Debates of 10 Jul 2015

MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:35 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:35 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Hon Members, Correction of the Votes and
Proceedings of Thursday, 9th July, 2015.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Correction of the Official Report of Tuesday, 7th July,
2015.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Hon Members, Business Statement.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, do you have any application to make before we take the Business Statement?
Mr Alfred K. Agbesi 10:35 a.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, with the indulgence of my Hon Colleagues, we apply under Order 53 to alter the Order of Business for the day and to go to item number 4 before we come back to the Business Statement.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Very well.
Hon Members, Question time.
Is the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways available?
Mr Agbesi 10:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, again, I want to appeal to my Hon Colleagues to permit the Hon Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways to answer the Questions on

behalf of the Minister for Roads and Highways.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Hon Minority Leader?
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, no objection.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Very well.
Hon Members, the first Question stands in the name of Hon Kwasi Ameyaw- Cheremeh, Member for Sunyani East. Is he in the Chamber?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, as you know, because we have had to alter the Order of Business, some of the Hon Members are not here with us. In this circumstance, may I with respect --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Very well.
Hon Members, I would stand it down.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:35 a.m.
Right, so we could begin with Hon Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah. I think he is here with us.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Do you want to take the Question yourself?
We would stand it down and in the course --
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the entire Question time down? That is alright.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Very well.
The next Question also stands in his name, so we would skip that one too.
Question number 283 Hon Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, Member for Takoradi, you have the floor.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF ROADS AND 10:35 a.m.
HIGHWAYS 10:35 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Hon Deputy Minister?
Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways (Mr Isaac A. Mensah) (on behalf of the Minister): Mr Speaker, thank you.
Background
The Paa Grant-Roundabout, New Takoradi-Ghacem-Port Road is an important collector that serves the port, the flour mill and GHACEM factories in Takoradi. It is the only road that connects to New Takoradi. This road facilitates the movement of goods and services within New Takoradi and the Takoradi township.
A contract for the rehabilitation of the New Takoradi-GHACEM Port road was awarded in November, 2012.
One month into the project, a notice was received from Ghana Ports and HaRbours Authority (GPHA) that a facility was available for the dualisation of the Port road from the Paa Grant Roundabout to the East Port Gate and that a contract had been signed to that effect. The rehabilitation of the New Takoradi- GHACEM road, was therefore handed over to the GPHA and Department of Urban Roads (DUR) had to relocate the contractor.
Subsequently, the New Takoradi Roundabout to the New Takoradi road was repackaged as part of the Sekondi Takoradi Emergency Asphalt Overlay Project (Phase II).
Future programme
The asphaltic overlay of the New Takoradi Roundabout to New Takoradi Road Project, as well as the dualisation of the Paa Grant Roundabout to the Port Road Project will both commence after the completion of the Port Rehabilitation Project. This is because there are very heavy vehicles hauling boulders on the road and this will inevitably damage the road pavement. It is therefore, considered financially prudent to commence the projects after the completion of the Port expansion project. However, the Ministry has instructed GPHA to carry out routine maintenance on the road to keep it motorable.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon Member, any follow up question?
Mr Darko-Mensah 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to know from the Hon Deputy Minister, if the Takoradi Port Expansion Phase I that uses a lot of boulders has been completed.
When are they going to start and complete the work on the road in question?
Mr I. A. Mensah 10:45 a.m.
I am aware that the project in its entirety has not been concluded, and that is why we think that, within this period, routine maintenance should be carried out on the road to make it motorable. As soon as they are finished, or as soon as the road has been completed and finalised, then we can launch in to do the New Takoradi Roundabout to Takoradi.
Mr Darko-Mensah 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to know from the Hon Deputy Minister, what type of road pavement they are going to do for the NewTakoradi road, because I know that even though boulders entered the ports, all the roads in the port never got damaged.
Even at Aboadze, where we have the thermal plants, they use a lot of boulders there, but none of the asphaltic roads got damaged. I would like to know from the Hon Deputy Minister what type of road surfacing they are going to do. Does it also go in line with the fact that, just the movement of boulders on the road would not necessarily cause any problem to the roads that they are going to do?
Mr I. A. Mensah 10:45 a.m.
The New Takoradi Roundabout road to New Takoradi is under the asphalt overlay project, and that is different from the pavement road from Paa Grant to the roundabout at New Takoradi. So, we think that, if we do not exercise restraint and go ahead to do the asphalt overlay from the New Takoradi roundabout to New Takoradi, haulage trucks would be parking there and the pavement would go bad.
That is why we think that while we are still waiting for the conclusion of the harbour project, we undertake a maintenance programme on the road to allow motorability of that road, and we hope that as soon as it is done, we would commence with the asphalt overlay.
My Hon Colleague knows very well that Phase II of the asphalt overlay programme in Takoradi is ongoing, and therefore, we are waiting patiently, that, as soon as we get the go ahead from GPHA, we would commence the asphalt overlay accordingly.
Mr Darko-Mensah 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, this road in particular has been requested since 2009. In 2010, the Minister for Roads and Highways was actually dragged to the Committee on Government Assurance. When the other Minister also took over, the same issue also came to the floor of the House.
Today, it is a new Minister. What is the assurance that this road would be done? Do we have to wait till after the project has been done, maybe, in the next three years, or it is going to be done this year? More so when the road itself is not always being managed.
As I speak, the road is not motorable, so what is the assurance that this road would be done? And what is the assurance that the road would also be kept motorable, because as I speak, it is not motorable even though they have given instructions to the GPHA, the problem still persists.
So, I would like to know what kind of assurance we have that the road would be done.
Mr I. A. Mensah 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the project is currently ongoing, and we are all aware that heavy trucks carrying boulders do ply the roads; that is why it is important that we ensure that routine maintenance is carried on the roads, so that it would allow for motorability.
We have in the plan the ongoing project with the Takoradi asphalt overlay, and my Hon Colleague knows that this project is ongoing. What we could do now is to ensure that we conduct routine maintenance.We have instructed the GPHA to do that.Therefore, we are waiting with our materials and everything, that as soon as that is done, the asphalt overlay would take place.
So, I am not going to give an assurance, with all due respect, that in the next couple of weeks that would be done. But as soon as the GPHA have finished their project which is ongoing, we would also commence with the asphalt overlay project.
My Hon Colleague knows very well that as I speak now, the work is ongoing and Takoradi is now being beautified and everybody is happy that Takoradi roads have the asphalt overlay going forward.
Thank you.
Mr Agyeman-Manu 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
My very good Friend and Hon Colleague, Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, Member of Parliament for Sunyani East, has requested that I ask --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Very well.
Then in that case, we would allow you to ask the Question on his behalf. The first one is numbered 281.
Feeder Roads in the Sunyani East Constituency (Reshaping)
Q.281. Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu (on behalf of Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh) asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the following feeder roads in the Sunyani East Constituency will be reshaped:
(i) Antwikrom -Daadom,
(ii)Atromie-Kramokrom (Nwowasu),
(iii) Atuahenekrom-Adedease- Asuogya.
Mr Speaker, I would like my Hon Colleague Deputy Minister to know that I have my family farms there, between
Antwikrom and Daadom, and so he should give us a very good Answer, a promising one.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Very well.
Hon Deputy Minister?
Mr I. A. Mensah 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
(i) Antwikrom-Daadom
Background
The Antwikrom-Daadom road is captured in the DFR Road Database as Antwikrom-Daadom-Adiembra feeder road. It is an engineered road which is 20.75kilometres and located in the Sunyani Municipality of the Brong Ahafo Region. It is a gravel surface road in fair condition.
Current programme
Routine maintenance works will be carried out on the entire stretch of the road as part of our 2015 maintenance pro- gramme. Tenders were opened on 17th June, 2015. Evaluation of tenders is in progress.
(ii) Atronie-Kramokrom (Nwowasu)
Background
The Atronie-Kramokrom (Nwowasu) road is captured in the DFR Road Database as Ankamakrom-Nwowasu feeder road. It is a partially engineered road which is 4.6 kilometres and located in the Sunyani Municipality of the Brong-Ahafo Region. It is currently under the jurisdiction of the Department of Feeder Roads.
Current programme
Routine maintenance works will be carried out on the entire stretch of the road as part of our 2015 maintenance programme. Tenders were opened on 17th June, 2015. Evaluation of tenders is in progress.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Any follow up questions?
Mr Agyeman-Manu 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the way the Hon Deputy Minister is answering the Questions very coura- geously and confidently that they have opened tenders, quite recently, on the 17th of June suggests in my view that he knows the source of funding for these projects.
Could the Hon Deputy Minister tell us what is the source of funding for these projects which are going to see routine maintenance in the course of the years?
Mr I . A. Mensah 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, these roads are packaged under the normal routine maintenance plan and under the Ministry of Roads and Highways budgetary allocation for routine and periodic maintenance.
So, they are budgeted for and would be implemented in line with the budget provisions.
Thank you.
Mr Agyeman-Manu 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, for the last three to five years, we have always put these roads for routine maintenance under the Government of Ghana (GoG) budget. Unfortunately, nothing has been done on these roads.
Fortunately for us, all the areas these roads serve are cocoa producing areas. Why would the Hon Deputy Minister not want to allocate some portion of the cocoa roads funds to us in these areas, but continues to put them under GoG budget which will never see any releases for these roads to be done?
Mr I. A. Mensah 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, these roads are very important and therefore, we conduct routine maintenance accordingly, and that is why we are doing this. Our expectation is that in September, 2015, when the rains are virtually over, we will commence work on them.
I am not too sure whether these areas produce cocoa and therefore -- I know Atromie very well -- They must be captured under the Cocoa Road Programme.
Mr Speaker, all cocoa producing areas are captured by the COCOBOD and they accordingly package them to be considered under the Cocoa Road Programme.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Yes, your last follow-up question.
Mr Agyeman-Manu 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I do not understand the Hon Deputy Minister.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Hon Members, order!
Yes, Hon Member?
Mr Agyeman-Manu 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, my question still stands and the Hon Deputy Minister should answer it. That place is a cocoa growing area. Why would they not allocate some of the cocoa roads money to us for development? And they want to go to the GoG which would never have money?
Mr I. A. Mensah 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, cocoa issues are for COCOBOD accordingly and we manage roads in this country. That is why under the maintenance and management programme, we have packaged these roads under routine maintenance and that will be done.
So, I will contact COCOBOD, and if it fits within their scheme to be packaged under the cocoa roads programme, I think that will be done. But until then, we see these roads falling strictly under the feeder roads programme and we will go ahead to ensure that they are maintained periodically and routinely.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Hon Member, you have exhausted the number of your follow-up questions.
Mr Agyeman-Manu 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I wanted to send a plea to COCOBOD through the Hon Deputy Minister.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
I believe he has assured you that he will be contacting
COCOBOD and if it turns out that this is captured under the cocoa roads programme --
Mr Agyeman-Manu 10:55 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, I will take your advice.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Hon Members, the next Question still stands in the name of Hon Kwasi Ameyaw- Cheremeh. So, Hon Agyeman-Manu still has the floor.
Completion of Ring Road in Sunyani.
Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu on behalf of Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh asked the Minister for Roads and Highways what effort the Ministry is making to ensure the completion of the Ring Road in Sunyani.
Mr I.A. Mensah 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
Construction of Inner Ring Road (9.3km):
Background
Sunyani Municipality has two (2) Ring Roads (Inner and Outer) which are required to serve as by-pass routes to the Central Business Distr ict (CBD). Construction of the Ring Roads are very strategic and are intended to direct traffic from the CBD.
The Sunyani Inner Ring road intersects all major and minor arterials in the Municipality and will provide easy access to communities including VRA Village, Penkwase, Nkwaben, Fiapre, Berlin Top, Baakoniaba, Adomako, Old Estate, South Ridge and South Educational Zone.
Mr Speaker, the total length of the Inner Ring road is 14.6kilometres, out of which 5.3kilometres is developed (the Northern section of the Inner Ring road) that is, from the Sunyani Polytechnic roundabout on the Kumasi road to the Fiapre roundabout on the Berekum road.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member, any follow-up?
Mr Agyeman-Manu 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the Hon Deputy Minister when the contract for the bituminous surfacing was awarded and when work actually started?
Mr I. A. Mensah 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it is on record that the construction of inner Ring Road, 9.3 kilometres, was awarded on the 1st of December, 2014 to contractor Messrs Amoh Prempeh Company Limited. It was expected to have been completed in June,
2014.
Mr Agyeman-Manu 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, was it expected to be completed in June, 2014 or June, 2015?
Is it 2015 -- That was not the question, Mr Speaker, it was just to correct him.
Mr Speaker, between December, 2014 and June, 2015, when works should have been completed, assessment of the road
is 35 per cent complete. That is what the Hon Deputy Minister has told us in his Answer.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister is still assuring us that work will be completed in September or December, 2015. If we pay mobilisation for work to start and in six months, we have done only 35 per cent, what assurance will he give to the people of Sunyani, including myself, that work will be completed in December, 2015? If it is not completed, what else should we do to ensure that the Hon Deputy Minister lives by his words?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
As for the second part of it, you know what avenues are opened to you.
But Hon Deputy Minister, answer the question -- if they defaulted, our oversight responsibilities will help us --
Mr Agyeman-Manu 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want you to commit him to do the work so that if he defaults, you will refer him to the Committee on Government Assurance for action.
Mr I. A. Mensah 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we are committed to completing the work. It is 35 per cent complete, because we introduced additional relief culverts and therefore, the expected completion date would have been extended.
Mr Speaker, we want to ensure that we provide good roads and at the end of it all, it will be usable and motorable. That is why we agreed to include additional relief culverts. So, if it is 35 per cent complete, it is so because we have introduced additional works.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Yes, your last follow-up?
Mr Agyeman-Manu 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to find out again -- I am very sure the Hon Deputy Minister will tell me that this is under normal GoG budgetary allocation. I do not also expect the Hon Deputy Minister to tell me that he is not sure that Sunyani is a cocoa growing area.
Would he consider suggesting to COCOBOD to give some of its allocations to Sunyani township as they are doing elsewhere in my constituency, so that the people of Sunyani will also benefit from a portion of the Cocoa Roads Programme?
Mr I. A. Mensah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am aware that the Brong Ahafo Region, which is part of one of the six regions benefiting from the cocoa programme, have also had its share, or continue to benefit from the cocoa roads programme.
With regard to the inner roads, Sunyani roads, they have been budgeted for and there is a commitment to ensure that they are completed. That is why we think that even when we are doing the roads and there is the need to add more details to make the roads befit the Sunyani Municipality, we do it. That is why we are doing it.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Yes, Hon Members, the next Question stands in the name of the Hon Member for Nkawkaw.
Is he in the Chamber?
Very well.
Aprahwen, Fodua-Kwahu Daa (Completion Road Projects)
Q. 303. Mr Eric Kwakye Darfour asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the following road projects would be completed:

(i) Banka Junction-Aprahwem,

(ii) Fodua - Kwahu Daa.

(i) Banka Junction-Aprahwem

Background
Mr I. A. Mensah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker,the Banka Junction-Aprahwem feeder road is partially engineered and is 4.20 kilometres. It is located in the Kwahu West Municipality of the Eastern Region. The road is currently under the jurisdiction of the Department of Feeder Roads.
Current programme
The road was awarded for spot improvement in 2012, but works have stalled and the contractor has been asked to go back to site.
(ii) Fodua-Kwahu Daa
Background
The Fodua-Kwahu Daa feeder road is engineered and is 3.40kilometres. It is located in the Kwahu West Municipality of the Eastern Region. The road is currently under the jurisdiction of the Department of Feeder Roads.
Current programme
The road was awarded for spot improvement in 2012. The contract for the road was divided into three (3) phases for three (3) different contractors.
i) Phase 1: Fodua-Kwahu Daa (km 0.00- km 1.00)
The contractor has been asked to resume work following an initial break at the site.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Hon Member, any follow up question?
Mr Darfour 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to know from the Hon Deputy Minister the programme under which this contract was awarded. Is it the Government of Ghana (GoG), or Cocoa roads? I would want to know the source of funding.
Mr I. A. Mensah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, these roads in addition to others, are initial cocoa road projects that were awarded. Some of these roads were covered under some challenges that related to contractual relationship. That is why we have asked the contractor to go back to site, and proceed with works accordingly.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Hon Member, your second follow up, if any.
Mr Darfour 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister in his Answer said that the projects were awarded originally under cocoa roads. He tells this House that the contract got stalled.
May I know from the Hon Deputy Minister -- this is because under normal circumstances, cocoa roads funds are there. So, why did the contract get stalled?
Mr I. A. Mensah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, like any other contracts or any other relationships,
there may be challenges and problems. But when they come, we resolve them accordingly.
Indeed, they are cocoa roads, but like others, they have been caught in some of these challenges. That is why in resolving these problems, the contractor has been asked to go back to site and commence work accordingly.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Hon Member, your last follow up.
Mr Darfour 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to know from the Hon Deputy Minister, whether he is aware that on the 4. 20 kilometres Banka-Akwadum road, there is a river called Asona?
In October 2012, the bridge over that river was demolished to be reconstructed and up till today, that bridge has not been fixed, endangering the lives of children. Mr Speaker, the situation between Banka and Kofi Dede is such that basic schools -- Kindergarten (KG) one to Primary six, is located in Kofi Dede while the Junior High School (JHS) is located in Aprahwen.
So, Mr Speaker, each day, children as young as four years criss-cross this river, which is infested with snakes. Therefore, I would want to know, when the Hon Deputy Minister, that is his Ministry, can put back the bridge on River Asona, so that life can go on well.
Mr I. A. Mensah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, that is why we have asked the contractor to go back to site. This is because it is against the contractual details that works stalled. With the impression now being created, if the information is that the bridge is a problem, a challenge and a menace to motorability, then I would accordingly ask the Department of Feeder Roads to accordingly go there, and ensure that it is brought to normal, in line with the contractual arrangement.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Hon Deputy Minister, is it possible to put some pressure on the contractor? This is because from what he is saying, school children have had to cross this river on a daily bases. Can you give some assurance?
Mr I. A. Mensah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it is appropriate and I think that it can be done, we would put some pressure on the contractor. My concern is the bridge. Bridge issues are very critical, and therefore, as my attention has been brought to the situation now, that is why I did say that I would ask the Department of Feeder Roads to quickly go there, examine the situation, and in line with the contractual arrangement, ensure that the bridge is fixed accordingly.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Very well.
It is constituency specific so I do not know.
Mr Frederick Opare-Ansah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am aware that it is constituency specific. This convention of limiting constituency specific question to the Members of Parliament from those constituencies was brought about as a result of pressure on the House, when we have things like a Budget to consider.
Mr Speaker, we would be closing at 2.00 p. m. or probably earlier, so there is no pressure on us. Yes, it is constituency specific, I still believe that. It is a road we all travel on and we must have interest in it.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Hon Member, very well I give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question.
Mr Opare-Ansah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, in the Hon Deputy Minister's Answer under “Current Programme” in (i) and (ii), he talks in (i) about initial break at the site and in (ii), about works having stalled.
I heard the Hon Member asking him why the work stalled. We are interested in knowing the reasons, so the Hon Deputy Minister should tell us what caused the break, and why the work stalled? I would want to know the causes.
Mr I. A. Mensah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am aware that there were payment challenges under the circumstance and therefore, the work was impeded. So, the contractor has been asked that in line with the contractual arrangement, he has to go to site and we have resolved the issue accordingly.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Hon Members, we would move on to Question number 304, which stands in the name of the Hon Member for Hemang Lower Denkyira.
Is he in the Chamber? The last two Questions stand in his name.

Twifo Hemang Town Roads under the District Capital Roads Improvement

Project (Construction)

Q. 304. Mr Foster Joseph Andoh asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Twifo Hemang Town roads would be constructed under the District Capital Roads Improvement Project.
Mr I. A. Mensah 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
Twifo Hemang Town Roads
The above road is located in the Hemang Lower Denkyira District of the Central Region.
Future programme
Engineering studies will be conducted on the town roads during the third quarter of this year 2015. With the collaboration
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Hon Member, any follow up question?
Mr F. J. Andoh 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we are in the third quarter of this year, specifically when would the engineering studies be conducted?
Mr I. A. Mensah 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we want to do that in the third quarter and it demonstrates the criticality and importance of this road. So we hope that by the end of the fourth quarter, we would have concluded the engineering works and action would be taken in the preceding year.
Mr F. J. Andoh 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, after the said engineering studies, would the Hon Deputy Minister consider awarding the contract this year or next year?
Mr I. A. Mensah 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, certainly, the project would commence early next year because of the collaboration of the three agencies; Urban Roads, Ghana Highway Authority and Department of Feeder Roads. So, as soon as we get the engineering works fixed, then action would be taken on this project in the year
2016.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Hon Member, your last follow up question.
Mr Foster J. Andoh 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, if indeed it would be awarded next year, I would want to take that as an assurance from the Hon Deputy Minister. But I would like to find out which month next year? Since next year has a whole 12 months and next year we all know is an election
year and for that matter, I would be happy to know whether it would come in February, March or April?
Mr I. A. Mensah 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am not in the position to be specific, all would depend upon the engineering works. As soon as we are done with the engineering works, determination would be made next year as to when the project would start. But it is our commitment that as soon as we get the engineering works done, action would accordingly be taken and I can come back to give commitment at the end of the engineering works.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Hon Members, I thought this Question too was constituency specific.
Mr Opare-Ansah 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister has told this House that engineering studies would be conducted on the town roads during the third quarter of this year, 2015. This is July that we are in now, so presumably, we are in the third quarter of 2015.
Mr Speaker, I would want to remind the Hon Deputy Minister that as we speak, the Budget cycle for 2016 budget has already started, and the Budget would be laid before this House when we resume Sitting sometime in October. He should tell us if the engineering studies have already started, if not, presumably, it would start sometime later in the third quarter.
If it does, by which time the budget cycle for 2016 has closed and yet he has told us that in 2016 they would tackle the project. Where is he going to raise the funds from to tackle the project in 2016 when the Budget for 2016 would already have been approved?
In any case, in 2016, because it is an election year, there would not be any Budget approved by this House. So can the Hon Deputy Minister tell this House how he is going to raise funds to tackle this project in 2016?
Mr I. A. Mensah 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the fact that we have committed ourselves to get the engineering works done in the third quarter demonstrates our commitment to resolve this matter. I said that we are in the third quarter and the engineering works would start in the third quarter.
Third quarter has not ended and I said that because of the criticality and importance of this road, we have brought together all these three agencies; Department of Urban Roads, Department of Feeder Roads and Ghana Highways Authority.
That shows how serious we are about on this road, and so we have said that as soon as the engineering works are finalised, and hopefully, by the end of this quarter or in the fourth quarter,the action on this project would commence in 2016 accordingly.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Hon Member, the last follow up.
Mr George K. Arthur 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I just want a clarification. If the Hon Deputy Minister says town roads, is he referring to all town roads or specifically to the Lower Twifo Heman groads.
Mr I. A. Mensah 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we are certainly talking about the Twifo Hemang town and the 4kilometres would cover the Twifo Hemang town accordingly.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
The last Question stands in the name of the same Hon Member for Hemang Lower Denkyira.
Parso-Nyamebekyere Feeder Road (Completion)
Q. 305. Mr Foster Joseph Andoh asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Parso-Nyamebekyere road would be completed.
Mr I. A. Mensah 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, The Parso-Nyamebekyere feeder road is partially engineered. It is 6.6km and located in the Hemang Lower Denkyira District of the Central Region.
Current programme
The road was awarded for Spot Improvement in 2012. The contract is 55% complete. The contractor has been asked to resume works after initial break of work.
Mr F. J. Andoh 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister said the contractor left the what accounted for the contractor's vacation of the site since June, 2013?
Mr I. A. Mensah 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, there were initial contractual challenges resulting from performance and non- payments and so on, and that is why we did that in line with the contract and asked the contractor to go back to site.Our understanding is that, he would resume work and the issues would be covered accordingly.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Any more Hon Member?
Mr F. J. Andoh 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Deputy Minister, whether he is aware the 55 per cent completion of the road has rather worsen the road? As I speak, the sick has to be carried on the head, especially, pregnant women. They have to carry their
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
So your question.
Mr F. J. Andoh 11:15 a.m.
My question is; is the Hon Deputy Minister aware that the 55 per cent completion of the road has rather worsened the road since the aprons of the culverts have not been filled?
Mr I. A. Mensah 11:15 a.m.
I am not aware that in trying to do good, the 55 per cent performance on the road has created a problem, and if that is the challenge, I would ask the Department of Feeder Roads' technocrats -- because the Hon Member said the culverts have not been filled-to go back to site and ensure that whatever is possible would be done to at least, alleviate the situation on the ground.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Deputy Minister, is it possible for you to get your men to visit the site to ascertain whether what the Hon Member said is true or false?
Mr I. A. Mensah 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it is possible to do that personally; so I commit myself. Mr Speaker, that I will travel to Hemang myself with the support of the Hon Member to the site and see for myself, so that I could be in a position to give appropriate action for the issue to be resolved.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Member, any follow ups?
Mr F. J. Andoh 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister says the contractor has been asked to resume work. When is he resuming and when is he completing the work?
Mr I. A. Mensah 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I commented that the contractor has been asked to go to site in line with the contractual arrangement. I am not sure when he would be there and I am not sure when it would be completed. That is why I am committing myself to go with the Hon Member to the site. We would come back together and find a solution to this problem.
Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want the Hon Deputy Minister to explain. When you asked him to request the official from the Department of Feeder Roads to site, he courageously said that he would go himself. Mr Speaker, I would want to find out whether he is an engineer -- or what technical eye has he got?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Member, when he is going, he would go with his technical men. That is the implication.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, this is just a general comment on the way we answer Questions here. The Hon Deputy Minister has been on his feet answering questions and he has been making reference to “I will contact my people at the Department Feeder Roads”.
In the past, the technical people would be there and provide the Minister with detailed information. I did not see anybody assist the Hon Deputy Minister. Hon Deputy Minister, where are your people? Their job is to assist you. So when he keeps saying he would go back to them --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Member, the technical people are here.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:25 a.m.
But they are not providing the information to the Hon Deputy Minister. If they are sitting there
and they cannot assist him, it is odd. Hon Deputy Minister, they came to listen to you, but please talk to them. Their job is to provide you with assistance. They are supposed to bring notes but they are just sitting there coolly. Why are they here? Hon Members, they are asking for details and --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
Mr Agbesi 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleague is just making a comment. We have invited the Hon Minister to come; he has responded to the Questions. If the Answers are not to the Hon Member's satisfaction, he has the liberty to ask further questions. He is here, whatever question he asks him, he is prepared to answer and he has done that.
The issue of the technical people not sending papers here or there does not arise. The Hon Deputy Minister is here. Whatever questions we have for him, he is ready to answer them. And he has done that. What is the problem if the technical people are not here? We want the Hon Minister, he has come and he has answered the Questions.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Majority Leader is not listening. The Hon Deputy Minister cannot carry all the details in his head and that is why he has staff to assist. That is why I said that their job is to provide the details and they are sitting there. I was hoping that they would provide the details. That is all I said. They are to assist.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Member, I do not think the technical people have found it necessary to shovel papers around. This is because they think that the Hon Deputy Minister is in charge. He is handling it to their satisfaction.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:25 a.m.
The Hon Deputy Minister kept saying “I would contact the people at the Feeder Roads Department”. They are there.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 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.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
Mr Agbesi 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we can now go back to the Business Statement.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Business Statement, item numbered 3 on the Order Paper -- Business Statement for the Tenth Week.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 11:25 a.m.
Chairman of the Business Committee) 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker -- [Interruption.]
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Minority Leader, is it a point of order?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:25 a.m.
On a point of order. Mr Speaker, I hear some of my Hon Colleagues entreating the Hon Deputy Majority Leader that if, indeed, he is acting on behalf of the Chairman of the Business Committee, then he should come to the dispatch box and address us -- [Laughter.]
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Minority Leader, I have it on record that, at times, the Hon Majority Leader takes the Business Statement from his seat over there.
Mr Agbesi 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to seek your guidance on this matter -- [Laughter.] The Hon Majority Leader who is the Chairman of the Business Committee, just last week, presented the Business Statement from his seat and I am presenting the Business Statement on his behalf. I am copying him. He did it here and the Hon Minority Leader took no objection. [Interruption.]
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Order! Order!
Hon Members, I believe the Hon Deputy Majority Leader can present the Business Statement from there.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, for the record, the Hon Deputy Majority Leader said when the Hon Majority Leader

presented the Business Statement last week, I took no objection and that he was standing close to him. For the record, I was not in the Chamber when the Hon Majority Leader did the presentation.

Today, I am here and I would want the proper thing to be done.
Mr Agbesi 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Committee met on Thursday, 9 th July, 2015 and arranged Business of the House for the Tenth Week ending Friday, 17thJuly, 2015.
Mr Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 56 (1), the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows:
Arrangement of Business
Question(s)
Mr Speaker, the Committee has programmed the following Ministers to respond to Questions asked of them during the week:
make Statements of Government policy. Your goodself may also admit Statements to be made in the House by Hon Members in accordance with Order 72.
Bills, Papers and Reports
Mr Speaker, Bills may be presented to the House for First Reading and those of urgent nature may be taken through the various stages in one day in accordance with Order 119. Papers and committee reports may also be presented to the House.
Motions and Resolutions
Mr Speaker, Motions may be debated and their consequential Resolutions, if any, taken during the week.
Committee of the Whole to be Briefed
Mr Speaker, the Committee of the Whole is scheduled to be briefed on the recent demolition exercise at Old Fadama (Sodom and Gomorrah). The Committee would be briefed by the following:
(i) Minister for Local Government and Rural Development
(ii) The Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive.
The briefing of the Committee of Whole is scheduled forTuesday, 14th July 2015. Hon Members are accordingly informed and urged to avail themselves at the said meeting.
Joint Caucus Meeting
Mr Speaker, a Joint Caucus meeting is expected to be held on Wednesday, 15th July 2015 to deliberate on issues relating to movement to Job 600 and other welfare
matters. All Hon Members are being encouraged to be in attendance to contribute during the deliberations.
The Business Committee takes this opportunity to entreat the House Committee to as a matter of urgency, hold a prior meeting to, iron out contentious issues before the Joint Caucus meeting.
Extended Sittings
Mr Speaker, the House may extend Sitting beyond the time stipulated in Order 40 (2)when the need arises to enable the completion of scheduled business.
Conclusion
Mr Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 160 (2) and subject to Standing Order 53, the Committee submits to this Honourable House the order in which the Business of the House shall be taken during the week.

Urgent Question --
Mr Osei BonsuAmoah (Akuapim South) 11:35 a.m.
To ask the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development what steps are being taken to prevent floods in Accra and other regional capitals in the country.
Questions --
*373. Mr Kofi Okyere-Agyekum (Fanteakwa South): To ask the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development when the Ehiamenkyene Market, which is a major source of revenue for the Fanteakwa District Assembly, will be constructed.
No. of Question(s)
i. Minister for Local Government and Rural Development -- 3
ii. Minister for Power -- 6
iii. Minister for Roads and Highways -- 6
Total number of Questions -- 15
Mr Speaker, Three (3) Ministers are expected to attend upon the House to respond to fifteen (14) Questions during the week. The questions are of the following types:
i. Urgent -- 1
ii. Oral -- 13
iii. Written -- 1
Statements Mr Speaker, pursuant to Order 70 (2),
Ministers of State may be permitted to
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Hon Member, are you up on a point of order?
Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am up on a point of order. [Interruptions.]
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
I think you would allow him to conclude and then if you have any questions --
Hon Member, I believe Hon Members want you, since you have indicated that the Hansard Department captures it, to be as brief as possible.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member?
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I believe we should give the protem leader the opportunity, He has the opportunity to present the full Business Statement, please, let the House allow him. He is my classmate. I appeal to Mr Speaker to allow him to do it his own way.
Mr Agbesi 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, indeed, I would want to give Hon Members, who may not have the time to read, to hear what would be done next time. [Laughter.]
Statements
Presentation of Papers --
(a) Request for Ratification of Tax Exemption Provisions in the Framework Agreement and
Framework Arrangement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Government of the Republic of Korea con- cerning loans from the Eco- nomic Development Coope- ration Fund for the years 2014 through 2016.
(b) International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediment,
2004.
(c) Annual Report and Audited Accounts of the National Development Commission for the year ended 2014.
(d) Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the Convention on the Protec- tion and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (Paris, 20th October, 2005).
(e) Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (Paris, 17th October, 2005).
(f) Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage (Paris, 2nd November 2001).
(g) Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects (Rome, 24th June, 1995).
(h) Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the Convention for the Protec- tion of Producers of Phonograms
against Unauthorised Duplica- tion of their Phonograms (Geneva, 29th October, 1971).
(i) Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (Paris, 14th November,
1970).
(j) Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the Convention on the Protec- tion of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict with Regulation for the Execution of the Convention (The Hague, 14th May, 1954).
Consideration Stage of Bills--
Intestate Succession Bill, 2013. (Continuation)
Millennium Development Authority (Amendment of debate) Bill, 2014.
Committee Sittings -- Committee of the Whole to be briefed on the recent demolition exercise at Old Fadama (Sodom and Gomorrah)

Questions --

*330. Mr Wahab Wumbei Suhuyini (Tolon): To ask the Minister for Power when electricity supply from the national grid will be extended to the following communities in the Tolon constituency: (i) Koblimahigu (ii) Botingli, (iii) Gbambaya, (iv) Tuzeenayili, (v) Naha, (vi) Gbanjogla,

(vii) Walshe, (viii) Kpalsogukuraa (ix) Zantani.

*443. Mr Ameen Salifu (Wa East): To ask the Minister for Power when electricity supply from the national grid will be extended to the following communities: (i) Loggu Sagu, (ii) Binteng, (iii) Saawubelee, (iv) Kulun (v) Kataa.

*452. Mr Anthony Osei Boakye (AtwimaNwabiagya South): To ask the Minister for Power when electricity will be extended from Mile 19 Junction to the following communities in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Constituency: (i) Ahwia, (ii) Bankyease, (iii) Ntabanu, (iv) Akuapem.

457. Mr Emmanuel Aboagye Didieye (Afram Plains North): To ask the Minister for Power when the following communities in the Afram Plains North Constituency will be connected to the national grid: (i) Abotanso No. 1 & 2, (ii) Avatime (iii) Bodua, (iv) Mafikope, (v) Seibea (vi) Atiwulame, (vii) Katapilatornu, (viii) Anidzi, (ix) Kamalo, (x) Adukrom, (xi) Seiwua, (xii) Bebuso, (xiii) Agodeke, (xiv) Salefe, (xv) Kyemfre.

*460. Mr Mohammed Salisu Bamba (Ejura-Sekyedumase): To ask the Minister for Power why the following communities have not been connected to the national electricity grid even though wiring has been completed since 2012: (i) Mbanaa, (ii) Kantankani, (iii) Kyenkyenkura, (iv) Dwenewoho.

*462. Mr Ben Abdallah Banda (Offinso South): To ask the Minister for Power when the following villages will be connected to the national
Mr Agbesi 11:35 a.m.
Electricity Grid: (i) Agogo, near Kwapanin, (ii) Asuboi, near Kwapanin.
Statements
Presentation of Papers --
(a) Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Emergency Power Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Aksa Enerji Üretim Aş (AKSA) for the provision on a Fast-Track Basis, up to 370MW (ISO) Installed Capacity of Power Delivery Services.
(b) Report of the Finance Committee on the Loan Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KfW), Frankfurt am Main for an amount of twenty-three million euros (€23.0 million) and a grant amount of one million euros (€1.0 million) to finance the Out-Grower and Value Chain Fund II.
(c) Report of the Finance Committee on the Buyer Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and ABN AMRO N.V. of the Netherlands for an amount of Fourteen million, thirty-four thousand, two hundred and one euros (€14,034,201.00) to finance the “Accelerating Tuberculosis (TB) Case Detec- tion” Project.
(d) Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of Import Duty, Import VAT, Import NHIL, ECOWAS Levy, EDAIF,
and other applicable fees and charges amounting to two million, four hundred and ninety- six thousand, six hundred and seventy Euros (€2,496,670.00) on materials and equipment to be used under the Buyer Credit Agreement between the Govern- ment of the Republic of Ghana and ABN AMRO N.V. of Netherlands in respect of the “Accelerating Tuberculosis (TB) Case Detection” Project.
(e) Report of the Finance Committee on the Convention between the Republic of Ghana and Barbados for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital Gains.
(f) Report of the Finance Committee on the Convention between the Republic of Ghana and the Kingdom of Denmark for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital Gains.
Motion
Third Reading of Bills --
Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Bill, 2014.
Consideration Stage of Bills --
Intestate Succession Bill, 2013. (Continuation of debate)
Income Tax Bill, 2015.
Committee sittings.

Statements

Presentation of Papers --

Report of the Committee on Defence and Interior on the Immigration Service Bill, 2015.

Motions --

(a) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Emergency Power Agreement between the Govern- ment of the Republic of Ghana and Aksa Enerji ÜretimAş (AKSA) for the provision on a Fast-Track Basis, up to 370MW (ISO) Installed Capacity of Power Delivery Services.

Consequential Resolution

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (Paris, 20th October,

2005).

Consequential Resolution

(c) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (Paris, 17th October, 2005).

Consequential Resolution

(d) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the Convention

on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage (Paris, 2nd November, 2001).

Consequential Resolution

(e) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects (Rome, 24th June, 1995).

Consequential Resolution

(f) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the Convention for the Protection of Producers of Phonograms against Unauthorised Duplication of their Phonograms (Geneva, 29th October, 1971).

Consequential Resolution

(g) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (Paris, 14th November, 1970).

Consequential Resolution

(h) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict with Regulation for the Execution of the Convention (The Hague, 14th May, 1954).

Consequential Resolution
Mr Agbesi 11:35 a.m.
Consideration Stage of Bills--
Income Tax Bill, 2015.
Committee sittings.

Questions --

*306. Mr Frank Boakye Agyen (Effiduase/Asokore): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways whether there is any plan to reconstruct the bridge on River Oworam, which is close to the Oil Mill at Asokore, since it is submerged under water during heavy downpour.

*307. Mr Frank Boakye Agyen (Effiduase/ Asokore): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Ministry would ensure that roads in the EffiduaseAsokore Constituency are improved, particularly Effiduase -Buoya, Effiduase-Asaman, Asokore-Ahensan, Senchi- Okaikrom, Senchi - Nkwankwaanua, Bimma - Akokoaso, Senchi - Putuom and Okaikrom - Atakrom.

*308. Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover (Tema East): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways what effort the Ministry is making to construct the following roads in Tema Industrial Area: (i) From Tema Oil Refinery through DVLA Tema Steel Works to T.T. Brothers traffic light on the Tema - Ada Road, (ii) Tema Oil Refinery traffic light through STC to Timber Market.

*310. Mr Foster Joseph Andoh (Hemang Lower Denkyira): To ask the Minister for Roads and

Highways when the Ampenkro Asensuho Shed road will be completed.

*311. Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome (South Tongu): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when bridges would be constructed on the roads linking the following towns (i) Dzetorkor to Adawtorkor (ii) Agbeve to Ada (iii) Agave Afedome to Godzekpota.

*312. Mr Yaw FrimpongAddo (Manso- Adubia): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways what plans the Ministry has to mark all Highways in the country to ensure safety on our roads especially at night.

Statements

Motions --

Third Reading of Bills--

Millennium Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2014.

Chieftaincy (Amendment) Bill, 2013.

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Loan Agreement between the Govern- ment of the Republic of Ghana and Kreditanstalt fur Wieder- aufbau (KfW), Frankfurt am Main for an amount of twenty- three million euros (€23.0 million) and a grant amount of one million euros (€1.0 million) to finance the Out-Grower and Value Chain Fund II.

Consequential Resolution

(c) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Buyer Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of

Ghana and ABN AMRO N.V. of Netherlands for an amount of fourteen million, thirty-four thousand, two hundred and one euros (€14,034,201.00) to finance the “Accelerating Tuberculosis (TB) Case Detection” Project.

Consequential Resolution

(c) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of Import Duty, Import VAT, Import NHIL, ECOWAS Levy, EDAIF, and other applicable fees and charges amounting to two million, four hundred and ninety- six thousand, six hundred and seventy euros (€2,496,670.00) on materials and equipment to be used under the Buyer Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and ABN AMRO N.V. of Netherlands in respect of the “Accelerating Tuberculosis (TB) Case Detection” Project.

Consequential Resolution

(d) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Convention between the Republic of Ghana and Barbados for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital Gains.

Consequential Resolution

(e) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Convention between the Republic of Ghana and the

Kingdom of Denmark for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital Gains

Consequential Resolution

Committee sittings.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Thank you very much.
Yes, Hon Joe Appiah?
Mr Joe J. Appiah 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, may I crave your indulgence to read from Standing Order 168.
“(1) There shall be a Committee to be known as the House Committee composed of the Majority Leader as Chairman, and not more than twenty-five other Members
(2) The functions of the Committee shall be advisory.
(3) It shall be the duty …”
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Which Standing Order are you reading?
Mr Appiah 11:35 a.m.
I want to make a point.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Which Standing Order?
Mr Appiah 11:35 a.m.
Standing Order 168.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
168?
Mr Appiah 11:35 a.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker. There is something on it.
“(3) It shall be the duty of the Committee to consider all matters connected with the provision of
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Hon Member, I think your point is well made. I
want the Hon Deputy Majority Leader to respond.
Mr Appiah 11:35 a.m.
Before he responds, I want to read from the Parliamentary News.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
It is all right, your point is well made.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, how do you respond to that? Ordinarily, I would have thought that, if that meeting could not take place because you did not have a quorum and the Business Statement has indicated that there would be a Joint Caucus meeting to discuss this particular issue, I think it is meant to cure whatever mishap that must have occurred because of the inability of the Committee to meet.
Mr Appiah 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the House Committee does not function at all. It is only the Leadership. Two of us were there two weeks ago. None of them came and now they have advertised again. Are we sure they would come? I would like to ask Leadership if really this meeting would come off?
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Very well.
Let us hear you and then after that, the Hon Deputy Majority Leader would respond.
Mr Opare-Ansah 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I have an issue with the implied directive from the Business Committee to the House Committee to report to the Joint Caucus.
The Standing Orders are clear that, the Report of the House Committee as stated in Standing Order 168 (4), would come to the House. Not at any Joint Caucus, so why is the Business Committee trying to direct the House to urgently meet in preparation for Joint Caucus meeting?

The Report of the House Committee is supposed to come to the House and “the House' under Standing Order 7, has been defined as ‘Parliament'.The joint Caucus is not Parliament, so the Report of the House Committee must come to this House and not any Joint Caucus.

Mr Speaker, we have major issues with the welfare of Members of Parliament and it is precisely because of how we have been treating the House Committee and its Report. If we go and hide the House Committee's Report under some Joint Caucus which has no place in our Standing Orders or in any statute that I am aware of, then what are we telling ourselves and the House Committee? No wonder they have stopped meeting as Hon Members.

This is because, when they bring their Reports to the Leadership, Business Committee or whoever is supposed to direct them, they tell them to go and hide it under some Joint Caucus.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 11:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, while I may agree with the Hon Member - -[Interruptions.]
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Could we have some order please?
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 11:45 a.m.
What is happening, it may be that if we resort to that matter, then we may insist that formal referrals be made to the House Committee. But I believe that at this time, it is important to know that no referral has been made to the House Committee. Probably, moving forward, some of these matters would be formally laid before the House and formal referrals made. Then when Reports come, we may, as a House,
in accordance with our Standing Orders, decide to discuss the matters therein in a Committee of theWhole in the absence of any non-Member and I believe that would help us.
Moving forward, of course, I am sure the Hon pro tem Majority Leader and Chairman of the Business Committee would take note of that so that going forward, we would then know that matters relating to the House Committee are being dealt with in the manner that would help all of us get the necessary results.
Mr Agbesi 11:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we take the concerns of Hon Members on board but if we look at the Business Committee's Report, the words we used are:
“The Business Committee takes this opportunity to entreat the House Committee to as a matter of urgency, hold a prior meeting …”
You would realise that we said Joint Caucus meeting and the issue to be discussed is the movement to “Job 600” and welfare matters. These are matters which are within the domain of the House Committee so that when the Joint Caucus meeting takes place, we would be in a position to brief the Caucuses on what is actually happening with regard to the items, which are within the domain of the House Committee. We are not by this forcing the House Committee to meet but we are entreating them.
As the Hon Member said, the House Committee is not functioning and the Business Committee only appeals to them to meet so that the Committee would be able to tell the Joint Caucus meeting something on the welfare of Hon Members and the movement to “Job 600”. That is the basis upon which the House Committee came into this Report and I believe that Hon Members would understand that we need to take action on “Job 600” and without the House Committee meeting on the matter, the Joint Caucuses would not have anything to discuss.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Very well.
Hon Members, I would like to find out from the Hon Deputy Majority Leader, has any matter been referred to the House Committee by Mr Speaker?
Mr Agbesi 11:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the matter has not been referred to the House Committee by the Business Committee. The problem is that the issue involving Job 600 is in the domain of the House Committee and they have been meeting frequently on it. I have just been told that the Committee is not functioning.
If it is not functioning, we are only entreating them to work and then we would have something to tell the whole House. [Interruptions] Yes, he is not here and that is why I hold brief for him and I would take all the concerns and reports to the Hon Majority Leader on the views of the House on this matter.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Very well.
Hon Members, in that case, since the Business Committee has made some recommendations, why do we not go by that so that we make progress. This is because when the Joint Caucuses meet, they would look at issues concerning our movement into “Job 600”.
That is the bottom line, and that is what we want to address so that subsequently, we could go by the proper procedure. For example, nothing has been referred to the House Committee for consideration and report so we do not expect them to report to us.
It is a matter which has to do with our welfare, therefore, it falls within their ambit. However, if it becomes difficult for them to meet and the Business Committee wants to prompt the kind of discussions that would have taken place at their meeting at this Joint Caucus meeting, I think it is in the form of the end justifying the means.
Mr Opare-Ansah 11:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, Standing Order 156 is very clear that the House Committee does not need anybody to make its referral. The Standing Orders confer on it those functions already and
so they have the confidence to sit and make these deliberations and then submit a report to this House. The Chairman of the House Committee is the Hon Majority Leader and so when the pro tempore leader is entreating us to do something, it is an abdication of responsibility. I do not know how he, as the one acting as the Chairman of that Committee is now telling us to do something when it is his sole responsibility.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Very well.
Hon Members, I believe that the way out of this quagmire is to direct the House Committee to take up the concerns raised on the floor this morning and to try to take steps to address them. In the meantime, the Joint Caucus meeting proposed by the Business Committee would also take place so that we can solve this problem.
Mr Agbesi 11:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would report to the Chairman of the Business Committee who is the Hon Majority Leader according to what has been said here and I believe that the House Committee would begin functioning for all of us to get the benefit. That is what Hon Members want, I would report to the Hon Majority Leader accordingly.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Very well. Thank you very much.
Hon Members, the Business Statement for the week ending Friday, 17th July, 2015 is hereby adopted.
Mr Agbesi 11:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, at the Commencement of Public Business --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, are the Papers ready?
Very well. Hon Members, Presentation of Papers.
Mr Agbesi 11:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, item number 6 (b), by the Minister for Finance. I would like to make a correction with your permission. It is not “by the Minister for Power” but “by Minister for Finance”.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:45 a.m.
Very well, the correction is effected accordingly.
Mr Agbesi 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to seek permission for the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance to lay the Paper on behalf of the Minister for Finance.
Mrs Gifty Eugenia Kusi 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, please, we would want to know where the Hon Minister is.
Mr Agbesi 11:55 a.m.
The Hon Minister for Finance is engaged in a business with the President at the moment -- [Interruption] -- Yes, it is in the interest of the House.
Mrs Kusi 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we would want to agree but, for a moment. This is because, we want the Hon Minister for Finance to come himself and since he is not available at the moment, we would be expecting that during the course of the day he would be available.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Very well.
Hon Deputy Minister?
PAPERS 11:55 a.m.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Hon Member, what is it? Is it a point of order?
Mr Darko-Mensah 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the project is in respect of Ministry of Roads and Highways, and Finance and so, we thought that the Committee on Roads and Transport would be part of this project.-- [Interruptions] -- No, we worked with them early on the initial project -- [Interruptions] -- We are adding to it and so, we need to look at what has happened and then also be part of the technical team to know whether it is also very important. It is not just finance. This is not just finance --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Hon Member, I believe this has to do with the financial arrangement and not the agreement--
Mr Darko-Mensah 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it is about the project. It is meant for roads and there is a joint memorandum which we have even been given a copy.So, if it is referred -- [Interruptions] -- even the memorandum accompanying it is -- [Interruption.]
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Order! Order!
Allow him -- Hon Members, can we have some order please?
Referred to the Finance Committee.
Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
Mr Agbesi 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, item 6 (c).
By the Chairman of the Committee --
(c) Report of the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs on the Outbreak of Avian Influenza in Ghana.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
Mr Agbesi 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we cannot proceed with items 7 to 15.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
So what do we do? [Pause.]
Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader, we are in your hands.
Mr Agbesi 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, in the circumstance, I would want to -- [Interruption.]
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Hon Members, there is too much noise in the Chamber, please.
Mr Alfred K. Agbesi 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to move the House for adjournment.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Yes, Hon Gifty Kusi?
Mrs Kusi 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much. But, for the fact that we have a funeral to attend, I would wish that the Majority Leader would consider item number 15 next week. This is because, it has been appearing since the last Session and this Session and I do not see the way forward. So, I think we are not going to leave it.
Thank you Mr Speaker, and I beg to second the Motion.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Very well.
Hon Members, the Motion has been moved and seconded that this House stands --
Yes, Hon Member?
Mr Frederick Opare-Ansah 11:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, this is the reason I was saying that these constituency specific questions must be opened to everybody.
Mr Speaker, there is no Business. We are closing --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
There are issues to be dealt with at the Committee level. Committee meetings are going on, and we know that one of our own is bereaved and we have to commiserate with him.
So, Hon Members, I would put the Question.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
ADJOURNMENT 11:55 a.m.
  • The House was accordingly adjourned at 12.02 p.m. till Tuesday, 14thJuly, 2015 at 10.00 a.m.