Debates of 17 Jun 2015

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:45 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon Members, correction of Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 16th June, 2015.
  • [No correction was made to the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 16th June, 2015.]
  • [No correction was made to the Official Report of Friday, 12th June, 2015.]
    • Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Hon Members, in the absence of any correction, the Official Report of Friday, 12th June, 2015 be adopted as the true record of proceedings.
    Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Question Time.
    Do we have the Hon Minster for Local Government and Rural Development in the House?
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Alfred Agbesi 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister responsible is not in the House due to an assignment, but his Deputy is in the House ready to Answer the Questions. I would want to ask for permission on his behalf to Answer the Questions for his Minister. [Pause]
    Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minority Leader?
    Mr Dominic Nitiwul 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I asked him what was really going on. He should have concluded by telling us where the Hon Minister was, it would have helped. But because he decided to proffer the absence to show as an indication -- if he had told us exactly -- it would have made things easier for us. But be that as it may, he said the Hon Minister is outside, so we can --
    Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader, they would want to know where the Hon Minister is.
    Mr Agbesi 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister is currently on official assignment outside the country; outside the jurisdiction.
    rose
    Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Now that the region has accepted your form and you have gone through, you are on your feet again -- [Laughter.]
    rose
    - 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Hon Member for Manhyia South?
    Dr Prempeh 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, this Question was not filed yesterday.
    Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Hon Member for Manhyia South, an application was made by the Hon Deputy Majority Leader.
    Dr Prempeh 10:45 a.m.
    I have respect for that application, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    In fact, I saw you on your feet earlier but I called the Hon Deputy Majority Leader, and that is the only reason I called you. So, is it about the application?
    Dr Prempeh 10:45 a.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, you should not accept the application. Since the Hon Member became the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, he has not appeared to answer any question even though he frequents this House regularly.
    Since he became the Hon Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, I do not know -- the National Sanitation Gbeshie or something -- he has not come here at all -- [An Hon Member: Even laying of -] -- laying of ordinary Legislative Instruments (L.Is), Mr Speaker, he does not come.
    So, if you accept the application, then do pass on the information through his able Deputy Minister who has been issuing letters he does not want to monitor that, he should tell his Minister to appear here -- [Interruption] -- Are you Mr Speaker? Mr Speaker, do you see how he is behaving? He should not even be allowed to come to the Despatch Box to Answer Questions.
    Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Hon Members, I would like the Hon Deputy Minister to respond to the Questions, but convey to the Hon Minister the sentiments of the House.
    rose
    Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Hon Asiamah?
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, just to thank you for your prayers and support.
    My form was finally accepted -- [Laughter] -- and by God's grace, I won by landslide.
    Mr Speaker, just to indicate the point that the Hon Deputy Majority Leader made, that the Hon Minister is on an official assignment,we would want to know the kind of assignment he has been assigned, also, which country is the Hon Minister in now.
    Mr Agbesi 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Majority Leader has given a reason that the Hon Minister is on an assignment outside the country. The Hon Deputy Minority Leader has accepted -- [Interruption.] So, after the Leadership have agreed, where are these questions coming from?
    Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Hon Member, he said yes, accepted, but they want to know where the Hon Minister is. That was the point the Hon Deputy Minority Leader made. I have asked the Hon Deputy Minister to stand in for his Minister. But, he should carry the sentiments of the House to him.
    Hon Deputy Minister?
    rose
    Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Old Tafo?
    Dr A. A. Osei 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, unless I heard him wrongly. I have always known him to be the Hon Deputy Majority Leader. But when he just got up, he said the Hon Majority Leader had just made a statement. So, I would want to know if there have been changes that we have not been officially informed. I thought he was the Hon Deputy Majority Leader.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader, what did you say?
    Mr Agbesi 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, with due respect, I said that the Hon Deputy Majority Leader. In case the Hon Member did not hear that one, please I apologise for that, but I am the Deputy Majority Leader, and not the Majority Leader.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Members, Question number 284, standing in the name of the Hon Member for Ablekuma West.
    Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to seek your indulgence to allow the Hon Member for Ablekuma North to ask the Question on behalf of the Hon Member for Ablekuma West. This is because the Hon Member for Ablekuma West is on official assignment.
    Mr Justice J. Appiah 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, -- [Interruption.]
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Member, the rules -- yes, the Deputy Minority Leader has made the request, but have you been authorised?
    Hon Member for Ablekuma North, have you been authorised by the --
    Very well.
    ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 10:55 a.m.
    MINISTRY OF LOCAL 10:55 a.m.
    GOVERNMENT AND RURAL 10:55 a.m.
    DEVELOPMENT 10:55 a.m.
    Mrs Ursula Ekuful) 10:55 a.m.
    asked the Minister for Local Government and Rural
    Development what steps the Accra Metropolitan Assembly had taken to repair and maintain the central sewage system in Dansoman Estates since it took over its management in 2007.
    Deputy Minister for Local Govern- ment and Rural Development (Mr Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye on behalf of the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development): Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity given to me to Answer this Question on behalf of the Hon Minister for Local Government and Rural Development.
    Mr Speaker, the Dansoman Estates Sewerage System was ceded to Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) under the Accra Sewerage Improvement Project by the State Housing Company in 2007. The Accra Sewerage Improvement Project (ASIP) is being financed by the African Development Bank with funding support of sixty-eight million US dollars (USD 68,000,000.00)and being implemented by the Government of Ghana. Under this project, the Dansoman Estates sewerage system is to be rehabilitated and extended to non-sewered areas close to the sewerage system.
    The ASIP rehabilitation and extension of existing sewerage network covers Dansoman Estates, Jamestown, Accra Central, Ministries Area, Labone Civil Servants Estates, Achimota School and its environs, University of Ghana main campus and Junior Staff Quarters Area, Presbyterian Boys Secondary School, University of Professional Studies and its environs in Accra.
    Mr Speaker, a contract was signed in August 2014 between the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and Messrs China Henan International Cooperation Group Company LTD for the rehabilitation and extension works of sewerage networks which include cleaning and changing of
    sewer lines for the contract sum of seventeen million, nine hundred and ninety-two thousand, two hundred and seventy US dollars and eighty-four cents (USD 17,992,270.84). The works being done cover the Dansoman Estates, specifically the Zodiac Area (Banana Lane, through the Dansoman Post Office area, First Light to 2nd Agege Link), Nii Mampong Okai Area (Datus School Community) and Shiabu. Currently, in the Dansoman area, 2.8 kilometres of sewer lines have been replaced and 13 kilometres of sewer lines have been cleaned. The expected completion date of the project is 30th November, 2015.
    The project has also undertaken sensitisation programmes for a wide range of stakeholders such as the traditional leaders, residents' association, educational institutions (PRESEC, Achimota School, University of Ghana, and University of Professional Studies), Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies (AMA and La Dadekoton Municipal) and Health institutions in the beneficiary communities.
    The project is also procuring maintenance equipment for sustainable operation and maintenance of the sewerage system. There is also the intention to undertake further training of sewerage staff on the operation and maintenance of the equipment and the system.
    Mr J. J. Appiah 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, may I ask the Hon Minister, what time precisely they procured the maintenance equipment?
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    What?
    Mr J. J. Appiah 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to know the time they procured the maintenance equipment.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister, did you get the question? I did not get the question.
    Mr J. J. Appiah 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the Hon Deputy Minister's Answer, he says, and I quote:
    “The project is also procuring maintenance equipment for sustain- able operation and maintenance of the sewerage system. There is also the intention to undertake further training of sewerage staff on the operation and maintenance of the equipment and the system”.
    So Mr Speaker, I am asking the Hon Minister precisely what time they would procure the maintenance equipment?
    Mr Vanderpuye 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the procurement of maintenance equipment is all part of the project. As the project is rolling, they are also procuring the maintenance equipment and training people who would take over.
    I said that as the programme is on- going, the procurements are done. It is all part of the project.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Member, your second supplementary question. [Pause]
    Hon Members, Question number 285 -- Hon Member for Sunyani East?
    Current state of LESDEP
    Q.285. Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh asked the Minister for Local Government & Rural Development what the current state of LESDEP was.
    Mr Vanderpuye 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, before I Answer this Question, I would crave your indulgence to say congratulations to my very good Friend and Brother, for retaining his seat as a Member of Parliament.
    Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we were made to understand some time ago that the Fund that was set up for LESDEP, especially, the allocations that were made in 2011 and 2012 Budget, were a revolving one.
    In the fiscal year 2012, an allocation of GH¢ 84 million was made to LESDEP, and fully disbursed. I want to find out from the Hon Minister, whether any recoveries have been made out of the payments made for 2011and 2012.
    Mr Vanderpuye 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, issues of recoveries are all part of the general review programme being undertaken. When the review is completed, we would be in the position to give full details as to the issues of recoveries, as to the benefit analysis and the cost analysis of the programme.
    Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister has said in his Answer that, as soon as the review is completed, Parliament shall be duly informed.I would want to know from him how long the review would take?
    Mr Vanderpuye 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to assure the House that the review is on-going. I cannot give a specific date or period, as to the completion of the review. But I am very optimistic that it would be very soon, and as soon as that is done, we shall duly inform the House.
    11. 05 a.m.
    Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thought that when you engage people to undertake a review you would give them timelines within which they must submit their report. I do not think they have been given an open - ended period to work. So, the Hon Minister should be specific about the time the team that is under- taking the review would have to submit a report to the Ministry.
    Mr Speaker, within the Answer, the Hon Minister says that, ‘a review is being undertaken to determine the impact of the programme and also to make it more responsive to the current skills demands of the youth of the country.
    In another breath, the Answer says, the programme would be realigned to the Local Economic Development Policy. They are reviewing the programme to determine the impact and also to chart a new course. The review has not been done yet he is making a conclusive statement that, it would be realigned with LESDEP. How does he reconcile the two statements that he made in the same Answer?
    Mr Vanderpuye 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is being designed in order to give comparative advantage to skills and economic demands of communities and districts. So, for example, my very good Colleague comes from Sunyani East. If Sunyani East has a comparative advantage in the production of maybe, vegetables, then we
    would be looking at realigning the LESDEP programme around that area towards that particular project, so that the youth in the area would benefit more and the district would also benefit more, and be able to have more Internally Generated Fund (IGF) within the district in order to undertake development projects.
    The reason it is like this is that, LESDEP is a policy that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development had already initiated and we think that it is better in order to harmonise policy, in order to harness more resources and stop the incidence where different policies and programmes are being embarked upon to achieve the same objective.
    If we bring all together, it makes for cohesiveness and it makes for better utilisation of resources.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon O. B. Amoah?
    Mr Osei B.Amoah 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, can the Hon Deputy Minister tell this House when exactly LESDEP was suspended and until its suspension, how many modules were in operation and how many beneficiaries had come under that project?
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister?
    Mr Vanderpuye 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, reference to the Answer I gave to the main Question LESDEP was operational until 2013. Mr Speaker, I am unable to give the exact figures as to the number of people who have benefited, those who have been able to do payment in terms of recovery and the rest.
    If the House would give me that opportunity, I would be able to bring out those figures to the House the next time.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    The last supplementary question.Hon Collins Ntim?
    Mr Collins Ntim 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I want to find out from the Hon Deputy Minister, what is the linkage between LESDEP and the Youth Employment Agency (YEA)?
    The LESDEP is being operated under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) under the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations. What is the linkage?
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    He wants to know whether there is any relationship.
    Mr Vanderpuye 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Youth Employment Agency programmes are not under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. But I am aware that LESDEP was under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Develop- ment.
    LESDEP was a skills development programme, the Youth Employment was a temporary employment scheme to give the youth who are out of our various educational institutions, and who were not employed to get the opportunity to get something doing before possibly furthering their education. So, basically, that is the difference.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Question number 299?
    Dr Prempeh 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my Colleague, Hon Kofi Frimpong has informed me that he is indisposed, that I may ask, with your permission, his Question on his behalf.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Where is he? I would want to see him.
    Dr Prempeh 10:55 a.m.
    He is not well, I will convey your message immediately after here --
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Very well.

    Mamponteng (Completion of the Jubilee Market)

    Q.299. Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh (on behalf of Mr Kofi Frimpong): Asked the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development when the Jubilee Market Project at Mamponteng would be completed.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister?
    Mr Vanderpuye 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I wish Hon Kofi Frimpong well.
    -- [Interruption]-- [Mr Kofi Frimpong enters the Chamber.]
    Mr Vanderpuye 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I guess this means that Hon Kofi Frimpong has not given the mandate.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Please, have you authorised somebody to ask the Question on your behalf? -- [Interruption.]
    Hon Member for Kwabre East, have you authorised anybody to ask the Question on your behalf?
    Mr Kofi Frimpong 10:55 a.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker, I told NAPO to do so on my behalf because I knew I was not going to get here on time and now that I am here, I think I can ask my own Question --[Laughter.]
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon O. B. Amoah?
    Mr O. B. Amoah 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not know who NAPO is. Can he tell us who NAPO is? This is because we do not have any NAPO in this House.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    You are right. Who is
    NAPO?
    Hon Kofi Frimpong, who is NAPO?
    Mr Frimpong 10:55 a.m.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. NAPO, as he is popularly known, is Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, the Hon Member for Manhyia South.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Members, now that the Hon Member is in, I would defer to him so that he would ask the Question.
    Question number 299.
    Hon Kofi Frimpong?
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Agbesi 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think we need to thank God that he is now well. This is because yesterday, the Hon Majority Leader and the Hon Minority Leader were engaged in the definition of sickness and illness just for his sake. We thank God that he is back.-- [Laughter.]
    Mr Frimpong 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, can I respond to what he said?
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    No. He is welcoming you. We shall have time to discuss that matter into details.
    Hon Kofi Frimpong, Question number
    299?
    Mr Frimpong 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I was not here to ask my Question because I was not informed that my Question had been listed. Scondly, I was not sick, I had just returned from my constituency.
    I do not know who contacted me and saw that I was sick. I was not sick, Mr Speaker. I am a strong man and I was not even indisposed in anyway. I am ready to execute my parliamentary duties as I was doing previously.
    Mr Speaker, and I have one and half years as a Member of Parliament (MP) of this House. So, I am back.
    Mr Speaker thank you for your indulgence.

    Mamponteng (Completion of the Jubilee Market)

    Q.299. Mr Kofi Frimpong asked the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development when the Jubilee Market Project at Mamponteng would be completed.

    Deputy Minister for Local Govern- ment and Rural Development (Mr Edwin N. L. Vanderpuye on behalf of the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development): Mr. Speaker, as part of the Ghana Poverty Alleviation Project, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development embarked on market development projects in various districts, including the Jubilee Market Complex at Mamponteng in the Kwabre East District where Hon Kofi Frimpong the questioner is the Member of Parliament.

    The contract period of the project was 12 calendar months and construction commenced in August 2012. About 50 per cent of the works was completed by July 2013. However, due to funding difficulties the projects stalled and work was suspended on 31st August, 2013. The Assembly intends to continue work on the project as soon as funds are available.
    Mr Frimpong 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, may I know from the Deputy Minister whether it is a District Assembly project or Central Government project?
    Mr Vanderpuye 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, under the Local Government System, Government does not undertake direct projects from the Central Government. All projects, be it Central Government or not go through the District Assembly. The District Assemblies are the direct supervisory bodies of all programmes emanating from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
    Mr Frimpong 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, is the Minister telling me that the funding is coming through the District Assembly or from other sources because I know from the PIAC Report that, this year a certain amount of money had been released to the contractor, even to the extent that the consultant had about one-third as much as the contractor received. If the contractor and consultant have been paid this much money, why should the project stall?
    Projects are paid for after the completion of certain levels so that the contractor continues after receiving the payment. So, I do not know why the project should stall. According to PIAC, a certain amount of money has been paid for work done. The work is supposed to continue, so my question is, if the money had been released according to the PIAC Report, why has the project stalled?
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Give us the full name for PIAC for the records.
    Mr Frimpong 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), where these monies have been released to.
    Mr Vanderpuye 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, information available to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is that, the contractor has been paid for work done. Fifty (50) per cent of the work has been done but due to financial difficulties, work has stalled. As soon as funds are available, the Assembly hopes to continue and finish this project.
    Mr Frimpong 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not believe that this project is being pre- financed. What I believe is that -- [Interruption]
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Member, you are not quoting the page and the paragraph of the PIAC Report you are referring to,to help the whole House and for the records.
    Mr Frimpong 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the PIAC Report is before the House so the House knows that this amount of money has been released to the contractor. Once this is not a pre-financed project, after work done is paid for, the construction goes on so that --[Interruption.]
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Kofi Frimpong, the point I am making is that, we do not know whether the amount that has been paid so far has been financed from PIAC or not. Are you getting my point? You are not telling the House whether what has been paid so far to the contractor is from there or not. Take that on board in posing your question because the Minister is not responsible for the Public Interest Accountability Committee established under the Petroleum Revenue Manage- ment Act.
    He is not responsible for that and that sector is not directly under him unless you link it directly to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, it would not be fair to ask him that question.
    Mr Frimpong 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, may I know from the Minister whether the contractor has been paid for work done so far?
    Mr Vanderpuye 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, as far as the Ministry is aware, the contractor has been paid for the amount of work he has done so far.
    Mr Frimpong 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my last question? Why has the project stalled? I ask that because the project is not being pre-financed so if work done has been paid for,why has the contractor stopped working on the project, that is my beef? If work done has been paid for as the Minister is alluding to, why has the work stalled since it is not being pre-financed?
    Mr Vanderpuye 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my check says that the contractor said there were a lot of variations from the time he was awarded the contract, prices of materials kept on changing and as such, the money he has been paid was not enough to have him continue from where he had reached. So, he was asking the District Assembly to advance him more money to undertake the rest of the project which the Assembly would not be able to do until they have received enough funding.
    Mr Samuel A. Akyea 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the Hon Minister what the percentage of variation is as set against the contract sum?
    Mr Vanderpuye 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would plead that I am unable to give an answer as to the percentage of variation in this particular contract.
    Dr Stephen N. A. Arthur 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the Hon Minister the contract sum of the whole project and how much had been paid before the project got stalled?
    Mr Vanderpuye 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not have the exact contract sum. That information is not available to me at the moment because it was not really asked for and I would want to plead that I am given the opportunity to consult with the District Assembly and we would be able to give the report back to the House in due time.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Last supplementary question. Hon Member for Manhyia South.
    Dr Matthew O. Prempeh 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, maybe your attention was slightly distracted, but the answer given by the Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development may make it difficult for us to ask Deputy Ministers to come and answer Questions.
    Mr Speaker, the Question was to ask the Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development when the Jubilee Market in Mamponteng would be completed? He stood on this podium to tell us that every money had been paid to the contractor. How much has been paid and he said he does not know.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Ask your supplementary question.
    Dr Matthew O. Prempeh 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, when we asked him what the variation was, he does not know. What does he know that he wants to tell this House? It is seriously relevant to the Standing Orders --
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Please, you know the rules are clear. You are not supposed to argue, so, please ask your question.
    Dr Prempeh 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want the Hon Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development to tell us the contract sum for the Jubilee Hall Market?What percentage has been paid?What is outstanding and how many more Jubilee Markets have they failed to complete? I ask this because, there is one in my constituency that has not been completed as well.
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister, did you get the question? I did not get the question. -- [Interruptions]
    Dr Prempeh 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, on a lighter note, the Hon Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development should be honest to this House. He should give us factual information when he is asked a question.
    Mr Speaker, what is the contract sum of that Jubilee Market, which he said the variation was brought for further payment and how much had been paid and what is left as outstanding?
    rose
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Majority Chief whip, do you have a point of order?
    Mr Ibrahim Ahmed 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, may I refer you to Standing Order 67 (1) (g)? And with your kind permission I beg to quote:
    “a Question shall not refer to more than one subject and shall not be of excessive length”;
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Standing Order 67 what?
    Mr Ibrahim Ahmed Standing Order 67(1) (g).
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Yes, so what is the rule?
    Mr Ibrahim Ahmed 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, with your kind permission I beg to quote:
    (g) “a Question shall not refer to more than one subject and shall not be of excessive length”;
    The question the Hon Member is asking is three in one. It is so long to the extent that,even Mr Speaker, you yourself asked what question the Hon Member was asking. The Hon Member is asking more than three questions --
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Please, Hon Deputy Majority Chief Whip, you have referred the House to Standing Order 67 (1) (g) and you quoted it. So, how does it relate to the question that he has asked?
    Mr Ibrahim Ahmed 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, what I was trying to get your concern on was that, the question was too long.The Hon Member was asking the Hon Deputy Minister; to bring the cost of the contract, the percentage gained and the work done. The Hon Member even ended up confusing himself.
    Mr Speaker -- [Laughter] -- Mr Speaker, you asked for clarification. The Hon Deputy Minister may not be able to answer and that is why I am referring to that Order. Mr Speaker, you remember, you asked the Hon Member to repeat his question.
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Majority Chief Whip, while the question might be long, it is very relevant. This is because, knowing the cost of the project which is the subject matter of a question is not out of order in relation to that particular question. In terms of length yes, I agree with you but not that on relevance. The question is very relevant.
    Dr Prempeh 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, to make the question short, what is the total contract sum for that Jubilee Market, what variation did he say the contractor brought and what is the amount of money outstanding?
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Hon Member, the Hon Deputy Minister answered that question. He said he has not got the information here, but he would make it available to the House.
    Dr Prempeh 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, he has not talked about the total sum for the contract.
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Yes, the total sum, he could not provide. He answered that question.
    Dr Prempeh 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, you are right. If he says he is going to provide, he should give us the date and the time.
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Very well. Hon Deputy Minster, how soon can you provide that information to the House?
    Mr Vanderpuye 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am ready for your orders.
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Develop- ment, a contract was awarded and you informed this House that 50 per cent of the work had been done. The Hon Members want to know the contract sum and you say you do not have the information. You yourself put into issue that, the contractor was asking for variation because the cost of the materials had also gone up. These are very legitimate issues in relation to the Question.
    Now, we would want to find out how soon you can provide it and my first option is to call on you to give us a time line. If the time line is not reasonable, then, I may make an intervention. So, how soon can you bring this information?
    Mr Vanderpuye 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in a week, I would be able to provide the information.
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Let us have the information by the close of day on Tuesday.
    Mr Vanderpuye 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, close of day next week Tuesday?
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Yes, next Tuesday.
    Mr Vanderpuye 11:25 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Hon Members, Question numbered 300. Hon Member for Kpandai?
    Alhaji Habibu Tijani Mohammed 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member is not present in the House and he has asked me to ask the Question on his behalf.
    Mr Speaker 11:25 a.m.
    Very well, please proceed.
    Kpandai District Assembly (Provision of Administration Block)
    Mr Matthew Nyindam (on behalf of
    Alhaji Habibu T. Mohammed) 11:25 a.m.
    asked the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development steps being taken by the Ministry to provide a befitting administra- tion block for the Kpandai District Assembly.
    Mr Vanderpuye 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Ministry intends to provide suitable office building for Assemblies that lack administration blocks. As a result, since 2013, the Ministry commenced the procurement processes for the construc- tion of some office building for the 46 District Assemblies which were created in
    2012.
    Mr Speaker, efforts are being made to consider other districts which lack permanent administration block, including Kpandai District Assembly when funds are available.
    Alhaji Mohammad 11:25 a.m.
    May I know whether Kpandai District Assembly is part of the districts where the Ministry commenced the procurement processes.
    Mr Vanderpuye 11:25 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, Kpandai, is not one of the 46 districts which were created in 2012. It was created earlier but, unfortunately, funds were not made available for the construction of offices for those District Assemblies. Those District Assemblies that were created in 2012, this House accordingly approved some seed money for them to have offices and so, they do not have too much of a problem.
    The offices are ongoing and buildings are being constructed. But with those which were created before and there was no money for them, we are looking at the possibility of having resources and funds to be able to get them fitting administrative blocks.
    Alhaji Mohammad 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Minister, how soon can we get that money for the good people of Kpandai?
    Mr Vanderpuye 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development do pray that we will get some funds very soon and would definitely support the Kpandai District Assembly to have befitting offices just like any other District Assembly which is lacking office accommodation.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Question number 372.
    Alhaji Mohammad —rose —
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    I thought you have exhausted your supplementary questions.
    Alhaji Mohammad 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we are in the process of preparing the 2016 Budget. May I know from the Hon Deputy Minister whether it can be part of the budget for 2016.
    Mr Vanderpuye 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, it would be difficult for me to say that because, the Ministry for Local Government and Rural Development depends on various sources of funding in order to embark upon these laudable projects. If funds are available tomorrow, we would consider that and if we have to put it in the Budget, we would do so.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Question 372.

    Adwaa Dwom Bantama Market (Reconstruction)

    Q. 372. Mr Henry Kwabena Kokofu asked the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development when the Bantama Market (Adwaa Dwom) would be reconstructed.
    Mr Vanderpuye 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Bantama Market is one of the markets in the Kumasi Metropolis, earmarked for redevelopment.
    The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly has requested for proposals for partnership under the Public-Private Partnership policy. The proposals will be reviewed and due procedure taken to secure partnership for the redevelopment of the Bantama Market.
    Mr Kokofu 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, may the Hon Deputy Minister tell the House, how many of such proposals have been received and since when?
    Mr Vanderpuye 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, to the best of my knowledge, three different entities have submitted proposals and the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) is considering them and would forward it with the approval of the Assembly. When the Assembly is fully reconstituted, we will go through the process and forward it to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) desk of the Ministry of Finance.
    Mr Kokofu 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I agree that not until the Assembly is reconstituted the procedure cannot continue. But then, may I know from the Hon Deputy Minister, if it is possible that public funds can be used for the reconstruction. I ask so because, the impact of the spill over of the market is so huge for the people of Bantama, particularly, on the high street where ambulances and other emergency services use for Komfo Anokye Teaching
    Hospital -- It is a death trap and it is very serious. If public funds could be used.
    Mr Vanderpuye 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I wish to state that the Ministry is highly concerned about the situation of the Bantama Market and other markets. It is even more important for us today, in view of the work being done on the Kumasi Central Market. We think that if the Bantama Market is fully developed to a modern status, it will even take some of the pressure from the Kumasi Central Market today.
    But, the reality of the situation is that, it is difficult to mobilise funds publicly and the policy of Government now also is to bring as much private partnership into these investments. And as such, we will definitely encourage Public-Private Partnership to have this market redeve- loped.
    Mr Kokofu 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister has just said that three of such proposals have been submitted and the Hon Deputy Minister may not be aware that I personally presented one of such proposals with the contractor as far back as Febuary, 2014.
    Mr Speaker, it beats my imagination as to why, for a whole year, such due diligence and review have not gone through up to this point and now that the Assembly is out of place, we are waiting for reconstitution of such. What is the guarantee that, even if the Assembly is reconstituted, the Ministry would have this speedily done so that the people of Bantama will have a modern facility for a market?
    Mr Vanderpuye 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, to the best of my knowledge, the KMA is submitting these proposals through the procurement process and when that is completed, this House shall be informed.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Member, you have exhausted your three supplementary questions.
    Hon Deputy Minister, thank you for attending upon the House to respond to Questions.
    Hon Members, that brings us to the end of Question Time.
    At the Commencement of Public Business.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Agbesi 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, item 5, presentation of Papers.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Members, presenta- tion of Papers.
    Mr Agbesi 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, may I ask permission for the Hon Minister for Employment and Labour Relations to lay the Paper on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Minister for Employment and Labour Relations.
    PAPERS 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Members, which Committee should this go?
    Mr Agbesi 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, to the joint Committees of Gender and Children and Foreign Affairs.
    Mr Haruna Iddrisu 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, you may appropriately, since it is a Protocol from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, engage the two joint Committees of Foreign Affairs, Gender and Children and the Committee responsible for Gender, Children and Social Protection accordingly.
    Referred to the joint Committees of Gender and Children and Foreign Affairs.
    Mr Agbesi 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, if we can take item 6, the Motion on the University of Environment and Sustainable Develop- ment Bill, 2014.
    Mr David Hennric Yeboah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, there is a serious indictment in today's Searchlight. There is a musician called Black Rasta. He said, 80 per cent of Members of Parliament (MPs) smoke weed and I think it is a very serious indictment.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Member, under the rules, this is not a matter that has arisen suddenly. I will let you -- Show it to me and we can then look at it so that you can take the matter up at the appropriate time. Is that clear. You see me in my Lobby.
    Mr Yeboah 11:35 a.m.
    Very well, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Hon Members, item number 6; Minister for Education?
    Mr Agbesi 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, with due respect, we would want to seek permission for the Hon Deputy Minister for Education to take the Motion numbered
    6.
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Very well. [Pause.]
    Hon Minority Leader, once the Motion is moved you cannot arrest it. I have been waiting on you all this while.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, there are two ways of calling on the House to pass a considered Bill through a Second Consideration Stage, that is in respect of Standing Order 131 (2). But I know that when we get to these matters, you relax the rules.
    Mr Speaker, unfortunately, last week, when the House was dealing with the University of Environment and Sustain- able Development Bill, 2014, I was not present in the Chamber. Upon my return, I have seen a few areas that I thought we could further improve so I would crave the indulgence of the House and Mr Speaker that we pass the Bill through a Second Consideration Stage.
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    In respect of which clauses?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, there are many of them, but I have consulted the Table Office and I think in further consultation with the Hon Chairman of the Committee, they would do the cleaning up of the various places that I have identified. But substantive ones relates to clause 9 (2).
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    And which other one?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:45 a.m.
    Which deals with the quorum for the Council.
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Yes, and which other clause?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, clause 9 (2) provides that the quorum at a meeting --
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, the procedure goes like this, you have arrested the moving of the Motion. You now have to move for the Second Consideration Stage and you have to mention the clauses. I have to put the
    Question for the House to agree that it should pass through a Second Consi- deration Stage.
    So, I have taken note of clause 9 (2) which deals with quorum; the second one, so that I can put the Question in relation to those clauses.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:45 a.m.
    So, ordinarily, the House should admit first --
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Yes, so you would have to mention; if it is only one clause, then you mention that clause. If there are two clauses -- So that I would have to put the Question on the number of clauses that you would want to pass through a Second Consideration Stage. So that the House will be fully aware and then I can put the Question. If they agree before you can go in and offer justification.
    So the next step?
    Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:45 a.m.
    Very well.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this House passes the University of Environment and Sustainable Develop- ment Bill, 2014 through a Second Consi- deration Stage in respect of clauses 9 (2) and 20 (3).
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Hon Members, the Motion before us is that we pass the University of Environment and Sustain- able Development Bill, 2014 through a Second Consideration Stage in respect of clauses 9 (2) and 20 (3).
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved accordingly.
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker to take the Chair.
    Hon Minority Leader?
    BILLS -- SECOND 11:45 a.m.
    CONSIDERATION STAGE 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 9 (2) on quorum. Now, the total number for the Council is 15 and I thought that given the fact that this is an academic forum, we need at least, one half of the members to take a binding decision which is the reason I think we should raise the number from seven which is under half of the membership to nine. So, I propose that the quorum should be nine and not seven.
    Mr Speaker 11:45 a.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, the order was that you have -- What is the practice in the House with regard to the previous University Bills that we have passed? [Pause.]

    Hon Minister for Employment and Labour Relations?
    Mr H. Iddrisu 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have just requested this from the Library so as to refresh my memory on what the practice have been in respect of determining the quorum for doing business and quorum for decision.
    Mr Speaker, I am minded to support the principle of the Hon Minority Leader's proposal that where we have a number of 15 and he wants the quorum increased from seven to nine, ordinarily, there should be no objection to it. It means that he wants more consultation in terms of the numbers and the presence.

    But Mr Speaker, it is just that we respect our own practice. We are referring to some existing Act for other public universities which were established by legislation so that we are better guided on whether we should increase the number from seven to nine as he has suggested. So, I do support that we increase the quorum in section 9 (2) to read:

    “(2) The quorum at a meeting of the Council is nine”.

    This is agreeable instead of the seven. I am sure the Hon Deputy Minister standing in for the Hon Minister for Education would have no objection accepting the position. With this one, the principle is not the fewer the merrier; the more the presence, the more knowledge and expertise that would be shared.

    I thank you.
    MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:56 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Old Tafo?
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:56 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I support the proposal being put out by the Hon Minority Leader. Under normal circum- stances the majority out of 15 could have been eight but the eight would be an even number. We would not want that. So, increasing it up to nine makes sense. I endorse the amendment.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:56 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Members, I believe that there is a consensus. So, I would put the Question.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Clause 9 as amended ordered to stand part of the Bill.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:56 a.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, any other?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:56 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 20 (3) -- the amendment relates to substance.
    Clause 20 (1) gives the composition of the Academic Board and it lists the membership as the Vice Chancellor of the University who is there by virtue of the office that he or she occupies; the Pro Vice- Chancellor who is also there by virtue of the office that he or she occupies; the Deans and the Vice Deans, Directors of Schools, Institutes and Centres, Heads of academic departments, professors and associate professors and then the list goes on; Librarian, Registrar and so on.
    Mr Speaker, all these are office bearers and they are there because of the offices that they occupy. That being the case, clause 20 (3), which provides and Mr Speaker, I beg to quote:
    “(3) A person who is an ex-officio member of the Board may be represented at a meeting by a person designated by that member.”
    This cannot be right because you are there because of the office that you occupy. Now, if one then comes to say that if you are not there, you can nominate anybody to represent you cannot be right. The person is not there in his personal capacity. He is there because of the office that he represents.
    That being the case, I think it will be wrong to say that a person who is an ex- officio member of the Board may be represented at a meeting by a person designated by that member. It cannot be right. That is why I move, that we delete that subclause.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:56 a.m.
    Very well. Yes, Hon Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, then after that Chairman of the Committee.
    Mr H. Iddrisu 11:56 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the principle in clause 20 (3) -- So, I am rising to oppose his amendment and to plead with him to abandon it but I would explain.
    He indicated that in clause 20 (1), the list is provided; the Librarian, the Registrar of the University, Heads of academic departments; for instance, Heads of Philosophy and Religions Department. If they are unable to attend. If on a day of a meeting, the Librarian is sick momentarily for a day or two, can he or she not mandate another person to stand in his stead? I think this is what clause 20 (3) was seeking to cure.
    In an academic environment, there may be examinations coming and the Academic Board must sit and take a decision. They cannot say because the Registrar or the Librarian is not available, his or her representative cannot sit in and support the process to flow. So, I think that there is nothing wrong with the amendment and I would plead with the Hon Minority Leader to abandon this amendment and let it stay.
    They are all there as ex-officio members; it is by virtue of their office. So, Mr Speaker, maybe, let me use him as an example. We have the able Majority and Minority Leaders; in their absence, do they not have their representatives seated here to play a role in their stead? It is the same principle. So, I have a difficulty accepting the proposed amendment.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:56 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Whip?
    I will come back to you Hon Minority Leader.
    Mr Ibrahim Ahmed 11:56 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the amendment is more serious now that we have increased the quorum from eight to nine. For 15, a quorum is nine.
    Now, we are saying that a Deputy may not qualify to go and represent his boss. So, it may even make meetings very difficult. So, let us give the opportunity whereby if one is a member of the Council, your deputy may equally be able to represent you. In that case, I believe that we should not go for this amendment.
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:56 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleague is talking about a different matter altogether. A Council and a Board are two separate bodies. We are on the Academic Board and not the Council. That matter is settled.
    Mr Speaker, the problem we have - But if you make mistakes and you go back, there is no problem. It turns out that in a previous legislation; the University of Energy and Natural Resources Act, we made it this way. We borrowed from a previous legislation. It looks like we keep repeating the mistake.
    Mr Speaker, the language here is what matters. It says and I beg to quote 11:56 a.m.
    “…may be represented at a meeting by a person designated by that member.”

    That is not what we mean. We mean the person who can ably represent that office and not the person. If I call the woman who cleans the toilet to go and represent me, this legislation makes it right.

    The fact that we have done it so many times does not mean that we were thinking right. We should be able to correct ourselves. It says “designated by that member” and did not say “representing that office”.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:56 a.m.
    Very well. Can we hear from the Hon Chairman of the Committee and after that the Hon Deputy Minister for Education?
    Your point is well made.
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:56 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we need to use language that points to the office and not the person.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:56 a.m.
    Hon Member, your point is well made. Let us hear from the Hon Chairman of the Committee and then the Hon Deputy Minister for Education.
    Mr Mathias A. Puozaa 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleague is making a very important point but I do not think he sees the picture quite clearly. An ex-officio member is the office that we are talking about and not the personality.
    So if the Librarian, for instance, as an ex-officio member and he is not attending for one reason or the other, he can definitely nominate. He cannot go in for a cleaner or some other person who cannot effectively represent him. For instance, if the Hon Minority Leader is to attend a meeting, he would not nominate just anybody; he would nominate the person that he trusts most.
    So, as far as this is concerned, we believe in the academia; they would always want their representative to be as good as possible. So, I do not think it is really necessary.
    Mr Samuel O.Ablakwa 12:05 p.m.
    I am most grateful Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, I also rise to oppose the proposed amendment on the basis of consistency, that in all the Bills that this House has worked on -- I hold in my hands the University of Energy and Natural Resources Act, Act 830 and we did the same thing. It is important that we are consistent.
    I must also add, Mr Speaker, that if we go by the argument, I think it is not very fair to the officers in question. If we look at the composition of the Academic Board and the kind of serious business that takes place there, to suggest that an ex- officio member may choose to delegate someone who is a cleaner or works as a janitor to represent him, I think that argument is not fair to the calibre of persons who make up the Academic Board. I think they would exercise their discretion in a fair way.
    Already, monitoring from practice, I have just been talking to the Executive Secretary of the National Council for Tertiary Education. This has worked, they have no qualms with it and they make sure that they delegate people of similar calibre within the university structures to represent them at such meetings.
    I do not think that this clause is so fatal to this Act that we should break away from tradition. I think we can be consistent with what we have been doing. The University of Ghana Act is the same, the University for Health and Allied Sciences Act is the same and the University for Energy and Natural Resources Act is the same. I do not see the need to really depart from what we have done consistently on this matter.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Chairman, do you want to comment again?
    Mr Puozaa 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, exactly so.
    Mr Speaker, my Hon Minority Leader is always insisting on consis- tency. If you look at University of Health and Allied Sciences Act, that is exactly what we did. What we are trying to do here is what we did over there.
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have worked in academia and I know how it functions. Mr Speaker, as we speak and I would not name the universities, there are two universities in Ghana, where as a result of this type of designation, there is a problem on the campuses. This is because some heads and some relationships are being applied in a way that is causing distress to faculties; but they are afraid.
    The fact that we have made mistakes does not matter. Let us use language that points to the office. [Interruptions.] -- It could happen and I agree, but we are thinking about not giving room for anybody.
    As I said, I know two universities -- I do not want to mention names because it would be too obvious. In academia, if you give room for somebody who is --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Member, you are putting across this argument. Could you suggest the way it should be couched to avoid that problem you are envisaging, so that we could look at it? If there could be some provision that would restrict the person being nominated to replace the substantive person belonging to that particular department or discipline. Something to make sure that it is not too open ended.
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if the Hon Deputy Minister for Education may advert his mind to it, I do not know the exact designations of all the officers, but we could make a general language that says,”a person to be designated should be a deputy or assistant in that office”.
    So, if I am the Librarian, my deputy would be acceptable. If I am the Vice Chancellor, the Pro Vice Chancellor would be acceptable, and so forth; something to that effect. This is because if we use “not below director” for example, it would not apply to the Vice Chancellor.
    But the Hon Deputy Minister for Education should know the ranks as is described in the Act, and use a general language such that a deputy or assistant representing that office -- So, if it is a Vice Chancellor, a Pro Vice Chancellor -- The immediate assistant or deputy. That would be the thing to do.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I moved the Motion. My initial sub- mission was that we dropped that provision. If we have to retain it, then as it is being proposed by the Hon Member for Old Tafo, we may have to qualify it and not make it so open ended.
    In which case, as he said, if a person is to be designated by that member, he should be his or her immediate deputy or assistant. But you could not just say that any person designated by that member. That would be wrong.
    This is because, as I said, these are serious minded people. Do not let us dilute the composition of that group by adding any other person that is, in other words, if we were to be in the forces, other ranks to what is supposed to be a body of the officer corps. We do not do that.
    So, I am submitting that if we are not going to drop it, let us qualify it. I know that we have done a similar thing with the University of Ghana Act. We repeated it in the University of Health and Allied Sciences Act and even in the University of Energy and Natural Resources Act. But certainly, it cannot be right; it is wrong. If it is wrong, let us depart from that.
    Mr Speaker, so I think if we have to maintain this, let us find a way to further engineer it so that we do not end up diluting that group by including, as I have said, persons to be appropriately described as other ranks within the academic circles.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, can we have your take on this?
    Mr Bagbin 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have listened to Hon Colleagues, and the arguments, I think, are sound. I would caution a change from the established legislation that we have passed, until we consult the practitioners. This is because this proposal is coming from the universities, and it has been so throughout the other Acts that we have passed.
    I cannot say, like my Hon Colleague Hon Akoto Osei has said, that we have erred. I cannot say that because sometimes, legislation is based on practice. There may be some good reason they are not specifically saying the second in command, which is the assistant or deputy. This is because it is not the case that in some of the positions, they even have assistants or deputies.
    So, they are relying on the culture of academia that usually, they come in for a competent person. Given the latitude, it could be that even in the department, even when they have a deputy or assistant, the two might not be working in very good terms. So, sometimes, they do not want them to represent them.
    So, we should allow it as it is, and if we consult and they think that there is a need for us to change, then we do so.
    If we change it now and then they find it difficult to practice, they would then start blaming Parliament for not consulting them. So, I would advise that we leave it as it is and then in the future, if there is the need, we can re-look at it.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Very well.
    Yes Hon Members, I think I have to put the Question.
    Yes Hon Member?
    Mr Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, usually, the ex-officio members come on board with some specialised expertise and therefore, what normally happens is that, depending on what issues the Council is going to discuss, the head of that institution that is represented on the Council would decide, depending on what is going to be discussed.
    If he does not have the expertise and he thinks that a colleague has what it takes to discuss what is going to be discussed, he would appoint that person to represent him. Therefore, I think that as it stands is the best because most of the times, as an institution, a lot of things come up and a lot would depend on the expertise of those who are on the Board.
    Therefore, if you do not have that capacity to discuss that issue, then what it means is that, you would go and sit there and you cannot contribute anything. But then, it behoves whoever the ex-officio member is to appoint somebody who is an expert in that subject area that is going to be discussed by the Council.
    Thank you Mr Speaker.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Old Tafo and then the Hon Minister.
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we are talking about the Academic Board. He keeps saying Council. I know my good Friend is a lecturer like me. [Interruption]
    -- But we have finished with the Council and we are talking about the Board, but he keeps repeating the word Council. Is he following us? Hon Majority Leader, am I right? He said Council.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Minister?
    Mr Terlabi 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the absence of the head of department, he can decide on any other person depending on the subject that is at stake for discussion.
    Mr Ablakwa 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am most grateful.
    I just want to place on record that I followed the cue from my Hon Leader -- the Majority Leader, I checked with National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE), they tell me that the practice has worked and that they do not advise that we change it, that they prefer -- [Interruption.] Prof. Mahama Duweijua -- The Executive Secretary of the NCTE is the gentleman I called.
    So I believe that following from the Hon Leader's cue that we find out from the practitioners, I believe that we can follow the tradition that this House has set.They are also not privy to the claims made by Dr A. A. Osei that, on two campuses, this has created a major challenge. They are not privy to any such information.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Old Tafo?
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thought we had all accepted the Hon Majority Leader 's advice, then he goes on to mention my name.
    Mr Speaker, he is urging me to name the Faculty, but I would want to remind him that he is the same Hon Deputy Minister who told us that the Government
    has not approved the Ebola Policy. So, how are we supposed to believe that he called the man in NCTE -- When the Government has approved the policy?
    He is the same -- It is in the Hansard, so please, we have accepted our Hon Leader's advice. The NCTE person --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Members, let us not drag this issue beyond its limit. Let me ask the Hon Minority Leader if he would want to withdraw his proposed amendment. If not, I would put the Question and then we would take the votes.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thought this was going to add further clarity to it so that we do not tread on a very slippery ground, not knowing whether somebody could use this to pollute and dilute what is supposed to be academic. That is my worry.
    I noticed that we have done the same thing for the three universities already; that is the Universities of Ghana, Allied and Health Sciences and Energy and Natural Resources. But I thought it is wrong and that we needed to flashback. If what they have done is wrong, we do not need to repeat it but given what the Hon Majority Leader is saying, perhaps, we could sound the various Vice Chancellors, then let us have a feedback on them and if what they have done is wrong, we can always come back.
    This is because if we need to clean it, we have to also do the cleaning up for the other universities as well. We are not going to leave it here, so if we have to rest it for now, I would not have any qualms about that.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Thank you very much.

    Hon Members, I also wish to direct that, a number of issues were raised while Mr Speaker was in the Chair, which has to do with drafting. I direct that the drafts persons assist to clean it in such a manner as would befit the Bill that we are dealing with.
    Mr Bagbin 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think we can --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Very well.
    Mr Bagbin 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, with the guidance that you have given, I would also insist that the Hon Chairman and the Hon Minister follow-up to get the draft- persons to try and clean up some of those obvious errors.
    Mr Speaker, I think in the circum- stances, we can take the Third Reading that is item numbered 6. I would want to, with your kind permission, and the indulgence of my Hon Colleagues, to allow the Hon Deputy Minister for Education to do so on behalf of the Minister for Education.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the general understanding is that, the clean-up should be done so we do not end up embarrassing ourselves, I think the Hon Minister could lead us to the Third Reading.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Deputy Minister?
    Item numbered 6 -- Motion.
    Deputy Minister for Education (Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa) (on behalf of the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that the University of Environment and Sustainable Development Bill for 2015 be now read the Third time --
    Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, is the Bill, 2014 or 2015? This is because what is written there is 2014 but the Hon Deputy Minister did some amendments. Where are we?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    You are talking about the year 2014. [Pause.]
    Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Bagbin 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister is right in moving the Motion the way it is formulated because during the Consideration Stage the title of the Bill was not amended. As it is now, it is the University of Environment and Sustainable Development Bill, 2014. So, that is the Motion.When they finish with the drafting this year, they would definitely make it 2015. That is the practice.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Very well. In that case, can we get somebody to second the Motion?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:25 p.m.
    No, Mr Speaker, because he moved for the Bill which he had designated 2015. What is here is 2014 and so I wanted him to do the right thing.

    Can we call for what he said? He said 2015 and that is why I got up. So, you may have to move it again. Otherwise, I would not -- I thought he was introdu- cing another Bill, it is 2014.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    But I believe we are dealing with the Motion on the Order Paper --
    Very well. If that is what he said then let us just go back and retract --
    BILLS -- THIRD READING 12:25 p.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Bagbin 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, Item 7. Nuclear Regulatory Authority Bill, 2015 at the Consideration Stage.
    There is only one proposed amend- ment, so we can finish that. There is only one amendment, so we can take item 7 now.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Members, item 7; Nuclear Regula- tory Authority Bill, 2015 at the Considera- tion Stage.
    BILLS -- CONSIDERATION 12:25 p.m.
    STAGE 12:25 p.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Yes, Chairman of the Committee?
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Simon E. Asimah) 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move that, clause 23, subclause (2), line 2, after “offences” insert “and”.
    It would read:
    “An authorised person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than seven hundred and fifty penalty units and not more than two thousand, five hundred units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than three years and not more than five years or to both the fine and imprisonment.”
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Very well.
    Yes, Hon Member for Old Tafo?
    Dr Anthony A. Osei 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if it is the amendment that he seeks to propose, unless I am holding a different Bill, the line 2, I do not see any word that says “offences”. I see a word that says “offence”.
    So, on the Order Paper, it should have read “after offence”, not “after offences”. If he can look at it. Line 2 has the word “offence” but the amendment says “after offences”.
    Mr Asimah 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, he is right. We should take out the “s”. It is “offence”.
    Thank you.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Very well.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Clause 23 as amended ordered to stand part of the Bill.
    Clauses 24 to 96 --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Hon Members, there are no advertised amendments to these clauses; that is from clause 24 to clause 96. I would put the Question. [Pause.]
    Very well. Hon Members, I am informed that some Hon Members have some amendments they would want to propose with regard to clauses 24 and 71. They are yet to file the amendments and so we will delete those two clauses from the list that we are going to take on now. The rest of them would remain as they are.
    So, we would delete clauses 24 and 71.
    Clauses 25 - 70 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
    Clauses 72 - 96 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
    Yes, Hon Member for Old Tafo?
    Dr Anthony A. Osei 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, you have already given some directives and I noticed that we have gone through it. I just happened to look at those two clauses and realised that there should be amendments. This is the first time I have read a bit of it. The Committee might have done a good job but, I would want to suggest that they sit down again and look at the Bill.
    The fact that they only have one amendment troubled me, but suddenly, just reading through, I could point to two. This is because the Authority cannot, by a Legislative Instrument (L. I.),make Regulations; and it is in clause 71. I suspect --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Hon Members, the door is not shut.
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:35 p.m.
    No, Mr Speaker, I just would want to appeal to the Committee that it is possible that they might want to go back and look at some of these amendments again so that we do not come back with too many things. I would try and read some, but I suspect we might have missed a few.
    It looks like we are eager to pass it, and Hon Members' minds are not on it, but it might not help us if we do not do the work well.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member from Manhyia South?
    Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, my uncle called me and drew my attention to those particular clauses. The reason I agreed with him was the admonitions given to us by the Hon Majority Leader yesterday, as regards the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the vaccine trial, that we should make sure that Ministerial responsibility in our laws, is taken out.
    The Committee on Environment, Science and Technology has worked with this Bill for nearly four years in total. It came even in the last Parliament, they worked on it and it was withdrawn because they could not pass it and this Parliament -- So, there were over a hundred amendments suggested by the Committee.
    We felt it prudent that we have discussed it with the Ministry and the Hon Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and so they could go and incorporate it, withdraw and come back to lay a new Bill. So they withdrew it, incorporated all the amendments and came to represent -- That is why the Committee did not file many amendments.
    But it is important that Regulations are brought by a Minister, which we have agreed to since we have done it in the Public Health Bill, that Regulations shall be brought by the Authority. Considering what has happened, in my opinion, it would be prudent and it is the responsibility of the Ministerial authority to be enshrined.
    So this time round, we would want to change the authority that the Committee has agreed, in all fairness that upon a second thought, we should give that power to the Minister. When they finish, they should go and give it to the Minister who should then bring it to the House, like we took a cue from the Hon Majority Leader yesterday. That is the reason for this.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:35 p.m.
    Very well,

    Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, in my opinion, it is appropriate for us to take an adjournment at this time to allow some Committees to meet and look at some other matters.
    Mr Speaker, the item number 8, which is the next, is not ready to be taken. So I beg to move, that we do adjourn till tomorrow morning at 10.00 o'clock, where we would reconvene to continue the Business of the House.
    Dr Anthony A. Osei 12:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, on behalf of the “Suame Messi” I beg to second the Motion. [Hear! Hear!]
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    ADJOURNMENT 12:35 p.m.
  • The House was accordingly adjourned at 12.44 p.m. till Thursday, 18th June, 2015 at 10.00 a.m.