Debates of 13 Mar 2015

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:35 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Hon Members, Correction of the Votes and Proceedings of 12th March, 2015.
  • [No correction was made to the Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 12th March, 2015.]
  • [No correction was made to the Official Report of Tuesday, 10th March, 2015.]
    • Mr Speaker 10:35 a.m.
    Item number 3 on the
    Order Ppaper, Business Statement for the eventh Week.
    Chairman of the Committee?
    BUSNESS OF THE HOUSE 10:35 a.m.
    Majority Leader/Chairman of the Business Committee (Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin) 10:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Committee met yesterday, Thursday, 12th March, 2015 and arranged Business of the House for the Seventh Week ending Friday, 20th March,
    2015.
    Mr Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 56 (1), the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows:
    Arrangement of Business
    Question(s)
    Mr Speaker, the Committee has programmed the following Ministers to respond to Questions asked of them during the week:
    No. of Question(s)
    i. Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing -- 5
    ii. Minister for Food and Agriculture -- 2
    iii. Minister for Power -- 5
    iv. Minister for Health -- 5
    v. Minister for Roads and Highways -- 6
    Total number of Questions -- 23
    Majority Leader/Chairman of the Business Committee (Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin) 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, five (5) Ministers are expected to attend upon the House to respond to twenty-three (23) Questions during the week. The Questions are of the following types.
    i. Urgent -- 1
    ii. Oral -- 22
    Statements
    Mr Speaker, pursuant to Order 70 (2), Ministers of State may be permitted to make Statements on Government policy. Your goodself may also admit Statements to be made in the House by Hon Members in accordance with Order 72.
    Bills, Papers and Reports
    Mr Speaker, Bills may be presented to the House for First Reading and those of urgent nature may be taken through the various stages in one day in accordance with Order 119. Papers and committee reports may also be presented to the House.
    Motions and Resolutions
    Mr Speaker, Motions may be debated and their consequential Resolutions, if any, taken during the week.
    Debate on the Message on the State of the Nation
    Mr Speaker, the debate on the Motion to thank H.E. the President for the Message on the State of the Nation is scheduled to continue during the week under consideration. Debate on the Motion is expected to conclude on Wednesday, 18th March, 2015.
    Initially, the proposal was for it to end on Friday. Mr Speaker would recall that in view of some other imperatives, the Leadership would have to attend a call of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, African Region Executive Conference in Tanzania. Leadership is likely not to be available that day. So, we decided that it should end on Wednesday, next week.
    Mr Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 160 (2) and subject to Standing Order 53, the Committee submits to this Honourable House, the order in which the Business of the House, shall be taken during the week.

    Urgent Question --
    Mr Kennedy Nyarko Osei (Akim Swedru) 10:45 a.m.
    To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing what measures the Ministry is putting in place to replace three (3) out of the four (4) submersible pumps in Akim Swedru, the constituency capital, that have broken down and consequently causing acute water shortage in the constituency for the past six (6) months.
    Questions --
    Q.293. Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko- Mensah (Takoradi): To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing when the overhead water tank at Upper New Takoradi would be repaired to supply water to the people of New Takoradi.
    Q.367. Mr Kofi Okyere-Agyekum (Fanteakwa South): To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing when drains will be constructed in the Busoso town to stop the yearly flooding of Busoso.
    Q.368. Mr Robert Sarfo-Mensah (Asunafo North): To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing the status of works on the Mim-Feteagya drainage project.
    Q.369. Mr Kwaku Asante-Boateng (Asante Akim South): To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing when the Juaso water supply system will be upgraded to befit its status as the
    Mr Kennedy Nyarko Osei (Akim Swedru) 10:45 a.m.
    district capital of Asante Akim South.
    Statements
    Presentation of Papers --
    (a) Report of the Auditor-General on the Statement of Foreign Exchange Receipts and Pay- ments of the Bank of Ghana for the half year ended 30th June,
    2014.
    (b) Semi-annual report of the Bank of Ghana on the Petroleum Holding Funds and the Ghana Petroleum Funds for the period July 1 - December 30, 2014.
    (c) Purchase Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and AirBus Defence and Space S.A.U. for the acquisition of one (1) C-295 CASA Aircraft and related equipment at an estimated cost of €33,325,126.00 under the Credit Facility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and VTB Capital plc, London (as Arranger and Facility Agent) for an amount of three hundred million United States dollars (US$300 million) for the Ghana Armed Forces peacekeeping efforts undertaken by the United Nations Organisation and other agreed uses.
    Motions --
    (a) That this Honourable House thanks H.E. the President for the Message on the State of the Nation which he delivered to
    Parliament on Thursday, 26th February, 2015.
    (Continuation of debate)
    (b) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Financing Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the International Development Association (IDA) for an amount of thirty-two million, four hundred thousand Special Drawing Rights
    (SDR32,400,000.00) [US$50.00
    million equivalent] being additional financing for the Social Opportunities Project.
    Consequential Resolution
    (c) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Concessional Loan Facility between the Government of Ghana and the Government of the Republic of Korea acting through the Export-Import Bank of Korea for an amount of USD67,234,000.00 for the Implementation of the Prestea- Kumasi Power Enhancement Project.
    Consequential Resolution
    Consideration Stage of Bills --
    Chieftaincy (Amendment) Bill, 2013.
    Transfer of Convicted Persons (Amendment) Bill, 2014.
    Committee sittings.

    Questions --

    Q.321. Mr Mohammed Salisu Bamba (Ejura Sekyedumase): To ask the

    Minister for Food and Agricuture what steps the Ministry is taking to upgrade the Ejura Agricultural College to a diploma awarding institution.

    Q.363. Mr Robert Kwasi Amoah (Achiase): To ask the Minister for Food and Agriculture steps being taken to address the problem of marketing of citrus fruits in the country.

    Q.231. Mr Kennedy Nyarko Osei (Akim Swedru): To ask the Minister for Power when the following towns will be connected to the national electricity grid: (i) Adinkrom (ii) Otwereso Praso (iii) Yawdensukrom (iv) Kroboase (v) Mensakrom (vi) Apoli Ningo (vii) Ofosukrom (viii) Oforikrom.

    Q.249. Alhaji Habibu Tijani Mohammad (Yendi): To ask the Minister for Power when electricity supply from the national grid will be extended to the following communities: (i) Kpalgigbene (ii) Kuni (iii) Kulkpene, (iv) Bini, (v) Choo, (vi) Kpugli, (vii) Bogni (viii) Kpalsonado, (ix) Kuga, (x) Gbetobu, (xi) Bunbon, (xii) Gundowagri, (xiii) Kpanjamba, (xiv) Kpachiyili (xv) Kpaku/Dagbanja (xvi) Paansiya.

    Q.250. Alhaji Habibu Tijani Mohammad (Yendi): To ask the Minister for Power when electricity supply from the national grid will be extended to the following new settlements of Yendi town in the Yendi Municipality: (i) Walyapala, (ii) Mendogu, (iii) Kalbila, (iv) Sikafuo, (v) Gamanzi, (vi) Saasigli (vii) Guntingli.

    Q.286. Mr Benito Owusu-Bio (Atwima Nwabiagya North): To ask the Minister for Power when the following towns in the Atwima Nwabiagya Distr ict would be connected to the national electrification grid: (i) Boahenkwaa No. 1, (ii) Boahenkwaa No. 2, (iii) Achina, (iv) Adagya, (v) Worapong.

    Q.288. Mr Robert Sarfo-Mensah (Asunafo North): To ask the Minister for Power when electricity will be extended to the following communities: (i) Asukese, (ii) Kyirikasa, (iii) Ebetoda, (iv) Peterkrom, (v) Suntreso, (vi) Mireku, (vii) Adututu, (viii) Boakyekrom, (ix) Kwabenagyam.

    Statements
    Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, look at the Motion on Wednesday (iii).
    Mr Bagbin 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, that is what I am going to talk about.
    Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Very well.
    Mr Bagbin 10:45 a.m.
    At page 3, we will continue with the debate on the Motion. That this Honourable House thanks H.E. the President for the Message on the State of the Nation.
    As I stated earlier, it will not be the continuation but conclusion of the debate.
    Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Hon Members, amend the “continuation” to read “conclusion”.
    Mr Bagbin 10:45 a.m.
    It might be a secretarial error. This is because the decision was for the House to conclude the debate on Wednesday. So, it is not continuation. With your kind permission, I accordingly amend that it should read “conclusion of debate on the Message on the State of the Nation”.
    Mr Bagbin 10:45 a.m.
    Motions --
    (a) That this Honourable House thanks H.E the President for the Message on the State of the Nation which he delivered to Parliament on Thursday, 26th February, 2015
    (Conclusion to debate)
    (b) Third Reading of Bills --
    Chieftaincy (Amendment) Bill,
    2013.
    (c) Second Reading of Bills --
    Transfer of Convicted Persons (Amendment) Bill,
    2014
    Consideration Stage of Bills --
    Conduct of Public Officers Bill, 2013.
    Committee sittings.

    Questions --

    Q.242. Mr Simon Osei-Mensah (Bosomtwe): To ask the Minister for Health what arrangements have been put in place for the construction of the proposed regional hospital at Sewua in the Bosomtwe District in the Ashanti Region.

    Q.243. Mr Kofi Frimpong (Kwabre East): To ask the Minister for Health when separate male and female wards would be constructed for the Kwabre Distr ict Hospital at Asonomaso since currently, there is only one ward with a bed capacity of ten used by both male and female patients in dilapidated structures.

    Q.263. Mr Johnson Kwaku Adu (Ahafo Ano South West): To ask the Minister for Health what plans the Ministry has to expand/upgrade the district hospital at Mankranso.

    Q.264. Dr Kojo Appiah-Kubi (Atwima Kwanwoma): To ask the Minister for Health when the Ministry will

    provide the Atwima Kwanwoma District with a district hospital.

    *301. Mr Gabriel Kodwo Essilfie (Shama): To ask the Minister for Health when the Shama District Polyclinic, which has been under construction since 2004, will be completed.
    Mr Bagbin 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, there is a repetition of the mistake at page 4, on the Message of the State of the Nation Address. With your kind permission, I move that it be deleted because, the debate would have been concluded on Wednesday.
    Statements --
    (a) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Poverty Reduc- tion Strategy on the 2011 Annual Progress Report on the imple- mentation of the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDA), 2010-2013.
    (b) Adoption of the Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Performance Audit Report of the Auditor-General on the construction of the Achimota - Ofankor Road Project.
    Consideration Stage of Bills --
    Conduct of Public Officers Bill, 2013. (Continuation of debate.)
    Committee sittings.

    Questions --

    Q.208. Mr Robert Nachinab Doameng Mosore (Talensi): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the road from Tongo-Yameriga through to Duusi-Kolpeliga will be tarred.

    Q.209. Dr. Stephen Nana Ato Arthur (Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/ Abrem): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the following roads in Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abrem Constituency will be tarred: (i) Ayensudu - Abeyee - Dwabo (ii) Abrem Agona - Esiam - Dwabo (iii) Kissi - Besease.

    Q.211. Mr Augustine Collins Ntim (Offinso North): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways what plans have been put in place by the Ministry to ensure that the following feeder roads in the Offinso North Distr ict are maintained: (i) Afrancho - Taekwaem (ii) Nkenkaasu - Nsenoa (iii) Akomadan - Bosomposo (iv) Nyinatase - Kutre (v) Nkenkaasu - Seseko (vi) Asempaneye - Nsenoa.

    Q.212. Mr Augustine Collins Ntim (Offinso North): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways what measures have been put in place by the Ministry to ensure that the following town roads in the Offinso North District are constructed: (i) Afrancho town roads (ii) Nkenkaasu town roads (iii) Akomadan town roads.

    Q.218.Dr Kojo Appiah-Kubi (Atwima Kwanwoma): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Boko - Nweneso III road will be tarred.

    Q.219. Dr Kojo Appiah-Kubi (Atwima Kwanwoma): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways what plans the Ministry has towards tarring of the Foase town roads which link the district capital with other parts of the district.

    Statements

    Motion --

    Third Reading of Bills.

    Conduct of Public Officers Bill, 2013.

    Committee sittings.
    Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, a few days back, the Hon Speaker presiding, issued instructions to the Government, Hon Members of Parliament and Select Committees to get together with the Hon Attorney-General and Minister for Justice to fashion out something to provide a guideline or a framework for post-Friday, and that they were supposed to report to Parliament by yesterday. We have not heard anything and the Business Statement did not even say anything, for that matter, for next week.
    Mr David T. Assumeng 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my concern is with the Committee that is reviewing the modern Standing Orders. I believe that we need this report urgently in view of developments that are ongoing in the Chamber. You would recall that yesterday, your goodself could not control the House and so, I believe that we need the Standing Orders for us to handle issues in the Chamber. [Interruption.]
    Mr Fredrick Opare-Ansah 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member is treading on a very dangerous ground. I was in the House yesterday and at no point did I have the feeling that you had lost control of this House. He should withdraw that and apologise to your goodfself.
    Mr Assumeng 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I did not say -- [Interruption.]
    Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Hon Members, we should not go into those matters.
    Mr Assumeng 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my issue is that -- [Introduction.]
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    If you are talking about Standing Orders, limit yourself to Standing Orders. I was in control of the House yesterday.
    Mr Assumeng 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, let me withdraw that example and apologise to you. However, the conduct of Hon Members of late, in my view, is worrying. It is in the Standing Orders --
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Member, I gave you a cue that if you want to limit yourself, limit yourself to the Standing Orders, otherwise, you will be opening the pandora's box. I do not want us to open the pandora's box this morning.
    Dr Anthony A. Osei 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, first, I would want to touch again on the issue raised by my good Friend, Hon Dr Matthew O. Prempeh. I think when the directives were given -- unless I am mistaken -- your goodself or the First Deputy Speaker directed who should be members of that Committee, during the Committee of the Whole. I remember distinctly that the Hon Ranking Member and the Hon Chairman of the Finance Committee's names were mentioned.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Members, please, this is a Committee matter. Let us find out when the Committee's Report would be made available.
    Dr A. A. Osei 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, all I am saying is that the Deputy Clerk told me emphatically that I had been sacked from the Committee. I was very surprised. So, I would want to know how it happened.
    Mr Speaker, on the second issue —
    Mr Opare-Ansah 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the meeting in question was for the Committee of the Whole. The First Deputy Speaker, when he was presiding, initially thought that since there were financial matters concerning the Electoral Commission, he wanted to involve the Hon Chairman and the Hon Ranking Member of the Finance Committee. Whereupon, he was advised that their budget is actually dealt with by the Special Budget Committee, and the Chairman and the Vice Chairman were there and they were put on that Committee.
    So, the Hon Ranking Member was not a member of that Committee.
    Dr A. A. Osei 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, you can check the records — for the Deputy Clerk to have told me that it was decided that I had been sacked. He is here; he told me. That was what he said. In any case —
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Move to your second point. [Laughter.]
    Dr A. A. Osei 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, an issue was raised last week when the formulae for the Statutory Funds would be coming. I thought that they would be programmed this week.
    Mr Speaker, now that we are postponing the revision of the budget, those ceilings would be implemented. Before the end of the month, we should get the formulae in place, even with the new ceilings, so that they can operate. I thought that we were going to programme them for next week, but I did not see anything about it. I can see the delay because of the new ceiling. But now that it is in the public domain, they should come as soon as possible. I would want to see if the Business Committee can consider it to come next week, so that we can take our time to do it.
    Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, as has already been put out, during the Caucus meeting, a committee was set up to work with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Attorney-General to fashion out a way forward after the District Assemblies election fiasco for that to happen.
    Mr Speaker, I have learnt, in the newspapers today, that the Hon Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development has given directives that the Regional Ministers should take over the District Assemblies.
    Mr Speaker, we are not sure the legal basis for those ones, but we would have thought that the Hon Deputy Minister who is a member of that committee and was summoned, would have rather worked with the Committee to reach a consensus than overreach Parliament by making instructions which may be difficult to implement. I wish that if he were here, he would be guided. The Committee was actually scheduled to continue with its work today. In the face of these instructions, we do not know where to go.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Member, this issue cropped up at the Speaker's Lobby this morning, and I saw a copy of the draft in the hands of one of the Leaders. That statement does not in any way undermine any work that the House wants to do. Maybe, a copy can be made available to you, so that we can all see the way forward. That is what I can say about that matter. This is because some of these issues are matters of the Committee of the Whole, and the Committee has not reported. So, as much as possible, the House should decide when we will want to discuss those matters.
    This is because as of now, they are matters within the Committee and no report has come. We should not be discussing a matter that is still at the Committee.
    Hon Member for Wa West, I saw you on your feet.
    Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think on the matter that was raised, I am a member of the Committee that was asked to do this. The understanding was that, we were to have a meeting with the Hon Attorney-General and Minister for Justice this morning. What my Hon Colleagues are saying is that, there are two or three issues involved.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Member for Wa West, are you giving a report of a matter in a committee?
    Mr Chireh 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, no! I am just making a comment on what they said.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Very well.
    Mr Chireh 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, again, there was the issue of the Local Government Act, under section 42 or thereabout, which allows the President to constitute the management committee in case of default. But this is not default; it is not a disciplinary issue; it is an emergency issue. So, there was the possibility of amending that part to add “emergency” so that the President could constitute the committees to manage the places.
    Mr Speaker, the third one is what we are talking about. The argument here is that, the District Chief Executives remain in office, and therefore, could carry on administrative and other implementations
    -- 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    The draft that I saw this morning in my Lobby was in the name of the Minister responsible for Local Govern- ment and Rural Development.
    Mr Chireh 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Media said the Hon Deputy Minister, Hon Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye directed the Hon Regional Ministers to take note of this.
    Mr Speaker, the important thing is that, if this House, as representatives of the people, had agreed in principle with it — The date is already here, but the common understanding for all of us to be explaining to people is important in the matter. For this statement to come — if it is by the Hon Minister, it is appropriate, but if it is by the Hon Deputy Minister and he is also saying something that he has not consulted -- [Interruption]-- Because my Friend, the Hon Minority Leader —
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Member for Wa West, you are going beyond the discussion of the Business Statement.
    Mr Chireh 10:55 a.m.
    All right.
    Mr Speaker, some people were even saying that the District Chief Executives (DCEs) too were not in office and that was part of the argument. We all need to
    understand this, that they are still holding office. They can carry out limited responsibilities until we have the District Assemblies elections. It is important for us to take note of what has happened.
    Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I wanted to raise the very issues he raised because the correspondence or the instructions that were being given out were from the Hon Deputy Minister, instructing Regional Ministers and we found that to be very odd.
    But more importantly, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development was part of the Committee that was being set up here and for them to go out of the Committee and be giving instructions contrary to what he has just told us, I find that to be very odd. This is because if you are part of the Committee and the Committee has not yet --
    There is good reason Parliament, together with them and other bodies were brought together with the Hon Attorney- General and Minister for Justice to look at it. Then out of the blue, you do not even inform other Hon Members of the Committee, not even Parliament and you go out and issue instructions. If the Committee comes out with a different version, what happens?
    I think it is a very serious issue that the Hon Deputy Minister must be explaining to this House, otherwise, we will become a laughing stock. We may decide here that it is no issue but for the people outside, it is an issue to them.
    Mr Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minority Leader, you may have a point but let us be sure whether some Hon Members in Parliament were not consulted on this matter, otherwise -- [Interruption.]
    Hon Deputy Minority Leader, let us be very careful because in my Lobby, I saw the draft yesterday when we suspended the House, and I saw the Hon Deputy Majority Leader holding a copy of the draft. Let us be sure; we should not go and be blaming people. Maybe, some people in Leadership might have been spoken to. So, let us do the consultation behind the scene, then when the report comes from the Committee that we have put in place, we can look at it.
    Mr Nitiwul 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the point I am making is that, there was a good reason the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development was included on that Committee. Even if it is a draft and you have seen the draft and it has not yet been finalised, you do not go out there and start making statements. We still have up to the midnight of the 14th of March. So, we have enough time. Today, for instance, the Committee could have met to conclude everything and then an instruction would have been given out.
    Now, somebody has gone out to give an instruction. If the Committee were to conclude -- and they have to conclude before the 14th of March, and I believe that you may have to let them conclude today. So, if they go out there and make that statement, what happens? Unless we are saying that whatever we are doing, we should forget about it and let the Executive take the decision. In that case, we should not have bothered ourselves setting up the Committee.
    Mr Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, a number of issues have been --
    rose
    Mr Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    All right. Let me get the Hon Member for Abuakwa South.
    Mr Samuel Atta Akyea 11:05 a.m.
    I am grateful Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, we should be careful because of our understanding of the Constitution and the separation of powers. There might be a committee working and trying to help the Executive to do some good job but if they say, no, we do not know the instructions from the Presidency that stated that the committee should be ignored and press ahead with issues.
    So, if he would be gracious enough, he should tell this House whether he has commanding powers from the Executive that Parliament should be ignored and let me soldier on. That could be a better understanding of the problem. But we cannot force ourselves on the Executive, relating to their errors or their forward activities.
    Mr Speaker, this is a very serious concern because --
    Mr Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Hon Members, I have seen the draft. I am not holding brief for anybody. There are two issues that have been raised; one is the issuing of the statement itself; the second one is the issue of the person who allegedly signed the statement.
    Hon Members, if you look at the statement that was issued, it was just stating the obvious.
    Mr Bagbin 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, on this issue, I was not too clear the nature of the directive, and when I was informed, I wanted to know whether it was Parliament that wanted to take the decision what should happen or Parliament was just meeting to advise on the way forward. So, I was not sure what the directive was. But the Committee actually met and they briefed me and I raised these issues. So, they came back with a draft.
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, there is another important matter that we discussed two or three weeks back. This House must approve of the programme of activities of the National Oil Company. It was deferred -- the programmes and activities of the Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC). It was deferred during the last budget time. It was supposed to come earlier but still has not been brought here. I think that it is urgent -- [Interruption.] The Petroleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA) says that “Parliament shall approve of their programmes and activities for each year.”
    We deferred it in December, hoping that it would come back in January. Clearly, the revision of the budget would affect it, but it must be approved by this House before we rise. So, it is also very urgent.
    Dr Richard Winfred Anane 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, this is a different issue but it is an issue of concern.
    Mr Speaker, I have raised this about two times on the floor and it has to do with the presentation by the Hon Minister for Health with respect to the issue of Capitation and the order for the Hon Minister to present to this House the way forward with respect to whatever they are doing with Capitation.
    Leadership gave an assurance but it appears that day in, day out, it has not in any way put it on the Agenda for the Hon Minister to come. So, may I have the direction of Mr Speaker on this matter? The Hon Minister must come and let us know what they are doing with respect to the Capitation matter and whether it is to be spread or it is to be stalled for some time.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Bagbin 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we would definitely get in touch with these agencies and draw their attention to take action on that.
    On the Ministry of Health, I am sure my Hon Colleague is requesting for an update on the issue of the Capitation and what the Ministry is doing to roll it out to the other three regions they announced they were going to do this year.
    So, we would get in touch with the Hon Minister to come and brief the House on that issue.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Members, that brings us to the end of the consideration of the Business Statement for the 7th week.
    Business Statement accordingly adopted.
    Hon Deputy Minority Leader?
    Mr Nitiwul 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Chair gave direction about the matter but it looks like
    the Business Statement did not capture it. That is why the Hon Member of Parliament for Effutu wanted to draw your attention to it, that the Chair had given a direction through the Business Committee but they did not capture it. [Interruption.] And your own Hansard captured it.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Who was presiding?
    Mr Alexander K. Afenyo-Markin 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, your able First Deputy Speaker was presiding a fortnight ago and the issue of the emergency power supply from Turkey by CAL Power came up, that the Agreement, although Government was not a party to it, by a comfort letter which had been issued -- [Interruption.]
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Members, you see --
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, a directive was given by the Chair.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    I do not know but if there is a directive, there is a directive. I am not aware.
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, that is why I am drawing your attention.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    I am hearing it for the first time. The Business Committee programmes business that is before them. If there is a directive, then maybe, Hon Chairman of the Business Committee, are you aware of it?
    Mr Bagbin 11:15 a.m.
    No, Mr Speaker. I am not aware of any directive. I was here when the Hon Member made that submission and what I heard was that that was not the proper time to make the submission. I was -- [Interruption.]
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Majority Leader was not present at the time. It was -- [Interruption.]
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Member, even where there is no directive, there are other tools available to the Hon Member for Effutu, by which that document that he is talking about can be brought. So, I do not see why there should be a problem. This is because if there is a document that is supposed to come and it, is not here, the person who did not bring it, is the person who would face the consequences of it. But just go back and look at the Hansard of that day and get the exact directive that had been made, then the Hon Chairman of the Business Committee would follow it up.
    Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Bagbin 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, apart from that, my very good Friend should catch your eye before he gets up to talk. [Laughter.]
    Yes, actually, I am not aware of that directive and my attention has not been drawn to it. I speak sometimes because I am the Majority Leader. The business is arranged according to what is given to the Business Committee. So, if any matter has not come before the Business Committee, we cannot programme it.
    As Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, I can follow up on some of these matters but until we get the report, we cannot programme it for the House. You can keep on reminding us but that is what we have and have programmed.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minority Leader?
    Mr Nitiwul 11:15 a.m.
    The reason I drew your attention and I wanted him to explain is that the First Deputy Speaker had directed that, that matter be brought to the Business Committee, especially this week and if that was correct and it did not appear on the Business Statement, then there could be a problem. So, I was
    drawing your attention to it, so that we could find out exactly what the directive was and then we can move forward.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    We will look at the Hansard and then take it up from there.
    Hon Members, that brings us to the end of the consideration of the Business Statement for the Seventh Week.
    Hon Members, Question time. We will start with the Urgent Question standing in the name of the Hon Member for Manhyia South.

    Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Bagbin 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, with your kind permission, if I may, under Standing Order 53, request that we vary the order of Business to allow the Hon Minister for Finance to just lay a Report on some urgent matter that they have to handle at the Ministry. [Interruption.]-- It is the Petroleum Revenue Management (Amendment) Bill, 2015. Just that and then we go back to the Questions.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Members, there is an application under Standing Order 53 (2). Is the Hon Minister for Finance in the House?
    Mr Bagbin 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, with your indulgence, I would want you to allow the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance to lay the Report for and on behalf of the Hon Minister for Finance who is held up in the Flagstaff House and is unable to turn up today.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Members, item number 8 on the Order Paper -- Presentation and First Reading of Bills by the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance on behalf of the Hon Minister for Finance.
    BILLS -- FIRST READING 11:15 a.m.
    URGENT QUESTION 11:15 a.m.
    MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, 11:15 a.m.
    SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND 11:15 a.m.
    INNOVATION 11:15 a.m.
    Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (Mr Akwasi Opong-Fosu) 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, upon a formal complaint on 30 th January, 2015, by Greenline Logistics about the inappro- priate issuance of Environmental Permit by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to Messrs Stellar Logistics for the importation, internal transportation and storage of ammonium nitrate at the Air Force Base in Takoradi, I undertook a field visit to the office and warehouse of the company in Takoradi on the 2nd of February, 2015.
    Prior to this visit, the Ministry of Defence had ordered the evacuation of the ammonium nitrate from the Air Force
    Base. The evacuation exercise was on- going at the time of my visit and it is now completed.
    Mr Speaker, the major findings of my visit to Takoradi and the report I demanded from EPA on the issuance of the permit to Messrs Stellar Logistics demand further investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the storage of the chemical at the Air Force Base and matters relating to the issuance of permits and licences.
    I have therefore, instituted a three (3) member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the importa- tion, transportation and storage of the chemical at the Air Force Base and to come out with appropriate recommendations to streamline the issuance of environmental permits and licences in line with laid down procedures as prescribed by law and also recommend an effective monitoring mechanism by the Ministry to ensure that environmental quality and national security considerations are upheld in the country.
    The Committee has four (4) weeks to submit its report to the Ministry, effective 20th March, 2015.
    Mr Speaker, the outcome of the committee's investigation will therefore determine whether the Environmental Assessment Regulations were complied with.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Dr Prempeh 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the keywords were “importation” and “storage.” Definitely, ammonium nitrate has been regulated by all Governments because of its use as fertiliser bombs; dirty bombs which terrorists have been using.
    Mr Opong-Fosu 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have duly informed the National Security Co- ordinator about the situation and I am aware that they are taking appropriate measures to ensure that the security of the country is not undermined.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Hon Member for Manhyia South, your second supplemen- tary question.
    Dr Prempeh 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, where ammonium nitrate is being stored has critical characteristics. One cannot store it in any other room apart from certain defined -- Could he tell me the characteristics of where it is being stored now?
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister -- Sorry, Hon Minister. Today, you were mentioning the Hon Deputy Minister's issuing communications and a whole lot of things. So, you have infected me. I am sorry.
    Hon Minister?
    Mr Opong-Fosu 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, during my visit, I was accompanied by the Regional Security Co-ordinator, who has taken responsibility to ensure that the new location of the ammonium nitrate satisfies the conditions as laid down in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Act.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Dr Prempeh 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation is directly responsible for ammonium nitrate importations into the country.
    Mr Speaker, ammonium nitrate should be stored in clean rooms which are well ventilated and the building should be either made of steel, concrete or whatnots. Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister does not seem to know and that is my worry.
    This is because that is his responsibility; it is not that of the Hon Minister for National Security. We do not even know that person. If he exists, we do not even know because we are not told, and this House has never been informed that there is a Minister for National Security and for that matter, we do not know. So, I cannot ask this of that Minister.
    But I can bring him to tell Ghanaians what amount of ammonium nitrate was stored which was evacuated, what it is going to be used for, and who is directly going to monitor it.
    Mr Speaker, if one cannot even stack it above 300, in what condition is it being kept? There are a lot of questions; who and where is it being kept now? Could we go there or could he take me there?
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Hon Member for Manhyia South, you could ask all the questions. But I am not too comfortable with the aspect of location, given the information you have given to the House that it could be used by terrorists. I am not too comfortable with the Hon Minister answering or giving the information to the House on that aspect. He could answer all your questions, but the one on location --
    Maybe, Leadership could find another forum where that information could be made available.
    Dr Prempeh 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, would the Hon Minister be able to tell us, what that ammonium nitrate was going to be used for in this country, who is going to use it and what use has the person put them all this while?
    Mr Opong-Fosu 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, during my visit, I went to the warehouse of the company where they have relocated the ammonium nitrate. As I have said, I will inform the National Security to ensure that the ammonium nitrate is given the needed security cover, such that the security of this country is not threatened by the relocation.
    Ammonium nitrates are used for various purposes -- For the production of fertiliser as well as an explosive in the mining industries and quarry sites. So, in respect of what is being imported in the Western Region, it is for the mining companies which are the end users.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    You have exhausted your three supplementary questions.
    Hon George Arthur?
    Mr George K. Arthur 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister has explained the uses of the ammonium nitrate, but may I know the reason it was imported, the company that imported it and why they imported it?
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    He answered that it was for mining companies as the end users; he has answered that question.
    Mr G. K. Arthur 11:25 a.m.
    But, Mr Speaker, here is the case the Hon Member who asked the Question --
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Please, ask your question.
    Mr G. K. Arthur 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my question is, why was it imported?
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Hon Member, under the rule, if an answer has been given, you do not ask for an answer for the same question again. You should check your rules. He said that it was for the mining industry. He provided the answer. The Hon Member asked that question and he said that it was for the mining industry.
    Mr G. K. Arthur 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, then I think the question may be irrelevant because if it is the mining company which imported the ammonium nitrate, then why do we go on to find out why it was imported?
    Mr Patrick Boamah 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to know the composition of the committee which the Hon Minister has set up and when he intends to submit the report to the general public.
    Thank you.
    Mr Opong-Fosu 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is a three -- member committee with representatives from the Attorney-General's Department, the Ministry's Environment Directorate and a lecturer in law.
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Hon Member for Bekwai?
    Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to know from the Hon Minister, does the Environmental Protection Act not know how much quantity is required for what, for which reason they have allowed so much that there is a stack and they have to be transported out and kept somewhere.
    In my view, that seriously compromises the safety of the country. But how did it happen that one or two companies were allowed to import so much more than they needed?
    Mr Opong-Fosu 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the committee set up will come out with recommendations that will cover the question that has been asked.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Mr Emmanuel A. Gyamfi 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker m y Hon Colleague asked when the report of the Committee would be ready and -- Mr Speaker, if you would request that a copy of the report be made available to this House.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    I am taking the Question in respect of the Committee; I thought he mentioned 20th March. He provided the Answer that it is 20th March. I heard him say it; “effective 20th March”. Those were the words that the Hon Minster used.
    Yes, the last person on this matter.
    Mr Kennedy N. Osei 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I heard the Hon Minister say that he has handed the matter to the National Security for them to handle it. But the National Security and Ministry of Defence are not represented on the committee. I would want to find out how they will go to the Air Force Base to get access to investigate this matter.
    Mr Opong-Fosu 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the committee is to investigate the complaint that came to my office regarding the issuance of the permit and also to come out with recommendations in relation to the issuance of permits, generally. It is also to come out with recommendations on mechanisms to ensure that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permit issuance is properly monitored by the Ministry.
    In respect of the security implications, the Ministry of Defence came in because the ammonia nitrate was being stored at the Air Force Base and now that the Ministry directed the evacuation of the ammonia nitrate from the Air Force Base, the responsibility is also to ensure that where it is stored is under security cover.
    So, the National Security has been duly informed in respect of the security implications of the storage of the ammonia nitrate.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Member for Ablekuma West?
    Mrs Ursula G. Ekuful 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, following from the last answer given by the Hon Minister, I would like to know why the National Security is not part of the committee which is investigating and making recommendations on this matter, precisely because of the security implications of this item. There are two lawyers on the committee -- an official from the Attorney-General's Office and a law lecturer.
    How important is the input of lawyers as against the input of security operatives?
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Member, ask your question. You do not argue.
    Hon Minister, why do we not have National Security on the committee that you put up?
    Mr Opong-Fosu 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is well noted and we would make the necessary adjustments.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Minority Leader?
    Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, may I know from the Hon Minister whether this is the first time such a product or similar products are being stored or have been stored at the Air Force Base?
    Mr Opong-Fosu 11:35 a.m.
    This is the first time such an issue has come to my attention since I went to the Ministry and I have responded appropriately.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I asked whether this is the first time, not since he went to the Ministry.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, you know the rule is that you can only ask our Hon Minister a question on what he is responsible for or what he is officially connected to. So, he is responsible during the period that he became the Hon Minister.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, with respect, it is the remit of the Ministry, not he as a person.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Yes, I agree. But he is saying that since he went there, that is the first time to the best of his knowledge.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
    So, I am asking whether this is the first time that this has happened. He limits it to his own tenure and I am asking whether this is the first time it has happened.
    Mr Opong-Fosu 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, during my interaction with the importers and those connected with the ammonia nitrate,
    the information I had was that the Air Force Base (Hanger) had stored this chemical since 2003. I am yet to receive the committee's report that will confirm when the Air Force Base became the storage place for the ammonia nitrate. But this was just information that was given during discussions.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
    Has it been done with the knowledge of the EPA?
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    I did not get the question?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thought the question was to him.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    But I have to know whether the question satisfies the rules of the House before I call the Hon Minister.

    But I have to hear the question to make sure that it satisfies the rules before I call the Hon Minister.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
    So, Mr Speaker is the conduit?
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    What is the question? [Laughter.]
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am asking the Hon Minister if this has been done with the knowledge of the EPA. Whether they have certified that -- since he tells us that to the best of his knowledge, it has been happening since
    2003.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Minister?
    Mr Opong-Fosu 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, when ammonium nitrate and for that matter, any controlled chemical is imported, the EPA is made aware and the permit covers
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in that regard, what has occasioned this knee-jerk reaction of evacuating it quickly from the place since the Hon Minister says that it has always been done with the knowledge of the EPA?
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    He said he believed.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, let it come from him. There should not be any strategic direction. [Laughter.]
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Hon Minister?
    Mr Opong-Fosu 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, as part of the complaints of this other company involved in ammonia nitrate importation, I was made aware that the Ministry of Defence had ordered the evacuation of the ammonia nitrate from the Air Force Base Hanger. And during my visit, I observed that there was an evacuation exercise going on.
    I am not in the position to say what prompted the Ministry of Defence to give that order. But as of now, from my information, the ammonia nitrate has been evacuated from the Air Force Base.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, will the Hon Minister assure us that the evacuation exercise - Now, he has told us that, for security reasons, he might not want to disclose the destination. But the evacuation exercise, will the Hon Minister assure us that it was in conformity with laid down regulations, especially relating to the ferrying of such explosives?
    Mr Opong-Fosu 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, when I went to Takoradi, I was with the National Security Coordinator's representative and he confirmed that they had been part of the evacuation exercise.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we are not dealing with the security aspect; I am talking about the condition under which they were ferried, and about the scientific requirement. I am not talking about security compliance.
    Mr Opong-Fosu 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulations, the transportation and storage are covered by permitting process. The EPA, being the agency responsible for that, was part of the evacuation process from the Air Force Base to the new location.
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Hon Minister, we thank you for attending upon the House to respond to Questions.
    Hon Members, we are proceeding with Question time, this time with the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways. He is also in the House to respond to Questions from Hon Members.
    The Hon Second Deputy Speaker takes the Chair.
    MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
    Hon Members, I presume we are on Question
    203.
    Mr Justice Joe Appiah 11:48 a.m.
    We are on Question 202.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
    Question 202. Yes, Hon Philip Basoah?
    ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 11:48 a.m.
    MINISTRY OF ROADS AND 11:48 a.m.
    HIGHWAYS 11:48 a.m.
    Minister for Roads and Highways (Alhaji Inusah A. B. Fuseini) 11:48 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, before I answer the Question, I would crave your indulgence and the permission of this House to amend the Answer, in particular, on the Background, by deleting the second sentence which reads: “It connects Kumasi to Agogo Drobonso, Afram Plains Mampong and Nsuta”. That should be deleted.
    Background
    Kumawu is the district capital of the Sekyere Kumawu District of the Ashanti Region.
    Current Programme
    A total of five kilometres town roads were awarded by the Department of Feeder Roads and Ghana Highways Authority. Two kilometres were by DFR under the District Capital Road Improvement Programme (DCRIP) and three kilometres by the Ghana Highways Authority (GHA) under Government of Ghana Funding.
    Progress of work for the project stands at 40 per cent. The contractors have abandoned site and the projects have been terminated to be re-awarded.
    Future Programme
    The outstanding works have therefore been repackaged to be considered under the 2016 Budget by GHA.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
    Hon Minister, I believe the amendment you proposed is on page 12 of the Order Paper? It is just for the records.
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:48 a.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker, it is on page 12 of the Order Paper.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Mr Basoah 11:48 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister the total contract sum for the project and how much was paid to the contractor before he abandoned the project.
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:48 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the contract was awarded to Kace limited. The date of award was 13th October, 2008. The initial completion date for the project was 12th October, 2009. The project was extended to be completed on 30 th November, 2010. The contract sum was GH¢1,863,264.74. The progress of work as of the time of abandoning the work was 50.6 per cent.
    Mr Basoah 11:48 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I asked the amount so far paid to the contractor in view of the fact that, according to him, 40 per cent of the work had been done before he finally abandoned the project. I would want to specifically know how much was paid to the contractor before he finally abandoned the project.
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:48 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am unable to tell the exact amount that has been paid to the contractor up to now. This is because the contractor would have to generate payment certificate which would have to go through auditing,
    Mr Basoah 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, anyway, I am not satisfied with the answer he gave. This is because some certificates were raised and the Hon Minister should be aware of the total amount of money which had been paid to the contractor. He was not specific in that regard
    Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister whether the scope of work to be done encompasses areas around Old Gyedi, Hiawu and Kumawu Zongo communities.
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the project has been described as Kumawu town roads. If the areas he has mentioned are within the Kumawu town, it is more likely that they could be captured, but I am unable to give him which road. The five kilometres Kumawu town road would be done in total.
    Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I wish to know from the Hon Minister if it is not possible that Government's delay in the release of funding caused the contractor to abandon the project.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I cannot confirm or deny whether Government's delay was responsible but I can tell you that many things are responsible for contractors abandoning sites. An important one is that, contractors go to

    financial institutions to take resources to pre-finance the construction of work. So, when payment delays, interest is not updated and the figures that were used in calculating the quantities and awarding the contract, might be affected by inflation. So, the contract no longer becomes very profitable and so, they then abandon site.

    They might be paid but because of the effects of the economic indicators, they abandon site and negotiate for new contracts. I have come to learn at the Ministry of Roads and Highways that it is not solely the case that non-payment accounts for the abandonment of contracts.

    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Chief Whip?
    Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister, in his Answer, said that part of the work is being done by the Department of Feeder Roads under the District Capital Roads Improvement Programme and another section is being done by Ghana Highways Authority; I just want to know from him, which agency under his Ministry is responsible for district capital roads.
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, at the Ministry, there are various initiatives. The Ministry itself is divided into two departments and an authority -- the Ghana Highways Authority -- the Department of Feeder Roads and the Department of Urban Roads. Clearly, any road falling within an urban setting is within the purview of the Department of Urban Roads under the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
    Any road that connects the communities to the connected roads to
    the trunk roads are under the preserve of the Department of Feeder Roads and the Ghana Highways Authority is responsible for the trunk roads.
    In the case of Accra, for instance, the N1 is a highway but in and around it are communities which are urban settings. So, you can find the Department of Urban Roads working within the communities as well as the Ghana Highways Authority. So, there is no defined boundary, except where it is very clear cut. When policies are being implemented this way, it is intended to deliver value to the people through the combined efforts of the various departments.
    Mr Annoh- Amoakoh 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, per the Answer, 40 per cent of the road has been completed. I would want to know from the Hon Minister if this road was awarded to the same contractor. This is because we have two kilometres and three kilometres.
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not believe that the road was awarded to one contractor. This is because in the Answer I gave on the contract sum, I have since realised that, that talks about the three kilometres of the Ghana Highways and so the two kilometres of the Department of Feeder Roads could have been awarded to a different contractor.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Hon Dr Nana Ato Arthur?
    Dr Stephen Nana Ato Arthur 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, which of the two, following the Hon Minister's Answer -- two kilometres from the Department of Feeder Roads, three kilometres from Ghana Highways Authority. The Hon Minister is saying that he is not too sure whether both contracts went to the same contractor. So, which of the contractors abandoned the site?
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, Dr Ato Quarshie, I have already provided the Answer. It is in the last paragraph of the current programme and it is so clear. Both contractors abandoned site.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Hon Minister, I was not surprised that you were confused and you called him Dr Ato Quarshie because in Elmina, there was another doctor, Dr Annan. I have heard that if you are not a doctor, you cannot be a Member of Parliament for Elmina. This is because we have Dr Annan, Dr Ato Quarshie, Dr Nana Ato Arthur.
    Mr G. K. Arthur 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to know whether the contractors who were given the contracts had enough capacity to carry out the contract and whether they were paid any mobilisation. This is because they abandoned the site and I also want to find out whether the money paid to them was enough to cover what they did.
    Alhaji Fuseini 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am not aware that these contractors were paid mobilisation but the policy we are now implementing is that, contractors who come to the Ministry of Roads and Highways for contracts must be capable of raising their own mobilisation to start work before Government pays.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Have you not asked a question, Hon Member?
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, respectfully, I asked one but I have a very important question.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    No, Hon Member.
    Hand it over to somebody else and I will recognise the person.
    There are no further questions.
    Hon Minority Leader?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister, in his answer, has indicated to us that the five kilometres town road was awarded by the Department of Feeder Roads and Ghana Highways Authority: two kilometres by the Department of Feeder Roads and three kilometres by the Ghana Highways Authority and the contractors have abandoned site.
    The Minister tells us that the outstanding works have been repackaged to be considered by the Ghana Highways Authority in 2016. What happens to the aspect that was given to the Department of Feeder Roads. This is because the Hon Minister is now relating only to the Ghana Highways Authority. What happens to the project being undertaken by the Department of Feeder Roads?
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Roads and Highways is in the process of aligning road projects on contracts. Some of the activities of the Department of Feeder Roads, especially in towns that have since grown beyond the remit of the Department of Feeder Roads are being taken over by the Ghana Highways Authority, and I believe that this is one such arrangement that is being effected.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister is telling us about some re-alignment which is occasioning the Highways Authority taking over projects and programmes being undertaken by the Department of Feeder Roads and he believes this may be the case.
    Does he know of this as a fact or he believes? Otherwise, it would mean that the segment that has been programmed to be undertaken by the Department of Feeder Roads could be lost out. That is the question I am asking.
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we are trained to act on information based on our belief of the information. We have been given information that the Department of Feeder Roads -- Activities in areas that have been consumed by urbanisation would be taken over by the Ghana Highways Authority and the Department of Urban Roads and here there is clearly missing in the Answer an address to the two kilometres.
    That is why I am entitled to believe that the information being submitted clearly has been affected by the arrangement.
    Let me assure you that the two kilometres will not be lost.
    Thank you.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, only yesterday, we were told that the budget for 2015 is going to suffer some cuts, which means that some programmes and activities that Parliament has even approved of by way of the Approriation Act may be lost out. That is even in respect of 2015.
    The Hon Minister is telling us that the outstanding works have already been repackaged to be considered under the 2016 Budget, when we are not even too sure of 2015.
    Can he commit himself to this, that willy-nilly, in 2016, it will be done?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Minister, the Hon Minority Leader says, can you commit yourself to this? We await your answer.
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:05 p.m.
    Our commitment is to do the road in 2016. Our commitment is founded on the availability of resources, which will come from the Ministry of Finance. Insofar as there is an intervening third party, what I can tell the Hon Minority Leader is that, subject to the availability of funds, we will do the road.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, have you heard about Maradona? I have confidence in some abilities of some persons, that is why I made that point.
    Next Question, in the name of Hon Ahmed Arthur, Member of Parliament for Okaikwei South.
    Mr Ahmed Arthur 12:05 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Sorry.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it appears Question number 203 --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Have I skipped? So all this time we were on Question 202. We are on Question 203. I will move a little fast, with respect.
    The next Question is 203, in the name of Hon Anthony Osei Boakye.
    Road network in Atwima Nwabiagya District (Improvement)
    Q 203. Mr Anthony Osei Boakye asked the Minister for Roads and Highways what plans the Ministry had to improve the road network in Atwima Nwabiagya District in respect of:
    (i) Mfensi Junction - Nkontomire
    (ii) Mile 19 Junction - Ntabanu
    (iii) Nerebehi - Apuayem.
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    i) Mfensi Junction - Nkontonmire
    Background
    The Mfensi Junction - Nkontonmire road is 8.50 kilometres long and forms part of the Mfensi - Asakraka - Nkontomire - Nerebehi feeder road which is 16.80 kilometres long. It is located in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of the Ashanti Region. It is a gravel surface road, which is in a fair condition.
    Current Programme
    The Mfensi to Nerebehi feeder road has been programmed for upgrading to a bituminous surface this year as part of the COCOBOD Funded Roads Improvement Project (CFRIP). The procurement process for the selection of a contractor to execute the works will commence by the end of March, 2015.
    ii) Mile 19 Junction - Ntabanu
    Background
    The Mile 19 Junction - Ntabanu feeder road is 12.5 kilometres long and is located in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of the Ashanti Region. It is a gravel surface road which is in a fair condition.
    Current Programme
    Routine maintenance works will be carried out on this road as part of the 2015 maintenance programme to improve the surface condition.
    Future Programme
    The road has been selected as part of list of roads to be upgraded to a bituminous surface under the COCOBOD Funded Road Improvement Programme.
    iii) Nerebehi - Apuayem
    Background
    The Nerebehi - Apuayem feeder road is 3.5 kilometres long and located in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of the Ashanti Region. It is an earth road which is in a poor condition.
    Current Programme
    Engineering studies will be carried out on the road in the second quarter of 2015. The outcome of the studies will determine the appropriate intervention that needs to be undertaken on the road subject to the availability of funds.
    Mr Boakye 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the President's State of the Nation Address, he talks of the rehabilitation of the road from Mfensi Junction to Nerebehi, and further describes it as phase I project. But in the Answer of the Hon Minister, he said that the road will be upgraded to a bituminous surface.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to know, which of the two statements is correct and which is the true state of affairs as of now?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Minister, do you have the President's State of the Nation Address with you?
    Hon Member, can you, please, repeat your question?
    Mr Boakye 12:05 p.m.
    I said that two statements have been made by the two personalities. The President made a statement stating that rehabilitation of Nfensi-Asakraka / Nkontomire-Nerebehi feeder road phase I and our Hon Minister is saying that the road will be upgraded to a bituminous road. I do not know which is which. I would like to know the true statement.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Which page?
    Mr Boakye 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, page 46 of the State of the Nation Address -- Ashanti Region. The roads that have been selected, the last but one statement.
    It reads:
    “Rehabilitation of Mfensi-Asakraka- Nkontomire-Nerebehi Feeder Road Phase I”.
    But, he is saying that it is going to be upgraded to a higher status and I would like to know which is which, so that I can convey the message to my people.
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the President talks about the rehabilitation of the road. We are saying that we will rehabilitate the road by providing the bituminous surfacing. Does the Hon Member want it to be rehabilitated to a gravel or bituminous surface? Bitumen, and that is what we will do. We will rehabilitate the road to bituminous surfacing.
    Mr Boakye 12:15 p.m.
    That is why I asked that question.
    Mr Boakye 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I wanted the Hon Minister to come clear with the actual statement, so that I can convey the message to my people. This is because two statements have been made. That was the reason I wanted him to come out clear with what will happen to my road.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    But you have heard it clear now.
    Mr Boakye 12:15 p.m.
    At least, Mr Speaker, I prefer a bituminous road than a gravel one.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    So now, you have heard it.
    Yes, your next question.
    Mr Boakye 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, along the Mfensi Junction Road to Nkontomire is a short branch route of about two kilometres leading to a village called Sewua; this has not been mentioned. May I know whether the project will include that short distance to that village called Sewua along that road?
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member of Parliament has asked specific Questions, and we have answered the specific Questions that he has asked. He
    asked for the status report on the Mfensi Junction-Nkontomire, on Mile 19 Junction-Ntabanu and on Nerebehi to Apuayem and these are the Answers that we have given him on the specific Questions that he has asked.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Member, your last question.
    Mr Boakye 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, Ntabanu as a village, is at the end of that stretch of road, and normally, it suffers cut-off any time there is heavy rain, particularly during the rainy season. May I know whether the Hon Minister is aware of this? And if so, if he can save the situation for my people by giving it an urgent attention because of the peculiar situation they find themselves in anytime it rains.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Minister?
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the two roads; Mfensi -Nkontomire and Mile 19 Junction to Ntabanu will be affected by the COCOBOD Funded Road Improve- ment Programme. The last one is unengineered, and to be able to do major works on that road, we need to do engineering studies.
    That was why I said that when engineering studies are carried out on that road, we will intervene and make sure that we construct an engineered road for the people living within that community. We will expedite action immediately the studies are carried out.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh 12:15 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    With your kind indulgence, I beg to read the last part of the Hon Minister's Answer.
    “Engineering studies will be carried out on the road in the second quarter of 2015. The outcome of the studies will determine the appropriate intervention that needs to be undertaken on the road subject to availability of funds.”
    I see the Hon Minister loves this statement a lot.
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I know I am constrained and I will not pretend to have the funds to do projects if this House does not allocate those funds to me. That is why I always say, “subject to the availability of funds.” That is when the Government prepares its Appropriation Act, it comes before this House and if he does not see that road, at least, he can input and I will have the funds to be able to carry out the road.
    I appreciate my limitations in that direction.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Agyekum?
    Mr Alex K. Agyekum 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Answers given by the Hon Minister, sometimes in my opinion, are too vague. Specifically, I would want to refer to the particular Answer where he said that the execution of road contracts are bounded by so many extraneous factors.
    For example, contractors going in for loans, and because some of these contracts are indexed to inflation, it becomes difficult to continue when the contract sum is eroded by inflation.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Thank you.
    Mr A. K. Agyekum 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think that I still have the floor.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    No! You have asked your question.
    Mr A. K. Agyekum 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to ask the Hon Minister if he would recommend to this Ministry for companies to liaise with Distr ict Assemblies for some roads to be executed because of the --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Agbesi 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, this question is seeking the opinion of the Hon Minister. Two, he is asking the Hon Minister to recommend; who should he recommend to?
    He is the Hon Minister of the Ministry. So, who should he recommend to? This question, Mr Speaker, is out of the rules. This is because he is seeking the opinion of the Hon Minister whether he would do so and so. It is out of the rules.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, you know, Speakers just take instructions from the Leadership.
    What is your view?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, indeed, the Deputy Minority Leader conducted an investigation, and he was reporting to me. So, I did not follow what was going on.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    I thought there was only one “Maradona” in the House, but now, there is more than one. I can see that. [Interruptions]
    Hon Minister, with this question, I do not know whether you would recommend that we use local content, because it is a local content question.
    Hon Minister, I have the confidence that you would answer the question. The question is whether you recommend local content.
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we are already introducing local content. In all projects that require foreign and non- resident contractors to perform, there is an obligation on the non-resident contractors to cede part of the project to foreign and local contractors to build their capacity.
    So, I do not know what he is talking about actually.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Just to ask you for clarification, Hon Minister.
    Is it a law or just a policy?
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, there is a Legislative Instrument (L.I), that has been passed. There is an L. I. on local content from the Ministry of Petroleum now that encourages the participation of local contractors in the delivery of services in the oil sector, and we have since extended it to include other sectors of the economy.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    These are constituency-specific Questions.
    Hon Member, are you in the adjourning constituency?
    Mr Yaw Frimpong Addo 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, in answering the Question, the Hon Minister gave some reasons payments have delayed. In all the areas that these roads are being constructed, payments are being delayed - Several roads are ongoing and they have not been paid, yet the Ministry goes ahead to award new contracts.
    I would want to find out from the Hon Minister -- Why is it that they do not complete these projects before going ahead to award new contracts? I would want to find out why it is like that.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    This is the last question. But I think it is a very general question. It is a very good question, but it is very general. Do you not want to make it the subject matter of a specific question?
    Mr Y. F. Addo 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am taking it from the answers he has given this morning. He explained away why some of these projects delayed and in most cases, especially with the cocoa roads, some of these projects are ongoing and have not been completed, they owe the contractors, yet they go ahead to award new contracts.
    So, I would want to find out from him, why they do not complete those ones before they award new contracts?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    I am tempted not to allow your question, not because it is a bad question, but because it would take us into a very different area.
    Hon Minister, I have confidence in you. He has asked a question -- This is the last question on this issue.
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:25 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, this is a fair and a reasonable question - Why do you not complete ongoing ones before you award new ones?
    But Mr Speaker, everyday while projects are going on and while some are being abandoned, we still receive numerous requests from others who would want to benefit from road infrastructure, delivered by the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
    For us, we try as much as possible, to be able to meet the legitimate expectation of the people. In doing so, we cannot restrict ourselves to the ongoing projects, and complete them before looking at new ones. We do them side by side. At times, when the contractor is failing, we look for a capable contractor and reaward, so that the capable contractor can complete on time.
    But it is legitimate to think that we should be able to complete ongoing ones before we deliver new ones.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Thank you.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Baffour Awuah?
    Mr Awuah 12:25 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister gave the assurance that engineering studies would be carried out and the results would prompt the next action to be taken. That is with respect to the Nerebehi- Apuayem roads.
    Mr Speaker, yesterday, the Finance Minister came here and said that new projects would not be allowed. So, I just want the Hon Minister to situate his answer to what the Hon Finance Minister said yesterday.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    I do not know whether the Hon Minister wants to answer. But if you read that same thing, the Hon Minister qualified his statement. He said, “subject to the availability of funds”. He has also said time and time again that he is not the person providing the funds.
    So, what the Finance Minister said, is situated within what the -- I do not know
    -- 12:25 p.m.
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:25 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, you have adequately stated exactly what I would say in this respect. But what I actually said on that page was that, engineering studies would be carried out this year. But I have not given you a definite time where final work would start. But we would start engineering studies this year.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Thank you.
    Hon Asiamah, is the constituency next to yours? Are you in the adjoining constituency?
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is far away?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    It is far away.
    Hon Minority Leader, do you have a question?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is a very harmless question to the Hon Minister.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, the constituency is next to yours. Am I right?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I know the place very well.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    I was asking whether it is next to yours.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:25 p.m.
    It is not contiguous to mine, but I know the place very well.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister, in his Answer, concerning two of the roads -- the Mfensi Junction Nkontomire and Mile 19 Junction to Ntabanu, he relates to Cocoa Board funding the construction of those two roads.
    Mr Speaker, may I know from the Hon Minister, what explains the emerging trends, where COCOBOD itself, is awarding contracts for the construction of COCOBOD Funded Road Improvement Programmes, when they know that they do not have the expertise, first, in the procurement and also in the supervision of the road construction?
    How does the Ministry explain that?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Hon Minister?
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:25 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, the question requires a very long detailed answer, but I would try as much as possible, to make it short.
    Mr Speaker, what we are doing is collaborating with COCOBOD to deliver
    value to cocoa farmers, and ensure that roads that lead to their farm steads, are in good shape, so that they can convey their produce to market centres.
    Now, we as the Ministry of Roads and Highways are responsible for roads. The COCOBOD has interest in our roads, and we are constrained by resources. So, upon understanding that if we collaborate with COCOBOD, we can create shared value, and engender shared prosperity.
    So, we asked COCOBOD to make available to us, for the construction of specific roads within cocoa growing areas, certain amounts of money and they have done that. Now, their explanation for handling it is that, that money is coming from COCOBOD, and their Board of Directors would not allow any other institution to award, because that would create auditing problems for them.
    So, what we have done, is to collaborate with them, to allow our technical men to provide supervision, identification and design for those roads, and even receive profiles of companies which want to construct those roads and take them through the procurement processes, for and on behalf of
    COCOBOD.
    When selection is done and projects are awarded, the Inspectorate Division of Roads and Highways would continue to monitor and evaluate the work that is carried out and certify claims for payments by COCOBOD.
    So, in short, this is the arrangement that has been put in place to ensure that we jointly collaborate to be able to put those roads in place to allow for Cocoa evacuation.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Thank you.
    Hon Members, I will want us to remind ourselves of Standing Order 60 (2);
    “Question time to Ministers shall ordinarily not exceed one hour except that the Speaker may in exceptional cases exercise his discretion and permit questions after the expiration of the time stated and also for such questions as are described in Order 64 (Urgent Questions).”
    This is the second Question, we have a number of Questions to go. So, I will not permit too many follow-up questions. They are constituency-specific Questions; so we shall move with speed and purpose.
    Hon Ahmed Arthur, Question number
    204.

    Otublohun, Dadeban Roads and Darkuman Junction - Accra

    Academy Storm Drain (Construction)

    Q.204. Mr Ahmed Arthur asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Otublohun road, the Dadeban road and the Storm Drain from Darkuman Junction to Accra Academy would be constructed.
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    Background:
    The Dadeban road is a 1.85 kilometres collector road that links the Feo Eyeo to Robertson Cresent road in North Kaneshie. It serves communities such as Tesano, North Kaneshie and beyond and also distributes traffic from the North Kaneshie and Tesano areas to the central business distr ict of Accra and also enhances business activities around the light industrial area.
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:35 p.m.


    The contract was awarded in 2013 for its rehabilitation and is scheduled to be completed in March, 2016.

    Current Programme

    The contractor has completed the drainage works on both sides of the road and has started the base course work which includes the treatment of bad sections. The current progress of works stands as 70 per cent. It will be completed with an asphaltic concrete finish.

    (ii) Rehabilitation of Otublohum Road

    Background

    The Otublohum Road is a 1.2 kilometres road that runs parrarel to the Dadeban road above. It connects Circle through ECG Office, Melcom and Dadeban to the Palace Street at North Kaneshie. It serves communities like Avenor, Kokomlemle, Alajo and beyond. It also serves as a distributor of traffic between Circle and North Kaneshie. The contract was awarded for its rehabilitation in February, 2012 for Completion in November, 2013.

    Current Programme

    The contractor has completed the drainage works on the Otublohum road, with the pavement works currently outstanding. The contractor has abandoned site. Several warning letters have been written to the contractor to resume works but have all proven futile. The Department of Urban Roads has initiated the process to terminate the contract.

    Future Programme

    The project is to be repackaged and added to the works currently being

    executed by the contractor on the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange Project.

    (iii) Construction of Storm Drain at Darkuman -Accra Academy

    Background

    The Darkuman Bubuashie Storm Drain is a 1.0 kilometres primary Drain that discharges into the Accra Academy drain and continues into the Kaneshie Mallam Underground Drain. The contract was awarded in June, 2010 for its construction and completion in 12 calendar months.

    Current Programme

    The contractor has currently completed about 350 metres of the storm drain and has since abandoned site. Several letters have been written to the contractor to resume work but to no avail. Currently the Department of Urban Roads (DUR) has initiated the process to terminate the project.

    Future Programme

    The outstanding works will be repackaged and re-awarded in 2015.
    Mr Ahmed Arthur 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, when the Hon Minister was giving his Answer, on the issue of the storm drain, he mentioned that the contractor had abandoned site and every effort to get him to site had proved futile. I would want to submit that the Hon Minister is not fully on his brief; because as we speak, there is a contractor on site working and he is precisely working at the Mitsubishi section of the storm drain and due to that, the road has been blocked; there is no access through the main road any longer.
    I think the Hon Minister should come back to us again, that, it is a different contractor that is working on that storm drain. This is because it links to Accra Academy; that is my alma mater. So, I am
    really interested in that area. And I have been doing follow-up on it. There is a new contractor working on that storm drain and as I speak with you, this morning, I was there, he has blocked the road; he has dug a trench in the road and trying to delink the Mitsubishi side to that of the Happy Home and Accra Academy side. So, currently, there is a contractor on site.
    The issue is that, because the drain has not been done in full, I would want to know whether the Hon Minister is aware that there is a contractor currently on site.
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:35 p.m.
    There is no contractor on site.
    Mr Ahmed Arthur 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to challenge the Hon Minister on this. There is a contractor on site; there is a contractor currently working on the Mitsubishi section of the road? [Pause.]
    Mr Speaker, I would want to move on to the Otublohun roads and further ask the Hon Minister, since he said that they would repackage the roads and add them to the contractor that is doing the Circle Interchange. How soon do they intend to do that? This is because that area is the industrial sector of Accra and roads in that area ease a lot of traffic within Accra.
    It reduces the congestion within Accra. So, it is a road that should be given all the necessary attention. I would want to know how soon that packaging would be done, so that I can report back to industries in that area.
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the repackaging would be done very soon. It is important to know that the whole project would be completed in the second quarter of 2016. So that completion would affect that road as well. So, you can re- assure your constituents that, that road
    would be done by the contractor working on the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange Project.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Your last question.
    Mr Ahmed Arthur 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, going back to the storm drain issue, I have a little difficulty. Does it mean that when contracts are re-awarded, the Hon Minister or Ministry is not made aware of this new contract that has been re- awarded? This is because a while ago I had a dispute over this storm drain and I believe once he was coming to answer us, he should have been briefed properly on it before coming to the House.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    You had a dispute with who?
    Mr Ahmed Arthur 12:45 p.m.
    The Hon Minister.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    The Hon Minister says that, there is no contractor and you are saying, there is a contractor. Everything is in the Hansard. This is a House of record. We will leave it there. There are avenues of exploring the correct position.
    As the Hon Minister was speaking, he received a note from his Directors. I do not know whether it was about this. If it is about it, what else can the Hon Minister do than to repeat what he had been told. So, if you say there is a contractor and he says there is no contractor, I am sure there are avenues in which we can find it. At this point, there is nothing we can do about it.
    Mr J. J. Appiah 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, may I crave your indulgence to read from the Order Paper:
    “Construction of storm drains at Darkuman, Accra.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Hon Joe Appiah, your question, please.
    Mr J. J. Appiah 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, on 2nd February, 2015, there was a heavy downpour at the Darkuman junction which is in my constituency. I share a boundary with Okaikwei South. Is the Hon Minister aware that the Darkuman junction storm drain and the road are not completed? What is his Ministry doing to fix the road before the impending rains?
    Also, the date, looking at the Answer he gave, it was 2010 and it was supposed to be completed in 2011. We are in 2015 -- Four years. What is he doing to repackage the contract and award it? Exactly what Hon Ahmed Arthur is saying, there is somebody working at the site right now. What is the Ministry doing to repackage the whole contract and re-award it?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Thank you.
    Hon Minister?
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, with the information that Hon Joe Appiah has given, we will expedite action and repackage the project and re-award it quickly, so that a contractor can go to site to complete the work.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Question number 205. Hon Richard Acheampong?
    Mr Richard Acheampong 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I filed this Question about six months ago. Looking at the Answer and with your indulgence, page 46 of the State of the Nation Address, that same road has been captured. So, I would want to seek your leave to withdraw that Question. This is what I wanted and it has been captured, that they will work on the road. But I will ask the next Question.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Thank you very much.
    Question number 206, Hon Richard Acheampong?
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Hon Member for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, is that a point of order? The Hon Member has withdrawn his Question.
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, respectfully, just a comment if you would permit me.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    I am sorry.
    Mr R. Acheampong 12:45 p.m.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for your kind ruling on this matter.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    I have not ruled, Hon Member. Just continue.
    Adabokrom-Nkrankwanta Road (Tarring)
    Q.206. Mr Richard Acheampong asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when Adabokrom to Nkran-kwanta road would be tarred.
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    Background
    The Adabokrom - Nkrankwanta road which is 23 kilometres long is located in the Bia East District of the Western Region. It is a gravel surface road in a fair condition. This road links the northern part of the Western Region to the Brong- Ahafo Region.
    Current Programme
    The Department of Feeder Roads has no immediate plan for upgrading this road to a bituminous surface. Meanwhile, routine maintenance works will be carried out on the road as part of 2015 maintenance programme to keep it motorable.
    Future Programme
    Engineering studies will be carried out on the road in the second quarter of 2015. The outcome of the studies will determine the appropriate intervention that needs to be undertaken on the road.
    Mr R. Acheampong 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, looking at the Answer given by the Hon Minister, if the people of Bia East Constituency hear this --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Do you have a question?
    Mr R. Acheampong 12:45 p.m.
    Yes, I have a question, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Then ask the question.
    Mr R. Acheampong 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, to suggest that the road is in a fair condition is not a fair comment from the Hon Minister. I would want to ask him if they have no plans to upgrade the road, at least,
    considering the rainy season, what immediate measures are they putting in place to, at least, make vehicular movement on the road possible for the people of Bia East.
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would only assure Hon Richard Acheampong that I have traversed the road as part of the western corridor. I know the state of the road and it is in a fair condition except that, he would want upgrading of the road. Presently, we can carry out routine maintenance on the road to make it motorable. I have used the road myself.
    Mr R. Acheampong 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have taken the word of the Hon Minister but if he can give us the timeline, so that at least, we can patiently wait for the upgrading of that road.
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, this year, we will carry out engineering studies. Hopefully, the report of the engineering studies will give us an indication on what to do. Hopefully, next year, his road should be receiving attention.
    Mr R. Acheampong 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am done.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Hon Member, is your constituency next to Bia East?
    Mr Quaittoo 12:45 p.m.
    No, Mr Speaker! But I know that road, courtesy of my job at
    COCOBOD.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    All right. Ask your question.
    Mr Quaittoo 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, that road is very important if we really want to get the cocoa that is grown in that section of the Western Region to get to the Brong - Ahafo Region for onward transport to the
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would start my answer by answering his last question. We have an arrangement with COCOBOD to identify and select roads that will help in the evacuation of cocoa.
    That road is very important. As I said, I use the road. We have three corridors -- central, eastern and western.. This road is part of the western corridor and it is the shortest road from the Western Region. So, that road is important.
    All I am saying is that the resources presently would not allow us to do a substantial work on that road and so, we are going to carry on with routine maintenance until we come into funds, be it by the Ministry's budget or through a COCOBOD assisted programme, so we can put the road in order.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Thank you very much.

    Question number 207, Hon Member for Talensi?
    Alhaji Habibu Tijani Mohammed 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member is indisposed and has therefore asked me to stand in for him, with your kind permission.
    Thank you.
    Winkogo-Tongo Road (Tarring)
    Q.207. Alhaji Mohammad Habibu Tijani (on behalf of Mr Robert N. D. Mosore) asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Winkogo to Tongo road would be tarred.
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    Background
    The Winkogo-Tongo road is 7.5 kilometres and forms an integral part of the Winkogo-Nagodi road.
    The Winkogo-Tongo road was awarded for rehabilitation works in 2012 for completion by March, 2015.
    Current Programme
    The contractor has primer-sealed 7.3 kilometres of the road and work is presently ongoing.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Hon Member?
    Alhaji Mohammad 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister, in his Answer, says the work is to be completed by March, 2015. We are in March, 2015; may I know, in his own assessment, whether it is satisfactorily done?
    Thank you.
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, in my own assessment, since only 7.3 kilometres have been done and it is left with 0.22 kilometres and then it is primer-sealed and so, we require a final seal, I think work would progress beyond the March, 2015.
    Alhaji Mohammad 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, may I also know when the actual tarring of the road would be done?
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the actual tarring of the road would begin when the remaining 0.2 kilometres are primer-sealed and we can then bring the contractor back to do the final seal of the road. Presently, we would be pushing the contractor to finish with the remaining 0.2 kilometres to primer-seal that area, so that we can bring it for final seal.
    But the time difference is between two to three months, it should be completed.
    Alhaji Mohammad 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, can the Hon Minister tell me who the contractor is?
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the contractor working on the 7.5 kilometre Winkogo-Tongo road is Messrs Myturn Limited. He was awarded the project on 6th March, 2012. Initial completion date was 5th March, 2014. He extended completion period to 5th March, 2015 and the contract sum is GH¢17,160,777.81 and progress of work is 62 per cent.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Hon Annoh-Dompreh, do you have a question?
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, just to bring this to your kind notice with your indulgence.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member who spoke earlier said that he was compelled to step down the Question. I recall for this week, close to five Questions had to be stepped down by Hon Members.
    Now, I wish to find out if it is indeed, becoming a trend, then probably, the Table Office would have to revert their mind to this and then if there is something that they can do about it. This is because Mr Speaker, if Questions are asked --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Thank you very much.
    I think you will discuss it with Leadership and Leadership will take it on board because this Question, I have to discharge the Hon Minister. The Hon Minister cannot answer this Question. I will discharge the Hon Minister.
    Hon Minister, thank you for attending upon the House to answer Questions from Hon Members.
    Hon Annoh-Dompreh, I am sure you pass your comment in good faith, so you discuss it with Leadership.
    Thank you very much.
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:55 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Agbesi 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, at the Commencement of Public Business, item 7(a).
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    I should say at the Commencement of Public Business, before that, do we have any Statements?
    Mr Agbesi 12:55 p.m.
    No, Mr Speaker. We have laying of some Papers.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    No Statements?
    At the commencement of Public Business, item numbered 7 (a).
    Leader of the delegation?
    PAPERS 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    I was advised that this Report should be referred to the Subsidiary Legislation Committee for consideration and report.
    I am tempted to refer it to Constitu- tional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee but I will take the advice.
    Referred to the Subsidiary Legislation Committee.
    Mr Agbesi 12:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs has been in the House for all this while waiting to take item 10, a Motion on the Chieftaincy (Amendment) Bill, 2013.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:55 p.m.
    Item 10, Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs?
    BILLS -- SECOND READING 1:05 p.m.
    Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs (Dr Henry Seidu Daannaa) 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that the Chieftaincy (Amendment) Bill, 2013 be now read a Second time.
    Mr Speaker, in so doing, permit me to draw the attention of Hon Members to the policy principles of the amendment.
    The Chieftaincy (Amendment) Bill, 2013 seeks to amend section 63 (d) of the
    Chieftaincy Act, 2008, which simply quoted inter allia;
    “A person who deliberately refuses to honour a call from a chief to attend to an issue, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than two hundred penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than three months or to both and in the case of a continuing offence to a further fine of not more than twenty-five penalty units for each day on which the offence continues.”
    Mr Speaker, since the Supreme Court of the Republic of Ghana struck down this section of the law, there have been certain disturbing consequences. The institution of chieftaincy, which is guaranteed by the Constitution and which is practised in our country, has suffered some difficulties necessitating this amendment.
    It is a policy of Government that the institution is strengthened in such a way that it can continue to contribute meaningfully to the speedy economic development of the country, particularly so, with regard to promotion of communal labour and the maintenance of law and order.
    Mr Speaker, since this provision of the law was struck down as a matter of judicial pronouncement, that is, section 63 of the Chieftaincy Act, the power to summon by chiefs has been weakened with the result that people who are invited refuse to come with impunity.
    Mr Speaker, just imagine for one moment that somebody who is invited to participate in communal labour fails to do so, and when summoned by a chief, simply says apii tô. It is a situation that has weakened the administration of chieftaincy in some of the traditional areas.
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 1:05 p.m.
    On a point of order.
    Mr Speaker, I have been following closely the presentation by the Hon
    Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs. He stated a word, apii tô. I do not know whether it is English or some other language. I would want to understand it in the context of the presentation that he is making.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    Hon Minister, what does apii tô mean?
    Dr Daannaa 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is a traditional language. I do not know whether that answers Hon Members. It means disrespect to authority.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    I was just wondering which language in Ghana is traditional language.
    Anyway, Hon Minister, continue.
    Dr Daanaa 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, during my rounds, it is something that I have realised worries our traditional rulers. It is a term you often hear.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:05 p.m.
    So, it is used in several cultures as a sign of disrespect?
    Thank you.
    Continue, Hon Minister.
    Dr Daannaa 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is in order to promote the institution of chieftaincy to be able to continue to play its role and this cannot be done if the chiefs themselves do not have power to compel summons in the first place. Permit me to remind Hon Members that there are many villages, cottages, hamlets, et cetera where there are no security personnel like the police and military.
    In all such communities, it is the chiefs who take charge of peace and security. For their authority to be weakened, it would not augur well for the speedy economic development we need for the country.
    By passing this amendment Bill, what this august House would do is to strengthen and give the necessary
    enhancement to make chiefs able to discharge these important duties for the benefit of their respective traditional areas and for Ghana as a whole. The amendment takes care of the concerns of the Supreme Court, which is that the former clause struck down was wide.
    This proposed clause is intended to narrow it down to strangers, natives and residents who carry out harmful activities, so that it does not affect strangers who pass by and do not participate in any harmful activity.

    Question proposed.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome) 1:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion and in doing so, I present the Committee's Report. Also, I seek your special leave to contribute to the debate after I have presented the Committee's Report.
    Introduction
    The Chieftaincy (Amendment) Bill, 2013 was presented to Parliament and read the First time on Tuesday, 12th November, 2013. In accordance with article 106 (4) and (5) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and Order 187 of the Standing Orders of the House, the Mr Speaker referred the Bill to the Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture for consideration and report.
    During the consideration of the Bill, the Committee was assisted by the Hon Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, Dr Henry Seidu Daannaa, his deputy, Mr John Alexander Ackon, a representative from the National House of Chiefs and an official from the Attorney-General's Department. The Committee is grateful for their assistance.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome) 1:15 p.m.
    Reference
    The Committee made reference to the following documents during its delibe- rations:
    a. The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana
    b. The Standing Orders of Parliament
    c. The Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759)
    d. The Supreme Court Ruling in the case of Nana Adjei Ampofo vs the Attorney-General and the President of the National House of Chiefs (suit No. J.1/8/2008 dated 20th July, 2011).
    Background
    Following a Supreme Court ruling in the case of Nana Adjei Ampofo vs the Attorney- General and the President of the National House of Chiefs (Suit No. J. 1/8/2008 dated 20th July, 2011), section 63 (d) of the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759) was declared unconstitutional and subse- quently expunged from the Chieftaincy Act. Section 63 (d) of the Chieftaincy Act provided as follows:
    “A person who deliberately refuses to honour a call from a chief to attend to an issue commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than two hundred penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than three months or to both and in a case of a continuing offence to a further fine of not more than twenty- five penalty units for each day on which the offence continues.”
    The above provision made it a criminal offence if a person intentionally refused to heed a call from a chief to attend to an issue.
    The Supreme Court held the view that the scope of the provision was too wide and did not also make room for a defence for a person who had a reasonable, excuse for not honouring a chiefs call. Consequently, the panel of Judges indicated that:
    “It would be unwise for this court to rewrite a criminal statute which appears, on its plain meaning, to be unconstitutional. It is a much better outcome for this court to strike down the offending legislation and for Parliament itself then to rewrite the statute in the light of the Supreme Court's view. In our view, a statutory provision which limits itself to a chief's call within his or her traditional area and provides a defence for a person who is called but has a reasonable excuse not to heed the call would have a better chance of passing the constitu- tionality test.”
    To give effect to the Supreme Court's ruling, the Chieftaincy (Amendment) Bill, 2013 was presented to Parliament to amend section 63 (d) of the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759).

    Object of the Bill

    The Bill seeks to provide a replacement for section 63 (d) of the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759) which was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
    Before I recognise the Hon Ranking Member, let me say that article 270 (1) of the Constitution guarantees the institution of chieftaincy:
    “The institution of chieftaincy, together with its traditional councils as established by customary law and usage, is hereby guaranteed.”
    Article 106 (3), further provides that:
    “A bill affecting the institution of chieftaincy shall not be introduced in Parliament without prior reference to the National House of Chiefs.”
    It is against this background that I have the singular honour and pleasure to inform Hon Members that the high power delegation from the National House of Chiefs is present in the House.
    Respectfully, if I may recognise the President of the National House of Chiefs -- [Hear! Hear!] Hon Prof. John S. Nabila, Wulugu Naba and a member of the Council of State. You are welcome.
    He is accompanied by Nana Frimpong Anokye Ababio, who is the Paramount Chief of the Agona Asante Traditional Area -- [Hear! Hear!] -- Also a member of the National House of Chiefs and Chairman of their Finance Committee. You are very welcome, Nana Chairman and Nana member of the National House of Chiefs.
    Ranking Member of the Committee (Mr Isaac K. Asiamah): Mr Speaker, I would also want to add my voice to the Hon Speaker in welcoming the President and other members of the National House of Chiefs.
    Mr Speaker, some of us, over the years, have so much fought for the institution of chieftaincy and we would continue to
    do so since it is something that really means what we are. That, the symbol of authority and over the years, they have distinguished themselves. We have every right as a country to respect and give due recognition to our revere chiefs and we need to submit that fact.

    Mr Speaker, there was this issue that came up and some of us at that time supported it so graciously --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
    Hon Member, I thought you would also recognise that I was the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice at that time -- [Hear! Hear!]
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:15 p.m.
    And I remember the instrumental role you played.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:15 p.m.
    Thank you, Hon Member.
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if you look at the background of this amendment, which is captured in section 63 of the Act, certain offences in connection with chiefs, particularly, section 63 (d) of the Act. At that time, some of us championed the cause. We believed in it and fought for it.
    I remember, as I said yesterday, for instance, when Hon Bagbin vehemently opposed to this and this is recorded in the Hansard. He vehemently opposed to this very important Act at the time we saw the need for that.
    Mr Agbesi 1:15 p.m.
    On a point order.
    Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleague on his feet made a statement that when they were supporting this amendment, Hon Bagbin opposed to it. Hon Bagbin is not here to say whether it is true. I wish that he can just make his point without making reference to anybody who is not on the floor to reply him.
    I was in the House at that time and I do not believe Hon Bagbin opposed to it. He is not here today and so, my Hon Colleague should just restrict himself to what he want to say rather than referring to someone who is not here to defend himself.
    He should be able to withdraw that one and do the correct thing by apologising to our Hon Leader of the House.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I believe recently, we seem to be over stretching this issue over reference to some individuals who are either Hon Members or non Members of the House in respect of attributions to them.
    I think what he is saying could be factual or non-factual and it would be captured in the Hansard of this House. If, indeed, what was said was attributing to the Hon Majority Leader, it would be captured in the Hansard. What would be wrong in referring to it? Only to say that maybe, the Hon Leader is not in the
    Chamber. If he is not in the Chamber and it is captured in the Hansard, can the person not be quoted?
    If he is insisting that Hon Alban S. K. Bagbin never said so, that is a different matter. He would be contradicting what he is saying then. But if it is on record or in the official publication and he refers to it what is wrong with that? It will not be inconsistent with our rules.
    That is my position.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
    Indeed, we were all here yesterday when the Rt. Hon Speaker referred to previous Hansards and what had been said. But I am not supposed to engage in a debate.
    Mr Agbesi 1:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I find it difficult to understand the position taken by the Hon Minority Leader. The issue is that, if the Hon Member on the floor has the answer and quotes it, I would not have any problem. My point is that, the Hon Member is referring to Hon Bagbin as opposing that position.
    I am saying that, Hon Bagbin is not here to say whether it is true. Assuming the Hon Member had quoted the Hansard which is the official record of the House, I would not have any problem. I am surprised at the position taken by the Hon Minority Leader.
    This is because, we all agree that one cannot attribute something to anybody who is not on the floor of the House, unless you can produce, by way of the Hansard evidence that he said so.
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, just last Tuesday, when the Report was laid by my Hon Chairman, Hon Bagbin was here and I made this same comment. He was sitting here and he nodded. I made this same point and he agreed to it.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
    Deputy Majority Leader, if somebody nods and you take a picture, it would not show that the person is nodding, unless they take series of pictures, and then it would show that your head was pumping up and down.
    Mr Agbesi 1:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, seriously, where is the evidence that the Hon Majority Leader did so or said so?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
    Hon Members, please, let us move on without subscribing positions to people, unless of course, you can quote the Hansard. The Hansard was quoted yesterday. If you can quote the Hansard, I do not have any problem.
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, why are we here today at this stage when the House had passed this Bill to become an Act of Parliament in the year 2000?
    Mr Speaker, the issue, as I said, was sent to the Supreme Court by a prominent son of the land, former Chief of Goaso Traditional Area, in the name of Nana Adjei Ampofo, and the case was; Nana Adjei Ampofo vs the Attorney-General and the President of the National House of Chiefs (Suit No J.I/8/2008 dated 20th July, 2011).
    Mr Speaker, the Supreme Court overturned the decision of this very important House. Therefore —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
    The Supreme Court, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, declared
    this section unconstitutional and therefore, it was null and void. It did not overturn our decision.
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thank you for correcting non lawyers -- because of your long standing at the Bar.
    Mr Speaker, we are here because of the issue that went to the Supreme Court, which is that, clause 63 (d) was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court and that is why we are here.
    Mr Speaker, we have no problem at all. But it is about the conflicting position of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs and the Government's Principal Legal Adviser, the then Hon Attorney-General and Minister for Justice.
    If we look at the letter dated 2nd January, 2014, a position paper which came from the Hon Attorney-General and Minister for Justice -- In that paper, the Hon Minister said that, in view of the decision by the Supreme Court, they were unable to support the new rendition by the House of Chiefs, and so, the advice given to Government was that, it should not go ahead with this new proposal by the National House of Chiefs.
    Mr Speaker, as a Committee, when we met and even invited the Hon Attorney- General and Minister for Justice, they came with the same conflicting position. The views of the Hon Members of the Committee are that, it is unthinkable and quite unbelievable for the Government's Principal Legal Adviser to say, no to something being championed by another Ministry. That is why we are saying that, if that is the case, they should go and harmonise their position and come with
    one position, so that as a Committee, we could also understand what Government was saying.
    Mr Woyome 1:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would actually want my Hon Colleague to furnish us with the letters he is talking about, because we received two letters. There was one that came later, which spelt out their position and also actually gave the indication about the powers of Parliament to really look at the issue and then do our job as is required of us.

    We are to legislate and per the submission by the Supreme Court, which I early on read, it said that we have been reminded to go and do the right thing.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
    Chairman of the Committee, with respect, you are saying that there were two letters from the Hon Attorney-General and Minister for Justice.
    Mr Woyome 1:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, one came earlier and there was a second one that withdrew the earlier one and presented a
    fresh position. So, that was why I wanted the Hon Member to tell us exactly which one he is referring to.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
    Is the latest letter the current position?
    Mr Woyome 1:25 p.m.
    Exactly.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
    But Chairman of the Committee, look at pages 1 and 2 of your Report — read paragraph
    (2).
    “The Committee made reference…”
    Please, read it out loud.
    Mr Woyome 1:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to read:
    “The Committee made reference to the following documents during its deliberations:
    a. The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana
    b. The Standing Orders of Parliament
    c. The Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act
    759)
    d. The Supreme Court ruling in the case of Nana Adjei Ampofo vs Attorney-General and the President of the National House of Chiefs (Suits No. J. I/8/2008 dated 20th July 2011).”
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
    There is no reference to this letter there.
    Mr Woyome 1:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, exactly. What I am trying to say is that, in arriving at
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
    So, are you asking him to lay the letter?
    Mr Woyome 1:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have not asked him. He should just distinguish and tell us whether it is the final letter.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
    How can the Hon Member furnish us? What is the process by which Parliament is furnished?
    Mr Woyome 1:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thought probably, by verbally telling us, based on the earlier letter and the second letter — [Interruption.]
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
    Deputy Minority Leader, I have a slight problem, when the Committee's Report is being discussed and then it comes to attention that there are other documents. There is no reference to it. What do we do? Can somebody refer to another document?
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:25 p.m.
    Let me first ask the Hon Minority Leader before I come to you. They have not referenced that document in their Report. They have referenced the traditional or the usual
    Constitution. But in discussing the Report, the Hon Member is referring to a document which was supposed to have come to the Committee. What is the position?
    First of all, if it indeed, came to the Committee and it was one of the documents that the Committee discussed, should it have been in the Report? And if it is not in the Report, can an Hon Member discuss it?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, an Hon Member who was at the Committee meeting could refer to that document insofar as it may be deemed relevant to the debate on the floor. And that document, we would ordinarily find expression in the minutes of the Committee as captured by the Clerk to the Committee. So, insofar as it would help with the elucidation of Hon Members, if the Hon Member refers to it, it would not be out of place at all. But the record of the Committee's meeting would show that these documents came before us and we considered them.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, would you continue with the question that you have been asking for clarity whether it is the first or second letter he is referring to?
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if there has been a second letter then some of us have not been treated fairly . This is because as the Ranking Member of the Committee, I am not privy and I have not had access to that letter he is talking about. He should give us the date and when it was brought. What I have is the one I read to the whole House and I have evidence here. I can lay it here. It is dated 2nd July, 2014 -- Chieftaincy Amendment Bill -- position to be part of Attorney- General and Minister for Justice. Mr Speaker, I humbly lay this on the Table. [Laughter.]
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
    Hon Agbesi?
    Mr Agbesi 1:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think that the Chairman just wanted a simple answer; which letter is he referring to? To the Chairman, there were two letters and those letters might have appeared before the Committee like the Hon Minority Leader said during the deliberation of the Committee. The Committee would have considered any document but it may not have been captured in the Report though it was considered.
    It is proper that they consider such documents. So, on the floor, if you are talking of a letter and the Chairman says which of the letters he is referring to, he asked that in respect of the first or second one, I think that is a question the Chairman wanted an answer for.
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, as far as the Committee is concerned -- in fact, other Hon Members of the Committee are here to testify; we had access to only one letter and that is what I have just tabled.
    Mr Woyome 1:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, my Hon Ranking Member is not being fair. Thi is because the second letter was actually delivered when we were having a Committee meeting. At that meeting, my Hon Ranking Member was right beside me and I opened the envelop and we all looked at the content and it gave us that window for us to see. So, if he says that he has not seen the second letter, I beg to say that he is being economical with the facts. It should be factual here and say that was what exactly happened.
    I do not want to belabour this, but with the two letters, there was one that came earlier and the second one that came was when by the grace of God, when we were actually seated and having a meeting and we saw what the content was. So, I am
    totally at a loss. That was what I wanted to find out from him when he was quoting an aspect of that letter, because at the end of the day, we considered it but we never depended on it to arrive at this Report. So, I wanted to know what actually that was.
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I attended all the meetings with regard to this consideration. At one of our core meetings, for example, we invited somebody from the Attorney-General's Office and he came and repeated all that is in the letter. Nowhere did we hear from them again. So, if there was this letter that was brought later on, how was it brought and who brought it? This is because we wanted to listen to them; we asked them that they should appear before the Committee again to repeat what they said. Some Hon Members were concerned; there was no other meeting that we had representatives from the AG's Office. That is the point.
    So, we insisted that we wanted to meet them physically for them to express their misgivings further but we never had access to them again.
    Mr Frederick Opare-Ansah 1:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we are where we are because of the nature of the Report that the Committee has presented to the House. If we go to the reference section of the Report, it made reference to four documents or so; they say -- the Constitution, the Chieftaincy Act, the Standing Orders of Parliament, all of which are public documents and then there is a Supreme Court ruling which I believe forms the basis of the referral.
    Mr Speaker, if in the course of the deliberations of the Committee, some other documents are made available to the Committee, it is proper that they indicate in their Report as having referred to those documents. But because they may not be
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
    I am allegedly not aware of it.
    Mr Opare-Ansah 1:35 p.m.
    You are allegedly not aware of it but I have heard the Chairman, indeed, saying that he got the letter and the Hon Ranking Member did not see the letter.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
    No! He is saying that the Hon Ranking Member was there.
    But Hon Members, I believe that in order to proceed and not turn it into a ping- pong match like a table tennis match, let the Hon Member continue. If he is saying anything, the rules are there and you can rise up on a point of order.
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think at this moment, I am constrained to continue because the key point is about one area we wanted to amend, and that is the area I am saying that the letter here from the A-G does not support. Therefore, if we have the new rendition agreed upon by the A-G's Office, the National House of Chiefs and the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, then we can make some meaningful progress.
    This is because from the Report that I have and what is captured here as what probably the Hon Chairman says is contained in the second letter. I have not seen that letter and so, I am not able to comment on that.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to assure the National House of Chiefs that we are committed to their cause but Parliament must respect the laws and do the right thing. That is my beef, that when you go to do the right thing, we are ready to support it. We have nothing against it. After all, when I was the Chairman, I championed that cause. So, I am not against it but the right procedural approach should be adopted. That is my only concern.
    Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh 1:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am a member of the Committee and we have met on this particular Bill on several occasions. So, I think that we have adequately dealt with the amendment and that we should proceed debating the Report and if possible adopt it.
    Mr Speaker, as it has been indicated by the earlier speakers, this particular amendment was precipitated by the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Nana Adjei Ampofo vs the Attorney-General and the President of the National House of Chiefs.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:35 p.m.
    Hon Members, nobody should mention the full title of the ruling again. We have taken parliamentary notice of that. So, let us say the Supreme Court case and then we continue.
    Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh (NDC -- Juabeso) 1:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the ruling, considering the opinion of the Supreme Court, the scope of the section which is section 63 (d) of Act 759 was very wide. When we were considering the amendment, we put a lot of things into consideration.
    Mr Speaker, we looked at how we could restrict that particular section and some of the issues or suggestions that came were that, we should restrict it to the jurisdiction of that particular traditional area and we should also give the opportunity to the offender to probably answer why he could not attend to that particular chief.
    So, Mr Speaker, a new rendition was crafted and it reads
    “(d) Being a subject of a chief or a resident of the traditional area of a chief or other person who is involved in a harmful economic or social activity within a chief's traditional area, refuses, without reasonable excuse, to honour a call from the chief to attend to an issue affecting or relating to that person or in the public interest commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than two hundred penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than three months or to both and in a case of a continuing offence to a further fine of not more than twenty-five penalty units for each day on which the offence continues.”
    Mr Speaker, the most interesting aspect of this rendition is that the reasonability or otherwise of this particular clause would be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
    Mr Speaker, we considered this particular amendment, mindful of article 270 (2) (b). With your kind permission, I read article 270 (2) (b), but I would have to start from article 270 (2) for us to get the clear meaning of that particular article;
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    Hon Patrick Boamah, do you have a point of order?
    Mr Boamah 1:45 p.m.
    That is so, Mr Speaker.
    This is the Parliament of Ghana. It is a serious House. If you would want to refer to the provisions of the Constitution, it is not on your mobile phone. I am not sure of what he is reading -- [Uproar] -- He must refer from the proper source. We do not know where he is reading from -- whether he is paraphrasing. This is Parliament of Ghana and please, we have visitors around.
    Mr Speaker, we need to do the right thing. We have our Standing Orders and the Constitution of Ghana to refer to. We are not joking here.
    rose
    Dr Ahmed Y. Alhassan 1:45 p.m.
    Thank you very much.
    Much as I respect my Hon Colleague's submission with respect to reference to the Constitution, could he, please, withdraw the sentence, “we are not joking here”? I do not believe anybody thinks that anybody is joking here. So, he should humbly withdraw that and restore with some other words if he chooses.
    Mr Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    Hon Chairman, are you responding to the same point?
    Mr Woyome 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, exactly so because this is very important that he is discouraging the development of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) or the e-Governance Policy of Government. Is he trying to tell us that while we are trying to go paperless, the whole world is trying to go paperless, he is not catching up with the current trend? Let him tell us.
    Mr Boamah 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    Hon Member, continue --
    Hon Boamah, it is alright.
    An Hon Member 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, your direction on the Standing Order.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    Who is asking me that question? [Laughter.] Who is asking me for my direction?
    Mr Akandoh 1:45 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker -
    - 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    No, my head was down. I wanted to know who asked me about my direction.
    Mr Akandoh 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, which question?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    Continue --
    Mr Akandoh 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker. as I indicated earlier, we considered this amendment mindful of the provisions in the Constitution and as I have earlier stated, article 270 (2) (b) and I read from article 270 (2).
    “(2) Parliament shall have no power to enact any law which --
    (b) in any way detracts or derogates from the honour and dignity of the institution of chieftaincy.”
    Mr Speaker, I believe that adopting this particular amendment would go a long way to help to promote the dignity of chieftaincy in this country. We are all well aware of the important role our chieftaincy institution is playing in this country.
    Mr Speaker, with these few words, I urge that the House adopts this Report, so that our chieftaincy institution would develop accordingly.
    Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu (NPP -- Bekwai) 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, this is a very important exercise. It is important because the matter has actually been pronounced upon by the Supreme Court. Nobody, neither me, you nor the Supreme Court has the power to do anything that the Constitution has not expressively given it power to do.
    Now, this Parliament has passed a legislation actually giving the same right and creating offences in respect of the same matter. The Supreme Court has interpreted the Constitution of the country in respect of that clause, suggesting that that clause creating an offence of not responding to a chief as unconstitutional.
    I am a son of a chief. I also actually have a small Stool that I can ascribe to. I would have loved it if I had the power but we must be careful not to enact Acts which are directly contrary to what has already been ruled to be unconstitutional. This is a matter which requires that we put together all the legal brains of this House.

    Very well. I suggest that this clause be subjected to serious winnowing, so that
    -- 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    Hon Member for Suhum, do you have a point of order?
    Mr Opare-Ansah 1:45 p.m.
    On a point of order.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member for Bekwai is saying that we should put together all the legal brains. Mr Speaker, I do not know how to begin to feel. At this point, it sounds like he is rejecting brains like mine which are not legal. [Laughter.] If he can rephrase his statement -- The Hon Minority Leader is not a legal brain but he is one of the finest brains in this Chamber. [Laughter.]
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    Who told you he is not a legal brain?
    Mr Opare-Ansah 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not know him to be of the legal fraternity. I have never seen him at the Bar.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:45 p.m.
    British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has recognised him.
    Mr Opare-Ansah 1:45 p.m.
    I have never seen him at the Bar. [Laughter.]
    Mr Osei-Owusu 1:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, your reaction suggests clearly that “legal brains” does not refer to those who have been called to the Bar. It refers to persons who have contributions to make to the proper interpretation and I believe that this is one matter in which we should not --
    Alhaji Ibrahim D. Abubakari 1:45 p.m.
    On a point of order.
    Mr Speaker, the making of laws here are not done by only legal brains. We have all shades of people -- farmers, teachers and others who come together to make laws. So, it is not only legal brains that make laws and that is why we are representing the people here to make laws. So, I believe that he should apologise. It is not only legal brains that are in Parliament.
    Mr Osei-Owusu 1:45 p.m.
    I believe my Director of Administration was not listening -- [Laughter] -- because I explained that
    “legal brains” here does not mean only those who belong to the Bar.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 a.m.
    Director of Administration at where?
    Mr Osei-Owusu 1:55 a.m.
    He was the Director of Administration when I was Chief Executive Officer of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA). [Hear! Hear!]
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 a.m.
    So, this is his chance to challenge you? [Laughter.]
    Mr Osei-Owusu 1:55 a.m.
    That is the only opportunity he has.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 a.m.
    Maybe, when you were there you bullied him? [Laughter.]
    Mr Osei-Owusu 1:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think that we should be careful not to enact a law which would then be challenged again. It would be an embarrassment to us.
    Mr Osei-Owusu 1:55 a.m.
    The Committee has finished with its work and has brought it before us. I suggest that we subject this clause, particularly to serious winnowing and come to a conclusion, so that we would not be making into law, something which the Supreme Court has already outlawed.
    Mr Speaker, that is my submission and suggestion.
    Thank you.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 a.m.
    Hon Member, I have recognised you. Do not worry.
    Mr Opare-Ansah 1:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I tried to draw your attention to Order 40 (3) but I think you have --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 a.m.
    Thank you.
    So, Hon Members, having regard to the time and the state of affairs under Order 40 (3), I direct that we Sit outside the prescribed period.
    Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah (NDC -- Ho West) 1:55 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to associate myself with the Motion as well as the Report that is before us to amend the Chieftaincy Bill, 2013.
    Mr Speaker, we are all from different villages, towns and traditional areas. And some of us belong to one traditional council or the other --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 a.m.
    Hon Member, are you a chief, doing politics?
    Mr Bedzrah 1:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am from a chief's house.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 a.m.
    So, do you belong to the traditional council as a chief?
    Mr Bedzrah 1:55 a.m.
    No, my father belongs to a traditional council as a chief. I am just a messenger there.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 a.m.
    You are an observer?
    Mr Bedzrah 1:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have the Obrafuor's Stool there. [Laughter.]
    Mr Speaker, when the Supreme Court decided to quash one of the provisions in the Act, some of us were happy because we thought that it infr inged on fundamental human rights. Therefore, we thought that could mean that people's rights would not be trampled upon.
    But on a hindsight, when I started going round some of the areas in my constituency, one of the things that I noticed was that, chiefs were requesting from the various areas and traditional councils that because that provision had been quashed by the Supreme Court, they could not hold their own subjects to some of the things which happened in some of the traditional areas. They begged us, especially, they asked me to convey to Parliament that we should restore or look for some provision that could empower them as chiefs, to at least, bring that sanity and fear that we used to have for chiefs.
    Mr Speaker, when you go to some of our areas now, just as the Hon Minister said apiio, it is there. You will realise that a chief will call somebody or summon people from their traditional areas, and they will not respect the chief, because what is in there for them to come and attend to the chief? So, I am particularly happy that this provision will be looked at again and this House will pass it.
    Mr Speaker, it is not only in this jurisdiction that we have the traditional or chieftaincy ruling. We have it in advanced democracies -- in the United Kingdom (UK), where we have the chiefdom; we have the Queen, who is even the Head of State of the UK. You go to other jurisdictions and they are there. They have that power even to summon Prime Ministers.
    I do not see why in Ghana, they do not have the power or freedom to be able to summon their own subjects, and if they do, because there are no punitive measures, they could decide to obey.
    Mr Speaker, so, I am particularly happy that we are bringing this. I believe that when we come to the Consideration Stage, we would look at the provision in toto and then pass this.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 a.m.
    Thank you.
    Hon Members, I think that you will agree with me that, this is a nice and soft landing for us to bring the debate to an end for today, and then we will continue on Tuesday.
    Suffice it to say, once again, we are happy with the presence of our chiefs but it is unfortunate that we could not finish the debate today.
    Hon Members, there was a report from a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which said that about 71 per cent of Ghanaians respect chieftaincy more than any other institution. So, this is a very important matter.
    So, it is good that the Leadership of the House has advised that we defer it to Tuesday. I have also been advised by the Leadership of the House that we should not proceed to debate the Motion on the State of the Nation Address today. Am I correct? This is because I have deferred the debate on the Chieftaincy (Amendment) Bill till Tuesday.
    To the Leadership of the House, how about the debate of the State of the Nation Address today?
    Mr Agbesi 1:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we can do that on Tuesday. We have agreed that all of the unfinished businesses for the day would be taken on Tuesday.
    Mr Opare-Ansah 1:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I recollect the Hon Majority Leader and the Chairman of the Business Committee expunged that part of the Business Statement this morning. This is because he said that the debate was concluded. So, we may not conclude the debate on Tuesday but Wednesday.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:55 a.m.
    I have been advised by the Clerks-at-the-Table that because we are deferring this Motion to Tuesday, the conclusion would be on Wednesday -- [Interruption]-- All right. So, originally, it was Wednesday. So, those who were listed for today will have their turn on Tuesday.
    Hon Members, on that note, I accordingly --
    Mr Ahmed Ibrahim 1:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you.
    Mr Speaker, because of the concerns surrounding the debate today, you are deferring the debate on the Chieftaincy (Amendment) Bill, 2013 to Tuesday. I just wanted to draw our attention to Standing Order 198 (3), and with your, permission I beg to quote:
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 1:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think that is a right call and I support it. I believe that when we get to that stage and we are still having issues, we should understand this. It is very important. This is because, instead of making a headway, we are going to have that Report laid and we would go through. But if we have issues, we may raise them again.
    So, I would want the Leader of the House to understand it.
    Mr Agbesi 1:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, this is a very serious and important intervention in this debate. Mr Speaker, the Hon Chairman of the Committee and the Hon Ranking Member who are the heads of the Committee disagree on the floor of the House. The Hon Chairman and the Hon Ranking Member who lead the Committee are not one; they disagree on documents that were used in the proceedings.
    It is on that note that I also deem it necessary that the application made is proper and it will guide and lead us to come to a deliberate decision. I think that it is appropriate that such documents be made available to the House, particularly for those of us who are not members of the Committee to actually understand and follow the proceedings and the debate thereon.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:05 a.m.
    Why are Hon Members on their feet when another Hon Member -- are they raising a point of order against him?
    Mr Awuah 2:05 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    My Hon Colleague just said that the Hon Chairman and the Hon Ranking Member disagree on the Report. But I am not surprised at all because the Report before us is not a consensus one, it is a majority decision, which means that there are dissenting points. So, if they should disagree, it is quite normal. It reflects the nature of the Report.
    So, my Hon Colleague, the Hon Deputy Majority Leader should not be surprised at all. That is the point I want to raise.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:05 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Chairman of the Committee?
    Mr Woyome 2:05 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Exactly what the Hon Minority Whip indicated, because it was not by consensus. It was one that showed a majority decision and therefore, some issues like this are bound to happen. We will wait and then continue per your guidance on Tuesday.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:05 a.m.
    The reason I asked earlier that we should look at what you referred to et cetera --
    Please, have a seat.
    I understand when you stand when talking because I also do the same thing. When somebody in higher authority is talking to you, in Ghana, usually you stand. But in Parliament, you sit, you do not stand.
    I was saying that I always have the view that -- this is not a ruling, but my view -- that all the documents that are submitted to the Committee must at least, be listed. But we seem to restrict ourselves to the Constitution, Standing Orders; we mention an Act and maybe, other documents. But if you look at all the Reports, not only your Committee but all the Reports, they received a lot of documents. We are not saying bring all here but at least, it is useful if you list them. If that had been the practice, then every document received by the Committee would be listed and therefore, this debate will not even arise.
    We do not even have to ask that it be brought. Now, I have an application from the Hon Deputy Chief Whip that I should direct that the Clerk to the Committee brings two of the Reports -- distribute them as part of the Report or how should they be done? Or I should direct that the Hon Chairman should lay them on Tuesday for distribution? Or the minutes should be brought here?
    What is your advice?
    Mr A. Ibrahim 2:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, because the first one has been laid, if the second would be laid and we proceed from there, I would be so happy.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:05 a.m.
    So, the Hon Chairman of the Committee will lay the second letter?
    Now, another thing I noticed is that, some Hon Members indicated that they had not seen the Reports. I do not know whether it is true; so I direct that copies of the Reports be made and put in everybody's pigeonhole.
    We are all sons of chiefs; we are all subjects to chiefs; and we are all here to represent our chiefs and our people. So, they should put the Report again. They should also put a copy of the first letter and a copy of the second letter even before it is laid. But when we come on Tuesday, you can lay that as well.
    If there is any other information that the Committee got and that in the view of the Committee all Hon Members need to have a copy, they can provide it. We just want the best for all of us.
    Mr A. Ibrahim 2:05 a.m.
    We are so grateful, Mr Speaker.
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 2:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, as I said, I thought we were making progress but in view of the request by the Hon Deputy Chief Whip, I would also request that - In fact, the Committee even asked that we should have met the one who took the matter to Court, to brief us. It never happened. Let us do that before we even come to this issue, so that we exhaust all the issues.
    Mr Speaker, as I said, there are other issues which are outstanding. We thought we were making progress but since this is being done -- After that, we would also insist that we see Nana Agyei Ampofo why he sent the matter to court. So, we need to listen to him on his position. That has not been done.
    We have other issues as a Committee, that we needed to resolve. That is why when he was laying the Report, I had my issues, but because of some compromises, I agreed. So, there are certain issues we need to resolve before Tuesday. That is very important.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:15 p.m.
    Hon Woyome, before you speak, give me a second and I will rule on this matter he just raised. [Pause.]

    Hon Members, at the close of debate relating to the Chieftaincy (Amendment) Bill, 2013, an application was made by the Hon Deputy Majority Chief Whip, that the “alleged second letter” or “the second letter of the Attorney-General's Depart- ment” must be laid in Parliament on Tuesday.

    The background to that was that, a letter which can be described as the first letter of the Attorney-General had been laid by the Hon Ranking Member when he was contributing to the debate.

    Hon Members, article 106 (5) of the Constitution says that:

    “Where a bill has been deliberated upon by the appropriate committee, it shall be reported to Parliament.”

    Article 106 (6) says that:

    “The report of the committee, together with the explanatory memorandum to the bill, shall form the basis for a full debate on the bill for its passage, with or without amendments, or its rejection, by Parliament.”

    Article 110 provides that:

    “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament may, by standing orders, regulate its own procedure.”

    It is in furtherance of this that the revised Standing Orders of 1st November 2000 regulates our procedure.

    Standing Order 187 talks about the Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture. It provides as follows:

    “The Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture shall consist of eighteen Members to which shall be referred matters relating to youth, sports and culture generally.”

    Item number 10 of today's Order Paper advertised a Motion that the Chieftaincy (Amendment) Bill, 2013 be now read a Second time. If this is being read a Second time, then it means that we are acting in furtherance of article 106 (6) of the Constitution. The Report has come out; the Hon Minister has spoken on it; the Hon Ranking Member has also contributed. I think the time to send the matter back to the Committee for them to meet other people is past.

    At this stage, the request that the Committee should meet Nana Adjei Ampofo and others is not something I could accede to at this stage. This is because the Report has reached Parliament, and we are at the stage of Second Reading. If Hon Members still wish to take certain steps, it cannot be just by an ordinary application to me; I cannot accede to that request

    However, I agree to the Hon Ahmed Ibrahim's request and I direct that the second letter be laid. This is because I agreed to the first letter being laid. I direct accordingly that the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice's second letter should be laid.

    I also direct that copies of all the two letters be distributed and put in the pigeonholes of Hon Members, and copies of the Report of the Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture also be printed again and put in the pigeonhole of every Hon Member.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:15 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, do you have a point of order against the Speaker?
    Dr Ahmed Y. Alhassan 2:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is just an observation.
    I noticed that the Hon Minority Leader has just taken a backseat. I do not know whether it was for some other consideration.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:15 p.m.
    The ways of the Hon Minority Leader are not our ways, and his thoughts are not our thoughts. He is the Hon Minority Leader and he is strategically positioned watching things. He is still the Hon Minority Leader. Why do you want to --
    Mr Bedzrah 2:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is really unusual of the Hon Minority Leader to sit on that seat. It looks like he has replaced Hon -- He should just explain to us. We are so much interested in the Hon Minority Leader's seat.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:15 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, the Hon Members are in love with you. When you come to the front, they have a problem, when you go to the back, they have a problem.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, you have said it all. When I am in front, they have a problem, and when I am at the rear, they have a problem. [Laughter.]
    Mr Speaker, I am leading a group of Members of Parliament and occasionally, I have to mingle with them to see what their thinking is -- [Laughter.] -- But for the avoidance of doubt, on this occasion, I am here in spirit, not in the physical.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:15 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, your mingling is not enough; you must then be mingling somewhere getting to the back.
    Mr Isaac Osei 2:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think the Hon Minority Leader's comments are very instructive for Leadership in this House. For a man to choose to leave that high seat there and mingle, it is a sign of great leadership.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:15 p.m.
    I have a soft spot for Hon Hanna Bisiw. So, if she rises, I have to call her. [Interruptions.] There is nothing to it. I am born again.
    Yes, Hon Member, I saw you on your feet.
    Dr Hanna L. Bisiw 2:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I just wanted to say that the Hon Minority Leader's line is empty. The whole place is empty. So, if he wants to mingle, I would humbly suggest that he should move to the back since we have more Hon Members at the back.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:15 p.m.
    Thank you. That is why I wanted to recognise the Hon Member. But it is a spiritual matter. Not all of us understand what is happening, but we would take it in good faith.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:15 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Mr Awuah 2:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minority Leader --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:15 p.m.
    Hon Members, I looked through the Standing Orders, and there is no item named “Hon Minority Leader”. How could we take the poor man on and everybody is commenting on it? I think we should adjourn. The last comment?
    Mr Awuah 2:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, would you let me finish?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:15 p.m.
    Yes.
    Mr Awuah 2:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, he is unfortunately not a “dead goat”. [Laughter.] He is very active and could easily move round. Probably, that is the reason he is moving round and fraternising with his Members.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:15 p.m.
    I think this last part of our Sitting has been done in good faith and in jest. It is an indication

    that even though people think that we are killing one another here, we are all Friends, trying to move the agenda of Ghana forward.

    Thank you very much.
    ADJOURNMENT 2:15 p.m.
  • The House was adjourned at 2.22 p.m. till Tuesday, 17th March, 2015 at 10.00 a.m.