Odekro | What has your MP done for you?

Mr Speaker

Hon Members, Correction of the Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 13th March, 2014.

Mr Speaker, sorry to take you back to page 7. I notice I have been captured as absent. A number of Hon Members together with I travelled on official assignment. We have all been captured as being absent.

Mr Speaker

Did you fill the Leave of Absence Form?

Mr Opare-Ansah

Mr Speaker, do we always have to?

Mr Speaker

Yes.

Mr Opare-Ansah

Mr Speaker, this brings to mind the matter that I had wanted to raise earlier. I was trying to catch your attention.

Mr Speaker

Hon Member, we are correcting Votes and Proceedings. Take your seat. I am aware you were on official assignment, but it is better that in future, you fill the Leave of Absence Form.

So Clerk's Office, they should be recorded as “absent with permission.”

Hon Members, the Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 13th March, 2014 as corrected be adopted as the true record of proceedings.

We also have the Official Report of Friday, 7th March, 2014 for correction.

Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh

Mr Speaker, column 1286 and with your kind permission, I beg to quote:
“Mr Speaker, I rise to seek some clearance. This is because I have filed a Question to the Minister for Trade and Industry and every Question…”
It should be “and that very Question.” So “and every Question” should be changed to “and that very Question has been advertised in the Order Paper continuously.”
Then on 1362, it states:
“Mr Speaker, rightly so. I said that the President has failed -- read my lips -- The President has failed to push in the necessary “wherewithal”, not “White Paper”. “White Paper” should be changed to “wherewithal” when it comes to research.”
Finally, column 1363, it states:
“Mr Speaker, yes, the policy of Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo that the free SHS Policy that was rejected by our friends on the other side today has become the cornerstone in Ghana's “politics” not “policy.”
Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker

Any other correction?
Hon Members, in the absence of any further correction, the Official Report of Friday, 7th March, 2014 as corrected is hereby adopted as the true record of proceedings.
Business Statement for the Eighth Week -- Chairman, Business Committee.

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

Mr Speaker, the Committee met

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

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 (Bos- omtwe): 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 David Hennric Yeboah (Afigya-Sekyere): 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 the 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

Consideration Stage of Bills --

Anti-Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, 2013 (Continuation)

Trademarks (Amendment) Bill, 2013

Excise Duty Bill, 2013

Committee sittings.

Questions--

*36. Mr Philip Basoah (Kumawu): To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing when compensation will be paid to persons who were affected during the construction of pipelines and the booster stations at the following areas: Kumawu, Pepeasi, Bodomasi, Ananagya, Abotanso and Besoro.

*46. Mr Bright Edward Kodzo Demordzi (Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro): To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing what plans the Ministry has to solve the water problems in Bortianor, Kokrobite and Tuba in the Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro Constituency.

*47. Mr Kwame Asafu-Adjei (Nsuta- Kwamang/Beposo):To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing the status of the Mampong Water Project, specifically the Nsuta Beposo programme.

*48. Mr Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi (Asante Akim Central): To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing when the expansion of the Konongo Water Project will be completed.

*49. Mr Frank Boakye Agyen (Effiduase/Asokore): To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing whether there

are plans by the Ministry to rehabilitate the boreholes, reservoir tanks and pipelines that supply water to Effiduase Township, if so, what steps are being taken in that direction.

Statements

Presentation of Papers --

Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of taxes, Customs Duties, Value Added Tax, National Health Insurance Levy, Destination Inspection Fees, Export Development Fund Levy and ECOWAS Levy amounting to GH¢3,793,352.05 on goods and equipment required for the implementation of the Awoshie- Pokuase Road Construction and Community Development Project.

Motion --

That this House urges the Hon Minister for Health to review the ongoing Health Insurance “Capi- tation” programme being implemen- ted by the National Health Insurance Authority in the Ashanti Region and to report to the House on the way forward within four weeks.

(Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh) (Dr Richard Winfred Anane)

Consideration Stage of Bills --

Anti-Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, 2013 (Continuation)

Trademarks (Amendment) Bill, 2013 (Continuation)

Excise Duty Bill, 2013 (Continuation)

Committee sittings.

Questions --

*78. Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh (Nsawam-Adoagyiri): To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry what the Ministry is doing to support the pineapple business and non-traditional export crops generally in Ghana.

Statements

Presentation of Papers --

(a) Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Petroleum Agreement among the Government of the Republic of Ghana, Ghana National Petroleum Company Limited (GNPC), GNPC Exploration Company Limited, Camac Energy Ghana Limited and Base Energy Ghana Limited for the conduct of Exploration, Develop- ment and Production Operations in the Expanded Shallow Water Tano Block, Offshore of the Republic of Ghana.

(b) Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Petroleum Agreement among the Government of the Republic of Ghana, Ghana National Petroleum Company Limited (GNPC) and Amni International Petroleum Development Company Limited for the conduct of Exploration, Development and Production Operations in the Central Tano Block, Offshore of the Republic of Ghana.

Consideration Stage of Bills --

Trademarks (Amendment) Bill, 2013 (Continuation)

Excise Duty Bill, 2013 (Continuation)

Committee sittings.

Questions --

*31. Mr John Gyetuah (Amenfi West): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the following feeder roads will be rehabilitated: (a) Kwabeng- Nyame Nnae (b) Nyame Nnae- Nkwan- tanum (c) AsankromOda- Fordjour- krom (d) Gonukrom- Kamaso- Kamaboi-Kwawdo-buakrom.

*32. Mr John Gyetuah (Amenfi West): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the following feeder roads will be rehabilitated: (a) Nkekenso -- Junction-Benafie (b) Bena Nkwanta -Ohiampenika (c) Bokakore- Fordjourkrom (d) Asankran Breman - Afiena.

*33. Mr Kennedy Nyarko Osei (Akim Swedru): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways what the current status of the following roads are: (a) Akim Oda-Awisa (b) Akim Swedru-Apoli (c) Akim Swedru - Akotsi.

*39. Mr Bright Edward Kodzo Demordzi (Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways what plans the Ministry has towards the construction of the Old Bortianor - Kokrobite Tuba Junction road and the Amanfro Junction-Amanfro Top town road.

*59. Mr Matthew Nyindam (Kpandai): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the roads linking Salaga and Kpandai, Buya through

Kpandai to Wulensi and Salaga to Gulibe Quarters will be constructed.

Statements

Motions --

Third Reading of Bills --

Anti-Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, 2013

Trademarks (Amendment) Bill, 2013

Excise Duty Bill, 2013

Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of taxes, Customs Duties, Value Added Tax, National Health Insurance Levy, Destination Inspection Fees, Export Develop- ment Fund Levy and ECOWAS Levy amounting to GH¢3,793,352.05 on good and equipment required for the implementation of the Awoshie - Pokuase Road Construction and Community Development Project.

Committee sittings.

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker, I am in consultation with the Finance Committee and I have been advised that, it would be possible, given the programme that they are putting in place to speed it up.

Mr Speaker

I have asked the Clerks at-the-Table to inform me of the status of that question, whether it has reached my table and whether I have admitted it. It is when it is admitted that the Business Committee programmes those Questions. So, I have asked them to find out the status of that question.

Mr Ntim

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Collins Owusu-Amankwah

Mr Speaker, with your kind permission, I would want to enquire from the Leadership, how far they have gone with their investigation into the bribery allegation made by the Hon Member of Parliament for Nadowli/Kaleo. Mr Speaker, I think we have a duty to ensure that the
dignity and sanctity of this noble House as the supreme law making body -- [Interruptions] --
Mr Speaker, should I continue?
Allright, thank you very much.
Mr Speaker, your goodself would admit that, corruption is a major impediment to our development and as such, any comment that indicts this noble House should be well investigated because -- [Interruptions] -- The Hon Member of Parliament for Nadowli/Kaleo seeks to create an impression that some Members of this House --

Mr Speaker

Hon Member, on Tuesday, I was on an engagement outside this House and the Hon Second Deputy Speaker was in the Chair. I am aware that the matter was raised and a certain directive was given. This morning, I have received briefing from the Leadership of the House on this matter and at the appropriate time, the Leadership would make a comment on this matter. So, let us for now concentrate on what has been programmed for next week and at the appropriate time, I would call the Leadership of the House to brief us.

Mr Owusu-Amankwah

Thank you Mr Speaker.

Mr Kofi Frimpong

Mr Speaker, on the 7 th of February, 2014, I made a Statement on this floor of Parliament concerning police brutalities against my people at Kenyasi. Mr Speaker, in your own wisdom, you directed the Inspector- General of Police (IGP) to investigate and report to your good office in two weeks Mr Speaker, two weeks have elapsed, we are in the fourth week, my people have not heard anything about that.
I believe that, if he had submitted the report to you, it would have been part of the Business Statement for the week. I have not heard anything about that. Mr Speaker, I would want to know whether the IGP has obliged or not. If yes or no, what steps is Mr Speaker taking?
Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Noah Ben Azure

Thank you Mr Speaker. On the fifth week, my question was one of the Questions that was admitted and they deferred it because of the -- [Interruptions.] Mr Speaker, I am saying that on the fifth week, my Question was admitted -- [Interruptions] and it was supposed to be deferred to this week -- I have gone through the Questions but my name is not there and my Question is not there. I would want to find out from Mr Speaker whether my Question would be re-scheduled or not.
Thank you very much.

Dr Kunbuor

Very soon.We are handling the last level of consultation. I could say many more things on this matter, but I guess we are almost getting there, so let me leave it at that.

Mr Frederick Opare-Ansah

Mr Speaker, a critical look at the Business Statement, and like all previous Business Statements, show that, there is no time for each day that we sit stated on the business statement. When you look at Order 40 (2), you would realise that the Standing Orders has already made provision for when this House is supposed to begin Sitting and it calls it ‘ordinarily'.
Mr Speaker, ordinarily, we also rise at 2.00p.m. and when we do not rise at 2.00p.m. reasons are adduced and an extension is given for extending that days Sitting.
Mr Speaker, today, we sat here till almost mid-day and that tells me it is not an ordinary Sitting, because ordinarily, we should have started Sitting at 10.00 a.m. So can the Majority Leader and Minister for Government Business in Parliament tell us what is extraordinary about today that we had to start so late, and can he assure us that in the Business Statement he has presented to this House today,Sittings would start as prescribed by the Standing Orders?

Dr Kunbuor

Well, the evidence is that, I have always known that Fridays have always been a different day from all other days that the House Sits. As to whether it is ordinary or extra ordinary, I am not capable of giving that answer. But there are two important things that had to be handled, one has been alluded to by Mr Speaker, in which leadership was having some consultation to find the most appropriate way to engage that issue, because we knew it was bound to come up.
The second one was that, Hon Members were informed that we would meet here for a joint caucus meeting at 9.00 a.m. I was here at 8.30 a.m, I came to the Chamber exactly at 9.00 a.m, there were only two members who were in the
Chamber. I came back at 9.30 a.m. and there were 15 Members who were here and by the time I left the Chamber, the 15 had reduced to five. That is what is extra- ordinary.

Mr Ignatius BaffourAwuah

Mr Speaker, last week, I raised the issue of a Motion that I filed with your goodself requesting that the Electoral Commis- sioner be invited here to brief the House on his preparation towards the holding of the 2014 District Assembly Elections.
I was told that there is a programme for him to come to the House to brief us in a Committee of a Whole. Unfortunately, Mr Speaker, I have not seen any such programme on the Business Statement. So I would want to know from the Chairman of the Business Committee when the Electoral Commissioner is coming to brief this House.

Dr Kunbuor

We have two ways of rendering this. Indeed, it would be in a Committee meeting and you would see that we have made provision on some specific days for Committee meetings. We are still dealing with the details of the exact timing and I am sure you would be informed in due course when that would take place. But it would be within one of the Committee Sittings.

Dr Anthony A. Osei

Mr Speaker, the Hon Majority Leader said when he came here, first, they were five and 15. I would want to assure him that there were a lot of people sitting out here before 9.o'clock. They were waiting for the Leadership to tell us that the meeting was -- I can confirm that; I was part of the group in the Coffee shop.

Mr Speaker

Was the meeting taking place at the Coffee shop or in the Chamber?

Dr Anthony A. Osei

We were not even sure that the Leadership was around, so we were expecting that they would call us when they were ready. That is because the issues were so important that Members came here, in fact some Members were so bored that they had to order kenkey to eat.
A Member: Kenkey?

Dr Anthony A. Osei

Yes.
A Member: For breakfast?

Dr Anthony A. Osei

Yes. Mr Speaker, the matters are very serious and we hope that Leadership would find a way to still look at it.

Dr Kunbuor

Well, I am not privy to that outside the Chamber development, and I do not have sufficient explanation for those who were here with me and left.

Mr Speaker

Hon Members, we are considering the Business Statement. As much as possible, this is what the Business Committee has programmed for us, so it should as much as possible be on the Business Statement.

Dr Kunbuor

This matter was raised about two weeks ago in this House and an explanation was given. This is because it has something to do with the state of the law and the international arbitration that is taking place; and the advice is that, we should allow the international arbitration ruling before we consider it. This is because there are likely to be some prejudicial things that could go against the national interest. So, we are in touch with the Attorney-General's Department. Immediately we get the clear sign, we would convene it, because I am chairing that Committee.
We have also sent out almost all the basic information, and we are still in contact with some of the consultants who are doing detailed write-ups to us. So we would make sure the Committee is convened as quickly as possible after that arbitration matter.

Mr Afenyo-Markin

Mr Speaker, I thank you so much indeed. Mr Speaker, I am on my feet to seek your guidance.

Mr Speaker

We are discussing the Business Statement of the House for next week. So if you want a guidance,which does not relate to the Business Statement, see me in my Lobby.

Mr Afenyo-Markin

Mr Speaker, rightly so, it is related to this matter before us.

Mr Speaker

Hon Member, please, if it has nothing to do with the Business Statement, then please, that brings us to the end of --

Mr Speaker

Yes, Hon Member for Akropong.

Dr Kunbuor

Thank you Mr Speaker. The issue of the financial constraints was raised yesterday, I guessed, in one of our meetings in which we have been struggling to find out the formal request. I know the issue has been raised but we have not had the formal request.
This is because I tried to trace it even from my secretariat through the book. Except I was to link up with the Clerk to find out -- sometimes some of these communications because they are special committees, would go to the Clerk directly.
Immediately after that, we would cross check with the Clerk to Parliament directly and then the Clerk to the Committee to see exactly where this specific financial request is.

Dr Kunbuor

The Leadership has not had a problem, we were even looking for alternative sources because, we guess that in addition to the Star Ghana portion, when the Report gets to the consultancy stage and gets back to the Committee, the meetings that would be taking place, would be more regular and intensive. So we are certainly putting in all the contingency measures to ensure that that happens.

Dr Anthony A. Osei

-- rose --

Mr Speaker

On the same issue?

Dr A. A. Osei

Mr Speaker, the name ‘Star Ghana' came up. It has come up in an issue that the Ad Hoc Committee on Leadership is discussing. I think we ought to be careful that we do not go in the direction that may in the future, come to haunt us.

Mr Speaker

Hon Members, I have just discussed it with the Clerk. I have directed him that, there are some resources for Committee work and they should make those resources immediately available to

the Ad Hoc Committee on Code of Ethics, so that they can complete their work and submit a report to the House as soon as possible. We have traced where the request is, so there is no problem. It is true that they actually submitted a request.

Hon Members, that brings us to the end of the consideration of the Business Statement for next week.

Business Statement for next week accordingly adopted.

Statements, Hon Majority Leader?

Majority Leader (Dr Benjamin B. Kunbuor)

Thank you Mr Speaker. Given the matter that was raised this morning by the Hon Member, and the meeting that has been held by the leadership -- I am sure that there are two levels of reference, ‘leaders' and then the “ship”, and sometimes when they use ‘leaders', it excludes the “ship”.
This has been the ‘leaders' with the “ship” that has been meeting -- we have considered the developments on the issue that has been in the Media for sometime and our counsel is that, we do make a brief statement on the floor in relation to the issue and as we prepare to engage the issue. This is because the public is quite interested in what the House is doing with these matters.
With your leave Mr Speaker, there is an agreed text that we have made which with your indulgence, I would like to read

Majority Leader (Dr Benjamin B. Kunbuor)

on the floor. And the Minority Leader would make his contribution and then we can listen to your directive.

Mr Speaker

Please, go ahead.

Dr Kunbuor

The issue of bribery has dominated the Social Media and public discourse over the past week. Discu- ssions on the subject-matter in recent times have cited some Hon Members of Parliament, among other state func- tionaries, as possible culprits.
The recent statement allegedly made by a former Leader of the House, who is the Hon Member for Nadowli-Kaleo, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin and published in the Monday, 10th March 2014 edition of the Daily Graphic has further aggravated concerns on the issue.
The attention of the House has been drawn to the publication of the alleged statement by the Hon Member to the effect that:
“The reality is that MPs are Ghananains and there is evidence that some MPs take bribes and come to the floor and try to articulate the views of their sponsors.

Mr Bagbin allegedly added

“This is because in Ghana we have not developed what we call lobbying. There are rules; there are ethics regarding lobbying and we in Ghana think that lobbying is taking money, giving it to MPs and writing pieces for them to go and articulate on the floor. That is bribery.”
The Daily Graphic further reported that:
“Mr Bagbin said there was a way MPs could be lobbied without
paying bribes, adding that such lobbying could take the form of capacity-building for MPs on particular or relevant subjects”.
“He said organisations and individuals who wanted to influence Bills could bring MPs together at a forum and build their capacities on the issues they sought to influence, so that the MPs could make meaningful contributions on the issues on the floor of the House. That, he said was more acceptable than offering bribes.”
The alleged statement has since attracted various public commentaries on the facilitation of the work of MPs and Parliamentary Committees which has been construed as bribery. Indeed, in some jurisdictions, such facilitation is con- sidered as lobbying with clearly defined rules of engagement.
The Leadership of the House is not unaware of the fine line of distinction between lobbying and bribery, especially, in our case where there are no specified rules to govern such practice and has over the years cautioned Members on their dealings with stakeholders.
It may be recalled that, Mr Speaker in his opening Address at the 1st Post Budget Workshop for Committee Chairpersons, Ranking Members and some Back- benchers of this Parliament, organised from the 6th to 8th of March, 2013, at Koforidua advised against the depen- dence of Parliamentary Committees on MDAs as well as the interface between such Committees and other Stakeholders in the consideration and facilitation of Parliamentary Business.
Pursuant to this admonition, the House on the 4th of July, 2013, constituted a Committee chaired by the Hon Member
for Nadowli Kaleo to draft a Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament. The House is aware that this Committee has held series of meetings and is in the process of finalising a report, which is to be laid before the House.
It must be stated that, it is in the interest of this country to help strengthen Parliament to perform its functions effectively. It is in this regard that, the Leadership of the House has taken particular interest in the allegations attributed to the Hon Member for Nadowli- Kaleo Constituency. The House accord- ingly tasked the Leadership to engage the Hon Member concerned on the matter and advise Parliament on it.
Unfortunately, the Hon Member is still out of the jurisdiction on official assignment and the Leadership would engage him on his return.
Leadership assures that whatever is appropriate would be done to elicit the truthin this matter, and no effort would be spared in this regard. Notwithstanding, Leadership, pursuant to the mandate for the time being given by the House, appeals to any person who may have any evidence to present such information to the Clerk to Parliament for onward transmission to leadership.

Dr Kunbuor

Thank you Mr Speaker. [Hear! Hear!]

Minority Leader (Mr Osei-Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu)

Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity. The statements rendered by the Hon Majority Leader encapsulates the sentiments of Hon Members, and at this stage, I only plead with colleague Hon Members of Parliament to exercise the greatest circumspection in further commenting on this matter.
Mr Speaker, we certainly want to delve to the bottom of this matter but we should all recognise that, Parliament is the weakest limb in the scheme of governance and so not having come to the conclusion of this matter, it may appear a bit preposterous to add fuel to what discourse is going out there some of them meant to scandalise Parliament. We would want to get to the bottom but let us be very circumspective and not play into the hands of persons who may not really know the operations of Parliament.
Some people wish Parliament well, but do not know how Parliament operates. So I would plead with our Hon colleagues, especially, those of us who are here in this House, to restrain ourselves from further commenting on it, until we hear from our colleague. As the Hon Majority Leader has said, we would not spare any effort to get to the bottom of this.
Parliament as an institution, has the oversight responsibility in respect of the other Arms of Government, to ensure value for money, and if in pursuing our assignments, we ourselves have become compromised, it would not serve any useful purpose performing our constitutionally mandated responsibilities, to derogate from our own efforts. So it is important that we set our House in order, but we must be armed with the facts first.
So Mr Speaker, restraint and circum- spection are the words that I would proffer to my Hon Colleagues, but certainly, we are all determined to get to the bottom of this matter.
I thank you very much.

Mr Speaker

Hon Members, I would defer further comments on this matter and wait till the time the leadership of the House advises this House on the way forward. I believe and I have full confidence in the Leadership of the House, that they would pursue this matter and give us the necessary advice that would help this House redeem its dignity.

Mr Speaker

Once we do that, it is important that the ad hoc Committee that was set-up sometime in July last year, submits its Report to the House as early as possible.

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker, we would take item 5.

Mr Speaker

Item number 5, presentation of Papers by the Chairman of the Finance Committee --

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker, we had to do some quick consultations. Mr Speaker, would realize as the Hon Member for Tafo did raise, that there was an original arrangement before the House sat to hold a joint caucus meeting to address a number of issues.
Initially, Leadership understood it to be a single issue, but in our interaction with the various caucuses, two important matters came up. One of them was to request the attendance of the Hon Minister for Finance and other matters related to the Statutory Funds. We have found that, most of these issues are legitimate and we would want to handle them properly. So, we would want to
actually reschedule the joint Caucus Meeting to the time that these officials would actually be in town and be in attendance.
We were having the consultations to find out whether we could get one of them. Unfortunately, they are engaged in other areas outside Accra. So in the absence of any other matter, I would like to move, that the House adjourns to Tuesday, the 18th of March, 2014 in the forenoon.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Mr Speaker, as the Hon Majority Leader has indicated, yesterday, at the time of adjournment, assurance was given that we would have the joint Caucus Meeting this morning before commencing Sitting. So, I think Hon Members came prepared, that we were going to have the joint Caucus meeting. There was even a threat that if we did not hold the joint Caucus Meeting, Parliament was not going to Sit.
Mr Speaker, it is most unfortunate that the person at the centre has had to travel to the Western Region. He just passed on information to us that he has had to fly out to the Western Region to be with the President. This is because he is such a central character, we do not think that we can hold this meeting in his absence, which is why I would want to agree with the Hon Majority Leader. I had assured my side of the House that, it was going to happen after the adjournment and it may appear as if I have misled them.

So, Mr Speaker, that being the case and that being the information that we have just received, I would want to agree with the Hon Majority Leader that at this stage, we may have to adjourn, except that we should have the assurance that early next week, all these matters and other related matters would be sorted out.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Speaker

Hon Member, Motion has been moved and seconded -- [Interruption] -- Hon Member for Old Tafo, I would relax the rules and then take your --

Dr A. A. Osei

Mr Speaker, since the Motion has been moved and seconded, you are referring it to the plenary -- Mr Speaker, I was informed yesterday that, the Hon Minister is travelling on Saturday for a week -- [Interruption] -- For a week to China. So he would be away, if what they told me yesterday is correct, the same person would have to travel tomorrow for a week. So clearly, nothing can happen in a week.
I would therefore, want to ask the Hon Majority Leader to ask the Hon Minister to give the necessary assurance so that the Hon Deputy Minister can act on his behalf. Otherwise, this going --

Dr Kunbuor

I have no doubt about the source of the information and integrity of the Hon Member. But I would want as public administration requires, to cross- check and get the confirmation that the Hon Minister is indeed, travelling and going to China. I too would have heard it in the corridors, but I would want an official correspondence on it and we would take the necessary assurances on the matter.

Mr Speaker

Hon Members, do not be worried. Ultimately, we under the law would have to approve all these formulas. We will have to; the Hon Minister would have to come here. So, I would ask the Leadership to take up this matter so that the joint Caucus Meeting or whichever Committee would handle this matter handles it as early as possible. That is my directive on the matter.
Hon Majority Leader --

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker, we have moved the Motion, but because you relaxed the rules I would say the Motion as moved and seconded still stands.

Mr Speaker

Hon Members, I would put the question. [Uproar!]

Dr Kunbuor

Mr Speaker, I guess that because it is just normally a formality, I would want to indulge Mr Speaker, to actually expand on the nature of this vote that we are taking to include the fact that, this House stands adjourned. Perhaps, some people are not clear on what exactly the Motion is, so that we take the vote again. If Hon Members decide -- [Interruption.] That they do not want the House adjourned, then Leadership can have a consultation on it.

Mr Speaker

In fact, that is precisely what I was going to say. Hon Member for Sekondi, thank you very, very much. There is a strong sentiment in the House, which should not be disregarded.
Hon Members of Leadership, I have added the “ship”. [Laughter.] I think that Members have some concerns and I would urge that after the adjournment, you may have to meet.
The House is adjourned till Tuesday, at 10.00 o'clock in the forenoon. I direct that there should be a joint Caucus after the adjournment of the House.
Hon Members, we thank you very much.

Debates of 14 Mar 2014

PRAYERS

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

STATEMENTS

PAPERS

ADJOURNMENT