Debates of 19 May 2015

MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:40 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:40 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Hon Members, Correction of Votes and Proceedings and the Official Report.
  • [No correction was made to the Votes and Proceedings of Friday, 15th May, 2015.]
  • [No correction was made to the Official Report of Tuesday, 12th May, 2015.]
    • Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Item numbered 3 on the Order Paper -- Questions.
    Hon Majority Chief Whip?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Second Deputy Minority Whip?
    Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have no difficulty in accepting that.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:40 a.m.
    Very well.
    The Hon Minister for Transport -
    ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 10:40 a.m.
    MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT 10:40 a.m.
    Minister for Transport (Mrs Dzifa Aku Attivor) 10:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Metro Mass Transit (MMT) Limited is a company established by Government in 2003 to provide public transport in the urban and rural areas. With an initial fleet of 17 buses,
    the company can now boast of 1,017 buses of which about 330 are currently non-operational.
    Mr Speaker, the company is currently faced with the following challenges, which have led to the accumulation of broken down buses:
    1. The internal wrangling within the company from mid-2014 till January 2015, hampered smooth processes for the procurement of spare parts and tyres leading to about 330 buses being parked for lack of spare parts.
    2. The company's plight is also worsened with the Managing Director's threshold for purchases being pegged at GH¢5,000.00 as contained in the Public Procure- ment Act 663 of 2003. This is woefully inadequate for the urgent purchases of spare parts when required.
    3. The company is also faced with spare parts inventory manage- ment.
    Mr Speaker, currently, the company has reached an agreement with VDL Bus International of Holland, manufacturers of the VDL buses to provide spare parts to rehabilitate the buses. This is a credit facility worth one million euros with a 60 - day grace period for payment. An order has since been placed with the manufacturer on 8th May, 2015 for delivery by the middle of June.
    Mr Speaker, for expeditious repair works, MMT has put in place a rehabilitation plan and the company has commenced discussion with private garages to outsource the rehabilitation works upon arrival of the requisite spare
    parts, as a temporary measure to bring the buses back on the road.
    Meanwhile, the company is procuring parts from the local market for some repair works by its maintenance staff. This has been possible by securing approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) to raise the threshold of the Managing Director to GH¢50,000.00.
    Mr Speaker, an investigation into the operations of the company identified some procedural lapses. The Ministry has decided to undertake some restructuring of the company to improve its operation.
    It is my expectation that, the above - mentioned measures put in place will go a long way to address the current challenges.
    Mr J. J. Appiah 10:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, may I crave your indulgence to read from the Daily Graphic of Tuesday, January 13th, 2015. It reads:
    “The company is unable to buy spare parts to put the vehicles on the road. Many of them have broken down and so we come to work and sit, with nothing to do,' he said.
    Additionally, he said, drivers and conductors were paid as low as GH¢200 each month.”
    Mr Speaker, may I ask the Hon Minister why petty spare parts like callipers and tyres could not be bought to put these vehicles on the road?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:50 a.m.
    I would have thought that the Answer she gave takes into account this issue?
    Mr J. J. Appiah 10:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my question is simple: I would like to ask the Hon Minister why spare parts like callipers, tyres and brake parts cannot be bought by the MMT offices.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:50 a.m.
    Hon Member, if you look at the reasons she gave in her Answer, one of them is the ceiling by the Public Procurement Act.
    Mr J. J. Appiah 10:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is not detailed; we want a detailed Answer. This is because if a whole bus is grounded because of tyre and callipers, then she has to answer why the cars cannot move. It is so simple.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:50 a.m.
    Hon Member, if you want to ask another question -- but she has answered that these are the problems, inclusive of the ceiling of the threshold of the Public Procurement Act. Now, they have been able to get the Public Procurement Authority to give them some leeway.
    Mr J. J. Appiah 10:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have more questions. This would be my first supplementary question.
    Mr Speaker, may I also crave your indulgence to read from the same Daily Graphic; it is very important.
    “The minister directed the committee set up to look into the allegation of missing buses to submit its report to the board of the MMT on Wednesday.
    Subsequently, she asked the board to convene a meeting and urged the workers to resume work with immediate effect.”
    Mr Speaker, may I ask the Hon Minister if the report of the missing buses is ready? If yes, what action has she taken; and if no, why?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:50 a.m.
    Hon Member, this Question cannot be a follow- up. If you look at the Question you asked --
    Mr J. J. Appiah 10:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we are talking about buses that have been grounded.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:50 a.m.
    Please, listen to me.
    “…what plans the Ministry had to rehabilitate broken down buses…”
    We are talking about the rehabilitation of broken down buses.
    Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah 10:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the last but one paragraph of the Answer of the Hon Minister, she talks about the investigations. Mr Speaker, she said and I beg to quote:
    “Mr Speaker, an investigation into the operations of the company identified some procedural lapses.”
    Mr Speaker, so, she is talking about the report. She is talking about the investigations that she caused to be conducted. So, it is legitimate if he should follow up on that. This is because it is in her Answer. She herself has given reasons for the MMT not doing well, which caused investigations to be conducted. So, it is within the --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:50 a.m.
    Alright. Hon Minister, could you please, answer the question?
    Mrs Attivor 10:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the investiga- tion report has been submitted by Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC), and we are
    preparing an extract for the Office of the President.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:50 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Joe Appiah, any further follow-up questions?
    Mr J. J. Appiah 10:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my final question is, I would like to ask the Hon Minister what necessary steps she is taking to restore confidence within the MMT. I would also want to find out the procurement and implementation of the Auditor-General's Report on the issue.
    Mrs Attivor 10:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in my Answer, I did mention that we are considering restructuring the company. I am sure once we are able to do that, there would be public confidence. That does not mean public confidence as of now is lost. Passengers still patronise MMT.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:50 a.m.
    Hon Member for Old Tafo?
    Dr Anthony Akoto Osei 10:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in her Answer, on the first paragraph of page 18 of the Order Paper and with your permission, I would want to quote:
    “Mr Speaker, currently, the company has reached an agreement with VDL Bus International of Holland, manufacturers of VDL buses to provide spare parts to rehabilitate the buses. This is a credit facility worth one million euros with a 60- day grace period for payment.”
    Mr Speaker, I am sure the Hon Minister is aware, and she swore an oath to defend
    the Constitution. She knows that under article 181 of the 1992 Constitution, any credit facility that has not received the approval of Parliament cannot operate. Here, she is telling this august House that they have signed an agreement worth one million euros. It is not the quantum of the loan.
    Mr Speaker, is the Hon Minister aware that this is a violation of our Constitution, which she swore to defend?
    Mrs Attivor 10:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am informed by the management of MMT that this is an existing arrangement with the manufacturers of the VDL buses. So, I may have to come back because that is what I have been told. It is an existing arrangement between MMT and the manufacturers of the VDL buses of Holland.
    Dr A. A. Osei 10:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, could the Hon Minister make this existing agreement available to this House, so that we are sure? Sometimes, the information that you get may not be correct. This is so important, so that she is not seen as violating our dear Constitution, which she swore to defend. So, if directives could be given that she tables that existing agreement, so that we could confer.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:50 a.m.
    Well, I believe this may have to be two pronged; she may have to come back and also make available the said agreement.
    So, Hon Minister, would two weeks be alright for you, within which time you could come back to this House?
    Mrs Attivor 10:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, as I have already indicated, it is information given to me by the MMT. So, I would find out from the management, and if it is available, I would submit it.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
    Hon Minister, I am talking about the time frame. Could it be within two weeks, so that we are clear in our minds.
    Mrs Attivor 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would oblige.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
    Thank you very much.
    I so direct, Hon Members.
    Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have a question. Before then, her answer was conditional -- “if it is available”, then she would bring it. So, in the event if it is not available, would she alter the Answer she has given us?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
    Hon Members, that is why I made it two pronged. She should be here herself, in addition to making it available. So, if she does not get it, she would come and we would still have the opportunity to ask a few questions.
    Mr Patrick Yaw Boamah 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister -- in her Answer, she said that her Ministry had put in place measures to outsource the rehabilitation works upon arrival of the spare parts. I would want to find out from the Hon Minister, if she could provide the list of private garages that the Ministry has identified to undertake the rehabilitation and the criteria used.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
    Mrs Attivor 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the existing garages that the Metro Mass Transit Limited repairs their vehicles are Neoplan Ghana Limited and Ghana Technical Training Centre.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, from the Hon Minister's own Answer, paragraph (2) and with your kindness, I beg to quote:
    “The company is currently faced with the following challenges which have led to the accumulation of broken down buses:
    1. The internal wrangling within the company from mid-2014 till January 2015, hampered smooth processes for the procurement of spare parts and tyres leading to about 330 buses being parked for lack of spare parts.”
    My question is, how does the Hon Minister assess the Ministry's compe- tence in terms of its ability to handle internal wrangling? This is because, if such a fundamental matter as internal wrangling of Metro Mass Transit Limited could cause an undue delay of a procurement process which led to over 300 buses being parked, how does she assess the competence of her Ministry?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
    Hon Member, are you not asking for an opinion?
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am not asking for her opinion per se, but in the context of the Answer she gave, that is what is motivating me to ask the question, that if internal wrangling could cause such an undue delay in the procurement process, is it a question of the Ministry sitting idle and allowing the internal wrangling to fester on or what? Indeed, was it the situation that caused the undue delay in the procurement process?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
    Well, this question is allowed to be phrased this way but the earlier one was asking for an opinion. So, Hon Minister, can you please,l give us the answer?
    Mrs Attivor 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Metro Mass Transit Limited, operated under the jurisdiction of Board of Directors. When we realised there were some challenges, the Board was dissolved and the Managing Director (MD) and the Deputy Managing Director (DMD) were asked to step aside for investigations to be conducted.
    Mr Moses Anim 11 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    I would want to find out from the Hon Minister whether the company has a maintenance schedule, and if they have, how many have been done for the first quarter of this year and what was the cost of meeting the maintenance schedule for the first quarter of this year?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
    It appears -- Well -- but I will allow it.
    Hon Minister, could you, please --
    Mrs Attivor 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not have that information available, please.
    Mr Albert Abongo 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister stated that the Ministry had been able to raise the threshold for procurement by the Managing Director to GH ¢50,000. This is commendable but Mr Speaker, I would want to believe that, to manage a fleet of more than a thousand buses, this threshold is definitely inadequate.
    May I find out from the Hon Minister if something is being done to raise this threshold for efficient management of the public transport?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
    Hon Member, I believe you are aware that the Procurement (Amendment) Bill has been laid before this House? It has been withdrawn because they want to tidy up the numerous amendments that have been proposed. If that goes through, I believe this kind of problem would be solved.
    Mr Awuah 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is on the leg of his question that I get up.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister tells us that the Procurement Authority has raised the threshold of the Managing Director from GH¢5,000 to GH ¢50,000.
    Mr Speaker, I just want the Hon Minister to affirm this statement because I do not know where the Procurement Authority had its authority to raise the threshold for the Managing Director. This is because as you rightly said, the law is being reviewed and there is nowhere in the law where the Procurement Authority has the right to raise the threshold for a particular office. So, I would want the Hon Minister to affirm that particular statement she made in the Answer.
    Mrs Attivor 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, a request was made to Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and approval was given to the Metro Mass Transit Limited to increase the threshold of the Managing Director to GH¢50,000. It is on record; we have the letter there.
    Mr Awuah 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister says that, it is on record, so, I would just want to plead with her to lay a copy of the said approval for the consideration of this House.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
    Very well.
    I direct that the Hon Minister lays a copy of that letter before the House.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Members, this brings us to the end of that particular Question.
    Hon Minister, thank you for attending upon this House. You are discharged.
    Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip, I believe it is the turn of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources?
    Alhaji Muntaka 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources is on a national assignment outside the country and therefore, I would want to seek your indulgence and that of the House for the Hon Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to answer the Questions on behalf of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Awuah 11 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, is he referring to Hon Akandoh? [Interruption.] No! He is a Deputy Minister. All right. I have not seen her; I thought it was Hon Akandoh that he was referring to.
    Anyway, Mr Speaker, she is welcome.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Deputy Minister, the first Question stands in the name of Hon Yaw Owusu- Boateng, Member of Parliament for Asene/Akroso/Manso Constituency.
    Hon Member, you have the floor.
    Mr Yaw Owusu-Boateng 11 a.m.
    Thank you.
    By the way, Mr Speaker, my town is called ‘“Asene” not “Asini”.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
    Asene?
    Mr Owusu-Boateng 11 a.m.
    It may be stressed but sorry about that.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11 a.m.
    Thank you.
    MINISTRY OF LANDS AND 11 a.m.
    NATURAL RESOURCES 11 a.m.
    Mr Owusu-Boateng 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, with your indulgence, I would want to quote the beginning of the Deputy Minister's Answer:

    “Mr Speaker, in the Minerals and Mining Policy adopted by Cabinet last year …”

    May I find out from the Hon Deputy Minister whether there was a policy on this issue before last year and what are some of the details?
    Ms Asamoah 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, as I said, before the Minerals and Mining Policy, there was the Minerals and Mining Act 2006 that took care of these issues. We have realised that there are some inadequacies in the policy, that is why we had the Policy reviewed. So, before the Policy was reviewed last year, the Minerals and Mining Act took care of these issues.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    Hon Member, your second follow-up, if any?
    Mr Owusu-Boateng 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to find out if there was any collaboration between the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing? Are there any collaborations between Ministr ies, especially the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing?
    With your indulgence, what kind of collaboration is there?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister?
    Ms Asamoah 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, there are collaborations among all the sector Ministries that have to do with mining, water bodies and environment. So, in the area of water bodies, we collaborate a lot with the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    Hon Member, your last follow up question?
    Mr Owusu-Boateng 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, if there are collaborations smong all the Ministries, how come that the Answer to my Question is saying that - let me quote the last paragraph, with your indulgence:
    “Mr Speaker, the Birim Basin is not an exception. As far as the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is concerned, no large scale non- mining project that will impact on existing mineral resources has come to our attention.”
    Mr Speaker, I would like to tell the Hon Deputy Minister that since April 2013, there is a large scale water project on the Birim Basin which impacts on mineral resources in the Birim Basin. Birim Basin has alluvia diamonds, which are documented all over the country --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    Hon Member, what is your question?
    Mr Owusu-Boateng 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the question was that, how come the Ministry did not do any cost-benefit analysis before the water projects are taking place on the Birim Basin at Akwatia and Oda?
    We took a loan from the Turkish Government on 13th August, 2012 and this project started in April 2013. The inhabitants there are saying that the foreigners are mining the diamonds at the expense --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    Hon Member, you appear to be disputing what the Hon Deputy Minister has said. I would prefer that the evidence you have would be made available, otherwise, she is saying (A) and you are saying (B). We are in no position to determine which represents the truth.
    Mr Owusu-Boateng 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, with all due respect, the loan that was taken in this House during the last Parliament is in the public domain. I am not the one saying it. We took a loan from the Turkish Government in order to construct three water projects -- [Interruption.]
    Please, I am giving the background to it before I ask my question. These water projects were located at Akyem Oda where I used to be a Member of Parliament; one at Kade and the other at Winneba. Now, the question is, if there is collaboration, how come minerals are being mined in the Birim Basin without any cost-benefit analysis or anything happening and the foreigners are benefitting from it?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister?
    Ms Asamoah 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, unless the mining that is taking place there is an illegal activity, I think that there was definitely some cost-benefit analysis that took place; especially, when it has to do with water, then I am sure they collaborated with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before the project started.
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:10 a.m.
    -- rose --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    Yes?
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, is the Hon Deputy Minister aware that there is a large scale non-mining project being under- taken in the Birim Basin? Is the Hon Deputy Minister aware of such a project?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    Hon Member, I think in her Answer, she has indicated that in the last paragraph.
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, that is precisely my point because there is a point of debate. I would want to make sure whether she is aware. Her Answer says as far as they are concerned. So, I am asking, is she aware? She can confirm.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    No! she belongs to a Ministry and she is saying that they are not aware. That is why I said that the Hon Member who asked the Question was disputing the Answer she gave. So, we need to have some kind of evidence.
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, would the Hon Deputy Minister check to see if there is a large scale non-mining project being undertaken in the Birim Basin and report back to this House?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    Very well. That is acceptable.
    Hon Deputy Minister?
    Ms Asamoah 11:10 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would surely do that and get back to the House.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:10 a.m.
    Hon Members, I think we need to know as a fact that non-mining does not come under her Ministry. But she has given us what she knows as far as non-mining is concerned.
    Shall we move on to the next Question?
    The next Question stands in the name of Hon Kwasi Amoako-Attah, Member of Parliament for Atiwa West.
    Hon Member, you have the floor.
    Illegal Mining Activities in the Atiwa West Constituency
    (Regulation and Control)
    Q. 394. Mr Kwasi Amoako-Attah asked the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources what steps were being taken by the Ministry to regulate and control the current rampant illegal mining activities in the Atiwa West Constituency.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Minister?
    Ms Asamoah 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, mining in Ghana is regulated by the Minerals and Mining Act 2006, (Act 703) and its regulations. One can therefore, only undertake mining legally if the person is granted a licence for the purpose, by the Minister responsible for mining, on a particular piece of ground, for the duration, terms and conditions stipulated in the licence. Failure to comply with any of these, would render any mining activity carried out illegal.
    Virtually, all the illegal mining activities are associated with the small scale gold mining subsector. By the law, small scale mining of gold is permitted under a licence granted to a Ghanaian by the Minister over an area of not more than 25 acres.
    In the past, these activities were undertaken using very basic implements like pick axes and shovels. However, in recent times more sophisticated equipment and implements have been introduced.
    Mr Speaker, the sheer numbers, areal spans and the remoteness of these illegal operations which cause wanton des- truction of the environment in terms of land degradation and pollution of rivers in the Eastern Region, the Atiwa West Constituency not excluded, make them very challenging to manage.
    Government is mindful of the threat of these illegal mining activities to the environment, food security and the society at large and it is implementing a number of initiatives to minimise, if not completely stem the menace. Some of the specific interventions being made to reduce the illegal mining activities and its associated negative impacts in the country are:
    Ms Asamoah 11:20 a.m.


    Intervention 1: Blocking out areas for small-scale mining:

    Over one hundred (100) areas have been blocked out for small scale mining. Nine of these areas which cover an area of 500 square kilometres are being geologically investigated for alluvial and primary gold deposits countrywide and would later be parceled and licensed to small-scale miners.

    Specifically, for the Atiwa area, some areas have been reserved for small scale mining. These areas are located at Anyinam, Akoase and its environs.

    Additionally, the Ministry is conducting geological investigation in areas centered on Akoase to identify mineable deposits for small scale miners. Granted mineable deposits are identified, groups of small scale miners or cooperatives will be supported to operate in an environmentally friendly manner.

    Intervention 2: Establishment of a National Security Sub-committee on Lands and Natural Resources

    Mr Speaker, the Government, at the instance of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has established a National Security Sub-committee on Lands and Natural Resources to deal with recalcitrant illegal miners including foreigners. Regional Task Forces have also been formed by the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission in the Eastern, Western, Central, Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions to help deal with illegal mining in all forms.

    Similarly, District Mining Committees have been formed in mining areas to also assist, among others, the Ministry to deal with the illegal mining activities.

    Intervention 3: Sensitisation and Education Programmes

    Mr Speaker, the Ministry, in colla- boration with the Minerals Commission, has organised several sensitisation programmes to educate stakeholders including illegal miners on the dangers of this activity. The programmes included:

    Meetings with key stakeholders such as Ministr ies, security agencies, the Judiciary, Regional and District Administrations

    Organisation of stakeholder workshops in mining communities to sensitise them on the new mining regulations

    Radio, TV and Print Media Programmes as well as adver- tisements on bill boards in mining communities

    Education of traditional authorities, land owners and farmers to desist from illegally apportioning land for illegal mining, but rather work with regulators to grant mining licences to ensure that the required benefits are derived.

    Intervention 4: Amendment to Act

    703

    Mr Speaker, wi th r espect to amendments to Act 703, which is currently before you, is expected to make sanctions more deterrent to people engaged in illegal mining activities. The amendments will ensure strict liability for offences committed under Act 703 and prescribe severe penalties for illegal mining or galamsey. The courts will also be empowered to confiscate equipment used in illegal mining activities as well as any minerals produced from such activities.

    Way Forward --

    Mr Speaker, the Min ist ry wil l cont inue to col laborate wi th the

    Minerals Commission and the Municipal/ District Assemblies, National Security, Ghana Police Service and the Judiciary, not only in the Eastern Region but across the country to make illegal mining unattractive in the country.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Thank you very much. Is there any follow up question from Hon Members?
    Mr Amoako-Attah 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I asked this Question with specific reference to my constituency, Atiwa West Constituency because of the dangers that the illegal mining is posing.
    Mr Speaker, my constituency is the source where three rivers -- River Densu, River Birim and River Ayensu take their sources to feed the Greater Accra Region.
    I would want to find out from the Hon Deputy Minister what specific actions are being taken to deal with the Atiwa West Constituency in particular, in order to save these important rivers which serve as the main source of drinking water for the people of the Greater Accra Region.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Well, Hon Member, do you not think that the Answer caters for all areas where these illegal activities take place with your constituency inclusive? Do you not think so?
    Anyway, if you would want the Deputy Minister to give you an answer, I will give her the floor.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 11:20 a.m.
    No, Mr Speaker. I am saying so because the Question was specific. I specified my constituency because of its importance so far as these river bodies are concerned.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Deputy Minister?
    Ms Asamoah 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, illegal mining issues have to do with law enforcement, and that is why it is important that the Bill before this august House could be passed quickly; it would be of help to keep enforcing the laws.
    I would also urge the Hon Member of Parliament (MP) for Atiwa West Constituency to help his District Police and the Minerals Commission to ensure that the laws are enforced. That is the only way we could curb this menace.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Yes, is there any further follow up question?
    Mr Amoako-Attah 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the Hon Deputy Minister 's Answer as provided under “Intervention 2” on page 16 of the Order Paper, which talks about the establishment of a National Security Sub-committee on Lands and Natural Resources to deal with recalcitrant illegal miners including foreigners.”
    Mr Speaker, this is not a secret; it is known to everybody. I would want to find out from the Hon Deputy Minister how her Ministry is following up on the activities of these, so- called security setups and whether in the view and assessment of her Ministry, this task force is effective?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    The earlier part of your question is allowed but the later part is disallowed since you are asking for her opinion.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Minister, have you been following up on the activities of the security agencies?
    Ms Asamoah 11:20 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, yes, we have been following up. The Ministry, including the Minister and the deputies from time to time go round to visit these areas and hold meetings with the security agencies to see how they are carrying out
    Ms Asamoah 11:20 a.m.


    their work. These meetings are normally organised without giving prior information of our coming to ascertain exactly what is happening on the ground.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:20 a.m.
    Your last follow-up question, if any, otherwise, I will give the floor to -- [Pause] -- Please, use the microphone.
    Mr Amoako-Atta 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the Hon Minister's Answer, as contained in paragraph 3 and with your kind permission, I beg to read:
    “Mr Speaker, the sheer numbers, aerial spans and the remoteness of these illegal operations which cause wanton destruction of the environment in terms of land degradation and pollution of rivers in the Eastern Region, the Atiwa West Constituency not excluded, make them very challenging to manage.”
    Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister whether this statement is an indication that her Ministry, and for that matter, the Government has lost the fight to deal with illegal mining in our nation.
    Ms Asamoah 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, this is to let the Hon Member know how serious the issues are and how we need the support and collaboration of all to be able to fight this menace. But I can assure you that the Ministry is very much on top of it.
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, on solutions to the challenges, the Hon
    Deputy Minister mentioned a number of activities, key among them is the formation of security committees and a number of ad hoc committees.
    Mr Speaker, now, there is an interface with this challenge, which is the forest reserve destruction. I wish to find out from her, if her outfit is considering em- powering the Forestry Commission to be able to play a complementary role. This is because they have the technical know- how in the control of these challenges, especially where it has to do with forest reserve destruction.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:30 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Minister?
    Ms Asamoah 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, luckily for us, the Ministry is in charge of both the Forestry Commission and Minerals Commission and so, we are working together.
    We have task forces that are for now armed to ensure that they protect the forest and especially to ward off people who engage in illegal mining in the forest, and they work hand-in-hand with the Minerals Commission.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:30 a.m.
    Hon Members, this brings us to the end of Question time.
    Hon Deputy Minister, thank you for attending upon this House.
    You are discharged.
    Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
    Alhaji Muntaka 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, before we go to Public Business, there is a matter of public importance that I need to raise with you.
    Mr Speaker, looking at the 1992 Constitution, precisely article 276, and with your kind indulgence, I beg to read:
    “(1) A chief shall not take part in active party politics; and any chief wishing to do so and seeking election to Parliament shall abdicate his stool or skin.”
    Mr Speaker, article 277 even adds 11:30 a.m.
    “In this Chapter unless the context otherwise requires, “chief” means a person, who, hailing from the appropriate family and lineage, has been validly nominated, elected or selected and enstooled, enskinned or installed as a chief or queen- mother in accordance with the relevant customary law and usage.”
    Mr Speaker, I am saying this in relation to one of our Hon Colleagues, Hon Robert Doameng Mosore, the Member for Talensi. It started like hearsay, but we have all seen it on national television and in the media that our Hon Colleague has been enskinned a chief.
    Mr Speaker, the reason I read the constitutional provision is the impression that people are creating that this cannot apply unless it is gazetted. The Constitution never mentioned the issue of it being gazetted.
    Mr Speaker, the whole of last week, if you observed from the Votes and Proceedings, our Hon Colleague was absent. I thought that morally, as a matter of conscience and principle, our Hon Colleague, knowing very well that he was going through to be enskinned, should not wait for this to be raised but should rather do the honourable thing. He now wants to serve, in my opinion, in a higher
    capacity of being a paramount chief and it should be seen that he wants to do what is honourable by simply resigning.
    Mr Speaker, the whole of last week, he was not in this House; he never sought permission and I think all of us could take emotions out and confront the issue. He has become a chief and we congratulate him but he must do what is honourable by resigning and vacating his seat.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:30 a.m.
    Can I hear from the Hon Deputy Minority Chief Whip?
    Mr Awuah 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am very surprised at the submission of my Hon Colleague on the other side.
    Mr Speaker, this is a House that deals with facts and records. I am not aware of any official report in this House that an Hon Member of this House has been made a chief. Of course, even if it is so, we have to be officially informed. Mr Speaker, I am not aware that you have been informed of any such enskinment.
    Mr Speaker, we have to avoid a situation where we would come here and instead of talking of facts, we would be playing to the gallery.
    Mr Speaker, if the Hon Member is sure of what he is saying, he should produce evidence of that. We are law abiding people and we cannot go against the Constitution of this nation. If it is proved that an Hon Member has been made a chief, we would all support what the Constitution says.
    Mr Speaker, until that is done, I cannot see myself agreeing to what he has said.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:30 a.m.
    Yes Hon Member? [Pause.]
    Very well, Hon Minister?
    Alhaji Inusah A. B. Fuseini 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am really surprised at the intervention of the available -- [Interruption] -- Hon Deputy Minority Chief Whip sitting in the chair of the Hon Deputy Minority Leader.
    Mr Speaker, this matter is a matter of public knowledge. The fact that our Hon Colleague has been made the Paramount Chief of the Talensi Traditional Area, is a matter of public knowledge, and everybody who chooses not to know, is another matter.
    Mr Speaker, what is more important to this House is that, the installation of our Hon Colleague opens up the lacuna that exists in our system in getting members or people who have been elected into positions, which positions cannot be occupied by a Member of Parliament (MP) while still an MP.
    Mr Speaker, today, we are being told that even though the constitutional provision is so clear that a person nominated and elected into a chieftaincy office could not occupy a parliamentary seat, the question we are being asked is to show the evidence. Underlying the quest to show the evidence is the fact that the procedure that could be invoked in this House is lacking.
    Even if Mr Speaker is quite aware that one of the Hon Members of this House has been made a chief, it appears to me that suo moto, Mr Speaker cannot raise the matter and decide on it.
    Mr Speaker, it imposes an obligation on us to take pragmatic steps. His suggestion and the issue raised by the Hon Majority Chief Whip are bringing to
    the floor the issue of lack of institutional mechanisms to address those issues in the House. That is the issue.
    Mr Speaker, the earlier we took steps, the better. If this intervention by the Hon Minority Leader gets into the public domain, we would be reduced into a laughing stock. Everybody including him knows that such an Hon Member has been made a chief, but now, he is burying his head in the sand like the proverbial ostrich and asking for evidence.
    Mr Speaker, I think that it is important that I invoke your jurisdiction to direct that an investigation be carried out into this matter to determine whether our Colleague has been made a paramount chief and if so, what the consequences would be.
    An Hon Member 11:40 a.m.
    And your goodself.
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 11:40 a.m.
    And my goodself, yes. I have not been made a paramount chief. But it is important, so that the general public would see this House to be acting in ways that give effect to the laws that we make here, that give effect to the constitutional provisions which we have all sworn to enforce and that give effect to the sanctity of Parliament.
    Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh 11:40 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    It is very interesting that the Hon Member of Parliament for Tamale Central would get up and distinguish himself, that he is not a paramount chief and so, it does not apply, as if the Constitution even mentioned the word “paramount”.
    Mr Speaker, the reason I am saying that is based on three things. He has been made a chief -- [Interruptions] -- Let me finish. Whether he is a parliament chief or footballers' chief or Minister for Transport chief, he is a chief --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Member, I believe you know the distinction?
    Dr Prempeh 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Constitution --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Please, let me land. I believe you know the distinction. If for example, the person does not occupy a black stool, he is not properly so called a chief in terms of the traditional law. So, there are distinctions. But go ahead and make your point.
    Dr Prempeh 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not know where you find these black stools, because the Constitution even defines a chief. It did not say black or white or pink.
    Mr Speaker, if we go into the Chieftaincy Act, in the case of the Hon Member that the Hon Member for Asawase referred to as a chief , as I speak, what I have on authority, the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs has not recognised anybody, because there have been two enskinments.
    So, where is the chief of Bolgatanga? The right way to go through the whole process is for the House of Chiefs to gazette a person as a chief, before that person becomes a chief and is recognised by the Government as a chief. Have we been informed? Where is the gazette number?
    I am surprised Mr Speaker, that the Hon Member for Tamale Central, himself a lawyer of good repute, would bastardise the position of the Chieftaincy Act in the way and manner he has just sought to do.
    Mr Speaker, in trying to even invoke your investigatory powers, he is going against the Constitution of Ghana, that the House cannot purport to investigate or deal with the National House of Chiefs

    Wait! What he is saying and what I am saying are different. I am saying that before he brings moral issues to this House and tries to question the morality of an Hon Member on this side, he should look at his fingers.

    Where is the evidence that someone has been made a chief and who recognised that chief? Is it hearsay?

    Mr Speaker, do not descend into this anarchy and chaos being perpetuated by the Hon Members for Asawase and Tamale Central, because it is a slippery slope. I know many of my Colleagues here have been made chiefs. I can mention three. I am even waiting for my own title.

    Mr Speaker, let them not deceive you into making a pronouncement. If the Hon Member is made a chief, he knows the rules and regulations of this House, and he will inform the Speaker duly. He even cannot inform the Speaker. When he went on Hajj, did he inform the Speaker that he is an Alhaji?
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I believe this is really a constitutional matter and a matter of procedure. So, if anyone, be he a Member, believes that the Constitution has been infringed or someone who is unqualified to be in Parliament is in Parliament, it should take the necessary process. It is not for the Speaker to rule.
    What he has raised is interesting and I think that he should resort to whatever processes he believes are needed. It is not a matter that can be raised on the floor of the House for the Speaker to give a ruling, the effect of which would be to oust an Hon Member of Parliament from the House, except where the Constitution provides that the Speaker may do so. That is the comment that I wish to make at this stage.
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think that Hon Papa Owusu-Ankomah has spoken the position of the law. If a person so feels that another person is not by the rules of this country entitled to sit in Parliament, they can invoke the constitutional provision in the Supreme Court.
    But again, that belies exactly what I have said, that even in the face of the fact that an Hon Member of Parliament is otherwise unqualified to sit in the House, it appears to me that Mr Speaker cannot make that direct pronouncement.
    I would just like to say that I have not held myself out as a paramount chief and I do not hold those intentions. I know the limits of the title conferred on me.
    Mr Speaker, more importantly, there is no chieftaincy issue in Tongo. The Hon Member sought to mislead this House and the general public. There is no chieftaincy issue. There is only one chief who has been validly nominated and enskinned a chief in Tongo.
    In fact, I am rising to make this point because it reinforces the perception that there are chieftaincy conflicts in the North, in Tongo. There is no chieftaincy issue.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Minister for Employment and Labour Relations. I will take that one for the last.
    Mr Haruna Iddrisu 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
    I would seek to marry a suggestion that the Hon Papa Owusu-Ankomah made together with what Alhaji Muntaka said.
    Mr Speaker, whether you are clothed with the mandate to direct on this matter even as we contemplate in questioning the matter before the Supreme Court, it is important that Hon Members appreciate that we all swore an Oath as Hon Members
    of Parliament and in that Oath -- If you would permit me, I would go to the appendix. The Oath says:
    “I shall uphold the laws and the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.”
    Therefore, having been elected and sworn in as Members of Parliament, charity begins at home. We should be the last category of people who would want to hold the Constitution and the laws of Ghana in breach rather than honour them.
    So, if our Colleague has raised a legitimate issue, I would advise my Colleagues further, that apart from articles 276 and 277 that the Hon Member referred to, Mr Speaker should also look at article 94 (3) on qualification and disqualification of Members of Parliament and who can be an Hon Member of Parliament.
    So, even as we would not rule out the suggestion of Hon Papa Owusu- Ankomah, I think it is only prudent that you direct that Leadership investigates and adequately informs your Office of the status of that Member of Parliament -- [Interruption] -- No!
    Mr Speaker can ask Leadership to ascertain the facts, because there is a certain fact in the public domain, which fact is to the effect that our Hon Colleague, Robert Nachinab Doameng Mosore has been duly nominated and installed as the Chief of Talensi. It is a matter of public record. If you want to deny it, do so, then we put it on the record; but we are saying that that has happened.
    rose
    Mr H. Iddrisu 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, if he will be patient, I listened to him. I will land.
    This is a House of debate -- [Interruption] -- Mr Speaker, maybe, the Hon Papa Owusu-Ankomah is my senior in law; he is far ahead of me, but he needs to appreciate that in interpreting the Constitution, he should look at it as a whole.
    I will give him a primary example. Assuming for the next eighteen (18) Sitting days, our Hon Colleague is unable to come before Parliament, would he wait for the Supreme Court ruling? The Constitution also provides that if an Hon Member of Parliament is unable without reasonable cause to attend to the Business of this House, he seeks a certain declaration.
    Are we going to say that in respect of that constitutional provision, we should wait for the Supreme Court to make a pronouncement on the matter?
    I am agreeing with the Hon Member on one leg and I am encouraging him. I know that some noble Ghanaian citizens would take an interest in this matter as Public Interest Law to enrich the constitutional jurisprudence on this matter, whether a person installed as a chief can still hold himself as an Hon Member of Parliament. That will be a matter which someone who has the interest could take to the Supreme Court for determination.

    Mr Speaker, that is why I said you should get together with Leadership to ascertain the facts. I do not understand their objection. We are just ascertaining facts -- whether it is true that he has been

    installed a chief. Then we will go beyond to determine whether he is a paramount chief as contemplated by the laws of Ghana including the Chieftaincy Act, and whether that qualifies him to still hold himself as an Hon Member of Parliament.

    Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity.

    Paapa Owusu-Ankomah -- rose --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Papa Owusu-Ankomah?
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister should not mislead this House. For instance, if an Hon Member of Parliament has been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction and anyone would want to bring that matter to the attention of the House, it is not merely by making Statements or asking Parliament to investigate. No! He gets the facts.
    In this country, if one wants to prove that somebody is a chief and it is a disputable fact, he needs to prove it. So, I do not know the business; it is not the business of this House to go about with briefcase -- [Laughter] -- looking for solutions to speculative problems. If any Ghanaian believes that there are facts which make an Hon Member of Parliament who was otherwise qualified to be unqualified, the processes are there, he needs to seek legal advice.
    I am surprised at what the Hon Minister said. It is a very dangerous thing and we should not be countenancing it in this House. So, I am urging the Hon Minister, who seems to be very much interested in the matter and who happens to be a lawyer to personally produce evidence. That is what he should do. He does not ask anybody or the House to go looking for evidence to ascertain the facts; please.

    The Hon Majority Chief Whip raised it. He has all the resources at his disposal to prove to this House or to bring evidence before this House that an Hon Member is a chief and he has a point.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member in question is not here. So, when we start resorting to us swearing of an Oath, I worry. But if my good Friend were really sincere and resorting to the term, “public knowledge” -- He, as an Hon Minister, knows his Colleague, the Hon Minister for Petroleum has not brought the Sinopec Internal Petroleum Service Corporation Contract to this House.
    He knows; it is public knowledge. So, if the issue is public knowledge, then I am questioning the double standards here.
    Mr Speaker, charity begins where?
    Some Hon Members 11:50 a.m.
    “At home”.
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, please, let us respect our Hon Colleagues -- [Interruption] -- I am for him. Once we swear an Oath, we have sworn an Oath. But it is for everybody and not for the Hon Member who is not here. But I would want to urge him, when he goes to Cabinet to talk to his Minister, so that -- [Interruption] -- “public knowledge” he said. It is public knowledge that the Hon Minister for Petroleum has not brought the Sinopec Contract here. He knows it and he is talking about “public knowledge.”
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
    Hon Member, I think your point is well made.
    Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
    Alhaji Muntaka 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in my view, it is very surprising and worrying with the way we keep arguing about this.
    Mr Speaker, it is public knowledge and that was why when I started, I said, “ as a matter of principle”. We are Hon Members of this House.
    Mr Speaker, my Hon senior Colleague, Papa Owusu-Ankomah said that I have at my disposal what it takes to get the facts. Well, he is right. He wants to get the facts, and we will get them for him -- [Interruption] -- We will get the facts for him and for the House.
    But I say that as Hon Members of Parliament, we should know that the seat that we have, is in trust. For him now to be ascending to the throne of Talensi, which is a paramountcy of several constituencies, it is for him as an Hon Member -- I hope he is listening -- to decide whether he chooses not to resign and allow this House to be arguing about something that he knows is obvious.
    Mr Speaker, we will get the facts. I can assure my Hon Colleague, Papa Owusu- Ankomah, that we will get a concerned Ghanaian -- a citizen -- to test this case at the Supreme Court. This is because that is the only way all of us will continue to enrich our Constitution. That is an assurance that I will give to him.
    But I can assure him that they should not be afraid of a by-election. This is because it will definitely happen. So, they should not be scared and they should not be postponing in an attempt to push it back.
    I expected Papa Owusu-Ankomah, being one of our senior most advisers, in this sense, to have given a calm and easier way out. But he chose to contribute to the confusion.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
    Hon Members, the last contribution.
    Mr Awuah 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I just want to assure my Hon Colleague that we are not afraid of by-elections. We are even ready for the main elections and we are beating them to it. So, he should not worry about that. [Interruption.]
    But Mr Speaker, on a more serious note, the issue on the floor is a matter of constitutional matter. We on our side are not saying that we would go against the provision of the Constitution, but we want the facts to be established.
    Mr Speaker, if today, it is proved that our Hon Colleague has been made a chief -- [Uproar] -- we would certainly uphold what the Constitution says. But until that is done, there is no way we can take hearsay as a basis for taking any serious decision in this House.
    Mr Speaker, we get up every morning and we hear stories on air and read them in Papers. But until they are officially brought up, there is no way we can say that they are authentic or something of the sort.
    Mr Speaker, as has been argued by my side, if Hon Muntaka is 100 per cent convinced that he is sure of what he is saying, then he should bring the necessary evidence and we would all support him to carry it out.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
    Hon Members, I think that having listened to both sides of the House -- This is not in
    a form of a ruling. But I think that since the matter in a certain respect is constitutional, that opening is there.
    Aside from that, Hon Members, I would refer you to Standing Order 16 (1):
    “A Member shall not absent himself during a meeting for more than fifteen Sittings without the permission in writing of the Speaker. Any Member infringing this Order shall have his conduct referred to the Privileges Committee.”
    Hon Members, I think we can take note of that. So, on that note, I will just advise that the matter be laid to rest.
    Alhaji Muntaka 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to crave your indulgence and that of the House, for the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance to lay the Paper on behalf of the Hon Minister for Finance who is engaged at the international level.
    Mr Awuah 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I just want to find out from my Hon Colleague, where the substantive Minister is. [Inter- ruption.]
    An Hon Member 11:50 a.m.
    He is at the Heads of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Summit.
    Mr Awuah 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, if so, then I have no difficulty in this matter.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
    Do you mean that you cannot see the Hon Deputy Finance Minister around?
    Very well. Hon Members, at the Commencement of Public Business -- Presentation of Papers, item 5 (a) by the Hon Minister for Finance, represented by the Deputy Minister for Finance.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
    Hon Members, item 5 (b), by the Hon Minister of State at the Office of the President.
    By the Hon Minister of State at the Office of the President --
    Annual Report on Presidential Office Staff for the period January to December, 2014.
    Referred to the Constitutional Legal Sub- Committee.
    Alhaji Muntaka 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, admittedly, on Friday, we could not do the winnowing as was proposed. But with your indulgence and that of the House, we would want to propose that we go to the miscellaneous provisions of the Code of Conduct -- Conduct of Public Officers -- so that today, we would schedule the winnowing for 3.00 o'clock at the Hon Majority Leader's Office for all those who are interested could join us to do the winnowing, so that tomorrow, we would look at the meat of the Bill.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
    Is the Vice Chairman available? What do you say to the proposal?
    Mr Magnus Kofi Amoatey 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we would accede to the proposal from the Hon Majority Chief Whip.
    Mr Awuah 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I recall that last week, the Chair ordered that there should be winnowing. I am surprised that my Hon Colleague is saying that they could not do it.
    Mr Speaker, we have to be very careful with the way we proceed on this matter. Jumping over some of the clauses may not be the best action to take. So, if you would not mind, let us use today for the winnowing and perhaps, proceed tomorrow.
    Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, since I can see the mood of the House, especially that of my Hon Colleagues from the opposite, is to do the winnowing first, I would just take this opportunity to encourage as many Hon Members as possible. We are meeting at 3:00 p. m. at the Majority Leader's Office,
    to do the winnowing, so that tomorrow, we would be able to make progress.
    Mr Speaker, because of the impending winnowing and other committee meetings, I beg to move, that this House do stand adjourned, till tomorrow at 10. 00 o'clock in the forenoon.
    Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
    ADJOURNMENT 11:50 a.m.
  • The House was accordingly adjourned at 12.10 p.m. till Wednesday, 20th May, 2015 at 10.00 a.m.