Debates of 19 Mar 2014

MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:40 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:40 a.m.
  • [No correction was made to the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 18th March, 2014.]
    • Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Hon Members, there is no Official Report. Hon Members, Question time.Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Deputy Majority Leader: Mr Speaker, with your permission, we would want to vary the order of Business to take item number 5 for the Hon Deputy Minister to present the Papers in order for him to go and do another official Business for and on behalf of Parliament.
    Dr Anthony A. Osei 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, our Orders do not allow the Leadership to vary -- Our Orders give him permission to request for variation. The Hon Deputy Majority Leader says he wants to vary; he cannot vary [Interruptions.]
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Hon Member, please address the Chair.
    Dr Anthony A. Osei 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, he needs to request your indulgence to vary but his sentence was, “We would want to vary”. He wants to assume your powers and I think it is unfair. He should please, make a request.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader, please, put in the request and let us see that it is granted.
    Mr Agbesi 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, if my Hon Colleague tried to listen -- I did not get up to say that I would want to vary, I said,
    “With your permission, I plead that we should vary the order of business”.
    That is what I said.
    In any case, we would want to seek your permission to vary the order of Business so that the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance can lay the Papers in item number 5 in order to attend to an urgent business for and on behalf of Parliament.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Very well.
    Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I really do not have a problem with this side of the House to cede to that request. Butlike I said before, I would not have had anything to do with the Ministry of Finance and anything that they bring, but because of the work the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance is going to do on behalf of the people of Ghana and on our own behalf, I would agree to this only on condition that what he is going to do is successful.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Thank you very much.
    All right -- then in that respect, we grant permission for the variation of the Business.
    Mrs Ursula OwusuAkuffo — rose —
    Mr Agbesi 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, item number 5 —
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Hold on. Yes, Hon Member —
    Mrs Owusu Akuffo 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you.
    Looking round, I believe that we do not form the requisite quorum to conduct
    business. I am coming under Standing Order 48 and it is 10 minutes to 11 o'clock and I believe that there are not one-third percent of the membership of the House.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Hon Members, it is not a question of your belief, have you done a headcount?
    Mrs Owusu 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, yes.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    What is the figure?
    Mrs Owusu Akuffo 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, there are 72 Hon Members in the House.
    Mr Agbesi 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think the Standing Orders allow even if—
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    So, I direct that the bell be rung while we wait for 10 extra minutes
    Hon. Deputy Majority Leader, you have the floor.
    Mr Agbesi 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, item number 5 -- Presentation of Papers.
    PAPERS 10:40 a.m.
    Dr A. A. Osei 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I just want to ask the Hon Minister or the Clerk-At- Table -- whoever has the answer -- if there are sufficient copies. The reason why I ask is that yesterday, as you saw, we could not get sufficient copies of the Answers to a Question. So, we want to make sure that there are sufficient copies
    of this paper that are going to be distributed, so that we can find our way to —
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Very well. Hon Member, I am advised by the Table Office that we have as many as 300 copies of the document.
    Dr A. A. Osei 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, may I indulge you? Last time a Paper was laid on the VTB Capital issue. [Interruption.] Hold on. There were 300 copies but they were not made available to us until much later. So, if you can please, make sure they distribute it as quickly as possible.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Very well. Table Office, please take note.
    MrAgbesi 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we can then go back to the Question time, Item number
    3.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Do you have the Hon Minister in the Chamber?
    Mr Agbesi 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, yes. The Hon Minister for Water Resources, is in the House. The Hon Minister is here.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Hon Members, the first Question stands in the name of Hon Philip Basoah.
    ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 10:40 a.m.
    MINISTRY OF WATER 10:40 a.m.
    RESOURCES, WORKS AND HOUSING 10:40 a.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Hon Member, do you have a follow up question?
    Mr Basoah 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, yes.
    I word want to ask the Hon Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing when construction of pipelines at the following towns under the Kumawu Water Project will begin --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Hon Member, so you do not have any follow up questions? You are moving on to the next Question.
    Very well, just hold your breath. Hold your breath and let us see if any Hon Member has any follow-up questions.
    Dr Matthew OpokuPrempeh 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, will the Hon Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing tell this House how, after the compensation for crops and lands -- and after the pipelines have been laid -- These farmers are deprived of livelihood from going onto where these pipelines are laid. How are these farmers going to survive year in, year after they have compensated them for the crop?
    Alhaji Dauda 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the Answer, I indicated that compensation takes two forms. Crops compensation and lands compensation. I guess that in the evaluation of the land compensation the concerns of the Hon Member will be taken on board by the Lands Valuation Division.
    Mr Nitiwul 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Project is a US$236 million project. The Hon Minister is telling this House that compensation is only GH¢77,833 for lands and crops -- Only GH¢77,833? That is less than US$25,000.
    Mr Speaker, how many people are we talking about. How many are affected in terms of the compensation, both land and crops so that I will know exactly the income of one person? Maybe, it is one dollar.
    Alhaji Dauda 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minority Leader knows well that the determination of compensation is not done by the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing but by the Lands Valuation Division of the Lands
    Commission and therefore what they come out with, is what we pay.
    So, that is the response to the first part of his question. The second part which demands the number of persons, I am unable to provide that here and now and I therefore, with your indulgence will ask for notice. Thank you very much.
    Mr Nitiwul — rose —
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Is it a follow- up?
    Mr Nitiwul 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, yes.
    Mr Dominic Nitiwul 11 a.m.
    Yes,Mr Speaker.
    If the Hon Minister is able to tell us the quantum of compensation, he should be able to tell us the number of people involved. This is because one must know the quantum of land involved and the ownership before one will be able to calculate the compensation.
    Clearly, the Question gave the Hon Minister ample time to be able to know the compensation that is being paid because that is exactly the compensation. So Mr Speaker, I really demand that the Hon Minister tells us exactly the number of people who are to be compensated.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minority Leader, I believe that is why he has told you that a certain Ministry and Department are responsible for that. So, he will not be in a position to give you the answer that you require. That is what he has clearly said. It is the Land Valuation Division that carries out the exercise.
    MrNitiwul 11 a.m.
    But Mr Speaker, he carries out the payment; his Ministry is responsible for the execution. So, all information from Land Valuation lands at the doorstep of his Ministry. So, he is the
    one who has the information, not them -- [Interruption] -- Once the Question was asked about compensation, the first thing anybody would want to know is how many people are involved. This is because I see a US$236 million dollar project with a compensation of GH¢77,883, which is about 25,000 dollars -- [Interruption] - -That, in the first place -- in my view, is too meagre.
    So I would want to find out how many people are involved.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
    Hon Member, I believe that we would be erring if we looked at it on the surface -- [Interruption]
    We would want to go into the details of the project. How much it is going to cost us -- [Interruption] -- We are talking about compensation and it is the Land Valuation Division that carries out that exercise and comes with the report indicating how much should be paid.
    If on the other hand you would want him to find out from the Lands Valuation Division of these figures and things, you probably would have to give him notice and then he would do so and let this House have the requisite response.
    Mr David T. Assumeng 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, may I know from the Hon Minister whether the GH¢77,883.00 is a Government of Ghana (GoG) component or part of the project cost?
    Alhaji Dauda 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, compensa- tion payment is a Government of Ghana project.
    Thank you.
    Prof George Y. Gyan-Baffour 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, his Answer, the last paragraph looks a bit unclear, in my view -- He says and Mr Speaker with your permission I quote:
    Alhaji Dauda 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, compensa- tion paid so far for work that has been evaluated by the Lands Valuation Division of the Lands Commission is what has been paid. So we are waiting for Lands Valuation Division to continue with the valuation and come out with figures for us to pay. So what is captured here is what has been evaluated by the Lands Valuation Division and paid.
    Prof Gyan-Baffour 11 a.m.
    So the payment would be more than GH¢77 thousand, finally? It is not the total that has been paid but something more would be paid? How much would that be?Do you not know?
    Alhaji Dauda 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I indicated in the Answer that the next tranche would be determined by the Lands Valuation Division, and as they come with their reports, we would pay. That is what it is.
    Dr Owusu A.Akoto 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the third paragraph of the Answer says that the first tranche of crop compensation payment was made in December, 2013. Does it mean that the amount paid for the first tranche is GH¢77,883? And if so how many more tranches are to come before the full payment to the farmers?
    Alhaji Dauda 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the payment for compensation is done in a systematic manner. When the Lands Valuation Division comes up with a report asking us to pay, we pay. So, what is captured here does not reflect the total compensation involved in the total works done. But it is for crop compensation assessed by Lands Valuation Division as we speak today. So that is what is captured -- lands and crops so far paid, is what we have indicated here.
    Mr Kwasi Amoako-Attah 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you very much for this opportunity. Mr Speaker, we are talking here about a single project and it presupposes that before the project took off, Government and for that matter, the Ministry should have known its total liability in carrying out this project.
    If you take paragraph 4 of the Hon Minister's Answer, he alludes to the fact that the outstanding land compensation -- and I am quoting him with your permission, Mr Speaker --
    “Outstanding land compensation will be made after valuation by the Lands Valuation Division.”
    Mr Speaker, I want to ask the Hon Minister whether this presupposes that the Ministry and for that matter, the Government did not know the extent of its liability to the various people in the various communities before the project took off?
    Alhaji Dauda 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in a project like this, if you take, for instance, the area where land on which we would do the treatment plant, the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing is able to determine the size of land that would be required for the treatment plant. We are also able to determine the right of way of the transmission and distribution lines.
    But we lack the capacity to determine the compensation. We determine the size of the lands required and it is passed on to the Lands Valuation Division of the Lands Commission to determine the compensation. That is where we are now.
    Dr Prempeh 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to know from the Hon Minister -- land compensation always goes to the stools and the chiefs especially in the Ashanti Region. But crop compensation goes to the farmers who are farming on that particular land.
    Mr Speaker, when you put a reservoir on a land that farmer is deprived of livelihood for the rest of his or her life. I would want the Hon Minister to tell me the mitigation measures as part of this project -- those farmers whose lands are being taken for these reservoirs, how are they going to eat for the rest of their lives.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    Hon Member, I think that question is out of order -- [Interruption] -- seriously. We are talking about facts and figures.
    Now, let us move on to the next Question -- Hon Philip Basoah --

    Construction of pipelines in the Kumawu District

    Q.37. Mr Philip Basoah asked the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing when construction of pipelines

    in the following towns in the Sekyere Kumawu District under the Kumawu Water Project would begin: (i) Sekyere (ii) Banko (iii) Akrofouso (iv) Woraso (v) Bomeng (vi) Oyoko (vii) Dadeasi (viii) Asekyerewa (ix) Akrokyere.
    Alhaji Dauda 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Kumawu Water Supply project is part of the 3Ks water supply project which involves the expansion of the water systems serving Kumawu, Konongo, and Kwahu Ridge.
    The project which is estimated to cost US$236 million started in January 2011 and currently, pipe-laying is on-going simultaneously under the Kumawu, Konongo and Kwahu-Ridge components of the project. The designs of the water treatment plants are being finalized for construction to begin during the latter part of this year.
    The laying of pipelines in the following towns under the Kumawu Water Project: (i) Sekyere, (ii) Banko (iii) Akrofouso (iv) Woraso, (v) Bomeng, (vi) Oyoko (vii) Dadeasi (viii) Asekyerewa, and (ix) Akrokyere will begin in June 2015 and completed by the project completion date of June 2016.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    Do you have any follow-up question, Hon Member?
    Mr Basoah 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, no.
    Mr Kwame Asafu-Adjei 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the Hon Minister how come he is not talking about towns like Kwamang, Juduako andAframso, which are all part of this project and left out. So I want to know if the original document has been changed. [Pause.]
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    I am sorry, I was not paying attention. Can you repeat your question?
    Mr Asafu-Adjei 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am saying the original document mentioned towns like Kwamang, which was part of this project, and Juduako and Aframso where the source of the water is. In his response Kwamang is no longer mentioned. Is it taken out of the project?
    Alhaji Dauda 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am guided by the Question asked by the Hon Member of Parliament for Kumawu; he was specific on some communities and my responses addresses his Question. If my Hon Friend wants to ask a Question about Kwamang, I guess, with your indulgence, he can do so.
    Mr Frank BoakyeAgyen 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the last town in the Question is Oyoko, which is 20 meters away from Effiduase/ Asokore. Mr Speaker, may I know whether the Ministry has any plans to extend the pipeline, just 20 metres beyond the end to Effiduase and Asokore. This is because Effiduase and Asokore face acute water supply system.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    Hon Member, I believe the Question was constituency-specific and he has given the requisite Answer. If you are desirous of requesting for answers to particular questions which are specific to towns and villages within your constituency, you should feel free to do so.
    Prof GeorgeGyan-Baffour 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister's Answer shows that the design of the treatment plants are yet to be finalised.
    Mr Speaker, I am worried about the sequencing of the project components. They lay the pipes first before they design the plant. Is that the normal procedure or it is something new? If so, whatever the case is, when would that plant be completed?
    Alhaji Dauda 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I indicated in the Answer that the design for the water treatment plant is on-going. I also added that towards the later part of the year we
    would start construction of the water treatment plant. So as soon as the designs are ready towards the end of this year we would start construction of the water treatment plant. And he knows very well that this is purely an engineering aspect and they have project implementation plan. So, it is on that basis that the project is proceeding.
    We are doing the transmission line from the intake point at Aframso to where the treatment plant would be constructed. So it is in place that we construct the transmission lines before we construct the treatment plant.
    Dr Stephen Nana Ato Arthur 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the second paragraph -- the designs of the water treatment plants are being finalised, for construction. Mr Speaker, what this means is that without the designs finalised we would not know the cost estimate. I would want to find out from the Hon Minister, what components form the basis of the US$236 million project.
    Alhaji Dauda 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am unable to provide the full component of the project here. But if I am given time, I could provide it. But I also wish to indicate that because this is being funded from a facility secured by this Government this House approved the scope of works. I guess, in this House if we want to get the scope of works of this particular, because it is this House that approved the loan, we would have it available in this House.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Hon Basoah, can you move on to your next Question? But before then let me inform this House that we have the quorum tocarry out business. I got the Deputy Clerk to carry out the headcount. [Hear! Hear!]

    Construction of Kumawu Water Project

    *38. Mr Philip Basoah asked the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing what percentage of works had been executed in respect of the construction of the Kumawu Water Project.
    Alhaji Collins Dauda 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, work on the Kumawu Water Project has started. Key activities undertaken are as follows:
    Aframso intake clearing,
    53 Km transmission pipeline,
    1.7Km raw water pipeline,
    Ground level reservoirs at Kumawu, Kwaman and Jaduako Booster pumping station
    The estimated overall completion is 40 per cent.
    Mr Arank Annoh-Dompreh 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I wish to know from the Hon Minister what date did work start on that project and then how many months were used for the 40 per cent completion?
    Mr Speaker, I am asking this question because I am very much aware of the delay on that project.
    Finally, if the Hon Minister can tell us what accounts for that seeming delay on that project.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Hon Member, have you taken a close look at the Question that was advertised?
    Mr Annor-Dompreh 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I did and I read the Answers.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Minister, please, give him a response.
    Alhaji Dauda 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member wanted to know the percentage of work done. And in our assessment we have so far done an estimated 40 per cent of the work.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member is making some assertion of delay. We have not indicated anywhere that the project has delayed. We have only said that the work will be completed in June 2016 and we are on course.
    Mr Addai-Nimoh 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister how he will relate the 40 per cent work to the remaining two-year time for the completion of the project and if that will not run into time-overrun and cost- overrun.
    Alhaji Dauda 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the project is on course.
    Mr Nyarko 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to ask the Hon Minister if he can tell this House when the people of Kumawu will drink pipe-borne water. -- [Interruption.] -- I am here. There are two parts. I heard the -- [Interruption]
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Order! Order!
    Hon Member, it has been indicated in the Answer.
    Mr Asafu-Adjei 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, may I know from the Hon Minister when the people of Kwamang, Juduako, Aframso will receive their compensation. -- [Interruption].
    Mr Speaker, he asked me to come again. I will come again.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Hon Member, are you with us?
    Mr Asafu-Adjei 11:20 a.m.
    Yes.
    Mr Speaker, if you look at page 16, he has mentioned the “activities” but he left out the compensation. He has mentioned the activities done. I am from the constituency. I am their Hon Member of Parliament. The people are crying for their compensation.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Hon Member, look at the Question. What does it talk about?
    Mr Asafu-Adjei 11:20 a.m.
    It wants to know from the Hon Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing what percentage of works had been executed in respect of the construction of the Kumawu Water Project.
    And by so doing --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Then, let us not talk about compensation. Hon Member, if you want answers regarding compensation, I believe you know what to do.
    We will move on to the next Question, which stands in the name of Hon Bright Edward Kodzo Demordzi, Hon Member for Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro.
    Resolving the water problems in Bortianor, Kokrobite and Tuba
    Q.46 Mr Bright Edward Kodzo Demordzi asked the Minister for Water Resources,
    Works and Housing what plans the Ministry had to solve the water problems in Bortianor, Kokrobite and Tuba in the Bortianor-NgleshieAmanfro Consti- tuency.
    Alhaji Collins Dauda 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, Bortianor, Kokrobite and Tuba, are communities in the Greater Accra Region under the Bortianor-NgleshieAmanfro Constituency and located not far from the Weija Dam. These communities form part of the area originally identified by Irrigation Development Authority for irr igated farming activities, and consequently was provided with a small diameter pipeline to serve the few settlements there.
    However over time, these communities have been developed into vast residential areas, hence the limited distribution network is unable to deliver adequate water supplies.
    The challenge of water supply to Bortianor, Kokrobite and Tuba is due to the limited water distribution network in the area. Over the years, demand has grown rapidly but due to limited funding, it has not been possible to undertake the necessary expansion and reinforcement of the distribution network to keep pace with the rate of increase in demand.
    Mr Speaker, the problem will be solved under the on-going Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) Sanitation and Water Supply project, being funded by a US$ 150 million grant from the World Bank.
    Mr Speaker, under the project US$2 million will be used to prepare a Water supply master plan, which will guide the sizing of pipelines required to ensure adequate flow of water to areas currently without access, such as Bortianor, Kokrobite and Tuba.
    The project also includes funding of US$46 million for the laying of the pipelines. The project is being implemented over the period 2014 to 2019, and it is anticipated that laying of pipelines will commence by the beginning of 2015.
    Mr Demordzi 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the water supply or the Master Plan is ready?
    Alhaji Dauda 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is not ready yet.
    Mr Demordzi 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my last question. In 2009 there was a project to construct overhead tanks at the Old Broadcasting and Old Bortianor. I would like to find out the status of that project.
    Alhaji Dauda 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I did not get his question well. With your indulgence, if he can repeat it.
    Mr Demordzi 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister -- in 2009, there was a project to construct overhead tanks at the Old Broadcasting Junction in Bortianor and then the Old Bortianor town to supply water to all those communities. This was in 2000 -- I am talking about 1999. I am sorry. -- What is the status of that project because I know there were a lot of pipelines underground.
    Alhaji Dauda 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, clearly, from his question, he himself is not too sure of what he is saying. I would require notice to be able to provide an answer.
    Mr Magnus Kofi Amoatey 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, from the Answer, it looks like the Bortianor, Kokrobite and Tuba areas will be connected or have access to water in 2015. I would like to know from the Hon Minister, in the interim, what plans are there to ensure that the people get water?
    Alhaji Dauda 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the meantime they are served from the smaller diameter pipelines that convey water to them. And we concede that it is inadequate to serve the entire population of the area because of the expansion in the communities that have come up in the area. That is why we proposed to solve the problem under this World Bank facility.
    Prof. Gyan-Baffour 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, according to the Hon Minister it is this World Bank facility that they are going to use US$2 million to do a Master Plan. Is the Hon Minister telling us that his Ministry does not have a Master Plan for water supply in Greater-Accra?
    If it does not, does it have a Master Plan for other regions or areas?
    They have already done the works and now, they are going to do the plan?
    Alhaji Dauda 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Ministry has a master plan but in view of the fact that communities have outgrown their sizes -- if for example, at the time the population of the country was 500 and smaller diameter pipeline were used to connect them to water and the size of the community grows, one may not require the same size of pipelines to serve that community.
    So, this project is going to upgrade the Master Plan to determine the sizes that will be required for outgrown communities. That is the essence of this particular project.
    Prof Gyan-Baffour 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, is the Hon Minister saying that each time the communities outgrow, we need to have a different master plan? Is that what he is saying? [Interruption] -- A master plan is supposed to plan into the future and not each time that there is a change, we have to go and do a master plan.
    Alhaji Dauda 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have never seen a master plan that is indefinite.
    Mr Henry K Kokofu 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister talked about the Weija Water Treatment Plant as to the service of the area that is in question. I would like to know from him if his outfit is aware of the encroachment on the catchment area and then the very source of the fresh water body that serves the plant -- the status of the River Densu and then the encroachment on the catchment area.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:30 a.m.
    Hon Member, can you repeat your question? It does not appear as if the Minister has followed in.
    Mr Kokofu 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I said the Hon Minister alluded to the fact that, the affected areas are being fed by the Weija Water Treatment Plant. I would want to know from him if his outfit is aware of the status of the encroachment on the catchment area. Then again, is he aware of the status of the River Densu which feeds the water plant? I am asking this question because of the sustainability of the plant itself.
    Alhaji Dauda 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am aware of the massive encroachment along the Weija Dam and steps are being taken to address the situation.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:30 a.m.
    Hon Minister, he also asked about the status of the River Densu.
    Alhaji Dauda 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the answer I thought addresses that as well, this is because if you encroach along the banks of the River Densu, that is the main source of the bank it affects water in the River Densu that flows into the dam. And the encroachment is not only restricted to the dam area but also along the bank of the River Densu, particularly, towards the dam area. I am aware of that and we are taking steps to address that.
    Mr Yaw F Addo 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the Answer of the Hon Minister, he accepted the fact that the area has outgrown in size; the population has increased so much. At the moment, the water supply situation there is so precarious. Looking at the Answer, a time line of 2014-2019 has been given. In the interim, what is going to be done to alleviate the sufferings of the people there because water is life as we all know?
    I live there, so I know what I am talking about. In the interim, what is going to be done to alleviate the suffering of the people in the area?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:30 a.m.
    Hon Member, I thought in an answer to one of the questions, he told us about measures that have been put in place for the people of the area to get water supply?
    Mr Addo 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, yes, I heard that alright. But we are looking at practical solutions to problems here. For example, has the Ministry not got any plan in place to maybe, drill boreholes in the interim or supply water by tankers to the affected communities? That is what I am talking about.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:30 a.m.
    Very well. Hon Minister?
    Alhaji Dauda 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, occasionally, areas that are affected by acute water supply are assisted by the Ghana Water Company Limited with tanker services. In this particular case, I am happy he has indicated that he lives there. I will consult with the Member of Parliament for the area and maybe, the District Chief Executive, to find the most appropriate way of addressing this situation.
    Nsuta Beposo Programme
    Q.47. Mr Kwame Asafu-Adjei asked the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing the status of the Mampong Water Project, specifically the Nsuta Beposo programme.
    Alhaji Dauda 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, Mampong is a growing Municipality in the Ashanti region with a current population of about 60,000 inhabitants and a huge potential for agro-industrial processing.
    The capacity of the existing surface water supply system which depends on raw water abstracted from river Kyeremfa, a tributary of river Afram, was inadequate to meet the demand.
    As a result of increase in demand in Mampong and its surrounding com- munities and inefficient performance of the existing treatment Plant, there was the need to rehabilitate and expand the system. This project has increased the existing capacity of 2,500m3/day (550 000 mgd) by 8,00800 m3/day (1.8 mgd), bringing the total capacity to 10,500 m3/ day (2.35 mgd); and also undertaken distribution extensions of about 42km.
    Currently, the project is completed and ready for inauguration. Nsuta and Beposo are now enjoying continuous supply of potable water from the project.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Member, do you have a follow up?
    Mr Asafu-Adjei 11:40 a.m.
    Yes, I do, Mr Speaker.
    I would like to ask the Hon Minister, if he is aware that there is a reservoir at Nsuta which currently is not working.
    Alhaji Dauda 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am not aware, but I will take note of it.
    Mr Asafu-Adjei 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the Hon Minister again Is he also aware that the old hand-pipes, which were constructed by the then Busia's Government, as I speak, people cannot use the hand-pipes? Under this programme, what is he going to do about these public hand pipes?
    Alhaji Dauda 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I take note of his concerns and we would address them. I am not aware of these specific things.
    Mr Asafu-Adjei 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am surprised the Hon Minister is not aware of this because I thought --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Member, you are entitled to ask questions.
    Mr Asafu-Adjei 11:40 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the Hon Minister, towns and communities like Mangoase, which is within Beposo -- Mangoase Islamic area, they are not getting water -- [Interruption.] It is a supplementary question.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Member, does this question fall in line with the original Question that you put?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    You are sure?
    Mr Asafu-Adjei 11:40 a.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Very well.
    Mr Asafu-Adjei 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to know from the Hon Minister why the Beposo town, communities like Islamic and Mangoase are not getting water- because the expansion work has not yet been completed. Rehabilitation has been done but unfortunately --[Interruption.,]
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Member, remember I asked you a simple question, whether it falls in line? Look at your own Question; it talks about the general thing and specifically, Nsuta Beposo. Do you understand? So, restrict yourself to that area.
    Mr Asafu-Adjei 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, this relates to the people of Beposo. The Rehabilitation is alright, but the expansion -- some parts of Beposo are not getting water and that is why I am asking the Hon Minister.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Very well.
    Alhaji Dauda 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, as the Minister responsible for Water Resources, Works and Housing, I saw problems, most of which are not raised on the floor of this House. So, for those who raised their concerns on the floor of this House and I am not aware, particularly when it is town specific like this, I am unable to know what specific problems we have in various communities in this country; it is just impossibility. So, when you raise these, Mr Speaker, I would only take note of them and then help you to solve the problem.
    So, I take note of the concerns and also crave your indulgence to meet with the Hon Member. If he gives me fifteen minutes of his time, we can sit down, identify all the problems in his constituency, particularly, relating to the catchment area of this particular, treatment plant and we would try and solve the problem for him.
    Prof. G. Y. Gyan-Baffour 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the Hon Minister's Answer, he said that the project completed now and it was ready for inauguration, but it has not been inaugurated. I would like to know when it is going to be inaugurated? Mr Speaker, is it because of the President's activities elsewhere that is why it has not been inaugurated? When is it going to be inaugurated?
    Alhaji Dauda 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would determine the inauguration of the project in consultation with other stakeholders. I would communicate to the public on when the inauguration would take place.
    Prof. Gyan-Baffour 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, meanwhile, the people there are being starved of water. He said only two communities are drinking. What about the rest? Why would he not go and inaugurate it, so that they can drink some water now?
    Alhaji Dauda 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I only said that I would determine the date for the inauguration in consultation with some stakeholders.
    I guess that I cannot go to Mampong and inaugrate this project without the Omanhene of Mampong -- therefore, it is just fair and proper that you consult with stakeholders, the chiefs, the District Assembly and then, you determine the most appropriate day and inaugurate it. It can be tomorrow.
    Prof. Gyan-Baffour 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister can give us a time frame. When is he going to do it? One year?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Member, I think he has given you an idea what it entails. The stakeholders would have to be brought on board before a date is decided upon.
    Mr Nitiwul 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member asked the Hon Minister on two occasions whether he was aware, the Hon Minister on both occasions said he was not aware and even went ahead to tell the Hon Member that he should give him fifteen minutes of his time so that they could discuss the problem for it to be addressed. Mr Speaker, I believe as the Hon Minister in charge, it is the duty of his Ministry to be aware of all the problems that are existing.
    But if the Hon Minister is not aware, I can assure him that the Hon Member would not only give him more than one hour of his time, in fact, he would write to
    him, the Hon Minister. But we want an assurance from him that when he puts it into writing and hands over those problems to him today or tomorrow in Parliament here, he would address those problems.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Member, I think in all fairness to the Hon Minister, he has agreed to have some time with the Member of Parliament. If that takes place, then he would be in a position to try to address the problems as they are. But to get him to give an assurance on the floor when he has not really been briefed about the real problems on the ground, we would be unfair to him.
    Mr Nitiwul 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, you know that we have the Committee on Government Assurance here? I think the Chairman did not come today -- and it is for the benefit of all of us. The Hon Minister said, well, if the Hon Member can just give him fifteen minutes of his time. I have told him that the Hon Member is willing to give him one full hour of his time -- in fact, a whole day and not just that, the Hon Member would write to him.
    This is because the Hon Member knows the problems his people have -- it is the ability to access the Hon Minister and get the problems solved is the Hon Member's problem and not the Hon Member's time. In fact, the Hon Member can devote the whole of the three months to the Hon Minister for him to solve his problem. We all just want an assurance from the Hon Minister that when he briefs him on the problems, the -- would be solved because the people of Kumawu are listening.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    I agree, Hon Member. But the problem can only be solved after he has been brought on
    board. So, he cannot give that assurance now. I do not think it would be fair to him. That is why I said that, allow him to meet with the Hon Member, if after meeting with the Hon Member and he, having given some assurances to the Hon Member he has not fulfilled them, the Hon Member should be free to table a Question regarding the assurances that he gave to him. But as of now, I said, it would be unfair to the Hon Minister who is not really abreast with the true situation.
    Mr Nitiwul 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would take the assurances from you. When the Hon Member reports to the Hon Minister, he would inform me. If there is no headway, I would bring the matter back to the floor again. So, I take the assurances from you.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Very well. You have no problem.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Members, this brings us to the end of the Questions. We will now move on to Statements.
    Hon Minister, thank you for attending upon this House. We are grateful.
    Hon Members, I admitted one Statement which stands in the name of Hon Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, which has to do with hooliganism in Ghana Sports.
    You have the floor Hon Member.
    STATEMENTS 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Kwadwo Baah Agyemang (NPP -- Asante Akim North) 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker., football hooliganism refers to unruly, violent, and destructive behaviour by over zealous supporters of football clubs, including brawling, vandalism and intimidation.
    Mr Kwadwo Baah Agyemang (NPP -- Asante Akim North) 11:50 a.m.


    Football hooliganism normally involves a conflict between supporters, in some countries, they are formed for the specific purpose of intimidating and physically attacking supporters of other teams. Certain clubs have long-standing rivalries with other clubs (usually, but not always, geographically close) and hooliganism associated with matches between them (sometimes called local derbies), is likely to be more severe.

    Conflict may take place before, during or after matches. Conflict can also erupt spontaneously inside the stadium or in the surrounding streets. In extreme cases, hooligans, police, and bystanders have been affected.

    Football hooliganism involves a wide range of behaviour, including taunting, for example by abusive chanting, sometimes obscene, spitting, unarmed fighting, throwing of objects on to the pitch, either in an attempt to harm players and officials or as a gesture of insult (as when bananas are thrown towards players of black African origin; the implication being that they are monkeys)

    Throwing of objects at opposing supporters, including stones, water , et cetera and the use of pyrotechnic devices such as flames and smoke bombs, fighting with weapons including sports bats, glass bottles, rocks, knives, machetes and firearms. Disorderly crowd behaviour such as pushing, which may cause stadium fixtures such as fences, inner parameters and walls to collapse. Similar effects can occur when law-abiding crowds try to flee disorder caused by hooligans.

    Ask me whether football fans have learnt any lessons from Ghana's worst stadium disaster and I will answer with an emphatic “NO”. Thirteen years after that fatal incident and fans still go to different stadia in the country and continue to put

    up untoward behavior to the detriment of other fans with well-meant intentions.

    It is quite disheartening how fans pounce on referees and beat them to points of death; how coaches give tell- tale clues regarding what fans may want do to referees in the future; and how security personnel arbitrate helplessly stadium altercations because a certain white paper bars them from wielding guns at stadia. Honestly, I am of a strong opinion that there should be a review of issues relating to the 2001 May 9 Disaster.

    It was with profound regret that Ghanaians learnt of the tragic death of referee Kwame Andoh Kyei over the last weekend. The assistant referee suffered injuries after he was beaten up during the second division match between Gold Stars and Naa Joe United in Bordie last week Sunday. He died on Friday after being rushed to the hospital earlier in the day because of the injuries.

    Mr Speaker the crowd violence associated with the Bordie park has been in existence in ages, I can recollect during my football playing days when I was in sixth form, we went to play a match there and we were beaten, some of us has to run and meet the school bus at the outskirt of the town to catch it back to school in Dunkwa. How can a job at the lower division which remunerates not more than a meagre ¢20 Ghana cedis per match be alternated with death?

    The 21 year old referee, Kwame Kyei, who is believed to be an SHS graduate, was practicing a passion he loves; he was regarded as one of the Association's most promising up and coming referee and was highly respected by his peers.

    Just last Sunday, another referee A.H. Alhassan from Tamale was beaten by fans of Unity FC in a match against Techiman City Fc at Goaso. The referee showed a

    red card to a Unity FC player after the player deliberately forced the ball with his hand into the opponent goal area. The referee disallowed the goal and showed the player a red card. The act occurred at the full glare of the Ethics Committee Chairman, Nana Adjei.

    Mr Speaker, the incident kept me wondering whether these fans, and by extension, the Ghanaian football populace, have learnt any lessons from that “Black Wednesday” disaster. Perhaps, much has not been done over the years to educate fans on the need to be peaceable and peaceful even against the run of play. Each and every year, seminars are held in order to smoothen the fluted edges regarding the prevention of stadium disasters. Nonetheless, Ghana continues to record crowd troubles at least, at a venue each and every premier league season

    Am calling on the Ministry of Youth and Sports to quickly submit die much awaited new Sports Bill to parliament to help solve the current trend of hooliganism in Ghana football. The passing of the Sports Bill will replace the SMC Decree 54 of 1976 regarding the various aspects of sports management, promotion and development in Ghana and seek to make it current for international practices.

    I am admonishing the various football clubs at the various divisions to play a big role in educating their fans, that hooliganism has no place in our game. Club officials should rather dissuade their fans from fighting or attacking match official or opponents during matches. It is not proper; it is not professional, and it is inhumane to attack anybody no matter his or her crime. Sports fans are not above the laws of the land.

    Information reaching me indicates that the Ghana Referees Association Chairman in the Western Region, T.R.K Atifu, has warned that referees in the region would boycott lower division matches in solidarity with their colleague who was beaten to death by irate supporters. According to Mr. Atifu, until some drastic measures are taken by die GFA against supporters of the team involved and the security of colleague referees guaranteed, they would not handle lower division matches in the region again.

    This is a quote from him when ghanasportsonline.com interviewed him, “Refereeing in the lower division is just a hobby. No referee survives on the 20 ghana cedis paid him as an allowance. So, if officiating matches will result in loss of life, then we will not handle matches henceforth until the GFA takes some drastic measures to guarantee our safety.”

    Mr Speaker, am proposing that you use your Chair to press on the Ministry of Youth and Sports to submit the Sports Bill to the house for us to consider our inputs in curbing this act of violence in our stadia for once.

    The Disciplinary Committee of Ghana Football Association should be strong on it by laws as well, and drastic and permanent measures should be put in place. I would be ready to lead the crusade, for violence free in Ghana sports in collaboration with all the supporters groups we have in the country.

    Our thoughts jmd prayers are with the mother of the deceased Sophia Nketiah, his father Kwadwo Appiah, his family and his wide circle of friends at this sad time.

    Long live Ghana sports...

    Thank you.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker noon
    Thank you very much.
    Hon Members for want of time, we will take two contributions from each side of the House.
    Yes, Hon Baba Jamal.

    Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development (Baba Jamal M. Ahmed) (MP): Mr Speaker, commend my Hon Colleague for bringing up this very important issue to the floor of this House and to also generate debate on how we should all conduct ourselves when it comes to football officiating and even supporting of clubs in this country.

    Ghana is a football loving country; I must say that at the premier level, some improvements have been achieved in terms of fair officiating and also security for players and officials. But when it comes down to the first and second divisions, it is a horrible sight to go and lead a team to a village to play a football match and you end up being chased out of the town as criminals who have just come to that town.

    It is important that all of us and especially as lawmakers, we join the Ministry of Youth and Sports to ensure that we get the Bill, but not only get this Bill -- because even when the Bill is passed in Parliament and we do not work towards ensuring that it is implemented on the ground, nothing would happen.

    So, as much as we talk about it, we must send clear signals to supporters out there, that we can get our football to go on well in this country to improve only when supporters conduct themselves; only when supporters see other opponents as coming there to play a football match but not to fight them. We must also advise

    the Ghana Referees Association, as my colleague said -- they do not survive on the GH¢20.00 officiating fee. So, what does that mean? It means that other sources will have to come and it will come from maybe, the home team or the visiting team. I am a football administrator myself. Everybody knows that I am involved in Denkyembuor United. So, when you go out there, it is only who pays the highest, otherwise, you are going to be chased out.

    So, it is important that the remune- rations that we give our referees and officiating staff must be improved. You go and you get GH¢20.00. How do you survive on GH¢20.00? That aspect of the officiating must also be looked at. Security at the sports stadia should be looked at.

    All these issues come to ensure that we have a serene environment to play football matchs. Ghanaians want to watch good football but when we end up fighting and hooliganism takes control of the day, it is not in the best interest of this country.

    So, I support the Statement and I also call on the Ministry of Youth and Sports to bring it -- but beyond that, all of us, we are from constituencies, we need to advise our people to be calm and accept defeat even when we are playing at home.

    Some people always can take defeat at their home ground but when you have a good team like Denkyembuor coming to your place, you should be prepared and know that you will be defeated.

    On that note, Mr Speaker, I support the statement.
    Mr Isaac K. Asiamah (NPP-Atwima- Mponua) noon
    Mr Speaker, thank you for this opportunity. I would want to thank the Hon Member who made the Statement --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker noon
    Can you raise your voice a bit.
    Mr Asiamah noon
    Mr Speaker, I want to thank the Hon Member who made the Statement for this insightful, educating, of course, fruitful statement. I believe sincerely and as all of us are aware, sports are to entertain, unify and of late, they are to create job opportunities for the youth. In that sense, sports need to be given that recognition and importance that they deserve.
    Talking about hooliganism in football or in sports in general, it dates back many years ago. But Mr Speaker, of late, it is becoming more serious, more damaging, of course, even affecting most countries' morale.
    Refereeing in football is critical; it is to ensure order, discipline in the course of play and no matter what, every sporting discipline needs refereeing or some form of order to regulate and to ensure that there is peace, of course, for people to enjoy the game.
    What is most critical in this country is to look at the sporting disciplines that are organised countryside. When you go to most of our communities, lack of infrastructure is a challenge. Go to most of our parks in the countryside, you will see that, virtually, there is no security, nothing is there to protect match officials and referees. So the supporters just jump in at any point in time they decide and some will say, I have caught my ball (ma kye me ball), we have ended the game. It is happening -- yen bo bio -- those are the things.
    They catch the ball and they say yen bo bio;we have ended the game. So that indiscipline has been going on for some time and we need to resolve it. The GFA needs to cut the whip. There are rules of engagement by GFA in terms of how they engage with club managers, club officials and other owners of football teams.
    But it is about the lack of enforcement of those rules and regulations that enable most of these people to go and do all those unnecessary things with impunity. So, if we are able to apply the rules, it will help us a lot.
    The Sports Bill that was envisaged in the year 2007, we need to take a critical look at it because it talks about infrastructural development. If we are able to put up the right infrastructure at various centres, it will also help to curb this menace.
    Another very important issue has to do with proper officiating, that is also the challenge.
    Nobody is saying that people are free to do anything at all when they disagree with referees but at least, we need to also have proper courses for our referees, so that officiating will also be proper in this country. But then, that is no licence for anybody to misconduct himself or herself when you disagree with a decision of a referee.
    The referee is the final arbiter in all football matches. Whatever he says is final; if you disagree, there are processes and procedures to follow. So, we need to also abide by this.
    Another issue has got to do with the Sports Fund that has been envisaged in the Sports Bill. Mr Speaker, look at motivation -- rewards for our players and of course, our officials, the referees; they go, officiate a match at a distance away and they are given GH¢20.00 -- it is peanut.In spite of all these things, they are expected to deliver justice on the field of play.
    We can understand the temptation that they will go through. So, we will need to look at the Sports Fund that has been envisaged in the Sports Bill, so that we can have a Fund for some of these arrangements. If we do not have proper motivation for our officiating officials, obviously, they will be tempted to do some of these things that will incur the displeasure of our supporters.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker noon
    Yes, Hon Member.
    Mr Kobena MensahWoyome (NDC- South Tongu) 12:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you and I would want to use this occasion to congratulate the Hon Member who made of the statement. Of course, it is very important knowing very well the situation we have found ourselves in and not too long ago —
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    Hon Member, can you raise your voice?
    Mr Woyome 12:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, not too long ago, we know what happened in Ghana with regard to this hooliganism. Hooliganism is what should be totally condemned. In fact, it cuts across all discipline of sports. In fact football and all other disciplines as well.
    Sports promote fitness and good healthy living among those who take part in them, apart from the entertainment and
    the fun they give those of us who usually watch as they play. In fact, in the course of such events, fans would always want to generate all kinds of passion.
    Some positive, and the negative ones are what normally result, in people throwing all kinds of obstacles at another just because of some misunderstanding, either through bad officiating -- and as our Colleague actually alluded to, maybe, as a result of some exchange of some other things -- it could be some monies here and there.
    It may also be as a result of lack of some regulations or education that probably must be well extended to the lower divisions. The second, the third and the lower divisions and then the fans that follow these clubs must appreciate and understand the rules of the game and be able to tolerate some of these. In fact, even if in the face of any bad officiating -- there should be well spelt out ways of getting grievances addressed.
    It is as a result of that, that I also add my voice to the call on the Ministry of Youth and Sports to expedite action on the Sports Bill. I believe when that is looked at, it will to a greater extent cure every aspect of some of the hooliganism and other untoward happenings in sports officiating and the hosting —
    Mr Speaker, may I use the occasion, that in fact, we should not also say that because we lack the Act, so perpetrators of some of these things, when we are able to figure them out, should not be punished. There are rules -- there are laws in this country.Definitely, whoever starts some of these things can always be looked at or maybe, one should be able to expose them. The unfortunate thing that happened to the referee who passed on as a result of the injury sustained through
    the beatings he got from the crowd -- I am sure somebody started it and somebody must be able to just look out there and expose one or two persons, so that the law enforcement agencies can take action.
    These would also deter people from taking the law into their own hands to do the kind of things they do.In fact, when the stadium disaster happened, I am sure through the closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, in the investigations, there were people who were identified to have started it. They should have been punished in fact, brought to book, so that it would also serve as a deterrent to many who would want to encourage some of these things.
    There is the need for all of us to fight this and also use the occasion anytime we come into contact with some of these events, to educate the fans, the players and the officials that the rules are there, there is the need for everybody to adhere to them and encourage a peaceful -- This is because what is sports? Sports are expected to unite all of us irrespective of our background, bring some fun and joy to every home.
    So, if that sense is lost and we are visited with these unfortunate happenings all around us, I do not think it is the best.
    I would want to congratulate the Hon Member who made the Statement and of course, Mr Speaker -- As I am aware, that the Sports Bill is before Cabinet and we all hope that this is worked on quickly and sent to Parliament for us to quickly have a look at it and involve other stakeholders, so that we can have a fine law in place to govern sports in the country.
    With these few words, I thank you very much Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    The last contributor --
    Dr Kojo Appiah-Kubi (NPP -- Atwima Kwanwoma) 12:10 p.m.
    Thank you Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to associate myself with the Statement and the call made by the Hon Colleague.
    Hooliganism is indeed, a bad phenomenon, which if not curbed, would destroy the sports, particularly the football sports that we all love. Its associated violence has indeed, no place in sports at all.
    Mr Speaker, it is however, unfortunate that not much is being done in Ghana to curb this menace. Not long ago, hooliganism and violence used to be the order of the day in British sports and sports in other European countries. But while these countries have managed to control hooliganism and violence, not much has been done in Ghana.
    In Britain for instance, they sat down to develop strategies which included even getting potential troublemakers behind bars, giving potential troublemakers psychological counselling, developing alternative programmes to occupy these potential troublemakers. All these have contributed to bring down hooliganism and violence in sports to a considerable low level.
    I, therefore call on people involved -- and interested in sports to make the necessary contributions -- to come together to develop the necessary strategies for us to curb this menace. Particularly, the Ghana Sports Council, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Football Authority and others should come together and develop the necessary measures, so that we all can fight this menace.

    Ghana can learn a lot from other European countries and especially from Britain, which seems to have curbed hooliganism and violence in sports to a very low level. The country should not wait any longer; indeed a stitch in time saves nine. Thank you Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    Hon Members, that brings us to the end of the Statement. I will want to direct, in the light of the sentiments expressed, that a copy of this Statement, together with the contributions of Hon Members, be sent to the Ministry of Youth and Sports as well as the Ministry of the Interior, so that the necessary concerns raised can be addressed.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader --
    MrAgbesi 12:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, there is a Motion, item 6, for the review of the on- going Health Insurance” Capitation” Program being implemented in the Ashanti Region.It is standing in the name of Hon Joseph YielehChireh.
    Mr Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    Very well.
    rose
    MOTIONS 12:10 p.m.
    Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh (NDC--Wa West) 12:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    Just hold on.
    Yes, Hon Member --
    Dr Anane 12:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am not unaware of the fact that on the Order Paper two names do appear. There is the Hon
    Chairman of the Committee on Health and I, the Hon Ranking Member of the committee on Health.
    But Mr Speaker, this Motion, which is a consensus one was drafted after some previous presentation of it in this House. On the advice of the two sides of the House, Mr Speaker ruled that a consensus Motion be presented.
    Mr Speaker, my moving the Motion, would ensure that the original Motion I moved would then have lapsed. But if I do not move, it still implies that my original Motion will still be in existence. Mr Speaker, I do not think that it will be in the right -- [Interruption] --
    Thank you Mr Speaker.
    Alhaji M. M. Muntaka 12:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is right that my Hon Colleague is trying to raise some concern but I thought that it was based on the consensus that we were able to build.On that day, he did move his Motion, it was seconded and upon consultation, it was agreed that it should be done this way. It is, only fair that we allow the process to go on since he will have the second opportunity to speak to the same issue, twice. That is even a bigger advantage for him. Therefore, I would want to plead that he be patient, so that we would have the process run as agreed by the Leaders together with the Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    Hon DrAnane, I was under the impression that you have had consultations and that was a compromised stance that was taken, unless I am mistaken.
    Dr Anane 12:10 p.m.
    Rightly so Mr Speaker. A compromised Motion on an original Motion. To ensure that the original Motion lapses, the person who moved the Motion should be the one to be accepted to move. I thought that should not be an
    argument at all.This has been going up and down for quite some time and I do not understand; I do not really understand.
    Mr Nitiwul 12:20 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, this should have been sorted out, maybe, behind closed doors. But be as it may, it is here. He has a point. Once the original Motion has not been rescinded, the obvious thing may be that we allow the mover of the original Motion to move this particular one and then it would be seconded. This one was based and built on the original Motion, to have a consensus, but we have not rescinded it. In fact, we discussed it; we never rescinded it.
    So, because the original Motion still stands in the name of the person, unless we move a Motion to rescind the original one, which we did not do, it is assumed that the original one is still there. In moving a new Motion, he would then indicate that he has abandoned the original Motion and that this is the new Motion that they are moving jointly as a Committee.
    I think that it should not be something that we should split hairs over. So, he has a big point and I think that, that is the right way to go.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
    Hon Members, I am minded to give certain directives. If that is the case, let us have it deferred, so that you go back, sort yourselves out and come back properly so that we do not have any bottlenecks in the way.
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 12:20 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I believe that I contributed to a discussion leading to a meeting of minds, and I did not really think that this should be an issue on
    the floor of the House. This is because it was more of a consensus. If it is a consensus I would believe that in the utmost of good faith, the originator could do it; it is not as if this a Motion which is being moved by Hon Joseph Yieleh Chireh and seconded by Hon Dr Richard Winfred Anane. It is a joint Motion; that is what it is. I think in that spirit, we all agree that probably, there was the need to review the Capitation.
    Whether an insistence that the Chairman or whatever, someone from the Majority, I do not know, I think that it should not be any problem.
    But of course Mr Speaker, you have said that the matter should be deferred. I made this point, so that while we go discussing it, we bear this in mind.
    Mr Agbesi 12:20 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, yes, your direction is to defer it for us to do further consultation. But Mr Speaker, this matter was before Leadership and the compromised Motion was even drafted by the Majority Leader. Both Majorityand Minority Leaders agreed on who was to move the Motion. This was put before the Speaker, and the Business Committee agreed on this procedure.
    Mr Speaker, it was clear; indeed Hon Dr Anane was even informed that this was going to be the procedure. We do not know what surprise he has sprung on us now. Mr Speaker, it was Leadership's decision -- both the Majority and Minority Leaders agreed on this procedure.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
    All right. Thank you, Hon Deputy Majority Leader.
    I have given directions; let us go by that. Because it is clear; although we thought we would arrive at some consensus, it does not appear as if it is clear cut. Let us go back, put our heads together and then come back.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader we are in your hands.
    Mr Agbesi 12:20 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Anti- Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill on item (7) and the Trade Marks (Amendment) Bill at the Consideration Stage, item (8), with your direction, we would want these two Motions to be deferred.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
    Hon Deputy Minority Leader, what do you say?
    Mr Nitiwul 12:20 p.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker, I believe that the items 5, 6 and the rest of the remaining items, we could defer them till tomorrow.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
    Deputy Majority Leader can you then move a Motion?
    Mr Alfred K. Agbesi 12:20 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that the House do adjourn till tomorrow at 10.00 in the forenoon.
    Mr Donimic B. A. Nitiwul 12:20 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, in seconding the Motion, I plead that you further direct about this Motion, so that tomorrow we could state it; otherwise we would give the Table Office some distortion when they should table this in particular. I beg to second the Motion.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
    Very well. Provided by tomorrow or by close of work today, the compromise would have been arrived at, we can take it tomorrow. So, as soon as you sort yourselves out, the Table Office would list it on the Order Paper.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    ADJOURNMENT 12:20 p.m.