeder road would be completed to enhance economic activities in the area.

*62. Mr Peter Nortsu-Kotoe (Akatsi North): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways what plans the Ministry has to construct speed ramps on the Ho-Denu road to stop the rampant pedestrian accidents leading to several deaths on the highway.

*63. Mr Kwame Asafu-Adjei (Nsuta- Kwamang/Beposo): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the construction of the 10- kilometre road from Oyoko to Banko-Nsuta would be completed.

*64. Mr Noah Ben Azure (Binduri): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the construction of the Bolgatanga - Bawku trunk road will be completed.

*66. Mr Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi (Asante Akim Central): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Konongo to Praaso Road would be completed.

Statements

Motions --

(a) That this Honourable House thanks H.E. the President for the Message on the State of the Nation which he delivered to Parliament on Tuesday, 25th February, 2014.

(Continuation of Debate)

Third Reading of Bills --

Anti-Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, 2013

Trademarks (Amendment) Bill, 2013

Consideration Stage of Bills --

Excise Duty Bill, 2013

Committee sittings.

Respectfully submitted, Mr Speaker.
Mr Philip Basoah 11:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am rising on Order 48. I have followed with keen interest and I can tell you that the numbers here are not good to undertake today's business. If we can apply Order 48, it would be good for the House.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 p.m.
Hon Member, what number are you talking about? Have you taken count?
Mr Basoah 11:15 p.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker. I have taken count.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 p.m.
What is the number in the Chamber?
Mr Basoah 11:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we can do headcount and you will know that. We are about 62 now.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 p.m.
You are only guessing.
Mr Basoah 11:15 p.m.
No, Mr Speaker, I am not guessing. I have counted.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 p.m.
All right. Hon Members, for the avoidance of doubt, I direct that the bell be tolled; we would have ten minutes after that to take a decision.
Thank you.
Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul 11:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, do not let any impression be given about the reference to the Order. But the attitude -- I hope the Hon Finance Minister is in this House -- the attitude of the Hon Finance Minister towards this House is what is causing the current problem we have in the House. [Hear! Hear!]
So, Mr Speaker, I do not want to over - emphasise the points, but Mr Speaker, if you would indulge this House for us to have fifteen minutes joint caucus, it would help this House. This is because the attitude is not good and even your Chair -- it is disrespect towards the Chair and I do not want to go and say more than that. But I can just say that, that attitude is not good for even the Chair itself.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 p.m.
I think that the point has been raised. I have directed that the bell be tolled; we can continue with the process and then after ten minutes, we can take a decision -- [Interruptions.] We are going by the rules. Please, let us have some order in this House.
Dr Matthew O. Prempeh 11:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise to comment on the statement made by the Hon Deputy Majority Leader on behalf of the Business Committee.
Mr Speaker, when the people of Manhyia South voted for me to come here, they voted for me to exercise as one of my functions, executive scrutiny. And Mr Speaker, to say that the most important statement being made in this House --
Dr Matthew O. Prempeh 11:15 p.m.


State of the Nation Address -- Members can only speak for 5 minutes, Mr Speaker, I would pray that the Business Committee thinks --

When one looks at the history in this House, before a Member gets up and says something coherent with a lot of clarity and a lot of punch, Mr Speaker, five minutes is woefully inadequate.

Mr Speaker, the President was supposed to come last Thursday but when things did not work out, it was agreed with the House for him to come next Tuesday. The House should know-- this Sitting of Parliament is about the State of the Nation Address. With all these things happening around the country, for us, we cannot even now speak -- Members of Parliament are voted for to come and speak and you are saying that you are giving us five minutes?

What makes you think that giving the mover of the Motion 20 minutes to thank the President and the seconder 20 minutes and Members of Parliament 5 minutes, is appreciative?

It is wrong, Mr Speaker and it is high time that --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 p.m.
Hon Member, your point is made. Let me hear from the Deputy Majority Leader.
Mr Agbesi 11:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Business Committee has programmed this State of the Nation Address and was put at the Table of the Speaker. The Speaker has looked at it and the Business Committee did not only stop there. We said that the time allocations may however be varied, based on the exigencies of the state of business on each Sitting day.
So, he has made a good point as and when it becomes necessary, subject to the direction of the Speaker, the time available may be varied. So, it is not a close circuit situation. We have taken into account
the importance of the Statement that will be made by the President and the need for Members of Parliament to make contributions towards it and we have said that as it becomes necessary, the time may be varied. That is the position as now, Mr Speaker.
Dr Anthony A. Osei 11:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Deputy Majority Leader did not even offer a reason the mover and the seconder were given 20 minutes and Members of Parliament were given five minutes. The presumption is that, they are more capable of speaking on the matter than the rest of all Members of Parliament. When we come to this floor to debate, we are all Members of Parliament.
So, I think your recommendation should be varied today, not when it happens. As he said, that is perhaps, one of the most biggest functions that Members of Parliament are going to speak, so that their constituents can hear about them. So, I think the Business Committee has brought the recommendation and I think that we should try and vary it today. We should not wait till Tuesday or Thursday.
I am proposing that the mover of the Motion and the seconder are cut down to 15 minutes and Members of Parliament moved up to 10 minutes, so that it will be better. Five minutes differential is alright but 15 minutes differential is completely unacceptable.
For some of us, the State of the Nation Address is mostly on the economy. The Deputy Majority Leader cannot tell me that he can speak more about the economy than myself. So, I think it is a fair proposal and I would want to plead with the Majority Leader that the Business Committee accepts this proposal, so that we can make progress.
I thank you.
Dr Benjamin B. Kunbuor 11:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we know that these figures are not arrived at arbitrarily. Normally, at the level of Leadership, we have some discussions
and we also bounce it off the Chair who will be presiding on that particular day. The issue that has come up time and time again has been that, as many Members of Parliament as possible should be given the opportunity to make a contribution. Beyond that, we are actually operating an agenda for this House and looking at the time frame and the extent to which we can let Hon Members make their input into this matter.
So, a lot of things go in but these are not cast in iron. The person presiding on that day, when we normally have our meetings before we come to the floor, we can always re-adjust this and even accommodate individual and specific cases. But this is a general template that we think would be used for now as a guide for the person who is presiding.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:15 p.m.
I thought the Majority Leader was going to respond to my specific proposal.This is because you are bringing a recommendation to the plenary and I have offered a proposal but you did not speak on it -- you said we should wait -- my point is that we can solve that now by accepting this proposal. I think it would help Hon Members prepare better.
Dr Kunbuor 11:15 p.m.
Definitely, I know it is a proposal but as I am saying, this is the Report of a committee. The House can vary it -- there is no issue about that but when an individual Member of the House, influential as he might be, should make a proposal, we must get the sense of the House before we arrive at that. So, it is not that one is deliberately ignoring what you are saying but we have to get the sense of the House.
Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu 11:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I wish to propose that in addition to the mover and the seconder, each Member should be allowed a minimum of ten minutes to debate.
Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu 11:25 a.m.
Hon Speaker, I also would want to add my voice and support the proposal that has been put forward by my Colleague from Bekwai. So, I would rather want to second his proposal, so that the Leader gets the sense of the House more appropriately. I think we all would want to support ordinary Members like me -- ten minutes has been the convention, so that the mover and the seconder should have the time that they have been given.
Dr Kunbuor 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I guess that I have not heard from this side of the House but I guess we are actually -- this is the representative of the sentiments of the House and we do not need to split hairs about allocation of time. I do not think it is a substantial issue. So, I would leave that entirely to Mr Speaker and you can give the directive on it and we proceed.
Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed: Mr Speaker, as much as I am not against anybody speaking for 10 minutes and actually speaking to the issues, does that also mean that if the person is speaking, excuse my words, if he is not making any sense, should we allow him to go on for 10 minutes?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
No, the Speaker will direct; do not worry.
Baba Jamal Ahmed: Then on that note, I would go by what they are suggesting.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Members, I think that the general sense of the House is that we increase the time for contribution by Members to 10 minutes and then we keep the Member who would move the Motion and seconder at 20 minutes. I think that is fair.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Member, you are out of order.
Yes, Hon Member for Sekondi.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Member for Akwatia made an unfortunate statement. I do not believe that statement should be left to go. It is most unfortunate and I am urging you to direct him to withdraw it. We are all Members of this House; to say that “what about Members who get up to speak and do not make sense,” that ought not to be allowed to stay, please.
Baba Jamal Ahmed: Mr Speaker, I think my senior Member, if he had listened to me well, I chose my words very carefully. When I was coming to mention that, I said “excuse my words.” This is because I knew I was going to make that statement, so, I said “excuse my words.” I know that if an Hon Member is speaking, and is not actually speaking to the issue or statement and is going off board, should the Speaker allow the Member to go on for 10 minutes?
So, what I am saying is that, excuse my words -- but I did not intend to offend anybody. I am saying that I agree to the 10 minutes, but if the Member on the floor is not speaking to the issue and going off board, what should we do? Should we just sit down and let the Member go on and on?
Dr Kunbuor 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I guess the Standing Orders are quite clear on this matter in relation to relevance of contributions and at the appropriate time, the person presiding will handle it. I only wanted to tell Hon Akoto Osei that Hon Naabu is recognised as the “Third Deputy Speaker” [Laughter] of this House and at the appropriate time you would hear him.
Mr Nitiwul 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, if it is really true that the Hon Member for Akwatia used the words that he used, then he may either withdraw or you order that those words be expunged from the records. He has refined what he said in the response but in the original text, it is still within the Hansard. So, those words should be expunged from the records.
Baba Jamal Ahmed: Mr Speaker, I still want to insist that I used my words carefully and when you are going to make a statement which you anticipate some ill-feeling about, you prefix it with that statement that I said “excuse my words”. This is because for lack of better word, which word am I going to use? That is why I started by saying “excuse my words”; I insist I used my words clearly and correctly and I do not think that it needs to be expunged.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Member, it depends on what you want to look at. “Excuse my words”, in the ordinary English parlance, what does it mean?
Baba Jamal Ahmed: Mr Speaker, I think all of us here, for example, I come from an Akan area and I represent an Akan constituency and in the tradition of the Akans, if you are going to make any statement that you anticipate ill-feeling, you start by saying “sebi” and it means “excuse my words”. I come from an Akan area and that is why I prefixed my words by saying that “excuse my words” and I do not think I intend to offend anybody or have said anything wrong. Most of us come from Akan areas and when you say “sebi”, we know what it means.
Mr Nitiwul 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I did not call on you to ask him to withdraw those words, I gave him the opportunity to humbly take out those parts that he said that “if you are not making sense”. This is because it can be very offensive. But the Hon Member is still insisting he comes
from an Akan- dominated constituency, even though he himself is not an Akan, that is why he used the words he used.
But the truth is that we are not speaking Akan here; we are speaking English and people are finding it offensive. So, Mr Speaker, I am making a request to you that, that portion should be expunged. So, the ruling comes from you, so that the Hon Member does not go on arguing. I am asking you to make a ruling, so that he can withdraw that portion, just take out those words; simple.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Very well. Hon Members, I think we have debated it quite extensively; I would want to direct that, that portion of the Hon Member's statement be expunged from the record.
Hon Members, we are still on the Business of the House; let us not digress.
Dr Owusu A. Akoto 11:25 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to make a comment on the Business Statement.
Mr Speaker, this is the fifth week ending 28th February, 2014 and I have in my hand here a Report of the Committee of Selection on the Composition of the Committees of the House dated 18 th November, 2013.
Mr Speaker, up till now, we have not seen any comment in the Business Statement on this Report. I am raising this issue because your Committee, Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs is being severely hampered because of the non-confirmation of the leadership.
We have not met this Session and there are a whole lot of issues arising in this country of great importance, including the devaluation furore which is raging; it has
a lot to do with agriculture and cocoa. I would plead with you, Mr Speaker, that as soon as possible, we bring this issue about this Report, so that we can conclude the selection to enable that the Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee start work very seriously on the issues confronting this country.
Dr Kunbuor 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it is a concern well expressed but you would know that the substantive Chairman of this Committee is Mr Speaker himself. I only just act for him because he cannot be presiding and moving the Motion. We are in consultations with him on this matter and I will bring it to his attention that this matter ought to be brought to a closure as soon as possible.
Mr Osei-Owusu 11:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Majority Leader has spoken but the reason for not presenting this Report and not acting timeously has not been clearly explained to the House. The important thing is that, the failure to do what ought to be done is hampering the business of the committees.

Maj. (Dr) (Alhaji) Mustapha Ahmed (retd) : Mr Speaker, the Hon Colleague Friend of mine keeps saying his committee. Mr Speaker, the committee is not his committee, so he should take note.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 p.m.
Very well.
Mr Osei-Owusu 11:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the correction. You are welcome.
Your committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs was composed in a manner which was almost impracticable for it to work effectively. There is a new arrangement to give it that effectiveness.
Unfortunately, that new arrangement is not confirmed. If we were insisting on the original arrangements, we would not be able to do any work. [Interruption.] This matter is taking rather too long and the earlier we resolved it the better for the work.
Dr Kunbuor 11:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we certainly have taken note of this matter but this House has had a lot of conventions and experiences over the period. I can understand that when you have your substantive Chairmen and Ranking Members, that will make for some consistency in terms of work.
But in this House, I have seen ordinary members of the Committee actually preside over committee matters. In fact, there was a time that a Ranking Member of a committee in this House consistently chaired the Committee when the Chairman was indisposed and the Vice Chairman had travelled out of the country.
So, once we are masters of our own rules, when we run into these difficulties, let us accommodate them but that is not an excuse that we should not press and ensure that this thing is brought to a closure as I indicated, as quickly as possible.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 p.m.
Thank you very much. I think this will bring to a close, the issue regarding the Report of the review of membership of committees.
Any other matter relating to the Business Statement?
Dr A. A. Osei 11:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I know you want us to be able to adopt the Business Statement and I have no difficulty with that. There is a matter on paragraph 3(c) of the Business Statement that I would want to address. But before that, I would want to advert your mind to the earlier issue that was raised by my Colleague from Kumawu.
I would want your opinion on that because since he raised the issue, ten minutes has past and I appreciate that we must adopt the Business Statement. I need your guidance. Could we, as a follow- up to what my Deputy said and perhaps, suspend Sitting and go into joint caucus to have a discussion and then come back?
Maybe, that would allow more numbers to come because I think it is very obvious that there is something that Hon Members may need to discuss but we do not want to abrogate Sitting. I can get the sense. After ten minutes, I would want to request that we suspend Sitting as we requested, let us go into joint caucus, so that the Whips can get more people to come.
I think it woud help move this business forward. I need your guidance on that.
Mr Agbesi 11:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I heard the Hon Member say that the statement made by his Deputy; I do not know Hon Dr A. A. Osei's Deputy.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, Deputy Minority Leader; he is my Deputy Minority Leader.
Mr Agbesi 11:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, oh! He did not mention that.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I elected him.
Mr Agbesi 11:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, he said his Deputy—[Interruption.]
Dr A. A. Osei 11:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, he was elected by my goodself.
Alhaji Inusah A. B. Fuseini 11:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, on a lighter note, Hon Dr A. A. Osei is the Ranking Member for the Finance Committee and his Deputy -- he has no deputy actually.
But on a more serious note, this morning, I have been more worried and I wanted to catch your eye to raise some issues touching on the Business Statement and the contribution of Hon Members. I was more particularly worried because when you look at Standing Order 93(2), it clearly says and I beg to quote:
“It shall be out of order to use offensive, abusive, insulting, blasphemous or unbecoming words or to impute improper motives to any other Member or to make personal allusions.”

Mr Speaker, my good Friend and brother, Hon Dr Prempeh, in speaking, said that it appears there is hardship in the country and then we are also being denied as Parliament. Members of Parliament are being denied the right to speak?

Again, imputing improper motives to the members of the Business Committee. I thought that as a House, in contributing to debates in this House, we must be mindful of the Standing Orders of this House in such a way that we can reflect a conduct that school children who are sitting up there in the Public Gallery can move back home and know that in Parliament, when we speak, we use decorous language.

So, I invite you, Mr Speaker, that in such discussions, we should be mindful

of the rules of this House. Lest it be said outside that in this House, we are —
Dr Prempeh 11:35 p.m.
Tweeeaaa
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 p.m.
Hon Member, that is unparliamentary.
Dr Prempeh 11:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I withdraw it.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 p.m.
Thank you.
Alhaji Fuseini 11:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, nobody has said Tweeeaaa; we did not hear it. [Laughter] and that was why I was struggling to catch your attention that we as Hon Members, elected to this House, have a responsibility to use language that can reflect the importance of this House.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 p.m.
Thank you very much for your comments. Unfortunately, because you did not catch my eye, you did not have the opportunity, so I think we will make some progress.
With regard to the Business Statement per se, anything outside it will not be allowed. The Business Statement as presented.
Mr Isaac K. Asiamah 11:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, on page 1, item number 3(a): Message on the State of the Nation.
Mr Speaker, I think the President was billed to deliver the Message this week but it has been rescheduled to next week Tuesday. As I heard the Hon Leader of the House, he did indicate that it was to pave the way, make sure that Hon Members will be at ease to prepare and welcome His Excellency.
Today is Friday. I do not think the interest of Hon Members is the painting and other decorations going out there. The interest of Hon Members as he said, is to make us more comfortable and at ease to receive His Excellency, the President.
Dr Kunbuor 11:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, well, I guess that this is purely a very internal house- keeping matter. [Interruptions.]And as I have been saying, I understand a few things not to allow myself to do on the floor what I should be doing in a separate environment. I have also heard the call for a Closed Sitting and all I will caution is that, it is indeed, true that you can force a donkey to the riverside but whether you can force the donkey to drink the water is another matter.
I know that a number of initiatives are in place and that even led to my coming to the floor late. And I am saying, you wait till we get all those things that are possibly within my power to fail, then I will let the House know they have. But so far, I think we are on course and we have not reached the day of the State of the Nation Address yet.
So, I will only plead with Hon Members that let us be a bit guided. Only we understand the language we are speaking, but let us not allow other people to pick up the vocabulary.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Hon Members, I think he has given the assurance. And I am referring same to the Committee on Government Assurance ; let us take his word for it, we should respect one another.
Mr Nitiwul 11:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, a Member raised the matter of quorum. The reason we suggested the suspension was not to be caught in that 10 minutes act. Otherwise, with the numbers we have, we should be closing Parliament by this time. Mr Speaker, that is one of the reasons to get out of it.
But Mr Speaker, I would not want to presume that the Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Tamale Central wants us to debate the statement I made here in the full glare of the public --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Hon Member, please, do not take us back. I have given my direction; let us end it there.
Mr Nitiwul 11:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, again too with the Majority Leader, in his absence, we took some decisions and I respect his view and I accept them. But Mr Speaker, the issues that are clearly on the table concern the Finance Minister and it would not be in our collective interest to continue where we are until we hear a few things.
The issues that we are going to continue are directly linked to the Finance Minister. That is why I asked, where is the Finance Minister? And you know in our little discussion, we took some decisions; not decisions, but I gave you a hint on what may happen. That is why I made that comment and I would urge that
-- 11:45 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Hon Members, we are dealing with the Business Statement. When we get to the bridge, we would cross it. Let us finish with the Business Statement.
Any more comments on the Business Statement?
Dr A. A. Osei 11:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, before I make my plea, I was going to speak on, I believe it is item number 3 (c), on the parking arrangements. I would want clarifications.
In the past, what has happened is that Hon Members are dropped at the back and the cars go to park. Is that the same arrangement or is it that we cannot even be dropped there?
I would want to make sure that there is clarity here, especially when we come
in here and non-Members of Parliament are allowed to drive here and some of them even park and some Members of Parliament are stopped there.
So, we have to make sure that privileges are for Hon Members, not executive members. So, I would want that clarification.
Dr Kunbuor 11:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we are in touch with the Marshall who is in touch with the security apparatus and would be communicating that very shortly. We did take up the matter at the Business Committee, but we chose for security reasons to present it in a very general manner without going into the specifics of how the special arrangements should be done.
What I can assure the Hon Member is that, Hon Members would be accorded all the respect, but at the same time, putting that together with the security architecture that would be deployed because His Excellency the President would be here.
Yesterday, I did on the lighter note tell the Business Committee that anytime the sword enters Parliament, the Mace disappears and I would want people to observe that very closely. That is on a lighter note.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Yes, anymore on the Business Statement?
Mr I. K. Asiamah 11:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on this same issue -- “Hon Members are kindly urged to adhere to arrangements made for parking of vehicles at the main car park reserved for Members of Parliament.”
Mr Speaker, where is the main car park? Is it all of us out there or here; we do not understand. Mr Speaker, in situations like this we are asked to stop over there and
then non-Members of Parliament enter here; even sometimes non-Ministers enter here with their vehicles. Mr Speaker, this is our House, let us take charge.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
I believe the point has been well taken.
Mr Alexander K. Afenyo-Markin 11:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, if it pleases you, I would like to draw your attention to an early concern raised by an Hon Member under Order 48.
Mr Speaker, I have, upon a count, we have spent 30 more minutes after that. And then upon a count, the figures stand at 61 and it continues to dwindle.
Mr Speaker, this is a House of procedure and it would need your special leave, but where there are express provisions, your discretion becomes disabled and I would beg that Mr Speaker gives his direction with respect to these express provisions of the rules of the House.
I am extremely grateful, Mr Speaker, for your indulgence.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Hon Member, thank you for drawing my attention to it. I am yet to receive the official figures from the Table Office. When I get it, we would deal with it.
In the meantime, I direct that the Business Statement as presented be adopted by the House.
Dr Kunbuor 11:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we can take item number 4 -- Questions.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
The Hon Minister for Roads and Highways?
Hon Members, the issue of quorum has been raised and I have directed the Table Office to do a headcount and to feed me in. As soon as that is done, I would be in a position to take a decision, one way or the other.
Mr Nitiwul 11:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it is because of this banter that was why I gave that 15 minutes break for us to have -- That was because somebody raised an issue.
The Hon Member for Effutu actually said this House is a House of rules and order. He was right when he said that but your attention was drawn 30 minutes ago. So, we have actually been violating our own rules for the past 20 minutes. So, for us now to be counting really, Mr Speaker, we may not have that luxury to be able to do that.
Otherwise, we ourselves would be accused of not following the rules of this nation. Rules that we have --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Hon Member, I have directed that they do a headcount and they would give me the figures. As soon as I get the figures, we would know the way forward. [Pause.]
Allright.
Hon Members, I think that having received the headcount from the Table Office, it is clear that we do not form a quorum. [Hear! Hear!] Accordingly, I direct that we bring proceedings to a close.
ADJOURNMENT 11:45 a.m.