Debates of 4 Feb 2015

MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 11:05 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 11:05 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Hon Members, Correction of Votes and Proceedings.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Hon Members, there are no Official Reports to be dealt with. However, , but two Statements have been admitted and we will take them one after the other.
There is a Statement which stands in the name of the Hon Member of Parliament for South Tongu -- Hon Kobena Woyome in memory of the late Dr Bernard Kwasi Glover.
Hon Woyome?
STATEMENTS 11:05 a.m.
Mr Kobena M. Woyome (NDC -- South Tongu) 11:05 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to make this Statement in memory of the late Dr Bernard Kwasi Glover.
Mr Speaker, I am grateful for this opportunity to make this Statement in memory of the late Dr Bernard Kwasi Glover -- our father, comrade and one of
Mr Kobena M. Woyome (NDC -- South Tongu) 11:05 a.m.


our finest Statesmen who has duly paid his due to God and country.

Born 74 years ago at Akutukope- Agave on 24th March, 1940, the young and brilliant Bernard Kwasi Glover attended the Adutor Roman Catholic Primary and Anyako EP Middle Schools. From 1955 to 1960, he completed his Cambridge School plus Cambridge Higher School Certificate with flying colours at the Keta Secondary School and Mawuli Secondary School, Ho, respectively.

A savvy geographer with specialty in geomorphology and vested interest in rivers, Dr B. K. Glover was a pioneering Ghanaian to obtain Masters in Geography in 1966 from the University of Ghana, where he had his BA (Hons) Geography. Buoyed to achieve higher academic laurels, he pursued his PhD (Geography) from the University of Califonia, Los Angeles (UCLA), USA from 1968 to 1971.

With his enthusiasm to impart knowledge to others, he lectured in Geography at the University of Cape Coast from 1966 to 1975 -- a period within which he became Assistant Professor of Geography at the California State University, San Fernando Valley, North Ridge, California in 1970.

Mr Speaker, after 10 years in academia at the University of Cape Coast, he joined the Ghana Tourist Board to grab the essential expertise which would later propel him greatly in his business life. It was during his days as Director of Research, Planning and Development at the Ghana Tourist Board that Dr Bernard Kwasi Glover's entrepreneurial dexterity matured and bore juicy fruit as he established in 1980, the erstwhile Kasa Distilleries Ltd. at Teshie/Nungua, Accra.

He successfully steered this company to produce various dry gins, schnapps, brandy, wine and whisky, among others until 1985 when he fully materialised his latent love for investing in the tourism/ hospitality business upon acquiring critical technicalities of the venture at the Ghana Tourist Board.

As an evergreen, hardworking per- sonality, Dr Glover set up and steadily nurtured from 1984 to date, indeed, his most prominent entrepreneurial outfit, Villa Cisneros Resort and Spa — the alluring total vacation and conferencing facility located on the eastern bank of the Volta River at Sogakope, which provides employment to 50 permanent and 40 informal staff.

A worthy son of Ghana, Dr Glover's rich academic work/professional and vast life experience has meritoriously seen him chair countless institutional and corporate Boards within the last four decades, including the Tongu District Assembly, State Hotels Corporation, Volta Regional Corporation, Coca Cola Bottling Company of Ghana, Ghana/Ivory Coast Joint Permanent Commission for Co- operation on Tourism, and the Ghana/ Benin Joint on Permanent Commission for Co-operation on Tourism in the 1980s.

He was also a member of the University Academic Board, UCC, Ghana Tourist Board, Ghana Tourist Development Company, Daily Graphic, Environmental Protection Council, Volta Regional Coordinating Council and the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) -- (Water Resources Research Unit).

Politically astute and very vibrant over the years, Dr B. K. Glover remained a confident member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); was a former

member of the Volta R.E.C. of the party and Ghana's presidential advisory body- - the Council of State, meritoriously representing the Volta Region on that national platform.

Possessing a philanthropic personality that marched his political being, he was instrumental in supporting the people of Sogakope and its environs and some parts of the Volta Region with educational facilities, churches and some traditional authorities.

He will be remembered as a distinguished champion for peace and the rights of man. His inspiration, his tremendous courage, his integrity and the warmth of his feeling for his fellow men will be a beacon to those who share his convictions and inspira- tions.

Mr Speaker, during these difficult times for the family especially the wife and children, we want to assure them of our support and prayers. We believe that the Almighty God will grant them strength and fortitude to be able to pull through this challenging moment.

Mr Speaker, his burial and funeral service is taking place this weekend at Akutukope -- Sogakope District, South Tongu District.

On this note, Mr Speaker, I thank you once again, for this opportunity.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Thank you very much.
Hon Members, we will take contri- butions, and you know that with Statements, they should be non- controversial.
Yes, Hon Member?
Mr Joe K. Gidisu (NDC -- Central Tongu) 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise to add my voice to the tribute being paid to one of the greatest Statesmen from the Tongu area in the Volta Region, who distinguished himself across the landscape of the country as an academician and Statesman.
Mr Speaker, today, as a lot of Ghanaian educated elites relocate to the urban areas, Dr Glover distinguished himself as a very passionate person attached to his hometown, Akutukope and no wonder, this weekend, that is where his mortal remains would be laid to rest.
Dr Glover was a father as well as a godfather to most of us. He was very open and listened to whatever issue one took to him. He was one of the senior members of the community, who was consulted on issues of various dimensions.
To those of us in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party in particular, we will forever miss him, especially at this time when a lot of our senior members from the region, like the loss of the late Prof. Kofi Awoonor are no more with us. He was, a few weeks ago, in very good health but suddenly, fell ill and was called to eternity. A situation which should guide all of us, that as mortals, no one knows when he or she will be called to the glory of God.
His demise is a big blow to most of us and the family in particular. On such an occasion, one can only say that, all those things that he stood for in trying to make an impact on the environment that makes Cisneros one of the beautiful resort centres along the Volta River, people of similar visions will take it up from where he has left off.
I would, therefore, want to extend my sincere condolences to the wife and the bereaved family, the children and all those who were very close to him and hope that, most of us will go there on Saturday to join the family to see him off.
With these few words, Mr Speaker, I can only wish him a very peaceful rest in the bosom of the Lord.
Thank you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Thank you very, much.
Yes Hon Member?
Mr Emmanuel K. Bedzrah (NDC -- Ho West) 11:15 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement.
Mr Speaker, permit me to quote a scripture from the Bible, that says, in Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, verse 2, as follows:
“a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;” (English Standard Version)
Mr Speaker, Dr Glover has lived within this time -- 74 years within the time. He started his life as an academician, teaching at the university, moved on to become an industrialist, setting up Kasa Industry. He moved on to become an entrepreneur, establishing Hotel Cisneros.
Dr Glover was also a politician, a family man and a religious man. Within the 74 years, he had lived within all this spheres of life. It is for our generation to learn from this humble man, Dr Glover. When one visited him in the house, he would sit one down, advise and take one through life experiences as a matured politician, as an industrialist, as a family person and more
often, teach one how they could relate to one another, especially when there was a conflict in their sphere or area.
The loss of Dr Glover has been a blow to those of us who were close to him. I remember my Committee visited Sogakope and we were with him. Within a week, we heard that the man had passed on.
We shared times with him and he advised us on what to do as a Committee. It is our regret that he has passed on. We also took away the fact that, this man had lived a full life, not only as an academician, a family person but a politician and industrialist. This is joy to those of us in this generation that we can learn from people like him.
With these few words, Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Thank you very much.
Yes, Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration?
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (Ms Hannah S. Tetteh) (MP) 11:15 a.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity.
I also rise to pay tribute to the late Dr Glover, former member of the Council of State.
I did not have the opportunity to meet Dr Glover, perhaps, in his earlier years but I recall my interactions with him when I was occupying the position of Minister for Trade and Industry. And whenever I had the need or the opportunity to go and brief the Council of State, I remember that he was one of the members of the Council of State who literally took me on on every single policy issue and initiative.
He wanted to understand why we were doing it that way, what did we hope to achieve, what were the outcomes but more
importantly, what were going to be the benefits for the ordinary Ghanaian who was living in a village or small town, who could begin to see that there was an opportunity for him or her because of the initiative that we had introduced.
He was very much a respected entrepreneur; he was someone who had an abiding curiosity and was always looking for new ways, new ideas and new policy initiatives that would help to make change in the lives of many people as possible.
It was, indeed, my honour to have known this man before he passed on. I think that he undoubtedly, contributed significantly to the development of his region and our country. After having lived a long and fruitful life, it is hoped that he would be given a peaceful rest in the arms of the Lord.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Thank you very much.
Yes, Hon Member?
Mrs Juliana Azumah-Mensah (NDC -- Agotime-Ziope) 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for the opportunity to associate myself with this Statement in memory of Dr Glover, a former member of the Council of State.
Mr Speaker, Dr Glover was a mentor to me, especially because as soon as I was appointed the Hon Minister for Tourism, he called me. As of that time, I never knew him, so, he introduced himself, that he was very happy that I had been appointed,
Mrs Juliana Azumah-Mensah (NDC -- Agotime-Ziope) 11:25 a.m.


and that he would wish to work with me. He then said that he had a passion for tourism, and he would like to invite me to his Spa, the Villa Cisneros Resort.

Obviously, I was happy when I got there. I remember “Papa Jay” was also there to promote -- [Laughter.] Since then he had been visiting me at the Ministry of Tourism -- and I got to know that he was passionate about tourism, not only because he was a stakeholder of the tourism industry and his Villa Cisneros, but to the development of the tourism industry in the whole of Ghana.

As has been said, he was a member of the Council of State, and since then he had been very good in giving pieces of advice on whichever topic that came on.

So, I wish to extend my condolences to the wife and the children and the family. We hope that the children or the family would keep his legacy of the Villa Cisneros Resort. This is because when one goes there, the tilapia that one would get on one's plate stretches from one side of the plate to the other, and a lot of people talk about it. Also the scenery and the environment bring one's blood pressure down. I hope that legacy would be kept and preserved for his memory.

Mr Speaker, on this note, I would wish to thank the maker of the Statement, and I thank you for the opportunity.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Thank you very much.
That was the last contribution I was taking.

Very well.

I have decided to revise the order that I made earlier, and to allow Hon Titus- Glover, who rose up to make a contribution.

Nii -Kwartei Daniel Titus-Glover (NPP -- Tema East): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

I would want to associate myself with the Statement made by my Hon Colleague, Hon Kobena Woyome in memory of the late Dr Glover.

Our names look alike, even though mine starts with Titus; we are virtually the same people. The Glovers are scattered in all parts of the country -- in Ga Mashie proper, Tongu area, around Sogakope, Ada, Anglo, Cape Coast, and what have you.

I do not know Dr Glover in person, but I have heard a lot of good remarks about him and his philanthropic spirit. Also, the fact that the combination of his academic background and his passion for tourism had been very phenomenon.

I believe that, like earlier speakers have said, we have lost a great son from Tonguland. I believe that a lot of things that he has left us with, should be well protected. This is because as a young man, who has gone through hard times, for him to succeed, is something that we need to emulate.

Mr Speaker, from the Statement made by Hon Woyome, he described him as “a champion for peace and the rights of man”. What else can man do? If somebody was a symbol of peace, anywhere he stepped and there was a problem, immediately, peace was brought to that area. That is somebody we need to adore so much. I believe that the people of Tongu in particular, and the Volta land are going to miss him dearly.

It is my prayer, that we the young ones should emulate the examples of Dr Glover. I believe that, as a House, we should be part in sharing the sympathy and the condolences of the family and the people of the Volta Region.

Mr Speaker, with these few words, I am so grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Yes, Honourable?
Mr Boniface G. Adagbila (NPP -- Nabdam) 11:25 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.I got to know Dr Glover when I began to use his facilities for capacity building of managers in various sectors. He was such an amenable person, free-going and supportive. However, looking at the information I have seen here today, I did not know he was such a wonderful person.
My concern, from what I read here and knowing him, is that, we have not made full use of this kind of human resource we had in the country. This was someone who was able to apply his knowledge from working with the Ghana Tourism Board to his own entrepreneurship business. That alone is a lesson and a learning for everyone in the country. This is someone who should have been put in a big leadership position for people to learn from him practically while working with him.
He rose to a level of becoming a member of the Council of State. But in that capacity, what much could he have done to reach out to people in the ten regions of Ghana? This should be a lesson to current and future Governments, that, when we have people of this calibre, we should make full use of their capacity. We should put them in positions where younger ones can learn
from them, and emulate their practical experiences. I am sure if he had been put in a much more leadership position, we would have got a lot of his Cisneros in the country.
So, this is the lesson I would want to extract from this Statement presented by my Hon Chairman, Mr Woyome, to say that as Hon Member of Parliament (MP) for that area, he should try for us to see all these people to talk to our governments both current and future,-- We will also talk to our Government, that is, the in- coming Government soon, then we develop people of this calibre.
Mr Speaker, I would want to thank you for this input.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Thank you very much.
Hon Members, the second Statement is also a ceremonial one in memory of Dr J. B. Danquah by Hon J. B. Danquah Adu, Member for Abuakwa North.
Commemorative 50th Anniversary Statement on Dr Joseph
Boakye Danquah
Mr Joseph Boakye Adu Danquah (NPP -- Abuakwa North) 11:35 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity.
My Statement is titled “Dr J. B. Danquah, Kwame Kyeretwie, the Doyen and Saint Patriot of Gold Coast Politics.”
Mr Speaker, it is a 50th Anniversary Statement, to commemorate his death, exactly this hour, 4th February, 1965.
Mr Speaker, thank you for allowing me to make this Statement on Dr Joseph Boakye Danquah, also known as Kwame
Mr Joseph Boakye Adu Danquah (NPP -- Abuakwa North) 11:35 a.m.


Kyeretwie, affectionately referred to as the Doyen and Saint Patriot of Gold Coast Politics.

To start with, Mr Speaker, who is the man J. B? To some people, the mere mention of Dr J. B. Danquah's name engenders controversy and it makes them cringe, while to others, the name is profoundly inspirational and inspires national pride. I belong to the latter group.

J. B. was born on 21st December, 1895. He was a nat ive and royal from Adadiatem in Kyebi in the Eastern Region.

At age 20, he was the Registrar of the Akyem Abuakwa Tribunal and Secretary to the occupant of the Ofori Panin Stool, Kyebi.

At age 37,, he was awarded the John Stuart Mill Scholar in Philosophy of Mind and Logic at the University of London.

At age 31, he was called to the Bar Inner Temple in London .

At age 32, a Doctor of Philosophy was conferred on him. After his thesis “the Moral end is Moral Excellence” was presented and accepted.

At the ripe age of 32, J.B. was ready to take on the colonial masters and this system and for the next 20 years, J.B. devoted his life to amending the colonial Constitution to allow Ghanaians and their chiefs to have a greater say and autonomy in the running of affairs of this country.

One of the greatest achievements was the Legislative Union under the Burns Constitution that brought the Ashantis and the colony together, otherwise, we could have found ourselves like India and Pakistan or the

Ashanti Kingdom would have been like the Kingdom of Swaziland.

Danquah at age 52 believed that the Burns Constitution of 1946 was dead and did not grant us freedom or control over policy, hence he sough t to bring changes and that it would be fruitless and pointless to live by and with this dead Constitution. Hence, in January 1947, in the company of Paa Grant, Awoonor-Williams and R.S. Blay, they conceived the Uni ted Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) to be the arrowhead of our independent struggle. Therefore, on August 1947 at Saltpond, Danquah delivered the inaugural speech which set the tone for our independence.
Mr Speaker, he said and I beg to quote 11:35 a.m.
“Mr Chairman , Ladies and Gentlemen... we have come to take a decision whether our country and people are any longer to tolerate a system of Government under which those who are in control are not under the control of those who are governed.”
In this speech, talks about our ancien t fr eedom, the Gold Coast freedom. . .
“Love of freedom from foreign control has always been in our blood.”
“Eight hundred and seventy (870) year s ago, we left the Arab persecution and came down here to build a new home and we brought with us our Ancient Freedom.”
“Our duty is clear. It is our duty to alter the Constitution in such a way that both chiefs and people will have the reality of power in their hands. That is the object of the Convention.”
With this speech , the road to independence had formally begun and the foundation stone had been laid.
In 1960, Danquah celebrated our ach ievement of independence and wrote:
“When independence was achieved, the Convention People's Party had not been formed. The inauguration of independence took place when CPP was in power but the priest who baptises a child is not by any chance the child's parent.”
During the February 28 disturbances, where the “Big Six” were arrested,'Danquah's cablegram to the colonial office in London necessi ta ted the Watson Committee where J.B. excelled and mesmerised the Commission with his insight into the political thinking and aspira t ions of the leader s of the Conven t ion , which led to broad recommendations on constitutional reforms, that led to the constitution of the Coussey Committee of which J.B. Danquah was a member.
Accordingly, in 1949, before the month in which CPP was formed, a new constitution was drafted and passed, which formed the const i tut ional framework under which the 1951,1954, 1957 elections were conducted, which eventually gave Ghana our beloved country independence.
My Speaker, the above is a very abridged rope tale of events about J.B. Danquah's fight towards our attainment of independence.
Unfortunately, having served two detentions without trial, J.B paid dearly and paid the ultimate sacrifice a leader can ever make, that is, ‘‘to die for others in what you believed in '' on the morning of February 4, 1965.
My Speaker, the tributes will be useful to mention:
Martin Wright-- “Dr Danquah is the Sieyes of the Gold Coast. The unification which Ashanti could not accomplish by Military Force in the 18th and 19th centuries has been brought about...the year 1946 has the same significance in Gold Coast history as 1707 has in Britain.”
West African Review -- “J. B.'s place in Ghana's History is assured even though in the end, he never held power. He was justified to be called ‘A GREAT
GHANAIAN.”
“It is an irony of history that a Great Pioneer of Ghanaian scholar sh ip should die in a detention camp barely eight (8) year s after his coun try had become free from foreign domination” -- Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe
“J.B. was an Indomitable Fighter, the Freedom for which he fought the cause of Human Rights and Civil Liberties under the rule of law in which he made his battleground a universal cause is worthy of the highest and best of intellect and spirit” -- Prof K. A.Busia
“It was Dr Danquah who led in the liberation of Ghana and achieved it. It was he who fought and whose sterling worth laid the foundation of that fr eedom for which demagogue later had the credit and it will be he who will be remembered for this and for his own innate goodness by genera- tions of Ghanaians yet to come”-
- E LANCE MALLALIEM Q.C,
M.P.
Mr Speaker, he said and I beg to quote 11:35 a.m.


“DANQUAH was too intellec- tually honest to be a success in the Politics of his days. But it is a happy reflection that the Ideals of Democracy and Rule of Law for which he fought and died are now emerging triumphant in Ghana” - - Chief Obafemi Awolowo

“It is di fficul t to think of a successor to J.B.” -- B. K. Edusei

“Few men in our time and age have made a GREATER CONTRIBU- TION to the advancement of their country than that made by the late Dr J.B.Danquah, for selflessness, self-sacrifice and devotion to duty and to an ideal it was hard to find his equal”--A. Casely Hayford

“Since 1948, I have been privileged to visit many African countries. There, I have met the leaders of the newly emergent nations...But, there is no one of them whom I remember with great affection and regard than Joseph Boakye Danquah”-- Sir Dingle Foot

Dr J.B.Danquah, “Akuafo Kanea Kwame Danquah; you who led the successful Farmers Delegation to Col. Oliver Stanley, Secretary of State in 1943 and drew up the Memorandum of the Farmers Case which resulted in the ultimate increase in Cocoa Price.”

“Protection of Farmers Rights, Fortress of Security for farmers”

“We proclaim and acclaim with ECSTASY and God's blessings the AKUAFO KANEA, the LIGHT and illumination of the Farmers” - - Cocoa Farmers Association

Mr Speaker, the t r ibutes and accolades are countless; but this is to say a few and how DANQUAH was seen in the eyes of other people.

Mr Speaker, from these tributes, one needs not say anything more about this great poet, philosopher, journalist, lawyer, nationalist, politician and, above all, a FIGHTER. He said “ I was born a fighter and I will die fighting.”

Danquah stood for Ghanaianism. Somebody might ask: “What is Ghanaia- nism?”

The principle of Ghanaianism is that never mind the weight and value and usefulness of material things, the position is that of Gold and of Cloth and of man; it is man who counts.

To h im, he a ttached supreme importance to the individual and the individual is an Odehye, a Prince or royal person born to freedom; this is reflected each time the news on the radio is being read--Adehyemanmma.

Individual fr eedom, per sonal ownership, personal effort should not be subordinated to that of the national or State ownership, State production and State distribution.

To Danquah, individual farmers and peasants were better served through incentives, subsidies, et cetera, than to reduce them to the level of wage earners under State control.

Let the Ghanaian own big business, big trade, big profit as individuals and not State enterprises or multi-national enterprises alone.

Mr Speaker, today, all the big sectors of the economy, whether telecom- munication, mining or infrastructure, are all owned by multi-nationals. The

Ghanaian individual does not own the great heights of the economy and this is what Dr J.B. Danquah was preaching against.

Danquah stood for rule of law and not rule of man; that is to say the right of the individual is greater than that of the State.

Danquah stood for freedom and justice for all Ghanaians

Danquah never had the opportunity to govern or rule, therefore, no comparison could be made. However, his set of achievements are second to none.

To name a few:

Danquah researched and christened the Gold Coast “Ghana”. This gave this country her present name.

When all were asleep, or making money for themselves or not quite sure that it could be, he delved into our ancient history and discovered and gave us the magic name “Ghana” --the touchstone of Gold Coast nationalism And he said, the hour of liberation has struck and begun” -- The talking drums

-- 1951

Mr Speaker, Dr J. B. Danquah gave us 6th March as our day of independence

Instrumental and advocate for a national bank, that is Central Bank (Bank of Ghana) “Gold Coast to get a national bank: two-third of proposed capital of Ł7,000,000 to be provided by farmers accumulated profits, suggests Dr J.B.Danquah on May 12,1948.

He advocated for Universi ty of Ghana.

He promoted and ensured Ashanti and the colony remained united as one country

He fought for Ghanaian farmers for better prices, hence the title: AKUAFO
KANEA 11:35 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Thank you very much.
We will now take contributions from Hon Members.
Yes, Hon Member?
Mr Fritz Frederic Baffour (NDC-- Ablekuma South) 11:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Statement made by Hon Joseph Boakye Adu Danquah, the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the tragic death of one of the greatest Ghanaians of the last century, and a great Ghanaian anytime, Dr Joseph Boakye Danquah.
Mr Speaker, I would like to quote from the famous and classic poem of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Psalm of Life, and the words of this poem encapsulate what Dr Danquah holds for Ghanaians today. I beg to quote:
“Lives of great men all remind us, We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us footprints on the sands of time. Footprints, that perhaps another, sailing o'er life's solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, seeing, shall take heart again.”
Today, this nation Ghana, is going through self-introspection, and some who have the luxury of being citizens of Ghana, sometimes question the purpose of the nation.
It was people and men like Dr J .B. Danquah who gave us the ethos of nationhood. He gave us the name of the nation. He gave us the purpose of the
nation, a nation that would look after her citizenry.
He gave it some quality in saying that the rule of law should always be foremost, that the control of the people should remain with the people. That in itself is what we are trying to achieve today, here, in the Parliament of Ghana and at this time of our nationhood.
Ghana is a nation because, people such as Dr J. B. Danquah fought for the course. They laid the foundation for the fight for independence; they were there to see the fight for independence, and tragically, some of them did not appreciate the role that he played, and he died tragically.
I do not belong to the political dispensation that Dr J. B. Danquah espoused, but I am very much aware that no nation can be built on one single political dispensation. There has to be democratic plurality, other than that, that nation will not survive.
Today, some 58 years after independence, this nation is still going on and keeping on, and we still believe that this nation will endure, and it is because of people like Dr J. B. Danquah. He is a hero in the sight of all people in Ghana. He should be emulated.
I know that people will say that there is a certain element of controversy. As I said before, I do not belong to his political dispensation, but I also believe that people like him have created the métier that we now say that we are Ghanaians, and we should be proud that in our midst and in our history, we had someone like Dr J.B. Danquah.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Thank you very much.
Yes Hon Member, I can see you resplendent in your traditional attire.
Mr Samuel Atta Akyea (NPP -- Abuakwa South) 11:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, for this unusual occasion, I would like the records to reflect that the ancestral home of Dr J.B. Danquah at Adadiantem is where my constituency is, and I thank you for giving me the opportunity.
Mr Speaker, today, by all account, is auspicious on our democratic calendar. Today is tectonics, because 50 years ago, on the 4th day of February 1965, one of the architects of our nationhood and democracy, Dr Joseph Kyerewie Boakye Danquah died in condemned cell number nine at Nsawam Prisons. Mr Speaker, the medical condition of the 69 year old philosopher, politician --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Hon Member, the Hon Member who made the Statement said it was cell number four; you are now saying it is cell number nine.
Mr Akyea 11:45 a.m.
It is cell number nine.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Very well.
Mr Akyea 11:55 a.m.
In fact, it can be gleaned from the Ghanaian establishment, that I can table, cell number nine. Yes, it is number nine.
The 69 year old philosopher, politician, parliamentarian, lawyer and journalist, was very acute. His condition was very acute and well known to his captor that he needed not have been in the condemned cell, apart from an arrangement that he should die by instalments. It was a very sad situation, indeed.
It is worth repeating the very terse medical report which explained the cause of Dr Danquah's death. Mr Speaker, with your kind permission, I would beg to quote the medical report. It is very terse.
“J.B.DANQUAH - DECEASED
The above-named deceased was suffering from Chronic Bronchial Asthma, Hypertension, and Chronic Myocarditis. He was examined and treated by me from the past month at the Prison Hospital and on the 4th February, 1965 at 6:20a.m. he suffered acute attack of heart failure, and shortly afterwards he died.
2. In my opinion death is due to the acute Heart Failure.
(Sgd.)Dr. R. NEGOVETIC Medical Officer”
Mr Speaker, it is very necessary to find out how Dr Danquah ended up in the Nsawam Prisons, and that is what I would want to do in contributing to the Statement.

Needless to say Mr Speaker, it was the then Parliament that passed the Anti Rule of Law and Anti Due Process Act. Ironically Mr Speaker, President Nkrumah used the PDA to detain the following Members of Parliament: Hon Joe Appiah, Member of Parliament for Atwima Amansie; Hon Victor Owusu, Member of
Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarask Muntaka 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on a point of order.

We all know that in contributing to a Statement, we do not make statements that would provoke others to challenge what a person says. So, I would plead with my Hon Colleague that he should remain with the solemn nature of the Statement, so that we do not get provoked to challenge what he says. I think if he takes that it would help all of us.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Very well.
Hon Member, please continue.
Mr Akyea 11:55 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker -- [Interruption.]
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Hon Minority Leader, I do not want to drag this matter beyond this point, that is why I have chosen to --
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I think the point made by the Hon Majority Chief Whip is spot on; I agree with him, except that people should also come to this table having purged themselves of the chronic allergies that they have to certain statements. [Hear! Hear!]
Mr Akyea 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, you are a lawyer of repute and I do not see any offence in quoting the law. That is all that I have done and I am very grateful.
Mr Speaker, it is this “life and death fight” for the rule of law, waged by Dr Danquah, which subsequently informed our present democratic effort.
Mr Speaker, the whole realm of judicial review in which it is said that what Parliament does cannot be questioned came about as a direct result of this relentless war that Dr Danquah fought in the Re: Akoto case and it has now found expression in article 1(2) and also article 2(1) and (2) of our present Constitution - - the concept of state of emergency -- article 31.
That is when there is necessity for even a state of emergency, those who are victims of state of emergency should have recourse to the courts and they should have counsel. This is also the enlightenment which Dr Danquah brought to bear on our democratic journey in the Re: Akoto case.
All the provisions of the protection of rights by the court which are now embodied in article 33 of our Constitution, is one of the serious things that Dr Danquah did in the name of the rule of law and also civil liberties. That Parliament has no power to enact any law to establish a one-party State -- article 3(1) of our present Constitution has the historical antecedent of what Dr Danquah did in trying to shed light, that it is dangerous for one man to rule rather than to have the Constitution being the foundation of the
State. Protection of personal liberties -- article 14 of our present Constitution and article 107 which forbid that Parliament should come out with any law to set aside a judgement of a court of competent jurisdiction.
Mr Speaker, Dr Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah was the epitome of self sacrifice in the democratic freedom that we are enjoying at the moment. A quotation of him has been given by my Hon Colleague, Hon J. B. Danquah Adu and I would not want to repeat it.
Mr Speaker, I am about to sit down; something very interesting happened. The committee put together by Okyehene and the family of Dr J. B. Danquah wanted this House and prominent members of the New Patriotic Party to visit the Nsawam Prisons to see where the man died, and it would be a very solemn moment for us to reflect on the price he paid in helping us to secure our present freedom.
We wrote a harmless letter to the Minister for the Interior, copied to the Director of Prisons. Unfortunately, the Minister for the Interior gave us a very chilly response; that for the first time the Nsawam Prisons had become a security zone. [Interruption.] We found it very, very unfortunate.
Mr Speaker, we found it extremely unfortunate because we know that the individuals who wanted to embark on this holy prilgrimage, as it were, are not lawless men; they were not going to carry clubs and tear gas; it is to go and say a prayer in the very cell where the man died and that should not have been a problem in affecting national security or whatsoever. It is, indeed, sad.
Mr Speaker, we paid a visit to the ancestral home of Dr Danquah and met the queenmother, the Adedietemhemaa.
Mr Akyea 11:55 a.m.


These were the words of the queen mother: “okyeretwie, okyereakwan Tyman, ydi wo ay pray aprapra aprapra. Afei de yato wo atwene”. This means, “The one who arrested the leopard, the pathfinder, the nation builder -- [Interruption.] -- you have been reduced to a broom-- used to clear all the mess of Ghana, and finally, like a broom, you have been dumped somewhere.

“Akyem Preprah, Damirafa due; Kyeretwie, wopkupku bkoe; Dr Danquah, Damirifa due; Akuafo kania, Ghanaman da wo ase”

Mr Speaker, I thank you for this historic moment -- [Hear! Hear!] -- I would like to invite all Hon Members to a commemorative lecture at 5:00 p.m. at the International Conference Centre. And it will sit well with our understanding of democracy that you grace the occasion with your presence.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
Thank you very much.
Yes, Hon Minister?
Minister for Employment and Labour Relations (Mr Haruna Iddrisu)(MP) 12:05 p.m.
Mr Speaker, let me thank you for the opportunity to associate myself with the Statement ably made by the Hon J.B Adu Danquah, Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, in celebrating the life of Dr J.B Danquah, the Doyen and Saint Patriot of Gold Coast politics.
Mr Speaker, in doing so, let me recognise that the Western Committee of Enquiry into the 1948 riots undoubtly described Dr J.B Danquah as the doyen of Gold Coast politics. But Mr Speaker, I am compelled to respond to Hon Atta Akyea in setting some historical facts straight, while I concentrate on my contribution on the lessons of Dr J. B Danquah's life -- implications for us today and working into the future.
Mr Speaker, to paraphrase the Hon Atta Akyea, he first of all referred to article 3 of the 1992 Constitution. I am sure while reading it, he reminded himself that some tradition abandoned even the process of getting the Constitution in place. Yet, he recognises that a brilliant provision in that Constitution makes reference to some of our important historical antecedents -- in no doubt.
Indeed, Mr Speaker, I am inspired by the life -- In fact, I have read the thesis of Dr J. B Danquah, entitled, “The Moral End of Moral Excellence” which won him his Doctor of Philosophy Degree. But ordinarily, as I said, I know our Standing Orders do not permit debate. But once this is a House of records, and the Hon Member has put it on record, Mr Speaker, let me remind him that, the first lesson is for this august House to resolve, as we have done, that never again will we allow for use of institutions, including the use of Government power to trample on fundamental rights and freedom of any citizen of this country, including the Preventive Detention Act (PDA), which he referred to.
Mr Speaker, let him be reminded, when he said PDA, I was going to -- for that purpose, the word “Act” -- Preventive Detention Act passed by the Legislative Assembly. It was, if this Parliament, in passing a law, which will restr ict fundamental liberties and freedom -- In
my view, that is the first lesson we must learn, that never again in the life of this country will this House tolerate the introduction of such piece of legislation which will be a disincentive to the growth and enhancement of our democratic culture and values.
Mr Speaker, the second lesson for all of us, particularly the major political parties in our country, is to avoid the crippling into our politics violent opposition. As part of the legacy of Dr Danquah's life, we must also assert that when we lose in an election, we should be honourable in accepting defeat.
I will share some historical facts, Mr Speaker. In the election of 1960, Dr Danquah pulled about 124,000 votes out of 1 million. Significantly, he won in the Volta Region in that particular election. But the difficulty was in accepting the outcome of that election he referred to -- he was released. Mr Speaker, I said I needed to set a record straight; even though inspired by the earlier Statement -- He was released in June 22, 1962 and on January 8,1964, he was arrested again, which was not related to the PDA. -- I am making a point.
The first arrest was in respect of the PDA. The second one was when Police Constable Ametewee got into the life of Dr Kwame Nkrumah to assassinate him -- [Interruption.] -- I said, I was setting a historical record --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
Order! Order!
Mr H. Iddrisu 12:05 p.m.
On January 8, 1964, he was arrested and detained after Police Constable Ametewee's attempt on the life of Dr Kwame Nkrumah on the grounds of the Flagstaff House. Dr Danquah was
alleged to have been associated with this assassination attempt. I am saying that ordinarily, this should not be my response to this wonderful Statement.
For the historical facts, I am just stating that we must learn from his life. Apart from the respect for fundamental life and freedom -- nobody can take that credit away from him. But we also must learn the lesson, and I believe that we have. I am encouraged by the development and even by the capacity of our political parties since 1993, that we are beginning to develop and straighten democratic values with the major political traditions. But I said that violent opposition is something we must collectively resolve not to make a part of our politics.
Mr Speaker, there was also one good thing about Dr Danquah, which my Hon Colleague rightly captured, that we fought for the course of farmers. In fact, that is why they referred to him as -- my Twi is not good -- “Akuafo Kania” (The light of farmers) -- [Laughter.] -- This was because of his role in 1947, in establishing the Cocoa Marketing Board (CMB). This is a useful lesson.
Mr Speaker, we need to go beyond our continuous dependence on cocoa and its exports to grow the economy as my Hon Colleague, Mr Fritz-Baffour said.
So Mr Speaker, Dr Danquah was a very good academic, good philosopher and politician. He contributed enormously and undoubtedly to the independence of our country and the role he played in the formation of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC).
Subsequently -- Mr Speaker, I will end on this note -- the politics of the masses versus the politics of professionals. I am sure if an analysis is made of what caused his defeat in the 1960 elections, all
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
Thank you very much.
We will take the three of you in this order -- Hon Member for Sekondi, Hon Isaac Osei and then Hon Prof. Gyan -- Baffour.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah (NPP -- Sekondi) 12:15 p.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to make a few comments on the Statement made by the Hon Member for Abuakwa North, Hon Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu, a grand nephew of the late Dr Joseph Boakye Danquah.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah (NPP -- Sekondi) 12:15 p.m.
“6. Do not be anxious, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guide your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Ecclesiastes 3: 1 also states:

“To everything there is a season, and time for every matter or purpose under heaven”.

Mr Speaker, in my view, the purpose of this commemorative Statement is to learn from the life of someone who is acknowledged to be a nationalist, a lawyer and a Statesman. As regards how he died, we all know that it was under very sad circumstances. As Ghanaians, we all agree that never again would we let such a thing happen.

But Mr Speaker, the life of the late Dr J. B. Danquah was a life of selflessness. Someone, who would acquire knowledge, and use the knowledge for the benefit of the people. He did not use his skill as a lawyer for personal gain but he used that skill to espouse principles and values that he thought transcended his personal comfort.

Of course, on his death, he did not leave legacies of properties; no! But his legacy ought to influence us as we seek to lead in whatever capacity --whether as leaders of families, leaders of communities, leaders of constituencies or leaders of a nation.

Mr Speaker, this was a man who bore no ill will, even against those who put him in situations that made his life unbearable,

and that is a lesson which we ought to learn; to be forgiven of one another, even in our quest to seek or to maintain political power.

Mr Speaker, we also ought to learn that in this life, our objective as leaders is to leave legacies that would positively influence the lives of those who come after us.

Mr Speaker, I am sure that if it was to gain political power alone and it was to appeal to the masses to gain political power, then somebody like Dr Danquah may have compromised on his principles. We may not agree with somebody on his principles, but let us respect people for the principled positions that they take.

Mr Speaker, another lesson too, that we ought to learn is to be tolerant of one another's political views. We live in a nation, excuse me to say, where it seems the political space has been taken by extreme militants; that leads to intolerance.

Presently in this country, there are some well-meaning Ghanaians who never want to make public comments on matters affecting the nation, or else they would be tagged as belonging to one group or the other and that is not healthy for our country. The life of Dr J. B. Danquah should let us know that we have to move beyond that.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I would just say that the lives of Dr J. B. Danquah and others should teach us never to forget that there were those who virtually sacrificed their personal comforts to allow us and give us the opportunity to be beneficiaries of a nation called Ghana. It is on the sacrifice made by such people that we, who lead and profess to have the interest

of the people of this country at heart, should follow.

Let us not follow a path of intolerance; let us not follow a path of violence; let us follow the path of patience, tolerance and fellow feeling, for it is only through that path that we, together, in spite of our political, ethnic, social or economic situation, can contribute to make this country of ours a great country, that we all can find space to develop our talents.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
Yes, Hon Isaac Osei.
Mr Isaac Osei (NPP -- Subin) 12:15 p.m.
Thank you Mr Speaker, for this opportunity to support the Statement made by the Hon J. B. Danquah Adu on the 50th Anniversary of the passing on of a truly iconic Ghanaian hero, Dr Joseph Boakye Danquah. He remains an icon for many, not only because the ideals for which he lived and died, have gained primacy in our country but it has also gained primacy in all civilized countries of the world.
The liberty of the individual; in a country where democracy reigns supreme but is underpinned by the rule of law. That is what Dr J. B. Danquah stood for. The freedoms that we enjoy -- freedom of association and freedom of speech. These are the things that Dr J. B. Danquah espoused, especially in a very difficult period of our country.
Mr Speaker, I wish to say also that he was an icon, not only because of his ideals, but because of his achievements. If you look back at his history, we know that Dr J. B. Danquah was indeed, the first African to graduate from the University of London with a PhD in Law in the 1920s. We also know that he and others founded the West African Students' Union and became its first president in the 1920s.
Mr Isaac Osei (NPP -- Subin) 12:15 p.m.
Dr J. B. Danquah, we all know, was a scholar. His reading of Arab scholars like Ibn Battuta led him to study the Kingdom of Mali and the precursor Kingdom, the Kingdom of Ghana, with its capital as Kumbi Saleh.
It was this knowledge which he had gained that led him to suggest the name, Ghana, for our country. When he came back to Ghana, Mr Speaker, he was one of the few who managed to establish a private law firm in 1927. He was also the person who established the first formal newspaper in this country “The Times of West Africa”.
Mr Speaker, J. B. Danquah and others established the Ghana Youth Conference, of which for ten years he was the Secretary-General from 1927 to 1937. But his overriding ambition was to ensure that his country was free, just like other countries, and that its leaders would be able to galvanise the collective energies of the people for development.
Mr Speaker, if you read some of the things that Dr J. B. Danquah did -- I had the privilege this morning of going to the library to look at some of the things he said in the Legislative Council in the 1950s and one thing struck me. There was a discussion of compensation to be paid to the traders whose shops and goods had been destroyed or stolen during the 1948 riots.
One of the councillors indicated that if they agreed to compensation, it would make them unpopular and the masses would think that they had become turncoats.
There was a sentence which Dr J. B. Danquah made and I would like to share it with you. He said that: “the path of the Statesman is not always lined with a cheering crowd, it is the vision of eventual justification at the end of the path which cheers his advance”. So, clearly, this was
a Statesman who was not looking for popular acclaim, but was looking to do things which were right for his people and for his country.
Mr Speaker, a lot of people have talked about Dr J. B. Danquah's concern for property owning rights. He started with the farmers and had indicated that in this country, it was important that farmers owned their own property. But he went even further to suggest that fishermen should also own their own canoes and that in every field of endeavour, one should try to own what one had and then on the basis of that one could move forward.
Today, some people deride J. B. Danquah because they called him “the property owning democracy man”. But J. B. Danquah was guided by the words of a great man like President Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln, when confronted with a similar situation, made a statement in 1847, that “property is the fruit of labour, property is desirable. It is a positive good in the world, that some should be rich shows that others may become rich and hence it is just an encouragement to industry and enterprise.

Mr Speaker, so J. B. Danquah, anybody going to the Danquah Circle will notice a few things about the statue which has been put there for him.

First of all, you will see his hands on a pile of books; he was a scholar and he wrote many, many treatises and books I think whoever built -- I do not know if it was Saka Acquaye but whoever built that knew this --

Secondly, he was not dressed in the suit of a lawyer but they put a cloth on him, because of the empathy he had with the farmers. It was useful for the sculptor to clothe J. B. Danquah in that gown for everybody to understand that this was the man; though he had studied to a very high level, he was also concerned about the ordinary citizens of our country. So, that is the way I want us to remember this man.

The man is so important that even 50 years after he had died in a condemned cell, those of us here in Parliament are standing up to talk about him and I am sure succeeding generations would use the example of J. B. Danquah as a lesson for the future.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
Thank you, Hon Prof. Gyan- Baffour?
Prof. George Y. Gyan-Baffour (NPP -- Wenchi) 12:25 p.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement ably made by Hon J. B. Danquah Adu on this day, a day which shall remain infamous in the annals of the Ghanaian political history, a day 50 years ago when an attack, indeed, an assault was made on liberty, freedom, justice and democracy in this country with impunity.
Mr Speaker, Dr J. B. Danquah entered politics before Dr K. A. Busia; he entered politics indeed, before Dr Kwame Nkrumah. He began the struggle for self- government for the Gold Coast before any of these two gentlemen. Indeed, Mr Speaker, as we have all been told and we all know, Dr Danquah led the United Gold Cost Convention (UGCC) on the advice
of Mr Ako Adjei, to invite Dr Kwame Nkrumah to be the Secretary-General of the UGCC.
Mr Speaker, in a twist of fate, indeed, in an irony of fate, Dr Danquah died, like a sheep on the altar of that obnoxious Preventive Detention Act under the first Republic, headed by Dr Kwame Nkrumah, in a condemned cell at Nsawam.
Mr Speaker, his family was given 24 hours to bury him and that, there could be no funeral. Mr Speaker, as has been said by the Hon Member for Abuakwa North, on the 7th of March, 2015, that is 50 years later, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the Okyehene has decided to give this illustrious son of Ghana a befitting funeral.
Mr Speaker, all of us on both sides of the House, who have now resurrected freedom, justice, liberty and democracy and who have indeed, sworn to resist oppressors rule, are all invited to this funeral.
Mr Speaker, as we know, today and it has also been said that at 4 ‘o'clock in the afternoon, the true history and life of the Dr J. B. Danquah would be given at the International Conference Centre. I urge the speakers to tell the story without political lense and I would urge them to tell the true history. Mr Speaker, true history has the tendency of repeating itself. For those of us in politics and those of us in here and even for the ordinary Ghanaian, we can learn a lot of lessons from true history.
It would guide us in navigating the complex and indeed, at times very treacherous terrain of politics in Ghana and help us avoid the landmines and the pitfalls, so that the unwanted aspects of true history of Ghana does not repeat itself.
Mr Speaker, on this short note, I thank you for this opportunity and congratulate the Hon Member who made the Statement for such a dispassionate expose.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
Thank you very much. Yes, Hon Minister?
Minister for the Interior (Mr Mark O. Woyongo)(MP) 12:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to comment on my good Friend Hon Atta Akyea's statement that the Ministry of the Interior refused to give them permission to visit the Nsawam Prisons.
Mr Speaker, about a week ago, I had a letter from Prof. Ocquaye, asking for permission for the Danquah family, prominent members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Members of Parliament to visit the Nsawam Prisons in connection with these celebrations.
Even though initially, I had my reservations because of the numbers concerned, I thought it proper to refer the issue to the appropriate authorities -- The Ghana Prisons Service and National Security for advice. The advice that came was that, Nsawam is a security zone.
Secondly, because of the numbers, they were going to find it difficult to control. This is because if you talk about the family, prominent members of the party and then MPs -- they were concerned about that.
Then also, they were concerned about the politicisation of the prisons because it would also not promote discipline in the place. Due to that, they advised that the request should be declined. I would want to assure Hon Atta Akyea that it was done in good faith. We just did not give them permission; it was done in good faith. That is the assurance I would want to give to him.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
Thank you very much.
Hon Members, I do not know if the Leadership would want to make some contribution. In that case, I will start from the Minority Leader.
Hon Members, I do not want this to degenerate into debate. Let us take it from the Leadership. We have little time left. We have already spent more than enough time on this Statement.
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu (NPP -- Suame) 12:35 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to add my voice to this dirge that we are treating ourselves to this morning, on this auspicious occasion -- the 50th Anniversary of the transition of the doyen of Ghana politics, Dr J. B. Danquah.
Mr Speaker, Dr J. B. Danquah belonged to that elite group of Gold Coast lawyers and businessmen, the intelligentsia, as they were called locally at the time, who had long been pressing for a reformation leading to independence.
Mr Speaker, that group came to be known as men of property and standing. It was a group that formed in 1947, their own political party, the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) choosing the slogan, “self-government in the shortest possible time”. The leader of that group was Dr J. B. Danquah.
Mr Speaker, Dr Danquah had gained a doctorate degree at the London University, qualified as a barrister at the Inner Temple and written a highly regarded book on Akan law and religion.
As part of the drive for political advancement, he had come up with the idea of dropping the colonial name of Gold Coast and changing it to Ghana, an African empire that had flourished in West Africa in the 11th Century.
Mr Speaker, hoping to build popular support for their course, Dr Danquah and his colleagues decided to hire a full time organiser and one name was re- commended to them; that name and person was Kwame Nkrumah. About Kwame Nkrumah, most of the people knew very little and that he himself had collected degrees in economics, sociology and philosophy.
Mr Speaker, it is often said that because of internal tensions and rivalries afflicting most African States, only strong governments could provide the stability that they needed to develop and prosper. Yet in practice, strong governments of the kind employed in post-independence Africa, where that personal dictatorship or one party systems rarely ensured either political stability or effective adminis- tration.
Once in power, many African leaders became preoccupied with staying in power, employing whatever means necessary to them. Most depended on their ability to operate patrimonial systems that kept key supporters loyal to them. Political activity was reduced to palace politics, an avenue for ruling elites to manoeuvre for their own interest.
Mr Speaker, that was what obtained. In dealing with political opponents, African leaders resorted readily to arbitrary measures -- arrests, detentions and other forms of harassments.
Mr Speaker, just within a year of independence, the PDA was introduced to enable the Government to detain anyone without trial for up to five years. In theory, the PDA of 1958 and other similar measures that followed were to be employed, only at times of emergency. In practice, they came to be used to silence
critics and opponents. Even in some cases, not the President, but people who were close to the President used the PDA to settle petty personal scores.
Mr Speaker, it is instructive to know that in 1958, when the PDA was enacted, 38 people were detained. In 1961, 311 were detained under the PDA; in 1963, 586. In 1965, 1,200 people in Ghana were detained under the PDA without resort and recourse to trial.
Among the victims was Dr J. B. Danquah for whom Kwame Nkrumah had worked on his return from London. He died, as we have been told, in prison in 1965, spending the last year of his life in solitary confinement. A sick and disheartened man, deprived of adequate medical treatment.
Mr Speaker, it is instructive to flash back on the death of Dr J. B. Danquah, what one African leader said. That leader was Hastings Banda.
Mr Speaker, in aparently responding to the death of Dr J. B. Danquah in Ghana, he said and I am quoting him,
“If to maintain political stability and efficient administration, I have to detain ten thousand or even one hundred thousand people, I would do it.”
Hastings Banda, in 1965, commenting about the death of Dr J. B. Danquah in Ghana -- The opposition parties across Africa were routinely banned on the grounds of national security; Government's opponents were routinely imprisoned, leaders on the African Continent relied on fear as an instrument of control and that was how Dr J. B. Danquah met his death.
Mr Speaker, we have come a long way but the nodal issues that Dr J. B. Danquah
Papa Owusu Ankomah 12:45 p.m.
Mr Speaker, on a point of information.
  • [That is why if look at the Act, it is: “…passed by Parliament and assented to by the President.” We decided to take what was in the Constitution. That is why now, we have “passed by Parliament and assented to by the President.”
    • Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    I think that was the final conclusion. At the end of the debate, that was what we arrived at. Unfortunately, we are getting a lot of interventions --
    Yes, Hon Osei Bonsu Amoah?
    Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, unfortunately, I would have to draw the Hon Minority Leader and the Hon Member for Sekondi's attention to the fact that, if you look at the Interpretations Act, Act 792, it says,
    “…enacted by the President and Parliament”.
    So, indeed, it is passed. If you look at other Acts, it is “passed by Parliament and assented to by the President” but for the Interpretations Act, it says:
    “…enacted by the President and Parliament.”
    Yes, that is it --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Hon Member, I believe that is because of the various roles played by the two institutions.
    Mr O. B. Amoah 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minority Leader is saying that we managed to resist this particular line but it is still in the Interpretations Act. It is here.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Minority Leader, could you proceed with your presentation?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we sorted it out here.
    As I said, we have argued this for two days. The second day, the former Majority Leader, now recycled as the Majority Leader, made an intervention that we should respect what the Constitution says and it should never be considered as a dual function between Parliament and the President.
    If now, this is what has been captured, then perhaps, we should have a second look at it because that was not the decision of this Honourable House. Mr Speaker, that is an element of creeping dictatorship; we should resist it.
    Mr Speaker, having said that, anyone who has sighted the Hansards of those days, would be very pleased to read the contributions of Dr J. B. Danquah, which now flower those Hansards. Mr Speaker, one would glean the depth of native wisdom and intelligence in his own contributions.
    Mr Speaker, of his advocacy for property ownership, it is instructive that we apply ourselves-- The Hon Isaac Osei mentioned it; it is instructive that we apply ourselves to article 18 (1) of the 1992 Constitution, which provides, Mr Speaker, with your permission, I beg to read:
    “Every person has the right to own property either alone or in association with others.”
    Mr Speaker, today, we have a Constitution -- Indeed, article 36 (7) adds an additional fillip to this. Mr Speaker, again, with your indulgence, I beg to read,
    “The State shall guarantee the ownership of property and the right of inheritance.”
    Property ownership! Long after 50 years, we now see the essence and there are many so-called communists, socia- lists, who, today, own so much property in this country and yet they resisted that times past.
    Mr Speaker, Hon Sorogho is saying that I should wind up. I know he is property owning now. He owns a lot of properties now. So, he says that I should wind up.
    Mr Speaker, as I said, Parliament must be eternally vigilant and let the death of Dr J. B. Danquah continue to stimulate our national conscience.
    Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for this opportunity.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Thank you very much.
    Hon Majority Leader?
    Majority Leader (Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin) 12:55 p.m.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I want to take this opportunity to commend highly the grandson of the late Dr Kwame Kyeretwie Joseph Boakye Danquah, in the person of J. B. Adu, who is now the MP for Abuakwa North.
    Mr Speaker, in doing so, I would also want to encourage all Ghanaians to try and come out with some records of the contributions of the great sons and daughters of our country, so that it does not look like it is just one area that is always talking about itself.

    I support the view that if you do not love yourself, then who will love you? That is the beginning of love. So, if you do not let people know you, then who will know you? It is good that these Statements are being made and we should take them in good faith. Definitely, the maker of the Statement was very clear in his mind as he stated, and I beg to quote;

    “There are many a controversy with the mere mention of Dr J. B. Danquah. It makes some people cringe while others are also very proud.”

    I am not surprised that there are some disagreements because Dr J. B. Danquah is made up of many parts, and some, definitely, with him being a human, are not quite commendable. However, many parts are commendable contributions to the achievement of independence and in fact, the creation of the whole nation called Ghana.

    Mr Speaker, the late Dr J. B. Danquah had a foundation stone --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    It is clear that Hon K. T. Hammond has just entered the Chamber. If you will allow us, let the Hon Majority Leader conclude and then you will --
    Mr Kobina T. Hammond 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have been here for some time now but he is making some very serious statements that need some kind of response. So, please, let us sort it out; one second and then sanity will prevail.
    He makes the point that if one does not talk about oneself, then one does not love oneself. Who else will love you and who else will talk about you?
    That is pregnant with meaning. In the context of the debate that is ongoing, I do not understand it. The Statement that is
    being contributed to, I would want him to posit it in the proper context, so that we understand. This is because it is nebulous and a bit difficult to understand.
    Happy New Year to you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, you have the floor.
    Mr Bagbin 12:55 p.m.
    Well, it is good to be heard anytime you are in the House. [Laughter.]
    Mr Speaker, I was just urging Ghanaians to do the same for us to get to know more about our past and then from there, we could learn lessons in order to improve the present and the future.
    rose
    Mr Bagbin 12:55 p.m.
    Clarification?
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:55 p.m.
    The Majority Leader mentioned something that I am not familiar with “Akim Abuakwa.” I do not know any place called “Akim Abuakwa. It is “Akyem Abuakwa,” for the purposes of the House.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Hon Member, our colonial masters twisted it from Akyem to Akim because they found it difficult pronouncing “ky”, “Akyem.” Just like when Asamoah Gyan is referred to as Asamoah G-yan.
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:55 p.m.
    He is not a colonial master. So, I think he can pronounce it.
    Mr Bagbin 12:55 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Even now, when it is being spelt by sons and daughters of the area, they prefer to use “Akim.” I am a partner of “Akyem Chambers”; that is where I started my legal practice, which is still in existence. So, I know “Akyem” not “Akim.”
    I am saying this because we in Ghana are lucky to have produced the best in Africa, which we could use if we had positioned ourselves to even generate a lot of revenue for this country. United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) was actually founded by George Alfred Grant, popularly referred to as George Paa Grant.
    He was one time appointed the Government Representative for Sekondi. At that time, Takoradi was under construction. Why? This is because he supported indirect rule. But when the European merchants took over his trade, he said, “the time had come for us to fight back”. And that was as a result of the second world war.
    He led the formation of the United Gold Coast Convention and invited Dr J. B. Danquah, who was one time the President of the Ghana Bar Association and was a known legal practitioner in Ghana. That was why he invited him. They formed it together and he became the President of UGCC, that is George Alfred Grant, alias Paa Grant. Among them was also this brilliant young lawyer called Ako-Adjei, whose wife was from the same family of Dr J. B. Danquah and he had studied with Dr Nkrumah in the United States of America. That is the link.
    An Hon Member 12:55 p.m.
    Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
    Mr Bagbin 1:05 p.m.
    No! Nana is a young boy who is just around. [Laughter.] The son is now the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party.
    But we also had people like Francis Awoonor Williams, Albert Heward-Mills and R. S. Blay. They were all there and they formed the UGCC. I have never known J. B. Danquah to be a fighter.
    He is an intellectual and a think tank and that is one of the reasons the position of General-Secretary was not given to him. That is even why when they formed the Ghana Consolidated Party, he allowed Dr K. A. Busia to lead that party. So, when you said he was a fighter, I got lost. But well, we are seeing it from different perspectives. He had the intellectual power and he spoke with all the legal finesse that he had at his composure.
    Mr Speaker, even when the United Party was formed, he was only an executive member. Recognising his potential as a man of intelligence, Nkrumah appointed him to the Ghana Academy of Sciences and that was the basis of the formation of the Ghana Academy of Sciences. But I am not sure as a country, whether we have learnt from our past. Our failure to even listen to each other, appreciate the differences and be able to accept it with calm nerves.
    Yes, the Hon Minority Leader said we have come a long way. Have we arrived? I am not sure; we have not. That is where we have to look at. Do not forget that Nkrumah arrived in the country in December, 1947, and they were arrested in February, 1948. So, they only worked for less than two months, and when they were released, within a short time, they had bitter differences. That is what has
    Some Hon Members 1:05 p.m.
    “Tsibu”
    Mr Bagbin 1:05 p.m.
    “Tsibu,” because it is “tsi” Tsibu.
    Yes, Ofori Atta was the first to be united in Africa and that was followed by Tsibu Darko. These were two chiefs the colonialists were using to administer indirect rule.

    As for property, it must be owned but by whom?

    So, one would realise that, even the Watson Commission -- and I would want to quote what they said of Dr. J.B. Danquah. The Watson Commission -- and do not forget that when the Burns Constitution came, he supported it. But he later on turned against the Burns' Constitution because of what happened in Akyem Abuakwa -- that was the murder of the late chief's son, after his death in

    1943.

    It was that trial that led to the hanging of the eight people who were the suspects arrested. They were not hanged the same day; it took some time and that is what

    led him to turn against the Burns Constitution. The history is there. This is what the Watson Commission said about
    Dr J. B. Danquah and I beg to quote 1:05 p.m.
    “Dr Danquah might be described as the doyen of Gold Coast politicians. He is a man of a very great intelligence but suffers from a disease not unknown to politicians throughout the ages and recog- nised under the generic name of expediency”
    This disease is still with all of us. And it is the disease of expediency. [Interruption] --
    My attention has been drawn to the time and so, if someone wants the symptoms, he or she should come and see me in chambers. But it is this same great son that was able, like others, John Mensah Sarbah, formed the Aborigines Right Protection Society. Infact, the 6th March was taken from the Bond of 1844. That was the date that we had the first -- “magna carta” entered into this country.
    That is what happened and that is why they decided to use that. But what happened further was that, if the Fanti Confederacy had continued after its formation in 1871, we would have gone further. But what happened? It is all history, and so, I will leave it here. I would once again, commend my very good Friend, brother and former client, Hon J.B. Adu Danquah for making this Statement.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Thank you, very much.
    Hon Members this brings us to the end of Statements.
    I am very grateful to Hon Members for the contributions made to the two Statements that were presented today.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, presentation of Papers, at the Commencement of Public Business —[Pause]
    Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker item numbered 4 on the Order Paper.
    PAPERS 1:05 p.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
    Alhaji Muntaka 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we would be grateful if we could take item number 12 on the Order Paper, but to add a plea that the Chairman of the Committee has just been called — by Mr Speaker. He will soon join us. But a member of the Committee, Hon Gyan-Tutu will stand in for the Chairman, while he joins us during the course of the Consideration Stage.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    May we know who is standing in for the Chairman?
    Alhaji Muntaka 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, Hon Gyan-Tutu, an Hon Member of the Committee.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Very well.

    BILLS — CONSIDERATION
    STAGE 1:05 p.m.
  • [Resumption of debates from 03/02/ 2015.]
    • Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Hon Members, yesterday, we got to a point where we had to adjourn for some winnowing to take place. I would like to hear from the Chairman of the Committee and possibly the Hon Minister, if there was any winnowing.
    Mr Haruna Iddrisu 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, both the Majority and the Minority Leader were supportive. We met to review aspects of it, and I would indulge you, that a member of the Committee may proceed. We are on clause 23, which was on funding the scheme and to look into the matter of the establishment of the Fund under clauses 21 and 22. We may want to look at sources of funds for the Agency, under a new clause, clause 23.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Very well
    —
    Hon Members, yesterday, we deferred one or two items. So, we would start from clause 21.
    Mr Kwasi Agyemang Gyan-Tutu 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 21 -- delete
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Clause 21 accordingly deleted.
    Clause 22 — Establishment of the Youth Employment Fund
    Mr Gyan-Tutu 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 22 -- delete.
    Question put and amendment agreed to
    Clause 22 accordingly deleted.
    Mr Gyan-Tutu 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 23 -- delete.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Clause 23 accordingly deleted.
    Dr A.A. Osei — rose --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Yes, let me hear you, Hon Member.
    Dr A. A. Osei 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I was getting a bit confused. The first amendment that was deleted was clause 21, which is on the regular Order Paper. We have now moved to the Addendum Order Paper. So, I am not sure which one we are using now. But the first amendment was; “delete clause 21,” which is not in the Addendum Order Paper and so, there is some confusion.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Hon Member, let me explain things to you: Having gone through that process of deletion -- but the implication -- and I would want you to be clear for the avoidance of doubt, that all those amendments proposed in the original Order Paper to clause 23 are also accordingly dealt with as having been deleted. We are no longer moving those proposed amendments, with the deletion of clause 23. All the pursuant or consequential amendments which flowed from it also fall flat. That is where we stand.

    Hon Members, we are dealing with clause 24 now. But you will realise that in the original Order Paper, we also have some amendments proposed for clause 24 and so after the person standing in for the Hon Chairman of the Committee has effectively deleted that one, we will consequentially have all those proposed amendments also withdrawn automatically.
    Mr O. B Amoah 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the proposed amendment is for the deletion of the whole of clause 24. But I have proposed an amendment to the clause 24, especially clause 24 (2). I see that in place of the deletion, a new clause is being inserted and that new clause also has (f), which also talks about the administrative expenses of the Agency. In fact, that is where we defer and so, if we probably agree that that whole clause 24 be deleted, when we come to the insertion, then I can also propose my amendment to the insertion that he wants to make.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Chairman of the Committee, are you alright with that arrangement?
    Mr Gyan-Tutu 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, agreeable.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Very well. Then you have the floor — clause 24.
    Mr Gyan-Tutu 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 24 be deleted in its entirety.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Clause 24 accordingly deleted.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:25 a.m.
    Hon Members, as I indicated, the implication is that all the proposed amendments to clause 24 in the original Order Paper are deemed withdrawn.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Dr A. A. Osei 1:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, that cannot be so. This is because Hon Osei Bonsu just drew our attention to the fact that he wants to bring back his amendment. So, I am not sure we are moving from the Order Paper to the Addendum and there is some confusion. We must be clear in our mind because he just said that he has proposed an amendment and now, we are being told it is deemed to be withdrawn but there is an informal arrangement that it will be brought back. There is really some confusion to what is --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:25 a.m.
    Hon Member, I believe we have to rely on the Committee members to assist us. That is the consensus we have arrived at with Hon O. B. Amoah. So, at the appropriate time, the introduction of his amendment would be brought --
    Dr A. A. Osei 1:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the problem is that we are not on the Committee, so, we must follow what is going on. They cannot assume that they will agree and then we follow. That is the whole point. Why is it being withdrawn and why -- We must be advised properly, so that we will know whether we are for the amendment. But this informal arrangement is not proper.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:25 a.m.
    All right.
    Hon Minister, can you assist us?
    Mr H. Iddrisu 1:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we met to consult and did some winnowing and there was consensus on many of these
    Mr H. Iddrisu 1:25 a.m.


    issues. As we proceed to delete a number of these clauses, we will be introducing new clauses which will capture some of the concerns of Hon O. B. Amoah and others. For instance, what he just referred to; if you look at page 2 of the Order Paper Addendum, under “new clause” that we are proposing, we will be able to consider his proposal within that particular context. But I agree with my Hon Colleague that the Committee must be forthcoming with explanations on the basis of any decisions that we are taking.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:25 a.m.
    I hope you are alright with the explanation? The effect of it is that the proposed amendments put up by Hon O. B. Amoah will be taken care of. When some new clauses are introduced, it will be part of it. So, it is not as if it is completely lost.
    Dr A. A. Osei 1:25 a.m.
    That is part of the difficulty. Because if it has been agreed and he gets up and says that I deserve the right to bring it back, then I do not see where the agreement is. So, we should be informed. That is all I am saying; he should give us reasons, so that we can follow.
    Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh 1:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is because we are doing something very unusual about this Bill.
    First and foremost, you have a substantive clause 23 and you say “delete”. Once you delete it, if you are replacing it, you will say “delete and substitute the following” so that there is logic. It would have allowed him if we were doing so for clause 24 to make his further amendment. Now, when you delete clauses 23 and 24, these insertions will wait until we finish with the whole Bill before we
    bring them here. So, they do not tie in with the reasons that you had for deleting them.
    You cannot delete as if it is no longer part of the Bill and then insert something which is coming well after. That is not the procedure in this House. Once you delete the clause and there is a relevant repetition of, or a final version of it, it replaces that. So, that is why the confusion is there. This is because if you have said that the insertion is replacing clause 24, everybody will understand it. But we are just using our common sense to say that it is the same thing.
    I think that whatever consensus they have arrived at, they should have referred to the original thing that “delete and insert the following” which is still clause 23 or 24. That is where I think the problem is coming from.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:25 a.m.
    I appreciate the point that you have made but at the same time, because new clauses are being introduced, and because those new clauses will capture the intendment of the proposed amendment to the clauses, which have been deleted, there will be no problem. It is a question of if we have to rearrange the numbering. That can be done by the draftspersons but the sense of it will not be lost.
    Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
    Alhaji Muntaka 1:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in order not to take so much time arguing about how to go about it, I thought that to capture the concern of Hon Yieleh Chireh, which usually is the case, that we delete and then we insert the new paragraph, if we could take them hand in hand. For example, when you delete clauses 23 and 24, the corresponding clauses that will take care of both will be the new clause (v), so that as we delete, we insert this one and then we debate on it and move on.
    So, Hon O. B. Amoah's amendment may not be confusing, that we may not be coming back to it, so that we can make progress faster.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:25 a.m.
    Very well. I think that is alright with us.
    Hon Chairman of the Committee?
    Mr Gyan-Tutu 1:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the concerns that are being raised will be taken care of under the new provision. That is why we want to finish with the deletions and then make the insertions.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:25 a.m.
    Very well.
    In that case, I would like to direct that the Clerks-at-the-Table should take note of this, so that there is no oversight of the insertions that would have to be made to take care of the issue raised by Hon Yieleh Chireh and then -- Do you understand me?
    Mr Gyan-Tutu 1:25 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:25 a.m.
    So, we now move on to clause 25.
    Clause 25 -- Management of the Fund
    Mr Gyan-Tutu 1:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 25 be deleted.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Clause 25 accordingly deleted.
    Clause 26 -- Bank account for the Fund.
    Mr Gyan-Tutu 1:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 26 be deleted.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Clause 26 accordingly deleted.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:25 a.m.
    Again, it means that all the proposed amendments in the main Order Paper with regard to clause 26 are deemed withdrawn.
    Clause 27 -- Establishment of Regional Committees
    Mr Gyan-Tutu 1:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 27, subclause (1) line (1) delete “Board” and insert “Agency”.
    “Regional and District Offices of the Agency
    (1) The Agency shall have regional and district offices as determined by the Board.
    (2) A regional or district office of the Agency shall perform the functions of the Authority as determined by the Board.”
    It seemed here that the collision of the word “Board” and the substitution by “Agency”.
    “The Board shall” now reads “The Agency shall establish”.
    Mr Chireh — rose —
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:25 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Yieleh Chireh?
    Mr Chireh 1:35 p.m.
    In what is advertised, they said:
    Clause 27 amendment proposed - subclause (1), delete and insert the following:
    If he is doing a further amendment, he should let us know. Because in this advertised one, the original is what we should talk about and then doing further amendments to change the “Board” to “Agency”.

    Dr A. A. Osei — rose --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
    Yes?
    Dr A. A. Osei 1:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, with respect, the earlier issue that the senior Colleague was referring to, I think, it may inure to the interest of the House if we go down there before we go to clause 27, so that we follow the arguments why they dropped it in the first place and they are replacing it. Otherwise, by the time we finish and come back, we would have forgotten about what informed the new clause. It is a different topic. But let us pursue to the conclusion of this replacement, then we can finish with that. Otherwise, it becomes problematic.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Minister?
    Mr H. Iddrisu 1:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I know that you have already ruled and directed the Table and the draftspersons to take note. But it is also important for me to state and emphasise that because they are new clauses, our rules allow that we only come to them after we have examined the other clauses.
    It is for the guidance of the Speaker. But following strictly our rules, we will have to go through clause 27 up to 32 and add the new clauses.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
    Alhaji Muntaka 1:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is true that our rules provide that new clauses are provided at the end but because at the tail of the Consideration Stage, the rules are very relaxed, to enable us follow. I think it is better to deal with these new clauses that will take care of clause 21, all the way to clause 26, so that the arguments
    can then flow. Other than that -- because we are not guaranteed that we may be able to finish with the whole thing today.
    So, if we wait tomorrow or the day after to deal with this, the issue will have been completely mixed up and it may draw us into some big debate, that Hon Members may not be able to follow. So, since the rules are relaxed at the Consideration Stage, I would plead that Mr Speaker, with your guidance, if that could be done to take care of the new clauses.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
    Very well. I think it makes a lot of sense.
    We will relax the rules, so that we can complete the new clauses before we come to clause 27 following -- Is that all right?
    Yes. So, Hon Chairman of the Committee?
    Mr Gyan-Tutu 1:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, new clause -- delete and insert the following:
    “Sources of funds for the Agency
    The sources of funds for the Agency include:
    (a) moneys approved by Parliament for the Agency;
    (b) eighty per cent of the Com- munications Service Tax;
    (c) fifteen per cent of the District Assemblies' Common Fund;
    (d) five per cent of the Ghana Education Trust Fund;
    (e) donations, gifts and grants; and
    (f) moneys approved by the Mi- nister responsible for Finance.”
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Old Tafo?
    Dr A. A. Osei 1:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, let us do it one step at a time. The clause (g) is not advertised and he is bringing it within at the same time. Mr Speaker, some of us have small minds. So, we will want to follow the things step by step. The new one he introduced -- he said a new -- [Interruption] -- Where is it? It is not advertised here?
    He can come back later as in an Addendum. It is not even on the Addendum. So, if he wants to bring it back, fine. But let us follow what is advertised and then come back later. Otherwise, there is too much confusion.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Sekondi?
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 1:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think he should have withdrawn the other first --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
    I would have thought that the Hon Chairman will seek leave of the Chair to make a further amendment to what has been put on the Order Paper.
    Mr Gyan-Tutu 1:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I apologise.
    I seek your leave to propose further amendment to new clause (v) by the addition of subclause (g), which is -- subclause (g) to read, “(g) loans contracted by the Agency”
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
    Fine; leave granted.
    So now, Hon Members, I will put the Question. With -- [Interruption] --

    Oh sorry, sorry --

    Yes Hon Member for Sekondi?
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 1:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am very much opposed to this amendment.
    The Minister for Finance comes to this House and says that their Government is taking steps to rationalise the use of funds because funds have been earmarked and it is not helping in the management of Government's finances. The Common Fund is almost always in arrears; Ghana Educational Trust Fund (GETFund) is in arrears; National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) --
    Mr Speaker, what is the purpose of earmarking 15 per cent of a constitutionally set-up Fund for an Agency, which has a very bizarre history when it comes to management of funds. Then 80 per cent of the Communications Service Tax -- why should Parliament tie its hands a priori in respect of the allocation of funds that constitutionally Parliament allocates each year through the budget submitted by the Minister for Finance?
    It is going to be subject to gross abuse. [Interruption] It has already happened; we have Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) and so forth. Was it not abused? Why do you want to entrust substantial funds of such nature to such an Agency? Why?
    I believe that it will be a gross abuse of the trust of the people, if we allow this. We have moneys approved by Parliament. Every year, we approve moneys. Depending on the programmes that they have and assessing their performance, we can then determine during the Appro- priation. Now, what we are seeking to do is to tie our hands, so that if we want even to reduce whatever percentage of this District Assemblies Common Fund, we cannot do it except through an amendment? This is not the way we should manage the funds of this country.
    An Hon Member 1:35 p.m.
    Oh, GNPC --
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 1:35 p.m.
    It is not an Agency; it is a Corporation. It is not a commercial entity.
    Mr Speaker, at the top of these things, I believe that we should be very careful. To my mind, even subclause (c) is unconstitutional.[Interruption] Subclause (c) is unconstitutional and subclause (d) is contrary to the GETFund. What is it?
    Do we want to put moneys into something where people can dissipate it based on political expediency? Even presently [Interruption] -- I am saying it based on facts -- based on GYEEDA. They even ignored the advice of the Attorney-General and went on to give loans to people without approval and you want Parliament -- and we sit and the Hon Chairman of the Committee is bringing this amendment?
    I am asking that we should reject this amendment and indeed, in this matter, I am urging this House to use all the legal avenues at its disposal to ensure that we reject this -- [Interruption] -- We must have a quorum [Interruption] We must have a quorum and if you are going to insist on this, I will raise the issue of quorum. We should not allow these things to pass.
    Look, Mr Speaker, I am very passionate because the public has been making very negative comments about Parliament and we know it, then, you bring an amendment such as this?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
    Hon Member --
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 1:45 p.m.
    There is no justification for it. There is absolutely no justification for it.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    Very well --
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 1:45 p.m.
    What justification have they proffered? Zero! None. We do not sit here to approve amendments brought through the backdoor. If Government wants to do this, let it bring it. We will see.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Yieleh Chireh?
    Mr Chireh 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I said I am opposed to the amendment. If I want further amendments, I would have proposed a further amendment.
    I have no intention of proposing any further amendment. I am saying we should reject this amendment together with that clause itself in the Bill, which seeks to appropriate moneys from certain Funds.
    Mr Chireh 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I know he is impassioned by the amendment but he knows the rules and so, I would want to find out from him -- but at the same time, I was going to debate him on the issue he has raised.
    Mr Speaker, this is because if you look at the inception of Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) or the

    time that their Government introduced it, what really happened was that, they were poaching resources because they had people working in the health sector. So, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) was asked to take part of that and handle.

    The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) -- we had pupil teachers under that scheme. Then in the case of the sanitation guards or whatever you call it, it was again from the Distr ict Assemblies Common Fund that these things were taken. Now, when he says that it is unconstitutional, it is not. In fact, we are vested with the powers - After the Constitution had created the District Assemblies Common Fund under article 255, an Act was again passed in this House.
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, formula is determined every year based on what is submitted by the Administrator.
    Alhaji Muntaka 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am surprised that my senior Colleague, Hon Papa Owusu-Ankomah will not even wait to be called --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    Hon Member, Hon Chief Whip, you do not have the floor. It is Hon Yieleh Chireh who has the floor.
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I apologise.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    Hon Members --
    Mr Chireh 1:45 p.m.
    I am saying that, this is a House where all these ideas we are talking about have to be debated. We are the
    people who decide on the formula for this Fund. We are deciding that, instead of having to -- the only problem I may have with this is the 15 per cent of the formula of the District Assemblies Common Fund. Is it 15 per cent of the total Fund or 15 per cent of what has been taken out of the reserve and the distribution? But it is related to the same thing that the District Assemblies Common Fund does and that is why it is important for us to indicate a priori that this is what we want to be done in this case.
    There is nothing unconstitutional about it. This is a corporate body, and in our power, we can create a public entity under the Constitution and clothe it with the powers. It may not be a commercial entity but we will clothe it with the powers to enable it take loans.
    These loans as we are talking about, if it is something that is external, obviously, the Ministry of Finance will come in. But if they want to get money as was done under the New Patriotic Party (NPP), where the outstanding payments were made and they asked Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) to advance money to pay GYEEDA, what is wrong with that? That is very unconstitutional. So, I think that he should argue for it --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    Very well.
    Mr Chireh 1:45 p.m.
    I think he should argue well for it --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Members --
    Mr Chireh 1:45 p.m.
    And if he has any objection, he should be -- but we cannot reject the whole amendment. That is not right.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    Hon Members, I will want to make a proposal. I think we need to have some more time to
    Mr H. Iddrisu 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have no objection to your directives and guidance. But it is important that I draw my Hon Colleagues' attention, particularly Hon Papa Owusu- Ankomah to the fact that I have in my hands -- [Interruption]
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    You are out of order. I have not given you the floor.
    Mr H. Iddrisu 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is important that I state this, so that he probably would refresh his memory that the youth employment initiative was that of the then Government. I have a memo- randum here which informs even today's policy decision, which was signed by the late Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu.
    I would like to read it. It was by the Cabinet and I believe many of them were part of that Cabinet. Therefore, this action of behaving as if we are unaware of how this youth employment initiative was to be funded, Mr Speaker, with all respect, is neither here nor there.
    Mr Speaker, it does not lie within his bosom to make a declaration of a matter which is unconstitutional on the floor of Parliament. He knows the appropriate forum to go to.
    But with all respect. Mr Speaker, let me now refer him to the Baah-Wiredu's memorandum and I beg to read:
    “Cabinet at its retreat at Akosombo from 3 rd to 6 th August , 2005 considered the Youth Employment Programme proposed by the Minister for Manpower, Youth and Employment…”
    That is their Cabinet and Mr Speaker, this is significant.
    The table provides information on the possible sources of funds to be earmarked for the implementation of the programme.
    First, District Assemblies Common Fund, fifteen per cent approved budget allocation ¢1.204 billion.
    Second, GETFund, ten per cent approved amount ¢1.386 billion.
    Third, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), ten per cent amount approved ¢1.513 billion.
    Indeed, Mr Speaker, they even went further to ask for funds from the Road Fund in this memorandum which was 10 per cent. Mr Speaker, Service and Investments and the total was ¢1,108.85 billion.
    Mr Speaker, therefore to -- [Interruption] -- No! No! Indeed, Mr Speaker, to guide him, it went beyond a proposal; he actually referred to -- [Interruption.]
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    Hon Minister, this is the reason I am proposing that we defer it, adjourn and have more time to discuss these issues.
    Yes, Hon Member for Sekondi?
    Mr H. Iddrisu 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we should set the records straight.
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you for recognising my -- [Interruption.]
    Mr Speaker, it is on a point of order from the rules of debate. I refer to Order 86(3); with your kind permission, I beg to read:
    “Ministers shall be referred to by their Ministerial titles. The Deputy Speakers and the Deputy Ministers shall be referred to by the names of the offices held by them. All other Members shall be referred to as “Honourable” together with the name of their constituencies, that is, “the Honourable Member for….”, where an Honourable Member has already been so described in a speech he may be further referred to as “My Honourable Friend” or “The Honourable Gentleman, Lady or Member”.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister for Employment and Labour Relations referred to me by my name and sought to address me. There was good reason for this Order, so that we do not personalise debates. It is not a personal matter for him to address me personally, seeking to educate me where I should state something which is unconstitutional.
    I am not calling upon you to rule. I am using it as a point of debate to influence Hon Members' votes. So, I would want to draw the Hon Minister's attention to this particular Order, so that he will cease personalising this debate as if I am speaking from a personal point of view. No! I am speaking as an Hon Member, representing the people of Sekondi in Parliament. And when I speak, I do so as a Member of Parliament in the Parliament of Ghana, not even for my constituency alone.
    Thank you very much.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    Very well.
    I think your point is well taken.
    Hon Minister, I believe you will do the honourable --
    Mr H. Iddrisu 1:45 p.m.
    Rightly so Mr Speaker.
    He knows that I have enormous respect for him as a senior colleague and a Senior Member of Parliament for Sekondi.
    Suffice to add that he knows that there was a proposal to their Cabinet on how to fund --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:55 a.m.
    We are talking about --
    Mr H. Iddrisu 1:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, there is reference even to budget --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:55 a.m.
    Hon Minister, you probably did not get his point. He is saying that you addressed him in a certain manner, which he is taking objection to, without using the accolade “Hon” or “Hon Member for Sekondi”.
    Mr H. Iddrisu 1:55 a.m.
    Hon Member for Sekondi, my senior Colleague, former Majority Leader, former Attorney-General and former Cabinet Minister in the former President Kufuor's Administration, I am drawing your attention to a decision of that Cabinet which was to decide on the fate of how to fund youth employment.
    Mr Speaker, I would prefer that we defer
    -- 1:55 a.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:55 a.m.
    Why would you not withdraw the description you gave him early on?
    Mr H. Iddrisu 1:55 a.m.
    Accordingly withdrawn, Mr Speaker. If he took exception, I am sorry. Mr Speaker, it is withdrawn.
    But finally, on the comment on the constitutionality, then we would take your directive.
    Mr Speaker, yes, the Constitution under article 252 does propose the establishment of the District Assemblies Common Fund. Today, I learnt from the Hon Member and some others when he
    Mr H. Iddrisu 1:55 a.m.


    Yes!

    You expressed your opinion and I am expressing mine --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:55 a.m.
    Hon Members, having regard to the state of business in this House, I direct that Sitting should go outside the prescribed period in accordance with Standing Order 40 (3) of the Standing Orders.
    But in the meantime, Hon Members, I will have to use some veto powers I have directed that the matter be deferred. Also, if we do not have any further business from the Leadership, then we will adjourn.
    So, this is where we stand. I do not want this debate to go on ad infinitum.
    Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
    Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka 1:55 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your direction.
    We will take notice of that. Where we have reached, we think it is proper to adjourn the House, so that we will look at how to sort out all these problems for tomorrow.
    I beg to move, that this House stands adjourned till tomorrow at 10.00 o'clock before noon?
    Dr A. A. Osei 1:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, before I second the Motion, I would like to exhort Hon Members, that when the Speaker directs, I am sure he has a reason he directs. It is a very important programme and we need to find a way to get to the same solution. I am just advising.
    I think there is a way to get to the solution but we are not going to get there with people pulling things from Cabinet papers and all those things. It does not help. I think that there is a solution on which we can meet. So, I was surprised that the Minister came out - When you do that you push people against the wall; we want to go forward. There are ways to get round this but when you do that -- So, I agree with you.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:55 a.m.
    In the meantime, before anything is done, I think we jumped the gun. Let me make an Order to the effect, that the Consideration Stage has been brought to an end and after that the Motion can be moved and seconded.
    Hon Members, this brings us to the end of the Consideration Stage for today.

    Yes, Hon Member?
    Alhaji Muntaka 1:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we would be grateful to tell our Hon Colleagues that we did a lot of winnowing today and tomorrow it will be at 9.00 a.m., if it will be available, we would be grateful for those who are interested to be at the Majority
    Leader's office. Just as we did today, so that we take that opportunity to iron out most of the differences to make it easier when we get unto the floor.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:55 a.m.
    Thank you very much.

    Hon Members, the House stands adjourned till tomorrow at ten o'clock in the forenoon.

    I thank you all for your contributions.
    ADJOURNMENT 1:55 a.m.
  • The House was adjourned at 2.03 p.m. till Thursday, 5th February, 2015 at 10.00 a. m.