Debates of 14 Jul 2014

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 11:05 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 11:05 a.m.
  • [No correction was made to the Votes and Proceedings of Friday, 11th July, 2014.]
    • Mr Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    At the commencement of Public Business -- Presentation of Papers --
    Hon Majority Leader?
    Dr Benjamin B. Kunbuor 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we can take item number 4.
    PAPERS 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Item numbered 4 (ii)

    By the Chairman of the Committee.

    Report of the Finance Committee on the Ghana Infrastructure Invest- ment Fund Bill, 2014.
    Mr Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Hon Members, Order Paper Addendum (a) (i)
    By the Minister for Energy and Petroleum
    (i) Petroleum Agreement by and among the Government of the Republic of Ghana, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, GNPC Exploration and Produc- tion Company Limited, Heritage Exploration and Production Ghana Limited and Blue Star Exploration Ghana Limited for the Exploration for and Development and Production of Petroleum in respect of the Ultra Deepwater East Keta Block, Offshore of the Republic of Ghana.
    Referred to the Committee on Mines and Energy for consideration and report.
    Mr Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Item number (a) (ii)?
    (ii) Petroleum Agreement by and among the Government of the Republic of Ghana, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Brittania-U Ghana Limited for the Exploration for and Development and Production of Petroleum in respect of the South West Saltpond Block, Offshore of the Republic of Ghana.
    Referred to the Committee on Mines and Energy for consideration and report.
    Dr Kunbuor 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I wish to seek your leave to lay item number (b) on the Addendum Order Paper. This was a matter that was requested by the House and the Report has actually been submitted.
    Mr Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    I need some assistance; what do we do with the Report, now that it is in? Do we refer it to a particular select committee to look at it or what? Is it just for distr ibution or for some consequential actions to be taken?
    Dr Kunbuor 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, it was a Colleague on the Minority side who did a follow up on this matter, requesting that it should be brought. We can refer it to the Committee on Health to let them go into it so that when it gets back, by way of a report, then we can see the essentials because the document is a bit bulky.
    Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, he is right because we will refer it to the Committee on Health to look at it and report back to Parliament.
    Mr Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Then please, may you now lay it?
    By the Minister for Health.
    Report on Pilot of Capitation as a Payment Mechanism in the Ashanti Region and Planned Nationwide Scale-up of the Payment Mechanism.
    Referred to the Committee on Health for consideration and report.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Item number 5.
    rose
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Do you have a point of order against the Chair. Nobody is on the floor, is it against the Chair?
    Mr Ayariga 11:15 a.m.
    Very much so, Mr Speaker, not against the Chair --
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Member, you cannot take a point of order against the Chair, so, sit down.
    5(1)?
    If a Motion is moved and you have any point of order, you can then raise your point of order. But you cannot take a point of order against the Chair.
    PRIVATE MEMBER'S MOTION
    Bi-Partisan Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry (Brazil 2014)
    Mr Isaac K. Asiamah (NPP -- Atwima Mponua) 11:15 a.m.
    I beg to move, that this Honourable House sets up a bi-partisan Parliamentary Committee of Enquiry to investigate events and activities before, during and after Ghana's preparation and participation in Brazil 2014.
    Mr Ayariga 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have looked at the Motion that the Hon Member has moved and Mr Speaker, I wish to draw your attention to article -- [Interruption.]
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    No, let us listen to him please; let us listen to him. At least, somebody has said something so he can now take the point of order.
    Mr Ayariga 11:15 a.m.
    I have looked at article 278 of our Constitution and that makes provision for the appointment of Commissions of enquiry. It states and with permission, let me read;
    “Subject to article 5 of this Constitution, the President shall by Constitutional Instrument, appoint a Commission of Inquiry into any matter of public interest where --
    (a) the President is satisfied that a commission of inquiry should be appointed; or
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Minister, are you saying that the Speaker has no right to admit a Motion? Is that the point you are making? I want to get what exactly you are making. I am not following you; I have admitted this Motion. So, what is the gravamen of your submission?
    Mr Ayariga 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the gravamen of my submission is to draw your attention to the appropriate Motion and secondly, to draw your attention to the existence of a Constitutional Instrument that has been --
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    There are two arguments that you are making; I want to get it right. Are you saying that this House cannot set up a committee of inquiry to go into
    any matter or the essence of your objection is to draw my attention to the existence of a Constitutional Instrument? Which of the points are you making? They are two separate points. So, what are you saying?
    Mr Ayariga 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to the existence of a Consti- tutional Instrument, C.I. 82, which has been promulgated, establishing a commission of inquiry into matters relating to the participation of the Black Stars team in the World Cup tournament in Brazil,
    2014.
    Mr Speaker, this was gazetted and the Gazette notification date; 11th of July, 2014.
    Mr Speaker, let me state the contents of the C.I. --
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Member, there is no need, the most important thing is, you are drawing our attention to the existence of the C.I. What is your point? Are you saying that this House, as a House of Parliament under the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, cannot set up a committee of inquiry. Is that your submission?
    Or are you saying that there is existence of a C.I. so when there is a C.I. then Parliament cannot -- Is that the argument you are making?
    Mr Ayariga 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, first and foremost, there is a C.I. establishing a commission of inquiry to inquire into this very matter that this Motion is asking this House to set up a bi-partisan committee to inquire into. That exists, Mr Speaker.
    I am saying that, in addition to the fact that a C.I. exists to do the very thing that the Motion is asking this Parliament to set up a committee to carry out, if we look at the powers of this House in relation to establishing a body to inquire into a matter
    of public importance, there is an express Constitutional Provision and that express constitutional provision is the article 278 that I referred you to.
    That constitutional provision states what powers this House has in relation to the establishment of commissions of inquiry. I am saying that, the appropriate Motion would have been a Motion to ask the President to set up a commission of inquiry into this matter of public importance. I am also saying that, given that the President has already set up that commission under a Constitutional Instrument, then it makes the moving of this Motion mute.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Let me take one or two contributions then if I have a ruling to make on this matter, I would make it.
    Yes, Hon Member for Sekondi?
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah (NPP -- Sekondi) 11:25 a.m.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
    I must say that I feel very sad for this country this morning. Mr Speaker, as we are all aware, this Constitution has brought into existence various arms of the State to discharge certain functions, and because of that, when it comes to good governance, there must be an understanding that no arm of the State or Government should by its conduct, try and undermine the work of any other arm.
    That is why Mr Speaker, even in our Standing Orders, it is provided that when matters are pending before the Court, in our debates, no Hon Member should comment on it in a manner that would adversely affect the determination of the
    facts in the matter. I am not saying it expressly.
    Mr Speaker, we know the genesis of this Motion and I say I am sad because, you would recall Mr Speaker, that in the exercise of your powers, you granted the Hon Member of Parliament for Bawku Central leave in his capacity as the Minister for Youth and Sports to make a statement on the floor of the House.
    Mr Speaker, you would recall that, you even cautioned that because there was pending before this House a Motion, Hon Members should not comment on the Statement. In terms of the balance or powers of the various arms of the state, you respected this House and even the President. You could have refused it, but you did not because you respected the work of the Executive and even in interpreting the Standing Orders of this House, you let it be reflected in your decision.
    Mr Speaker, after the Hon Member for Bawku Central and the Minister for Youth and Sports had come to this House to bring to the House's attention that he had set up an administrative inquiry, he comes here, today and draws our attention to the fact that, on 11th July, 2014, which properly was a day after he made the Statement, His Excellency the President, probably based on the advice of his Minister who came to this House to make a statement that he had set up an administrative inquiry in respect of the Black Stars participation, set up a Commission of inquiry, that there has been a Constitutional Instrument (C.I. )
    Mr Speaker, the membership as contained in the Minister's statement is the same. The membership and the terms of reference are the same. Does it mean that the President is seeking to undermine the work of this House?
    Some Hon Members 11:25 a.m.
    Yes.
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 11:25 a.m.
    It is a rhetorical question but I cannot say otherwise considering the sequence of events. Mr Speaker, the point raised by the Hon Minister is most misconceived. It cannot be a preliminary objection; it can only be a point of argument. This is because under the Constitution, article 103 (1), it states;
    “Parliament shall appoint standing committees and other committees as may be necessary for the effective discharge of its functions”.
    What are the functions of Parliament? We exercise oversight of the Executive. If the State has used resources to support the Black Stars to participate in the World Cup, of course, it is a matter that Parliament can express its views on because, resources were used by the State.
    Article 103(3) states;
    “Committee of Parliament shall be charged with such functions, including the investigation and inquiry into the activities and administration of ministries and departments as Parliament may determine; and such investigation and inquiries may extend to proposals for legislation”
    It goes on to even state that, a Committee of Parliament has the powers of a High Court, and that was why I thought that in deepening good go- vernance, His Excellency the President would not have resorted to this course.
    Obviously, he was advised by the Minister for Youth and Sports who on Wednesday, had come and made a statement that he had set up an administrative inquiry. Presumably, after
    going on air, he thought that, it was important for the matter to be brought to Parliament's attention so that, even in the debate, Parliament may consider that. Is he trying to stifle debate in this House? Is that what the President is seeking to do? [Hear! Hear!] The President who had been a Member of this Parliament for twelve years; three terms?
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Hon Member, wind up.
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am saying that, the fact that the President has set up a commission of inquiry is no moment to Parliament. Parliament is not bound to ask the President to set up a committee of inquiry. If the Hon Member sought to do that, he would have done it. So, the Hon Minister cannot argue that Parliament's power to set up a committee is circumscribed by article 108, which obviously deals with the powers of the President.
    Mr Speaker, the essence of democracy is as much as possible, to encourage debate and where a President upon the advice of a Minister, who is an Hon Member of this House, seeks, by his actions, to try and stifle debate is something that should be frowned upon.
    I tell you, President Mahama, today, I am disappointed in you. [Hear! Hear!] I am saying --
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Hon Member for Sekondi please, take your seat.
    Mr Ayariga 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my own disappointment in the Hon Member is legendary. I am very disappointed in the Hon Member -- [Interruption] -- I say so because, the Hon Member is a lawyer of repute in this country --
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Hon Member, please withdraw that. I would never encourage people to attack other's professional --
    Mr Ayariga 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, he spoke about the President as a three time Member of Parliament and said he was dis- appointed in him. He is also a lawyer of standing repute but the way he has interpreted this Constitution, I am equally very disappointed. [Interruption.]
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Hon Members, the House is degenerating. I would not allow the House I preside over to degenerate on this matter.
    Hon Member; please, take your seat.
    Mr Ayariga 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I withdraw that.
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    I am going to make my ruling.
    Hon Members, I would want to say, first of all, that I am not clothed with the powers of the Constitution to interpret the Constitution, therefore, I find myself restrained in interpreting the articles that you have referred me to. Nobody has quoted any provision of the Standing Orders that I have breached in admitting this Motion. Nobody has drawn my attention to that.
    If anyone wants to interpret articles 103 and 278 , the person should go to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Ghana. They have been clothed with the jurisdiction of interpreting the Constitution. But I must say that, to sustain your objection would be to sustain bad faith.
    Last Friday, at leadership level, we were trying to see whether we could build consensus as a House, otherwise this Motion would have been taken on Friday. If the Motion had been taken on Friday, would we have C.I. 82?
    Some Hon Members 11:25 a.m.
    No.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Would we have C.I. 82? The only reason Parliament is Sitting
    today; Monday, is because of this Motion. Only to come back and see C.I. 82 is in a very bad faith and should not be encouraged in this House. Hon Members, this is a House of debate. Whether the House decides to set up a Committee or not, it is for the House to decide. It is not for the Speaker.
    I have admitted my Motion and this is a matter that Ghanaians are interested in. If the House wants to go into it, let them go ahead and decide so. If the House thinks that they would not go into it, it is for the House to decide.
    Hon Members, referring to the C.I. 82, this morning, I was shocked when a copy of it was referred to me by the-Clerks-at the-Table. I was shocked because we all agreed that, this Motion would be taken today. I was shocked because the Minister came and told this House that he would give us thirty days. When I looked at C.I. 82, I saw fourteen days.
    Hon Members, we should be very careful with the governance of this country and always in whatever we do, we should capture the mood of our people. We thought that this House would agree for once to speak with one voice on this matter. If you do not want to speak with one voice that is for the House, it is not for me. So, I would let the Hon Member move the Motion and then at the end of the debate, I would put the Question; if the Motion is carried, it is so carried, if it is not carried, that would bring us to the end of the matter.
    I must quickly add, that consultation with regard to these matters, if we have consulted one another, we would have found a common ground in dealing with this matter. I would now call on Hon Asiamah to continue his Motion.
    -- 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    You should be looking more into my face.
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, let me begin this whole thing. Mr Speaker, I beg to move that, this House --
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    You have done that already, proceed.
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in so doing, I would want to provide justification for this Motion.
    Mr Speaker, the managers of Govern- ment Business should conduct them- selves in a manner that provides greater efficiency, economy and value for money.
    Ghana's shameful World cup exit in Brazil 2014 has become a source of worry, because Ghana as a country, with a credible reputation has been ridiculed by the world at large due to the cir- cumstances of our exit.
    As a country, we have been to the world cup on two earlier occasions and have many times successfully hosted the whole of Africa, the latest being CAN 2008, and we so had the experience, the exposure and the quality human resource.
    Mr Speaker, the major reflections are; why did we fail in Brazil 2014, our third time at the world stage? Was it as a result of greed on the part of some government officials, dishonesty, lack of transparency and accountability? Was it a product of total disregard and respect for constituted authority? Certainly, officials who use state money for public projects and activities must account for their stewardship.
    Mr Speaker, why the need for a bi- partisan Parliamentary Committee of Enquiry to investigate Ghana's pre- paration and participation in the Brazil 2014 World Cup?
    Mr Speaker, the bipartisan Committee of inquiry will have the confidence and the trust Ghanaians need in unearthing the truth in Ghana's participation in the 2014 World Cup.
    Mr Speaker, developments before, during and after the tournament demonstrate that, that is the most appropriate forum.
    Shifting the Goal Post
    Mr Speaker, the President has de- monstrated his complete incapacity when it comes to taking decisions.
    Mr Speaker, in the book Entitled “My First Coup D'etat”, authored by the President; he indicated his difficulty in taking decisions and this has been manifested in his leadership style. The President's indecisive posture is unsubtle in the following judgements;
    1. Directive to the GFA to set up a Committee to examine what went wrong in Brazil; that was a misdirected approach; per the status of the FIFA, the president has no locus or capacity to order or direct the FA to set up any committee of inquiry.
    2. The setting up of a 3-Member Ministerial Committee of Inquiry which has now metamorphosed into a Presidential Commission of Inquiry also demonstrated his indecision.
    According to the Hon Minister for Youth and Sports, “I have monitored the
    social Media and Media discussions since the Committee was set up, I had a meeting with the President and he has agreed that we should turn it into a Presidential Commission of Enquiry”.
    Mr Speaker, this is strange and exposes the President and his Ministers' incompetence, ignorance, confusion, ingenuity, lack of sincerity and commitment and above the president's indecisiveness.
    Article 278 (1) of the 1992 Constitution makes clear, the appointment of Com- mission of inquiry by the president into any matter of public interest and that it is not up to the “Minister and the we”, he is referring to; to hold discussion with the President before a Presidential Commission of Inquiry is set up.
    Mr Speaker, who is the Minister in question and what does he mean by ‘we'?
    Mr Speaker, this Government has over the years tried incessantly to undermine the authority of Parliament.
    Mr Speaker, your good office was the first to admit the Motion and it was advertised on Friday, 4th July 2014, in the Order Paper. Later, the Minister for Youth and Sports announced the formation of a Ministerial Committee of Enquiry. Clearly, it was an attempt to disable Parliament which ought to be condemned in no uncertain terms.
    Mr Ayariga 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, is the Hon Member arguing in support of the Motion or reading a Statement? I see him copiously reading like a Statement.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Asiamah look more into the Speaker's face.
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, why is the President now resorting to Presidential Commission of Enquiry? Mr Speaker, mention can be made of Presidential
    Commission of Enquiry in the celebrated case of Ghana@50 and of course it later on became a fiasco.
    Mr Speaker, after the entire hulabaloo, the Commission produced nothing but a drain on the public purse. So the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government always hides behind Committees of Inquiry to perpetrate corrupt activities on Ghanaians and of course they do it with impunity.
    Mr Speaker, this clearly is an attempt once again by the Government to dodge the major issues at stake.
    Mr Speaker, Parliament which is charged with ensuring accountability should probe these very important issues I am going to mention.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Member; when you are inviting the House to set up a Motion, you should not be making value judgments, because that is what you are seeking the Committee to do so. But where you are using words as if you have already judged the people, then the essence of calling for the Committee of Inquiry becomes redun- dant.
    Give the reasons why you want to set up the Committee so that you do not go and use certain words as if you have evidence already against the people before the Committee is formed.
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you for your advice. Mr Speaker, the major issues I would want the proposed committee to investigate are;
    The Government promised to pay appearance fees and other allowances into the bank accounts of the players before their departure to Brazil. However, in due time, government reneged on this pledge. What accounted for Government's failure?
    Alhaji Muntaka 11:35 a.m.
    On a point of order. Mr Speaker, like you earlier drew our Hon Colleague's attention to, he is making a lot of value judgments. He is calling for an investigation and he is stating issues as if they were facts. Mr Speaker, then what would we be investigating? Mr Speaker, he should take your guidance serious and run away from issues where he makes categorical statements as if they are facts.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Asiamah, you should be winding up. Wind up. Also, I
    have already cautioned you that you should not be making statements as if they are statements of facts. Allegations cannot be statements of facts.
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we have 14 bullet points that we want the Committee to also investigate; in terms of whether there was a Planning Committee, and what were their terms of reference, who were the members and their back- grounds? Was there any agreement between the Ministry and the tour operators, what was the basis of that agreement, and how was it executed?
    Why did Government fail to pay their appearance fee before departure as promised, how many supporters did the Government sponsor to Brazil 2014, and how much did the Government release to each supporter for accommodation and meals, and for bus tickets; how much in total was spent on each supporter?
    How many officials did Government sponsor to Brazil, how much was spent on each official, and the total cost?
    How many public servants used state funds to go to Brazil, how much did it cost the nation to airlift US$ 3 million cash to Brazil? How much tax did the Ghana Government pay to the Brazilian Government for airlifting the US$ 3 million cash, and how much did it cost the nation to spend on the “ so called ambassadors”?
    Mr Speaker, we also want the total breakdown of Ghana's preparation and participation for Brazil 2014. The latest development, we would also want investigation to be conducted on about our supporters who are seeking political asylum in Brazil, their reasons being of religious and political upheavals in the country.
    Mr Speaker, Parliament should rise up to this occasion because it is evidently clear that Ghanaians have lost trust and confidence in the numerous unproductive committees set up by the President and the Ministers.
    I hereby call on this House, as a matter of urgency, to come together and be on the side of the majority of Ghanaians, and let the Select Committee of Enquiries look into the above issues raised, and other factors that marred our preparation and participation in Brazil 2014.
    Mr Speaker, football continues to be the spirit of passion of the nation, and it is the unifying force of our country. Soon, we shall start preparation for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), 2015 and the World Cup, 2018, and Ghanaians would follow with keen interest.
    I urge the entire House to adopt this Motion in order to introduce sanity and integrity into the game of football.
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Any seconder?
    Mr Boniface G. Adagbila (NPP -- Nabdam) 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to second the Motion, and as I second it, I wish to express a few concerns to justify the secondment.
    Mr Speaker, I stand as the right person to second this Motion because I represented the Sports Committee, with my Chairman Hon Woyome, in Brazil. I realised that there were quite a number of injuries that began from here to Brazil, and that might have contributed to our early exit.
    When you undertake an event or a project, at the end of the project, it is good
    to look at the good things that happened and the bad things that might have happened. There would be the need for things that did not go well to be emphasised on and looked at carefully for the purpose of the future. Things that went well would need to be maintained, and improved upon.
    Mr Speaker, while in Brazil, observing and feeling the discomfort of Ghanaian fans and the team, as well as the management team at large, I realised that a number of things did not go well at home.
    First of all, the Sports Committee at home was not privy to good information in the preparation for the tournament. There was confusion in the beginning from a Deputy Minister of Sports, as to what the budget was, and would be. This was the start of the confusion.
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Hon Member, I made the point that when you are moving a Motion calling on the House to set up a committee to do something, you do not have to go on passing judgment. If you are disappointed already, why are you calling for the setting up of a Committee of Enquiry? Then it means that you have made up your mind already -- [Inter- ruption]- Anyway, conclude since you are seconding. I have given enough time to the Hon Asiamah so conclude.
    Mr B. G. Adagbila 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would conclude, but the points to conclude are also important. The terms of reference that I think is crucial for us to look at, which do not even appear in the Constitutional Instrument (CI) 82 is the
    Dr Kunbuor 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I guess that it is important for me as Majority Leader to try and present and make some matters very clear in relation to this Motion, and perhaps, to clear the debris for us to see our way clear.
    The first point that I need to make is that the significance of this Motion is not a child's play, and so Hon Members should be a bit circumspect and attach a level of seriousness to this Motion. I am saying that it is not child's play, and it is not one of the “Kwanekwane” games that we are dealing with. We would see the effect of this subsequently.
    Mr Speaker, having said that, it becomes important when Hon Members of this House, who are beneficiaries of the
    subject matter of this Inquiry are seconding this Motion, and making self confessions, because this is going to be very significant, and I would want us to look at it in relation to the role of Hon Members who were part of the official delegation in relation to this matter and what role they can play in relation to this matter. I am saying this because, you cannot approbate and reprobate at the same time.
    But Mr Speaker, the more significant reason why I rose is to make sure that we put this Motion in context, and to humbly ask for your leave to withdraw the Amendment Motion on item 5 (2).
    Mr Speaker, I am saying so because in the light of the CI, that Amendment Motion has become otiose; when you are going to be caught up with a Constitutional Commission while the Motion is talking about an administrative enquiry.
    The more substantive issue Mr Speaker is that, the procedure for a Commission under a CI are completely different and are not amenable to this House, because after the Report of this Constitutional Commission is submitted a government White Paper would be issued, and the legal status of that government White Paper is the decision of a High Court. The only thing you can do with that government White Paper is to go to the Court of Appeal.
    There is no point in which Parliament would be going to the Court of Appeal to challenge the Government White Paper, let alone to ask that the Government White Paper should come to this House because the Constitution would have provided a procedure on how to handle it; and it is in the light of this that we think that that Amendment Motion cannot take place.
    Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Let us do one at a time. So you said that the Amendment Motion should be withdrawn?
    Dr Kunbuor 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I was just craving for your indulgence to grant us leave to withdraw it. Yes, for the Member to withdraw.
    Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Then let us withdraw it so that we know it is not on the Order Paper. From there we can proceed, so that we know exactly what we are doing. So are you withdrawing?
    Dr Kunbuor 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I will hold on, but I intend to make a comment on the main Motion.
    Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Yes, please hold on so that we know what we are dealing with.
    Yes, Hon Chairman of the Youth and Sports Committee?
    Chairman of the Youth and Sports Committee (Mr Kobena M. Woyome) 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, on this note I beg to withdraw the Amendment Motion -- [Laughter] -- on page two, item five (5) (ii).
    Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Hon Members, if a Member files his Motion and he is withdrawing it what should be the hullaballoo about it?
    There should not be any problem with it.
    [Amendment Motion accordingly withdrawn].
    Let us make progress, Hon Members, let us make progress!
    Yes, indeed, at the time of admitting it I was not aware of Constitutional Instrument (CI) 82. My attention was drawn to CI 82 which changed the character of what I did. Once my attention has been drawn to CI 82, I think that it raises legal and constitutional issues and it is proper for the amendment to be withdrawn. So Amendment Motion accordingly withdrawn.
    Hon Majority Leader, proceed further.
    Dr Kunbuor 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thank you for indulging me. On the Substantive Motion as it stands, I would want us to keep faith with our Standing Orders. I will entreat the mover of the Motion to modify his Motion slightly, because under article 103 of the Constitution or even our Standing Orders, there is no committee that would be known to this House as a bipartisan committee; so his Motion should talk basically about a Special, Ad hoc or other committee so that we are clear it is a Committee of the House.
    Mr Speaker, all Committees of this House are in essence bipartisan. The Constitution uses the word “shades of opinion”, and I believe that any time we are composing a Committee in this House, it is supposed in accordance with our Standing Orders to be in accord with all the shades of opinion. I guess that if that amendment is made, then we can proceed, Mr Speaker, to debate the Motion.
    Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Minority Leader?
    Mr Nitiwul 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, you know the main Motion has been moved and seconded. We are to debate it, but he is bringing an amendment to the main Motion -- So Mr Speaker, I just think that once the Motion has been moved and seconded, he has not brought any Amendment Motion. Maybe, we will continue with the debate on the main Motion.
    Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    I think that he had drawn our attention to the rules of procedure that there is no Committee called bipartisan committee. If you want to set up a committee to do a specific thing, it has to be either ad hoc or special committee, because they do their work and that is it. Or one would ask one of the already existing Committees to do it.
    All the Committees of the House are bipartisan and so he is just suggesting - - I do not know --Hon Asiamah, did you hear the Majority Leader? [Pause] --
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think that we are all helping to shape it, I do not think there is a difficulty here at all. I accept it; maybe “bipartisan” is withdrawn and Special or Ad hoc Committee accepted.
    Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Very well.
    Yes, Hon Minister for Youth and Sports?
    Mr Ayariga 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to oppose the Motion moved by the Hon Isaac Kwame Asiamah. That this Honourable House sets up a bipartisan Parliamentary Committee of inquiry to investigate events and activities before, during and after Ghana's preparation and participation in Brazil 2014, as modified subsequently --
    rose
    Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Are you on a point of order?
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, yes indeed, I thought that the Hon Minister was here when the amendment to the Motion was accepted. Now he is reading a different Motion.
    Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    No, he did not. He qualified it; he said, as “amended subsequently”. I heard him loud and clear.
    Mr Ayariga 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do recognise your earlier ruling that you are not the Supreme Court of Ghana, for which reason you are not clothed with the power to interpret the Constitution of Ghana.
    Mr Speaker, you are definitely very right on this matter. Nevertheless, Mr Speaker, there is a vote to be taken and I intend to advance the same legal and constitutional arguments with the hope that, Hon Members of this House, in voting would be informed by their knowledge of the boundaries of our constitutional responsibilities.
    Mr Speaker, I had earlier tried to show that this is the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana established under this Constitution, and under the Constitution, it states clearly the powers of this House, and it also states how those powers are to be exercised --
    rose
    Mr Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Do you have a point of order?
    Mr Nitiwul 11:55 a.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker, the Hon Member advanced the same argument and you gave a ruling, unless he wants to reverse that ruling -- [Uproar!]
    Mr Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Deputy Minority Leader, you did listen to the Hon Member for Sekondi in his submission which stated that, it is a point of argument. So he can say it, but he cannot use it to block the Motion. They are two separate things, so what he raised first was a preliminary objection, which was overruled. Nothing prevents him from using those arguments for Members to decide to vote for or against the Motion. To that extent, he is entitled to raise those arguments.
    Mr Nitiwul 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, in as much as I agree with your current ruling, I would also urge that we should be careful not to paint a picture that instantly, we disagree with what Mr Speaker said.[Interruption] And that is the picture that I do not want the Member to paint about your ruling.
    Mr Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Deputy Minority Leader, the fact that the Hon Minister who raised the objection is taking part in the debate shows that he has agreed with my ruling and he is now taking part in the debate.
    Mr Ayariga 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Constitution provides in article 93(2) that establishes the Parliament of Ghana, and I beg to read:
    “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the legislative power of Ghana shall be vested in Parliament and shall be exercised in accordance with this Constitution”
    I am saying that there are several aspects of the exercise of our legislative functions as a House. One of them relates to our power as a House to inquire into matters of public importance. The issue of what happened in Brazil is a matter of public importance.
    Mr Speaker, the Constitution also makes provision for Committees of Parliament to carry out certain functions. In particular, we have a committee that deals specifically with sports and the functions of those committees are also spelt out in the Standing Orders.
    Mr Speaker, the specific power to establish a Commission to inquire into matters of public importance and the role of Parliament in the establishment of a commission to carry out an inquiry into matter of public importance has also been expressly provided for in the Consti- tution.
    Mr Speaker, where the Constitution does not make provision for it, and as a House we make provision for it in our Standing Orders, then we are permitted to act in accordance with our Standing Orders.
    But where the Constitution singles out a particular exercise of our powers and states a procedure by which that power can be exercised, then we are bound by those constitutional provisions that state how those powers can be exercised.
    rose
    Mr Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Strictly point of order.
    Dr Prempeh 12:05 p.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, I would want you to kindly direct the Hon Gentleman that the Hon Member who moved the Motion specifically asked for a parliamentary committee. He should not confuse the House by a Commission of Inquiry with a Parliamentary Committee. They are totally different. He cannot, Mr Speaker, direct the Hon Member who moved the Motion as to how he should move his Motion.
    If the Hon Member who moved the Motion thinks that he wanted to call for a resolution for the President to establish a Commission of Inquiry, the Hon Member

    who moved the Motion would have done that. So, he should not confuse his argument in those two committees. They are totally different. A Commission of Inquiry is different from a Committee of Parliament, which the Hon Member who moved the Motion is seeking to establish.
    Dr Kunbuor 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have cautioned that because of the signi- ficance of this Motion, let us make sure that the record does not make us ridiculous. If you are a Member of this House and you are enjoined to invoke a particular constitutional provision and that has not been done, we should not be seen blaming the House for not opting for that route. This is because when it is captured in the official record, it is like the House has abdicated its responsibility including individual Members only to come back and blame the House. Let us get this debate put in a proper context.
    Mr Ayariga 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I said that, this Constitution identifies the need for public inquiry, and it states the mechanism by which a public inquiry should be carried out. It states in article 278 that for a public inquiry into a matter of public interest to be carried out, there are three mechanisms: one, where Mr President feels that a public inquiry should be carried out he can set up a Commission of Inquiry to carry out that inquiry.
    Mr B. A. Nitiwul 12:05 p.m.
    On a point of order. Mr Speaker, I ordinarily just wanted to listen to my Hon Colleague so that I can understand him. I do not want to interject him. I am sorry for that.
    But Mr Speaker, nowhere in the Motion did the Hon Member state that the President should set up a Commission of Inquiry. Nobody is talking about a Commission of Inquiry here.
    In fact, the amended Motion even talked about a Special Committee of Inquiry. Nobody talked about Commission of inquiry. In any case, article 103 gives Parliament the power to set up any committee to investigate anything.
    So please, the Hon Member should talk about the special committee of inquiry and forget about Commission of Inquiry. Nobody is dealing with Commission of Inquiry. He should not set his own examination questions and mark them.
    Mr Ayariga 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is precisely for the education of the Hon Member that I am proceeding the way I am proceeding.
    Mr Speaker, the third circumstance under which a public inquiry into a matter of public interest can take place is where Parliament by a resolution, requests the President of the Republic of Ghana to set up a Commission to inquire into a matter of public interest. Mr Speaker, where the President, by a resolution of Parliament, is requested to set up a Commission to carry out a matter of public interest --
    Mr Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Minister for Youth and Sports, right from the beginning I made the point that is being suggested on the floor of this House that, Parliament cannot set up a committee to investigate any matter? I asked you and as much as possible if you look at our Standing Orders they are very clear. If you look at our Standing Orders, we can set up a committee to investigate any matter of public importance. Nowhere did the Hon Member who moved the Motion say what they wanted to do is coming under article
    278.
    So, I would want you to get these parameters clear as you go on. This is because I do not want the impression to be created as if Parliament is taking the responsibility of the President under article 278 to do what is the right of the President.
    What is the right of the President is within his constitutional powers to do. But the question is that, does that prevent Parliament from also invoking its powers under the Standing Orders to do something of that nature, especially, when the process started in Parliament earlier on?
    Mr Ayariga 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am getting to exactly that point. I indicated the three circumstances under which a Commission can be set up to inquire into a matter of public interest; public importance.
    Mr Speaker, ordinarily, where the Constitution does not make provision for the exercise of a particular power, then we can make provision for the exercise of that power under our Standing Orders and we can make provision for the process, for the exercise of that power under our Standing Orders. I am saying that in this particular instance, on the issue of carrying out an inquiry into a matter of public interest, the Constitution is express
    -- 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Member, refer to Standing Order 191. It states:
    “The House may at any time by motion appoint Special or Ad Hoc Committee to investigate any matter of public importance…”
    Please, continue. I am working with the Standing Orders; I do not interpret the Constitution.
    Mr Ayariga 12:05 p.m.
    That is very much so, Mr Speaker. But the point is that, the
    promulgation of the Standing Orders derives from express powers provided under the Constitution. It says that the House shall make provisions in Standing Orders to regulate its conduct subject to this Constitution --
    Mr Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Member, if you think that there is a provision in the Standing Orders that is contrary to the clear and express provisions of the Constitution, you know where to go, because that is what you are precisely suggesting. This is because I do not want the impression to be created -- and it is very, very important for the dignity of this House, and for the kind of precedence that we want to set, to create the impression that, this House, the Parliament of Ghana, cannot set up a committee to go into matters of public interest or public importance.
    It would be a dangerous proposition to make on the floor of this House. We have to be very careful when we are making those propositions.
    Dr Kunbuor 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I can see the drift in relation to this matter. I know that despite the fact that Parliament has the power to do whatever it wants to do, this is a point that I think at the least opportunity we should be able to put the question within the light of the fact that we are likely to have two parallel investigations going on within the same one state. So, the earlier we took a decision on this matter the better.
    This is because from what is going into our official record Mr Speaker, with the greatest respect, I am not very comfortable with it in relation to this matter.
    So if we can have the opportunity to get the Question put on this Motion and settled, it would be in the interest of this House. With the greatest respect, Mr
    Dr Kunbuor 12:15 p.m.


    Speaker, I do not intend to curtail any debate on this matter, but we have done some form of consultations on it.
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    You are the leader of the House and when you suggest something to the Chair, I have to attach seriousness to it. But let me hear from the front bench of the Minority before I --
    Mr Dan Botwe (NPP - Okere) 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the preamble to your ruling you did indicate Leadership involvement in the discussion of this Motion and I wish to confirm that it did happen; we discussed it.
    Let me also state that, the Hon Deputy Minority Leader was not in the country and the Minority Leader was also at the Vetting Committee, so I represented Leadership at this meeting. To confirm that, this is the only reason why we did not take this Motion on Friday because we wanted to build consensus.
    At that level, there was a consultation, hence this amendment Motion. After that I am not aware of any other consultation that the Majority Leader is talking about, because what we would have expected is for them to come up officially for us to discuss this matter. But the way it is going, it is creating the impression as if Parliament should renege on its duty to do what we are legally supposed to do, I am unable to get it. Therefore, even if it will go for a division, so be it. But then people should be given the chance to speak to this Motion because it is very important.
    We cannot keep on talking about Separation of Powers, the dignity of Parliament and our independence and still at the same time want to submit ourselves to other authorities. We have the Constitution here and Mr Speaker, clause
    6 of article 103 has also been quoted on the floor of the House. We have quoted Order 191, so as far as we are concerned, we are debating this Motion and it should be debated to its logical conclusion. Whatever has to be said and should be captured is being captured, and should be captured for posterity.
    Thank you.
    Dr Kunbuor 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I must indicate that I said we have had some form of consultation. For us at the Bar, when some matters come up we have seniors, and we do consultations with them. It is still at a very clear and fluid constitutional level. I have had the opportunity to talk to some of my seniors on this matter. As you keep raising article 103, your Motion has not asked for any inquiry on a Ministry or a Department.
    Article 103 talks of inquiries on Ministries and Departments, so the situation is a bit fluid, that is why I am trying to get us to discipline it and handle it in a particular manner. At our private level, I can let you know the types of consultations and guidance we are also seeking from senior members of the Bar on this matter, and once Mr Speaker has granted us that dispensation we will have a way of tailoring this thing. It is just to prevent this House from being absurd and embarrassed in the future from our own record. I know exactly how this debate is going.
    Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, though I sympathise with the Majority Leader I would want to support the position of the Minority Chief Whip, that he may have consulted seniors at the Bar, but this is Parliament. This is Parliament, once the front bench of the Majority have not consulted us we are in the dark. We do not know what he is talking about. It is a simple fact that article 103 says that Parliament shall appoint Standing Committees and other Committees as may be necessary for the effective discharge of its functions.
    Hon Asiamah came under Order 191, which says that the House may at any time by Motion appoint Special or Ad hoc Committees to investigate any matter of public importance; to consider any Bill that does not come under the jurisdiction of any of the Standing or Select Committees. That is what he came on. In any case, on Wednesday last week, that was on the 9th of July, the Minister who is busily arguing against this Motion came to Parliament to say that he was setting up an Admini- strative Committee.
    He has not come back to this House to tell us that Administrative Committee is off or that he has dissolved it, and he has set up a Constitutional Instrument (C.I). So as we sit now, what are we talking about? We are not talking about what the Executive is doing here.
    He set up an Administrative Committee, he came to this House to tell us that he had set up an Administrative Committee. Then suddenly four days after that the President sets up a C.I. What are we to believe, or who are we to believe, or what are we to do? Has he come back to tell us that he has dissolved that Committee, or to tell us we should give him 30 days?
    At a point in time, Parliament was considering the fact that after 30 days when they bring their Report -- that is the reason why the Chairman of the Committee said after 30 days we could pick up from there, get the Report and do our own investigation. So, Mr Minister, have you dissolved that Committee? This is because they are the same people.
    Mr Speaker, let the debate go on.
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Alfred K. Agbesi (NDC - Ashaiman) 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the mover of the Motion had asked for the setting up of a Committee. Mr Speaker, the view as
    espoused by the Majority Leader is that there is a view against the Motion. So, listening to the view that has been expressed on the floor, the leader thinks that you should put the Question. This is because the issues are clear that there is a Motion for a Committee, there is a strong view against the setting up of that Committee. The issues are clear. Mr Speaker should put the Question on these two issues so that much of the debate is ended. Mr Speaker, that is the view of the House.
    Mr Nitiwul 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would take it that there is a point of order. In any case, from the opposite side of the House, only one person spoke. In fact, he did not even speak against the Motion. He was just cautioning Parliament that under article 278 of the Constitution, Parliament should have come by a resolution to look at the Commission of Inquiry and we are pointing it out to him that nobody here-- in fact the Motion never talked about a Commission of Inquiry.
    The Motion is coming under Order 191 which is talking about a special or ad hoc committee to investigate. The argument the Majority Leader is making could be taken, but Mr Speaker we have not had any consultation on it.
    We have to ask ourselves as Parliament, whether now that we have been given the opportunity to say that there is a C.I, Parliament is ready to have another committee to investigate. The question is for this House to take, and we only take that when we have the debate going on. Then we would have an informed decision for Parliament to take that decision. So, let the Majority Leader wait, let people debate, and then we can make that decision. After all it is only one person, so if we get four or five from each side --
    Mr Ayariga 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, let me just read again as modified the Motion and this is what it says:
    “That this Hon House sets up a ‘whatever' Committee of Inquiry -- [Uproar] --
    I said “whatever” because I do not know whether they intend to say adhoc or special. I do not know what they intend to use --
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Minister, as for the Motion, I have admitted it. So if you want to kick why they should not vote for the Motion, you may proceed to convince the House why they should not vote for it. This is because when you are raising that point, it goes to the issue of admissibility but we have passed there.
    Mr Ayariga 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have not concluded my argument.
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Yes, please continue but not on the basis of the Motion.
    Mr Ayariga 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, my argument is based on the Motion. The Motion is what we are arguing.
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Yes, but based on the admissibility of the Motion, whether the Motion should not be voted for or should be voted for.
    Mr Ayariga 12:15 p.m.
    Yes, I am saying that what the Motion says is that, this House should set up a Committee of Inquiry to carry out an investigation -- a Committee of Inquiry to carry out an investigation into a matter of public interest.
    I am saying that if you look at our Constitution, article 278(1) (c) says:
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Minister, you have repeated this point several times. You have referred to article 278 -- Hon Minister, there is a rule against repetition in this House and I do not want to invoke it because you are a Minister. You have raised article 278 several times; from (a) to (c).
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah Mr Speaker at this juncture, with your permission, I would refer the House to Order 99(2):
    “Mr Speaker having called the attention of the House to the conduct of a Member who persists in irrelevance or tedious repetition either of his own arguments or of the arguments used by other Members in debate, may direct the Member to discontinue his speech.”
    Mr Speaker, it is obvious that the Hon Member on his feet has been referred to tedious repetition of his own argument by the Chair but he persists in continuing his own argument. I am therefore, inviting
    you to invoke your powers under Order 99(2) and direct the Member for Bawku Central, the Minister for Youth and Sports to discontinue his speech because his point has been well articulated.
    I so request, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Members, I do not intend making a ruling, I would allow him to continue and conclude. He is not going to repeat. Please continue and conclude.
    Mr Ayariga 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, with all due respect, I have tried to make one point and at every juncture, I have not been permitted to conclude my point.
    I am craving your indulgence to just conclude that point and move to the next point.
    Mr Speaker, I am saying that if you read Article 278(1)(c), it says that 12:15 p.m.
    “Parliament, by a resolution requests that a commission of inquiry be appointed to inquire into any matter, specified in the resolution as being a matter of public importance.”
    Parliament has the power to call for the establishment of a commission to inquire into any matter of public importance. I am saying that, that power is exercised under article 278 and it is by a resolution specifically calling on the President to set up a commission to carry out that exercise.
    Parliament has the power but there is a procedure for the exercise of that power. That is all I am saying. I am not saying that this Parliament does not have the power. It has the power and it has --
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Member, continue and conclude quickly.
    Mr Ayariga 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the next issue is --
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Members, let him conclude. I have identified Hon Atta Akyea.
    When he concludes, I would call you Hon Member.
    Let us listen to him.
    Mr Ayariga 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, given that the President has already, by a Constitutional Instrument, set up a Commission of Inquiry, I crave the indulgence of Hon Members of this House that the bipartisan Committee that this House is proposing to set up is going to do essentially the same thing that the Commission of Inquiry set up by the President is going to do.
    Mr Speaker, the Commission of Inquiry set up by the President has the same powers that the Committee of this House seeks to establish.
    Mr Speaker, the consequences of the Commission of Inquiry set up by the President is the same as the conse- quences of the Committee that is being set up by this House.
    I therefore, crave the indulgence of Hon Members of this House to allow the Committee of Inquiry established by the President pursuant to article 278(1)(a) to carry out the exercise of enquiring into this matter of public importance.
    Mr Speaker, let me apologise --
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Conclude! Conclude, Hon Minister, conclude now.
    Mr Ayariga 12:15 p.m.
    In conclusion, let me apologise for some of the issues that have come up in the process leading to the creation of the Constitutional Instrument.
    Mr Speaker, initially the President made a public statement that he would cause a review and inquiry into what happened in Brazil immediately after the match, and subsequently, my Ministry set up and came to this House and with your

    indulgence made a Statement announcing the establishment of a Ministerial Committee of Inquiry. But following that statement, there has been public debate about the very nature of a Ministerial Committee of Inquiry and the limitations in the powers of a Ministerial Committee of Inquiry and the consequences of the exercise of the powers of the Ministerial Committee of Inquiry.

    As a result, the President decided to set up a Constitutional Committee of Inquiry so that it can have the powers that a Ministerial Committee does not have to compel witness to --
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Atta Akyea? You have been on your feet for a long time but I just want the Minister to conclude.
    Mr Samuel Atta Akyea (NPP -- Abuakwa South) 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am grateful. I am indeed saddened that some people are not serious enough in this House by saying that we should subordinate the power of Parliament to the Executive. How can we do that?
    Mr Speaker, it is embarrassing to this House that some people do not even understand the difference between the Executive and the Legislature. What is the meaning of separation of powers?
    What they are inviting you to do is to tear this Constitution into shreds because it does not matter anymore. What is the dignity of this House? That this House, in terms of the law --
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Atta Akyea, we have crossed that line. That is why the issue is being debated. [Interruption.]
    Mr Akyea 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, with respect, this is the height of ignorance and we would be insulted eternally if we should
    subor d in a t e our power s t o t h e Executive --
    Mr Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Atta Akyea, please you cannot refer to your Colleagues as ‘ignorant'. Please withdraw.
    Mr Akyea 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, with respect, I have withdrawn.
    Mr Speaker, you have the Constitution starring at this House in the face and with your permission, I would like to read article
    103(1) --
    “Parliament shall appoint standing committees and other committees as may be necessary for the effective discharge of its functions.”
    Parliamentary power is located in the Constitution. And Parliamentary power is never at the pleasure of the President. Mr Speaker, let me show you a more embarrassing issue: Whenever Parlia- ment wants to work and the President feels that he should hijack our work, he would quickly come and hijack our work through a Constitutional Instrument (C. I.) 82 so that we tie our hands to the back and say that we are not going to work. Then we must vacate this House because the President is going to dictate to us.

    Mr Speaker, with all respect, we all know what C. I. 82 does. Immediately the President comes out with the C.I.82, it means that there can never be any questioning about it when the work is
    Mr Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Conclude; conclude. Please conclude.
    Mr Akyea 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we have an undeniable power, oversight power relating to Executive matters. Therefore, it is essential that we should hallow the name of this House. The name of this House should be hallowed -- [Interruption] -- we are never the rubber stamp of the Executive. People are listening to us, that is there any matter which should not have Parliamentary scrutiny? Is there any single matter that is so serious that it should not have Parliamentary scrutiny? Let us vacate this House because they will laugh at us. That is my conclusion. [Hear! Hear!]
    Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka (NDC -- Asawase) 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am equally very worried for what is happening today in the Chamber. Mr Speaker, we could all make a strong case for our views, but at the end of the day, we are all concerned and worried about what transpired in Brazil.
    Mr Speaker, this House has tried to go this path before; we were able to break a compromise and we had a better solution. If I would recall, the debate on capitation, Mr Speaker, if you would remember we struggled but we built a consensus. Today, we are laying the Report of the Hon Minister to enable Parliament to see what is in that Report, so that if there are other
    areas that need to be better addressed, they are addressed.
    Mr Speaker, secondly, when the issue of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital came, we built a consensus that we should allow the Hon Ministers to finish and when they did finish, Mr Speaker, we were able to get the Report to enable a Committee of Parliament to deal with it, so that where we think there are leftovers, we would be able to at least, address those issues.
    rose
    Alhaji Muntaka 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if we are talking about who is trying to hijack whose work, if my memory serves me right --
    Mr Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Hon Dr Akoto Osei, do you have a point of order?
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:35 p.m.
    Yes indeed, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, the Hon Majority Chief Whip is trying to imply that this Motion seeks to await a report of a certain Hon Minister. Mr Speaker, nothing here says that -- [Interruption] -- we are not saying that in this Motion. So he should not add that to it.
    Mr Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    No, that is not what he said. That is not the point. He is referring to previous occasions when consensus was built in the House.
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, this is precisely my point because in your earlier ruling, you made reference to a certain bad faith; you made reference to it. He is the Hon Majority Chief Whip, we want to have consensus, so we would not want to listen to the Hon Minister's report.
    Alhaji Muntaka 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you for drawing his attention. I was making reference to a previous incident. Mr Speaker, with the greatest respect, if we are talking about who is trying to
    Alhaji Muntaka 12:35 p.m.


    ambush the other, I recall exactly the day after we lost our last match, his Excellency the President made an announcement that he was going to set up a committee to investigate what truly happened. So, if we are talking about who is hijacking the other, Mr Speaker, who is truly hijacking the other?

    Mr Speaker, with the greatest respect, my Hon Colleague's earlier Motion was talking about “a bipartisan”. Mr Speaker, I hold a press statement that was held by the Minority. If you take the Press Conference that was organised in this House, all manner of allegations were made in there. If you do that and when you finish and come into the Chamber and then say you want a bipartisan -- Mr Speaker, we are talking about who is doing something in good faith and who is talking about something in bad faith.

    I am not accusing anybody, but I am saying that, we have chartered this path before and we could do better if we are able to build consensus as to what we should do because we are all very sure that we need to get some facts.

    Mr Speaker, it is on this basis that I say, with a lot of grief, that I am urging my Hon Colleagues to reject this Motion so that we would allow the independent Commission of Enquiry to finish and then we would interrogate the issues thereof.
    Mr Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Hon Member, do you have a point of order?
    Mr Dan Botwe 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, rightly so. My Hon Colleague is misleading the House. Mr Speaker, if we hold a Press Conference and we make allegations; we do not make allegations against a political party. We do not make allegations against our Hon Colleagues on the other side of
    the House. Therefore, I do not understand why they want to assume that if we were attacking people or even making allegations of malpractice or malfeasance, they want to assume that we were rather accusing them. We were not. And that one does not tie our hands that we cannot call for a bipartisan committee, I do not think so.
    Alhaji Muntaka 12:35 p.m.
    Well, Mr Speaker, that is why I am of the view that, and I would urge my Hon Colleagues to reflect over this, whether we want, a State which is being funded, whether Parliament or the Executive, by the innocent taxpayer. To finance two Committees concurrently working. Whether that is what we would want to do. We have the right -- [Interruption] -- As a House, we have the right to set-up the Committee and carry out the investigation.
    It is our legitimate right and there would be nothing wrong with that. But I would just want us to reflect whether we would want two Committees to be concurrently working, where all of them would be calling the same persons who would be hovering from one Committee to the other.
    It is on this note that I would want to plead with my Hon Colleagues, that despite all the errors -- Whether Ministerial Committee or Commission of Enquiry, whatever the processes that have gone through, in the collective interest of this country, let us allow one Committee to finish and enable us deal with any Report that would come out of that because -- [Interruption] -- We have travelled that path before.
    So, Mr Speaker, I would want to urge my Hon Colleagues to vote against this Motion so that we would wait for the Commission of Enquiry.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Hon Members, the last comment is from Hon Osei-Owusu, then I will put the Question.
    Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu (NPP -- Bekwai) 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not think there is any debate that the matter we are seeking to investigate is an Executive action. And the only group that has constitutional power to oversee Executive action is the Legislature; that is not in issue.
    Mr Speaker, it is also not in issue that, on both sides of the House, we agree that some investigation has to be carried out. The only difference now is, whereas one group is insisting that the President has set up a Committee, so we should allow that to work, the mover of the Motion and his seconder and supporters are saying that, let Parliament do the investigation.
    rose
    Mr Osei-Owusu 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, who is best suited and placed to oversee and investigate Executive action? I think that --
    Mr Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    You have a point of order, Hon Minister? Point of order?
    Mr Ayariga 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is not true to say that what is going to be investigated is an Executive action. This is because, football in this country is managed by an independent organization, the Ghana Football Association (GFA). It is the GFA which organises and manages football in the country. So, to say that what is going to be investigated is an Executive action is not entirely accurate.
    Mr Speaker, secondly, it is not accurate to say that, it is only Parliament that can inquire matters relating to Executive action. Under our Constitution, a Commission of Inquiry is capable of inquiring into any
    matter involving any agency, whether Commission of Inquiry, Executive or Non- Executive. So, the statement that he has made is clearly inaccurate, therefore, must be withdrawn.
    Mr Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Osei-Owusu?
    Mr Osei-Owusu 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the only issue is, until the Executive action which appears to undercut the legislative oversight attempt by this House, would there have been any difference between us on both sides of the House? We appear to agree that we need to investigate what happened in Brazil.
    Not only of the team and the technical Expertise we brought, the “reported misconduct” of players, and how come bonuses were delayed, and matters that are reported to have emanated from that. I do not think there is any disagreement as to whether that investigation should be carried out or not.
    But Mr Speaker, I am asking all of us to be fair which group would be better suited to investigate this matter? Is it Parliament or a Committee outside Parliament? In any case, what would be the effect of the Executive Instrument (E.I.)?
    Mr Speaker, would Parliament be informed of the Report? Would we be able to legitimately demand that the Report be placed before this House? Would the House be placed constitutionally to take action on the Report?
    Mr Speaker, I think the answers to these questions are known. We have several incidences and experience which Executive action investigated the Executive and the Reports are not brought to this House. What we do is speculate, we pick pieces. People say: “They have intercepted the Report”, there is also the issue of “Oh, that is not the Report”.
    Mr Speaker, on this occasion, I urge Members of the House --
    rose
    Mr Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Do you have a point of order? Yes, Hon Minister, what is your point of order?
    Mr Ayariga 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member now talks about Executive action investigated by the Executive. My understanding of Constitutional law is that a Commission of Inquiry is not an Executive body. A Commission of Inquiry is a quasi-judiciary body, and so it is not an Executive body.
    Mr Osei-Owusu 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister is trying all kinds of summer- saults, but the answer is that same thing. When the Committee finishes its Report, it goes to the Executive, the President, and they have the power by a White Paper to decide what they accept and what they do not accept.
    When it came to the Constitutional Review Commission, we had the same problem. The Committee went round, gathered evidence and drew conclusions. The Executive decided that we accept this, we do not accept that, and what the Executive accepted is what is put before the nation. We would want to avoid that kind of tragedy through this time.
    We would want the representatives of the people of Ghana to investigate, bring out the fact and make recommendations to the Executives as to what actions they should take.
    Mr Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Hon Members, that brings us to the end of the debate, I would not put the Question.
    Hon Members, when I use the word bad faith, I use it in relation to the objection taken at the end by the Hon Minister for Youth and Sports because we were all in this House when he came and made a Statement which does not prevent the Statement being moved.
    In my view, not to come back now to say that the Motion could not be moved would be in a bad faith, and it is in that context that I used the bad faith and I want it to be corrected and understood properly so that nobody leaves this Chamber to quote me out of context.

    I want to use the discretion vested in me by using Standing Order 113 (1) to call for a headcount.

    Question put and the House was counted:

    AYES -- 76

    NOES -- 96

    ABSTENTIONS -- 0

    The Motion is accordingly defeated.

    Hon Members, let us have Order.

    Hon Majority Leader?
    Dr Kunbuor 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, there is a second Addendum and I would want us to take that before we come to item number
    6.
    Mr Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Has it been distributed to Members?
    Dr Kunbuor 12:55 p.m.
    We have done some consultation at the Leadership level.
    Mr Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Hon Members, let us -- It is just the laying of a document --
    Hon Deputy Minority Leader, are you opposed to the laying?
    Mr Nitiwul 12:55 p.m.
    We are now getting -- Though this is not the -- But it is all right, it is a non-controversial thing.
    Mr Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Yes, that is not it but on few occasions, we have made the rules flexible. But they would print the proper Order Paper but the Hon Majority Leader has made an application. That is why I want to get the sense of the House whether it should be laid -- But I know that is not a proper Order Paper --
    rose
    Mr Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Hon Member for Sekondi?
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 12:55 p.m.
    I thought the Deputy Minority Leader indicated that there was only one Addendum. I thought he had the second Addendum but he also has only one, what I have seen is a draft which is not really a second Addendum.
    Dr Kunbuor 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, this is just a question of technology; it is being churned out for Members. So we thought that, we being masters of our own rules and the fact that we can --
    It is just a procedure, if the Leadership agree, it could actually be laid and distributed to Members --
    Mr Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Hon Members, this is a rule or procedure; if the House agrees that it can be laid, it can be laid. They should print the Order Paper later on to be distributed. The second option is to wait for the Order Paper to be printed before it is laid.
    So, I do not know what the sense of the House is?
    Mr Nitiwul 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, this is a draft and this would be the first of its kind in our history; I think we should wait.
    Mr Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    What is your position?
    Mr Nitiwul 12:55 p.m.
    We should wait. Let them print at least, a few copies.
    Mr Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Very well.
    Dr Kunbuor 12:55 p.m.
    I have no objection. If the yellow paper is more acceptable than the white, I do not have an objection.
    Mr Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Yes, they would print copies when it is ready to be laid.
    Hon Majority Leader, what item are we taking now?
    Dr Kunbuor 12:55 p.m.
    We would take item 6.
    Mr Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Hon Members, the Customs Bill, 2014 at the Consideration Stage.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker to take the Chair.
    MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
    Dr A. A. Osei 1:04 p.m.
    The Chairman of the Committee has exited -- [Laughter] -- He is just coming, back!
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Hon Members, order!
    BILLS -- CONSIDERATION STAGE 1:05 p.m.
  • [Resumption of Debate from 11th July, 2014.]
    • Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Hon Members, Customs Bill, 2014 at the Consideration Stage; clause 12.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr James Klutse Avedzi) 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we have still not discussed clause 12, so if we could go to clause 26.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Very Well, clause 26 then.
    Clause 26 -- Goods on board a conveyance.
    Mr Avedzi 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 26, subclause (3), line 4, delete “that may incur the duty” and insert “if any”.
    The new rendition Mr Speaker, let us go to clause 28 because I think there is some fault with clause 26 on the Order Paper. So, I would be working on it; let us go to clause 28.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Very well, in that case we would defer it, but we have to first deal with clause 27.
    Clause 27 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
    Clause 28 -- Goods liable to forfeiture.
    Mr Avedzi 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 28, delete and insert the following:
    “Loading of Goods other than cargo or stores
    28. (1) Despite anything to the contrary contained in this Act and subject to Regulations made under this Act, the proper officer may permit:
    (a) the loading of passenger baggage; or
    (b) a person to take on board an aircraft or ship goods for sale or delivery to the passengers, officers or crew, or for any other purpose as the officer may allow, under such conditions as the officer may direct.
    (2) Goods shall be forfeited:
    (a) where the goods not being part of the cargo or authorized stores of an aircraft or ship are found on an aircraft or ship which is about to proceed to a place outside the country;
    (b) where the goods remain on board an aircraft or ship from a voyage from a place outside the country; or
    (c) if an attempt is made to place the goods on board an aircraft or ship without the permission of, or contrary to any conditions directed by, the proper officer or otherwise contrary to this Act”.
    Mr Speaker, the Committee is of the view that the purpose of clause 28 is to talk about the loading of goods, other than cargo or stores where if those stores are meant for consumption on board by the passengers and the crew, that should not be looked at as goods liable for forfeiture, but simply to be defined as loading of goods on board stored.
    So, we are deleting the entire clause 28, and substituting it with the new one that we have; so that the new rendition could capture the intent of that particular clause.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Members, I would put the Question.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Sorry, Hon W.O. Boafo?
    Mr W.O.Boafo 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Chairman, why he confined the loading of goods to only ships and aircraft? It appears he has left out the transportation of such items by road across our borders.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Chairman?
    Mr Avedzi 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the view of the Committee is that those goods are needed on board an aircraft or ship because they are purposely for consumption and because one needs to provide these goods to feed the passengers and the crew on board the ship or the aircraft.
    In the case of transportation by road, the Committee did not look at it from the angle that, if one boards a passenger vehicle, one must be fed by the crew and for that matter, do not qualify under this provision.
    But if it is an aircraft, and those goods are meant for feeding the passengers and the crew on board, it qualifies under this particular amendment.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Hon Members, Order!
    Yes, the Chairman of the Committee, go on; Hon Chairman, are you through with your explanation?
    Mr Avedzi 1:05 p.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Hon Boafo?
    Mr Boafo 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, that is a reasonable explanation.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Very well. In that case I would put the Question.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    I would put the Question on clause 28 as amended.
    Clause 28 as amended ordered to stand part of the Bill.
    Clause 29 -- Loading and exportation of bonded goods.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Yes, Chairman of the Committee?
    Mr Avedzi 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 29, subclause (1), line 1, after “enter” insert “bonded”.
    Mr Speaker, the new rendition is 1:05 p.m.
    “An exporter shall not enter bonded goods for use as stores for export or transfer. Unless the exporter gives the appropriate security, the Commissioner-General may require to ensure. . .”
    Mr Speaker, the purpose of this amendment is that once the goods have been bonded, you could not use them as stores for consumption, unless you provide the appropriate security that the Commissioner-General may require you to do.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Hon Members, I would put the Question.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Clause 29.
    Mr Avedzi 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 29, subclause (2), concluding phrase after paragraph (b), line 3, delete “the total value of the goods” and insert “one hundred percentage of the value of the goods”.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
    Hon Members, I think it is straight forward. I would put the Question.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
    Clause 29 again.
    Mr Avedzi 1:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 29, subclause (3), line 1, after “Where” insert “bonded”.
    The new rendition is:
    “Where bonded goods entered at stores”.
    Mr Speaker, this is consequential to the clause 29 (1) that we did early on.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Mr Amoako-Atta 1:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am saying that, I do not have any problem with the proposed amendment as such except that we keep on referring to “goods” and “stores” but at the interpretation column, “stores” is not defined. So, I do not know exactly what it refers to here.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Chairman, can you respond to that?
    Mr Avedzi 1:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think that we defined “stores” not in the interpretation column but in the Bill. So, we would get that but we would take note of that. If it is not defined anywhere, then we would define it when we come to the interpretation section. We would take note of that.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
    In that case what do we do? We defer this particular -- [Interruption] -- Do we go ahead with it?
    Mr Avedzi 1:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, let us go ahead with it. If we do not define it, then in the interpretation section, we define the “stores”.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
    All right. Table Office, please, take note so that we do not lose sight of it. Now, I would put the Question.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
    Clause 29.
    Mr Avedzi 1:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 29, subclause (8), line 2, after “hundred” insert “and not more than six hundred”.
    Mr Speaker, the new rendition would read 1:15 p.m.
    “An Exporter who contravenes subsection 7 shall incur a penalty of not less than 200 and not more than 600 penalty units”.
    Mr Speaker, the Committee is setting- up upper limit in addition to the lower limit of penalty.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
    Hon Members, I would put the Question.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
    Sorry, yes, Hon Member?
    Mr Amoako-Atta 1:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we are making laws and it is my humble view that we should not give room for ambiguity. Laws must be precise and they must not create any doubt in anybody's mind. If we want to establish that whoever contravenes that law should pay “X” amount as penalty, Mr Speaker, we should exactly say so, so that we do not leave it to anybody's discretion.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
    Hon Chairman, what do you say?
    Mr Avedzi 1:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I believe that is why we are setting both the lower and the upper limit because if you read clause 7, you would need to look at the level of penalty to impose on the person depending on the gravity of the offence. If you would permit me, I would read the clause 7. It says;
    “Where goods for which a bond requirement has been waived are entered for export and the goods are not put on board the conveyance for which they are entered, the exporter shall notify the proper officer within twenty-four hours after the departure of the conveyance or such other time as the Commissioner-General may allow”.
    Now, if this is violated -- That is the value of the goods involved -- That would tell the level of the punishment to be given; whether to say the lower limit or the upper limit. That is the view of the Committee; so that we do not set up a fix amount. Whether the quantity of goods involved has a lower value or whatever, you would impose the same penalty but we are setting-up the range for which we can decide on which one to go.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
    Hon Member, I hope you are satisfied with the explanation?
    Mr Amoako-Atta 1:15 p.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker I think I will advise myself accordingly. From his explanation, it means that it would depend upon the gravity of the offence. I understand it.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
    That is correct. So I would put the Question.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    I thought you would allow us to finish with clause 29 and then we would take the necessary decision.
    Mr Avedzi 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 29, subclause (9), delete.
    Mr Speaker, the Committee is of the view that, this particular clause relates to clause 5, subclause (2). So, it should not be at this particular position. The appropriate position would be clause 5, subclause 2 and we have already dealt with that by proposing an amendment under clause 5; so, we are deleting it from clause 29 and moving it to clause 5 which we have done earlier.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Hon Members, I would put the Question.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Let me put the Question with regard to clause 29 as variously amended.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Clause 29 as variously amended accordingly stands part of the Bill.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader? [Pause.]
    Hon Members, this brings us to the end of Consideration Stage for today.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Agbesi 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we want to ask permission for the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance to lay the Paper as contained in Addendum 2; Presentation of Papers, Deputy Minister for Finance.
    Mr Nitiwul 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, is he still the Deputy Minister for Finance?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Hon Deputy Minority Leader, I am reliably informed that his stay in the Ministry of Finance has been extended to a period in August because of a particular assignment he has to carry out.
    Mr Nitiwul 12:25 p.m.
    I will take the word of the Speaker, so no problem on that.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Hon Members, at the Commencement of Public Business; Order Paper Addendum 2 -- Presentation of Papers.
    PAPERS 12:25 p.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Alfred K. Agbesi 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that the House do adjourn to tomorrow at 10.00 o'clock in the forenoon.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Minority Leader?
    Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    ADJOURNMENT 12:25 p.m.
  • The House was accordingly adjourned at 1.29 p.m. till Tuesday, 15th July, 2014, at 10.00 a.m.