Debates of 26 Jun 2014

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:40 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:40 a.m.
Mr Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Hon Members, correction of Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 25th June, 2014 --
  • [No correction was made to the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 25th June, 2014.]
  • [No correction was made to the Official Report of Friday, 20th June, 2014.]
    • Mr Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Statements
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Mr Yaw Owusu-Boateng 10:40 a.m.
    Thank you Mr Speaker.
    Please with all due respect, I think we now know the fuel situation in the country. It is so alarming that I believe as a Parliament or representatives of the people, we should talk about the extreme situation --
    Mr Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Hon Member! you are out of order.
    What you are saying is a very important point. Yes, if there is anything that Hon Members think they have to raise on the floor of the House -- this is a House of Debate -- they are entitled to do so, but
    STATEMENTS 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh (NPP -- Nsawam-Adoagyiri) 10:40 a.m.
    Thank you very much Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, I wish to draw the attention of this august House to the unprecedented rise in the level of sand winning on our land sites. Almost every corner of this country has some negative story to tell about sand winning in recent times. Forests have been pulled down, coastal soils massively scooped and savannah areas degraded through sand winning.
    Mr Speaker, I have no doubt in my mind that, attempts aimed at promoting food production and security would be fruitless unless negative activities like sand winning on our arable lands are properly checked and managed. For how long shall we stand aloof, watch and allow our lands to be destroyed by sand winners?
    Mr Speaker, what are we doing as a legislative body to ensure that laws that protect our environments are made to work effectively?
    Mr Speaker, I do not think we need a soothsayer to reveal to us that, theft of beach sand is a direct cause of erosion along many shorelines. It is very damaging and ruinous to beach aesthetic and frequently causes environment damage to other coastal ecosystems such as wetlands. Sand winning has rendered many well-patronised beaches including the once famous ‘Dansoman' and ‘Korle- Gonno' beaches among other facilities, useless and dangerous because of the strength of waves.
    Sand winning has become so rampant that, almost every land piece is vulnerable. Farmers continue to harbour fears, since they do not know exactly when their farms will be destroyed. Crops are often vandalised to allow for easy collection of sand. Farmers go through many harrowing situations.
    Mr Speaker, situations and outcomes related to this particular topic in discussion is no different from those in my constituency, ‘Nsawam-Adoagyiri'.
    Mr Speaker, preliminary checks indicate that Otu-kwadwo, Avaga, Okobeyeyie, Ahodwo, Nana Boame, Otoase, Pampanso No 1., Gyamkama
    Dobro, Chinto, Akraman, kofi Kwei, et cetera all within and around my constituency have in the past and are still suffering the dire and grave effects of sand mining activities.
    The above-named communities are predominant farming areas. Farmers in these areas engage in large scale cultivation of various farm produce for export and supply to many of our local companies and industries.
    A fairly good quantity of farm produce from these sites are also transported to our markets and sold to local consumers.
    Already, Mr Speaker, farmers have myriads of mishaps to battle with. There are natural, social, economic, cultural, religious and even political factors militating against farmer's production.
    Thank you Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker 10:50 a.m.
    Hon Members, I will take two comments, one from each side, then we move forward.
    Yes, Hon Member for Keta?
    Mr Richard Mawuli Quashigah (NDC -- Keta) 10:50 a.m.
    Thank you Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to support the Statement and to thank the maker of the Statement, because, the issue of sand winning is a very serious matter.
    To talk about sand winning, obviously, where I come from comes to mind, that is the Keta Municipality where we have aesthetic sand beaches, which are obviously a potential for tourists attraction. Unfortunately, efforts that have been made over the years as it were, to minimise the issue of sand winning keep recurring.
    In spite of the fact that Keta over the years has suffered from the ravages of the sea and efforts were made, as it were, to reclaim the land for the people to have some sort of resource that they can be
    proud of, the menace of sand winning keeps going on, and it is obviously a nightmare to the potential tourists attraction that we have in the area. I think that all efforts that ought to be made, as it were, to really educate people and create the awareness that sand winning can actually cause a future havoc to this nation, especially along the coastal belt must be invigorated and be intensified.
    With these few words Mr Speaker, I support the Statement.
    Mr Speaker 10:50 a.m.
    Hon Members, that brings us to the end of Statements --
    Yes?
    Mr Anthony Osei Boakye (NPP -- Atwima-Nwabiagya South) 10:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to contribute to the Statement made by my Colleague, the Hon Member for Nsawam-Adoagyiri.
    Mr Speaker, we all know that chiefs, elders and opinion leaders are the custodians of our land. They are supposed to safeguard and protect the land to ensure that the ecosystems are intact to ensure biodiversity.
    Unfortunately, these very people team up with the affluent, the rich and the influential in the society to deplete the very resources they are supposed to take care of, and this is very common everywhere. This brings about great devastation and degradation of the land to the detriment of the communities around.
    Unfortunately, we have governmental bodies like -- the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), the Minerals Commission, the Districts, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies. They are all there to ensure that proper things are done, this is because
    they have the policies, the rules, regulations and bye-laws to do that. Yet, what they do is they hear nothing, they see nothing and they do nothing. That is what goes on. Very close to where they are located, just about ten miles from the districts, these things go on and there is always wanton destruction of the environment to the detriment of our people.
    Mr Speaker, land degradation is a serious problem in our country. For that matter; the United Nations (UN) has even declared this week a week for the forest, and as we talk now, the UN is meeting in Nairobi on land degradation. They have called for tougher measures by Governments as they are all signatories to the International Agreement on Environmental Control.
    Mr Speaker, here as Members of Parliament, we have a lot to do — we have to bite, help the bodies assigned to do this job do it effectively and efficiently.
    Mr Speaker, most of these activities are illegal and I think illegal activities are going on too much in this country, in respect of this, land degradation; illegal sand winning, mining, tree felling and even illegal fishing are all going on around us and we turn around as if nothing is going on.
    Mr Speaker, I would implore the Speaker to help this august body to charge Select Committees in charge of these negative effects to act and act firmly, so that these things could come to a stop, or at least be stemmed or reduced drastically.
    Thank you for this indulgence.
    Mr Speaker 11 a.m.
    Hon Members, that brings us to the end of Statements.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Deputy Majority Leader (Mr Alfred Kwame Agbesi): Mr Speaker, we could commence Public Business and take Item
    (4) —
    Mr Speaker 11 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader, what do you want to do with the Order Paper Addendum?
    You know that under our Standing Orders in order of Business, laying of Papers precedes Motions and we have that one on the Order Paper Addendum and that is why I am asking you -- I have a copy of an Order Paper Addendum with me here.
    Mr Agbesi 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we could take the Addendum, presentation of Papers — the Hon Minister for Finance is in the House to lay the Papers.
    Mr Speaker 11 a.m.
    Hon Member for Old Tafo?
    Dr A. A. Osei 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the House has rules and regulations. There is already a Paper here, which needs to be withdrawn —No, he says the Hon Finance Minister should lay it. He should first seek permission from the Speaker to withdraw the old one — no, but the permission he asked did not say to withdraw it—
    Mr Speaker 11 a.m.
    The permission he asked was to have it laid.
    Dr A. A. Osei 11 a.m.
    Yes, he asked permission for it to be laid and not for it to be withdrawn — the two are different.
    Mr Speaker 11 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Majority leader, what you should have done was to lay a foundation and hand it over to the appropriate Minister to do it, you did not lay the foundation. Anybody listening to you thinks that you are going straight to lay the Paper.
    Mr Agbesi 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, sorry for the mix-up. The Minister for Finance is here.
    Mr Speaker, we are asking permission for the Paper laid earlier to be withdrawn and a new Paper as contained in the Addendum laid.
    Mr Speaker 11 a.m.
    Hon Minister for Finance?
    Minister for Finance (Mr Seth Terkpeh) 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I wish to withdraw the Commercial Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Lonrho Ports Ghana Limited and Atuobo Freeport Ghana Limited in respect of the Ghana Oil and Gas Freeport Project that was before the House and referred to the Committee on the 26th of March.
    Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we ordinarily do not have a problem with the withdrawal for the new one to be laid, so it is fair enough.
    Mr Speaker 11 a.m.
    Hon Members, I have been informed that the Committee which is handling the Bill has made some inputs in and they want to incorporate the inputs into the new agreement, that forms the basis of the withdrawal of a similar document laid on the 26th March, 2014.

    That paves the way—Hon Deputy Minority Leader?
    Mr Nitiwul 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, even before you go for the Finance Minister to lay the new Agreements, he knows, and the House is clearly aware that, there is a gentleman agreement with him and if we allow him to lay this Paper, it is in respect to you. Otherwise, ordinarily, we would ask him to hold on this one for us to sort out a few things, then he could lay this particular one —[Hear! Hear!]
    Dr Benjamin B. N. Kunbuor 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I guess that where these matters have been addressed at some level, we are taking the first step to show our side of the good faith, and we think other things should follow consequently.
    Mr Nitiwul 11 a.m.
    That is true. We are showing good faith in what we are doing, but I guess that the Minister, as he is laying this Paper would show firm commitment to whatever is supposed to be done, so that the reciprocation would be very firm. We do not want to revisit this matter again.
    Mr Speaker 11 a.m.
    Hon Members, Presen- tation of Papers by the Minister for Finance.
    PAPERS 11 a.m.
    Dr A. A. Osei 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thought that when a person is laying a Paper, he or she is allowed to say a few things about the Paper, in response to the Majority
    Leader and the Deputy Majority Leader. I was expecting that he would say a few words with respect to this Paper.
    Mr Speaker 11 a.m.
    Hon Member, which Standing Orders are you quoting?
    Hon Member, let us make progress. We would go back to the original Order Paper; At the Commencement of Public Business, item (4)
    Chairman of the Committee?
    MOTIONS 11:10 a.m.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin) 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House adopts the Report of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan
    (NACAP), 2012 - 2021.
    Mr Speaker, in view of the importance attached to the subject matter, I would also want to comprehensively refer to the Report of the Committee in order to enable Hon Members make meaningful contributions to this subject.
    rose
    Mr Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    Do you have a point of order?
    Mr Nitiwul 11:10 a.m.
    I was thinking that our Side of the House has the Report but nobody seems to have a single report. None of us -- [Interruption]
    I kept asking around to find out whether -- [Interruption] -- Last week? We do not have the Report because I have not sighted it.
    Mr Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    Is it that you do not have -- [Pause]
    Hon Members, I am trying to find out when this Report was laid in the House, because it had been programmed by the Business Committee to be taken today. So we want to find out whether it has been distributed after it was laid.
    Hon Members, this is a very important Motion. As the Hon Chairman who moved the Motion indicated at the initial stage, it is a very important matter for discussion by the House, that is why at the initial stages he said he wanted to read the whole Report as much as possible.
    What I intend doing is to allow him to move the Motion, get somebody to have it seconded, then we defer the debate for another day. Is that acceptable? The rules allow it. The person who will second, will second with liberty to come back, so that we can properly continue, maybe at the appropriate time programmed by the Business Committee.
    Hon Minority Leader, that is what I am suggesting.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, that should be a very useful suggestion, except that, ideally, once the Hon Chairman of the Committee moves it, it should be seconded by an Hon Member from the Minority Side. If there is nobody who has sighted it, it becomes difficult to
    -- 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    That is why you can second with liberty to come and contribute, which you have done several times.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, it becomes difficult for somebody to second a Motion on a report that the person has not sighted.
    Mr Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    Hon Member, this is a Committee of both Sides of the House. I am surprised. What happened? -- [Pause]
    Hon Members, I learnt this Report was laid on 13th June, 2014. I think that Hon Members did not bring their Reports.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, as you know, the rules provide that, as soon as sufficient copies of a Paper for distribution to Hon Members has been received in the Office of the Clerk, notice of the presentation of that Paper may be placed on the Order Paper. As soon as Mr Speaker announces “Papers for presentation …” that Paper shall be deemed to have been laid on the Table.
    Mr Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    Hon Minority Leader?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, with all due respect, beyond that, we are talking about the distribution. I personally have not even sighted one --
    Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Hon Clerks-at-the-Table are informing me that they have distributed copies.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not have a copy.
    Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Hon Majority Leader?
    Dr Benjamin Kunbuor 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have no doubt in my mind that, this Report has been distributed. I am saying that because, a Member came to my office and asked for my copy and I directed him to go to the Committee. He subsequently found it in his pigeon hole. By the mechanics of distribution, I do not think by our Standing Orders --
    Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Hon Members, I will not believe that they can distribute Reports to only one side of the House. It has never happened and I do not expect it to happen. However, if Hon Members do not have the Report now, it is another matter for us to look at, for us to defer the matter. This is because I do not see how the Clerks who distributed the Reports will only go and put the Reports in the pigeonholes of those on only one side of the House. I have a copy --
    Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, let them raise the Report if they have it; they do not have it.
    Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    I have a copy of the Report here.
    Hon Minority Leader, then Majority Leader?
    Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, with respect, nobody has said here that, it is only one side of the House that has been served.
    Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    I am not saying that, I said it is not possible, So how come one side is complaining and the other side is not complaining? That is my worry.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:20 a.m.
    Precisely. Mr Speaker, Hon Banda who is a member of the Committee has indicated that, he has a copy. So I was telling him that, if he has a copy, he could second the Motion that is moved --
    Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Yes but when the point was raised, he was sitting down; he did not say that he had a copy.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:20 a.m.
    He has signalled --
    Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    So you see, Members should --
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:20 a.m.
    The point I am making is that, I personally have not had a copy. So, I agree with you that if Hon Bagbin should move the Motion and it be seconded and given the situation we find ourselves in, if we have to defer the consideration of the Motion, I think that would most appropriate.
    Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think in line with your ruling, that is the best way to go on this matter. As for the administrative processes of the Table Office, there is a designated officer who effected the distribution and it needs not hold us. We can take the Motion and defer the substantive debate on this matter and then the Table Office would use this opportunity to find out exactly what happened with the distribution so that it does not recur. Subsequently, we meet and proceed when all Hon Members have received a copy, particularly the Members with concerns that they do not have copies.
    Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Hon Chairman of the Committee we are proposing that you move the Motion for it be seconded so we can continue the debate subsequently. Do you have any objection?
    Mr Bagbin 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think that is the best solution in this matter. As I indicated earlier, it is such an important subject matter that we need the House to sing from the same hymn book and to try as much as possible to give legitimacy and weight to the Action Plan, and give some urgency to its implementation.
    The Committee did a very good job, both sides of the House participated actively in all the Sittings of the Committee. This Report was distributed initially as a draft and they made inputs before we finalised it and presented it. It was laid last week, I think on Friday, and distributed. So I think that it will be proper
    for Hon Members to be given enough time to come and debate on it, so I can duly move the Motion. My Deputy Ranking Member who has a copy could second with liberty to come back and we could then take a date.
    Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Very well, kindly proceed.
    Mr Bagbin 11:30 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Introduction
    The National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) (2012-2021) was presented to the House on Wednesday, 18 th December, 2013 and referred to the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for consideration and report in accordance with Order 179 of the Standing Orders of the House.
    The Committee met with the Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Ms Lauretta Lamptey, her two (2) Deputies, Mr Richard A. Quayson and Mr Joseph Whittal and other officials of the Commission. Mr. Vitus Azeem of the Ghana Integrity Initiative and Hon Emmanuel Bandua, who were members of the Working Group, also attended upon the Committee. These officials took the Committee through the NACAP (2012-2021). The Committee is grateful to them for throwing more light on the Report.
    Reference
    The Committee during its deliberations referred to the following documents and laws:
    The 1992 Constitution
    The UN Convention Against Corruption
    The African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption
    UN Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime
    UN Declaration Against Corruption and Bribery in the International Commercial Transactions and
    The Standing Orders of the House.
    Background to the formulation of the
    NACAP (2012-2021)
    Corruption is a complex phenomenon. It is an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on societies. Its roots lie deep in bureaucratic institutions and its effect on development varies with country conditions.
    Corruption has been variously defined by different people to encompass many and common elements. The World Bank's definition of corruption is the “abuse of public office for private gain.” This definition is however said to be inadequate since there is also corruption in the private sector. NACAP has therefore defined it to mean “the misuse of entrusted power for private gain.” This definition, even though an improvement on the World Bank's definition, is not comprehensive enough to cover all types and instances of corruption.
    There is a general acknowledgement of the multi-dimensional character of corruption, as well as the broad societal recognition that the canker undermines good governance, the rule of law and development.
    Corruption is also understood to foster public sector incompetence and ineptitude; debase public morality;
    MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Thank you very much.
    Yes, Hon Member, as agreed upon, you will second the Motion with liberty to come back later and make detailed contributions to the Motion that you are seconding. I believe that was the consensus arrived at while Mr Speaker was in the Chair.
    So Hon Member, the floor is yours.
    Mr Ben Abdallah Banda (NPP -- Offinso South) 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to second the Motion ably moved by the Chairman for the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee. I take leave of the Speaker with liberty to come back and render my submissions.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Members, it has been moved and seconded but we would defer the debate to another date and I believe Members would be notified of the next date.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Agbesi 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, if we could proceed with item number 5 -- [Interruption.]
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Which item are you referring to specifically? I thought --
    Mr Agbesi 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, item number 5; Motion to be moved by the Chairman of the Committee. It is Hon Alban Bagbin who would move that Motion.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have observed the entreaty of the Deputy Minister responsible for Finance, that they would want to get the Motion numbered as item 6, if it is cleared, they may want to engage in some other business outside the House. So if we can take that one first, Motion numbered as item 6 on page 2. It is just the Third Reading of the Excise Duty Bill, 2013.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader, I believe you are in agreement.
    Mr Agbesi 11:40 a.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Very well.
    Mr Agbesi 11:40 a.m.
    That is the feeling of the House, let us take that.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Very well, in that case, item number 6.
    BILLS -- THIRD READING 11:40 a.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Agbesi 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, if we could go back to item number 5 -- Motion.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Very well, Chairman of the Committee.
    11 .50 a.m.
    MOTIONS 11:40 a.m.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin) 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House adopts the Report of the Committee on Constitu- tional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on the Annual Report of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice for the year 2010.
    Mr Speaker, in doing so, I present your Committee's Report.
    Introduction
    The Annual Report of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) for the year ended 31st December, 2010 was laid before Parliament on Monday, 16th September, 2013 pursuant to article 218(g) of the 1992 Constitution and section 7(1)(h) of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice Act, 1993 (Act 456). In accordance with Order 177 of the Standing Orders of the House, the Annual Report was referred to the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for consideration and report.
    The Committee met with the Commissioner on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Ms Lauretta Vivian Lamptey, her two (2) Deputies, Mr Richard Ackom Quayson and Mr Joseph Whittal and other Officials from CHRAJ to consider the Report.
    Reference
    The Committee referred to the following documents during its deliberations:

    i. The 1992 Constitution

    ii. The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice Act, 1993, (Act 456)

    iii. The Whistle blower Act, 2006, (Act 720)

    iv. The Standing Orders of the House

    Establishment and mandate of the Commission on human rights and administrative justice

    Chapter 18 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) Act, 1993 (Act 456) established CHRAJ and gave it the mandate to generally protect fundamental human rights and promote good governance in Ghana. The Commission's mandate is three-fold -- human rights, administrative justice and anti-corruption.

    The human rights mandate

    CHRAJ is mandated to protect fundamental human rights and freedoms. This includes civil and political rights; economic, social, and cultural rights; and other international human rights instruments which Ghana has ratified. The Human Rights mandate of the Commission are in two (2) categories, namely enforcement and promotion of human rights.

    In the area of enforcement of human rights, CHRAJ is mandated to investigate individual complaints of human rights violations by persons and institutions in both the private and public sectors. The complaints are resolved by mediation, negotiation and hearing. Additionally,

    when the Commission deems it necessary, it can seek remedies in court to enforce its recommendations on the complaints.

    CHRAJ is also mandated to promote human rights by educating the public on human rights and freedoms. This is done through the Media, lectures, symposia and outreaches to rural communities and schools. In addition to educating the public, the Commission also conducts research on how Bills and Policies impact on human rights and freedoms and make appropriate recommendations.

    The administrative justice mandate

    The Commission is the Ombudsman of Ghana therefore has the mandate to promote administrative justice to make governance institutions and officials accountable, transparent and efficient. CHRAJ performs this mandate through investigation of complaints of maladmini- stration, arbitrariness, discrimination, abuse of power, unfair treatment of workers, neglect, delay, among others made against public institutions and officials. This mandate ensures improve- ment in public sector service delivery and eliminates arbitrariness and discrimination.

    The anti-corruption mandate

    On the issue of anti-corruption, the Commission is mandated to investigate abuse of power, all instances of alleged or suspected corruption and the mis- appropriation of public funds by government officials.

    CHRAJ also performs the anti- corruption mandate by organising training programmes for public officials to increase awareness regarding the causes and dangers of corruption and assisting public officials in the proper management and resolution of conflict of interest cases among others. CHRAJ performs this
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin) 11:40 a.m.


    mandate by sensitizing the general public on corruption as well as foster public support to fight corruption at all levels in the society. The Whistleblower Act, 2006 (Act 720) confers an additional mandate on the Commission to investigate disclosures of impropriety (economic crime, waste, mismanagement, mis- appropriation of public resources, environmental degradation) and complaints of victimizing of whistle- blowers.

    Performance for year 2010

    During the year under review, CHRAJ undertook the following activities:

    Human rights mandate

    During the year, the Commission worked intensively with stakeholders towards the development of the National Human Rights Action Plan (NAHRAP) for Ghana. Significant progress was made from the stakeholder engagement, regarding consensus building on the key framework around which the Plan should evolve. Processes for engaging a team of consultants to assist in the development of the Plan was scheduled for completion in 2011.

    The Commission designed and implemented a special programme for health professionals in the Country, including doctors and nurses to promote and protect fundamental human rights and freedoms in the Health Sector. The Programme started in Ankaful in Cape Coast and was extended to the Upper East, Brong Ahafo and Northern Regions. A total of three hundred and thirty-eight (338) final year nurses were taken through the Programme. According to CHRAJ, feedback had been very positive.

    The Commission undertook nationwide monitoring visits with the objective of ensuring State compliance with international human rights obligations. The monitoring bothered on issues relating to economic, social and cultural rights and was done through structured interviews and focus group discussions.

    The issues included right to education, right to health, children's rights, women's rights, harmful cultural practices and activities of prayer/healing camps and the rights of people living in extremely deprived communities like slums.

    The respondents included ordinary members of selected communities, students/pupils, traditional authorities and leadership of relevant institutions including District Chief Executives. They were selected from three hundred and two (302) public schools, two hundred and eighteen (218) health facilities, five hundred and twenty (520) communities, three (3) refugee camps for persons accused of witchcraft, fifty-one (51) healing camps and nineteen (19) extremely deprived communities.

    Findings made by the Commission concerning the right to education included the following:

    a. Majority (60 per cent) of the schools visited continued to charge fees because the Authorities of those institutions claim the Capitation Grant was inadequate.

    b. The School Feeding Programme reduced the financial burden on poor parents by 15 per cent. Majority of the schools did not have kitchens or dining facilities. In some of the schools, the conditions under which food was prepared and served were poor and unhygienic.

    c. The phenomenon of extremely vulnerable children forced into labour to survive existed due to widespread poverty levels in the country.

    d. Potable water and toilet facilities in basic schools were found to be woefully inadequate. Approxi- mately four (4) out of every ten (10) basic schools had no supply of potable water whereas three (3) out of every ten (10) had no toilet facility.

    e. Some schools had poor infra- structure and generally poor environment for teaching and learning.

    f. Only three (3) out of every ten (10) basic schools had programmes organized for teachers and head teachers on the right to education.

    Regarding right to health, it was found out among others that:

    a. free maternal health care under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and community- based health interventions had been implemented;

    b. Non-Governmental Organisa- tions that focus on health issues continued to contribute immensely towards the promotion of maternal and infant health in the country;

    c. insufficient health personnel and facilities, cultural barriers, attitudes of health workers and Ghanaians on the whole remain a significant stumbling block in the promotion of infant and maternal health in the country.

    On the issue of children's rights, findings included the following:

    a. 38.5 per cent of adult Respon- dents interviewed noted that there were reported cases of child sexual abuse in their communities. About 61.5 per cent said there were no such reports.

    b. Approximately, 85.1 per cent of respondents from eighty-nine (89) Government offices noted that their institutions received reports of child sexual abuse.

    c. Measures put in place by Government officials to protect victims of child abuse which included the prosecution of perpetrators, public education and protection of the identity of the victims were successful.

    d. Child trafficking did not experience any significant reduction.

    e. Child neglect, poor maintenance and lack of maintenance were still relatively high although there had been considerable improvement over the years.

    f. About 50.2 per cent of the Respondents indicated that, children in their communities still engage in labour that deprive them of their health, education or development. Children between the ages of 11 and 16 years were said to form the bulk of those engaged in child labour in those communities. The worst forms of child labour were street hawking, fishing, porterage, shepherding of cattle and
    Mr First Deputy Speaker noon
    Thank you. Hon Members, I get the sense to suggest to the Leadership that you want to follow the same pattern as the earlier Report. So, we get a Member of the Committee to second the Motion with liberty to come back later to address the House and to debate further. Is that a fair sense of the House?
    Mr Agbesi noon
    Exactly, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker noon
    Yes, Hon Minority Leader?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu noon
    Mr Speaker, that is so.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker noon
    Very well. Hon Member, can you second the Motion?
    Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu (NPP -- Bekwai) noon
    Mr Speaker, it view of the consensus reached, I beg to second the Motion.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker noon
    Hon Members, debate is deferred to a future date.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Alred Kwame Agbesi noon
    Mr Speaker, the agreement on Lonrho Port Ghana Limited has been withdrawn and relayed. It is for the Committee's consideration. Mr Speaker, other Committees have also been

    advertised for meetings; it means that after adjournment, there is going to be a lot of work.

    Mr Speaker, at this stage, with your permission, I beg to move the House for adjournment.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker noon
    Very well, is there any seconder?
    Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin noon
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker noon
    Hon Members, the Motion has been moved and seconded that this House be adjourned till tomorrow at 10:00 o'clock in the forenoon.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    ADJOURNMENT noon