Debates of 21 Nov 2014

MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:35 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:35 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Hon Members, Correction of Votes and Proceedings.
  • [No correction was made to the Official Report of Tuesday, 18th November, 2014.]
    • Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
    Hon
    Members, Business Statement for the Fourth Week.
    Chairman of the Business Committee.
    BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 10:35 a.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover: Thank you very much.
    Mr Speaker, I recall that last week ,when the Business Statement was presented to the House, that was the time when the former Chief Executive for Nkwanta South was shot dead, and our Colleague, Hon Annoh-Dompreh had wanted Mr Speaker to invite the Minister for the Interior to brief the House on the development and security situation in Nkwanta South.
    But upon the advice of Mr Speaker, he preferred that our Colleague from Nkwanta South be allowed to make a Statement on the situation in Nkwanta South. I have looked throughout and unfortunately, no Statement has come from our Colleague.
    I would like to side with my Colleague, Hon Annoh-Dompreh, to draw Mr Speaker's attention again, that we need to be briefed on the security situation in Nkwanta South, more so, when a life has been lost, which has touched the souls of families and dear ones.
    So, I would like to draw the attention of Mr Speaker, if possible, to invite the Minister for the Interior to brief this plenary on the situation in Nkwanta South. This is because we have waited for long, and the Hon Member has not made any Statement with regard to the situation there.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
    Alhaji Muntaka 10:45 a.m.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
    If my Hon Colleague would look at the first page of the Business Statement, it is stated that Mr Speaker may admit Statements. I would like to believe that if our Hon Colleague from Nkwanta South makes the Statement and Mr Speaker admits it, there is provision for us to take it.
    The issue of whether the Minister for the Interior should come and brief this House, that is left for Mr Speaker to decide. But there is provision for us to be able to take such Statements provided in the Business Statement.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Well, I believe that with regard to that particular issue, I will take it up with Mr Speaker, so that possibly, if it would work out, sometime next week. But for the fact that we would be debating the Budget Statement, if after the Member of Parliament for Nkwanta South has given a Statement and we still think that we need some form of briefing from the Interior Minister, we would sort it out with Mr Speaker, so that that can be done.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Old Tafo?
    Dr A. A. Osei 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to commend the Business Committee for scheduling a workshop for all Members of Parliament tomorrow and Sunday. Having commended them, however, I think that something is missing.
    The budget was read on Wednesday. Today, none of us, at least, on my side has copies. We are expected to come to a workshop tomorrow and work with a very thick document, a very important policy document that would drive the nation next year, and none of us has copies -- Then we are expected to start the debate on the 27th of November.
    Mr Speaker, nobody has told us why we do not have copies, and it is not the best of things. We are supposed to spend two days being briefed on it and we have not read anything about it. So, what is the workshop for?
    For somebody to come and lecture us when we have not read it? It is not the
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
    Alhaji Muntaka 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I perfectly agree with my Hon Colleague. That is one of the reasons the budget was read on Wednesday and not Thursday, to enable us get the copies before Saturday.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Hon Majority Chief Whip, if there are any problems, let us know. This is because
    -- 10:45 a.m.
    Alhaji Muntaka 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we will do just that, and if there are challenges, we would get back to you.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Bekwai?
    Mr Osei-Owusu 10:55 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker, but that is not all the issue.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Member, if you were here last week, there was an announcement to that effect.
    Mr Osei-Owusu 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, that is it. An announcement? Nobody discussed it with us, either at the caucus level or anywhere. Consistently, we are being rail- roaded as soldiers. “Move.” And we move. Mr Speaker, we deserve some time for our families and our consti- ituencies too.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    I am not too sure if Leadership did not meet to take that decision. I believe that Leadership was aware, and once Leadership is informed, they should get their members informed accordingly. I do not know if there is anything contrary to that.
    Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
    Alhaji Muntaka 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am a bit surprised by the comment of my Hon Colleague from Bekwai.
    Last week when we read the Business Statement-- That is why this House works through committees. The Committee made a proposal which was presented to
    this House, that the budget would be read on Wednesday and would be followed by a post-budget workshop.
    I thought if there were some concerns, rather than what was suggested, that was when to have dealt with it. So, I am surprised that he is now making it an issue as if he is now hearing this thing for the first time.
    I would want to plead with my Hon Colleague that this was done last week and unfortunately, maybe, he did not pay much attention to the details of the Business Committee. And because it was adopted, our understanding was that, generally, we have agreed to it. So, it would be difficult now to say that we will do any other thing than what was already planned.
    We are sorry because we thought that he would have paid attention to the details and be able to make some contributions. Maybe, that could have changed the timing of the post-budget workshop; but because he did not do that and now, it has been adopted and programmed, if there is any inconvenience to him with regard to his funerals and other family engagements, we are only very sorry. The programme has already been planned.
    Mr Emmanuel K. Bedzrah 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, tomorrow, we are supposed to be here. What time are we coming for the workshop? Is it 3.00 p.m., 12 mid-night, we do not know? It is just that we are coming here tomorrow and Sunday. We want to know.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip, what time of the day?
    Alhaji Muntaka 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I was going to give some few details at the end. This is because I did not see in the Statement the time and even where.
    An Hon Member 10:55 a.m.
    Where is the document?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Member, you are completely out of order. I wish to sound that this is unacceptable in this Chamber. You must be given the floor before you make any statement, using your microphone, please.
    Alhaji Muntaka 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to entreat my Hon Colleagues that even as we are trying to get the detailed budget by the close of today, we have the abridged form of the presentation by the Minister for Finance on our system. But we would do everything possible to get the detailed budget by the close of the day.
    The soft copy of the budget is even on the parliamentary website. But as the practice is, we do not always go taking the soft copy. We would get the hard copy. But in between now and the close of the day when we get the full document, Hon Members can check on the website of Parliament, the full budget is there.
    As we promised earlier, we are in touch with the Ministry of Finance to get the document in the House before tomorrow morning.
    Dr A. A. Osei 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we were told, using this technology, that if I got up to speak, before, it was not showing up -- the Majority Chief Whip was speaking and I could not identify him from here. I do not know if it is working now - - [Laughter.]
    rose
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am on item number 7. My concern is about the integrity and sanity of this very important House.
    Mr Speaker, yesterday, there was a directive by Mr Speaker to form a committee to investigate these power outages in the House. The impression created out there was as if Members of Parliament are not experiencing power outages.
    Mr Speaker, when I got home yesterday, I slept in darkness. We need to strengthen our Public Affairs Department here; they must clarify some of these issues. Why would they allow these things to go on as if Members of Parliament are living comfortably and we are not going through these power outages?
    Mr Speaker, the issue was about our generator -- [Interruption] -- Whatever the situation is, we have people engaged to defend Parliament. Their job is to ensure that the image of this House is kept -- [Interruption.]
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Member, when the report is presented at the Committee of the Whole, you can make these points.
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am raising this issue because it is here they should factor all these points in.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Please, do not jump the gun.
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 10:55 a.m.
    They should factor all these points in, that Members of Parliament are also sleeping in darkness. This fact must be told to Ghanaians, that we are all in darkness. In our houses, we are all experiencing these power outages.

    This is a point that should be well talked about by our Public Affairs Office, not to the MPs as if we are being selfish. It is bad for Members of this House.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Very well. Point well taken.
    Yes, Hon Member, you have the floor.
    Dr Owusu A. Akoto 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, there are two major Questions on agriculture, which have been pending before the summer break and were scheduled to be asked two weeks ago when the whole Committee was in the Northern Region on our field work.
    It was supposed to have come off on Tuesday, this week. I approached the Majority Chief Whip and was told that because this week was for the budget, the Minister for Food and Agriculture was helping the Minister for Finance in some budgetary work. So, I was expecting that come next Tuesday, these two very important Questions would be scheduled for the period.
    Now, I look at this Report and there is absolutely no mention of the two Questions which would be asked by the Member for Walewale and me on major issues on fertilisers and food imports. We would want to find out, why is it that the Questions are still off the business agenda for next week.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
    Alhaji Muntaka 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my Colleague is absolutely right for the concern raised. I must say that it escaped the Business Committee. This is because the Questions have been programmed for Ministers who were coming. Usually, when a Member is excused not to ask the Question, it is usually added.
    Unfortunately, I believe that we did not advert our minds to add them. But I can assure my Colleague that we would try to
    deal with it, because we did not inform the Minister to come on Tuesday. This is because we had programmed some other Ministers to deal with this.
    What I would say is that, we would see how possible it would be for the Minister to come sometime next week to answer the Questions.
    He was supposed to have answered the Questions this week and we asked permission for him for them to be deferred. So, it is important that it is done as quickly as possible and we would do whatever it takes to see the possibility of getting it done early next week.
    Dr O. A. Akoto 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I find the explanation of the Member for Asawase unacceptable, because he actually came to see me here and apologised and explained the reason. I was even questioning that, why is it that the Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, who used to be a prominent member of our Committee is around and could easily have come in for the Minister. And I was told that the Deputy Minister had travelled abroad, only for me to find him at the coffee place about 30 minutes after that answer was given.
    The man was comfortably seated there. So, I do not think that to say that it is an oversight and that is why our Questions are not being scheduled, I find them totally unacceptable and so does the Member for Walewale.
    Even this morning, he called me while I was on my way, to say that he had received a call and there is no sign of our Questions being asked.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Member, we will take note of it and I will direct that the Business Committee makes
    sure that these two Questions are tabled for the Minister to come and answer.
    Dr A. O. Akoto 11:05 a.m.
    This is an assurance you are giving us, so, we would hold you to it.
    Alhaji Muntaka 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, like I rightly said, because it was not part of the programme, we would get in touch with the Minister to see the possibility of getting it done this week. We would take your directive also very serious and pursue that and be able to get back to you if there are other challenges.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Baffour Awuah?
    Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, last year, during the debate on the Financial Policy, and even this year during the debate on the President's State of the Nation Address, one issue came up and we were assured that it would be taken care of this time round. It is about us giving enough time for the debate.
    I am happy the Leadership and Hon Ranking Members are given sufficient time and of course, Hon Members are also given 10 minutes each.

    Mr Speaker, I think that we should be able to manage ourselves in such a way that at least, the press would also have an
    APPENDIX 11:05 a.m.
    O 11:05 a.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Very well.
    Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
    Alhaji Muntaka 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the wish of the Business Committee would have been to even take off all Questions. But Mr Speaker, you know how Question time is important to our individual consti- tuencies and it was agreed at the Business Committee that it was not going to be proper not to feature Questions. I will plead, if we manage the time very well, we would be able to even after getting the Questions answered, get some ample time. That is why the issue of having double Sitting from Thursday came in.
    But when my Hon Colleague is talking about press houses, Mr Speaker, with the greatest respect, this House does not control any press house. They can choose to be here till the end. There have been instances where we have been here up to 10.00p.m. or 11.00p.m. and they were around. So, the issue of them leaving is neither here nor there.
    I think that since the debate on the budget is very important, not only us as Hon Members of Parliament, I would want to equally believe that it would be very important for our countrymen and women, the press. Maybe, I will take this opportunity to also plead with them that they should make the necessary arrangements to be able to stay longer next week, or during the time that we will be having this debate, so that we do not have the issue that my Hon Colleague opposite is raising.
    We would try to do the best that we can, given the circumstances and the time available to us.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Well. I think that the latter part of your contribution is what I will speak about.
    We would want to plead with the press houses, try to encourage them to be here throughout the period because the Budget Statement is a very important subject matter and as much as possible, they should try to cover the whole of the proceedings, so that the general public would be informed about the details of it.
    Maj. Derek Oduro (retd): Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Majority Chief Whip and the presenter of the Business Statement, why we have to commence extended Sittings from Thursday, 27th November instead of Tuesday, the 25th when we are supposed to begin in full swing with the extended Sittings.
    Alhaji Muntaka 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleague is a member of the Business Committee and this was discussed. The issue was that, as my Hon Colleague from Bekwai mentioned, we should have signalled Hon Members last week, that this week, as we usually do, there would be extended Sittings. But we forgot and did not do that. So, at the Business Committee, the concern was that, if it runs immediately, it could create a lot of inconvenience for Hon Members. Therefore, if we mention it today, Hon Members would have the opportunity to re-adjust themselves, so that we take off on Tuesday and Wednesday and start on Thursday.
    I think that is one of the main reasons it was agreed that it should start from Thursday and not on Tuesday. So, we would try and continue even beyond that, so that there would be more time for other parliamentary activities to be carried on the floor of the House.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr David T. Assumeng 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Motion for the code of conduct for Hon Members of Parliament was moved by the Hon Leader of the House. I would want to appeal to Leadership, that on Tuesday, there would be a Committee of the Whole, if Leadership would make it possible for us to include the discussions on this Motion on the floor of the House before the debate continues -- I mean, on the code of conduct for Hon Members of Parliament.
    Since we are having a Committee of the Whole, if you could include that topic for discussion before the debate on the Motion continues.
    Alhaji Muntaka 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the debate on that Motion is not concluded. I think that this is a suggestion and I believe that when we meet as a Committee of the Whole, there is a possibility for us to discuss it and come back to the Chamber and continue. So, the suggestion is well taken and well noted.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Hon Members, the Business Statement for the Fourth Week ending Friday 28 th November, 2014 is hereby adopted for guidance of the proceedings in the House for next week.
    Hon Members, Question time. There is one Urgent Question, which stands in the name of Hon Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus- Glover, Hon Member for Tema East.
    Hon Member, you have the floor.
    URGENT QUESTION 11:05 a.m.
    MINISTRY OF ROADS AND 11:05 a.m.
    HIGHWAYS 11:05 a.m.
    Minister for Roads and Highways (Alhaji Inusah A. B. Fuseini) 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the bridge in question is on the Fishing Harbour Road and was constructed over 50 years ago on the Chemu Lagoon to link Tema Community One and Manhean, a fishing community to the east of Tema.
    An inspection conducted on the bridge reveals that there are some visible structural defects beneath the bridge slab as well as piers and the abutments. The defects are located around the beams and the abutment. Also, the channel is severely accumulated with silt and debris, causing perennial flooding in that vicinity. The discharge effluent is highly polluted and flows into the sea with much difficulty.
    The Department of Urban Roads is in the process of procuring the services of a consultant to conduct a detailed study to ascertain the physical integrity of the bridge.
    Emergency maintenance will be carried out in 2015, which will be a prelude to replacing the entire bridge.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Hon Member, do you have any follow-up?
    Nii Titus-Glover: Yes, Mr Speaker.
    “2015” is vague because the Hon Minister has not given us a definitive date, within January to December in 2015. So, can he assure us exactly when in 2015 that this repair work would take off?
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am unable to give a definite date because the repair or replacement of the bridge would be part of the total solution to be provided to the traffic situation on the Tema Manhean road, which the Hon Colleague knows.
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:15 a.m.


    Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover: Mr Speaker, can I also ask the Hon Minister the possibility of while working on the bridge, the bypass that we talked about, can we look at that alongside the working on the bridge? This is because there is going to be a huge traffic jam to worsen the existing situation. So, they should quickly work on the bypass, so that we can ease the pressure a bit while we look at the repairs of the bridge. What does he think about that?
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, that is exactly so. In doing the bypass, one has to align the bridge, so that he can improve on the safety and security on that road. That is why I initially said that I am unable to give you a date. This is because we have to construct the bypass in such a way that it dovetails into the construction of the new bridge. So, that would be considered in doing the bypass.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, your last follow-up question?
    Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover: Mr Speaker, I am done.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Members, we will move on to the next Question, which stands in the name of the Hon Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Hon Member for Juaboso.
    ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 11:15 a.m.
    MINISTRY OF ROADS AND 11:15 a.m.
    HIGHWAYS 11:15 a.m.
    Minister for Roads and Highways (Alhaji I. A. B. Fuseini) 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Benchema Barrier-Adwoafua Road is 39 kilometres in length. It is a gravelled road and in a fair condition.
    Current Programme
    Fifteen kilometres of the road from Benchema barrier were originally awarded for upgrading on 14th February, 2013 for completion on 13th February, 2015. Due to funding challenges, financial support was sought from the Dutch Government under the Facility for Infrastructure Development under the ORIO Programme.
    The project has been re-packaged and currently, the tendered documents have been completed, procurement work is in progress.
    The stretch of the road from kilometre 15-39 has been awarded on contract under the 2014 Routine Maintenance Pro- gramme.
    Future Programme
    The entire 39 kilometres length of road from Benchema Barrier-Adjoafua will be rehabilitated when the ORIO facility is approved.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, do you have a follow-up question?
    Mr Akandoh 11:15 a.m.
    Very well, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, as I speak now, the road in question is completely cut off from kilometre ten. Any time it rains, portions of the said road are impassable, to the extent that the chiefs in the communities along that stretch of road organised a press conference a few weeks ago, strongly registering their displeasure about the nature of the road.
    Mr Speaker, I have in my possession pictures to show to the Hon Minister. I would want the Minister to explain what he meant by “in a fair condition”.
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, “fair condition” is one of the categorisation of roads in Ghana. We have three categories of roads in Ghana. We have roads in a good condition, roads in a fair condition and roads in a bad condition.
    Mr Speaker, yes, certain portions of the roads are low-lying and so, when it rains, it becomes almost impassable. Those areas that are low-lying are in a bad condition when it rains. We have to understand the element that affects roads in the Western Region, particularly the long duration of the rainy season.
    So, I have seen the picture the Hon Member is referring to and those pictures capture exactly the portion that is low- lying that becomes almost unmotorable when it rains. But our assessment was on the entire 39 kilometres of the road. We are saying that when one does an assessment on an average, we would put the road under roads that are in a fair condition.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Mr Akandoh 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my people would be very sad to hear this if a road that is impassable is described as “in a fair condition.” Well, I would leave that.
    Mr Speaker, this particular road links Ghana to la Cote d'Ivoire at the northern part of the Western Region. The chunk of the cocoa that is transported to Takoradi is through that road. Would the Minister, as a matter of urgency, consider some spot improvement along the way, so that that road could be motorable, at least, for now?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Minister?
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, that is a fair request and the Ministry would consider it. Just as he said, spot improvement because certain spots of the road are bad.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Member, do you have any more follow-up?
    Mr Akandoh 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the Minister's Answer, first paragraph of page 26, it says, the “entire 39 kilometres length of the road from Benchema Barrier -Adjoafua will be rehabilitated when the ORIO facility is approved”. Exactly what time is he talking about?
    Mr Firtst Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Minister?
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, procure- ment processes go through a lot of institutions and as a Ministry, we are unable to influence when these intervening institutions would give us permission to procure the works. So, what we are saying is that, an action has been initiated, and when the procurement process is completed, we would procure the works to begin on that road.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Members, in the process, I must apologise that I skipped one Question.
    So we would now go back to Question number 163, standing in the name of Hon Samuel Ato Amoah, Member for Twifo Atti Morkwa.
    Praso to Dunkwa Road (Completion)
    Q. 163. Mr Samuel Ato Amoah asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when works on the Proso to Dunkwa road would be completed.
    Alhaji I. A. B Fuseini 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Twifo Praso-Dunkwa Road is 78 kilometres in length. Out of the total length, 12 kilometres have been tarred and are in a good condition.
    The remaining 65 kilometres gravel surface, are in a poor condition.
    Current Programme
    Twenty-five kilometres of the road from Dunkwa end was awarded for upgrading on 17th June, 2011 for completion by 16th June, 2013. The contractor abandoned the site and he was cautioned. He has
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Membe, any follow-up question?
    Mr S. A. Amoah 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, according to the Answer given, I am aware that the road was given to a contractor since 2011 and the completion should be 2013. We are now in 2014, entering 2015, within a few months, I am asking when that road would be completed.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Minister?
    Mr Speaker, the contractor has been given extension of time to complete the project on the 18th of December, 2014. The contractor is K. B. Annan Company Limited.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Yes, any more follow-ups?
    Mr S. A. Amoah 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to ask the Hon Minister if he is aware that now, the road is not good and that people are not using it. The only means of transport for the area is the Okada, which I think the Government is even in the process to ban.
    Is he aware that now, a major highway linking one district to another district has been blocked because of its nature?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Minister?
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, that is admitted because I have said in my Answer that the road is in a poor condition and poor condition is the last state of the road in the categorisation of roads in this country.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Members, we move on to the next Question --
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Yes Hon Member?
    Nana Amoakoh 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister said 12 kilometres of the road had been tarred. I want him to tell this House which part of the road the 12 kilometres cover?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Yes Hon Minister.
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:25 a.m.
    The road is a 78 kilometre road -- plus or minus. I am saying that 12 kilometres of the 78 kilometres have been done and that is a fact. It is, if you challenge this fact, you would need to ask that question. But that is a fact that 12 kilometres of the 78 kilometres have been done.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Hon Minister, he wants to find out which portion of the 78 kilometres stretch has been done?
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, what I am saying is that the person who filed the Question is aware and has not challenged the fact that 12 kilometres of the 78 kilometres have been done.
    Some Hon Members 11:25 a.m.
    Where? Where?
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, it has been done from the Dunkwa area.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Members, we will move to Question number 183, standing in the name of Hon Michael Coffie Boampong, Hon Member of Parliament for Bia West.
    Is he not available? -- Pause --
    Very well. We skip the next one, which also stands in his name and move to Question 185, standing in the name of Hon Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Member of Parliament for Juaboso.
    Mr Kwabena M. Akandoh 11:25 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    It is unfortunate, per the Answer given here, it is not about the road I am talking about. So, probably, I would have to come back later. It is a completely different road altogether; I am talking about the road that links Juaboso to Dadieso and this Answer is about a road that links Juaboso through Bodi to Dadieso.
    So, they are two different roads.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Hon Minister, do you get the point he is making? In other words, an Answer has not been provided for his Question; an answer has been provided for some other road.
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, that is a common mistake because he asked a Question from Juaboso to Dadieso. And we have that road from Juaboso to Dadieso passing through Bodi and that is what we have answered.
    If he had said he wanted the direct road, which does not pass through Bodi, then we would have answered it the way he wanted. But we know of a road that passes through Bodi and that is the Answer we have given.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Very well.
    In that case, we will have to move on to the next Question, which stands in the name of Hon Justice Joe Appiah, Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North.
    Hon Member, you have the floor.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Agbesi 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways has finished with his Questions. The next Question is for the Hon Minister for Youth and Sports.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Sorry.
    Hon Minister, thank you for attending upon this House.
    The next Question is directed at the Minister for Youth and Sports.
    Hon Justice Joe Appiah, you have the floor.
    MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND 11:25 a.m.
    SPORTS 11:25 a.m.
    Minister for Youth and Sports (Mr Mahama Ayariga) 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the senior national football team, the Black Stars qualified to participate in the 2014 World Cup Tournament in Brazil after topping Group D at the group stages of the qualifiers for the tournament and disposing off Egypt in the final play-off.

    Mr Speaker, preparation for the Black Stars participation in the tournament started with a three- (3) day non- residential training at the Accra Sports Stadium, which ended with a friendly match with a select side in the local premier league. Thereafter, the team pitched its training camps in Holland and the United States of America (USA) from 25th May to 9th June, 2014. At these training camps, the Black Stars played two (2) friendly matches; first with the Dutch national team, the Clockwork Orange in Holland and the South Korean national side, The Warriors, in the USA.

    The Ghana Football Association catered for the entire cost of the Black Stars' preparation for the World Cup Tournament. The Ministry, and for that matter, Government did not spend any amount on the entire preparation of the team.

    Mr Speaker, on the substantive Question on the floor, I wish to submit that an amount of one million, four hundred and fifty-nine thousand, four hundred and ninety-one Ghana cedis, twenty-nine Ghana pesewas (GH¢ 1,459,491.29) and nine million, nine hundred and fifty-five thousand, eight hundred and eighty-three United States dollars, nineteen cents (US$9,955,883.19) was released by the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry for Ghana's participation in the tournament.

    However, due to exchange rate loss and bank charges, only eight million, nine hundred and eighteen thousand, nine hundred and forty-five United States dollars, six cents (US$8,918,945.06) of the dollar component released to the Ministry was credited to the Ministry's Account by the Bank of Ghana. Out of this amount, GH¢1,478,250.00 and US$422,553.16 were spent on air tickets, per diem/honoraria,

    accommodation/meals, medicals, laundry and sundry expenses in the tournament itself in Brazil, leaving a balance of US$8,496,391.90. Again, an amount of four million, three thousand, seven hundred and sixty one United States dollars, eight per cent US$4,003,761.08 from the balance was advanced to the GFA for the payment of appearance fees and venue specific accommodation charges.

    Mr Speaker, in response to a request by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Brazil 2014 World Cup, the Ministry is arranging through the Controller and Accountant-General's Department to open an escrow Account with the Bank of Ghana to deposit the advance of US$4,003,761.08 refunded by the GFA. In addition to this, the Commission has also directed that all other prize moneys received from FIFA in respect of the country's participation in the World Cup Tournament has to be deposited into the Account, until the end of the Commission's work.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, any follow-up questions?
    Mr J. J. Appiah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, may I crave your indulgence to read from the Minister's Answer?
    Mr Speaker, I beg to quote 11:35 a.m.
    “Again, an amount of four million, three thousand, seven hundred and sixty one United States dollars, eight per cent US$ 4,003,761.08 from the balance was advanced to the GFA for the payment of appearance fees and venue specific accom- modation charges.”
    Mr Speaker, may I ask the Minister who qualifies for an appearance fee? Could he also give us details or the breakdown of the accommodation?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Minister? You did not hear him?
    Could you go over your question, and speak a little louder?
    Mr J. J. Appiah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am asking the Hon Minister who qualifies for an appearance fee, and to give us the details or breakdown of the accommodation.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Minister?
    Mr Ayariga 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not have the details of all those who qualified for the appearance fees. If he wants further and better particulars on exactly who qualified for the appearance fees, we could provide it.
    Mr Speaker, but I have the budget based on which the release was made and in the case of accommodation, that is boarding and lodging, there were five other officials. This is because the boarding and lodging for the players and a number of officials were taken care of by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) in Brazil. But an extra number more than what was approved by FIFA went, and those five people had to be catered for under this budget.
    So, the provision for those five officials was US$750 for each of them for the 35 days that they were to stay in Brazil. That was the budgetary allocation based on which the money was advanced to them.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, your second follow-up question.
    Mr J. J. Appiah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my first question has not been answered. What I am asking is that the appearance fees -- we are talking about the players and the officials.
    So, I would want to find out whether the appearance fee given was to the players or the officials. Was the appearance fees only for the players or the officials who led the team to Brazil?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Or possibly both.
    Mr J. J. Appiah 11:35 a.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker. That was my first supplementary question.
    Mr Ayariga 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, from the representations of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the appearance fees were given to both players and the officials that went with them.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, your last follow-up question.
    Mr J. J. Appiah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC), Ashanti Goldfields and many other corporate bodies sponsored the Black Stars.
    I would want to ask the Minister if he could give us details of the amount of moneys that were collected from these corporate bodies.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Ayariga 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Question that was put to me for which I prepared to answer was the cost incurred on the Black Stars at the 2014 World Cup Tournament.
    So, if the Hon Member wants the corporate sponsorship that went to the Black Stars, I think that Mr Speaker, he has to come by another Question.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member again.
    Mr Appiah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, could the Hon Minister tell this House the actual amount that was airlifted from Ghana to Brazil?
    Mr Ayariga 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am unable to tell the actual amount that was airlifted from Ghana to Brazil. I know that an amount of money was advanced to the GFA. We are told that it was airlifted but I do not know the exact amount that was involved. Mr Speaker, the indications were that money was airlifted to Brazil but the exact amount, I cannot tell. I know that there was money airlifted to them in Brazil.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Member, you have exhausted your number of questions.
    Yes, Hon Member for Old Tafo?
    Dr Anthony A. Osei 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, before I ask my question, the Hon Minister, in his Answer, has already given an indication of the minimum amount of the appearance fees that was airlifted. In his answer, he indicated, at least, US$4,003,761.08. So, he has an idea.
    That notwithstanding, Mr Speaker, the Minister is in charge of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Question-- with your permission, let me read.
    “To ask the Minister for Youth and Sports the total cost incurred…”
    Mr Speaker, the Minister is aware that publicly, the former Minister for Youth and Sports said that they spent some money from GNPC. So, in terms of the cost incurred, he ought to know. The Question is global “cost incurred.” He has the information because his predecessor had given it in the public domain.
    Mr Speaker, so, I do not know if his staff did not provide him with the information, but this Answer is still incomplete. It says the “total cost incurred.” Whether it is corporate, Government, you or me, it is the “total cost incurred.” So, this Answer is incomplete.
    Mr Speaker, would he come back and give us a complete Answer?
    Mr Ayariga 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, with your indulgence, let us read the Question again.
    “To ask the Minister for Youth and Sports the total cost incurred on the Black Stars at the 2014 World Cup Tournament in Brazil.”
    Mr Speaker, if the Question was about our preparation for the World Cup tournament 2014, [Interruptions] -- Well, he would have to ask his Question properly. But his Question was specific. It says that:
    “…the total cost incurred on the Black Stars...”
    Mr Speaker, the reason I am emphasising on the “Black Stars” is that, apart from the Black Stars, we also had supporters who went and cost was incurred on them. But because he has chosen to ask about only the Black Stars, and also he wants to know about what happened in Brazil, that was why I restricted the information to the Black Stars and what happened in Brazil.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, with respect, that is my point. The Chief Executive Officer of GNPC has publicly said that in Brazil, they spent
    money on the Black Stars. [Interruption.] I am not talking about the hundred other Ministers' official list; I am talking about what was spent on the Black Stars in Brazil. It came to the public domain. So, he ought to know. I am asking him; can he come back and give us that information?
    Mr Ayariga 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am not aware of a public pronouncement by the Chief Executive Officer of GNPC, that in Brazil they incurred cost on the Black Stars. The reason is simple, that while in Brazil, the team was taken care of by FIFA and so, if GNPC spent some money on them, it has not come to the notice of the Ministry formally. If he made public pronouncements to that effect, I believe also that we must, in looking for the accounting for what happened, have regard to the fact that the Commission of Inquiry's work, which was publicised, is looking at even matters beyond State expenditure to private corporate spending, a capacity that we, at the Ministry, do not have to be able to ascertain.
    So, when that comes, a lot of things that happened outside the Ministry of Youth and Sports expenditure, would also be known to us in that comprehensive report. But what I have brought is the budget that was submitted by the Ministry to Cabinet -- approved by the Cabinet, released by the Ministry of Finance and advanced to the GFA; utilised by them, accounted for by them and have actually refunded the money to us.
    All the others, I believe when the Commission finishes its work, we would know the full extent of how much was actually spent and which corporate
    entities which made contributions to that expenditure.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Thank you, Hon Member?
    Mr Henry K. Kokofu 11:45 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    With your permission, I would like to read from the Hon Minister's Answer --
    “The Ministry is arranging through the Controller and Accountant- General's Department to open an escrow Account with the Bank of Ghana to deposit the advance of US$4,003,761.08 refunded by the
    GFA.”
    My question is, why is that money not refunded to the source where it was taken from but rather an escrow Account has to be opened?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Minister?
    Mr Ayariga 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I received correspondence from the GFA recently, that FIFA had paid the prize money to them and they wanted to refund the US$4,003,761.08 that was advanced to them. They actually wrote and submitted a cheque to that amount. When the money got to the Ministry, I received another correspondence from the Commission enquiring into the Brazil matter, indicating that the Ministry should take the entire amount of the prize money, which is supposed to be about US$ 8,000,000.00 and that we should open an escrow Account and put that money in and wait for the report of the Commission.
    The reason we have put this in the Answer is that, at the time, we were in possession of a cheque for US$4,003,761.08 and so, we requested that the Bank of
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Hon Members, we will take one last question because we have spent a lot of time on Questions.
    So, Hon Asiamah?
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the Hon Minister's response, he indicated that some officials also received part of the appearance fees. I would want to find out from him what category of officials received the appearance fees and how much each received?
    Thank you.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Minister?
    Mr Ayariga 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I indicated that I do not have the details of exactly who received the amount - the specific breakdown of the individuals who received - I do not have those details with me.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Hon Members, this brings us to the end of Question time.
    Hon Minister, we thank you very much for attending upon this House.
    You are discharged.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Alfred K. Agbesi 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, if we could move to Public Business, item number 7 (i) and (ii).
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Very well.
    At the Commencement of Public Business -- Presentation of Papers.
    Hon Members, we will come back to Statements, so that we will make a little time for some urgent matters. We have admitted one Statement and that would be presented but in the meantime, Presentation of Papers --
    Item number 7 (i) by the Chairman of the Committee.
    PAPERS 11:45 a.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Is it possible for us to deal with the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 2014 out of turn, then we come back?
    Mr Agbesi 11:45 a.m.
    Yes Mr Speaker, there is some urgency about that Bill. So, with your permission, if we could take it.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Very well --

    Yes, Hon Chairman of the Committee?
    BILLS -- CONSIDERATION 11:55 a.m.
    STAGE 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Gabriel K. Essilfie 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, on clause one, there was an issue raised concerning the fine that is being proposed on item number (3); in other words, clause 1, subclause (3), the fine being quoted in the United States dollars and that an issue was raised that we should also put in there the cedi equivalent of United States dollars.
    However, Mr Speaker, further research on this particular matter has shown that this particular issue has been taken care of in the parent Act under section 138 and with your permission, I would like to read that to clarify.
    Mr Speaker, under section 138, which is fines and forfeitures, it states 11:55 a.m.
    “(1) Despite the fines (Penalty Units) Act, 2000 (Act 572) and any other enactment, fines in this Act in respect of foreign fishing vessels and local industrial and semi-industrial fishing vessels are expressed in American dollars but may be paid in cedi equivalent except that where the payment relates to a foreign fishing vessel the amount shall be paid in American dollars”.
    So, the issue being raised here has already been taken care of under the parent Act, under section 138 of the Act.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Very well.

    Hon Members, there is no advertised amendment to clause 1 of the Bill. I will therefore put the Question.

    Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

    The long title ordered to stand part of the Bill.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Hon Members, this brings us to the end of the Consideration Stage. [Pause.]
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Hon Members, item 10, Motion by the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Devep- ment?
    MOTION 11:55 a.m.
    Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (Ms Hanny-Sherry Ayittey) 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 131(1) which require that when a Bill has passed through the Consideration Stage, the Third Reading thereof shall not be taken until at least, twenty-four hours have elapsed, the Motion for the Third Reading of the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 2014 may be moved today.
    Mr Essilfie 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved accordingly.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Agbesi 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, item number
    11.
    BILLS -- THIRD READING 11:55 a.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader, can we go back to the Statement and after that turn to where we left off?
    Mr Agbesi 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, with your permission, there is an addendum which captures the laying of Papers and we want to seek your permission to lay that Paper as captured on the Addendum.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    I do not know if Hon Members have copies of the Addendum. Let us get it distributed while we take the Statement. We will come back to it.
    Hon Members, a Statement has been admitted and it stands in the name of the Hon Member for Bekwai, Hon Joseph Osei-Owusu.
    STATEMENTS 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu (NPP-- Bekwai) 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to make a Statement on the state of our public transport system on the occasion of National Public Transport Day in Ghana, which falls today, Wednesday, November 19th, 2014.
    Mr Speaker, the National Public Transport Day was instituted in 2009 by the National Road Safety Commission and observed on the 3rd Wednesday of the month of November every year to among others;
    Raise the profile of public transport as a national development concern.
    Encourage policy makers and politicians to patronise public road transport services, so that their
    experiences will influence them to initiate or support reforms within the road transport system.
    Engage the media to bring to the fore some of the critical road safety issues that affect patrons while advocating for some of the global best road safety practices that will influence a reduction in our current casualty levels.
    Mr Speaker, generally, road transpor- tation accounts for almost 97 per cent of transport needs in Ghana and controlled by private organised and unionised operators with minimal participation by Metro Mass Transit Limited and Intercity
    STC.
    Unfortunately, the private sector transport service providers are not sufficiently regulated and as a result, do not consider safety as a priority operational concern and this situation impacts negatively on our national road safety situation.
    Today, to get into that space or industry, all anyone needs is a bus registered for commercial purposes and a driver without any licensing regime for operators.
    This situation offends global best practices. The effect is a transport system characterised by low skilled and low paid commercial drivers, poor maintenance regime, poor safety and quality control systems and the resultant deaths that occur as a consequence of this helpless situation.
    Mr Speaker, data from the National Road Safety Commission suggests that averages of 2000 deaths are recorded yearly through road traffic crashes and
    almost 880 of these deaths or 23 per cent are passenger related. We must reform the entry, operations and exit to the commercial passenger transport operations for the public good. That way, these needless deaths will be managed and reduced significantly.
    Mr Speaker, the Road Traffic Regula- tions, L.I. 2180 came into force in 2012 with sufficient opportunities to help address these lapses that will transform to a large extent, the quality of commercial passenger operations in this country. Unfortunately, we are yet to give effect to the regulations as we continue to record the needless deaths.
    Regulations 121 of L.I. 2180 empowers the Minister for Transort to license all road transport operators based on conditions provided by the Regulations. Again, vehicle owners are enjoined by the Regulations to belong to a recognised commercial road transport organisation as a condition to operate commercial vehicle.
    The implementation of this Regulation will significantly improve road safety and quality of service. That way, beyond the road worthiness certification from the DVLA, operators will have the additional responsibility to ensure that their fleet stay in continuous good condition; their divers are continuously trained and paid better and that they will introduce systems that make speeding and drink driving among other vices unattractive.
    This will improve our road safety efforts. This is because failure to meet these conditions may lead to revocation of operators' permits and service providers will be proactive. Locally, the examples of Intercity STC are there to show. In spite of their recent management concerns, their safety record is without doubt, unmatched.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Members, we will take contributions but because of the constraint of time, we will take two from either side of the House.
    Mrs Gifty E. Kusi (NPP-- Tarkwa- Nsuaem) 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the Statement ably made by my Hon Colleague on the World Transport Day.
    Mr Speaker, when you look at the transportation system in our country, we realise that a lot of people who are into business, especially traders, really use public transport — commercial vehicles a lot, especially women who engage in petty trading would have to travel more than three or four times a week to replenish their stock as capital is very limited to these women. This is because majority of them do not have the collateral to take bigger loans to enable them get more money to operate and therefore, they need to travel three or four times a week to buy things and come back — they need to use public transport.
    Mr Speaker, these women face lengthy waiting time in queues to get on board buses and sometimes the conditions of these buses are nothing to write home about, especially those who go on long journeys — to buy tomatoes, onions, yams, corn et cetera from the northern part to the southern part, use a lot of public transport. More often than not, these women sit at the back of these long vehicles and when accidents occur, they are thrown overboard and most of them die. There was a time that I was travelling from Kumasi to Techiman and I just got to a spot where such an accident had occurred, tomatoes were all over the place and three women lost their lives.
    Mr Speaker, we should do something to improve on our public transportation system.
    In the urban centres, school children also make use of these public transport and you see them in queues. When do they get home to do their homework? It is all affecting their education and we need to do something about it.
    Mr Speaker, I am wondering if the free bus ride that was introduced by the erstwhile President Kufuor's Adminis- tration is still in place -- where school children get free ride on the Metro Mass Transport system. If it is not in place, I would want to urge that we continue with that to ease the transportation difficulties of school children.
    Mr Speaker, lastly, I would want to touch on spare parts dealers. I think that they should be encouraged — given more money to be able to establish themselves, so that they do not sell spare parts that are not genuine. We know that the people in Abossey Okai are doing a very good job for this country and they should be upgraded and encouraged. Maybe, they have an association; the Government could help them to get more capital to be able to bring better spare parts for use of these vehicles that ply the roads.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to urge the GPRTU to really talk to drivers' “mates” to be a little cautious and respectful to passengers who board their vehicles.
    Mr Benjamin K. Kpodo (NDC-- Ho Central) 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to lend support to the Statement made by the Hon Member for Bekwai on road safety in this country.

    Mr I. K. Asiamah — rose —
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Member, are you up on a point of order?
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not know the angle the Hon Member is taking us to. The Statement was not on road safety. Where from the road safety discussion? It is on National Public Transport and so, where from this road safety? He should let us understand what is being discussed well.
    Mr Kpodo 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, this is World Transport Day. I listened to him carefully and he talked about road safety and so, I have to comment on it.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Very well. Proceed.
    Mr Kpodo 12:15 p.m.
    Thank you.
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, he cannot set his own questions and answer them.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    No! He has not caught my eye. Go ahead. You have the floor.
    Mr Kpodo 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to bring in the other dimensions which come into play when we are discussing this issue. We have pedestrians who are very critical in what road transport system that we have and then also the physical facility that facilitates safety in road transporta-tion.
    We have an issue with pedestrians crossing roads without due care, especially the major commercial centres where pedestrians walk on the roads meant for vehicles, thus reducing motor vehicle space. On the pavements, we have merchants, traders, hawkers who occupy pavements meant for pedestrian walkways and these all affect safety on the road.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Yes, the last contribution.
    Mr George K. Arthur (NDC -- Amenfi Central) 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Statement on the world transport day.
    Mr Speaker, luckily, I would say that Ghana has been fortunate that when you take air travels, we have not experienced much accidents.
    Railway is one of the transport systems which is gradually going to pose a problem to us because when you take from Accra -Tema, because we do not have many seats for the number of passengers on board, a lot of people take the advantage to hang on the train. I have not seen any day that the train has passed where you see passengers in the train alone, but you would see a lot of them hanging outside the train.
    Mr Speaker, when you take vehicles like cars, buses, trucks, as the Hon Member who made the Statement said, a lot of the drivers are not well trained. Some of them start as being helpers or mates to the drivers and gradually, they graduate
    to become drivers. Even the drivers themselves who have matured, a lot of them do not go through the manuals of the vehicles to know the instructions put in by the manufacturer of the vehicle.
    We know a vehicle is not manufactured by only one person. When you take the engine, tyre and body, the upholstery and the rest, they are manufactured by different companies and they bring them together. The manufactures thought it wise to put a manual in the vehicle, so that whoever takes the vehicle can go through and see how the vehicle has to be maintained.
    But I am afraid apart from these new vehicles, I can surely say that a lot of these vehicles do not have their manuals on board. Even when you take the tyres, there are a lot of writings on them, which indicate the load of the tyre, the temperature of the tyre and the size. But the drivers just buy anything and once it is the tyre -- whether it is appropriate for the vehicle, they just get it, fix it there and go.
    I once sat in a taxi and as the driver was moving, I saw a red light on the dashboard and then I asked the driver what that indication was. He told me that as for this light, sometimes it comes, and sometimes it goes. As we were going, I looked at the emergency brake and I saw it was halfway lifted. So, I told the driver that his emergency brake was half way engaged and he pushed it down and the light went off. This shows that a lot of the drivers do not even know the icons on the vehicles. Not only the drivers, even a lot of educated ones who do not even know what the icons stand for.
    I have experienced one myself when I got to my vehicle and saw something like a balloon on the dashboard and I did not know what it meant until somebody told
    -- 12:25 p.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Hon Member, can you begin to wind up?
    Mr G. K. Arthur 12:25 p.m.
    All right. Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    The Okada riders came to Parliament that we should approve Okada operation in Ghana. We failed to do that. These days, I can say for sure that even the Okadas are becoming more than the vehicles we have on the streets and nobody is taking care of that. So, if today is World Transport Day, then I think we need to attend to these lapses and make sure that they work for the better future of Ghana.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Thank you very much.
    This brings us to the end of Statements.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Agbesi 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, with your permission and the indulgence of our Colleagues, there is an Addendum on Presentation of Papers. There is a Paper to be presented by the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development.
    We want to seek your permission for the Minister for Defence to lay the Paper on behalf of the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Minority Leader, he is asking for permission for the Minister for Defence to lay the Paper on behalf of the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development with regard to the Addendum Paper.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if b the Minister in the Chamber appreciates the import of this, I would not have any difficulty. The Minister should lay it if he appreciates it; I have seen it.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Members, Order Paper Addendum. At the commencement of Public Business -- Presentation of Papers.
    Minister for Local Government and Rural Development.
    Dr Benjamin Bewa-Nyog Kunbuor 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think you would have to clear some issues with the Leadership before I come in.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    I thought you had cleared with Leadership?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, there are a lot of outstanding matters. That is why I asked the Minister whether he appreciates the import of this. There are many outstanding matters relating to this
    and many traditional areas have appealed to Parliament. I do not know to what extent Parliament has attempted -- I understand some of them are even meeting now. So, I just wanted to know where we are and then if the problems have been sorted out, it could be laid. That is my only problem.
    Dr Kunbuor 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it would be prudent to defer this matter till we do some consultations with the Minister. Why I am saying this is that, I am aware there were some litigations and some directives -- [Interruption] -- I have been advised appropriately.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Very well. So, is the Hon Minister for Defence, standing in for the Hon Minister for Local Government and Rural Development?
    PAPERS 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Agbesi 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, with your permission, if we can go on with item number 12, a Motion standing in the name of the Chairman of the Finance Committee.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Very well.
    We go back to the original Order Paper. Item number12, Chairman of the Committee?
    12. 35 p.m.
    MOTIONS 12:25 p.m.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr James K. Avedzi) 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 80(1), which require that no Motion shall be debated until at least, forty-eight hours have elapsed between the date on which notice of the Motion is given and the date on which the Motion is moved, the Motion for the adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the request for waiver of Customs Duties, Value Added Taxes, National Health Insurance Levy, Destination Inspection Fees, EDAIF and ECOWAS Levies, withholding taxes and other project related taxes amounting to US$57,501,825.00 on goods and services required for the implementation of the Government Consent and Support Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Cenpower Generation Company in respect of the construction of a 340MW Independent Power Plant (IPP) at Kpone in the Greater Accra Region may be moved today.
    Mr A. A. Osei 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved accordingly.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Agbesi 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, item number
    13.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Very well. Chairman of the Committee?
    Report on request for waiver on Customs Duties et cetera on Goods
    and Services
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr James K. Avedzi) 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Members, any seconder?
    Dr Anthony Akoto Osei 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to bring Members and Mr Chairman's attention to page 4, just a small amendment. The last paragraph, the last line, it is “concerned” not “concern”. It should be in the past tense. If we can amend that.
    Mr Speaker, it is unfortunate the Ministry of Finance does not have a representative here. It is important that they pay attention to the recommendation of the Committee on page 5, that the Ministry of Finance should present for consideration of this House a compre- hensive return on the tax exemptions granted so far.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to crave your indulgence to direct the Ministry to come to this House with this Report. They have been saying this for the past three years and they have been saying that it is because of exemptions that they cannot reach their returns but they never come up with these Reports for consideration -- So, I would want to crave your indulgence, unfortunately, none of them is here. So -- they would not be able to hear what I am talking about.
    The second part I would want to draw your attention to, is on page 6. The first substantive paragraph and with your permission, I would want to read:
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Very well.
    Thank you very much.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Now, Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Agbesi 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the conse- quential Resolution in item 14; I would want to seek your permission for the Minister for Defence to take the Resolution.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Minister for Defence?
    RESOLUTIONS 12:25 p.m.
    Minister for Defence (Dr Benjamin Kunbuor (on behalf of the Minister for Finance) 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that
    WHEREAS by the provisions of article 174 (2) of the Constitution, Parliament is empowered to confer power on any person or authority to waive or vary a tax imposed by an Act of Parliament;
    THE EXERCISE of any power conferred on any person or authority to waive or vary a tax in favour of any person or authority is by the said provisions made subject to the prior approval of Parliament by Resolution;
    BY THE COMBINED operation of the provisions of section 26 (2) of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (Management) Law, 1993 (PNDCL 330), the Export and Import Act, 1995 (Act 503), the Export Development and Investment Fund Act, 2000 (Act 582), the Value Added Tax Act, 1998 (Act 546), the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, 2000 (Act 579) and other existing Laws and Regulations applicable to the collection of Customs duties and other taxes on the importation of goods into Ghana, the Minister for Finance may exempt any statutory corporation, institution or individual from the payment of duties and taxes otherwise payable under the said laws and Regulations or waive or vary the requirement of such
    statutory corporation, institution or individual to pay such duties and taxes;
    IN ACCORDANCE with the provisions of the Constitution and at the request of the Government of Ghana acting through the Minister responsible for Finance, there has been laid before Parliament a request by the Minister for Finance for the prior approval of Parliament the exercise by the Minister of the power conferred on the Minister under the laws and Regulations relating to the waiver of Customs Duties, Value Added Taxes, National Health Insurance Levy, Destination Inspection Fees, EDAIF and ECOWAS Levies, withholding taxes and other project related taxes amounting to US$57,501,825.00 on goods and services required for the implementation of the Government Consent and Support Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Cenpower Generation Company in respect of the Construction of a 340 MW Independent Power Plant (IPP) at Kpone in the Greater-Accra Region.
    NOW THEREFORE, this Honourable House hereby approves the exercise by the Minister responsible for Finance of the power granted by Parliament by Statute to waive such Customs Duties, Value Added Taxes, National Health Insurance Levy, Destination Inspection Fees, EDAIF and ECOWAS Levies, withholding taxes and other project related taxes amounting to US$57,501,825.00 on goods and services required for the implemen- tation of the Government Consent and Support Agreement between
    the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Cenpower Generation Company in respect of the Cons- truction of a 340MW Independent Power Plant (IPP) at Kpone in the Greater-Accra Region.
    Mr Avedzi 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved accordingly.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Agbesi 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, there is another Motion at item 15, also for the Chairman of the Committee. So, Mr Speaker, if we can take item 15.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Yes, Chairman of Committee?
    MOTIONS 12:25 p.m.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr James K. Avedzi) 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 80 (1) which require that no Motion shall be debated until at least forty-eight hours have elapsed between the date on which notice of the Motion is given and the date on which the Motion is moved, the Motion for the adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the request for waiver of taxes, Customs Duties, Value Added Tax, National Health Insurance Levy, Destination Inspection Fees, Export Development Investment Fund and ECOWAS Levy amounting to GH¢815,693.00 on goods and equipment required for the implementation of the African Development Bank (AfDB) funded Institutional Support Project to Oversight and Private Sector Development Institutions (GISP) may be moved today.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Agbesi 12:25 p.m.
    Item 16,
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Chairman of Committee?

    Request for waiver of taxes, et cetera on goods and equipments

    required to Oversight and Private Sector Development Institutions

    (GISP)
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr James K. Avedzi) 12:45 p.m.
    I beg to move, that this Honourable House adopts the Report of the Finance Committee on the request for waiver of taxes, customs Duties, Value Added Tax, National Health Insurance Levy, Destination Inspection Fees, Export Development Investment Fund and ECOWAS Levy, amounting to GH¢815, 693.00 on goods and equipment required for the implementation of the African Development Bank (AfDB) funded Institutional Support Project to Oversight and Private Sector Development Institutions (GISP).
    Introduction
    The request for waiver of taxes, Customs Duties, Value Added Tax, National Health Insurance Levy, Export Development and Investment Fund, ECOWAS Levy, Destination Inspection Fees, withholding tax liabilities amounting to GH¢815,693.00 on goods and equipment required for the implementation of the African Develop- ment Bank (AfDB) funded Ghana Institutional Support Project to Oversight and Private Sector Development

    Institution (GISP) was presented to Parliament by the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance, Mr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson on Wednesday, 1st October, 2014. Mr Speaker referred the request to the Finance Committee for consideration and report in accordance with article 174 (2) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 169 of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.

    The Committee was assisted by the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance and officials from the Ministry of Finance during its deliberations of the referral. The Committee is grateful to the Hon Deputy Minister and the officials for their support and assistance.

    Reference

    The Committee referred to the following additional documents at its deliberations:

    The 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

    The Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.

    Background

    The Government of Ghana entered a Protocol Agreement with the African Development Fund (AFD) on 7 th November, 2012 towards the cost of implementation of the Ghana Institutional Support Project. The specific objective of the project is to strengthen capacity for domestic resource mobilisation, integrity and oversight institutions, including the private sector support institutions.

    The capacity strengthening of public financial management and private sector support institutions will contribute to private sector-led growth which will intend enhance opportunity for acce-

    lerated growth, job creation and poverty reduction in the country. The project will also contribute to institutional development and knowledge building in Ghana, particularly in the areas of public financial management, business environment, domestic resource mobilisation, public procurement, internal and external audit and private sector development.

    Obligation of the Government of Ghana

    Article VI of the General Conditions Applicable to Protocols of Agreements for Grants of the African Development Fund to which Ghana is a Member prohibits the use of Grants from the Fund to pay taxes. Section 6.01 a of Article VI states that; “the protocol of Agreement and any other Agreement to which these General Conditions apply, shall be free from any taxes levied by, or in the territory of, the Recipient or in connection with the execution, delivery or registration thereof”.

    Ghana being a member of the Fund is therefore, under obligation, to provide the needed tax exemptions as a condition necessary to benefit from the Grant of the Fund.

    Required waiver

    To ensure that the full amount of the facility is used on the project and in compliance with Article VI of the General Conditions Applicable to Protocols of Agreements for Grants of the African Development Fund, the Ministry of Finance is seeking for tax exemption amounting to GH¢815,693.00 on the facility.

    Observation

    Required waiver

    The Committee noted that the required waiver on the facility is eight hundred and fifteen thousand, six hundred and ninety- three Ghana cedis (GH¢815,693.00) and the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue

    Authority upon assessment granted an interim tax waiver on goods and equipment required for the implemen- tation of the pending Parliametary approval. The determination of the values the Committee was informed was based on the values presented by the implementing Ministry

    Committee recommends to the Ministry of Finance to ensure that the final waiver would be reassessed and verified by the Destination Inspection Companies (DICs) upon arrival of the items in the country since values for assessments are normally based on the invoices submitted by suppliers.

    Further, the Monitoring Unit of the Tax Policy Unit should conduct an audit of the items that would be imported or purchased locally to ensure that there is value for money and the items for which the exemption is being given are not diverted.

    Status of the Project

    The Committee was informed that, the Project which was declared effective on 23rd July, 2013 is currently in the process of procuring the various goods for the beneficiary institutions. The Deputy Minister also stated that the Bank has reviewed the terms of reference(s) under the various consultancies and given no objection. The final disbursement deadline for the project is 30th April, 2017.

    Conclusions

    The Committee, having carefully examined the referral, recommends to the House to adopt its report and approve by Resolution, the request for waiver of Taxes, Customs Duties, Value Added Tax, National Health Insurance Levy, Export Development and Investment Fund, ECOWAS Levy, Destination Inspection Fees, withholding tax liabilities amounting to GH¢815,693.00 on goods and equip-
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Any seconder?
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion and to ask the Ag. Minister for Finance to bring his attention to page 3 -- Under observation, second paragraph. This was also in the earlier waiver. We never know the final tax waivers that we grant.
    The DICs would have the final audit -- The Ministry has never come back to say we granted GH¢815,693.00 but the final ones were this amount. So, we want the Ministry to pay attention to this and make sure that the Report is brought back to the House.
    With these few words, I thank you Mr Speaker.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Agbesi 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we seek your permission with the indulgence of our Colleagues for the Minister for Defence to take the Resolution --

    Mr Speaker, we have the budget workshop from tomorrow to Sunday --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    I thought you were asking for permission for the Hon Minister for --
    Yes, Hon Minister for Defence?
    RESOLUTIONS 12:45 p.m.
    Minister for Defence (Dr Benjamin B. Kunbuor) (on behalf of the Minister for Finance) 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that
    WHEREAS by the provisions of article 174 (2) of the Constitution, Parliament is empowered to confer power on any person or authority to waive or vary a tax imposed by an Act of Parliament;
    THE EXERCISE of any power conferred on any person or authority to waive or vary a tax in favour of any person or authority is by the said provisions made subject to the prior approval of Parliament by Resolution;
    BY THE COMBINED operation of the provisions of section 26 (2) of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (Management) Law, 1993 (PNDCL 330), the Export and Import Act, 1995 (Act 503), the Export Development and Investment Fund Act, 2000 (Act 582), the Value Added Tax Act, 1998 (Act 546), the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, 2000 (Act 579) and other existing Laws and Regulations applicable to the collection of Customs duties and other taxes on the importation of
    goods into Ghana, the Minister for Finance may exempt any statutory corporation, institution or individual from the payment of duties and taxes otherwise payable under the said laws and Regulations or waive or vary the requirement of such statutory corporation, institution or individual to pay such duties and taxes;
    IN ACCORDANCE with the provisions of the Constitution and at the request of the Government of Ghana acting through the Minister responsible for Finance, there has been laid before Parliament a request by the Minister for Finance for the prior approval of Parliament the exercise by the Minister of the power conferred on the Minister under the laws and Regulations relating to the waiver of Taxes, Customs Duties, Value Added Tax, National Health Insurance Levy, Destination Inspection Fees, Export Development Investment Fund and ECOWAS Levy amounting to GH¢815,693.00 on goods and equipment required for the implementation of the African Development Bank (AfDB) funded Institutional Support Project to Oversight and Private Sector Development Institutions (GISP).
    NOW THEREFORE, this Honourable House hereby approves the exercise by the Minister responsible for Finance of the power granted by Parliament by Statute to waive such Taxes, Customs Duties, Value Added Tax, National Health Insurance Levy, Destination Inspection Fees, Export Develop- ment Investment Fund and
    ECOWAS Levy amounting to GH¢815,693.00 on goods and equipment required for the implementation of the African Development Bank (AfDB) funded Institutional Support Project to Oversight and Private Sector Development Institutions (GISP).
    Mr Avedzi 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to second the Motion.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved accordingly.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Hon Members, Communication from the Office of the President.
    ANNOUNCEMENTS 12:45 p.m.
    OFFICE OF PARLIAMENT 12:45 p.m.
    PARLIAMENT HOUSE 12:45 p.m.
    ACCRA 12:45 p.m.
    PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC 12:45 p.m.
    OF GHANA 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Communication that you just read to us -- I think you said our President is the Chairman of the ECOWAS. Did you say ECOWAS Commission? I did not hear you -- Chairman of the ECOWAS Commission?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    It says he is “the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States
    (ECOWAS)”.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Alfred K. Agbesi 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to move, that the House do adjourn to Tuesday, 25th November, 2014, in the forenoon.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Minority Leader?
    Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to know the correct designation of our President. He is the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS. He is not the Chairman of ECOWAS.
    Mr Speaker, we have the Minister for Defence here, and he would confirm that what I am saying is true. So, if the President has signed the letter as the
    Chairman of the ECOWAS, he is wrong. He is not the Chairman. I believe the Minister for Defence knows what I am saying.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, the point is well taken.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, can you call on him?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    We will take steps to draw attention to this one.
    Dr Kunbuor 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think the substance of the Communication is understood. So, if the form has some challenges, we would undertake to make sure that that is corrected subsequently.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    The Motion has been moved. I do not know if there will be any secondment.
    Mr Nitiwul 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, before he even moves the Motion for -- The movement of the Motion was arrested by the Minority Leader. We still do not have the Budget Statement that was read for us to have a look at it.
    The Majority Chief Whip promised that we would be getting it before we go. As it stands now, we do not have it and we have a workshop on it tomorrow. We are supposed to start the debate on Tuesday and we do not have it. Maybe, if the frontbench of the Majority can clear it, then we would know --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Second Deputy Majority Whip, what do you say?
    Mr Ahmed Ibrahim 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the issue was discussed in the morning and the Majority Chief Whip promised to go to the Minister for Finance and make sure that copies are made available. As we speak, he is not here; he is doing a follow-
    up. He also added that it is already on the parliamentary and the Ministry of Finance websites. However, he is chasing for the hard copies.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Hon Member, how soon can we get copies, so that we will have enough time to study them before tomorrow?
    Mr A. Ibrahim 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, he is gone and I think that as we are going to adjourn, he would return and they would be in our pigeonholes.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    It is important. Take steps to make them available to Hon Members as I directed earlier, by the close of day, please.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader.
    Mr Agbesi 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have already moved before the Communication from the President came in.
    For emphasis, I beg to move, at this stage, that the House do adjourn till Tuesday, 25th of November, 2014 at 10.00 o'clock in the forenoon.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the matter raised by the Hon Deputy Minority Leader is a very serious one. We had a discussion with the Minister responsible f or Finance, that in presenting the budget on Wednesday, same day Wednesday, he should avail the documents to us and to the experts who would be coming to deal with the various issues beginning tomorrow morning.
    If it is that they are not available to the experts, they would come and just run us through and tell us “we did not have the opportunity to read the budget” which explains why we insisted that the budget should not be read on Friday, but on
    Wednesday to allow sufficient time for us to have the document. If, as we stand today, we do not have it, how can we engage the issues contained in the document? Let nobody come and tell us tomorrow that “because we could not have it on time, we could not have time to read through and so, we cannot make any meaningful presentation to you.” Let nobody come and tell us that.
    Mr Agbesi 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we have taken the concerns raised, we have said that the Majority Chief Whip was here this morning, he had to leave the Chamber to chase copies of the Budget Statement and by the time we leave here, we hope that he would be back with the copies and put in our pigeonholes. It is unfortunate that this situation has come but that is what we can say now. He has gone to the Ministry to bring the copies. In fact, he has left here purposely to go and bring them.
    So, please, do sympathise with us. This is because that is the only situation that has arisen. It is unfortunate that when the Hon Minister was going to deliver the Budget Statement, copies were not made available but we are making sure, and we would make sure that we get them before tomorrow.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Very well.
    Mr Nitiwul 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, today is Friday and Hon Members from here may be leaving. So, if they go and put them in the pigeonholes and Hon Members come tomorrow, they will not have read them. So, the Hon Minority Leader is absolutely right because this is the third or the fourth time that we have had a similar occurrence -- that by close of work today, it would be done and it was never done.
    I just hope that the assurance we are receiving, at least, by 3.00 o'clock, Members should have it. Mr Speaker, they should take your orders serious and get
    Mr Nitiwul 12:55 p.m.


    maybe, the Clerk to call Members that it has come and they should come for it, so that at least, they can make some meaningful inputs with it.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    I agree with the concerns raised and I feel very bad about the state of affairs. Indeed, if we do not get copies by the close of day today, I do not think the workshop can start tomorrow. Seriously, because how much time will Hon Members have to study the Report and then to make meaningful contributions during the workshop?
    So seriously, if it is not produced by the close of day today, then you better forget about commencing the workshop tomorrow. We probably would have to start looking at Sunday and Monday.
    Mr Agbesi 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we are grateful. We would liaise with the Leadership of the opposite side of the
    House to see if by certain time today, we do not get the copies, we would see what we can do, whether to take a different position or otherwise. We have taken the advice of Mr Speaker into consideration and we would see what we can do about it.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Very well.
    On that note, can we get somebody to second the Motion?
    Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion but just to add that the consultants must get the documents as quickly as possible.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    ADJOURNMENT 12:55 p.m.
  • The House was accordingly adjourned at 1.00 p.m. till Tuesday, 25th November, 2014 at 10.00 a.m.