Debates of 13 Dec 2014

MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 12:10 p.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 12:10 p.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon Members, Correction of the Votes and Proceedings of Friday, 12th December,
2014.

Yes, Hon Member?
Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, on page 7, number 20, I have been marked absent, but I was in the House yesterday. I was a bit late.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Table Office, please, take note.

Hon Members, the Votes and Proceedings of Friday, 12th December, 2014 as duly corrected, are hereby adopted as the true record of proceedings for that day.

Yes, Hon Majority Leader, at the Commencement of Public Business.
Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want us to take item number 5 on the Order Paper and debate it. If by then we do not get half of the Hon Members of Parliament, we will defer taking a decision on it.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Very well.
Item 5, Motion, by the Minister for Finance.
Mr Bagbin 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it should be the Hon Majority Leader.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Very well.
Mr Bagbin 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it was corrected yesterday but unfortunately, it has been repeated today.
ANNUAL ESTIMATES 12:10 p.m.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin) 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢ 2,899,648 for the services of the National Media Commission for the year ending 31st December, 2015.
Mr Speaker, I reserve my right to contribute during the course of the debate, and I would allow the Hon Prof. Gyan- Baffour, who is a member of the Committee to present the Report of the Committee.
Prof. George Gyan-Baffour 12:10 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker --
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member for Subin?
Mr Isaac Osei 12:20 p.m.
Mr Speaker --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Hon Prof. Gyan-Baffour, somebody is up.
Mr Isaac Osei 12:20 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want some clarification. When the Hon Majority Leader said he would “allow”, is it within his bosom to allow somebody to speak?
Please, Mr Speaker, the Hon Majority Leader should not say this.
Mr Bagbin 12:20 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I used the word “allow” because I am the substantive Chairman of the Committee, and I have allowed him to chair proceedings involving the consideration of the estimates. So, as the Chairman, I am allowing him to present the Report of the Committee.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Well. I believe even if you allowed him, at plenary, you will have to seek the permission of the Chair.
Mr Bagbin 12:20 p.m.
[Inaudible.]
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Very well.
Hon Prof. Gyan-Baffour?
Prof. George Gyan-Baffour (on behalf of the Chairman of the Special Budget Committee): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion and in doing so, I would want to read the Report of the Committee.
Mr Speaker, before I do that, I think anticipation in the House is not a good thing. This is because, today, I saw in the Daily Graphic, that they have anticipated all that we have here, and I think it is a positive anticipation. This is because it looks like they enjoyed our Report.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Introduction
The Minister for Finance, Hon Seth E. Terkpeh presented the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the year ending 31st December, 2015 to Parliament on Wednesday, 19th November, 2014 in accordance with article 179 of the 1992 Constitution.
Pursuant to Order 140 (4) of the Standing Orders of the House, the Speaker referred the draft Annual Budget Estimates for the National Media Commission (NMC) to the Special Budget Committee for consideration and report.
Subsequently, the Committee met with the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr George Sarpong, officials of the Commission, representatives from the European Union and an official from the Ministry of Finance and considered the estimates.
The Committee extends its appreciation to the Executive Secretary of the NMC and all officials present at the Committee sitting and for their input.
Reference documents
The following documents were used by the Committee as reference materials:
a. The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
b. The Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.

c. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2014 financial year.

d. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Govern- ment of Ghana for the 2015 financial year.

Mission Statement

The National Media Commission exists to promote free, independent and responsible media to sustain democracy and national development.
  • [PROF. GYAN-BAFFOUR Performance in 2014 For the year 2014, an amount of four million, one hundred and seven thousand, sixty-two Ghana cedis (GH4,107,062.00) was allocated to the National Media Commission to enable it undertake its programmes and activities. The breakdown is as follows: Compensation of Employees -- GH1,812,444.00 Goods and Services -- GH605,504.00 Assets -- GH1,689,114.00 Total -- GH4,107,062.00 SPACE FOR Table 1 - PAGE 3 - 12.20P.M. Table 1 depicts non-release of funds for Assets expenditure and paltry releases for Goods and Services. Non-releases on the Assets Votes of the Commission largely affected the implementation of certain important projects for the year under review. That notwithstanding, the Commission was able to undertake some programmes and activities: Achievements for 2014 Media Regulations Management Programme In line with the policy to sensitise journalists and media owners and deepen partnership with other stakeholders to ensure professionalism in the media, the Commission held series of dialogue sessions with the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association, Ghana Journalists Association and the Private Newspaper Publishers Association. This resulted in the reduction of the number of complaints received by the Commission. Outlook for 2015 In 2015, the Commission will continue its ongoing interactions with key stakeholders in order to deepen our collective commitment to peace building and national development The Commission will strengthen efforts towards media peace building by improving policy and legislation on media regulation. Media monitoring system will be established in all regions to help rectify weakness in professional media practice while media stakeholders will continue to be engaged on how to use the media to promote national development The Commission will also continue efforts at reducing hate speech and factional incitement in the media, by setting up functional regional offices in the Ashanti, Volta, Upper East and Northern regions, to monitor the media and provide back-up for peace building initiatives in politically sensitive regions and those currently recovering from conflict The Commission will contribute towards the passage of the Broadcasting Law and subsidiary legislation to clarify the operational strategies and approaches of its work to ensure effective regulation of the media The Commission will establish Regional Media Advisory Committees (RMACs), to advise on matters pertaining to media professional standards, language and broadcasting policy, and dynamics of culture, politics and media. The RMACs will be trained in media complaints settlement process to bring justice to the door steps of the people Provision for 2015 Budget For the implementation of the above programmes and activities, an amount of two million, eight hundred and ninety-nine thousand, six hundred and forty-eight Ghana cedis (GH¢ 2,899,648.00), has been allocated for the implementation of its programmes and activities. Observations and recommendations Expenditure Trends Budgetary Allocation As shown in Table 1, the Committee observed that the National Media Commission was allocated GH¢ 4,107,062 for its programmes in 2014. For the year 2015, the Commission has been allocated an amount of GH¢ 2,899,648.00 which shows a considerable decrease of about 141 per cent over the GH¢4,107,062allocated in 2014. The Commission informed the Committee that it expected a higher allocation for 2015, due to the critical need for the Commission to retain and hire some professional staff for effectiveness among others. The Committee noted that the Commission would not be able to achieve most of its objectives due to the drastic shortfall. Compensation of Employees With respect to compensation for employees, an allocationh of GH¢1, 646,896.00 was made to the Commission in the 2015 Budget Statement, which is woefully inadequate. The Executive Secretary informed the Committee that the most conservative estimates proposed by the Commission for compensation for employees was projected to be eight million, seven hundred thousand Ghana cedis (GH¢ 8,700,000). However, only one million, six hundred and forty-six thousand, eight hundred and ninety-six (GH¢ 1,646,896.00) Ghana cedis was allocated to the Commission for compensation for employees. The drastic reduction in the proposed figure by the Commission for compensation for employees could not be explained by the Ministry of Finance.
    • Mr Osei B. Amoah (NPP -- Akwapim South) 12:20 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢ 2,899,648.00 for the services of the National Media Commission for the year ending 31st December, 2015.
    Mr Speaker, the National Media Commission is a very important institution. Indeed, since the advent of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, this is an institution that has been established to maintain standards, the highest journalistic standards and to ensure that, at least, there is a semblance of professional work in anything that we do, and indeed, to settle complaints which should arise out of the work of the media.
    The Commission has been doing a lot but unfortunately, it is bedevilled with a lot of challenges. Indeed, as we heard from the Report, the budgetary support has almost always been inadequate. This is a Commission which is always running after the Ministry of Finance to be able to get the little that they have been allocated. It is, indeed, affecting the work of the Commission.
    This is also a major Commission that does not generate any funds internally. It does not have any Internally Generated Funds (IGF) and it would have to depend on the Government for support, which is always lacking.
    Mr Osei B. Amoah (NPP -- Akwapim South) 12:30 p.m.


    Emmanual A. Gyamfi -- rose --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    Hon Member, are you up on a point of order?
    Mr Gyamfi 12:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is not a point of order.
    The Report says something about the Ministry of Finance and the frantic efforts being made by the Commission to even get releases. There is nobody from the Ministry of Finance here. He was there -
    - 12:30 p.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    The Deputy Minister for Finance was in the Chamber.
    Mr Gyamfi 12:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I saw him here but he has left and that is --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    I saw him in the Chamber a few minutes back.
    Mr Gyamfi 12:30 p.m.
    So, Mr Speaker, where is he?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    Chairman of the Finance Committee?
    Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Bagbin 12:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, to start with, it is a Report from the Special Budget Committee and so, we corrected what is on the Order Paper. It is not from the Ministry of Finance.
    Secondly, the Hon Deputy Minister is available. He just stepped out to the washroom. He was here and he just asked to go to the washroom. So, he would be available to listen; we are taking down the notes. As we indicated, we are not likely to close the debate today because of the issues of numbers.
    So Mr Speaker, we are on the right path.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    Well, Hon Member, please, proceed.
    Mr O. B. Amoah 12:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I was on the point of the President engaging the Media Commission. And the assurances from the then Minister and even the President, that every step would be taken to ensure that the Media Commission is well resourced and a new accommodation or office premises would be found for the Commission. Then efforts would be made for the Commission to generate its funds internally.
    So, Mr Speaker, it is gratifying that the Report is also recommending that there should be financial independence of the Commission and that even if the donor community is in a position to help, they would know that we are helping ourselves before they could help us.
    They referred to the situation where the monitoring device which was to be used by the Commission could not be appropriately housed. Thi is because of the fact that there is no accommodation for that facility and there are no funds to provide premises for such a facility. It does not tell a very good story about us and the fact that the media has a major role to play.
    Mr Speaker, the solution as has been said is to have financial independence. Beyond that, I know the Media Commission is also working on Legislative Instruments, which would enable the Commission to have the opportunity to identify sources of funding and to be able to raise funds from some of the areas that have been identified in the Report. I believe that all of us should support the Media Commission to play its major role for it not to look like we have set up such an important body under the Constitution, but over the years, we have assumed that it is supposed to play its role and we have left it hanging.
    We all know how the media landscape is now. There are a lot of issues and complaints from the general public and we could do better in the way we handle media issues. There are a lot of complaints from persons who listen to our radio, who watch our televisions and everything but at the end of the day, because the Media Commission is cash strapped and appears to be neglected, we have not been able to get the Commission to live up to its expectation or the role it has to play under the Constitution and under the Acts of the Media Commission.
    So, let us all support this and I wish the Media Commission would even have more budgetary support than what has been earmarked by the Ministry of Finance. I believe, as we move to next year, things would get better for the Media Commission.
    Mr Speaker, with these few words, I support the Motion on the floor.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    Thank you very much.
    Hon Member for Wa West?
    Mr Joseph Y. Chireh (NDC -- Wa West) 12:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I also rise to support the Motion to approve the money for the Media Commission. In doing so, I would like to emphasise on the last point that the previous Hon Member who contributed has made. This is because we all complain about media performance.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Old Tafo?
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Finance is not the funding Ministry. This House is the funding authority and we give the Ministry of Finance the authority to release money.
    Mr Chireh 12:30 p.m.
    Thank you very much, for this friendly suggestion you have made.
    But you know that we do not fund anything, rather we approve what the funding people say we should do. That is why we are complaining that it is inadequate. Being inadequate, every year we say the same thing. So, it is becoming a little boring to be listening to debates where Parliament is just talking about “Can the Ministry of Finance do something?”
    This is an important institution and just like the Judiciary or any other agency that is to ensure democracy and proper practice of professions, we need to look at what to do. We should not just be bemoaning. We must go beyond the bemoaning and ensure that the Media
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    Thank you very much.
    Yes, Hon Gifty Kusi?
    Mrs Gifty E. Kusi (NPP -- Tarkwa- Nsuaem) 12:40 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the floor.
    Mr Speaker, on page 7 of the Committee's Report, with your permission, I beg to quote:
    “The Committee was further informed that the monitoring equipment procured with support from the European Union (EU) to spot any dangerous material on the airwaves requires to be housed in a specialised facility to prevent damage. The Committee noted that this issue has been outstanding for the past three (3) years without any commitment by Government to meet the demand.”
    Mr Speaker, further down, the last but one paragraph says 12:40 p.m.
    “The Committee was informed that several attempts by the Com- mission to meet the Hon Minister for Finance on the matter had failed.”
    Mr Speaker, the EU sponsored it. When you read the Report -- I do not want to be reading. But it is the EU which granted this facility and paid all these monies through taxes from their old ladies and old men and so on --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:40 p.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister for Finance, we need your attention. Some points are being raised, which have to do with the Ministry of Finance on page 7 of the Report and you need to take note.
    Mrs Kusi 12:40 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Report further says that:
    “…The counterpart funding would have been used to provide the specialised airconditioned facility to house the equipment. The Commis- sion's inability to house the equipment in a specialised facility has become embarrassing since the facility was granted by the EU, who expected the equipment to be housed by the Commission.”
    Mr Speaker, no wonder, my Hon Colleagues were asking that the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance sits down to listen and I am glad that he is here.
    Mr Speaker, how on earth, what is the Ministry doing, that they have failed consistently to meet the Commission to solve this problem? And it has been there for three years. Why? What are we waiting for? And the purpose is so serious that it says that:
    “…to spot any dangerous material on the airwaves requires to be housed in a specialised facility…”
    Mr Speaker, “Specialised airconditioned” and “dangerous material” - I was asking the Hon Member, turned Hon Ranking Member cum Chairman this morning, that what is the meaning of the “dangerous material”. And he explained to me that some people may meet somewhere and the way they are speaking and planning, maybe, some war drums or something, which God may forbid, we in Ghana do not experience and I know that God will not allow us to experience.
    But Mr Speaker, to be forewarned is to be forearmed; prevention is better than cure. I think the Ministry should answer this. Hon Deputy Minister for Finance, when you are making your submission, I would want you to tell us why for three years, you have not done this.
    It is so serious that I do not even know. He said it is causing Ghana an embarrass- ment.
    Mr Speaker, I rest my case.
    Mr Ahmed Ibrahim (NDC -- Banda) 12:40 p.m.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity given to me to support the Motion.
    Mr Speaker, may I turn to page 2 of the Report, point number 3.0 --
    “The National Media Commission exists to promote free, independent and responsible media to sustain democracy and national develop- ment.”
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:40 p.m.
    Hon Member for Old Tafo, is it a point of order?
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:40 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, my good Hon Friend, the Hon Deputy Majority Whip said that you gave him an opportunity to support the Motion. And Mr Speaker, I do not know if there is a procedure that allows you to give him an opportunity to support the Motion. I think you gave him an opportunity to contribute and in contributing, he can support the Motion. But he is claiming that you gave him that authority and I am very disturbed.
    Mr A. Ibrahim 12:40 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it was over enthusiasm of my love for the National Media Commission that made me to say so. I would want to support the Ghana media. But I am rather contributing to the Motion in support of the media.
    Mr Speaker, this is a Commission we are talking about. Sometimes, we say that the media is the fourth realm of the estate. [Interruption] We say it elsewhere; we do not say in government. We often say
    Mr A. Ibrahim 12:40 p.m.


    that the fourth arm of government is the media. Normally, we tend to know the importance of the media, especially when in crisis. And clearly Mr Speaker, when you go to the remote areas, people make more use of the media than even the security agencies. This is a Commission that regulates the media we are talking about.

    Mr Speaker, I am talking for just one reason. We met the National Media Commission representatives last week and they told us most of the challenges confronting the Commission. And it seemed from the look of things that they were becoming a bit helpless, to the extent that, they said most of their members sometimes refuse to appear before them. So, now, what they are asking for is teeth to bite and these are constitutional issues. So how independent is the National Media Commission?

    First, they are financially handicapped. Two, they have no permanent accommoda- tion. Three, their members do not even recognise why they should appear before them. So, in a way, some media men are becoming bigger than the National Media Commission itself and we say the National Media Commission exists to regulate their activities.

    Then last of it, Mr Speaker, is the Media Development Fund. This year, little is being said about it. But because of the independence of the Judiciary and the constitutional backing given to them -- We all know when it comes to their budget in this House, how Hon Members speak in support of them, yet we say the National Media Commission is independent. But Mr Speaker, we all know the end result of political independence without economic independence.

    So, in order not to talk too much -- one, if the National Media Commission must be taken serious, they must be given the teeth to bite and two, the media must regulate itself.

    We all know that an unregulated body would lead to destruction. Sometimes, people chastise the media but if you want to make a fair assessment of the effect of the media, on our democracy, you would realise that the media is doing more good than harm.
    Mr Nitiwul 12:40 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am surprised that the Hon Member just made the statement he made.
    Mr Speaker, it is unlawful to award a degree in Ghana when you are not accredited to do that. So, if the Hon Member knows some institutions which are not accredited to award degrees or diplomas and they are doing it, he should please report to the police. Because when he says that some journalism schools are training and they are not accredited to award and they do that, please, report, so that they can take them on.
    This is because I do not think that there is any institution in Ghana that is awarding unaccredited degrees. They are not allowed to do that, because it is a crime in the first place. They should be stopped. So, if he thinks that it is happening like that, he should please, report and let us move on.
    Mr A. Ibrahim 12:40 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I did not say they are awarding degrees; I said certificates. From time to time, you hear about some media course for three months; somebody attends and comes and compares himself to a practitioner who is well qualified and is practising - - [Interruption.]
    rose
    Mr A. Ibrahim 12:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, sometimes, when you go into some of the excesses -- I have been a victim of some of the excesses of those media men before and I know the effect on me --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:50 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Effutu, is it a point of order?
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:50 p.m.
    It is so Mr Speaker -- [Interruption.]
    Mr Speaker, there is a difference between an accredited institution that awards degrees and diplomas and an institution that undertakes refresher courses and awards a certificate, which may not necessarily need accreditation. So, the Hon Second Deputy Majority Whip, the Hon good Friend Ahmed Ibrahim is grossly misleading this House.
    This is because, if an institution is awarding a certificate for six weeks or one week training in a particular field -- or whether it is one month or three months -- that institution may not need accredita- tion. And any person who goes through such a training does not need to verify whether that institution has accreditation.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:50 p.m.
    Hon Member, did you say “may not”?
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am using “may” because there is no mandatory requirement that if one is doing a refresher course for any group of persons, you would need accreditation before you do that. There is no such requirement. Whether it is a diploma, degree or any other recognised certificate that one would use for a certain purpose, of course, the National Accreditation Board is there. But if somebody is in Winneba and says that he is awarding a certificate in catering, and somebody
    decides to go for two weeks, would you say that he needs an accreditation before?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:50 p.m.
    Hon Member, can that not be very dangerous? -- [Laughter.]
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I disagree with that assertion that one would need accreditation before he does a refresher course. You cannot do a workshop or seminar --
    Mr Speaker, somebody may be a consultant and say, he is a media consultant and as a media consultant, he has decided to run a training programme for some journalists and award them certificates. This is a refresher training, an upgrade course and all that. So, if one says that accreditation is needed, fundamentally, I have a different view.
    Also, we do not have people who parade themselves using mobile phones and calling themselves journalists. That is wrong, and my Hon Friend must come back on that.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:50 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, please, proceed.
    Mr A. Ibrahim 12:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thank my Hon Member for throwing more light onto the debate, whether to give accreditation to practitioners in the media field by the National Media Commission. It is a national debate that we would have to embark on. This is because it is a constitutional issue.
    Mr Speaker, we have the Nurses and Midwives Council, that has to give certificate to someone before she/he becomes a nurse or midwife. But in the journalism profession, in my opinion, the
    Mr A. Ibrahim 12:50 p.m.


    Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) exists to train most of our media personalities.

    The plight of today's politician is what I am putting before you, that journalists in your village or in my village have not been to the GIJ before they started practising. And you can imagine some of the consequences of some of the information that they bring up. That is what I am putting it before.

    Firstly, is there the need for the National Media Commission to regulate itself and its members by making sure that they have a licence from the National Media Commission before they are recognised to be employed as journalists?

    This is what I am saying. I am not just saying that the institution does not exist but they put it before us when we met the National Media Commission, that there are proliferation of institutions and whether they need to be given accreditation by the National Accreditation Board. And they made logistics to go round to be able to fish all those things out. It exists; if you do not know. And this is where it must be said.

    Mr Speaker, so there is the need for us to go into the issue, debate it very well and it therefore comes to the question of who a journalist is? Who qualifies to be employed as a journalist? Should there be a certificate issued by the National Media Commission before one becomes a journalist, or if I am able to establish my Frequency Modulation (FM) station, can I employ anybody at all just because I want to pay less to come and start practising? You can imagine the effect of the activities of such personalities on the national security.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:50 p.m.
    Yes, Hon O. B. Amoah?
    Mr O. B. Amoah 12:50 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, I can understand the frustration of the Hon Member and the path he wants to take, but he has to be very cautious not to create the impression that the National Media Commission is empowered to control the media. With respect and with your permision, I would want to refer him to article 173 of the Constitution. It says:
    “Subject to article 167 of this Constitution, the National Media Commission shall not exercise any control or direction over the professional functions of a person engaged in the production of newspapers or other means of communication.”
    So, we should be very careful not to create the impression that the National Media Commission has been set up to control or exercise any power over how the media should operate.
    The Constitution is clear on this matter. So, please, he should try and draw a fine line between your position on this matter, so that we are not seen as calling for a certain kind of control over the media in Ghana.
    Mr A. Ibrahim 12:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, this is why I said I am calling for a debate. This is why I started by saying that some members even refused to appear before the National Media Commission, and the National Media Commission is not able to control them. Because I know it is a constitutional issue.
    I started by saying that. Maybe, he did not hear me when I said that --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:50 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, begin to wind up.
    Mr A. Ibrahim 12:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have raised a lot of issues in my contribution and in my opinion, there is the need for us to debate it further.
    It was not a Motion that I moved, that we should just give them the power to bite. But I think whether we should give the National Media Commission the power to bite, whether an uncontrollable media can lead us to a direction that we might not want, or whether the National Media Commission must exist to be empowered through the Media Development Fund and other facilities to embark upon their duties.
    Mr Speaker, I would rest my case here.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:50 p.m.
    Yes Hon Member for Sekondi?
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah (NPP -- Sekondi) 1 p.m.
    Thank you very much, for the opportunity to contribute to the debate.
    From what I have heard so far, I believe the debate has been very interesting. I could hear the voice of my good Friend, the Hon Deputy Majority Chief Whip in the Lobby, downstairs, and I admire his vigour.
    But Mr Speaker, the National Media Commission, as we know, is a consti- tutional body set up with the mandate to oversee the media, not as it were, to regulate their performance.
    I can understand the view that has been expressed by the Hon Deputy Majority Chief Whip, but he must also recognise that the media is part of the intrinsic right of the individual to free speech in the country. That is why it is sometimes difficult to say that, someone, before practising journalism, must be accredited. When one appears on a radio programme as a panellist, one is
    expressing his or her r ight to free expression. If one is not a media practitioner, and can host a programme, he is not a journalist, and so, we should be careful.
    But Mr Speaker, this is part of a larger point that I wish to make. Year in and year out, Parliament appropriates sums of money for various Ministries, Depart- ments and Agencies (MDAs). But invariably, even though Government always exceeds that amount that has been approved in the Appropriation Act, the various MDAs do not get the right sums, and it is the duty of Parliament to ensure that Government respects whatever proposals they brought to Parliament that have been approved.
    As some of us prepare to step out of this House, there is one thing that worries the seeming ineffectuality and ineffective- ness of this House. So, we permit the Executive to do whatever they like, and treat whatever decision that this House has taken, in any way they like.
    The National Media Commission, Mr Speaker, you will be surprised to know that, probably, as of two weeks ago, the members had not received their allowances. And I ask myself, what is this business that we are engaged in?
    So, there is a proposal that I wish to make to this House and to the Committees in particular, that in terms of our oversight, let us improve upon the monitoring of the agencies during the course of the year.
    At least, if for nothing at all, we could try and meet the agencies each quarter, to know the releases that have not been made and the targets that they have set. This is because invariably, you will find that yes, we received so much and so much was approved, but so much has been released, so, we were unable to carry out our programmes.
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah (NPP -- Sekondi) 1 p.m.


    I am sorry to say that it seems as if this country is not working, it does not appear to be working. I am a Member of Parliament, and I make an observation out of frustration. But Mr Speaker, what do you expect when relatively young men who have bald heads like ours, sometimes think that we are peers?

    So, I am urging the Ministry of Finance, particularly when it comes to independent constitutional bodies, to ensure that the little sums that are approved are released -- and timeously, to enable them become effective.

    Now that we have a champion of what he calls the “Independent Governance Institutions (IGIs)”, and being the Leader of Government Business, I believe he should be helping Government to walk the talk and he should also walk his talk.

    Let us not restrict these matters to mere rhetoric; - it is good the Deputy Minister for Finance is here.

    I am looking forward to the day when because the Ministry of Finance has failed to discharge its duty, this House will debate a Motion to censure the Minister, then they will sit up. It is important. Other than that, we would come here even on Saturdays and as it were, make brilliant submissions like the Deputy Majority Chief Whip has done. It will just be an exercise in futility.

    I wish my Hon Colleagues a very happy weekend and for conscientiously appearing on Saturday. Faces are fresh after the exercise.

    I thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
    Thank you very much.
    Yes, Hon Chairman of the Finance Committee?
    Mr James K. Avedzi 1 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I just want a confirmation from the Chairman on some of the figures represented in the Report. If you look at page 2 of the Report, the performance in 2014, the figures quoted for Compensation of Employees is GH¢1, 812, 444.00, Goods and Services is GH¢605, 504.00 and Assets is GH¢1, 689, 114.00. It gave a total of GH¢4, 107,062.00 -- that is correct. But if you go to page 3, the same Compensation, Goods and Services and Assets presented in a Table form gave different figures.
    They have broken down the Com- pensation of Employees into two, 1 and 2, and if you put the two figures together, it gives you GH¢1,812,947.00, which is different from the GH¢1,812, 444.00. So, I would want a confirmation, why the difference?
    Now, for Goods and Services, on the Table, it is now GH¢605, 000 while in page 2, it is GH¢605,504.00. So, there is a difference there as well. Also, the Assets, there is a difference of one, because in the Table, it is GH¢1, 689,115.00. But on page 2, it is GH¢1, 689, 114.00. So, the Chairman should take that on board.
    Then also, if you go to page 5 under paragraph 7.0:
    “… the Committee observed that the National Media Commission was allocated GH¢4,107,062 for its programmes for 2014. For the year 2015, the Commission has been allocated an amount of GH¢2,899,648.00, which shows a considerable decrease of about 141% over the GH¢4,107,062 allocated in 2014.”
    I would want to know how they arrived at that percentage of 141 because if you subtract the GH¢2,899,648.00 from the GH¢4,107,062, you will have about GH¢1.2. And if you express that GH¢1.2 over the
    2014 amount of GH¢4,107,062, you will arrive at 29.39 per cent. How did it come to 141 per cent? Those corrections should be made in the Report, so that we do not have inconsistencies in the Report.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
    I do not know if Hon Prof Gyan-Baffour is prepared to respond immediately. If so, I would give him the floor.
    Prof. Gyan-Baffour 1 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member is talking about the one pesewa difference in some of these allocations. Actually, it is a running error. So, those ones, I am not going to refer to. But the last calculation that he mentioned, the difference is not that. The difference between GH¢4.1 million and GH¢2.8 million is GH¢2 million. It is not GH¢1 million? [Interruptions.]
    GH¢4.1 and GH¢2.89 -- That is what he is saying. And that is what is actually reflecting here. But the issue is that, the allocation has been scaled down so drastically that we do not seem to understand why. That is for emphasis. But yes, he may be right, that the decrease is not about 141 per cent. Maybe, it is an error here. But the import of the issue is that, the allocation has been slashed drastically.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
    If I get you right, there appears to be an error.
    Prof. Gyan-Baffour 1 p.m.
    Yes.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
    Can we identify the error and then correct it?
    Prof. Gyan-Baffour 1 p.m.
    Actually, the error is on the percentage -- 141 per cent. In actual fact, if I have to recalculate, it may be about -- I do not have it stated here but I can -- [Interruption.]
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
    Hon Member, we are not going to put the Question today. So, you have the opportunity to work it out, so that on Monday, we would have some correction effected. Will that be alright with us?
    Prof Gyan-Baffour 1 p.m.
    The Hon Member here has calculated it for me and it is 29.4 per cent decrease. So, I agree with that.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
    So, it is now 29.4 per cent?
    Prof Gyan-Baffour 1 p.m.
    Yes, instead of the 141 per cent.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
    Very well. Then in that case, I have to go to the Minority.
    Hon Member for Effutu?
    Mr Alexander K. Afenyo-Markin (NPP -- Effutu) 1 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to add my voice to the Motion.
    Hon Colleagues who spoke before me have made some contributions, which I believe, are very necessary, to draw the attention of the Government to the need to live up to expectation, by way of its commitment to the National Media Commission, which is a constitutional body.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
    Hon Member, I believe this point has been raised by another Member and argued extensively. I even drew the attention of the Deputy Finance Minister, that he
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I said that, in expressing my views on the same matter, I believe would not be superfluous. This is because Mr Speaker, it would enrich an already known view, so that -- [Interruption[ -- Yes, Mr Speaker, I am grateful.
    Mr Speaker, particularly so, when this Report was very unanimous. It means that Members from both sides are of the view that it is really unacceptable for the National Media Commission to be ineffective and unable to perform its constitutional duty because the Government of the day has decided not to be proactive and just respond.
    Mr Speaker, how much would it cost to house such equipment? We are able to even borrow without coming to Parliament. Mr Speaker, we are able to do that. And as the senior Member said -- [Interruption] -- Yes, Mr Speaker, the example is -- [Interruption.]
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
    Hon Member, are you up on a point of order?
    Mr Avedzi 1:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member said that we are borrowing without coming to Parliament. I do not know which body the Ministry of Finance borrowed from without coming to Parliament. If he has any evidence or facts, he should bring them here for us to see.
    This is because if he said, we borrow without coming to Parliament, he should tell us.
    If it is the issue about the Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC), it is a matter that they themselves have gone to court. So, please, Mr Speaker, if he could speak to the issue. If he has any fact that the Ministry of Finance went to borrow without coming to Parliament, he should bring that fact here.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, how do you respond?
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I always speak when I have my facts. Mr Speaker, I would give the example of when the Government of Ghana (GoG) borrowed without coming to Parliament. In November, 2012, GoG issued bonds to raise GH¢200 million for the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA). That money was not part of the general Appropriation for 2012. It was not.
    Mr Speaker, this was a clear example of GoG borrowing money without coming to Parliament. It was not part of the Appropriation, not at all.
    Mr Speaker, so I proceed.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Mr Avedzi 1:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think that the Hon Member is misleading this House.
    Mr Speaker, if he does not know, he should ask his seniors to teach him. Whenever we approve Budget Statements in this House, where the revenue is short by the expenditure, we give the Minister for Finance the power to raise funds by the issue of bonds to balance the budget.
    Whenever the Minister for Finance is going to issue a bond or a Treasury Bill, he does not need to come to this House
    for approval. In 2012 that the Hon Member is referring to, as one of the measures of the Minister for Finance to manage the Budget Statement of the country, he went to borrow money for SADA. It did not need to come to this House.
    So, he should have his facts correctly before he speaks.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Old Tafo?
    Dr A. A. Osei 1:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the “Co- Minister for Finance” is trying to justify something and he is asking us to teach our Colleague.
    Mr Speaker, this matter is very clear. We do not want to revisit it, but the facts are the following. When we approve the Budget Statement, we give the Minister for Finance the authority to raise money -- but it is in the Budget Statement. It is called Net Domestic Financing; the Minister knows that.
    The GH¢200 million was over and above that. Mr Speaker, this is why the Ministry came to the Finance Committee and admitted that they did that. This is because we asked them: “Did you actually raise GH¢200 million?” Later on, they said, “No, we raised GH¢165 million.” This is because there was GH¢35 million missing.
    As of now, neither SADA nor the Ministry can tell us where the GH¢35 million is. So, it is past; from 2012, let us move on. It is a fact; it is here. [Interruption]-- I am teaching them.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
    Hon Member, please, address the Chair.
    Dr A. A. Osei 1:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Minister knows that there is a line item called Net Domestic Financing. That GH¢ 200 million was over and above.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
    Hon Members, I do not want this debate to drag into this particular issue.
    Hon Member for Effutu, could you avoid such dangerous ground and make your submissions?
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Bagbin 1:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, one thing I would want to draw the attention of the House to, is that, the issue he referred to concerning the borrowing of money by GNPC, is a legal issue. [Interruption]-- In the response of Dr A. A. Osei to reactions from this side of the aisle, he brought in the name. Initially -- [Interruption.]
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
    Hon Members, would you please, listen to him?
    Mr Bagbin 1:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would just want to draw attention to the fact that under our rules, even though you could refer to such an issue because it is pending in court, it should be done in such a way that you do not prejudice the interest of the parties. I just sat and heard people referring to it. It is important that we move away from that one. That is the first thing.
    The second thing, Mr Speaker, is for us to always focus on the issue on the floor -- Relevance. Yes, in a debate, you could refer to something but not to dwell on that issue because the issue of relevance is important. You could refer to it and then relate it to the subject matter. But not try to derail the debate and let us start talking about this issue of equalisation and all those things. It poisons the debate.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Effutu?
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I believe that we are all here to learn. I take a cue from what the Majority Leader has just said.
    Mr Speaker, the point I was trying to emphasise was that, Government has committed itself to doing other things relevant to governance, and I believe that an important institution like the National Media Commission is equally entitled to such governmental attention. This is because Mr Speaker, if the European Union (EU) could use its taxpayer's money to provide Ghana such equipment and it is only left with housing, which has been hanging on for the past three years, it is not only embarrassing but shameful.
    To make matters worse, the Finance Minister and his able deputies, unfortunately, were unable to meet with them to address their concerns. And this is captured in the Report. [Interruption] -- It is here.
    Mr Speaker, the last but one paragraph 1:10 p.m.
    “The Committee was informed that several attempts by the Com- mission to meet the Minister for Finance on the matter had failed.”
    [Interruption.] Yes.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Old Tafo?
    Dr A. A. Osei 1:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleague here said he is here to learn and I would want him to remember that nobody here is “Uncle Ato” -- [Laughter.] He should not use that word. We do not refer to our Hon Colleague as “Uncle Ato”, even if he is his uncle. He should refer to him properly -- “Deputy Minister for Finance.” [Laughter.]
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I was referring to Hon Cassiel Ato Forson, whom I am three months older than -- [Laughter.] Mr Speaker, so, in sum -- To conclude -- [Interruption.]
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Avedzi, are you up on a point of order?
    Mr Avedzi 1:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member just said “Hon Kingsley”. There is no Hon Member called “Kingsley” here
    -- 1:10 p.m.
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, to conclude, this Committee has drawn our attention to a very important matter , which I believe that if Government is able to take it on board, it would go a long way to help the National Media Commission
    (NMC).
    On this note, Mr Speaker, I will resume my seat and I thank you for your kind audience.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
    Thank you very much.
    Mr Emmanuel K. Bedzrah (NDC -- Ho West) 1:10 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to the Motion.
    Mr Speaker, the National Media Commission (NMC), we all know, is an independent constitutional body and one of the functions of the NMC. If you would permit me, is in article 167, which states that:
    “(b) to take all appropriate measures to ensure the establishment and maintenance of the highest journalistic standards in the mass media, including the investigation, mediation and settlement of complaints made against or by the press or other mass media.”
    Mr Speaker, you know in this country that the work of the NMC is supposed to mediate but most often than not, you see people arguing on our mass media, on radio stations and even to the point that it results in court cases.
    I would want to urge the Media Commission to do its work according to our Constitution, the functions given to them to do their work.
    Mr Speaker, it is also interesting to note that the National Media Commission, as we all know, last year, 2014 Budget Statement, was supposed to have about GH¢4.1 million to work effectively but unfortunately, they were given about 50 per cent of the amount that was approved.
    If a woman is carrying a baby and the woman is not well fed, she would give birth to a malnourished baby. That is exactly what is happening to our media landscape in this country. This is because the woman who is carrying the baby -- The mother who is supposed to have the resources and all the energy to give birth, does not have those resources; we are having malnourished media in this country and
    that is what is reflecting. People talk on our radio stations -- People talk on our media landscape anyhow because the person who is supposed to prevent or check them is not checking them.
    Mr Speaker, with all this inadequate funding, they have chalked some achievements in 2014 and it gladdens my heart that at least, they have sensitised some journalists and media owners and that has reduced, as you can see in your Committee's Report, in paragraph 4.2 -- the complaints that we have received from most people in this country. They have done extremely well but in other cases, they need to do more.
    Mr Speaker, the outlook for 2015, which if you would also permit me in paragraph five, where it states that:
    “The Commission will establish Regional Media Advisory Committees (RMACs)…”
    I believe this would go a long way to help our media landscape in both the regional and the district levels.
    With these few words, Mr Speaker, I thank you.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Members, I believe we have had enough by way of debate. I do not know if the Leadership would want to make some contributions. Otherwise -- [Interruption] --
    Very well.
    Yes?
    Mr Bagbin 1:10 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    I stated here earlier [Interruption.] Sorry?
    We carried on this debate in accordance with the Standing Orders of the House but we are unable to take a decision and therefore, we would continue. This is because our Standing Orders under Order 109 says so, and with your permission, I would just quote it for the records:
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Subin?
    Mr Isaac Osei 1:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, before the Motion is seconded, I just wish to bring the attention of the House to remarks
    which were made by Hon Yieleh Chireh yesterday. I believe where he complained about the absence of Hon Ministers on the floor.
    I would urge the Leadership to ensure that Ministers come for the debate. I think the Budget Statement is probably the most important document, which they use to carry out their work in the various Ministries. He lamented their absence and he is right, and I would urge the Leaders to ensure that Ministers are here.
    We see often a few Deputy Ministers come in, but I think that if they are here, it would enrich the debate and it would help all of us.
    I thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin 1:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Motion has been arrested by this contribution. I would want to assure Hon Members that I have been in touch with the Executive and His Excellency the President together with the Chief of Staff, who have assured me that they would insist -- In fact, they said we should even insist that the Hon Ministers themselves should appear before the House and not the Deputy Ministers.
    That is from the Presidency and I drew their attention to the difficulty we were facing in getting some of the Ministers to appear before the House to even assist us process their own estimates they submitted to the Ministry of Finance.
    I have commended the Ministry of Finance because the Minister himself, together with his deputies are always available in the House throughout these few weeks since they presented the Budget Statement. I did commend them and told His Excellency the President.
    But I really hammered the point that has been raised and they assured me that they would give directives to make sure that the Ministers appear to continue with the Business Statement they submitted through the Ministry of Finance to the House.
    My attention has been drawn that my good Brother is here, the Minister for Energy and Petroleum, who has also consistently showed commitment to the work of this House as a Member of Parliament and a Minister of State and we also commend him.
    So, Mr Speaker, action is being taken on the issue and I hope from next week, we will see some improvement in the attendance by Ministers themselves, and not their deputies; Ministers themselves should appear before the House.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. But I would want to renew my Motion, that we do adjourn.
    Mr Domini B. A. Nitiwul 1:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, before I second the Motion, I would want to just say that I hope the Ministers are listening to the Majority Leader when he says that the Presidency itself wants them
    to come to Parliament. Not just Parliament, in fact, they are even needed more at the committee level. You go to the committee level and most of the time it is the Deputy Ministers who are there; the Ministers are giving one excuse or the other.
    It is not good and I think this House must stamp its authority in some of these things. Then the fact that the numbers are not up to half, we should go rigorously from next week and then we see.
    With this, I beg to second the Motion for the adjournment.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:30 p.m.
    Very well.
    Thank you very much, Hon Members for attending today's Sitting.
    The Motion has been moved and seconded, that this House stands adjourned to Monday at 10 .00 o'clock in the forenoon.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    ADJOURNMENT 1:30 p.m.