Debates of 20 Jun 2014

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:05 a.m.
ANNOUNCEMENTS 10:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker 10:05 a.m.
Hon Members would recall my directive on Tuesday, 17th June, 2014, pursuant to the Statement made by the Hon Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Asawase (Hon Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka), on KATH's missing baby case. I am happy to inform you that, the Ministry of Health has submitted a report.
I would make it available so that the Business Committee can schedule it for laying next week, so that it could be referred to the appropriate Committee; in this case, the Committee on Health, for investigation and report.
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I believe the House should express gratitude to the Hon Minister responsible for Health who has acted expeditiously on this and submitted this Report. Having said that, I think now that we have taken custody of it, it is the property of this House and the Leader of Government Business can lay it on the Table and we can then -- I do not think that we have much time at our disposal.
Mr Speaker 10:05 a.m.
Very well. This morning, I was discussing with my procedural adviser: the Clerk to Parliament. His view is that, as you are rightly pointing out, it is the property of the House and we

should make enough copies to Hon Members of the House. He advised that they would use today and Monday to produce enough copies so that on Tuesday, it could be laid. But if it is the thinking of the House that we should have it laid, we can do so. But Members would not have access to the document until next week.
Papa Owusu- Ankomah 10:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker. I am happy that in this instance, the Clerk has decided to advise Mr Speaker to go strictly according to our Standing Orders. Mr Speaker, this is an occasion that you could waive it and then it would be laid.
Mr Speaker 10:05 a.m.
Well, we would have it laid in the course of the day. I would send for it so that we can get the title right.
Actually, there are about three reports that have been submitted and they have to be properly captured for the records. So, I think it would be neater and better for it to be laid on Tuesday, or in the course of the day.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:05 a.m.
Yes Mr Speaker, in the course of the day.
Mr Speaker, my thinking is, if we could have them laid with this understanding that sufficient copies would be availed to Members, then with respect, we could take it from there because the Business Committee's Report is going to be read today. We could factor that in and the relevant referral could be made to the relevant Committee so that we would not waste much time on this.
Mr Speaker 10:05 a.m.
Very Well.
Mr Benjamin B. Kunbuor 10:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I definitely agree with Hon Members and my Colleague on this matter. Being masters of our own rules, we could take this exceptional situation to perform the procedural matters and then the substantive issues could be dealt with.
Mr Speaker 10:15 a.m.
Yes, I agree with your position but let me get the documents. This is because, if it is laid the titles have to be read. So, when the documents come, I would draw your attention to it so that you can have it laid immediately.
Meanwhile, let us proceed and when the Report is in, I would draw the House's attention to it to have it laid.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:15 a.m.
  • [No correction was made to the Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 19th June, 2014.]
  • [No correction was made to the Official Report of Tuesday, 17th June, 2014.]
    • Mr Speaker 10:15 a.m.
    Business Statement?
    MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER
    BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 10:18 a.m.
    Majority Leader Chairman of the Business Committee (Dr Ben B. Kunbuor) 10:18 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Committee met yesterday, Thursday, 19th June 2014 and arranged Business of the House for the Third Week ending Friday, 27th June, 2014.
    Mr Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 56(2), the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows:
    Arrangement Of Business
    Question(s)
    Mr Speaker, the Committee has programmed the following Ministers to respond to Questions asked of them during the week:
    No. of Question(s)
    i. Minister for Local Government and Rural Development -- 3
    ii. Minister for Education -- 5
    iii. Minister for Health -- 5
    v. Minister for Roads and Highways -- 5
    Total number of Questions -- 18
    Mr Speaker, in all, four (4) Ministers are expected to attend upon the House to respond to eighteen (18) Questions during the week.
    Statements
    Mr Speaker, pursuant to Order 70(2), Ministers of State may be permitted to make Statements of Government policy.
    Mr Speaker may also admit Statements to be made in the House by Hon Members in accordance with Order 72.
    Bills, Papers and Reports
    Mr Speaker, Bills may be presented to the House for First Reading and those of urgent nature may be taken through the
    Majority Leader Chairman of the Business Committee (Dr Ben B. Kunbuor) 10:18 a.m.


    various stages in one day in accordance with Standing Order 119. Papers and Committee reports may also be presented to the House.

    Motions and Resolutions

    Mr Speaker, Motions may be debated and their consequential Resolutions, if any, taken during the week.

    Conclusion

    Mr Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 160(2) and subject to Standing Order 53, the Committee submits to this Honourable House the order in which the Business of the House shall be taken during the week.

    Questions --

    *91. Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah (Akwapim South): To ask the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development what measures the Ministry is putting in place towards the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Aburi Botanical Gardens.

    *92. Mr Ben Abdallah Banda (Offinso South): To ask the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development how many schools in the Offinso South Constituency have been added to the School Feeding Programme since January 2009 to December 2013 indicating their names and locations.

    *93. Mr Philip Basoah (Kumawu): To ask the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development if there are plans by the Ministry to construct office buildings for the newly created districts.

    Statements --

    Presentation of Papers --

    (a) Report of the Auditor-General on the Statement of Foreign Exchange Receipts and Payments of the Bank of Ghana for the half year ended 30th June,

    2013.

    (b) Report of the Joint Committee on Finance and Roads & Transport on the Commercial Agreement among the Government of the Republic of Ghana, Lonrho Ports Ghana Limited and Atuabo Freeport Ghana Limited in respect of the Ghana Oil and Gas Freeport Project.

    Consideration Stage of Bills -- Customs Bill, 2014.

    Committee sittings

    Questions --

    *94. Mr Foster Joseph Andoh (Hemang Lower Denkyira): To ask the Minister for Education whether she is aware that fourteen (14) untrained teachers in the Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira District have not been paid since 2009 when they were recruited and if so, what immediate steps the Ministry is taking to ensure that their salaries are paid.

    *95. Mr Yaw Owusu-Boateng (Asene/ Akroso/Manso): To ask the Minister for Education when the Government will bear the full cost of Basic Education Certificate Examination (B.E.C.E.).

    *96. Mr Yaw Owusu-Boateng (Asene/ Akroso/Manso): To ask the Minister for Education whether Basic Schools in the country have been supplied with the following for the 4th Quarter of 2013: (i) Teacher's Notebooks, (ii) Cumulative Record Cards, (iii) Continuous Assessment Cards, (iv) Chalk, and (v) Capitation Grant.

    *97. Mr Hennric David Yeboah (Afigya- Sekyere East): To ask the Minister for Education when will the GETFund-funded school buildings at Kona Methodist Primary School and Wiamoasi Saviour Primary School be completed.

    *98. Mr Boniface Gambila Adagbila (Nabdam): To ask the Minister for Education if the Ministry is aware that work on the construction of classroom blocks and dormitories for the Kongo Senior High School has ceased and if so, when work will resume and the project be completed and handed over for use.

    Motions --

    (a) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP), 2012 -

    2021.

    (b) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on the Annual Report of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice for the year 2010.

    Consideration Stage of Bills --

    Customs Bill, 2014 (Continuation)

    Plant Breeders Bill, 2013 (Continuation)

    Committee sittings.

    Questions --

    *101. Mr Robert Kwasi Amoah (Achiase): To ask the Minister for Health when the Achiase Health Post will be renovated and possibly be upgraded to the status of a District Hospital.

    *102. Mr Francis Adu-Blay Koffie (Prestea/Huni Valley): To ask the Minister for Health when the Bogoso Clinic will be upgraded to a polyclinic status.

    *103. Mr Francis Adu-Blay Koffie (Prestea/Huni Valley): To ask the Minister for Health what plans the Ministry has to construct a new ultra-modern government hospital at Prestea.

    *104. Mr Ben Abdallah Banda (Offinso South): To ask the Minister for Health how many CHPs Compounds have been constructed in the Ashanti Region from January 2011 to December 2013, their locations and sources of funding.

    *105. Mr Hennric David Yeboah (Afigya -Sekyere East): To ask the Minister for Health when the Agona Government Hospital will be provided a theatre.

    Statements --

    Motion --

    Adoption of the Report of the Joint Committee on Finance and Roads and Transport on the Commercial Agreement among the Government
    Majority Leader Chairman of the Business Committee (Dr Ben B. Kunbuor) 10:18 a.m.
    of the Republic of Ghana, Lonrho Ports Ghana Limited and Atuabo Freeport Ghana Limited in respect of the Ghana Oil and Gas Freeport Project.
    Consequential Resolution
    Consideration Stage of Bills --
    Customs Bill, 2014 (Continuation)
    Plant Breeders Bill, 2013 (Continuation)
    Committee sittings.

    Questions --

    *74. Mr Hennric David Yeboah (Afigya- Sekyere East): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the following roads in Bepoase area of Afigya-Sekyere East Constituency will be opened up: (i) Bepoase - Daban (ii) Funifuni - Daban (iii) Bepoase - Nobesu.

    *75. Mr Hennric David Yeboah (Afigya Sekyere East): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways why the 200m section of road at the outskirts of Wiamoase on the Wiamoase - Bepoase - Kofiase feeder road has not been tarred.

    *126. Mr Yaw Afful (Jaman South): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the contractor working on the Drobo - Sampa trunk road in the Brong Ahafo Region will resume work.

    *127. Mr Kwame Govers Agbodza (Adaklu): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the road between Adaklu Waya (the Distr ict Capital) and Ho (the Regional Capital) will be constructed.

    *128. Mr Benito Owusu-Bio (Atwima- Nwabiagya North): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when speed ramps will be constructed on the Abuakwa - Mfensi stretch of the Kumasi - Sunyani Highway to prevent frequent pedestrian knock downs.

    Statements --

    Presentation of Papers --

    Report of the Finance Committee on the Financing Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the International Development Association (IDA) for an amount equivalent to one hundred and one million Special Drawing Rights (SDR 101,000,000 [US$156.0 million equivalent) to finance the Ghana Secondary School Education Improvement Project.

    Consideration Stage of Bills --

    Customs Bill, 2014 (Continuation)

    Plant Breeders Bill, 2013 (Continuation)

    Committee sittings.

    Mr Speaker, the Business Committee's attention was drawn to the fact that, there would be a presentation to this House by the visiting Speaker from Benin. He would be addressing this House at 12.30 p.m. on Wednesday on a number of issues.

    Mr Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 160(2) and subject to Standing Order 53, the Committee respectfully submits to this Honourable House the order in which the Business of the House shall be taken during the next week.

    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:18 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Minority Leader?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:18 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not really have anything to say. The Hon Majority Leader was signaling to me that we have an appointment elsewhere; outside the Chamber. So, it was in respect of that, that we were both communicating to each other.
    But Mr Speaker, an innocuous observation. Unfortunately, I was not at the Business Committee yesterday but I noticed that, when the Committee met, it was presided over by the Vice Chairman of the Committee, the Hon Alfred Kwame Agbesi. I believe he is a very competent person. He also has appended his signature to the Report. I think he occasioned the writing of the Report; he has appended his true signature to the Report.
    He is here in the Chamber. So, I was thinking that he would have the requisite competence and capability to deliver the Business Statement. So, Mr Speaker, I am surprised that the few amenities that must be bestowed on the Vice Chairman of the Committee are being taken away by the Chairman of the Committee.
    Dr Kunbuor 10:18 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, certainly, these are procedural matters. We did ask for the directions and guidance of our advisors on this matter and they thought that at least, as chairman, my Vice can deputise for me and whenever I become available I can take it up from where he left off.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:18 a.m.
    Hon Annoh-Dompreh?
    Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh 10:18 a.m.
    Mr Speaker there is a general worry among Members from both sides of the House and I thought that just as the Electoral
    Commissioner was invited to give us some briefing, the Business Committee would have found it prudent to invite the Minister for Finance to brief this House on the state of affairs in terms of payment of statutory moneys to Municipalities and Districts as well as Members of Parliament. So, I wish to suggest to the Business Committee if they could take this as an input.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Dr Kunbuor 10:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member would realise that, a number of those procedures are being put in place, starting with the subtle ones and eventually it would find its way to the Business Committee if need be. It is because there was not enough time but I am sure Leadership would have drawn your attention to what has been discussed in relation to this and other important related matters.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I share the sentiments of the Hon Member who just spoke. But I am aware that a substantive Question has been filed, whether or not it has been admitted by the Speaker, it is another matter. But since we are dealing with the Business of the House, occasioned by business that has been transmitted to the Business Committee and this I guess was not part of it.
    The Majority Leader who is the Chairman of the Business Committee may not be able to respond to this. The Speaker may have to indicate to us that the Question has been accepted. I am aware that a substantive Question has been filed.
    Dr Kunbuor 10:25 a.m.
    The practice has been that, Mr Speaker can suo motu to take that position.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
    Pardon me.
    Dr Kunbuor 10:25 a.m.
    I said the practice has been that we have always said it is hereby adopted. Mr Speaker has always said that, except there are very special reasons for us to depart and take the alternative. But for brevity and ease of time, I do not advise that we revert to Motions on this matter.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
    All right. Minority Leader, do you agree with the Majority Leader?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, you would realise that, in the introduction of the Report, the Majority Leader who is the Chairman of the Committee quoted the Standing Order that you have quoted, that is Order 56(2), which entails that the
    Report is submitted on the wings of a Motion. After that, the Question then be put as to the adoption of the Report by the House or otherwise. You may now put the Question on the Motion for the adoption of the Report that has been submitted by the Chairman of the Committee.
    Hon Members, that brings us to the end of the Business Statement for next week, ending Friday 27th June 2014.
    Dr Kunbuor 10:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, while the Rt Hon Speaker was presiding, we did arrive at a position to get some reports that came from the Minister for Health for laying and I would crave your indulgence that we get them laid with that background without having to formalise the proceedings.
    PAPERS 10:25 a.m.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
    Yes, Minority Leader?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, if I heard the substantive Speaker who presided early on, he indicated to us that there are three Reports. It looks like you have read one of the Reports or is it three- in-one report; if we may be properly informed about the report that you have before you? [Pause]
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
    Minority Leader, for the record I would read the title of everything that has been brought, because it seems to me that it is one Report with addendums. We have:
    Submission of enquiry Report on the alleged disappearance of a stillborn baby to Madam Suweiba Mumuni at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, 4 th to 5 th February, 2014. It is dated 19th June, 2014. We also have the Final Report of the Investigation into the issues surrounding the disappearance of the alleged stillborn baby --
    I think for the avoidance of doubt, let us lay - should we lay all the Papers because there is a final Report from the Nursing and Midwifery Council; there are a number of reports so for the avoidance of doubt; we can treat them as attachments.
    The Ministry has compiled all the various Reports they have received. They received a report compiled by three doctors, they received a Report from the Board and Members of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, they received a Report from the Mental and Dental Council, they received another one from the Chief Executive of the Hospital. They also received a Report by the Fact-finding Committee set up by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and a final report by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
    I do not know whether you would consider all of them as attachments, or addendums to the original Report or we should lay each of them individually. This is because, what we have are various Reports from various bodies which have been put together and submitted by the Ministry to this august House. I do not know your pleasure.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, before the Rt Hon Speaker exited, he informed us that there were three Reports. It does appear that there are many more reports to support the Report that the
    Ministry itself is submitting and I would think that for the avoidance of doubt, because the Speaker spoke about three reports, now, you are indicating to us that there are many more sub-reports, if so to describe it.
    I think it may be appropriate for them to be also mentioned, so we know that we would be considering everything in totality because, already, there are some discrepancies about the number of Reports that have come to this House.
    So, I would respectfully entreat that, just as the Report from the Ministry has now been reported on and have been laid, the other Reports which would be very relevant to the enquiry that Parliament itself may engage in, may be appropriate for those Reports to also be captured appropriately as part of our records.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
    I think as a compromise, we would ask the Clerk to read the Report and mention the rest as addendum to the attachments to the Report so that it forms part of the record. So, read it again and say “with addendums”, and the Clerk would read each of the addendums so that we are all clear in our minds.
    With all respect, Minority Leader, we are receiving a Report from the Ministry of Health and that is what has been read, but that Report has various addendums; and in my humble view, maybe we should not lay them one by one. But I get the point you are making, so that tomorrow there would be no argument as to how many addendums or annexures there were. The Clerk would read it once again and then read also, all the addendums —
    Yes Majority Leader?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
    I agree with you.
    Dr Kunbuor 10:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think that would make it neater, otherwise you would request for a Report and then end up dealing with Reports —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
    There is only one Report —
    Dr Kunbuor 10:35 a.m.
    Precisely —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
    But that one Report has attachments and —
    Dr Kunbuor 10:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we have received these types of documents before, even some times, we have three volumes of the same Report but we have always dealt with it as a Report.
    Mr Dominic B.A Nitiwul 10:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, as my Hon Colleague said, the Speaker requested for a Report upon the request of the Member for Asawase. But what is important in this House is that, the Ministry has brought all their reports plus the attachments that they think, are necessary to assist this House.
    Mr Speaker, the important thing for me, is to have the Reports with all the attachments for the Committee to have a look and report to this House and so whichever term we would give to this particular report, it is important that it is a

    Report with all the attachments that the Committee should have the opportunity to look at. Parliament should refer it for us to be able to have that opportunity to look at all the Reports with all the attachments, that the Ministry felt it was necessary for Parliament to aid in its work.

    This is because the Ministry would have looked at all these reports and felt that we would be in position to seek for the information that are also embedded in the Report, that is why they brought them.

    Mr Speaker, it is important that we do that and move on.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
    Hon Member, I think this is one situation that I agree with both of you and so I would strike a compromise and that is simple; there is only one report but it has annexures or attachments.
    The practice has not been to read the annexures or the attachments but since the matter has been raised, and for the avoidance of doubts, especially, since this is a very sensitive matter, so that the annexures and the attachments become part of the record, I would ask that the Clerk reads the title of the report again and state for the record; with the following attachments. Just for the records, but I agree with both sides. The Majority Leader is right and the Minority Leader is right- for once there is a draw in Parliament.
    The Clerk please?
    TITLE OF THE REPORT AND 10:35 a.m.
    ANNEXURES 10:35 a.m.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
    Hon Members, because of the very delicate nature of this matter that is why we went this extra step.
    I have also been advised that, the Leadership of the Women's Caucus would also join the Committee so it is referred to the Select Committee on Health in attendance by the leadership of the Women's Caucus.
    Hon Papa Owusu-Ankomah, do you want the Men's Caucus to join or —
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 10:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I believe at a meeting of the Committee, any Member of the House may be able to attend, however, reference to the Women's Caucus does not really fall in line with our Standing Orders, since it is not a Committee of the House as envisaged in our Standing Orders. But as Hon Members of Parliament, they can attend but formally to involve them, may be problematic.
    Mr Speaker, probably you may refer the matter to the Select Committee on Health and any other Hon Member who may be interested or you could add Gender and Children.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Yes Hon Member?

    Hajia Boforo: Mr Speaker, I would just want to remind my learned Hon Member that, the Women's Caucus is a recognised caucus in Parliament. So, he should not say that it is not recognised; it is a recognised caucus in Parliament.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Hon Member, your learned Hon Member is a Hon Member who is learned. That is the terminology.
    Hon Papa Owusu-Ankomah, I thought you were going to stand up and talk for the Men's Caucus or there is no Men's Caucus in Parliament?
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 10:45 a.m.
    There is no Men's Caucus. But the Women's Caucus is not a Committee of the House. It is a caucus just like the Population Caucus, the Western Caucus and other caucuses, but it is not a committee of the House to which a referral may be made. However, the Committee on Gender and Children is a committee of the House and since this matter seems to be a matter affecting women and children, probably Mr Speaker, you may add the Committee on Gender and Children.
    Mr Agbesi 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in asking for this Report, the Rt. Hon Speaker and this House attach importance to this Committee's work. So, if Mr Speaker is minded to say the Women's Caucus should be part of this Committee to do the work, it tells Ghanaians that we are attaching so much importance to the missing baby. That is why the Women's Caucus should be involved. The Committee on Women should also go --
    but the Women's Caucus -- is an issue involving women and children so there is the need for them to be involved. Mr Speaker, I am tempted to say that your direction is appropriate.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Hon Patrick Boamah, are you speaking for the Men's Caucus or the Women's Caucus?
    Mr Boamah 10:45 a.m.
    Not at all, Mr Speaker.
    This is the Parliament of Ghana which is governed by the Rules of this Parliament. I tend to side with my Hon Colleague, Papa Owusu-Ankomah. The Women's Caucus is alien to the rules of this House. The Standing Orders does not mention the Women's Caucus. So, if every Hon Member has the right to attend any committee's meeting, that Hon Member should have that right to attend. If you are a man and you want to participate, you have the right to participate in that activity. But to ask the Women's Caucus, which is a caucus of only the women of this House, for such a referral, I believe is not in the right direction.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, is it an innocuous point or --
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in every Parliament there are recognised groups, so the Women's Caucus would be a group that is recognised by the Parliament, just so we have the Population Caucus, which is not listed as a Standing or a Select Committee but as a recognised group in the House.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Which is the other one -- you can also give AWEPA (Association of Western European Parliament for Africa).
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:45 a.m.
    AWEPA is a recognised group. Association of Parliamentarians Network against Corruption (APNAC) is a recognised group even though they are not listed as
    Standing or Select Committees. Mr Speaker, these are facts known to every Parliament. However, I agree that in this particular matter, the appropriate location would be the Committee on Health and the Committee on Gender and Children.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Thank you.
    If I get no comment from the Hon Majority Leader then I take it that, he agrees with the Hon Minority Leader. So, the referral -- this is an invitation to treat. If I get no comment --
    Dr Kunbuor 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, this is a matter that we want to deal with expeditiously and all shades of opinion that can make some input into this matter would be welcome. The categorisation seems to be getting disturbing. Whichever way Mr Speaker wants to refer it, so that all shades of opinions would inform the deliberation, I do not really have a strong position in one way or the other.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Thank you, very much.
    In that view, I would take the recommendation of the Hon Minority Leader and refer the matter to the Select Committee on Health and the Committee on Gender and Children and of course, if the Women's Caucus wants to be there, they can be in attendance.
    Referred to the Joint Committee on Health and Gender and Children.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Hon Majority Leader?
    Dr Kunbuor 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we have a number of Questions.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Are we ready for the Questions?
    Hon Minister for Roads and Highways?
    Dr Kunbuor 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, permission is sought for the Hon Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways to answer these Questions.
    I have been informed that, the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways has applied for his leave and same has been granted. He might be physically present here, but he is present here as an Hon Member of Parliament because the leave from the Executive does not also constitute a leave from Parliament. So, technically speaking, Mr Speaker, he is unable to answer the Question in that capacity whiles he is on leave. So, I crave your indulgence for the Hon Deputy Minister to answer the Questions.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, well, this information about the Hon Member who is still responsible for Roads and Highways being on leave is the first time this House is being informed of this situation. The Hon Majority Leader informs us that, in the circumstance that he has alluded to, the Hon Minister responsible for Roads and Highways is unable to respond to the Questions.
    Mr Speaker, he is here. Does he suffer from any disability? If he is not disabled, he may perhaps, be prepared to answer the Questions. So, can we ask him whether he is not disabled from answering the Question? If he is not disabled, he may, perhaps, show some intent.
    And Mr Speaker, demonstrably I see that he is prepared to answer the Questions. So, let us hear from him.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    The Hon Minister for Roads and Highways, on leave or -- Hon Member I recognise you.
    Alhaji Sulemani 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I applied for leave and I have been granted leave with effect from 17th June to 2nd July 2014. So, I would resume on 2nd July, 2014.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Well, I do not want to stretch this issue. But the Hon Majority Leader would agree with me that, this is an interesting legal positon, whether when you go on leave you are no longer responsible -- It is very interesting. The Hon Majority Leader would agree with me that, it is only the Supreme Court which can answer some of these Questions. I am simply a Speaker, Second Deputy as such. So, if you have no objection, let us let the Hon Deputy Minister answer. The Hon Minister is on leave but he is here. It is a Constitutional matter.
    Dr Kunbuor 10:45 a.m.
    infact, Mr Speaker, that is why I think both you and myself and for that matter this House, should resist the temptation of this Constitutional challenge.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    You know we can ask for opinions. Before I invite you, Hon Minority Leader, since we have a senior former Attorney-General in the House, we can just hear his view. It is very interesting. We are not going to rule on the matter, but just to guide us as to whether an Hon Minister on leave should answer Questions or not, and whether when he goes on leave the House should be informed formally of his leave. But this is just obiter, so we would allow the man to answer the Questions.
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, one would say that the Question that you have posed, bristles with legal and constitutional niceties; I would not want to enter into that area, save and except to state that, a Minster is a Minister; leave or not, it is an internal matter really, but

    not in respect with transactions with Parliament.

    Having said that, Mr Speaker, the Hon Member for Sisala West says he is here in his capacity as the Hon Member of Parliament (MP) for Sisala West. So we may take it as that, and the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business has also confirmed that, the Minister is on leave. But he is here in his capacity as the representative of the people of Sisala West. It is a matter that ought to be discussed further, so that we improve upon our governance.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    I think that we would let sleeping dogs lie and then we ask all the gentlemen up standing to go to the Supreme Court which is not too far from here. Sorry, Minority Leader.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, as you have said, these are interesting times, but I recognise a Minister may be granted leave in his capacity as a Minister by the President. He remains a Minister even if on leave. He is here notwithstanding his application for leave which he said has been granted. As Members of Parliament and as we do know, Members of Parliament ordinarily do not seek leave.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, address the Chair.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Minister on leave cannot attempt to respond to this, he is on leave as a Minister. But I am making the point --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    He did not say he is on leave as a Minister; he is on leave as the Minister for Roads and Highways --
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:55 a.m.
    As a Minister for Roads and Highways --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    No, he cannot be on leave as a Minister. Once a Minister, unless you are removed, you are still a Minister.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:55 a.m.
    Right. Mr Speaker, the other one is in respect of a Cabinet Minister filling in. I noticed that the Answers to Questions filed with the Minister responsible for Roads and Highways, indeed directed at the Ministry.
    The Minister has deputies who in the absence of the designated Cabinet Minister are to be in charge, while the Minister is on leave they could still assist this House in proffering Answers to Questions that have been filed.
    rose
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:55 a.m.
    Minister for “Misinformation” please, I am not addressing you, I am addressing the Leader of Government Business.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    But he can rise, Minority Leader and I can recognise him even maybe on a point of order.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, he knows I am not out of order. As I said, there are deputies who assist the Minister. The Leader of the House may inform us if the Minister in charge and the deputies also are unable to assist this House in this matter.
    Dr Kunbuor 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I agree with you entirely when you said “we should let sleeping dogs lie” and I went further to say that “and also let lying dogs sleep.” What I indicated was that, the Minister responsible for Roads and Highways is unavailable to answer the Question and I wanted to crave your indulgence for the Deputy Minister to answer it. I did not specifically refer to that Minister in relation to the Hon Member for Sisala West; then an issue was raised that the Minister is sitting here.
    If we had communicated properly, we would have known that, when I indicated that he proceeded on leave, the logical question would have been that there is a Minister responsible; that is the Question he has asked.
    Indeed, there is a Minister responsible for the Ministry of Roads and Highways in the person of Hon Collins Dauda who is not available and it is in that context that I am asking that the Deputy be permitted to answer the Question.
    Sometimes, you need to conserve a bit of energy and should not assume a higher burden than the circumstances impose on you, so I have been answering the Questions to the best of my ability and as the circumstances dictate on this matter.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister, Question Number 71, Hon Phillip Basoah, Member of Parliament for Kumawu.
    ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 10:55 a.m.
    MINISTRY OF ROADS AND 10:55 a.m.
    HIGHWAYS 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Basoah 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, there was a typographical mistake and instead of these roads being placed under Question 71, they were placed under Question 72, and I would want to crave your indulgence to correct this accordingly. Thank you Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Philip Basoah.
    Mr Basoah 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, the -- [Interruption]
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Yeboah, is there -- sorry --
    Mr Basoah 10:55 a.m.
    This is a supplementary Question.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Sorry, Hon Yeboah, is there a problem?
    Mr Yeboah 10:55 a.m.
    Yes Mr Speaker, the Answers read are under my Question which is Number 72. He read wrong Answers.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Hon Basoah's Question is Question 71 --
    Mr Yeboah 11:05 a.m.
    He read Q 72 but surprisingly, some of the towns he mentioned fall within my constituency, Banko, Akotosu and the like --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Hon Minister, we are being told that the supplement which is in the Order Paper, I think that is what you are holding in your hands, the white one. Can somebody give him the supplement please?
    In the Question, they are saying that it is being --
    Can I have some Order? Please let us have some Order. Let us help the Minister.
    Hon Minister, respectfully, we are being told that apparently the Question that was asked you is Q 71 by Hon Philip Basoah, but the Answer you gave, we are being told, you have read Q 72. Is that correct?
    Mr Adjei Mensah 11:05 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker. I did in my presentation request or craved your indulgence to make correction on some specific town roads which were misplaced for Q 72, not that I used Q 72 answers for Q 71.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Hon Basoah?
    Mr Basoah 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the towns that he mentioned; Akotosu, Akrofusu, Abotanso junction and the like, they all fall under my Constituency and that is why I did not say anything about it.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    All right. So, your supplementary Question.
    Mr Basoah 11:05 a.m.
    As the Deputy Minister rightly pointed out, the road was awarded for bituminous surfacing by the Department of Feed Roads since 2007 under the International Development Agency Fund and it was expected to be completed within twelve calendar months; which means funds were earmarked for the completion of that project. But I am surprised that, the contractor was not given funds for the completion of the project.
    I would like to find out from the Deputy Minister why funds were not released to the contractor for the completion of the project?
    Mr Adjei Mensah 11:05 a.m.
    Thank you Mr Speaker, the contractor did not perform. He did not execute the contract, that is why it was terminated.
    Mr Basoah 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my check from the contractor revealed that, he was on the project executing it, but it got to a point when he went for funds for the project, his check revealed that the funds were diverted for another project. That was why he could not execute the project. It
    was not true that the contractor was not doing the work. That is from my check from the contractor. --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    When a Question -- we would not allow this very serious Question to degenerate into shouting bouts. The Minister is competent. The is the first time he is answering a Question. Wait, let him answer the Question. The gentleman has asked a Question and I would be grateful if Hon Members could hold their horses to allow the Minister the freedom to answer the Questions. Today is his day, his Minister is on leave, give him the chance.
    Deputy Minister or Minister, sorry.
    Mr Adjei Mensah 11:05 a.m.
    Thank you Mr Speaker. The information available is that, the contractor did not perform therefore the contract was terminated.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Yes Hon Member, no, you have done your two supplementary Questions.
    Mr Basoah 11:05 a.m.
    All right.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    The supplementary questions, are they three?
    Mr Basoah 11:05 a.m.
    There are two questions that I have asked and it is left with one.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    All right, thank you. Ask your last supplementary question.
    Mr Basoah 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to know from the Minister whether there are plans by the Ministry for surfacing the road before the end of the year 2016?
    Mr Basoah 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speakers the road is being repackaged and it would be considered under the 2015 budget.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Yes Hon Member?
    Dr Nana Arthur 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am surprised the town of Nsuta is left out. The original document stated Banko to Nsuta. Unfortunately, in his presentation Nsuta is left out. Can he explain to this House please? --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Order!
    Mr Adjei Mensah 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Question again?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    You did not hear it or it was a slang?
    Dr Nana Arthur 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, what I am asking the Minister is that, the original document spoke of Nsuta as part of the project. Unfortunately in his presentation, Nsuta is missing; he said Banko to Nsuta. So, I am only asking him, in the new package, is it going to include Nsuta or not? [Interrruption]
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Order! Order! Too many Ministers answering the Question but there is only one I recognise.
    Mr Adjei Mensah 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, currently the Ghana Highways Authority is working on the Ayenko-Nsuta road.
    Dr Nana Arthur 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, from the Answer, the contract was terminated due to non-performance. I would want to find out the contract sum, how much the contractor had been paid at the time of termination and what was the rate of performance at the time of termination?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Thank you Hon Dr Nana Ato Arthur. Or Nana, is it Professor? Or is it Dr or just Dr. Oh just Dr.
    Mr Adjei Mensah 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am not in the position to give the full details as of now. I can provide that in a week's time.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Is that an assurance?
    Mr Adjei Mensah 11:05 a.m.
    Yes, it is an assurance. I will provide that.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    So it should be part of the Business Statement for next week. Hon Agbesi, I direct that it be part of the Business Statement for next week, because he has given us the assurance.
    Mr Baffour Awuah 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in an answer to a Question, the Hon Minister said the contract was terminated for non- performance. I would just want to know from the Minister what constitutes a non- performance?
    Mr Adjei Mensah 11:05 a.m.
    Per the contract, he did not execute it in line with the contractual agreement and so the clause of non-performance applied, that is why the contract was terminated. Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Hon Annoh-Dompreh, the last Question on this.
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, Does the Minister recognise that the much talked about routine maintenance project of Government is suspect particularly, in the Eastern Region? Is he aware of that?
    -- 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    I would go to the next Question. Hon Annoh- Dompreh, in the days of the Advanced Level Examinations that is very general. That is very general paper; Eastern
    Region. Hon Annoh-Dompreh, not even your constituency, Eastern Region! But I am sure if you file a Question they would answer it for you.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Question 72, Hon Henric David Yeboah -Afigya Sekyere East.
    The Agona-Boaman Afigya Trunk Road (Tarring)
    Q72 Mr Hennric David Yeboah asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Agona -Boaman Afigya trunk road would be tarred?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister?
    Mr Adjei Mensah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Agona-Boaman-Afigya Ahenkro road is a 24km paved road in fair condition with scarified sections of about 5km. It forms part of the regional road R43.
    Current Programme
    Currently, a contract has been awarded to patch potholes on the paved section and reshape the gravel sections.
    Future Programme
    Partial reconstruction of the road will be considered in our 2016 Maintenance Programme. After the completion of major roads such as:
    Akotosu-Akrofuso feeder roads 6.8km.
    Abotanso Junction to Abotanso feeder road 4.6km
    Akrofuso-Asaman feeder road 4.6k,
    Sekyere-Banko and other roads 10.4km
    Akrofuso-Sekyere feeder roads 2.7km
    Mr Yeboah 11:15 a.m.
    Can the Hon Deputy Minister explain what he means by partial reconstruction?
    Mr Adjei Mensah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in my presentation, I mentioned that there is some scarifying work that needs to be done. This concerns potholes and others. So the scarification would be done when the potholes and others have been completed before the total resurfacing and everything would proceed.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Deputy Minister, just a comment. The Answers to these Questions are given to us by the technocrats. I would plead that, where there are any technical words, try and get them to simplify it so that everybody understands. You, by virtue of being in the Ministry have gained some special knowledge, but for a lot of us we do not know what “scarified” means.
    “Scarified” is not an ordinary English word; it is a technical term. I would not ask you to explain it now, but next time when you look at it and you see that there are some of these technical terms, you know, but perhaps we simple lawyers do not know what “scarified” means, so next time.
    Yes, Hon Member -- and do not ask what scarified” means please. I have banned that Question.
    Mr Yeboah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to know from the Deputy Minister, he said currently a contract has been awarded to patch potholes on the paved section. The road in question has a serious sinking bridge problem but he did not mention that.
    Mr Yeboah 11:15 a.m.


    When the outgoing Hon Minister came here last three months, he said they were going to work on that bridge. It has been given to a contractor but he did not say anything about the sinking bridge. I would want to know what he is going to do about the sinking bridge.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Deputy Minister?
    Mr Adjei Mensah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my understanding of his question is about the tarring of his road, therefore if there is any request for issues on his bridges, that would form another step in providing him with the information.
    Mr Yeboah 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister, you said a contract has been given to a contractor about the repairing of the roads but the bridge is in -- doing of potholes; and the road is not motorable, so what is the use for you to do the potholes when the bridge is collapsing? If you do the potholes and the road is not motorable, what have you done?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Deputy Minister, I think it is a relevant Question. Tarring is all part of -- you have to do the potholes, the bridge and everything is part of it. If it is not part of your brief, let us add it to the one week -- because it is relevant. I have ruled it relevant; I have admitted the Question.
    Mr Adjei Mensah 11:15 a.m.
    So should I answer it?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Yes, answer it if you can.
    Mr Adjei Mensah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in my presentation, I mentioned that pothole patching was that which featured on the contractual deal, so the bridge details and
    others could form another step in coming back with some information for him.
    We have a couple of projects in his area which are factored into the 2015 budget that would take care of these. For instance, the Ahenkro to Nsuta road, the Sekyere-dumase to Anyinase and others and there would be a spillover in his area as well.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Minister, let us be a little cautious. He asked about a specific bridge, so if you take other contracts and by extension there is a spillover to his area, I would not want you to go that way.
    He talked about a specific bridge, let us restrict ourselves. If you do not have the Answer -- because it was not directly in the Question. I appreciate that, you need time to go and get the Answer before you could -- I would not advise the spillover answer.
    Mr Adjei Mensah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would go back and find information about the bridge and subject to financial availability the bridge would be handled.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Mr Yeboah 11:15 a.m.
    The towns or villages mentioned are not in my constituency so he should not say he is going to maintain or do something in 2015.
    Could the Minister assure the House, when the partial reconstruction would be started in 2016?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    That is a good question. Yes, Minister?
    Mr Adjei Mensah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, subject to financial availability, the road would be factored in the budget.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Question 73 -- Hon Hennric David Yeboah -- Member of Parliament for Afigya- Sekyere East.
    Let me finish.
    The Boanim-Amenase Wiamoase Feeder Road (Tarring)
    Q 73. Mr Hennric David Yeboah asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Boanim - Amenase - Wiamoase feeder road would be tarred?
    Mr Adjei Mensah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Boanim -Amenase -Wiamoase road is a 9.3 km engineered road in the Afigya- Sekyere East District of the Ashanti region. It is a gravelled road in poor condition.
    Current Programme
    Routine maintenance works would be programmed on the road in our subsequent maintenance budget.
    Future Programme
    Engineering studies would be conducted on the road this year. Based on the outcome of the studies and availability of funds, the option of bituminous surfacing would be considered.
    1125 a.m.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Thank you very much.
    Hon Member?
    Mr Yeboah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, can the Hon Member tell the House when the subsequent maintenance project would be made?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Minister?
    Mr Isaac A. Mensah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the routine maintenance programme would be factored into the 2015 budget.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Member?
    Mr H. D. Yeboah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, is the Hon Minister indicating that he does not know when the road would be tarred by saying the work is subject to availability of funds?
    Mr Adjei Mensah 11:15 a.m.
    I did say that the engineering studies would be conducted on the road this year, and that, based on the outcome of the studies and also the availability of funds, the option of bituminous surfacing would be considered.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Question number 76. Hon Patrick Yaw Boamah, Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central.
    The N 1 or George Walker Bush Highway
    (Pedestrian Safety )
    Q 76 Mr Patrick Yaw Boamah asked the Minister for Roads and Highways what the Ministry was doing to ensure pedestrian safety on the N1 or George Walker Bush Highway, especially, on the Abeka Lapaz section of the road?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Minister?
    Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways (Mr Isaac Adjei Mensah on behalf of the Minister for Roads and Highways): Mr Speaker the N1 Highway (George Walker Bush motorway) serves as a regional route, as part of the international Trans-West Africa Highway as well as a principal urban distributor for the city of Accra. It is a very significant link to Kotoka International Airport and Tema Harbour.
    The roadway traverses through the densely populated urban areas of Dzorwulu, Abelemkpe, Abeka, Kwashie- man, etc.
    A review of previous accidents indicate that more pedestrians are being killed on the road especially, at Abeka Lapaz section where pedestrian, activities are high.
    Intervention
    The interventions made to address the problem on the road include the following:
    Provision of fencing to manage the uncontrolled pedestrian crossing
    Installation of traffic signals
    In addition to the above interventions, five (5) additional foot bridges have been proposed at different locations including Abeka Lapaz. In view of the urgency of the Abeka Lapaz situation, procurement process for the additional footbridge is currently in progress.
    A contractor has been engaged to undertake the installation of a traffic light with a pelican phase to link the two trotro
    stations at Abeka. The work is ongoing and expected to be completed by September this year.
    A pelican crossing is being placed at Dzorwulu. It will be powered by the end of July. Similar interventions are being carried out at the Kwashieman and Awoshie junctions of the road. We have programmed to provide directional signs at the approaches of the entries and exits of the interchange.
    The possibility of providing two No. Under-passes is also under consideration.
    Mr Boamah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to know the procurement stage for the construction of the Abeka Lapaz foot- bridge.
    Second Deputy Speaker: Hon Minister?
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:15 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, I am aware that the date has been received and the next process would be to select the contractor to go on with the process. Going forward, I would also request that probably further details could be submitted to assure him of the process.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    When would the further details be submitted, and in what manner?
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think in about a month we can provide full details of the project for him.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader, when a Minister in an Answer, gives an assurance that details would be provided, does it automatically become a Question for that time?
    Is it a matter for the Committee on Government Assurances to follow up or it is a private matter? Maybe I would ask Hon Papa Owusu- Ankomah, because the Minister has done that a lot. I am not saying that it is wrong, but I just want to know the process.
    Hon Member for Sekondi, the Minister for the third time has given some assurance that, part of the Answer is not readily available so he would give it later. First, he said in a week's time, now he has been asked about the state of the procurement process and he said he would give the Answer in a month's time. There is nothing wrong with that, but I am asking that, can we ask the Business Committee therefore to take note and make sure that it comes, or is it the Committee on Government Assurances? So we leave it at that, and leave it for him to deal with the Member quietly? What is the procedure?
    Papa Owusu - Ankomah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, this is something he has promised the House. So strictly speaking, the Clerk should follow it up, and when it is submitted then it would be laid on the Table and it becomes part of the proceedings of the House.
    But Mr Speaker, we have not been doing this and Ministers come before the House, say something, and they never even redeem their promise. But I know the Committee on Government Assurances has considered that as one of its mandates, and has set up a procedure for following up these matters on behalf of the House. I am sure in due time, the House would be apprised of it.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Mr Agbesi 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I agree with my Colleague on the other side of the House that we need to develop a procedure in tracing these assurances that are made on the floor of the House, particularly as the Ministers who appear have to go back to their Ministries and see what actually happens there, what is available immediately, would give a double assurance.
    So we need a procedure, if not, all the things that they come to say become a problem. We need to follow a certain system to be able to monitor the assurances they give on the floor. Most of the time, the Ministers must be held to whatever they come to say on the floor. As we know the working government machinery, it is not practically possible to immediately come and say before the House that it is within a week or two.
    So, we need a system to monitor these things for the Committee on Government Assurance, to also follow up.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    The Clerk has assured me that he would as suggested by the Hon Member for Sekondi, follow it up. Perhaps, I would direct that today's Proceedings also be given to the Committee on Government Assurance, for them to take note. This is because they are the Committee that monitors on our behalf.
    Yes, Hon Patrick Yaw Boamah?
    Mr Boamah 11:35 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    The Minister in his Answer stated that, a contractor has been engaged to undertake the installation of traffic lights and some other works, and that work was
    Mr Boamah 11:35 a.m.


    ongoing, and it is expected to be completed by September this year.

    I would like to ask the Hon Minister, the name of the contractor and exactly where that work is taking place.
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not have the name of the contractor immediately with me. Again if it sits well, Mr Speaker, with you, that could also be provided.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Do you want to -- I see you have received some technical advice.
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the name of the contractor is Facol Roads.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Boamah, you have your last question.
    Mr Boamah 11:35 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker. I asked exactly where the contractor is undertaking those works, exactly where on that stretch.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    The road is quite a stretch and he wants to know with the exactitude where the contractor is.
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not know specifically where the contractor has reached on the project. I can find out and give him the information as appropriate.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    I think you have done your three supplementary Questions.
    Mr Boamah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am left with one Question.
    My questions are all written down, so I know.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    I do not understand what you are saying. You have Question number 76 and you have asked that Question, and you have three supplementary Questions. Have you done your three supplementary Questions?
    Mr Boamah 11:35 a.m.
    No, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    You have done only two?
    Mr Boamah 11:35 a.m.
    That is so, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    All right. So you have your third supplementary then.
    Mr Boamah 11:35 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    I would like to know the other proposed locations for the bridges, apart from Abeka-Lapaz.
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in my presentation I did say that, five additional footbridges, if I did get the Question. Five additional footbridges have been proposed at different locations including: Abeka-Lapaz, which is specific to his area, and I can also bring out the other details for him at the appropriate time.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    ‘Appropriate time' is a little broad Hon Deputy Minister. You were on one week, and then you went to one month; ‘appropriate time' is almost infinite. So I would want you to -- this is not a difficult thing. I am sure even now they can give it to you; it is not too difficult.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Minister?
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, these areas are: Awoshie, Kwashieman,Dzorwulu and Apenkwa.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    So the appropriate time was almost immediate?
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:35 a.m.
    Yes, thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Joe Appiah.
    Mr Justice J. Appiah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, may I crave your indulgence to read from the addendum.
    “The road transverses through the densely populated areas of Dzorwulu, Abelenkpe, Abeka and Kwashiman”, which is my Con- stituency.
    “In addition to the above inter- ventions, five additional footbridges have been proposed at different locations including Abeka Lapaz. In view of the urgency of the Abeka Lapaz situation, procurement process for the additional footbridge is currently in progress”.
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the five areas or locations include: Kwashieman, which serves your Constituency, any other proposal, I think would have to be laid before the technocrats to consider the viability, and indeed all would be subject to financial availability.
    Mr Joe Appiah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am talking about the Mallam Market, leading to the N1. It is a market and a lot of people are dying on that stretch of the road.
    An Hon Member 11:35 a.m.
    How many people?
    Mr Joe Appiah 11:35 a.m.
    Almost every weekend, -- [Laughter]-- people die over there, because of the market.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Minister?
    Mr I.A. Mensah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Mallam Market, which falls in the Hon Member's constituency, is awarded under an Austrian Facility.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    I think the comment is such a big one, how people are dying every week. Mallam Market is so big, so I think you need to bring a Question on this so that we can interrogate Mallam Market into detail.
    Yes, Hon Kwetey.
    Mr Franklin F. Kwetey 11:35 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker, in the Deputy Minister's answers, he mentioned that the solutions to this Question are in two folds: provision of fencing and, installation of traffic lights.
    Going further, he mentioned that two pelican traffic lights are going to be constructed or are being constructed; one at Lapaz and one at Dzorwulu. The Dzorwulu one is to be completed by the end of July and the Abeka Lapaz one, by the end of September.
    In my Hon Colleague's Answer, he said that he does not know exactly where the traffic light is being constructed. If the Hon Deputy Minister does not know where the traffic light is being constructed -- we all use the Dzorwulu road; every day, that is where I pass to my house; I have not seen anything being constructed how can that traffic light be finished by the end of July; when we are in June. He should come clear on that.
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I did say that I would provide the information at the appropriate time, and rightly so, the information was given to me. I did say that, one is Awoshie, Kwashieman, Dzorwulu and Apenkwa. I think that satisfies his Question.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    I do not think that --
    Mr Kwetey 11:35 a.m.
    No, Mr Speaker. I am talking about the pelican traffic lights that he mentioned, I am not talking about the footbridges. I am talking about traffic lights the Hon Member mentioned in his Answer. He said the one in Dzorwulu was to be completed by the end of July. I have not seen anything there. That is my route every morning and evening, I have not seen anything going on there. So what is going to be completed by the end of July?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Thank you.
    Yes, Hon Minister?
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the information I have is that it is expected that by the end of July Dzorwulu would have been completed and in September, the other one would also be concluded. These are technical work, so I would ask my Chief Director to follow up, because on record, work is supposed to be ongoing. They are expected to be finalised at the announced times.
    Mr Richard Quashigah 11:35 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker. When my Colleague, Hon Joe Appiah on the other side --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    No! Hon Quashigah, ask a question. If you want to ask the Minister a question, ask him.
    Mr Quashigah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister whether indeed it is true that, along the Mallam road, which a Colleague referred to, people are dying every week. I would want the Minister to confirm that assertion.
    In fact it was not even every week, he said on daily basis.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Hon Quashigah, I think that I made the point that the Mallam question is bigger than today, so if Hon Joe Appiah wants to ask a Question on it, he can ask the Question, and if he wants to read a Statement, he can read a Statement. We are on N1, if we go to Mallam, we may end up in Cape Coast so let us stay on N1, please. Your question is overruled.
    Dr Stephen Nana Ato Arthur 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, from the Answer, there have been some pedestrians who have been killed on this road. How many lives have we lost on this road so far regarding the pedestrians that he made mention of? [Interruptions.] Mr Speaker, again, I would want to find out --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    One Question; no multiple Questions. But you can let one flow into the other. If you take away the “again” and start again -- If you can do it in such a way that it is not two Questions --
    Dr (Nana) Arthur 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, from the Answer, more pedestrians are being killed. My understanding is that already some pedestrians have been killed.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Order! Order!
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not immediately have the statistical details as requested by the Hon Member. Indeed, this falls under the national road safety which is the responsibility or dereliction of the Ministry of Transport.
    Ms Freda A. O. Prempeh 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the Hon Deputy Minister's presentation he mentioned that:
    “We have programmed to provide directional signs at the approaches of the entries and exits of the interchange”.
    I would want to find out from the Hon Deputy Minister exactly when that project would take off?
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, this is not something that I can immediately give specifics, but it is a planned programme that is on the drawing board. So, that could also form part of coming back with the details if that sits very well with the Hon Member.
    Mrs Elizabeth K. T. Sackey 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am not very much satisfied with the Answer given by the Hon Deputy Minister. For the fact that, Mr Speaker, we all know what is happening right now on the N1 road, more especially, at the Abeka Lapaz traffic light where daily, it is real; and I would want to put it on record that every day we have accidents over there. People die there every day and it is about daily we are all aware more especially the school children. [Interruption.] Please, I come from the area and I am telling you what is happening r ight there. [Interruption.]
    Mr Speaker, the school children crossing over from Akweteyman to Apenkwa --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Your question?
    Mrs Sackey 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my Question is, they promised almost every time that it would be done, I would want to know how soon is their soon, for us to know the safety of the road, if we are talking about safeness of the road more especially for the pedestrians and the school children over there?
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Question was specific to Abeka Lapaz and we gave the details to the extent that some of the interventions would be finalised by the end of July this year as well as the end of September.
    I think this is ample detail to assure the Hon Member that the issue is being attended to properly.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    The last supplementary Question.
    Mr Ignatius B. Awuah 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister in his Answer said:
    “A contractor has been engaged to undertake the installation of a traffic light with a pelican phase to link the two trotro stations at Abeka. The work is ongoing and expected to be completed by September this year”.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to know from the Hon Deputy Minister, we are in June and the installation of the traffic light is going to be completed in September. How long does it take to install one traffic light?
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thought this Question relates to the previous one asked by Hon Quaittoo. A contract has been signed and it is expected that by the end of September the work would have been done. That is our expectation.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Hon Quashigah, you have a Question to ask the Hon Deputy Minister?
    Mr Quashigah 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, rightly so.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Hon Quashigah, that would be the last question.
    Mr Quashigah 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, it has been said in this House which is a House of record, that people keep dying on daily basis on the Awoshie and Mallam roads. It would be pertinent for the Hon Deputy Minister to actually substantiate these issues that have been raised. Since this is a House of record, I would crave your indulgence, Mr Speaker, to allow the Hon Deputy Minister to speak to this particular matter.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    You are out order. It is not a Question. Hon Members, there are ways in which these things can be done. Question time, I do not want to give those kind of directions, so if you see your Leadership -- I have seen that Hon Agbesi has been taking note; he is nodding his head here and there; they know what to do; they know how to bring this matter forward.
    Mr Agbesi 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think that the Hon Deputy Minister in his Answer has adverted to the fact that:
    “A review of previous accidents indicate that more pedestrians are being killed on the road …”
    He has stated it in black and white. It only means that pedestrians are being killed and it is for the Hon Minister or the Ministry to take steps that these things do not occur. So, he has listed steps that are being taken to minimise if not avoid
    totally those incidents. The killing of pedestrians is a concern to this House, to all of us, to Ghanaians including those who are from outside who use that part of the road.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the Hon Deputy Minister, apart from these steps that he has listed, what are they doing as a matter of urgency to see to it that things are avoided?
    This is my Question to the Hon Deputy Minister.
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, indeed, accidents on that stretch of road is worrying and any life lost is also regretted. We would ensure that, all the steps or interventions that have been put in place would be carried through to ensure that the accidents and the deaths, if possible are avoided.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Question number 77. In the meantime, we would all keep in mind that we have given several assurances. As we were speaking, the Chairman of the Government Assurance Committee walked in and the Vice Chairman of the Committee is also here.
    Hon Bedzrah, do you want to say something?
    Mr Emmanuel K. Bedzrah 11:55 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am the Chairman of the Committee not the Vice Chairman.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    All right.
    Mr Bedzrah 11:55 a.m.
    We have taken notice of all the Hon Deputy Minister has given and we would pursue that.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Thank you. Hon Bedzrah, I am deeply sorry for referring to you as the Vice Chairman when you are the Chairman. I am very sorry, it will not happen again.
    Question number 77, in the name of Hon Robert Sarfo-Mensah.
    Mr B. Awuah 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, Hon Robert Sarfo-Mensah called me that he has had an emergency, so he is currently, with the Police trying to sort things out. He has therefore asked me to ask this Question on his behalf so with your indulgence, Mr Speaker, I ask the Question.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Yes.
    Work on Mim Town Roads Project (Status)
    *77. Mr Ignatius B. Awuah (on behalf of Mr Robert Sarfo-Mensah) asked the Minister for Roads and Highways the status of work on the Mim Town roads project.
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker. the Mim Town is in the Asunafo North District. In August 2007, 2.0Km of the Town Roads were awarded for upgrading to bituminous surface dressed road in phases. The first phase which was up to sub base level was completed in August
    2010.
    Current Programme
    In November 2012, the second phase was also awarded. The works involve laying of base course and bitumen surfacing and upgrade of another 2.3Km of the town roads up to sub base level including drainage works as appropriate.
    Currently 35 % of the second phase has been completed. Drainage work of the 2.3 town roads is ongoing. The project is behind schedule, but the contractor has been cautioned to speed up work as appropriate.
    Mr Awuah 11:55 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, the Minister says the second phase was awarded in November 2012. I would like to know from him when the contractor is supposed to finish executing the second phase of that particular contract.
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:55 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker. Indeed, the project is behind schedule, that is why the contractor was cautioned to ensure that he speeds up work to conclude the project as expected.
    Thank you.
    Mr Awuah 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my Question was on “when”. Obviously if he has been cautioned, then it means that the tenure of the contract may have been re- negotiated. I would want to know from the Minister when specifically, when the contractor is supposed to complete the project?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Minister.
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:55 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker. The contractor's name is Shamma Rohi Limited. The project or the contract was awarded on 22nd of November, 2012. The commencement date was 19th December, 2012 And it is expected that the contract should be completed by 18th of December, 2015.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Thank you.
    Hon Member?
    Mr Awuah 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, for a 2.3km road which was awarded in 2012 and expected to be completed in 2015, that is a three-year period. Certainly, looking at the schedule of the work done which is put at 35 per cent, it means that the contractor would not be able to deliver within the time frame. I would want to know from the Deputy Miniser who bears the brunt of cost overruns which is as a result of the delay in the execution of the contract.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister.
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:55 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker. In line with the contractual agreement, when we saw that the contractor was behind time, we had to call him to caution him that he was behind time. The expectation is that he would speed up work to complete the project as specified in the contractual agreement.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Is this the last supplementary?
    Mr Awuah 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister in his Answer said that the 2.3kilometre would be done up to sub- base level including drainage works. Certainly this would not fully complete the road because bitumen surfacing and others are left. When would that part be awarded?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister?
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:55 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker. That would be subject to financial availability.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Question number 79.
    Hon Basoah, do you come from Mim and do you have an interest in Mim Town roads?
    Mr Philip Basoah 11:55 a.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, the contractor has delayed his
    project and I would want to find out from the Hon Deputy Minister whether his performance bond has been called into question and whether he has been made to pay from his performance bond?
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister?
    Minister you can just have a delayed action of about one minute. You wait till I call you. We delay these things for a purpose.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Minister?
    Mr I. A. Mensah 11:55 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker. We are concerned about the performance on this road, that is why a meeting was scheduled with the contractor to caution him to perform to speed.
    Indeed, one can only call for performance bond if the project is terminated but because the project is not terminated, we would not want to activate that process of calling for performance bond.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Thank you very much. Question number 79.
    Hon Baidoe-Ansah.
    Mr Joe Baidoe-Ansah 11:55 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, would the Hon Deputy Minister assure this House that he would come back and brief this House about the corrections that have been made on the road?
    This is because the Contractor has been cautioned and after cautioning, we would want to see an improvement. Would the Hon Deputy Minister assure this House that he would come back to this House and brief us about the developments after the caution?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Minister?
    Mr I. A. Mensah 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thought that because there is reasonable time for completion and the fact that we saw that if we never caution him he probably would not perform, the expectation is that, by the end of the time in the contract, he would have performed. So I think that we would wait and still continue to place our eyes on the job and hope that on the specified end project period, the work would be completed.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Thank you, Hon Deputy Minister. There are two or three people in the House, when they ask you a question, it may be leading to some --
    Hon Bedzra, and Hon Joe Baidoe- Ansah or high ranking strong and prominent Members of the Committee on Government Assurances. But there are several things you said that would take you there in any event.
    Hon Solomon Namliit Boar, Member of Parliament for Bunkpurugu --
    Some Hon Members 12:05 p.m.
    Absent, absent!
    Dr Sagre Bambangi 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member for Bunkpurugu is absent with permission and he has asked me to ask this Question on his behalf -- [Interruption.]
    Roads from Bendi to Bunkpurugu Township (Tarring)
    Q.79. Dr Sagre Bambangi (on behalf of) Mr Solomon Namliit Boar asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Bunkpurugu Road, stretching from Bendi to Bunkpurugu Township, will be tarred.
    Mr I. A. Mensah 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    Background
    Bendi-Bunkpurugu road is a gravel road in poor condition. It forms part of the Walewale-Gambaga-Nalerugu- Nakpanduri-Bendi-Bunkpurugu road. Nalerugu-Nakpanduri-Bendi section comprises sealed and gravel surfacing.
    Current Programme
    Walewale-Gambaga road is currently under rehabilitation. The Mobile Maintenance Unit was assigned to carry out emergency works on the Bendi- Bunkpurugu section of the road in 2013.
    The entire road was widened and graveled to cushion the rocky sections but the gravel was washed off after the 2013 flood in the area.
    Approval has been given for the construction of kerbs and drainage structures on the road, to protect future gravel works.
    Future Programme
    Mr Speaker, a tarring program may be implemented after the completion of the drainage structures.
    Dr Bambangi 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to know when the construction of the curves and drainage structures will begin to protect the road?
    Mr I. A. Mensah 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, as soon as possible, indeed, by December, 2014, work would have been started.
    Dr Bambangi 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, from the Hon Minister's Answer, he has indicated that in 2013, rains washed off the gravel. I would also like to know when those portions of the road would be regravelled and also when the Pakgnatiik Bridge would be completed because it forms part of that road?
    Mr I. A. Mensah 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would crave your indulgence for him to repeat his Question on the Bridge. If it is the bridge that links Bunkpurugu to Togo, I can assure the Hon Member that, that bridge is almost completed. This is because I have personally visited the project myself. Otherwise I would request that he mentions the bridge again.
    Dr Bambangi 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the bridge is Pakgnatiik and it is currently in bad shape according to the information I have from the constituency.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Is it the bridge that links Togo?
    Dr Bambangi 12:05 p.m.
    No, it does not link Togo.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    So it is another bridge?
    Dr Bambangi 12:05 p.m.
    Yes, it is another bridge but it is on that same road, within Bunkpurugu Township.
    Mr I. A. Mensah 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, there was another section of his question that relates to the gravelling and this would include the programme for the implementation after the completion of drainage section. So that will be covered; Thank you.
    Mr Speaker, my information personally, is that, the only bridge that was brought to our attention for emergency action, was the Bunkpurugu Township bridge that links the other section of Togo which was washed off by the rains. That has been given critical and urgent attention and that is soon to be completed and concluded.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Member, have you finished your three supplementary Questions?
    Dr Bambangi 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I clarified the Question that I asked; it was not a third Question. It was a clarification.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    So are you now coming to ask your third Question?
    Dr Bambangi 12:05 p.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    So you would have four. Three plus one clarification.
    Dr Bambangi 12:05 p.m.
    No; they are three Questions. The Hon Minister asked for clarification; he asked me a Question.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    All right, ask your third question.
    Dr Bambangi 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the concluding part of the Answer --
    “A tarring program may be implemented after the completion of the drainage structures.”
    This sends signals of despair to us those who use that road.
    Dr Bambangi 12:05 p.m.
    Yes, the Answer says:
    “A tarring programme may be implemented after the completion of the drainage structures.”
    I am underlining “may” here. So it says that it “may” and our whole interest here is on the tarring of the road. And he says “it may”. How specific is this “may”? We want to be sure whether the Ministry has specific plans to ensure that this road is tarred and when specifically this road would be tarred?
    Mr I. A. Mensah 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, after all the engineering works have been finalized, subject to financial availability, the road would be tarred.
    Dr Matthew O. Prempeh 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, my concern is that on this particular 32 kilometre stretch of road, frequently, I hear stories of women in labour dying on this road because of its unmotorable nature.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Question.
    Dr Prempeh 12:05 p.m.
    Considering that this road has an effect on maternal mortality statistics in this country, when is the Ministry going to make this road motorable instead of saying “may”, such that pregnant women would not die unnecessarily on that road?
    Mr I. A. Mensah 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the road is motorable. Indeed, when we tar it, it would be more motorable, but it is motorable. But tarring of the road would be considered subject to financial availability.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Last but not the least, Hon Annoh-Dompreh, then we bring Question Time to an end.
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, interestingly, the Hon Deputy Minister mentioned financial availability --
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:15 p.m.
    Last year, I heard the Hon Minister and Government's spokesperson consistently --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Question --
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, [Uproar] -- respectfully, my Question is, what percentage of the Eurobond funds was allocated to support ongoing road projects in this country? [Interruption] -- Yes, it is.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    I have overruled the Question. It is a very important Question which needs a very detailed Answer. I think at the appropriate time, Hon Annoh-Dompreh, we would consider all the possibilities available to him to get that answer, but Bunkpurugu to Eurobond is a far cry. I would have threshed it for you but it is almost next to impossible.
    Hon Deputy Minister, I thank you for attending to the House. You are hereby discharged.

    Hon Agbesi? I thought we are going to take Statements.
    Mr Agbesi 12:15 p.m.
    Very well, Mr Speaker.
    STATEMENTS 12:15 p.m.
    Ms Sarah Adwoa Safo (NPP -- Dome/ Kwabenya) 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for this opportunity.
    Mr Speaker, on the morning of 17th June, 2014, the bridge linking the road from the Atomic Roundabout to Dome collapsed in the early hours of the morning leading to difficulties for motorists and pedestrians using that important route in my constituency.
    Ms Sarah Adwoa Safo (NPP -- Dome/ Kwabenya) 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the bridge is one of many bridges in the constituency which is in a very deplorable state. The collapse of the bridge has led to the closure of the main Dome road that leads to Taifa and the main Achimota/St John's Road.
    This bridge was constructed in 2003, by the Municipal Assembly. The deplorable state of the Dome Bridge over the years caused a lot of flooding during the rainy season.
    Complaints from motorists and residents necessitated an inspection by the Department of Urban Roads after which they promised to reconstruct the bridge only for the Department of Highways to intervene, claiming it was a project designated for its outfit instead.
    Due to this confusion between the two institutions under the Ministry of Roads and Highways and their failure to act timeously, the bridge could not be reconstructed, hence its collapse today. By God's grace, no lives were lost.
    Mr Speaker, this bridge leads to churches and schools in the Atomic/Dome areas. Drivers use the said road to join the main Achimota/St. John's Road. Therefore, its collapse poses a lot of inconvenience to users of that Road on which the bridge is situated. Also, the road leads to many schools churches and the main Dome Market.
    The collapse of the bridge further endangers school children and church goers as well as motorists who would still be tempted to use the road because half of it has collapsed and the other half is in good shape.
    It is therefore important that this bridge is reconstructed immediately for the sake of resident's safety and that of motorists.

    Mr Speaker, I therefore, make a humble appeal to the Department of Roads and Highways under the Minsitry of Roads and Highway to facilitate the rapid reconstruction of the bridge to safe guard life and property in my constituency during this raining season.

    Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for this opportunity.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Member, please?
    Mrs Della Sowah (NDC -- Kpando) 12:15 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I rise to add my voice to the call by Hon Adwoa Safo for the reconstruction of the Atomic Roundabout Bridge. Indeed, we need to protect lives especially, the lives of our children. Crossing a water way without a bridge poses a threat to lives.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to use this opportunity to call on the Assemblies and those who award such contracts to do their due diligence properly before awarding them. The Hon Adwoa Safo in her Statement said the bridge was constructed in 2003, making it barely eleven years ago. In my constituency, there is a bridge which was constructed over hundred years ago, and it is still very strong and useable. If due diligence is properly done, such mishaps could be avoided.
    Mr Speaker, I therefore, appeal to awarding bodies to hold contractors responsible for the work they do.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Thank you, Hon Member. Thank you for so eloquently contributing. But Hon Kofi Frimpong was murmuring that what is your constituency? So, I think you would supply -- [Interruption] -- I know your Constituency, but --
    Mrs Sowah 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Speaker, my Constituency is Kpando in the Volta Region.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Thank you very much.
    Yes, Hon Simon Osei-Mensah?
    Mr Simon Osei-Mensah (NPP -- Bosomtwe) 12:15 p.m.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, I wish to associate myself with the Statement made by the Hon Member for Dome/Kwabenya.
    Three days ago, I was not even aware of this problem, and I intended to use that route. Unfortunately, I just got to the bridge and realised that the road had been blocked. It took me close to 45 minutes to take a detour to get to the other end of the bridge. And even when one has the detour Mr Speaker, the road is so bad that if one is not lucky, one's vehicle can easily get stuck, if one is not using a four-wheel drive vehicle.
    So, we are urging the Ministry as a matter of urgency to quickly see to the reconstruction of that particular road. While they are doing that, Mr Speaker, I am very optimistic that they cannot do it within maybe three months, where we have the diversion, the Ministry must endeavour to improve that particular route. If it rains heavily, any of these days, I doubt if people can even use that diversion they have created for motorists.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Thank you. Hon Member?
    Ms Laadi Ayii Ayamba (NDC -- Pusiga) 12:25 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to support the maker of the Statement. It is unfortunate that, many a time, you listen to some of these problems that occur and you have to ask yourself so many questions.
    The maker of the Statement, said that, it was complained by residents that necessitated the inspection by the Department of Urban Roads after which they promised to construct the bridge, only for the Department of Highways to intervene, claiming it was a project designated for its outfit instead.
    Mr Speaker, there is confusion here. Why this? These are two departments that we rely on so seriously for our roads. What happened? Is it that the roads are supposed to be catered for by the Department of Urban Roads, or by the Department of Highways? Why should there be confusion? It is very necessary that people know where and when or which jobs they are supposed to do, because this is what has actually caused the eventual collapse of that bridge, from her Statement.
    Mr Speaker, all we have to note is that our maintenance culture is very poor. Many a times you get to some bridges and you would see that, there is just some small maintenance that needs to be done to strengthen the bridge or to lift up the road to a certain level to prevent the bridge from collapsing yet nobody seems to be bothered.
    Notwithstanding the fact that we have departments that are suppose to take care of such roads. Mr Speaker, if the bridge is not maintained or reconstructed immediately, the greatest problem that comes up is that, the people are tempted
    Mr Kwaku Agyeman Kwarteng 12:25 p.m.
    -- rose --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    I am going to recognize Hon -- Hon Member you have not spoken today, have you?
    Mr Kwarteng 12:25 p.m.
    No.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    All right. I would recognize you as well. I would recognize Hon Matthew Opoku Prempeh, I would recognize my Hon friend for Shai- Osudoku, I would recognize Hon Kofi Frimpong, I would recognize my Hon Colleague, who has not spoken today and then I would bring the curtain down -- I am sorry, I would bring the curtain down.
    Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NPP -- Manhyia South) 12:25 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would support what my Hon Colleagues have just said. But the confusion between the Department of Ghana Highway Authority and the Department of Urban Roads can be understood with the construction of the Circle-Nsawam dual carriage road. This particular bridge serves as a key bypass lane. If there is a trouble on the main road that is the bypass for getting into Accra from that section.
    So, the Department of Highways has to, as a matter of fact, immediately reconstruct this bridge to serve as the bypass of the road that it intends to be.
    Mr Speaker, I would crave your indulgence that, specific orders be made to the Ghana Highway Authority to furnish this House when they intend to construct this bridge for the avoidance of any untoward situation, should there be a problem on the main Accra-Nsawam Highway.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Hon Member, for Shai-Osudoku?
    Mr David Tetteh Assumeng (NDC -- Shai-Osudoku) 12:25 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker for the opportunity. Mr Speaker, I also want to associate myself with this very important Statement made by our Colleague.
    Mr Speaker, the maintenance culture as has been said, is very important and it is quite unfortunate that the Directors who came to help the Minister to Answer the earlier Questions are not here to listen to the contributions that are ongoing now. The bridge is a very important link on that road and I am aware of that bridge so I think that an urgent attention must be made to get this bridge reconstructed.
    As we speak Mr Speaker, because of lack of maintenance, a very important bridge in my constituency, that is on the Akuse-Asutuare Road; the bailey bridge that links these two important towns is now collapsed and the road has become unmotorable. So, the maintenance culture which has been alluded to, must be enforced and I think that is very important.
    I would want to thank my Colleague for bringing this important Statement to the floor and urge that the Ministry must be up and doing to get this road and similar roads like the Asutuare-Akuse Bailey Bridge that I mentioned to be repaired or constructed as early as possible for the people to enjoy their lives.
    Thank you very much for the opportunity, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Thank you. Hon Kofi Frimpong.
    Mr Kofi Frimpong (NPP -- Kwabre East) 12:25 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    All said and done this project can be executed by the Minister in Charge of Roads and Highways, yet the Deputy Minister who was just Answering Questions here can nowhere be found --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Can do what?
    Mr Frimpong 12:25 p.m.
    He cannot be found anywhere; he is not in the Chamber --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    But he has finished his --
    Mr Frimpong 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, he is a Member of Parliament and he is supposed to sit, even after Answering Questions. So, Mr Speaker, the attention I am drawing to this House is that --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Alfred Agbesi (Deputy Majority Leader) 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, a very important Statement has been raised. The Minister or the Ministry's attention has been drawn to a collapsed bridge. While we are doing our duty here, they are listening to us and they are taking on board the concern of the Hon Member.
    There are other Hon Members of Parliament who also have the same concerns, so let us address the concern of the Hon Member and others, rather than say that --The Minister who is a Member of Parliament is here. What is -- He is here.
    So Mr Speaker, let us see to what the Member has raised and see how best we can assist in that regard.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Hon Kofi Frimpong?
    Mr Frimpong 12:25 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker. He has confirmed the point that I was raising. Mr Speaker, it may be recalled that one time, it was he, Hon Deputy Majority Leader, who raised this concern that anytime a Statement is made on the floor of Parliament, the Minister responsible for that sector should be present so that he can address the issues. So, if I am raising the issue of --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Hon Kofi Frimpong, this Statement was not advertised. All that was there was Statement and the Speaker admitted the Statement, I do not think that even the Minister was aware that such a Statement had been admitted. What is advertised on the Order Paper is simply ‘Statement.'
    You go on with your contribution and do not let us give the impression to the public that, the fact that you are not in the Chamber does mean that you are not doing
    Mr Frimpong 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thank you. I thought I could go from that angle, that anytime a Statement is to be made; the Minister should be served a copy so that he comes to contribute and give assurance to the House and the public that he is going to address the issue --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Yes, Hon E. T. Mensah?
    Mr E. T. Mensah 12:25 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, Hon Kofi Frempong is my Brother and I did not want to speak to the issues that he is raising, but the point is that whether the Minister is here or not, that is why we have Hansards, whatever issues are raised with concerns to the Minister, the Minister would be able to capture those things and address them, they need not be here.
    It is not part of our rules and it has never happened.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Hon Kofi Frimpong, now, you can go to the substantive matters, I think you have done the procedural matters --
    Mr Frimpong 12:25 p.m.
    I choose to disagree with the contributions made by my Colleagues. I believe that the Minister must be in the Chamber and contribute and let us know what is going on --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    All right, that is the procedure, so what is the substantive --
    Mr Frimpong 12:35 p.m.
    Apart from all this, I sympathize with the new Member of Parliament, the young lady, who is handling such a big area. Indeed, if care is not taken, the blame would be put at the doorstep of the Member of Parliament. That is what is going on in the country, that when we have infrastructural problems in our areas, it is the Member of Parliament that we blame.
    I think that we must as Members of Parliament fight against this, when even there is light-off, dumsor, they will call you the Member of Parliament that there is no light in our constituency; “Member of Parliament what are you doing”?
    When your road is bad, they will tell you -- The Prampram Road, the bridge between Prampram and that place, we do not have a bridge so go and see somebody to come and build the bridge for us and President Kufuor goes and builds the bridge.
    What I am saying is that, it is not the Member of Parliament (MP) that constructs such infrastructure. It is the Government that does that; so if there is any short fall in the supply of this infrastructure, I believe we as MPs must be able to come out and let people know that it is not the fault of the MP with regard to the non-construction of the roads.
    Mr Speaker, quite recently, I know there are some MPs on the other side- [Interruption] -- Whose roads are so bad and their people are trying to unseat them because their roads are bad.
    Mr Speaker, the attention I would want to draw is that, when the infrastructure -
    - 12:35 p.m.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Hon E. T. Mensah?
    Mr E.T. Mensah 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if Hon Kofi has come to the end of his wits, I think he should give us a break; the furthest that the MP can go is what she has done. Her voice has been put out there and it has been heard that there is a problem there.
    Like you said, there are concerns everywhere but the problem that we are having is the lack of knowledge about the whole political system. It is something that when we begin to talk about here, we would not leave here. People think that the Member of Parliament is in charge of everything and sometimes it is we who create it. Ask an Hon Member to go and use his Common Fund for something that is not possible.
    This is nothing that could be used for anything. It is important that we find a way of going about it
    There was a time when the previous Speaker was here, we decided to embark on an outreach programmes to let the people know the roles of the MP, the District Chief Executive and the Executive. The Rt. Hon Sekyi Hughes intiated this -- We started from the Western Region, we went round to the Eastern Region and other places, and people began to understand what was happening.
    We also said that we must engage the Media whose medium is used to make people believe that MPs are responsible for everything when we do not have budgets to do anything.
    I have a problem in my place -- Almost all the roads and bridges -- We cannot even cross from Afienya through to Dawhenya. It has been there for a while.
    The only thing that we need to do is to go back to what we started before. Let us organise the outreach and let us engage the Media and the masses and let them understand the role of the MP.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Thank you very much.
    I would be giving a number of directions on that matter when you finish.
    Hon Kofi Frimpong, are you-- I hope I did not see what I saw.
    Mr Frimpong 12:35 p.m.
    No.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    All right, thank you.
    Mr Frimpong 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am happy the Hon Member, the wise man, has added his voice to what I am saying.
    Apart from the fact that the Minister should be here to listen to the lamentations of Member s of Parliament, I believe we, as MPs must also try to let people know that it is not Members of Parliament that are responsible for all these entire infrastructures.
    There was a time that somebody held a placard in Bekwai describing the Member of Parliament, in a very bad way because there was a road which had not been constructed.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Hon Member for Bekwai, do you have a point of order?
    Mr Osei-Owusu 12:35 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, no such description of me. What I did see, which was published was that, when the people of Kwabre demonstrated against the Government for bad roads, one of them held a placard: “MP for Kwabre, tweea!” I saw that one published in the Newspapers. When I drew his attention, he decided that he would robe me in. It was published in the Newspapers.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Thank you.
    In conclusion?
    Mr Frimpong 12:35 p.m.
    In conclusion, it is not good that we have such bad roads in Ghana. It is not the best, so we wish to urge the Hon Minister, the Government to set up. Otherwise, Government is going to lose a lot of the MPs here. [Interruption]- - No, not on our side because they know that we are in opposition.
    Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
    Mr Kwaku Agyeman Kwarteng --rose
    Mr Kwaku Kwarteng (NPP--Obuasi West) 12:35 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, like the earlier speakers, I would like to thank Hon Adwoa Safo for drawing the attention of the House to such danger in her constituency.
    I am particularly worried about the danger this poses to children in the neighbourhood . As we all know, they are less capable to protect themselves. Let us not wait for an accident to happen and then go there with television cameras to show how much we care. The time to care is right now.
    Mr Speaker, we must also consider the economic cost of increased traffic on related roads. The fuel we burn, the time we waste, all retard an economy that is not growing as fast as we would have wished in the first place.
    It is really worrying that the coalition between the Department of Urban Roads and the Ghana Highway Authority as who has the mandate to deal with this problem is frustrating a solution to the problem. I think the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways must intervene and ensure that the situation is fixed.
    Mr Speaker, respectfully if I may suggest, this Statement should be referred to --
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Hon Afotey-Agbo?
    Mr Afotey- Agbo 12:35 p.m.
    Thank you very much Mr Speaker.
    I would want to find out from my Colleagues, where he had this information.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Which one is that?
    Mr Afotey- Agbo 12:35 p.m.
    About the difference between the Department of Urban Roads and the Ghana Highway Authority.
    I have been the Regional Minister for a period, but I am not aware of this problem. --[Interruption] -- You would not know about the situation until it happens.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Hon Afotey, I think that this is a major contribution so I would recognise you to speak after he has finished. I would recongnise you to speak lastly. You are the Regional Minister, and once you rise up, this matter involves Accra, so I would
    -- 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Kwarteng 12:35 p.m.
    I am grateful Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, my understanding is that we are discussing a Statement which has been admitted by your goodself, and this information is contained in that Statement.
    Mr Speaker, my concluding remark is a respectful request to you that this Statement be referred to the Hon Minister or the Ministry of Roads and Highways in order that they would have immediate solution to the problem.
    Once again, I commend Hon Adwoa Safo for this Statement.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Hon Member?
    Mr Edward Kaale-Ewola Dery (NDC- - Lambussie-Karni) 12:45 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to add my voice to the Statement made by my Hon Colleague.
    Mr Speaker, three years ago, I was resident in Dome-Kwabenya and I happened to ply this road virtually every day. Mr Speaker, the situation as she described is exactly so and in fact, some of us are so worried.
    When you look at the main road from St. John's, passing through the Dome
    Market, you would spend not less than two hours, especially, in the evening to cross the railway. The main road is just not something to talk about.
    My contribution is a sort of appeal to the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways to take a critical look at Dome; actually the main road from St. John's crossing the railway.
    Apart from the bridge she has mentioned, when you look at the entire road there and their connectivity, of course, a lot of us want to cut it short but you would find it difficult passing through there.
    Even if you want to make your way out of that particular junction and move up after St. John's, it is another hurdle for you to cut across wherever you would want to go. It is a major road and it is not just much to -- It is less than two kilometres to work on and that would save a lot of traffic and could help some of us.
    Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I would suggest that, the Ghana Highway Authority and the Department of Urban Roads; we do not know who is actually doing what? But at least, they should define who is supposed to do a particular job so that when we have problems, we would be able to contact the right offices that are in charge so that they would come to solve some of these matters.
    I do not think this is so much for people to pay attention to.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Thank you, Hon Elizabeth Sackey?
    Mrs Elizabeth K.T. Sackey (NPP-- Okaikoi North) 12:45 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.

    It is! It is because we still have a lot of buildings, bridges and roads of which if we had some time ago done the usual maintenance, it would not have been as this position.

    Mr Speaker, yesterday, I had the opportunity to be at the World Trade Centre Towers, Accra. While I stood there waiting for the one I wanted to talk to, I was then watching the Ghana National Theatre building. When one looks down from up there; how the roofing and the top lining over there looks like, I am sure very soon, we would have to read a Statement here again discussing this same issue.

    Mr Speaker, it is not only about the Dome Bridge as we say but even with the Achimota Terminal Bridge over there. The state in which it is now, is very dangerous. All the slabs that are lining the major drain over there have worn off and we are aware. We have seen the Media capture it. We have looked at it, we have reported several times to the appropriate quarters, yet it is there.

    Mr Speaker, the problem is that, the District Assemblies, though have been empowered are not doing what they ought to be doing, for the fact that they collect property rates and all the fines and other fees as well, yet they do not go round. Poor supervision in our country; people who have been assigned and are responsible for work to be done are not doing what they ought to do.

    Mr Speaker, this is bringing down all the progress and successes that even politicians want to chalk. The fact is that, they would always say that after all, we are passing clouds, therefore, they sit down idle without concern. I think that we have to enforce and make sure that they are being discussed. When issues of such natures happen, it is always the politicians; nobody calls the technical man to order.

    We need to start calling them to come and answer because they are responsible for whatever happens in our nation. Yet we engage them by the politicians facing it and then answering the questions.

    Mr Speaker, I think that it is high time that we let them change their attitude towards our nation. When one is called; when one is given a responsibility, one should be seen working and one needs to be spoken to. The fact that one is related to ‘Mr Kwame' and ‘Mr Kwame' is related to this other person and then a voice from above says that, “oh this is it” should be stopped.

    Mr Speaker, we still have this same problem at Haatso; the Yam Market Road. The bridge has been constructed but not finished. For the past three months, we still have that structure partially done there. It can also very soon breakdown when the rains come serving.

    Mr Speaker, on this note, I would want to say that prevention is better than cure; moneys being allocated to the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) should rather be giving attention to such things.

    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Thank you, Hon Afotey-Agbo, do you want to contribute? That would be --
    Greater Accra Regional Minister (Mr Joseph Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for giving me the chance to comment on the statement on the floor.
    Mr Speaker, it is very important that we realize the importance of the Regional Co-ordinating Councils (RCCs) in our regions because though the Department of Urban Roads and The Ghana Highway Authority do not fall directly under the RCC offices, they also have oversight responsibilities.
    Whatever happens in the Region, we take charge of it, we show much concern and we are held responsible. So it is time for us to have that kind of belief and concern, that if we have issues, as Hon Members of Parliament within our catchment areas, we should also give the RCCs that kind of respect. They should get closer to us and we can package their problems and push for whatever they want to be done, done for them.
    The situation that we have as I speak now, is being discussed by the Ghana Highway Authority and I would want to assure Colleagues on the floor of the House or my Colleague who made the Statement that the problem would be solved. We have constructed bigger bridges than what we have at Dome.
    So solving that problem would not be a problem at all. They should have that confidence and -- [Interruption] -- The meeting is ongoing; I would want to give you that assurance because I had a similar problem in my constituency about two years ago and within a short period of time, we were able to fix the bridge.
    So I would want to assure you; being the Regional Minister, I am going to show concern and push for the problem to be solved within a short possible time.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Thank you.
    You have solved my problem for me because several Hon Members urged me to refer the matter to the Ministry and as they were asking me to refer the matter to the Ministry, they were also mentioning their bridges and their roads.
    The question was that, when you refer one matter, what do you do with the other matters? Another point that was being considered was that, this has been - The matter that was raised was on Dome- Kwabenya; so if people have other problems perhaps they can also raise their matters and then reference must be done.
    Of course, the rules are silent; our Standing Orders are silent as to what factors the Speaker should take into consideration when he is referring matters to the Ministries and so on because, almost every matter can be referred. But you have solved my problem for me.
    As I was thinking, you got up and like an angel you addressed all my problems. So I am going to refer the matter to you. You have given the assurance. So, I would refer the matter to you and ask you to report back to the House within a month; 30 Sitting days from today.
    The Clerk to Parliament would write to you and you would come with full confidence and vim and come and announce happily that, they have done the bridge. By that time, the Meeting would have ended; you said the Meeting was ongoing. By 30 days, the Meeting would have ended? Yes, so you can bring us results --
    Hon K. T. Hammond, is there something that you would want to draw the House's attention to?
    Mr Kobina T. Hammond (NPP -- Adansi Asokwa) 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, yes; it is so important that I make this point;
    Number one; Dome-Kwabenya is my second constituency, so I kind of subscribe to everything that has been said by the Hon Member.
    Mr Speaker, it seems to me that, this very important Statement made by our Colleague is just being restricted to the question of the construction of bridge or road or whatever around Dome- Kwabenya and around Accra.
    Mr Speaker, we must attach a bigger and broader significance to the Statement that has been made. That is the maintenance culture; the maintenance mentality of people who are responsible for our infrastructural facilities in this country. -- [Interruption.] He knows what I am talking about that is why he keeps on pointing a finger at me.
    Mr Speaker, Dr Kwame Nkrumah has never been my very favorite President but it is accepted that he was the first President of Ghana and even those of us who do not subscribe to his socialist ideologies believe that he did quite a lot for the country in terms of social infrastructure and whatever.
    Those of us who have travelled far and wide Mr Speaker, can commend or talk about roads, highways, autobahns, freeways and the way they have been constructed. Fortunately, he had the foresight to construct if nothing at all the Tema Motorway for the people of Ghana.
    At a point in time, when it was done, there were all sorts of issues but at least, we have come to accept that it was a very
    important foresight and it was a good idea that he constructed that road for Ghana.
    We have a Ministry, and maybe two Ministries responsible for maintenance of our roads in Ghana. Mr Speaker, do you know what is happening on the Tema Motorway? Take the segment from Tema to Accra --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Hon K.T. Hammond, thank you very much.
    But after the culture of maintenance, there was a Statement or something on Bunkpurugu, the person wanted to take me to Eurobond and I said from Bunkpurugu to Eurobond was too far. And also moving from Dome to Motor way is rather far -- [Laughter] -- In fact, the issues you are raising are so important that I urge you to do a full Statement on it so that you can have the time and have other Hon Members assist you to contribute.
    With regard to Dome-Kwabenya, you have learned your support and I am sure your Hon Colleague will be eternally grateful to you. So, on that note I will be --
    Mr Hammond 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I entirely share your news. I was only wondering if Mr Speaker is right on the measurement. The distance between Bunkpurugu as you indicated and Eurobond, I think it is very far. But from Kwabenya to Motorway, I think it is fairly circumscribed that you could have allowed my Statement to be tagged on that one.
    But I will present a Statement and let the world know what they are doing to the road. They are putting bitumen in cement, bitumen in concrete; how can you do that in civilized Ghana?
    Mr Speaker, it is wrong. I will bring it.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Thank you.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Hon Member, we have adopted a ‘let sleeping dogs lie” approach today or you want to --
    Mr Ibrahim 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I just wanted to seek your guidance because after the Statement had been made, you gave your directions by referring it to the Minister and giving him 30 days to report back to you. The Hon Member who was not even here, who came lately and just took it and read two lines of it, he wanted to comment and was giving us literature by Dr Kwame Nkrumah and I wanted to refer you to the issue of relevance. That was why I was on my feet.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    One of the things is that, we must not feed into the stereotype that the public have, the fact that somebody is not physically in the Chamber does not mean the person is not here. The person may be outside watching television and so on. If we say that, we feed into the stereotype.
    Indeed, our Parliament is better attended than several Parliaments in the world. When you go to the House of Commons and so on, apart from certain days when they are doing certain things, there is hardly anybody in the Chamber.
    When you go to the Senate and Congress, you will not see Hon Members sitting in the Chamber. When we have offices with televisions, you will see that you may spend more time in your office than in the Chamber, when the matter concerns you, then you come and contribute. So, maybe he was not in the Chamber, but he was here.
    But thank you very much all the same. Hon Afotey-Agbo has helped me but I think that I want to comment on another issue that arose out of this Statement raised by Hon Kofi Frimpong and supported by Hon E.T. Mensah. Out of this Statement, came a very important question or point about the role of the Member of Parliament but I am sure that all of you including myself who is also a Member of Parliament has suffered this question as to the role of the Hon Member of Parliament; is it your duty to do roads, bridges, hospitals and so on?
    As Hon E.T. Mensah said, there was a time that some education took place. I think that is why they started building the Parliamentary Centres in various places. But people forget with time and so on. I was wondering Leadership would -- What will be the view of Leadership.
    I also want all of us to bear in mind article 233 of the Constitution and I am reading from Chapter 19, that is on the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and it says that:
    “The functions of the Commission shall be:
    (a) to create and sustain within the society the awareness of the principles and objectives of this Constitution as the fundamental law of the people of Ghana.”
    And it goes on and on. And it says even:
    “(e) such other functions as Parliament may prescribe.”
    I think it is one of the duties of NCCE is to tell the Public what Parliament is supposed to do, what the Executive does. One of the reasons why there seems to be a form of crisis, crisis might be too harsh, but some misunderstanding as to the role

    of Parliament is because people do not know; because for lack of knowledge, my people perished. So I want to seek guidance from Leadership; should we just let this pass or we should refer it to Speakership so to speak or Leadership for them to actively and with almost immediate effect start educating the public, radio, television, whatever as to the role of the MP?
    Mr Ahmed Ibrahim 12:55 p.m.
    None

    Yes.
    Mr Ahmed Ibrahim 12:55 p.m.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, during the recess, I think Mr Speaker organized three of such forums. We were in Sunyani, we were in Bolga and Tamale at the same time. However, one question that the public kept asking us was:
    “Hon Members, you are telling us your constitutional mandate today but during the campaign period, you told us that you were going to construct roads, you were going to do this you were going to do that. We voted for you and now you have come and you are telling us your constitutional mandate.”
    So, I think Leadership, myself and the Hon Minority Leader, we were in those difficult periods. What we have to do is maybe to write a full Statement about the questions that were asked and the promises, the way we should conduct ourselves in the next campaign telling the people about our role.
    One question Mr Speaker, you just raised; they asked us. Today, you are asking that you are coming to educate us on the rules. What is the role of the NCCE; they asked that question at the same time.
    I think there is nothing wrong with you referring it to us. But I think from what we were told, Hon Members must be told that this is what the public expects from us, that you cannot promise me that when I vote for you, you will bring the sea to Bolga, and after voting for you and you realizing that you cannot even bring a river to Bolga, you come back and tell me that you are just there to make laws.
    These are some of the challenges that we face. So it is incumbent upon us to let the public know that during campaign periods. Other than that, after we have been voted into power Mr Speaker, it becomes very difficult. At Sunyani, they asked that question, Tamale they asked and Bolga they asked and the perception is different from the Constitutional mandate given to us.
    So there is a difficult challenge there, it behaves on Hon Members of Parliament to do it ourselves.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Hon Dan Botwe?
    Mr Daniel Botwe (NPP-- Okere) 1:05 p.m.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, I can understand where my Hon Colleague is coming from but he is making it as if what the people are saying is the truth. I am yet to get evidence from anybody that an Hon Member of Parliament during his campaign, promised that he would construct a road. I do not believe anybody made that statement anyway. Yet people are saying that and we seem to be accepting it.
    When you say that, you present the grievances of people or you facilitate it. It does not mean that you said that you were going to construct it. I do not think we said that. So if it is in the public domain, let us not reinforce it.
    There is nothing wrong, yes, it is true that law making is our principal duty but it is also true that we facilitate. When we organize constituency clinics, we listen to their complaints and our duty is to present these grievances to the appropriate quarters.
    So when you promise that you will facilitate it -- In any case, if you are campaigning and they tell you that we have a problem with water, we have problems with bad roads, should you say; “go away, I would not do it”. No. All that you have to tell them is that, you will facilitate it; you will help present their grievances to the appropriate quarters for it to be addressed.
    If you say that, it does not mean that you have said you would construct a road, and I do not think that we should reinforce the perception there. I do not believe that MPs go and say that, I would do this or that-- No. But people say these things loosely in the Media and it seems as though it is a fact. I do not think that is the case.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    I want to listen to Hon Ayeh-Paye before I come to Hon E. T. Mensah.
    Mr Samuel Ayeh-Paye (NPP-- Ayensuano) 1:05 p.m.
    Thank you Mr Speaker, just to add to what Hon Daniel Botwe just said, Mr Speaker, all the political parties in this country; New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples National Convention (PNC) whatever, form constituency campaign team and we make our Parliamentary candidates campaign team leaders. The candidate would hold the party manifesto and lead the campaign in the constituency.
    So, definitely, what your manifesto is telling you, is what, you would tell the people. So at the end of the day, my party manifesto says; when we win power, we
    would fix the road from Adoagyiri to Owram. I am the leader of the campaign team in the constituency and when I meet the people of Kraboa Coaltar, I would tell them yes, when you vote for me and my party, we would fix the road from Adoagyiri through Kraboa Coaltar to Owram, but that does not mean that when I come, I am going to use my money to fix the roads for them.
    So, it is debatable issue which we must look at and then know how to explain it to our constituents other than that, if you are not going to fix the roads for us, then we are not going to vote for them.
    So Mr Speaker, we must look at it carefully and see how we would explain it to our constituents for them to understand. This is because come 2016, if I am the Parliamentary Candidate for Ayensuano, definitely I would lead the campaign team in the constituency and I would hold the party manifesto, and so we must look at it carefully, other than that next time when we go them for votes; they would tell us to -- Go away, because we cannot fix their roads for them, we cannot give them water and so we must be very careful in some of these things.
    Thank you very much.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Hon E. T. Mensah?
    Mr E.T. Mensah (NDC -- Ningo- Prampram) 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think my Hon Colleagues have spoken to the issue. This thing has been coming up over and over again, it was not the first time that it came up in Tamale.
    When the full team -- I do not know the composition of the group that went but when the previous Speaker introduced us, we went with a full team, not an expansion of Leadership and these things came up and we explained. They would come up every now and then.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    This is an aside -- A short aside and so —
    I would come to you last Deputy Majority Leader, but I hope that you would make it just short so that we would go to Presentation of Papers.
    Today is Friday.
    Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu (NPP -- Bekwai) 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I intend to be very short.
    I align myself entirely with Hon Ayeh- Paye, when he said that we represent our parties and in our campaigns, we speak to the promises that our parties make or contained in our manifestoes, but the challenge comes when, you the candidate wins, but the party or presidential candidate does not win, therefore you do not form the Government.
    Mr Speaker, as far as they are concerned, you came and spoke to them and promised that the roads would be fixed so they would hold you accountable.
    Mr Speaker, the challenge really is that, the over centralization of development resources, is making it difficult for any District Assembly below the headquarters to do anything at all, therefore, for small interventions, Members of Parliament would have to continue to foot the cost of those interventions until our Ministries consider our roads and, if this bridge was within Hon Adwoa Safo's financial competence, I am sure she would be taking steps to fix it now, but it is beyond her.
    Mr Speaker, I am sure many of us here have paid for graders to reshape some roads, particularly those of us who come from rural communities, because without that, we would not come back to Parliament. As far as the people are concerned, it is you that they know. They do not care about the MCEs and the DCEs, because they did not vote for them.
    Mr Speaker, what this calls for is that, the Development Funds for Members of Parliament (MPs) should be increased and made bigger, because we reach every corner —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    On that note —
    Mr Osei-Owusu 1:05 p.m.
    There are places that my MCEs and DCEs do not know, my Regional Minister does not even know they exist, but I would reach there.
    Mr Speaker, on that note, I am suggesting that, the Government must make sure that the Funds that MPs control are released immediately.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Thank you very much, Hon Osei-Owusu.
    I think basically, this matter is a little more complicated than we first thought, and I think the discussions that we have had, would encourage an Hon Member to bring a Statement on this issue and it would be admitted and on that basis, it could be discussed into detail and certain decisions to be taken.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Alfred Kwame Agbesi 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I was just coming to draw your attention to the Right to Information Bill, which is pending and the Constitutional Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee is working on that Bill.
    During the discussion, this matter came up, and I believe when the Report is laid before this House, we would see the feeling of Hon Members and technocrats who appeared before the Committee.
    Mr Speaker, an issue had been captured under the report and I want to urge Hon Members, that for now, if we could hold our peace and listen to what is contained in the Report of the Constitutional and Legal Committee, we would be a little bit advised and know the direction to take. But definitely, Leadership is concerned about this development, particularly as we are preparing for the next election.
    Mr Speaker, many MPs' positions are threatened because they are alleged, not to be able to fulfil the promises that they made during their campaign.
    Mr Speaker, whatever it is, Leadership is looking at it and we would fashion a way out and see how we could reach our constituents and as to whether the bulk of the work or all the work, must be done by the District Assembly which controls most of the funds or it is the MPs who must be having this duty to perform.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:15 a.m.
    Hon Members, at the Commencement of Public Business -- Presentations of Papers.
    Mr Agbesi 1:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, item 6 -- the Hon Chairman of the Committee is absent and I seek your permission for the Hon Vice Chairman to lay the Paper.
    PAPERS 1:15 a.m.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:15 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader, do you have any indication?
    Mr Agbesi 1:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we want to defer the discussion on items 7 and 8.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:15 a.m.
    Therefore?
    Mr Alfred K. Agbesi 1:15 a.m.
    Therefore to say that today is Friday, I beg to move, that this House do hereby adjourn till Tuesday, 24th June, 2014 at ten in the forenoon.
    Mr Daniel Botwe 1:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    ADJOURNMENT 1:15 a.m.
  • The House was accordingly adjourned at 1.18 p.m. till Tuesday, 24th June, 2014 at 10.00 a.m.