Debates of 21 Dec 2015

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:50 a.m.
ANNOUNCEMENTS 10:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker 10:50 a.m.
Hon Members, I have received a communication from the Electoral Commission on the recent by- election and I intend to read it:
SPACE FOR COMMUNICATION - PAGE 1 -

SPACE FOR WRIT - PAGE 2 - 10.50 A.M.
Mr Speaker 10:50 a.m.
SPACE FOR WRIT PART II - PAGE 3 - 10.50 A.M.

We have made provision for the taking of the Oath this morning. In fact, this document was mentioned to me at my Lobby just this morning; otherwise, I would have given prior notice to the Leaders of both sides.

I will proceed to administer the Oath.
Ankomah — rose
Mr Speaker 10:50 a.m.
Hon Member for Sekondi?
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 10:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it seems your microphone is quite low. I do not know whether it is your voice because it is the beginning of the week. We are having a difficulty hearing what you are saying --
Mr Speaker 10:50 a.m.
I intend proceeding to administer the Oath.
Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul 10:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Leadership of the Majority side is not here. We have two Ministers who are sitting in front-- the Hon Mahama Ayariga and Hon Ato Forson. So, I find it difficult to understand what is going on. That is conflict of interest--two Ministers -- These are members of the Executive.Though they are also Members of Parliament, they cannot sit there.
Maybe, the Chairman should come and sit down and act on behalf of the Leaders and give us the reasons they are not here.
Mr Mahama Ayariga 10:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, our Leaders will be with us soon.
But I am at a loss because the Hon Deputy Minority Leader did not make
reference to any specific rule that bars any Member of Parliament from sitting in for Leadership in a situation like this.
Mr Nitiwul 10:50 a.m.
The Standing Orders!
Mr Ayariga 10:50 a.m.
Which Standing Order bars a Member of Parliament from sitting in for Leadership?
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 10:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, much as I agree with the Hon Minister, I do not believe that this is a practice that should be encouraged in this House.
There are fairly senior Chairmen here who can hold the fort and then we have a Minister who is a Member of Parliament whose allegiance at this time, obviously, is first to the Executive -- [Interruption] -- Of course! He is a Minister -- we are dealing with estimates. He is a member of Government.[Interruption] -- that is why it should not be encouraged.
Mr Speaker, for instance, a Whip is a Member of Parliament and could be a Minister but we have never had that in this House. It is not to be encouraged. That is the surest way to, as it were, undermine the little independence that we have. We have a very senior outgoing member of the House who is a Chairman for Local Government and Rural Development who is here. We also have that of Defence -- senior, voluntarily outgoing though and they can assume the Chair.
Mr Speaker, is it a salutary practice for the Executive to be determining the direction in which Parliament should be moving? It is not a salutary practice and I would want the Hon Minister to appreciate the point that we are making. And we also see the Deputy Minister for Finance -- of course, he is a Member of Parliament.
Mr Ayariga 10:50 a.m.
— rose --
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 10:50 a.m.
And the Hon Deputy Minister of State could sit down unless he is rising on a point of order. It does not seem he is rising on a point of order.
Mr Speaker 10:50 a.m.
Hon Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation?
Mr Ayariga 10:50 a.m.
And Member of Parliament for Bawku Central.
Mr Speaker 10:50 a.m.
Hon Member, have you read your rules well?
Ministers are referred to by their titles -- Look at your Standing Orders.
Mr Ayariga 10:50 a.m.
That is so, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 10:50 a.m.
So, when I refer to you as a Minister, you do not tell me that you are a Member of Parliament -- you do not tell the Chair that.
Mr Ayariga 10:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I withdraw that.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Member makes a statement that my allegiance is first and foremost to the Executive. Mr Speaker, that is not true.
Like any Member of Parliament, we all swore an Oath of Allegiance to this House and the Oath of Allegiance of people who subsequently become Ministers is not different from the Oath of Allegiance of any ordinary Member of the House.
So, to assert that my allegiance is to the Executive and not to Parliament, is
not borne out by my oath of allegiance to this House.
So, Mr Speaker, my allegiance is to this House as sworn in the oath of allegiance, that every Hon Member of Parliament swears.
Mr Speaker 11 a.m.
Clerk, let them arrange the Hon Member of Parliament-elect to the podium and let me administer the oath to him. [Pause.] [Hear! Hear!]
OATHS 11 a.m.
Mr Speaker 11 a.m.
Hon Deputy Minority Leader, would you want to make any comments?
Mr Nitiwul 11 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to make some comments but I have deferred that to the Hon Deputy Minority Chief Whip.
Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah 11 a.m.
Mr Speaker, let me use this opportunity to welcome our newest Member to Parliament through the recent by-election which was held at Amenfi West.
Mr Speaker, I have checked and I believe it would be on record that his swearing-in is the only time in the history of this Parliament that we are swearing in a Member when none of his Leaders is present. I do not know whether it means that the Leaders are not happy of his presence or what.
That notwithstanding, let me take this opportunity to welcome him to this Parliament and to say that he should first note that he is representing the people of Amenfi West. His party supporters may have voted him to come here to represent them. But the moment he was elected, he
ceased, first, to be a party material but as a representative of all the people of Amenfi West.
So, he should have this at the back of his mind, that yes, some other people may not have voted for him but he is representing all of them. He is now an ambassador of the people of Amenfi West. He may not have the luxury of staying here for four years because he is virtually left with only one year of this term.
I wish him well in his stay in this Parliament and I would just want to plead with him, that even though he is late, he should learn fast to be a major player in the deliberations on the floor here and also at the constituency. He is welcome.
Thank you.
Mr Mahama Ayariga 11 a.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Let me also -- [Interruption.]
Mr Nitiwul 11 a.m.
Mr Speaker, is he responding on behalf of the Leadership or on his own behalf?
Mr Speaker 11 a.m.
Hon Members, you all know that the practice of the House is that if the Leaders -- when I say the Leaders, I mean the Majority or Minority Leader -- any of their deputies or the Whips and any of their deputies -- If they are not around, an Hon Member who is available moves to take their chair and that person by practice of the House, is recognised as such.
It is on that basis that I am recognising the Hon Minister. Indeed, I have done that for both sides on several occasions and the Hon Member for Old Tafo has been a beneficiary of that rule on several occasions.
Mr Nitiwul 11 a.m.
Mr Speaker, because we are building a culture for this House, we do not have a problem if it were a Chairperson. This is because we have several of them who are capable -- We have the Chairman for the Finance Committee; of course, now, we have Hon Dominic Azumah; they could act and we do not have a problem with that.
But as long as we have these people there, we do not expect an Hon Minister to act on behalf of the Leader. That is our problem here. We are not saying that somebody should not act. Our problem is the fact that he is a Minister. We have capable Chairmen and any of them can act.
Mr Speaker 11 a.m.
Hon Members, I think that this is the first time my attention has been drawn to this point, but I believe the House must look at it again. What about if the Hon Majority Leader were a Minister for Parliamentary Affairs? What would have happened? So, we must be very careful. We have Ministers sitting there and as Majority Leader ---What about if he were a Minister for Parliamentary Affairs? -- [Interruption.]
Hon Members, the rule is not a very strict one; it is a flexible one.
So, Hon Minister?
Mr Mahama Ayariga 11:10 a.m.
Mr Speaker, indeed, many of us would continue to be guided by your wisdom in this matter.
rose
Mr Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Hon Members, the practice of the House is that, we normally take one comment from both sides on these occasions.
On behalf of the House, I congratulate the newest Hon Member of this House.
The advice is that, you represent the whole constituency -- those who voted for you and those who voted against you. In all your endeavours, make sure that you would represent all of them. If you are able to do that, you would go far in your parliamentary career. I wish you well for the remaining of your stay in this House.
Hon Members, last Friday, I intimated that the rate at which we are going with the annual budget estimates, I would want to invoke Standing Order 148. For the avoidance of doubt, I would want to read the Standing Order 148.
The opening note reads:
“Speaker to put all questions on outstanding matters on last day of debate.”
Standing Order 148 states:
“On the last of the days allotted for debating the Budget Mr. Speaker shal l , f i fteen minutes before adjournment of the sitting, put every question necessary for the disposing of all the outstanding matters on the Budget.”
Hon Members, from the Business Statement that was presented and adopted by the House, we are supposed to rise tomorrow.
As we are talking now, my understanding of Standing Order 148 does not include Bills. This is because the procedure for passing Bills is outlined in the Constitution and we have no choice.
We have to follow the procedure for passing Bills. So, the Appropriation Bill is not one of the matters being referred to in Standing Order 148.
Therefore, if you continue at this rate, I will be putting the Questions. I will be tempted to put the Questions on the estimates for us to lay the Appropriation Bill, so that we can rise in good time tomorrow.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah 11:10 a.m.
Mr Speaker, in the light of the position you have taken, I would appeal to the Leadership of the Majority side, whose available Leader is the Hon Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation to ensure that you do not resort to Standing Order 148. The ball is in their court; it is the Government. For a long time, the Government has been derelict in its duty.
Look at the Leadership on the Majority side; there is no Leadership now. Mr Speaker, that accounts for what is happening before this House.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Nitiwul 11:10 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it is the duty of Hon Members of Parliament, both at the committee level and in the plenary, to scrutinise the estimates. This happens once in a year.
Mr Speaker, I understand the difficulties that we face as a House; but I also think that Hon Members should be given the opportunity to scrutinise the estimates on the floor. It is not our fault; it is no fault of any Hon Member of Parliament here, that the estimates are not ready -- at all.
Mr Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Hon Member, I am not blaming anybody. I am only trying to invoke the Standing Orders of the House.
Mr Nitiwul 11:10 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I understand, but I hope we do not resort to it, so that Hon Members get the opportunity to scrutinise the estimates on the floor of the House.
This is because, unfortunately, our Standing Orders do not permit the media to be at the committee level to see exactly what happens there. So, until they come to the floor here, members of the public do not really know what goes on. It is only here, that when Hon Members begin to point out and raise the issues, that the public gets to know. That is one of the reasons Hon Members of Parliament are having problems.
Mr Speaker, let us see what we can do. We should be guided by the Leadership here and see what we can do to ensure that Hon Members do that.
Mr Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Very well. Let us see what we can do. I am only drawing your attention to Standing Order 148, that if we cannot finish looking at the estimates, I will be forced to put the Questions on the remaining matters. I will want to pass the Appropriation Bill as early as possible tomorrow and adjourn this House sine die.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 11:10 a.m.
Mr Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Hon Members, Correction of the Votes and Proceedings of Friday, 18th December, 2015.
Page 1…20.
Mr George K. Arthur 11:10 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on page 17, item xliv, “Mr Emmanuel Aboagye Nursing Training College”. I think the Hansard Department should -- [Interruptions.]
Mr Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Hon Members, Order! Order!
Mr G. K. Arthur 11:20 a.m.
It is NTC alright, but it is not the “Nursing Training College”. It should be “National Teaching Council”.
The Hon Deputy Minister is here; if he could advise us on that.
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Page 21…26.
Mr G. K. Arthur 11:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on page 20, item xxxiv, it should be “Alhaji Abubakari” and not “Mr Alhaji Abubakari”. This is because the “Alhaji” itself is a title.
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Page 27…28. [Pause]
Hon Members, the Votes and Proceedings of Friday, 18th December, 2015 are adopted as the true record of proceedings.
At the Commencement of Public Business.
Are those Papers ready to be laid?
Mr Ayariga 11:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Transport is ready. [Interruption] -- Item number 5(a) on the Order Paper by the Hon Minister for Transport.
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Hon Members, yes?
Hon Members, presentation of Papers. Item number 5(a) by the Hon Minister for Transport.
PAPERS 11:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Do we have the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice here? 5(b).
Mr Ayariga 11:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, item 5(b) is ready but the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice is not here and I would want to crave your indulgence for the Hon Minister for Trade and Industry to be granted permission to lay the Paper.
rose
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Yes?
Mr Awuah 11:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the available Leader was seeking your permission --
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Yes, please, that is why I have called you.
Do you have any objection?
Mr Awuah 11:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, even before you would --[Laughter.]
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Hon Awuah, that is why I have called you.
Mr Awuah 11:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, that is the essence of Leadership being present. It is unfortunate the Leadership is not here and that is why the Majority side of the House is messing up this morning.
Mr Speaker, that notwithstanding, I do not have any objection to the Hon Minister for Trade and Industry standing in for the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice.
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Hon Minister for Trade and Industry, on behalf of the Attorney- General and Minister for Justice.
By the Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah)(on behalf of the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) --
Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Referred to the Committee on Constitutional, Legal And Parliamentary Affairs.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I just want to ask the Hon Minister for Trade and Industry if he is sure that there are sufficient copies of the Paper available?
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
In fact, I have been informed by the Clerks-at-the-Table that there are sufficient copies. [Laughter.]
Yes, item numbered 5 (c). Do we have all the items?
Mr Ayariga 11:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, item 5 (c) is not ready and we want your permission to stand it down and move straight to the Motions.
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Very well.
We move to item 5(d). Where is the Hon Member for Wenchi?
Do we have any member of the Special Budget Committee here?
rose
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Hon Member for Manhyia South, on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee.
Are the Reports ready?
Very well.
Then Hon Member for Manhyia South, you will lay it on behalf of the Chairman.
Item numbered 5(d)(i)
By Dr Matthew OpokuPrempeh (on behalf of the Committee)
(i) Report of the Special Budget Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of the District Assemblies' Common Fund Administrator for the year ending 31st December 2016.
(ii) Report of the Special Budget Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of the National Media Commission (NMC) for the year ending 31st December,
2016.
(iii)Report of the Special Budget Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of Parliament for the year ending 31st December,
2016.
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Is the Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary here? Do we have any member of the Committee on Judiciary here?
Mr Patrick Y. Boamah 11:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker --
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Yes, is the Paper ready?
Mr Boamah 11:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it has been distributed to us.
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Is it ready?
Mr Boamah 11:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, yes.
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Very well.
You will lay it on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee.
Item 5(e) on behalf of the Chairman.

By Mr Patrick Boamah (on behalf of the Chairman) of the Committee) --

Report of the Committee on Judiciary on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Judicial Service for the year ending 31st December, 2016.

Report of the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs on the convention for the establish- ment of the Fishery Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) and the Headquarters Agreement for Ghana to host the Fishery Committee.
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Item 7 --
Hon Deputy Minister for Finance, have you resolved the figure on item 7? So, I can put the Question before we move to item 8?
Mr Cassiel Ato Forson 11:20 a.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker. Last Friday, we resolved the issue.
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Have you resolved the issue?
Mr Forson 11:20 a.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
What is the figure?
Mr Forson 11:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the right amount is ¢38,918,393 for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Chairman of the Committee, is that correct?
Mr George Aboagye 11:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, that is very correct.
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
What accounts for the difference? This is because in the
Committee's Report, when they added it the last time, they had ¢38,910,39. Where is the discrepancy coming from, so that we can correct our records accordingly before I put the Question.
Mr Aboagye 11:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the dis- crepancy is coming from item 6 -- GMMB. I think the figure was --
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Please, speak into the microphone.
Mr Aboagye 11:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the figure was muddled up. It was not -- I do not know whether it was a typographical error. It came from item 6 and so, we were able to correct it.
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
So, item 6. What do you mean by item 6? At what page of the Committee's Report?
Mr Aboagye 11:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, page 8.
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Item 6, GMMB. Yes!
So, what should be the correct figure there?
Mr Aboagye 11:20 a.m.
The correct figure there should be ¢6,963,097.
Mr Speaker 11:20 a.m.
And you are telling the House that if one adds all these figures in the last column at page 8, we would arrive at ¢38,918,393. Is that what you are telling the House?
Mr Aboagye 11:20 a.m.
Mr Speaker, that is correct.
Mr Speaker 11:30 a.m.
Very well.
Item 7 -- Motions.

ANNUAL ESTIMATES, 2016

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creatice Arts
  • [Resumption of Debate from 18/12/ 15]
    • Mr Speaker 11:30 a.m.
    Item number 8, is it ready?
    The Hon Minister is here to move the Motion.
    Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you for all the co-operation. I was caught up somewhere trying to fight for the interest of the House.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister is available and the Hon Chairman is also there. So, we can take item number 8.
    Mr Speaker 11:30 a.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Members, item number 8 on the Order Paper, standing in the name of the Hon Minster for Trade and Industry.
    Hon Minister, you have the floor.
    ANNUAL ESTIMATES, 2016
    Ministry of Trade and Industry
    Hon Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah): Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢259,360,239 for the services of the Ministry of Trade and Industry for the year ending 31 st December, 2016.

    Mr Speaker, the mandate of the Ministry of Trade and Industry is to formulate, implement, monitor and evaluate trade, industry and private sector policies and programmes, to make Ghana a major manufacturing, value-added, competitive and export-oriented economy.

    This is being achieved through the implementation of a range of programmes that propel the private sector to play the leading role in trade and industry, and to contribute significantly to inclusive and sustainable economic growth and employment creation.

    For the year 2016, Mr Speaker, the highlights of the programme to be pursued and some of the key expected outputs relate to the following:

    Firstly, Domestic and International Trade Development and Promotion.

    In this category, the programme seeks to create a competitive advantage for Ghana in diversified range of products with higher levels of value addition while ensuring Ghana's global competitiveness.

    Under this programme, the promotion of made in Ghana goods and services would be vigorously pursued through an aggressive campaign, which involves the following initiatives among others -- introducing a made in Ghana logo, to signify a seal of quality and hallmark of creativity.

    Secondly, continuous market support to small and medium enterprises to showcase their products to prospective consumers both local and international through the web-based product gallery, which is www.ghanatrade.gov.gh.which currently displays over 8,500 products and services, all made in Ghana.

    The introduction and implementation of a comprehensive made in Ghana policy that provides a framework to promote the
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr George K. Aboagye) 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to suppor t the Motion that th is Honourable House approves the sum of
    GH¢259,360,239 for the services of the Ministry of Trade and Industry for the year ending 31st December 2016.
    Mr Speaker, in so doing, I present your Committee's Report
    Introduction
    The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2016 financial year was presented to the House on Friday, 13th November, 2015 by the Hon Minister of Finance, Mr Seth Emmanuel Terkper.
    The Rt Hon Speaker referred the 2016 Annual Estimates of the Ministry of Trade and Industry to the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism for consideration and report in accordance with article 179 of the Constitution of Ghana and pursuant to Orders 140 (4) and 159 of the Standing Orders of the House.
    In considering the Annual Estimates, the Committee met with the Hon Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan and the technical team from the Ministry, its departments and agencies. The Committee appreciates their invaluable assistance.
    Reference documents
    The following documents served as reference guide during the Committee's deliberations:
    i. 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana
    ii. Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana
    iii. MDA's 2015 Actuals
    iv. 2016 Budget Statement and Economic Policy
    --GEPA 11:30 a.m.
    GCNET 11:30 a.m.
    CEDECOM 11:30 a.m.
    Mr Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Member, is it GH¢259,360,238.00 or GH¢259,360,239.00?
    Mr G. K. Aboagye 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is GH¢259,360,239.00 in the Order Paper.
    Mr Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Then you would have to amend your Committee's Report. You have GH¢259,360,238.00 in your Conclusion. Look at your Committee's Report;the GH¢259,360,239.00 is correct, but look at
    Mr Aboagye 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we are amending the amount to GH¢259,360,239.00. This should captured by the Hansard Department.
    Mr Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    So, what is the correct figure?
    Mr G. K. Aboagye 11:40 a.m.
    The correct figure is GH¢259,360,239.00 as reflected in the Order Paper.
    Mr Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Committee Members, you do not need the Chair to be drawing your attention to some of these things. These are figures. The Hansard Depart- ment should take note that, in the Conclusion of the Report, the amount has been amended to read GH¢259,360,239.00.
    I am sorry, Hon Chairman of the Committee, you would need to work on your Report. This is because, there are a lot of things that you have to correct. I do not know what work Committee has been doing of late. You have the macro ceilings on page 205 of the Budget Statement. So, the first point you would have to look at is to open page 205 of the Budget Statement to look at the macro ceilings of the various Ministries.
    Then, when you come back, you should look at your Committee's Report to make sure they tally. After that, you should check the Order Paper to find out whether the correct figure has been put there.
    If you look at page 10 of 15 of your Committee's Report,Table 2, you repeated GH¢259,360,238.00.In table 3, it is
    GH¢259,360,238.00.
    Hon Chairman, what is happening to your Committee? Last Friday, we experienced the same thing and that is why we had to defer putting the Question.Today, we have the same problem.
    Mr Aboagye 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we would correct it and re-submit as soon as possible.
    Mr Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    You should amend your Report. I should not amend it for you.
    rose
    Mr Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Are you a member of the Committee? You are the Deputy Ranking Member?
    Mr Titus-Glover 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, just like you permitted us to do the corrections on the annual estimate for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, we would be grateful if that opportunity is given us to make that amendment while we second the Motion.
    Mr Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    The Motion has been seconded, and he submitted the Committee's Report.
    Mr Titus-Glover 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, this is because from outside, we might also want to make some contributions.
    Mr Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    This would find expression in the Hansard. This is what the Hansard Department is going to capture. When they pick our Official Report, which is the Hansard, and they see these types of errors, it is not the best for the House. So, do me a favour: Add up the total you put there and see if they add up to GH¢259,360,239.00.
    Look at Table 2 and see, if the total would add up to GH¢259,360,239.00 for all the tables there.Even in the 2016 outlook for the Ministry, you have GH¢259,360,238.00, both in figures and words.
    So, look at them and see if they would get to GH¢259,360,239.00. This is because this is what would go into the Appropriation Bill at the end of the day. It means the Committee is using a different figure and the Ministry is using a different figure, but the Minister's figure is correct. The Committee's figure is wrong.
    We now know the total, but what we are not sure of is whether when one adds Compensation, Goods and Services and Assets, one would get that figure.
    Hon Member for Wenchi?
    Prof. George Y. Gyan-Baffour 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, when you take the numbers in their disaggregated form, they sum up to GH¢259,360,238.00, but when you look at the controls which is a line, it is GH¢259,360,239.00, which means that the Ministry of Finance might have had a running error somewhere along the line.
    What we could go with is the control numbers at the end; the one which would go into the Appropriation Bill on pages 206 and 207. In my opinion, the figure the Hon Minister mentioned is the correct number. There is some missing points.
    Mr Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Yes! Hon Member for Wenchi, the Hon Minister moves a Motion and gives a particular figure, the Committee that is supposed to scrutinise the estimate is recommending a different figure in their conclusion. There is a problem, and for us, we need to reconcile it with the Committee's Report. This is because they are supposed to scrutinise the Hon Minister's figure. They are giving us a different figure, and even if it is one Ghanaian cedi, it means a lot.
    Very well.

    What I will do is that I want to give some few minutes to the Committee to go and -- I believe that the Hon Minister's figure is right but the problem is that we have a different figure from the Committee, which creates a problem for the House.
    Prof. Gyan-Baffour 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, that was what I said. When you total them by categories, it comes to GH¢259,360,238.00 but when the Ministry of Finance was actually doing the final thing, they came up with GH¢259,360,239.00 because of the running errors somewhere along the line. But for the purposes of approving the budget --
    Mr Speaker 11:50 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Wenchi, so, the Committee should ask them why it is 238. If it is some decimal point that they have corrected to the nearest whole number, then they would tell the Committee and they would have an explanation on the floor of the House.
    Prof. Gyan-Baffour 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Chairman should give an explanation. I think that is the real reason. Just amend this one to reflect what the Hon Minister said, which is the correct one.
    Mr Speaker 11:50 a.m.
    Hon Members, I am going to defer this matter. Never again in this House that committees would submit recommendations to the House and when there is a problem, they go on radio stations to say that they have been misled. So, when they bring their committee reports, I would ask the appropriate questions to clarify. This is because the Hon Minister moved a different figure and the Committee is giving us a different figure.
    So, I will defer this matter for the Committee to go back and bring the correct figure, offer explanation to the House and
    Mr Speaker 11:50 a.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, is the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development ready?
    Mr Bagbin 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think it is important we draw the attention of the Committees, particularly the Chairman, that at page 205 of the Budget Statement -- It is appendix 4(a) and on the Appendix, we have the grand total. The committees should look carefully whether in their estimates, the grand total includes other Government obligations. If that is included, then that should be taken off from the grand total. So, they should be looking at the MDA's total for the sector.
    This is because other Government obligations would come to the Finance Committee, which had already been referred to them and they would present a report on them. This is because those moneys do not go to the sector. They are handled differently but they are things that impact on the sector and that is why they put them there. So, they should crosscheck together with the Table Office, so that the Order Paper would capture the right figure.
    I have seen that on a number of the Motions that are before us today. Before moving the Motions, the Hon Ministers should make the corrections, if they are so stated on the Order Paper. It is very important.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development is available; the Report is ready and the Chairman is here. So, we could move to item 19.
    Mr Speaker 11:50 a.m.
    Hon Members, item number 19 on the Order Paper.
    Hon Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, you have the floor.
    ANNUAL ESTIMATES, 2016
    Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development
    Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (Ms Hanny-Sherry Ayittey) 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢52,706,712 for the services of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Speaker, out of this, Government of Ghana is providing GH¢6,725,270.00; IGFs contribution would be GH¢11,875,210.00; ABFA would be GH¢22,132,226.00 and donors contribution would be GH¢11,
    974,008.00.
    Mr Speaker, these resources would be utilised to deliver upon the Ministry's mandate of promoting sustainable management of aquatic resources, enforcement of fisheries laws and regulations and accelerating aquaculture development. They would also support the following objective of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development under the National Medium-term Development Framework, 2014 to 2017 to:
    a) enhance fish production and productivity;
    b) promote aquaculture develop- ment;
    c) improve policy and institutional frameworks for coordination of fisheries development and
    effective coastal resource management;
    d) expand opportunities for job creation; and
    e) ensure sustainable use of wetlands and water resources.
    Mr Speaker, the vote, when approved, would enable the Ministry to concentrate on enhancing fish production and productivity through control of fishing effort and protection, conservation and co-management of fisheries resources.
    Mr Speaker, it would also allow us to strengthen the district and zonal extension services delivery system as part of our concerted effort to grow the aquaculture value chain.
    Mr Speaker, I now humbly request the House to consider and approve the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development's annual planned expenditure of GH¢52,706,712.00 for the year 2016 fiscal and financial year.
    Question proposed.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Gabriel K. Essilfie) 11:50 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion and in doing so, I present your Committee's Report.
    Introduction
    The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2016 financial year was presented to Parliament, by the Minister for Finance, Hon Seth Terkper, on 13th November, 2015 in accordance with article 179 of the 1992 Constitution.
    Pursuant to Orders 140 (4) and 176 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, Mr Speaker referred the draft Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development to the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs for consideration and report to the House.
    Deliberations
    The Committee met on 16th December 2015, and considered the draft estimates of the Ministry. Present at the meeting were the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Hon Sherry Hanny Ayittey, the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mrs Rebecca Amooh Aboagye and other officials from the Ministry. The Committee is grateful to the Hon Minister and her team for their inputs and clarifications.
    Reference materials
    The Committee was guided by the following documents during its deliberations:
    i. The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana
    ii. The Standing Orders of Parlia- ment
    iii. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Govern- ment of the Republic of Ghana for the 2015 financial year
    iv. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of the Republic of Ghana for the 2016 financial year
    v The Medium Term Expenditure Framework of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development for 2015-2017
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Gabriel K. Essilfie) 11:50 a.m.
    vi. The Medium Term Expenditure Framework of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development for 2016-2018.
    Mission statement
    The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development exists to promote sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development through research, technical support services, regulations, institutional building for co- management and stakeholders' participa- tion, provision of statistical and economic intelligence information, monitoring,
    control and surveillance services (MCS), regional cooperation and the active promotion of livelihood improvement in fishing communities.
    Review of performance for 2015
    Financial performance for 2015
    The Committee noted that as at October 2015, an amount of GH¢28,230,433.64 representing 49.08 per cent of the revised total budget of GH¢57,514,577.00 had been released to the Ministry to implement its planned activities. The breakdown of the expenditure is presented in the table below:

    Table 1: Financial Performance by Economic Classification

    SPACE FOR TABLE 1 - PAGE 7 - 11.50 A.M.

    Management and Administration

    The Committee was informed that a total of 116 out of a target of 287 staff were trained in various fisheries and aquaculture related courses.

    Fisheries Resource Management Programme

    The Ministry embarked on a national sensitisation campaign on vessel

    registration and embossment along coastal fishing communities of Ghana to enhance voluntary compliance. As a result a total of 10,207 marine canoes out of a target of 12,728 marine canoes were registered, of which 7,302 were embossed by the Ministry during the year.

    Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Programme

    To enforce Fisheries Laws and Regulations to protect aquatic resources,

    18 Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) were installed on industrial trawlers bringing the total to 97. The Fisheries Law Enforcement Unit carried out 360 and 240 hours of sea and land Patrol/Surveillance exercises respectively, and 60 arrests were made regarding illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities. Seventeen (17) Judicial Officers were also trained in maritime law and fisheries adjudication including Alternative Dispute Resolution

    (ADR).

    Aquatic Animal Health and post-Harvest Programme

    The following key deliverables during the year under review were achieved by the Ministry in respect of Aquatic Animal Health and post-Harvest Management:

    A National Association of Fish Processors and Traders (NAFPTA) was established and the members introduced to modern techniques in fish handling, processing and storage in order to reduce post- harvest losses and also strengthen the management of fishery resources.

    An improved fish smoking facility was commissioned at New Nzulezu for fish processors at Ekpu in the Jomoro District of the Western Region

    A total of 3,884.61 mt of fish feed and 205.94mt of other fish species were exported.

    Outlook for 2016

    Management and Administration

    The Ministry intends to undertake the following activities under the Manage-

    ment and Administration Programme in the ensuing year (2016):

    Collaborate with relevant stakeholders including private sector to roll out the Fisheries Nucleus Out-grower Input Support Scheme in 25 fishing communities along the Volta Lake

    Increase aquaculture fish production from 46,250mt to a target of 85,000mt

    Partner with the private sector to promote the production of shrimps, mollusca, clams and tilapia

    Collaborate with the private sector to establish two fish feed production units to support aquaculture and shrimp production

    Rehabilitate three public hatcheries at Kona-Odumase, Ashaiman and Dormaa-Ahenkro to boost fingerling production for aquaculture.

    Fisheries Resource Management Programme

    The Ministry intends to implement the following activities under the above Programme Area in 2016:

    Rehabilitate six fish landing sites at Mumford, James Town, Teshie, Anloga, Tapa-Abotoase and Dzemeni under the West Africa Regional Fisheries Project

    (WARFP)

    Construct 25 landing sites at Axim, Dixcove, Elmina, Komenda, Moree, Kpando-Torkor, Winneba, Senya- Breku, Fete, Ada, Keta, Cape Coast, Tema New Town, et cetera.

    Supply 2,000 outboard motors.
    Mr William A. Quaittoo (NPP -- Akim Oda) noon
    Thank you Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to add my voice to the Motion on the floor.
    Mr Speaker, on assessing the estimates of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, one would realise that despite the fact that last year's budget was revised downwards from about GH¢72.5 million to GH¢57.5 million, a lot of the targets were achieved.

    Mr Speaker, the question I asked myself was, was it not the case of the Ministry pricing themselves and laughing? This is because if the budget was revised downwards, and as of October, 2015, only about 49 per cent of the total allocation was released, yet almost every target that was set was achieved. I thought they could have done better than what was targeted.

    Mr Speaker, going forward in the same manner, this year's budget compared to last year's budget, has been pegged around the revised budget of last year -- around GH¢52 million. Mr Speaker, what worries me most is that about 65 per cent of this budget would go to capital expenditure. If this is how we are going to run the budget and that is how the money that is being allocated to the Ministry would be used, then what it tells me is that, apart from Compensation, the rest would be used in building infrastructure, most of which may not be in the technical remit of the staff there to supervise.

    It means that staff would be paid and yet structures, which would be built, which would be supervised by other Ministries or sectors, would go on and the staff would not do very much. This is because the core competence of the staff there, which involves aquaculture and other developments, have not been given much allocation. Most of it would go to building cold stores, landing sites et cetera, which are usually not supervised by the Ministry.

    Mr Speaker, last year, another thing that worried me was that, a lot of money was allocated to Compensation, for which the Ministry proposed, that they would hire more staff to help them achieve most of the work they wanted to do. This is because they have been complaining that they do not have technical people to do the work.
    Mr Speaker noon
    Last contribution.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Mr Kwame Asafu-Adjei (NPP -- Nsuta/Kwamang/Beposo) noon
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    I rise in support of the Motion on the floor, which is to approve the budgetary allocation of GH¢52,706,712.00 to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development.
    In doing so, Mr Speaker, I would like to commend the Ministry. As the Hon Deputy Ranking Member has said, that all the targets set were achieved.
    However, they are also asking for money to purchase 2,000 outboard motors. Mr Speaker, I do agree with them but I am looking at it in the area of distribution. Are the beneficiaries going to be across board or just certain people? Is it particular people or individuals?
    I would also want to know, when it comes to terms of payment for these outboard motors -- I think it is very important that in the near future, when they are going to do the purchasing, they should let us know the disbursement and distribution of these outboard motors.
    One thing which also excited me is the area of providing insurance to the fisherfolks. I think it is very important. They would provide life, inputs insurances among others. I commend them and I would also like this House to approve the money that the Ministry is asking for.
    With these comments, Mr Speaker, I thank you very much and I support the Motion.
    Minority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu) 12:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, just a few observations.
    First, the Ministry informs us that they intend to increase aquaculture production from 46,250 metric tonnes to 85,000 metric tonnes. It is more or less doubling the output for 2015. How is it intended to be done? We are not too sure.
    Doubling the production from 46,000 to 85,000, a quantum leap, how is it intended to be achieved?
    Mr Speaker, the second thing relates to the Compensation. Unless we are being told that workers have been declared, perhaps, redundant, Compensation for last year in that Ministry was
    GH¢7,076,460.00.
    For 2016, we have a major clamp down in the amount to GH¢6,315,826.00. We thought that under normal circumstances -- Not even factoring in inflation and depreciation of the cedi, one would have thought that they would be a climb down, but now there is a climb down. What informed that? We are not told.
    Mr Speaker, the Ministry is telling us that they intend to supply 2,000 outboard motors. How are they going to procure them? Is it from the allocation to them? The supply to the beneficiaries, is it going to be subsidised? Or at what level of release the Ministry would effect this? Nobody knows.
    We are entering an election year and we would want to be properly informed about this, so that it does not appear as if it is going to end up as a largesse.
    We should be informed about what is going to happen to the 2,000 outboard motors -- how they are going to be procured, what methods are going to be employed to distribute them if they are meant to be free. Or if we intend to sell them at market prices or subsidised rates, it is important that we get to know this.
    Mr Speaker, I asked the initial question because with respect to capital expen- diture, from the appropriated amount of GH¢48,956,517 of last year -- Again, for capital expenditure, we just have about a total of GH¢34 million. What bearing is it going to have on increasing or even doubling the production of fisheries? Increasing it from 46,000 to 85,000 metric tonnes? So, if the Hon Minister could offer some explanations to some of us, we would be most grateful.
    While we are at that, we are told that fish feed was exported and that a total of
    3,884 metric tonnes of fish feed was exported. Now, the Ministry is informing us that they intend to establish additional fish feed production. What is the reason behind that since already they have gone beyond the satisfaction of the local market and you are now even exporting fish feed? You are telling us that your focus into 2016 is to establish two additional fish feed production units. What informed that?
    Mr Speaker, I just want to know from the Ministry and I require answers from the Hon Minister.
    Thank you
    Mr Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    Hon Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, kindly wind up.
    Ms Ayittey 12:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to take the issue first on the outboard motors.
    Mr Speaker, the Ministry is going to facilitate the programme for the distribution of the outboard motors. The Ministry has registered 12,000 canoes, and all these canoes have been embossed.
    Mr Speaker, the outboard motors would be distr ibuted through the Distr ict Assemblies. The beneficiaries would make upfront payment of these outboard motors before they receive them.
    The Ministry is going to establish letters of credit for the importation of these outboard motors. We have received special invoice from the producers and manufacturers of the outboard motors. That would make the cost lower than what is on the market.
    Mr Speaker, on the increase in capital expenditure, the Ministry is currently undertaking the construction of the Anomabo Fisheries College. This is partly being funded through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA).
    Mr Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, do we take item 20 or 18?
    ANNUAL ESTIMATES, 2016
    Ministry of Trade and Industry
  • [Resumption of debate from column 2702]
    • Mr Bagbin 12:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have been told that the issue that cropped up in item 8 has been resolved. It was left with putting the Question but the figures differed. I have just been informed that it has been resolved and if we may allow them to brief the House, so that you can put the Question for item 8 before we move to the next item.
    Mr Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    Very well.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Minister for Finance?
    Mr Forson 12:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the error occurred on page 10 of the Committee's Report. Mr Speaker, page 10 of the Committee's Report, under asset, the IGFs amount should read GH¢48,746,248 not GH¢48,746,247. So, the total under Asset should read GH¢104,197,150, not GH¢104,197,149. Therefore, giving us the total for the Ministry as GH¢259,360,239, not GH¢259,360,238.
    12. 20.p.m.
    Mr Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    Very well.
    What I intend doing is to get the Chairman of the Committee to amend the Committee's Report based on your explanation to change the figures. This is because we have the figures running through the whole of page 10. We also have it at the conclusion. So, I will then open the floor after that.
    Mr Aboagye 12:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, as the Hon Member said, we have amended the particular figure on page 10 accordingly and to also reflect on the conclusion, that the sum of GH¢259,360,239 being the budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Trade and Industry to enable it undertake its programmes and activities for 2016 fiscal year be approved.
    Mr Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    The correct figure, apart from the IGFs has to read GH¢ 48,746,248 and therefore, the overall total for Assets is now GH¢104,197,150. We have also amended the Outlook for the Ministry for 2016 to read, GH¢259,360,239. Then for the Table 3 too, you have amended it accordingly. Is that correct?
    Hon Minority Leader, the total is GH¢ 259,360,239, not GH¢ 259,360,238. The error was detected to be under IGF, Table 2, IGF It is GH¢ 48,776,248, not GH¢ 48,776,247. So, that is where the discrepancy came from; and the final total figure for Assets then will now be GH¢
    104,197,150.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, my worry is that, if Compensation is GH¢ 47,681,740 and Goods and Services is GH¢ 107,481,349 and Assets as we are being told is GH¢104,197,150, the total would end at 8 and not 9.
    Mr Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    What will it be?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:10 p.m.
    The last three figures there will be 238 and not 239.
    Mr Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    Even after the correction?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the amount, we have two 9s ending and totalling them will end at 8 and not 9.
    Mr Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    No! It will be 9.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:10 p.m.
    In what way, Mr Speaker?
    Mr Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    With the correction, it will be 9. Look at Table 2.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am reading from the amendment made by the Hon Deputy Minister and echoed by the Chairman. You are saying that Compensation is GH¢ 47,681,740, then Goods and Services, GH¢ 107,481,349, for Assets, it is GH¢ 104,197,150. Then you come to the total, you have only 2 -- it is corrected to 150.
    Mr Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    Yes!
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:10 p.m.
    All right. You are right then, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker 12:10 p.m.
    Hon Members, Motion moved and seconded, it is for the consideration of the House.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved:
    That this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢259,360,239 for the services of the Ministry of Trade and Industry for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Minister for Education (Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang) 12:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, before I move the Motion, I wish to draw the attention of the august House to the figure as captured on the Order Paper as erroneous. I therefore, wish to move for the approval of a total amount of GH¢6,532, 352, 28 for the services of the Ministry of Education and its agencies for the 2016 fiscal year. So, having drawn the attention, I wish to respectfully suggest that, the correction be made.
    Mr Speaker, the breakdown is as follows 12:30 p.m.
    Government of Ghana, GH¢ 4,862,412,944; IGFs, GH¢ 1,525,416,520; donor fund, GH¢ 144,522,564.
    Mr Speaker, the amount is required to be disbursed for the Ministry's activities in respect of compensation of employees, goods and services and capital expenditure.
    The breakdown is as follows: Compensation, GH¢4,878,118,791, representing 74.7 per cent; goods and services, GH¢ 1,304,010,475, representing 20 per cent; and capital expenditure, GH¢ 350,222,762, representing 5.3 per cent.
    Mr Speaker, in 2016, the Ministry will continue to work towards the achievement of the following broad policy objectives at all levels of education: One, improving
    the management of education service delivery; two, increasing inclusive and equitable access to and participation in quality education; three, improving the quality of teaching and learning; four, promoting the teaching and learning of science, mathematics and technology and five, ensuring the provision of life skills training.
    Operational focus for 2016, Mr Speaker, the amount for which approval of this august House is being sought, will facilitate the implementation of the Ministry's operations in 2016. Notable among them are:
    to improve the legal regulatory and institutional framework through the amendment of outdated acts of agencies under the Ministry; develop a national education action plan to reflect the renewed focus on quality education to be implemented as part of the sustainable development goals over the next fifteen years;
    implement additional measures, including retraining of mathematics and science teachers from 200 schools, and supply both manual and digitised instructural material in the four core subjects to complement face to face instruction in second cycle institutions;
    facilitate the installation and equip- ment of 100 beneficial schools under the Phase 2 of the Science Resource Project;
    collaborate with Department for International Development (DFID) and the Teaching Universities to implement the transforming of Teacher Education and Learning Project, which is aimed at enhancing teachers' ability to adopt effective teaching approaches;
    engage the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to pursue measures to avert the recurrence of examination malpractices; and
    monitor the implementation of the progressively free Senior High School Programme, to benefit an estimated number of 331,775 day students for the second and third terms of the 2014/2015 academic year and progressively expand it to cover some 120,000 boarding students for the 2016/2017 academic year.
    Mr Speaker, also complete the 23 new community day high schools and upgrade facilities in 50 existing senior high schools under the Secondary Education Improvement Project, and so many other interventions including the polytechnics, the Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) Complemen-tary Basic Education and many others as already communicated.

    Question proposed.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Mathias A. Puozaa) 12:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion but before then, there is a wrong calculation. While in the Budget Statement, the Hon Minister for Finance is allocating GH¢6,532,352,029. In actual fact, it should have been GH¢6,532,352,028 and not GH¢6,532,352,029 as it appears here. This has been crosschecked with the Ministry and they have agreed that this is what we are going to present and it is the right thing.
    Mr Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    I am not getting the point that you are making. The figure which is the subject matter of this Motion is GH¢6,532,352,028. That is what is in your
    Committee's Report, in the Ministry of Finance's document on page 205 and what the Hon Minister has corrected before moving the Motion.
    Hon Member, are you telling us that the figure you are talking about is different from any of these figures? It seems that you are mentioning a figure that is different from the one that the Hon Minister has moved.
    Mr Puozaa 12:30 p.m.
    What I am presenting is the same as what the Hon Minister has done but I am just trying to-- because Hon Colleagues might refer to the Budget Statement and challenge whatever we are doing.
    Mr Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    Well, I get the point that you are making. You are saying that the last figure should be 28 and not 29. Did you discuss the difference at the Committee meeting? It is not a straight- forward matter. There is a difference of GH¢1.00, but the Ministry of Finance's figure is GH¢6,532,352,029.
    The Committee's figure is not the same as this one; the Hon Minister's figure is the same as the Committee's figure. So, did you crosscheck this figure with the Ministry of Finance?
    Mr Puozaa 12:30 p.m.
    I did, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    And what did they say?
    Mr Puozaa 12:30 p.m.
    I think that is just a typographical error. When we calculate the figures given for the various sectors, you would arrive at the GH¢8 and not
    GH¢9.
    Mr Bagbin 12:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we went through these figures together. The error is from the Budget Statement on page 205. It should be GH¢6,532,352,028 but they typed GH¢6,532,352,029. So, the mistake is in the Budget Statement, which has been admitted by the Ministry and that is
    Mr Puozaa 12:30 p.m.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
    With your permission, I would like to present the Committee's Report.
    Mr Kyei -Mensah- Bonsu 12:30 p.m.
    -- rose--
    Mr Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    Yes Hon Minority Leader.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:30 p.m.
    On a point of order.
    Mr Speaker, this correction that is being effected to have the MDA total read GH¢6,532,352,028 instead of GH¢6,532,352,029 -- If it is GH¢6,532,352,028, it would bring down the overall total from GH¢24, 468,834,384 to GH¢24,468,834,383. Now, the 383 plus 349 in other Government Obligations would certainly not amount to the 734 at the end of the grand total, which is GH¢50,109,851,734. It would not add up and if you agree, how then do you get it reconciled?
    Mr Speaker 12:30 p.m.
    Hon Member for Wenchi, before the Majority Leader.
    Prof. Gyan-Baffour 12:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think that the Minister for Finance should be here. There are so many of these errors in it and he is the only one who can explain it to us because just like they did with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, this one also has that same defect.
    It is possible that there is one hidden somewhere we are not aware of. So, if he could sit here and guide us because when you look all through, we have this
    problem, one missing here and one added there and if we do not take care, we would have some difficulty with the Appropria- tion Bill as the Majority Leader is saying. This is because the Appropriation Bill is the end here, but there, it is 9 that is added and not 8. So, if he is not here, we would not do much.
    MrBagbin 12:40 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance is before a committee meeting. The Finance Committee is meeting now, and he has gone to attend to the proceedings of the Committee.
    Mr Speaker, what is being raised is the work of the Finance Committee. In the Appropriation Bill, the Finance Committee would have to take note of all these amendments and rectify them before we pass the Appropriation Bill. We would be looking at all these and it is likely at the end of the day, the figure would change.
    It is also likely that there are some other amendments that could increase some figures as we go along. So, at the end of the day, it could be the same figure.
    Therefore, we would have to draw the attention of the Finance Committee to all these. This is because the authority is the Appropriation Act and not the Budget Statement. It is the Act that we would be using.
    Mr Speaker 12:40 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, you know it is the summation of what we are doing now. So, this figure -- at the end of the day, is in fact, what we have approved, that would find expression in the Appropriation Act and no other figure. That is why at this point, we have to be sure at the figures.
    I say so because once we decide that for example, the last number is GH¢28; the Hon Minister cannot say he made a

    mistake and that it is going to be GH¢29. They would have to work with the GH¢28. That is why these matters must be resolved before I put the Question.

    What I would do is that, we would open the floor, let the Hon Minister come and make the commitment on the floor. So, we would go ahead. But we would defer the Question, as we did for the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and Fisheries and Aquaculture Development. We would go ahead, then defer the Question.

    They should come and tell us the correct figure, so that we would all be sure, so that there would be no problem. Nobody is doubting what you are saying. But it is important that the Hon Minister comes to tell us the correct thing, so that when we are working, we know what figure and document to work with.

    Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Bagbin 12:40 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do agree with you. The fact remains that it is an additional error. With the figures they themselves gave, when you add them, you would end up with GH¢28, not GH¢29.
    Mr Speaker 12:40 p.m.
    Their own figure?
    Mr Bagbin 12:40 p.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker. In their own figures, they gave GH¢4,862,412,944 and then GH¢1,525,416,520. When you add that you would get GH¢6.3 billion. Then you have the donor amount, which is GH¢144,522,564.When you add the two, they amount to GH¢ 6,532,352,208. So, it is an additional error and unless they change the figures they have given, we would arrive at the same --
    Mr Speaker 12:40 p.m.
    Hon Member, earlier, I made a comment that we should look at page 205 of the Budget Statement. We
    came back and repeated the same. Now, we are looking at page 205, and we have realised there is an additional error.
    If that is the situation, let us go ahead; when we get the Hon Minister, then I will put the Question.
    Yes, Hon Minority Leader, I thought we should go ahead?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:40 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I also believe so. Except that on the face value of this, if it is GH¢28 and not GH¢29, and the other Government Obligations also add up to GH¢1,021,526,914, then the grand total for Education, would be GH¢942 and not GH¢943.
    Coming down, at least, that one would also bring down the amount of GH¢734 to
    GH¢732.
    Mr Speaker 12:40 p.m.
    Hon Member, it would be GH¢733.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:40 p.m.
    Mr Speaker
    GH¢733?
    Mr Speaker 12:40 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:40 p.m.
    Then for the grand total in MDA's, it would end at GH¢383. But the overall request that the Hon Minister himself made was GH¢ GH¢50,109,851,734. We would need to reconcile the two figures, but perhaps as you said, we can go on with the debate and then find a way to reconcile, but certainly, the two do not add up.
    Mr Puozoo 12:40 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    In doing so, I present your Com- mittee's Report.
    Mr Puozoo 12:40 p.m.
    monitoring and supervision in pursuance of the Complimentary Basic Education (CBE) programme.
    vi. Upgraded facilities in 100 Science Resource Centres and organised training for 450 science teachers under Phase II of the Science Resource Project.
    vii. Completed and handed over 3 schools at Otuam, Bamiako and Nkwanta, under the Community Day Senior High School Project.
    viii. Continued with the upgrading of facilities in 50 existing senior
    high schools, which are at various stages of completion.
    ix. inaugurated a hostel block and staff quarters for the school of basic and biomedical sciences of the University of Health and Allied Sciences at Ho.
    x. Paid feeding grants for 27,786 first and second year students in all public colleges of education.
    Budgetary allocation for the year 2016
    A budgetary provision of GH¢6, 532,352,028.00 has been made for the Ministry of Education to undertake its programmes for the year 2016. The breakdown is as follows:

    GoG -- GH¢4,862,412,944.00

    IGF -- GH¢ 1,525,416,520.00

    Development Partner (DP) Funds -- GH¢ 144,522,564.00

    The breakdown of the 2016 Allocation is as follows:

    Table 2

    SPACE FOR TABLE 2 - PAGE 9 - 12.40P.M.

    Observations and Recommendations

    Main Ministry

    The Committee noted that in 2016, the policy objectives of the Ministry will seek to improve the management of education service delivery, increase inclusive and equitable access to and participation in quality education; improve quality of teaching and learning; promote the teaching and learning of science and mathematics, and provide life skills training.

    The Committee observed that compensation continues to take a large chunk of the Ministry's budgetary allocation. For example, 74.7 per cent of the total allocation for 2016 will go into the payment of compensation.

    To ensure that only legitimate employees of the Ministry who are at post receive salaries, the Ministry will continue to institute measures to improve payroll management with the view to weeding out “ghost names”. The Committee urges the Ministry to vigorously pursue this exercise.

    In line with the Post-2015 Development Agenda on Education which focuses on “ensuring equitable quality education and lifelong learning”, the Ministry will develop a National Education Action Plan to reflect the renewed focus on quality education, to be implemented as part of the Sustainable Development Goals over the next 15 years.

    The Ministry, in 2016, will re-train mathematics and science teachers from 200 schools. It will also supply both manual and digitalised instructional materials on 60 lessons in the four core subjects, to complement face-to-face instructions. This will go a long way to

    address under-performance of some students in mathematics, science and other core subjects.

    In furtherance of the Ministry's policy of zero tolerance for teacher absenteeism, it instituted measures to improve school inspection and teacher account-ability.

    The Committee was happy to note that through unannounced visits adopted by the National Inspectorate Board and school level supervision by Circuit Supervisors of the GES, the Ministry increased teacher attendance rate from 89 per cent in 2013/2014 to 90.2 per cent in the 2014/2015 academic year. For the year 2016, the Ministry projects to increase teacher attendance rate to 92 per cent.

    The Committee also noted that the Ministry plans to align the sandwich programme calendar of the universities with the pre-tertiary school academic calendar, such that sandwich programmes fall during vacations. This will serve as an additional measure of improving teacher attendance rate and time-on-task since teachers pursuing such programmes will be away from the classroom only during school break.

    Ghana Education Service (GES)

    For 2016, the GES has been provided with a sum of GH¢ 4,093,737,348.00 comprising GoG GH¢3,367,829,961.00; IGFs GH¢ 600,675,800.00 and donor funds

    GH¢ 125,231,587.00.

    The Committee noted that under the Social Intervention Programme (SIP) for 2016, the GES will provide 500,000 uniforms and one (1) million Ghana cedis worth of school sandals to pupils in deprived communities. In addition, 5,770,892 basic school pupils will benefit from the Capitation Grant.
    UNESCO 12:40 p.m.
    Mr Speaker 12:40 p.m.
    Hon members I will take one from each side.
    Two Hon Members -- rose --
    Mr Speaker 12:40 p.m.
    Who is the Ranking Member? Who is the Deputy Ranking Member?
    Mr Moses Anim 12:40 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am speaking on behalf of the Hon Deputy Ranking Member.
    Mr Speaker 12:40 p.m.
    Very well.
    Mr Moses Anim (NPP -- Trobu) 12:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am so grateful you are trying to ensure we reconcile the figures. This is because last year, I did raise this same issue about these figures. If you look at our Report again, for last year, the Report is still quoting GH¢6,740, 437,383 as allocated.
    Mr Speaker, if we go to paragraph 872 of the 2016 Budget Statement and paragraph 745 of the 2015 Budget Statement, the figure allocated for the Ministry is GH¢7,058.32 billion. I raised this issue last year, that these figures must be reconciled and we got the same feedback that these issues would be sorted out during the passage of the Appropriation Bill.
    Mr Speaker, the figures are still running through the Budget Statement and it gets to a point where one gets confused. When we look at the 2015 Budget Statement, at the Government Obligation section, it is all nil — so, I ask myself, what figure was added to make it GH¢7,058.32 billion? When we look at the formula that we
    Mr Speaker 12:50 p.m.
    Hon Member, if you say GES report, what is the title of the report and for which year?
    Mr Anim 12:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is Ghana Education Service, 2016 Budget Presenta- tion to the parliamentary Select Committee on Education.
    Mr Speaker 12:50 p.m.
    All right.
    Mr Anim 12:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, one would see that there is an activity there called “key activities”—”insect “school inspection, enrolment drive”et cetera. While the requirement was GH¢3.094 million, Government allocation was GH¢179,600 and we know that inspection is key to the delivery of quality education.
    Mr Speaker, when we come to the other slide, on page 23, there are outstanding arrears as far as social intervention programmes are concerned. I would want Hon Members to listen to this one. The third term arrears for capitation grants, for 2014 and 2015, is still outstanding and that amounts to GH¢ 8.339 million. This is very worrisome.
    Mr Speaker, again, when we come to establishment supplies for 2014 and 2015, we have 100,000 teachers notebooks outstanding, 100,000 registers outstanding, 600,050 boxes of chalk outstanding. These are arrears.
    So, we realise that when we do not give out those allocations, it is really bad. The schools have reopened. The other slide also talks about the schools reopening and there are much arrears in these areas as well.
    Mr Speaker, we do not want to see str ikes coming up in the tertiary institutions. We still have arrears in salaries, a little above GH¢30 million in 2014 for the tertiary education. If we do not
    Mr Speaker 12:50 p.m.
    Hon Member, are you a teacher by profession?
    Mr Anim 12:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have not been a teacher before — [Laughter.]
    I am just an ordinary member of the Committee on Education.
    Mr Speaker 12:50 p.m.
    Very well.
    I will call on the Hon Minister to wind up after the contribution by the Hon Member for Central Tongu.
    Mr Joe Kwashie Gidisu (NDC— Central Tongu) 1 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to associate myself with the Motion on the floor, dealing with the budget of the Ministry of Education.
    Mr Speaker, when we look at the budget for any sector, it is always very nece- ssary, not to put items in water-tight compartments.
    Mr Speaker, there are various organs that feed on the budget of a sector and the education sector is not an exception. We have the GoG, the ABFA, the donor, and the IGFs component, as my Hon Colleague on the opposite side of the House has highlighted.
    Mr Speaker, the education sector is very key as noted in the initial comments by the Hon Minister and the Chairman of the Committee. In that wise, it continues to attract government's attention by way of the budgetary allocation.
    Mr Speaker, however, we all have seen that the greatest chunk of the Ministry's budget goes to remuneration of staff members and other workers -- as compensation, in particular.
    Mr Speaker, last year, it formed a very important aspect.The Government's own attempts through the Ministry, is to see how best to reduce this by way of tackling the “ghost names” in the Ministry. We need to congratulate the Ministry for its attempts at doing that.
    However, there is still a lot more to be done. There would be the need to find ways of addressing the “ghost names”, which will not affect the effective time for teaching and learning in our schools.
    This academic year, for example, various bodies that have been concerned
    with the headcount of teachers in the schools are equally affecting the contact hours in the schools.
    Mr Speaker, it is therefore, very prudent that as much as we are concerned with cutting down on the “ghost names”, attempts made to see how best to streamline the procedure, so that it does not affect teaching and learning in the schools.
    Mr Speaker, the Ghana Education Service (GES) is the base for the education system in the country. Various programmes are run to improve professionalism and deployment, by increasing the number of trained and more qualified professional teachers in our schools. This is done through distance learning programmes under the various universities and institutions.
    Mr Speaker, your Committee noted that as much as we encourage training of these teachers, there is still a large pool of those graduates in the country who have not been enlisted into the schools. Though they have been trained as professional teachers, they have not been employed. This causes a lot of frustration among them. So, it is very important for the Ministry to look at how best to address unemployment of those graduates to promote the programme.
    Mr Speaker, we have seen that there had been a reduction in the number of teachers who go into the diploma awarding institutions for further training as teachers. We would want to see how best the Government and for that matter, the Ministry would address that problem.
    Mr Speaker, there are some other things that need attention. We talked of vocational and technical education as a
    major thrust in improving teaching and learning situation and for that matter --
    Mr Speaker 1 p.m.
    Hon Member for Central Tongu, relate the submission to the estimates.
    Mr J. Gidisu 1 p.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker, I am addressing those things.
    For example, if you look at the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) and for that matter, vocational and technical education, I would want to suggest that Government, in its promotion of the construction of more senior high schools in the country, should equally address the construction of technical and vocational schools in the various districts and other areas in the country to promote this.
    I would want to plead that, for example, more attention be given to the Ghana Book Development Council in its attempts to improve literary materials in the system. Unfortunately, if you look at the budget for that Council, it has been woefully inadequate and there would be the need for the Ministry of Finance in the future, to look at the budgetary allocation to the Ghana Book Development Council.
    Their whole budget was GH¢331,211, and looking at what they are doing and what they could do to improve quality teaching and learning in our schools through literary development, it would go a long way to see that they are backed by higher allocation than they are now.
    Mr Speaker, with these comments, I would want to associate myself with the Motion and ask Hon Members to vote for this provision for the Ministry.
    Thank you.
    Mr Speaker 1 p.m.
    Hon Minister for Education, wind up.
    Prof. N. Opoku-Agyemang 1 p.m.
    Thank you very much for all the kind interventions.
    I would like to begin by recognising all the points that have been made and also to reiterate that during our meeting with the parliamentary Select Committee, most of these comments were made and responses given. However, we recognised at the Ministry that definitely, the key presence is the teacher, and that the teacher is key to all our deliveries.
    We have informed the Committee and they are aware of that, I believe that this is why we have collaborated with the Department for International Development (DFID) regarding the Transforming Teacher Education and Learning (TTEL) Programme.
    We are trying to put emphasis on the subjects that children have difficulties in and we are providing the support to ensure that the critical area of teaching, which is the methodology is appropriately reformed to ensure that the teaching of science and mathematics technology, becomes a little more interesting for the children to learn and therefore, the results should also show.
    Mr Speaker, when we are talking about quality, we all know that it is a very complex area and we are tackling it from as many angles as possible. We are tackling it with teachers-in-training and how we can review the syllabus to ensure that we do not always have to do in- service training -- it looks like it has been a permanent fixture of our budget forever. So, we ask ourselves, what should we do to ensure that when the teachers come out, they are ready for the task?
    We are also looking at teaching and learning materials.
    Mr Speaker, it may interest you to know that we have increased the ratio from one book to three children, now, to four books to one child. We think all of these are very important if we are to stay on track regarding quality.
    In terms of school supplies, I recognised there may be shortages, but Mr Speaker, you may record that this is the very first time in many years that the schools' supplies have gone ahead of school reopening. Sometimes, we may have challenges with distribution and so on but we are working on them.
    The GES Report is before us; it is under discussion in order to ensure, for example, what really causes those challenges and how we can remove them. The Education Act of 2008 has been raised and we are very happy to operationalise these institutions; so, we would give them the support.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to thank all of you for your comments. They are very helpful and instructive and I believe we would take all of them on board as we move into the next fiscal year.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker 1 p.m.
    Thank you very much, Hon Minister.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved:
    That this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢6,532, 352,028 for the services of the Ministry of Education for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Speaker 1:10 p.m.
    I direct that the Finance Committee, when considering the Appropriation, should take this figure that the House has approved into account because there is a discrepancy -- a difference of GH¢1.00 -- what is captured on page 205 of the Budget Statement and the Motion that has been moved and adopted by the House.
    Item numbered 18, Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
    ANNUAL ESTIMATES, 2016
    Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
    Minister for Lands and Natural Resources (Nii Osah Mills) 1:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢293,846,645 for the services of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources aims at providing leadership and guidance in the manage- ment of our natural resources through effective policy formulation, market regulation, asset management and some level of service provision.
    Mr Speaker, the Ministry's vision is to be transparent in decision making, equity and efficiency in the delivery of services with regard to ensuring sustainable natural resource through good governance, accelerated reforestation and plantation establishments for environmental and watershed management and job creation, maximising national revenue and benefits to rural communities from mineral resource extraction while ensuring good environ- mental stewardship, and also, promoting a smooth and efficient land delivery system

    through partnership with traditional authorities.

    Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is made of three subsectors, namely, Lands, Forests and Mines.

    Mr Speaker, arresting deforesta-tion and forest degradation is an important priority for the country, and Ghana has already embarked on a series of forest and natural resources governance initiatives to address these challenges. Prominent among these are efforts to reduce emissions from deforestations and forest degradation -- what we refer to as REDD- plus (REDD+) -- which is an internationally accepted mechanism to address the impacts of global climate change.

    Mr Speaker, the Ministry, through the Forestry Commission, will continue to maintain the over 140,000 excess established forest plantations across the country. Law enforcement would be intensified to reduce the volume of illegal timber in the domestic market and processes towards the implementation of the voluntary partnership agreement, would be pursued.

    Mr Speaker, within the land subsector, the passage of the Lands Commission Act, 2008, Act 767 has facilitated efficient land administration in the country. The Lands Commission will continue to strengthen the integration process for its four divisions and also encourage strengthening alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in lands administration. This is because as we all know, there are many land sector issues and many court cases pending.

    The Lands Commission has begun a sustainable process to deepen the decentralisation of land administration services in the country through the

    [NII OSAH MILLS] [ALHAJI SEIDU]

    establishment of Client Services Access Unit (CSAUs). Five of these units have been established this year in Accra, Koforidua, Sekondi, Tamale and Bolgatanga. Efforts would be made to establish more of these CSAUs in the remaining five regional capitals and also some selected district capitals in the year,

    2016.

    Mr Speaker, under the mines subsector, one of the major challenges that Government is tackling is illegal mining. To overcome these challenges, the Ministry will continue to sensitise and build capacity through programmes with small-scale miners and other stakeholders.

    As it was the case just this past November, a new amendment has been made to the Minerals and Mining Act to enable the Ministry and the law enforcement agencies arrest the issue of small-scale illegal mining through the seizure and confiscation of machines used and products which are found to have been illegally acquired through illegal mining.

    The Government is also currently defining mineral resources through a geological mapping, which would be parcelled out to groups of small-scale miners in the country.

    All these are to ensure that all mineral deposits in the country, especially gold are exploited, using available appropriate technologies and legal means to increase minerals production and also appro- priately generate jobs for our people.

    Mr Speaker, alternative livelihood projects are equally ongoing in the mining communities and we shall continue to pursue them. The Ministry would encourage investment into non- traditional minerals as a way of diversifying the mineral resource base of

    the country, thus reducing the over- reliance on the few precious minerals. In order to implement the Ministry's projects and programmes, a total of GH¢ 293,846,645 has been allocated to the Ministry.

    Mr Speaker, in conclusion, for the administration and realisation of the Ministry's objectives, plans and programmes, a total sum of GH¢ 293,846,645 has been allocated and I beg to move, that this House approves of the estimates for the Ministry for the year ending 31st December, 2016.

    Thank you.

    Question proposed.
    Chairman of the Committee (Alhaji Amadu Seidu) 1:10 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to support the Motion as ably moved by the Hon Minister to uphold the budget estimates for Lands and Natural Resources for the year ending 31 st December, 2016.
    Introduction
    The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2016 fiscal year was presented to Parliament by the Hon Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Mr. Seth E. Terkper on Friday, 13th November, 2015, in accordance with article 179 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
    The budget estimates of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources were accordingly referred to the Committee on Lands and Forestry, and Mines and Energy for consideration and report pursuant to Orders 140 (4), 177 and 188 of the Standing Orders of the House.
    During the consideration of the referral, the Committee met with the Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Nii Osah Mills, other officials of the Ministry
    of Lands and Natural Resources and its agencies and the schedule officers from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. The Committee is grateful to them for their assistance.
    Agencies under the ministry
    The Ministry has three sectors namely, lands, forestry and mines. The land sector is managed by two agencies, that is, the Lands Commission (L.C) and the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL). The forestry sector is also managed by the Forestry Commission (FC). The mines sector is managed by three agencies and these are the Minerals Commission, the Geological Survey Department (GSD) and the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC).
    References
    The Committee used the underlisted as reference materials during its delibe- rations:
    (i) The 1992 Constitution of Ghana
    (ii) The Standing Orders of the House.
    (iii)The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government for the year ending 31st December,
    2015.
    (iv) The Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2016- 2018 and the draft annual estimates for 2016 of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
    (v) The budget estimates for the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for 2016.
    Mission Statement
    The Mission Statement of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is to ensure sustainable management and utilisation of the nation's land, forest, wildlife and mineral resources for the socio-economic development and growth of Ghana. This is to be achieved through:
    (i) efficient formulation, implementation, co-ordination, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes of the sector agencies;
    (ii) efficient management of public and stool lands as a means to ensure equitable land delivery;
    (iii) promoting effective inter- agency and cross-sectorial linkages;
    (iv) promoting sustainable and efficient forest, wildlife and mineral resource management andutilisation;
    (v) creating an enabling environment for effective private sector participation; and
    (vi) promoting effective community participation in multiple uses of land, forest, wildlife and mineral resources.
    Objectives
    The Mission of the Ministry will be realised through the pursuit of the under- iisted objectives:
    (i) Develop and manage sustainably, land, forest, wildlife and mineral resources.
    (ii) Facilitate equitable access, benefit sharing from and security to land, forest and mineral resources.
    Chairman of the Committee (Alhaji Amadu Seidu) 1:10 p.m.
    The Approved Budget Estimates and Releases for 2015 as Shown in Table 1
    SPACE FOR TABLE 1 - PAGE 9 - 1.10 P.M.
    SPACE FOR IGF TABLE - PAGE 9 - 1.10P.M.

    SPACE FOR DONOR TABLE - PAGE 10 - 1.10 P.M.

    Outlook for 2016

    The Budgetary Allocation for the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources

    Table 2

    SPACE FOR TABLE 2 - PAGE 10 - 1.10P.M.
    Mr Benito Owusu-Bio (NPP-- Atwima-Nwabiagya North) 1:20 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker, for allowing me to add my voice to the Motion on the floor.
    Mr Speaker, in the Report, we made comments about the fact that there had been non releases of funds for capital expenditure, which is fixed assets, since 2015. Mr Speaker, in 2015, GH¢800,000 was approved for the Ministry, but nothing was released. Even in 2016, nothing has been allocated for the Ministry.
    Mr Speaker, as we speak now, the roof of the reception of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources building, which is in front of the Ministry, has caved in. This has been the situation for some time now. Mr Speaker, that is the entrance to the Ministry. As we speak now, the receptionists do not have a place to sit, so, the reception of the Ministry is now in the corridors. Mr Speaker, this is so because the Ministry does not have any allocation for capital expenditure. As a result, they are not able to fund the repairs of this damage.
    Mr Speaker, on the issue of the garnisheeing of the Ministry's account, we have to be careful, otherwise, we may even end up having what we approve for them also garnisheed.
    The Ministry of Finance must be up and doing because this issue of garnisheeing happened because of the fact that there were some outstanding compensation payments for lands at East Legon, which were allocated to the Ghana Highways Authority and the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
    Mr Speaker, the CSIR is under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Ghana Highways Authority is under the Ministry of Roads
    and Highways. Mr Speaker, why should the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources bear this brunt? This is very unfair.
    As we speak, there is another issue also brewing up. Mr Speaker, that is the North Industrial Area. People are up in arms. Very soon, I have been told they may end up in court to also seek compensation for those lands.
    Mr Speaker, I think the Government should sit down with the various Ministries and where there are any outstanding compensations, if anything at all, they should be proactive by meeting whoever they are, so that at least, they can forestall this before it happens.
    Mr Speaker, on the Lands Commission, as we speak now, the Lands Commission headquarters building has still not commenced. Mr Speaker, this has been outstanding since 2004. Initially, it was an issue of non-payment of counterpart funding of €3 million by the Government of Ghana. This went on and Government dragged its feet till finally it is decided that the Lands Commission should use its internally generated funds (IGFs) to construct this building.
    Mr Speaker, the IGFs of the Lands Commission are not enough. So, the Ministry of Finance has approved the arrangement of Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement between a private company and the Lands Commission, so that the company would construct the headquarters for them and they would use part of the land earmarked for the construction as a barter agreement for construction.
    Mr Speaker, as we speak, that has also stalled. I understand that the Hon Minster
    for Lands and Natural Resources has directed that they should put a hold on the construction of the headquarters. This was because the students of the Survey School are up in arms because they may be relocated from the site.
    Mr Speaker, the Survey School building, we are told, is not going to be touched because it is a national monument, which used to be the office of the former Governor of the Gold Coast, Sir Gordon Guggisberg. Therefore, it is of so much importance that it needs to be kept as a historical monument.
    This has been agreed upon by the Lands Commission, and as we speak, they have designed and made sure that that building would not be touched. The Lands Commission has made arrangements that, in future, when the construction of the headquarters is completed, they would move the students of the Survey School to the available allocated areas, which would become vacant as a result of the various agencies moving into the headquarters.
    Those available spaces at Can- tonments and opposite the El-Wak Stadium would then be allocated for the school's use.
    So, Mr Speaker, I think there is no problem with that and the Hon Minister must meet with the students and let them be aware that this arrangement is even better for them than where they are now.
    Mr Speaker, the budget allocation for the Ministry keeps on dwindling annually. In 2014, the Ministry's allocation was GH¢359,656 million. In 2015, it went down to GH¢326,234.623, which was a percentage of 0.74 of the national budget.
    Mr Speaker, in 2016, the Ministry is allocated GH¢293,846,645, which is also a 0.59 per cent of the national budget. Mr

    Speaker, if we are not careful, year on year, the Ministry's budget would keep on dwindling till one day, we would get to zero. Mr Speaker, this shows that the sector is not being considered for funding.

    Mr Speaker, this happens to be the sector in charge of the lands, forestry and minerals. The minerals and forestry sectors are so important. With the lands, we all know that everything begins on the land. Without land, we would all not be here. So, much attention must be paid to this sector. With forestry, as we speak, since 2013, nothing has been released for plantation development. This is very sad.

    Mr Speaker, as a Committee, we visited a company by name African Plantation for Sustainable Development (APSD) Ghana Limited in the Atebubu area. This company is doing afforestation develop- ment and they are planting --
    Mr Speaker 1:20 p.m.
    Hon Member, wind up. You know my attitude at this stage is that you should relate your comments to the estimates before us.
    You started well by saying that the allocation is not sufficient and you gave a lot of examples. Now, you are going to talk about a company.
    Mr Owusu-Bio 1:20 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am saying this because when we went there, what we heard was that the country called Sweden in Europe earned €10 billion annually from the forestry sector alone. Mr Speaker, they do this by investing their oil revenue in plantation development.
    Mr Speaker, this is what we, as Ghanaians, must pay attention to. We have been allocating funds out of the oil revenue to various sectors.
    Mr Speaker, why do we not consider the forestry sector as well? This is because in years to come, when our oil revenue dwindles, what would we do?
    We must start investing there, so that when that happens, we would have had a lot of investments, to the extent that we can also earn more than what we used to earn previously from the oil.
    Mr Speaker, the revenue that is supposed to be given to the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (AOSL) in terms of mineral royalties that the country has collected from the mining companies, since the year 2013, in June, to be precise, has been outstanding. A whooping amount of ¢108,824,903 --
    Mr Speaker 1:30 p.m.
    Hon Member, conclude.
    Mr Owusu-Bio 1:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if they are not paid, why would most of these inhabitants and settlers and villages in the mining localities not be angry with mining companies?
    Mr Speaker, what we should draw our attention to is the fact that, this is a statutory Fund and because of that, the Ministry --
    Mr Speaker 1:30 p.m.
    Hon Member, what you are moving into is not about the estimates before us. You know the rule is that, when you call an Hon Member that he should conclude and he is still repeating it, is an abuse of the process and of privilege.
    Hon Member, conclude. You are the Ranking Member, please, conclude.
    Mr Owusu-Bio 1:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I conclude.
    Mr Speaker 1:30 p.m.
    Hon Minister, wind up.
    rose
    Mr Speaker 1:30 p.m.
    You want to --
    Very well.
    Hon Minority Leader?
    Minority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu) 1:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I must say that I am worried by the Report of the joint Committee on Lands and Forestry and Mines and Energy on the estimates of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
    Mr Speaker, I say so because the Committee has not treated this House fairly at all by this Report that they submitted to us.
    Mr Speaker, when you look at the Report that they submitted to us,. it is just cut and paste of what is in the Budget Statement and Economic Policy presented to this House by the Ministry of Finance. It is just cut and paste. What is that?
    Mr Speaker, if you look at the “Performance for 2015 and Outlook for the year 2016”, under Land Administration and Management Programme, paragraph 438, it is the same thing up to paragraph 441. That is what has been captured here -- a re-hash of what the Hon Minister submitted to this House. What is it intended to mean?
    Mr Speaker, then we are looking at “Forestry and Wildlife Development and Management Programme”, the only amendment that has been done, is the caption, whereas what the Hon Minister submitted was captioned -- Forest and Wildlife Development and Management Programme. They effected the correction and said it is forestry-
    Mr Speaker 1:30 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, you know that I Chair the Committee on Selection but the names for the various committees are brought from the Leadership of the House. I keep on saying that if you believe that a committee is not doing well, you should reshuffle them.
    In fact, as per our rules, in every Session, committees are supposed to be changed. If you are disappointed in any committee, I believe and urge the Leadership of the House to pursue that matter seriously because the House is as good as its committees.
    This House is as good as its committees. So, as an Hon Member of the Committee on Selection, you proposed the Hon Members who compose the various committees of the House. Now, if you are disappointed in their performance, the proper thing to do is to have them changed and it is as simple as that.
    Alhaji Amadu Seidu 1:30 p.m.
    Thank you very much Mr Speaker.
    The observations being made by the Hon Minority Leader has to do with the policy objectives of Government but I do not think that as a Committee of Parliament, we have any authority to vary policy objectives of the Government. So, these are policy objectives that have been put into the Budget Statement and it was not our mandate to review the policy objectives of Government. So, I am surprised the Hon Minority Leader is speaking this way.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, first of all, I am not relating to the policy objectives. In any event, Parliament's work, it should try to synchronise the policy outlook established by Govern- ment and the execution of programmes and projects. You situate it within the context of the policy objectives to see the connect. That is the business of
    Mr Speaker 1:40 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, is it GH¢800,000? There is another Asset down there, which we have GH¢38,438,995 -- If you look at page 6 of the Committee's Report.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:40 p.m.
    That is the revised budget for 2015. But when we started, the first budget that came to us was GH¢800,000. But subsequently, in the revised budget, they increased it to GH¢38,438,995, the revised budget that came to us, and I asked the question here, there was no response. So, I am asking again because this time round, it has also shot up to GH¢85,029,791. What explains that? We need to know.
    Mr Speaker, these are my preliminary observations and if I could get some clarification from the Hon Minister before
    the Question is put, I would be grateful It is scary because we are moving into an election and we do not want anybody to say that there was some under-hand operations or whatever.
    Let the Hon Minister come clean on this.
    Mr Speaker 1:40 p.m.
    Well, I thought that this was a matter that the Committee should have taken up. It would be difficult to resolve these matters on the floor but it is a matter that can be taken up subsequently.
    But Hon Minister, wind up and I will put the Question. But the Committee may want to take it up subsequently.
    Hon Minister for Lands and Natural resources, wind up.
    Nii Osah Mills: Mr Speaker, I have listened to all the contributions made, including the last contribution made by the Hon Minority Leader. I am not sure whether we would be going through each in detail. So, at this point Mr Speaker, I would say that the Committee and indeed, the budget estimates were made, taking into account all the requirements of the Ministry. I am convinced that they were thoroughly examined and thrashed out before these budget estimates were put together.
    So, I am grateful for the concerns raised and I will say that we ask this Honourable House, respectfully, to approve the estimates.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker 1:40 p.m.
    Hon Members, I will put the Question.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:40 p.m.
    -- rose --
    Mr Speaker 1:40 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, before I asked him to wind up, I made a point. You raised a number of issues on the floor -- the responsibility of the Committee. You have done the comparative analysis -- looking at the 2015 allocation and the 2016 allocation, -- and you want some justification for the difference -- the huge jump.
    I will put the Question but that does not prevent the Committee from pursuing the matter further, so that we can make progress with regard to the budget estimates.
    Yes, Hon Minority Leader?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:40 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am grateful.
    But that was what I set out to do - that the Committee ought to have probed these matters and then furnished the relevant information to this House. I believe it is going to be very difficult for the Hon Minister, as he rose up, to provide the justification on the spur of the moment. I saw him looking over his shoulder for some solace from the Hon Chairman of the Committee. I do not know what is happening.
    But certainly, the Committee must furnish this House even if we close the chapter by voting for it --
    Mr Speaker 1:40 p.m.
    But the Committee has general oversight over the Ministry.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:40 p.m.
    Absolutely! So, these matters must be raised by the Committee and the House should demand same from the Committee.
    Mr Speaker 1:40 p.m.
    Thank you.

    Question put and Motion agreed to.

    Resolved:

    That this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢293,846,645 for the services of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Speaker 1:40 p.m.
    Hon Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs - Item
    17.
    First Deputy Speaker to take the Chair.
    ANNUAL ESTIMATES, 2016
    Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs
    Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs (Dr Henry S. Daannaa) 1:40 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢20,145,103 for the services of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs for the year ending 31st December,
    2016.
    Mr Speaker, in so doing, permit me to draw the attention of Hon Members to some of the important aspects of the policies of the Ministry. In that regard, I would like to mention that resolving chieftaincy disputes remains the core of our policies, so that there would be peaceable co-existence for the people of Ghana. That way, we can achieve the speedy economic development for the country.
    In line with this Mr Speaker, we pursue chieftaincy adjudication at the National House of Chiefs as well as the 10 Regional
    Houses of Chiefs in the country. We have the Judicial Committees assisted by lawyers, who adjudicate in cases brought before the Houses. We also have training workshops for chiefs and staff. These workshops are organised by the Ministry with the view to drawing the attention of the harmful effects of conflicts.
    We believe that some of the conflicts in chieftaincy issues are better handled when they are prevented than when they occur and we resolve them. In line with this, we organise workshops for the Houses of Chiefs as well as the Traditional Councils and we have recently extended it to the Queen mothers. So, we are trying to prevent some of these conflicts from occurring in the first place.
    Qualification of lines of succession is one programme that we pursued and we did research to find out the rightful heirs, so that when a chief passes on, there is no splitting of hairs and shedding blood.
    I am happy to say that the next batch of lines of succession on Legislative Instruments (L.Is) are on the way to Parliament from the Attorney-General's outfit.
    Mr Speaker, registration of chiefs and publication of chiefs in the bulletin is another programme. I am happy to say again that this December, we have had our latest publication and copies have been sent to the National House of Chiefs and all the other Houses of Chiefs.
  • [MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER IN THE CHAIR .]
    • Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:50 p.m.
    Thank you very much.

    Question proposed.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome) 1:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to support the Motion, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢20,145,103.00 for the services of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs for the year ending 31st December,
    2016.
    Mr Speaker, in so doing I present your Committee's Report.
    Introduction
    In accordance with article 179 of the 1992 Constitution,the Hon Minister for Finance, Mr. Seth Terkper, presented the Budget Statement and the Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2016 Financial Year to Parliament on Friday, 13th November 2015.
    Pursuant to Order 140(4) of the Standing Orders of the House, the Rt Hon Speaker referred the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Chieftaincy

    and Traditional Affairs to the Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture for consideration and report.

    Subsequent to the referral, the Committee met with the Hon. Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, Dr. Henry Seidu Daannaa and his technical team on Wednesday, 9th December, 2015 and considered the estimates.

    The Committee is grateful to the Hon. Minister and his team for their cooperation.

    Reference documents

    The Committee referred to the following documents during its delibe- rations:

    i. The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

    ii. The Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.

    iii. The Budget Statement and Econo- mic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2015 Financial year.

    iv. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2016 Financial year.

    v. The 2014 Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs.

    vi. The 2015 Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome) 1:50 p.m.
    v. Continue the collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources on the Alternative Livelihood Project.
    Observations and Recommendations

    budgetary allocation to the Ministry slightly increased by 3 per cent from GH¢19,546,785.00 in year 2015 to GH¢20,145, 103.00 in year 2016.

    The table below provides details of the Ministry's budgetary allocation from year 2014 to 2016.

    SPACE FOR TABLE - PAGE 6 - 1.50 P.M.

    Per the breakdown for year 2016, an amount of GH¢19,809,891.00, representing 98.3 per cent of the total allocation has been provided for Compensation, leaving a sum of GH¢335,212.00 (1.7 per cent) for Goods and Services.

    The Committee observed that over the years, there has been a consistent decline in the Ministry's budgetary allocation for Assets. In year 2014, an amount of GH¢1,362,274.00 was allocated for Assets whilst GH¢750,000.00 was allocated under the same item in year 2015. It is sad to note that for year 2016, no allocation has been made for Assets. Therefore, the execution of key infrastructural projects may be seriously affected.

    Of particular concern was the serious leakage of the roof of the Ministry's Headquarters each time it rains, causing water to drip heavily into a number of offices. This invariably affects normal work and the safety of vital documents and equipment.

    Considering the importance of a congenial working environment to

    productivity, the Committee recommends to the Ministry of Finance to make provision from either the Contingency Fund or a Supplementary Budget to enable the Ministry renovate its Headquarters.

    Secondly, the Committee observed that some of the projects being executed by the Ministry are at advanced stages of completion. The Committee underscores that the non-allocation of funds to complete such projects may cause undue delays and eventually increase project cost.

    It is therefore imperative that the Ministry of Finance places priority on those projects that are near completion and release the needed funds for their execution.

    Training of personnel of the Ministry is critical for providing the needed support and specialised services to the various Houses of Chiefs. Unfortunately, the Ministry's allocation for Goods and Services reduced from GH¢670,425.00 in year 2015 to GH¢335,212.00. The

    reduction in allocation, may, among others, affect the Ministry's ability to orgainse its training programmes which are essential in equipping its staff with the skills and knowledge to support the various Houses of Chiefs in the performance of their functions.

    The Committee acknowledges the important role of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs in promoting peace, particularly through its conflict resolution functions. Its approach to resolving disputes has generally been by way of judicial settlements and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism.

    For instance, in year 2015, the Ministry settled 20 chieftaincy disputes through judicial settlements whilst 3 were resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). For year 2016, the Ministry projects to resolve 60 chieftaincy cases through judicial settlement and 20 cases through ADR.

    Whilst commending the Ministry for its efforts at promoting peace within the institution of chieftaincy, the Committee observed that its dispute resolution approach tilts more towards judicial settlement which may be more expensive and time consuming.

    The Committee therefore urges the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs to as much as possible explore more of the Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism in resolving disputes.

    The Ministry has prioritised Codifica- tion of Lines of Succession into Stools/ Skins as an important mechanism for promoting rightful ascension to thrones and skins. In this regard, the Ministry in

    year 2016, plans to document and verify 20 stools/skins, and develop 15 draft Legislative Instruments (L.I.s) on codification of lines of succession.

    In addition, the Ministry will codify 10 customary laws relating to land and family, and enter the names of 700 chiefs into the National Register of Chiefs.

    The above measures, the Committee noted, will help streamline the landscape of the chieftaincy institution and thereby minimise tensions and disputes.

    Under its Alternative Livelihood Programme, the Ministry partnered with chiefs to plant 150,000 trees in some communities to promote green environment and serve as an alternative economic venture. Also, the Ministry undertook sensitisation programmes in galamsey-prone communities to draw the attention of chiefs and their subjects to the harmful effects of galamsey activities.

    In year 2016, the Ministry will continue the implementation of such programmes to promote afforestation and conservation of the environment. The Committee commends the Ministry for its efforts and urges them to expand these programmes to cover more communities.

    Conclusion

    The strategic importance of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairsin the formulation and implementa- tion of policies for the development of the chieftaincy institution cannot be over- emphasised. Through collaboration with Traditional Authorities, the Ministry undertakes evaluation of traditional customs and usages to eliminate socially harmful and outmoded customs and usages;and preserve, conserve and promote traditional values that project the Ghanaian identity.
    Mr Matthew Nyindam (NPP -- Kpandai) 1:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion, that this House approves the sum of GH¢20,145,103.00 for the services of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Speaker, it is true that this Ministry has a crucial role to play in the country, unfortunately, attention given to this Ministry is nothing to write home about. If you look at page 2 of the Committee's Report, the allocation for Compensation is about GH¢18,126,360.00 --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:50 p.m.
    Hon Members, having regard to the state of business, I direct that we Sit beyond the stipulated time.
    Yes, Hon Member, go on.
    Mr Nyindam 1:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the actual release is about GH¢11,568,543.00, leaving a difference of about GH¢6,557,817.00. This is not good enough. At the Committee's sitting, we realised that even chiefs who are entitled to some kind of compensation, have not been paid. You are fully aware that a hungry man is an angry man. And if you should look at the chieftaincy disputes across the country, they attests to the fact that some chiefs are hungry, and for that matter, they are angry.
    Mr Speaker, when we go to page 5 of the Committee's Report, it is also clear that, the allocation to the Ministry in terms of Assets keeps declining. The Committee realised that, in the year 2014, the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs was allocated GH¢1,362,274.00. In the year 2015, it declined to GH¢750,000.00, and the actual release was GH¢262,000.00. The difference is so huge.
    If one follows the Report, in the year 2016, unfortunately, the Ministry was allocated absolutely nothing for Assets. And if one reads the Report, it says:
    “It is sad to note that for year 2016, no allocation has been made for Assets. Therefore, the execution of key infrastructural projects may be seriously affected.”
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:50 p.m.
    Are you on a point of order?
    Dr A. A. Osei 1:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am on a point of information.
    Mr Nyindam 1:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is absolutely so.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:50 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, please, proceed.
    Mr Nyindam 1:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I strongly believe everybody here belongs to a traditional area. We all pay homage to our various chiefs, and if the whole Ministry cannot have a roof over their heads, it tells clearly that less attention is given to the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:50 p.m.
    Hon Member, begin to wind up.
    Mr Nyindam 1:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, in winding up, I would want to entreat the Government, and for that matter, the Ministry of Finance to try as much as possible -- I do not understand why for the year 2016, we do not even have a single pesewa allocated to the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs as Assets. It clearly tells us that, for the whole of the year 2016, there would be nothing happening at the Ministry -- [Interruption]
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Dr Prempeh 2 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want him to explain -- Is he saying that chiefs are not being catered for -- or chieftaincy? I do not understand him. This is because the chiefs are very happy.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2 p.m.
    Hon Member, I cannot hear you.
    Dr Prempeh 2 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I said that he has to distinguish between chiefs and chieftaincy. Maybe, the Government's emphasis is looking after chiefs and not the chieftaincy institution. So, he should tell us what is happening as an Hon Member of the Committee.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, please, conclude.
    Mr Nyindam 2 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, to answer my Hon Colleague's question, it is absolutely very important for everybody to be concerned about the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs. This is because the head of every institution is very important. So, if the head of the Ministry is not recognised, it definitely tells us that the chiefs at the grassroots would not get any recognition.
    Mr Speaker, I, therefore, add my voice by saying that some kind of allocation must be looked at and some amount of money be allocated to the Ministry as Assets.
    Mr Speaker, I support the Motion that this House approves the sum of GH¢20,145,103.00 for the services of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2 p.m.
    Thank you very much.
    Hon Members, I will take one more contribution.
    Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh (NDC -- Wa West) 2 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, looking at the Report, it has outlined a number of things that the Ministry is undertaking. One of them, through the National House of Chiefs is the codification of the lines of succession.
    Mr Speaker, this is very important in view of the fact that there is always a conflict who succeeds who when there is a vacancy on a stool, skin or any of the traditional seats. It requires a lot of resources for the research to be done. This House plays a role in enacting the legislation to confirm what has been done in terms of the research by the National House of Chiefs.
    Mr Speaker, research cannot be done without resources. That is why I think that in all these, we should have innovative ways of generating some interest in people who support research to support this particular activity.
    Mr Speaker, again, if you look at the role that the chieftaincy institution plays -- in the absence of Government in all places, apart from the Assembly members in electoral areas of the Distr ict Assemblies, the chiefs play a crucial role in the way peace is maintained. We need to give them some more attention, which can only be done if apart from the usual allocation, some other ways are found.
    Mr Speaker, in any case, I also think that given the fact that the chieftaincy
    institution is now training people, particularly chiefs who have already ascended to the skins or stools, they are training them in traditional affairs to know the practices that they are supposed to exercise.
    It should be another way of getting some resources.Those who attend these courses should be made to pay some fees. In this way, they should be able to raise enough resources to support.
    Mr Speaker, in this wise, I still think that focus on innovative ways of raising resources should be found for the Ministry because it is such a key Ministry in the promotion of our culture and tradition that we should not joke about.
    On this note, I recommend that we all vote for the Motion.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2 p.m.
    Thank you very much.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved:
    That this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢20,145,103 for the services of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Agbesi 2 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, item 14 at page 5, the estimates of the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2 p.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Members, item numbered 14 -- Motion by the Hon Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing.
    Yes, Hon Member.
    Mr Agbesi 2 p.m.
    Mr Speaker-- [Interruption.]
    Dr Prempeh 2 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to find out the whereabouts of the Hon Minister. It is interesting that since the budget reading and everybody is coming, we have not seen the Hon Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2 p.m.
    Hon Member, why do you not hold your breath.? He has referred to this item and we are getting it called for the Hon Minister to move it.
    Mr Agbesi 2 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to seek your permission for the Hon Deputy Minister to take the Motion on behalf of the Minister.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Dr Prempeh 2 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to support the Hon Deputy Majority Leader's request to allow the Hon Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing (in charge of “unaffordable” housing in the Ministry) to speak on behalf of the Minister.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2 p.m.
    So, it means that you have no objection.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Minister?
    ANNUAL ESTIMATES, 2016
    Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing
    Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing (Mr Sampson Ahi) (on behalf of the Minister):Mr Speaker, I
    beg to move, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢374,781,612 for the services of the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing is responsible for the provision of potable rural and urban water, coastal protection, hydrological services, affordable housing schemes and sewerage and storm water drainage projects.
    Mr Speaker, the Ministry has planned prioritised programmes and projects in the 2016 Budget in accordance with the Ministry's sector medium-term develop- ment plan, taking into account the total resource envelop made available for the 2016 fiscal year.
    Mr Speaker, on this note, I beg to move, that Parliament approves the total sum of GH¢374,781,612.00, broken down into the following specific items -- GH¢14,136,179.00 being Government of Ghana component for Compensation, wages and salaries; Goods and Services -- GH¢115,186,786.00, being Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) for Capital Expenditure. GH¢3,973,131.00 being the internally generated fund (IGFs) component is made up of wages and salaries, goods and services and capital expenditure. And GH¢241,485,516.00, being development partner component for goods and services as well as capital expenditure to improve programmes and projects of the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing for that year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Question proposed.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr David Tetteh Assumeng) 2 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    I rise to support the Motion and in doing so, present your Committee's Report.
    Introduction
    The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the fiscal year ending 31st December 2016 was presented to Parliament by the Hon Minister for Finance, Mr Seth Terkper, on Friday, 13th November, 2015, in accordance with Article 179 of the 1992 Constitution.
    The Rt Hon Speaker referred the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing (MWRWH) to the Committee onWorks and Housing for consideration and report in accordance with Order 140 (4) of the Standing Orders of Parliament.
    The Committee met on Friday, 11th December, 2015 and considered the referral. The Hon Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Dr Kwaku Agyemang Mensah, his deputy, Mr Jonny Osei Kofi, officials of the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing and the Ministry of Finance attended the Committee's sitting to provide more elucidation on the Estimates.
    The Committee is grateful to the Hon Minister, his Deputyand officials of the Ministries of Water Resources, Works and Housing and Financefor their assistance during the deliberations.
    Reference documents
    The Committee made reference to the following documents during its delibe- rations:
    a. The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
    b. The Standing Orders of the House.
    c. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the 2015 Financial Year.
    d. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the 2016 Financial Year.
    Mission Statement of the Ministry
    The Ministry exists to ensure sustainable management of the nation's water resources; provide safe, adequate and affordable water and water related sanitation; drainage works, coastal protection works and affordable housing.
    Broad Sectoral Policy Objectives
    The main objectives of the Ministry over the medium term are as follows:
    i. To ensure efficient management of water resources.
    ii. To accelerate the provision of adequate, safe and affordable water.
    iii. To adopt a sector-wide approach to water and environmental sanitation delivery.
    iv. To enhance capacity to mitigate and reduce natural disasters, risks and vulnerability.
    v. To increase resilience of coastal settlement and infrastructure.
    vi. To increase access to adequate, safe, secure and affordable shelter.
    vii.To improve and accelerate housing delivery in the rural areas.
    viii. To establish a framework to coordinate human settlements development.
    ix. To promote resilient urban infrastructure development, maintenance and management .
    Departments and agencies under the Ministry
    The combined efforts of the under listed Departments and Agencies will be utilised to pursue the above objectives of the Ministry. These are:
    a. Housing
    i. Rent Control Department.
    ii. Department of Rural Housing.
    iii. Public Servants Housing Loan Scheme Board.
    iv. Architects Registration Council
    b. Works
    i. Public Works Department
    (PWD).
    ii. Hydrological Services Depart- ment.
    v. Engineers' Council.
    c. Water
    i. Water Resources Commission.
    ii. Community Water and Sanita- tion Agency.
    iii. Ghana Water Company Limited
    (GWCL).
    Performance in year 2015
    Allocation for year 2015
    The approved budget for the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing for year 2015, was four hundred and sixty three million, one hundred and three thousand, four hundred and twenty cedis (GH¢463,103,420.00) for the imple- mentation of its programme and activities.
    This was however, revised to GH¢329,245,957 after the Appropriation Act. Out of this sum, the Ministry expended GH¢ 331,043,247 from January 2015 to September, 2015. The breakdown is as follows:
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr David Tetteh Assumeng) 2 p.m.
    Table I
    Budget Performance of Year 2015
    SPACE FOR TABLE 1 - PAGE 4 - 2.10 P.M.

    Employee Compensation Vote

    The Ministry was allocated an amount of GH¢ 9,323,942.00 for expenditure on the Employee Compensation. As at September 2015, expenditure on Vote has exceeded the allocation by over 68 per cent. This according to officials of the Ministry, was mainly due to the capturing of the salaries of decentralised PWD personnel under the accounts of the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing.

    Goods and Services Vote

    An amount of GH¢ 1,247,893 was allocated to the Ministry for Goods and Services. Actual expenditure as at September 2015, stood at GH¢ 1,191,393 indicating a positive variance of GH¢

    56,499.

    Achievements of the programmes of the ministry for year 2015

    Water Resource management pro- gramme

    Acting through the Water Resources Commission (WRC), the Ministry created new buffer zones at Pwalugu, Djentiga 1 and 2, and Yarigungu, and also extended the buffer zones at Mognori and Bazua in the Upper East Region as part of the effort to protect water bodies. A buffer area of about 4.3km out of the targeted 30.7kilometres on both sides of the White Volta River was also created.

    The Ministry developed a Dams Safety Regulations to regulate and coordinate the design, construction, operations, maintenance, and decommissioning of dams. The ultimate goal was to ensure a

    uniform and adequate level of safety for all dams throughout the country.

    Two documentaries with respect to water resources management on the Pra and Tano River Basins were developed and are being aired on the national television networks and social media.

    The last batch of 25 police prosecutors in the Volta Region, and 59 media personnel in the Volta and Central regions were trained to assist in enforcing compliance of water use regulations, sensitisation and improving on media reportage. To date, 211 police prosecutors and investigators, and 289 media personnel have been trained throughout the country.

    Urban Water Management Programme

    The 40 million gallon per day (MDG) Kpong Water Supply Expansion and rehabilitation works was completed and handed over to GWCL this year and is currently producing 20 (MGD) of water for the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area

    (GAMA).

    In addition, an intake structure, a dedicated powerline, 73kilometres trans- mission pipelines and booster stations at Dodowa and Boi were completed. Reservoirs at Dodowa, Boi and Madina were also completed.

    The Nsawam Water Supply Expansion Project was completed in September this year and is currently under test run. The water treatment plant will add 1.63 MGD of water to the supply system in Nsawam and its environs.

    The Kumawu and Konongo water supply project is 82 per cent complete. Akim Oda and Akwatia water supply project is on-going and is expected to add 6.58MGD of water to the system. The rehabilitation works on the Winneba water supply system is on-going and currently 39 per cent complete.

    The Ministry also continued the construction works on the Wa Water Supply Project and is currently laying the 15km transmission pipeline.

    The Cape Coast Water Supply Project which links the Sekyere Heman Water System and the Brimsu Water Treatment Plant commenced and is currently about 20 per cent complete.

    Rural Water Management Programme

    Under the Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation Project, the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) continued with the provision of potable water to rural communities and small towns. A total of 1,068 boreholes, out of the target of 1,200, were drilled in Central, Western, Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions.

    In addition, drilling of boreholes in the Brong Ahafo Region; construction of 52 small towns' water systems are at various levels of completion. A total of 385 institutional latrines out of 450 were completed.

    Six (6) projects under the Northern Regional Small Towns Water and Sanitation Projects (NORST) were completed and commissioned at Bunkpurugu -1, Karaga - 1, Yendi - 2, Tatale-Sanguli - 1 and Nanumba North (Bincheratanga) - 1. Eight other projects were completed and are ready for commissioning in Nanumba North (Makayili), Nanumba South (Lungni), Gushegu, Saboba, Kpandai had 2 systems, Chereponi and West Mamprusi Districts.

    Infrastructure Sector Management Programme

    The coastal protection works which is aimed at protecting the sea shores, preventing further erosion and protecting
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr David Tetteh Assumeng) 2 p.m.
    owing to its proximity to the epic centre of the Ebola crises in the sub-region. He reported that Ghana happens to be the third highest shareholder in Shelter Afrique after Nigeria and Kenya. However, these two countries could not offer to host the Conference due to security challenges in both countries at that time.
    The Ministry assured the Committee that, aside the reasons given above, a lot of consideration went into the decision to host the Conference, principally, being the benefits Ghana will derive by way of flexible loan facilities and expertise in the construction industry.
    According to the Minister, Ghana has already benefited from a soft loan facility of forty million dollar (US$40, 000,000)

    from Shelter Afrique, for investment into the housing industry.

    Currently, an additional forty-five million dollar (US$ 45, 000,000) loan facility has been granted to the country, to be invested as soft loans to actors in the Housing Industry. Out of this amount, US$10 million dollars would be used to fund projects under State Housing Company and the Department of Rural Housing.

    Budgetary Allocation for Year 2016

    As indicated in table 2 below, the Ministry has been allocated a total amount of three hundred and seventy-four million, seven hundred and eighty one thousand, six hundred and twelve Ghana cedis (GH¢ 374,781,612) for the implementation of its programme and activities for the 2016 fiscal year.

    Table 2

    2016 Budget for the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing

    SPACE FOR TABLE 2 - PAGE 12 - 2.10P.M.

    As indicated in Table 2, an amount of GH¢13,512,233 has been allocated for Compensation of Employees, while GH¢51,406,171, representing 14 per cent of the total Budget is for Goods and Services. An amount of GH¢309,860,208 has also been allocated for capital expenditure.

    The Committee observed that the allocation for Employee Compensation

    represents 4 per cent of the Ministry's budget. Goods and Services Vote represents 14 per cent, while allocation for Capex is 82 per cent of the entire budget for the Ministry.

    Internally Generated Funds (IGFs)

    The Committee registered its dis- appointment at the constant reduction in

    the rent collection from the UNDP flats and Government bungalows, considering the prime location of these properties. Out of projected revenue of GH¢477,553.56 only GH¢116,865.04 has been collected as at October 2015.

    The Committee wondered why private properties in the same locality were making far higher earnings in foreign currencies while the UNDP flats and Government bungalows consistently make losses.

    The Committee recommends that the Ministry should take advantage of the prime location of the properties and consider a public-private partnership with reputable investor/s to enable it enhance its IGF.

    Creation of Land Banks

    The Committee was informed that the Ministry is in the process of creating land banks in the regional and selected district capitals to undertake its low income affordable housing projects. Currently, the Ministry has sourced and paid for 35,000 acres of land for these projects. The Committee, therefore, commended the Ministry for this initiative and efforts.

    Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA)

    Again, the Committee observed that a large percentage of the releases for ABFA was used for expenditure at the Headquarters. Apart from the Hydrolo- gical Services Department, no other agency had releases from ABFA. It was explained that the ABFA was paid on quarterly basis and the amount released was used to pay outstanding claims.

    The Committee was informed that third quarter releases from the Fund has been made but are yet to be lodged in the Ministry's Account at the Bank of Ghana.

    Water Distribution Network

    The Committee noted that most of the water expansion projects undertaken by GWCL in some urban centres are not yielding the required results because of the absence of distribution pipes to transmit the water into the needed communities.

    It was observed that the type of loan facilities contracted concentrate more on the water production projects without taking into consideration funds for the distribution aspect of water delivery. As such, the Ministry can boast of increase in water production levels (stock) but this is not backed by any effective distribution to reach the communities where they are most needed.

    The Committee noted that, at the moment, there are a number of completed water treatment projects which are wasting away because of non-existence of distribution lines to take the water to the beneficiary communities. The Committee recommends that future water projects should also take into consideration the distribution aspect so that water can be pumped to consumers in the shortest possible time after completion.

    Galamsey Activities Destroying Water Quality

    The Committee was informed that the nefarious activities of small scale miners (galamsey operators) are destroying water bodies across the country. It was explained that treatment pumps that are used by GWCL are not designed to handle the amount of sludge generated by the activities of galamsey operations.

    This result in frequent breakdown of treatment plants. This and the current electricity crises, affects the quality and flow of water to the communities.
    Mr David Oppon-Kusi (NPP -- Ofoase / Ayirebi) 2 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    I wish to support the Motion on the floor and in doing so, I would like to draw the attention of the House and by extension, the Ministries of Finance and Water Resources, Works and Housing to a worrying trend regarding the way Government in recent years has, through its discretionary powers to budgetary allocations been handling the once powerful Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing into complete insignificance.
    Mr Speaker, allocations to the Ministry for the performance of its mandate has been steadily dwindling over the years. We have moved from 2.7 per cent of the total budget allocation for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in 2012 to 1.5 per cent in the current budget.
    Mr Speaker, I would make reference to paragraph 9.9 of the Committee's Report. It has the heading “Galamsey Activities Destroying Water Quality”. Mr Speaker, illegal mining, deforestation and poor waste management practices in water- locked areas is quietly, but progressively destroying our water resources.
    Mr Speaker, some of the plants for the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) had to be shutdown, including the much- touted Kyebi Water Project which was recently inaugurated. GWCL has to shut that plant down because of the amount of silt generated by galamsey and other illegal activities.
    Mr Speaker, I would also make reference to paragraph 9.7 on the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA). Out of a total amount of GH¢38,153,237 released for capital expenditure, GH¢35.6 million went to the headquarters for various operations. What it means is that the various organisations or agencies are being starved of funds for their capital expenditure. In most cases, nothing was released to these agencies for their capital expenditure.
    Mr Speaker, it has also emerged that after spending lots of borrowed money to increase and improve our water treatment capacity, we did not look for money to expand distribution capacity, to an extent that most of these new water treatment facilities are performing under capacity.
    For example, the Kpong Water Works which has a capacity of about 4 million gallons a day, is treating and producing only 20 million a day. This is because there are no distribution pipes to send the treated water to --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2 p.m.
    Hon Member, go over your figures again.
    Mr Oppon-Kusi 2 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I said that the Kpong Water Works which has a capacity of 40 million gallons a day is producing 20 million gallons out of its capacity. This is because we cannot distribute the water if we produce at full capacity.
    Mr Speaker, I would also want to draw the Ministry's attention to the disconnection between what is stated in the Budget Statement and what is allocated in the budget estimate.
    For example, in the Budget Statement, we were told that this year, the Department of Rural Housing would commence 100 unit of rural housing. When we went for the Committee meeting, we realised that there was no lying item for rural housing.
    That meant, what had been promised in the budget statement is not catered for in the Budget Estimates. When we went further to find out, even the agency itself was not aware that this issue had come up in the Budget Statement. That is to say, it did not come from bottom up.
    The agency had not made any plans to build 100 units of rural housing, and yet the Budget Statement stated that 100 units would be commenced this year. There is this disconnection between what is in the Budget Statement and what has been allocated.
    Mr Speaker, one of the problems we face with these low allocation is that there are a number of agencies under this Ministry, which are gradually dying.
    Under housing, the Rent Control Department is moribund; the Department of Rural Housing is nonperforming; Public Servant Housing Loan Scheme Board is dead; and the Architects Registration Council is hanging on a thread.
    Under water, the Public Works Department is waiting for its final funeral r ites; it has been neglected. The Hydrological Services Department is also limping; then the Engineer Council which was recently set up is still-born.
    Mr Speaker, Water Resource Commission is also idling when our rivers are being polluted. The linkage between the Ministries for Local Government and Rural Development and Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation is non-existent, such that even as we seek to protect our water sources, we have agencies that are responsible for ensuring that our forests are protected, but there is no linkage between these agencies.
    Mr Speaker, the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, which is responsible for providing rural water, is decelerating instead of accelerating. We see that every other agency, including GWCL, now needs to be redirected properly.
    Mr Speaker, until we realise that water is basic; until we realise that shelter is basic, if we continue to do this, this Ministry would end up being insigni- ficant.
    Mr Speaker, looking at the Order Paper, which approves GH¢374,781,612 for the Ministry, below it, I am saying they do not deserve, but I envy the amount of
    GH¢718,854,911 --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2 p.m.
    Hon Member, can you concentrate on the Report? We are debating this Report. That one is a different subject matter altogether.
    Mr Oppon-Kusi 2 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, my point is that we are not getting our priorities right.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2 p.m.
    We are not here to compare what the needs of various departments and Ministries are. We are talking about the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing.
    Please, begin to conclude.
    Mr Oppon-Kusi 2 p.m.
    All right.
    Mr Speaker, my point here is that the Ministry of Water Resource, Works and Housing is not receiving the needed attention in terms of financial allocation to its agencies. If we do not address this, the Ministry would become non existent very soon.
    The Public Works Department (PWD) is dying. All other agencies under the Ministry are suffering from this thing.
    Mr Speaker, with these few words, I would like to support the Motion.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:10 p.m.
    The last contributor and then I will put the Question.
    Mr Justice J. Appiah (NPP -- Ablekuma North) 2:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion for the approval of the estimates of the Water Resources, Works and Housing.
    Mr Speaker, water is life, as we all say. May I crave your indulgence to read from page 9 of the Report:
    “The Government will complete the construction of the Water Treat- ment Plant at Kumawu and Konongo. It will also complete rehabilitation works on the Kwahu Ridge Water Supply System. The project will add 8.47MGD of water to the supply system. The construction of water treatment plant in Akim Oda and Akwatia will continue.”
    Mr Speaker, I hail from Akim Oda; it is my hometown. The trenches are there. They have not fitted the pipes in the trenches. This is causing serious

    problems in Akim Oda. I would have wished that the Works and Housing Committee acquaints itself with the kind of job being done at Akim Oda. We always have shortage of water in Akim Oda.

    Mr Speaker, now, I am talking about Rural Water Management Programme. May I crave your indulgence to read from the 2014 Budget:

    “Under the Government's 20,000 borehole project, 356 out of 1,115 boreholes drilled have been fitted with hand pumps this year. The rest are to be completed in 2014.”

    Mr Speaker, with the Government's 20,000 borehole project which was to be completed in 2014, it is only 3,000 that have been completed. Mr Speaker, 2014 has passed -- we are in 2015; 2015 is about to end and it is only 3,000 boreholes that have been fitted. Where is the 17,000 deficit? This is what we are asking the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, to at least, work very hard to make sure that by the middle of 2016, these boreholes are fitted.

    Mr Speaker, if these boreholes are fitted, it would help alleviate the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian or the women and young men who travel several kilometres to look for water without success. Mr Speaker, where are we going to get the deficit of 17,000?
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:10 p.m.
    Hon Member, are you on a point of order?
    Mr J. J. Appiah 2:10 p.m.
    “In the abundance of water, the full is thirsty”. They did not understand me.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:10 p.m.
    Hon Member, he has a point of order.
    Mr Assumeng 2:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, on a point of order.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:10 p.m.
    What is it?
    Mr Assumeng 2:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, as the Hon Chairman of the Committee and also as a member of the Committee, we are aware that this Government has sunk unprecedented investment of money into the water sector. The investment into the water sector under this Government is unprecedented and he knows. The Hon Member should address himself to the investment at Kpone, Teshie and other areas which he is aware of.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:10 p.m.
    Hon Chairman, you may disagree with him but then let him make his point. At the end of it, the Hon Deputy Minister would be given the opportunity to wind up and address the issues raised.
    Mr Assumeng 2:10 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr J. J. Appiah 2:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not think it is a point of order by my Hon Chairman. I would have to ignore him.
    Mr Speaker, I understand him. My hometown Akim Oda, where these trenches are open, the pipes are not there. They have not been fitted. We do not have water in Akim Oda and other areas. This is what I am talking about.

    You did not understand me. I did not say “f-o-o-l”. It is “f-u-l-l”.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:10 p.m.
    Hon Member, begin to wind up.
    Mr J. J. Appiah 2:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, when you go through last year's budget, it was GH¢531,380.023;GoG was GH¢890,718,844; IGFS was GH¢6,033,120; development Fund was GH¢435,674,000.
    This year, GoG is GH¢129,322,964; the IGFs is GH¢3,973,131; the development partner's Fund is GH¢241,485,516. When you calculate all, it comes to GH¢374,781,612 but when you go through the estimates, it is GH¢1,418,584,000. This is a very big mistake that has to be corrected.
    Mr Speaker, if last year, it was GH¢531 million, this year, it is GH¢374 million. Why the sharp decrease? This is what we are talking about. Mr Speaker, though they have invested a lot of money, the water deficit is too much in this country. We need water to drink --
    Mr J. J. Appiah 2:10 p.m.
    This wanton dissipation of the taxpayer's money must stop, then moneys would be allocated to the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing for us to get water to drink as Ghanaians are thirsty --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:10 p.m.
    Hon Member, your time is up.
    Mr J.J. Appiah 2:10 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:10 p.m.
    I indicated that he was the last contributor. Let us hear you, after that, we will --
    Dr Richard W. Anane (NPP-- Nhyiaeso) 2:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to draw attention to one or two things.
    Mr Speaker, in the budget of the Ministry, the major components contributing to the Ministry's budget are the ABFA and the donor support. The two of them combined will give over 90 per cent of the budget of the Ministry.
    Mr Speaker, one of the major problems confronting us is about the treatment of fluid effluence. Mr Speaker, from the Ministry, we have been informed that about 97 per cent of the treatment plant for fluid effluence in the country are non- functional.
    Mr Speaker, looking at the budget, we do not see anywhere where requisite attention has been paid to this. It also goes in to buttress the reason we are continuously battled with cholera and other sanitation related diseases.
    Mr Speaker, while we would want to support the approval of the budget for the Ministry, we would also want the Ministry to be a little more focussed on ensuring that we resolve the matters with respect to the treatment plants for fluid effluence.
    Mr Speaker, in the budget, we are told that apart from the Hydrological Services Department, no other agency had releases from ABFA. We are also told under galamsey activities that it was explained that treatment pumps that are used by the GWCL are not designed to handle the amount of sludge generated by the activities of galamsey operators.
    Mr Speaker, these are serious observations. We would want the Ministry and Government to take note. We do not have to wait until all the plants that are supposed to supply us with water are destroyed before we start crying, when we have been told that about 97 per
    cent of treatment plants from fluid effluence are non functional.
    Mr Speaker, these are the few comments I would want to make while calling for approval for the budget.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:30 p.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister, can you wind up and take into consideration some of the issues raised by the Hon Members.
    Mr Ahi 2:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, let me assure my Hon Colleagues that water, which is treated and supplied to Ghanaians, is of high quality. This is because the Quality Assurance Department of GWCL constantly checks the quality of treated water distributed to Ghanaians.We do not have a problem with the quality of water, which is supplied to Ghanaians.
    Mr Speaker, I agree with the Hon Ranking Member, when he said that we have challenges with distribution network. That is why somewhere last year, this Parliament approved US$48 million for the distribution network in Accra. Currently, work is ongoing to address the dis- tribution challenge that we have in Accra.
    Mr Speaker, all the concerns raised by Hon Colleagues have been taken on board and they will be addressed accordingly.
    On this note, I would want to thank all Hon Members for their contributions.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:30 p.m.
    Thank you very much.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved:
    That this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢374,781,612 for the services of the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Agbesi 2:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we have some Papers to be laid under item 5 (c), (vii) at page 3.
    The Hon Minister for Finance to lay that Paper.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:30 p.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Members, item number 5 (c) (vii), Hon Minister for Finance?
    PAPERS 2:30 p.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:30 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Agbesi 2:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the item captured on the Addendum Paper to be laid by the Hon Minister for Finance.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:30 p.m.
    Very well.
    Order Paper Addendum, at the Commencement of Public Business -- presentation and First Reading of Bills,
    Hon Minister for Finance?
    BILLS -- FIRST READING 2:30 p.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:30 p.m.
    I further direct that the Committee should determine whether the Bill is of an urgent nature to be taken through all the stages in one day in accordance with Standing Order 119 of the Rules of the House.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Mr Agbesi 2:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, item 16, Hon Minister for Youth and Sports.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:30 p.m.
    Hon Members, item 16 on the Order Paper by the Hon Minister for Youth and Sports?
    ANNUAL ESTIMATES, 2016
    Ministry of Youth and Sports
    Minister for Youth and Sports Maj. (Dr) (Alhaji) Mustapha Ahmed)(retd) 2:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢22,560,058 for the services of the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Speaker, the breakdown of the amount is as follows 2:30 p.m.
    Employees' compensation, GH¢ 11,960,238; Goods and services, GH¢10,357,850; IGFs GH¢241, 970.00.
    The Ministry's mandate is to formulate, co-ordinate, supervise monitor and evaluate policies, programmes and projects of the sector.
    These programmes and policies are implemented by the following agencies -- the National Youth Authority, the National Sports Authority and the National Sports College, Winneba.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:30 p.m.
    Hon Members, can we have some quiet?
    Yes, Hon Minister?
    Maj. (Dr) (Alhaji) Ahmed (retd): Mr Speaker, in this regard, the following Bills, that is the National Youth Bill and the National Sports Bill have been submitted to Cabinet for consideration. Gladly, Cabinet has given approval for the Bills to be presented to Parliament.
    Mr Speaker, the year 2015 also witnessed the country participating in the African Nations' Cup (CAN) Tournament, which was held in the Equatorial Guinea in January. Ghana placed second in the tournament. Ghana also participated in the 2015 All African Games held in Congo Brazzaville from 4th to 9th September, 2015 and won a total of nineteen medals, comprising two golds, nine silver and eight bronze medals.
    The Ministry, in collaboration with the Millennium Marathon Sports Limited, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and other sponsors, organised the regional marathons in the regional capitals except Greater Accra, to promote and

    The regional marathons culminated in the first international marathon in Accra on 5TH September, 2015.

    Mr Speaker, on youth development, the National Youth Authority collaborated with the United Nations Population Fund and Futures Group to educate the youth on peer and reproductive health activities, sexually transmitted diseases and infections, including HIV AIDS. A workshop was organised in the Brong Ahafo, Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions.

    Mr Speaker, the National Youth Authority undertook a number of activities in the various regions during the year. In the area of vocational skills training, the National Youth Authority is currently providing skills training to 1,646 students in all eleven Youth Leadership and Skills Training Institutes.

    The construction of a modern sports stadium in Cape Coast is almost complete with a grant from the Chinese Government. It is expected that this project will be inaugurated by the end of January, 2016.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:30 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, is it a point of order?
    Mr Akyea 2:30 p.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker.
    I would want some direction from your high office whether the procedure being adopted by my Hon Colleague is to, at this point in time, tout the achievements of the Ministry or just give us a little summary and then the Report will be debated.
    I need some guidance; it seems to be in the area of self-congratulations.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:30 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, while I will not completely agree with him, this time, we are hard pressed
    for time. So, if you could summarise your presentation as much as possible.
    Maj. (Dr) (Alhaji) Ahmed (retd): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I was actually about to wind up.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this House approves the sum of GH¢ 22,560,058 allocated to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for its activities for the 2016 financial year.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Question proposed.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Kobena M. Woyome) 2:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢22, 560,058 for the services of the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the year ending 31st December, 2016 -- [Interruption]
    I present your Committee's Report, permit me to carry out some corrections. If you look at page 5, Table 2, under Goods and Services, the total figure there should read 10,357,850 and not 10,357,950. Also the column with the heading “IFG” should be “IGF”.
    I will bring you back a little to page 3, Table 1, under the column Variance. The Variance figture for assets was not captured under Variance. It should be there as 5 million so that the total figure would read 10,580,556.36.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, he has indicated to us that for the third column under Variance, we should import the figure 5 million. In that case, the percentage variance should also reflect. What is it? He should indicate it to us.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Chairman should help this House. When you indicate the percentage variance; for the total side, you do the aggregation. So, what should be there? The 29 per cent that you are indicating to us, then is wrong. It should change, so that we do what is right there. If you cannot do it now, you would come back later but that figure should change.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:40 a.m.
    Hon Chairman, how do you respond to that?
    Mr Woyome 2:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minority Leader is r ight under the circumstances.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:40 a.m.
    So, you would need to effect the correction.
    Mr Woyome 2:40 a.m.
    The percentage variance for that would be 100 per cent. So, we would just do the appropriate calculation.
    Let me just put it this way, the figure there is not the total of the whole. That was not considered under the circumstances. So, let us proceed. Let us look at another correction here -- item number 6.2 on the same page 3.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:40 a.m.
    Before you move on to the next correction, as it stands, at the end of it, it would have to be deferred for you and your team to go and work on the correct figure before the Question is put. Would that be alright?
    Mr Woyome 2:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, what we sought to do was to come out with the line by line item, the variances in terms of the releases, the original allocation and what was actually released or not. That
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:40 a.m.
    That is why I am saying that we will go ahead, that notwithstanding. But we would not put the Question until you have done that. So, we will defer it after the debate for you to do that before the Question can be put to save the situation.
    Mr Woyome 2:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
    Well noted.
    Introduction
    The Hon Minister for Finance, Mr Seth E.Terkper, presented the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the 2016 Financial Year to the House on Friday, 13th November, 2015. This was in accordance with article 179 of the 1992 Constitution. Pursuant to Order 140 (4) of the Standing Orders of the House, Mr Speaker referred the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Youth and Sports to the Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture for consideration and report.
    The Committee thereafter met with the Hon Minister for Youth and Sports, Maj. (Dr)(Alhaji) Mustapha Ahmed (retd) and his technical team on Thursday, 10th December, 2016 and considered the referral.
    The Committee is grateful to the Hon. Minister and his technical team for their co-operation.
    Reference documents
    The Committee was guided by the following reference documents during its deliberations:
    i. The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
    ii. The Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.
    iii. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Govern- ment of Ghana for the 2016 Financial Year.
    iv. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Govern- ment of Ghana for the 2015 Financial Year;
    v. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Govern- ment of Ghana for the 2014 Financial Year.
    Mission Statement
    The Ministry of Youth and Sports is responsible for the formulation, Imple- tation, co-ordination as well as monitoring and evaluation of youth and sports policies in the country.
    Implementing Departments and Agencies
    The underlisted agencies and Insti- tutions are responsible for the implementation of the policies and programmes of the Ministry:
    i. The National Sport College -- Winneba (NSC -W).
    ii. The National Sports Authority
    (NSA).
    iii. The National Youth Authority
    (NYA).
    Policy Objectives
    The broad policy objectives of the Ministry are to:
    i. provide adequate and disability friendly infrastructure for sports in communities and schools;
    ii. strengthen national capacity for sports management;
    iii. support the development of lesser known sports;
    iv. ensure integration of youth concerns into national develop- ment planning processes and programmes;
    v. ensure provision of adequate training and skills development in line with global trends; and

    vi. ensure adequate capacity and skills development of youth with disability.

    Performance for year 2015

    The Ministry of Youth and Sports was allocated a total amount of thirty-six million, one hundred and eighty-six thousand, two hundred and seventeen Ghana cedis (GH¢36,186,217.00) to implement its programmes and activities for the 2015 financial year.

    This allocation was made up of a Government of Ghana (GoG) component of GH¢35,906,402.00 and Internally Generated Fund (IGF) of GH¢279,816.00. The budget performance of the Ministry for year 2015 is shown in table 1.

    Table 1

    Budget Performance as at October 2015

    SPACE FOR TABLE 1 - PAGE 6 - 2.40P.M.

    According to the Ministry,as at October 2015, an amount of GH¢25, 605,660.64 out of the total allocation of GH¢36,186,217.00 to the Ministry had been released. However, as at the same period, there had been no release for Assets.

    The Ministry indicated that the non- release of funds earmarked for Assets affected its ability to execute some important projects.

    Despite the non release of the entire allocation for year 2015, the Ministry

    implemented and facilitated various programmes and activities, some of which are listed below:

    i. Continued with the construction of the Cape Coast Sport Stadium.

    ii. Facilitated the participation of the Black Stars in the 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in which the team won silver.

    iii. Facilitated the participation of Ghana in 16 out of the 22 events
    Mr Woyome 2:40 a.m.
    at the 2015 All African Games held in Brazaville, Republic of Congo and won 19 medals comprising 2 gold, 9 silver and 8 bronze.
    iv. Facilitated the participation of the National Teams in the following:
    Badminton and the International Federation (FIBA) Africa Zone III Championships in Nigeria.
    the Cycling Tournament in Togo and Benin.
    Cricket Championship in Benoni, South Africa.
    Judo Championship in Cote d'Ivoire, among others and won a total of 8 trophies, 2 gold medals and 1 bronze.
    v. Completed the preparation of the Draft National Sports Bill and submitted same to Cabinet.
    vi. Completed the preparation of a Draft National Youth Authority
    Bill and submitted same to Cabinet:
    vii.Trained a total of 1,646 youth under its Vocational/Skills Training Programme in the eleven (11) Youth Leadership and Skills Training Institutions. 200 of the trainees will sit for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) examination.
    viii. Initiated processes to upgrade the infrastructure stock of the National Sports College (Winneba) into a Centre of Excellence through Public- Private Partnership (PPP).
    Budgetary Allocation for Year 2016
    An amount of GH¢22,560,058.00 comprising GoG of GH¢22,318,088.00 and IGF of GH¢241,970.00 has been allocated for the implementation of the Ministry's planned programmes and activities for year 2016. This allocation represents a reduction of GH¢13,626,159.00 (39.6%) of year 2015 allocation. The breakdown per the various cost centres is captured in table 2.

    Table 2

    SPACE FOR TABLE 2 - PAGE 8 - 2.40P.M.

    Observations and Recommendations

    Main Ministry/Headquarters

    The main Ministry has been allocated an amount of GH¢ 5,574,038.00 made of GH¢1,093,011.00 for Compensation and GH¢ 4,481,027.00 for Goods and Services.

    The main Ministry plans to apply its 2016 allocation to undertake, among others, the following activities:

    i. Facilitate the passage of the National Sports College Bill.

    ii. Rehabilitate the Ministry's Headquarters and other existing facilities.

    iii. Settle arrears in respect of the construction of the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, as well as accumulated arrears by the National Football Teams.

    iv. Facilitate the preparation and participation of the various National Football Teams in the following tournaments:

    Black Stars -- AFCON 2017 and 2018 World Cup qualifiers;

    Black Satellites -- African Youth Championship, 2017.

    Black Starlets -- African Youth Championship, 2017.

    Black Queens -- African Women's Championship,

    2016;

    Black Princess -- FIFA Under 20 Women's World Cup, 2016.

    Black Maidens -- FIFA Under 17 Women's World Cup, 2016.

    v. Support 40 National Sports Associations to attend and participate in international events and competitions.

    vi. Organise the 2017 Unity Games.

    vii.Organise training workshops/ seminars for sports officials.

    It came to the attention of the Committee that the Ministry is indebted to service providers to the tune of GH¢12,839, 665.50 and US$985,447.00. Some of the affected companies have resorted to legal action to recover their moneys. However, the inadequate budgetary allocation for year 2016 may make it difficult for the Ministry to meet the debt obligation.

    It is therefore critical that the Ministry of Finance institute urgent measures to enable the Ministry settle its debts to forestall the unpleasant possibility of losing some of its assets to debtors.

    Effective monitoring of programmes and activities of the various agencies under the Ministry ensures proper co- ordination and implementation of policies. Unfortunately, the Ministry lacks vehicles and requisite logistics to effectively perform this important function. It is imperative that the Ministry is adequately resourced to enable it perform its monitoring role to expectation.

    National Sports College (NSC)

    The National Sports College has been provided with an amount of GH¢2, 082,947.00 for its programmes and activities for year 2016.
    Mr Woyome 2:40 a.m.
    The Committee was happy to note that in year 2014, the College launched the National Community Coaching, Education and Development Framework Programme with UK Sports. The Curriculum for rolling out the programme is almost complete. In collaboration with local and international experts, the College will continue to organise technical and administrative courses and seminars for prospective coaches, administrators, and paramedics.
    It was interesting to note that in an effort to unearth talents and promote soccer in every constituency, the College plans to launch a project, under which 5 people, preferably retired and interested footballers from each constituency will be trained in basic soccer coaching. The College proposes that the project be financed by Members of Parliament.
    The Committee was informed that under the Government's Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative the College successfully negotiated with the World Bank Local Office to upgrade the infrastructure of the college to an international level.
    The initiative, the Committee noted, will create an opportunity for the construction of a 50 self-contained hostel; a 2,000 seating capacity sports hall, 4 football fields (one synthetic with modern tartan tracks), outdoor courts each for volley ball, basketball, hand ball and hockey; and an Olympic-size swimming pool, among others.
    It is expected that when completed, the project will go a long way to attract the hosting of international sporting events in the country and generate revenue for the College.
    National Sports Authority (NSA)
    An amount of GH¢7,430,943.00has been allocated to the National Sports Authority (NSA) for year 2016.
    For year 2016, the Authority intends to direct much of its attention to inaugurating and consolidating Mass Sports country- wide in view of its potential to positively impact on national productivity. The Committee was informed that Mass Sports could serve as an avenue for job creation and also generate income for the Authority.
    Under the programme, the Authority will train thousands of keep fit instructors and deploy them all over the country to serve corporate bodies and communities. The Committee urges the Ministry of Finance to release funds for this laudable programme.
    The Authority cited shortage of critical staff, especially in the technical department as a key challenge affecting the output of the Authority. It emerged that this year alone, the Authority lost 16 staff mostly sports coaches, for various reasons, including poor conditions of service. Members were informed that although the Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved the critical manpower requirements of the Authority, it has (the Authority) still not received clearance from the Ministry of Finance to recruit.
    The Committee was informed that although the various stadia, building courts, playing pitches and courts require urgent renovation, the irregular and non- release of funds allocated for Assets over a period of time has affected the Authority's ability to carry out renovation works on the facilities.
    For example, in year 2015, out of a budget of GH¢25,000,000.00 presented for Assets, only GH¢1,500,000.00 was allocated and as at August, 2015, there
    had been no release for Asset. Unfortunately, for year 2016, no allocation was made for Asset. According to the Authority, although it has, over the past years, increased its IGF, the amount generated is so insignificant as compared to what is required to rehabilitate its infrastructure nationwide.
    It is the view of the Committee that if the National Sports Authority is to perform its role as expected, then the Authority ought to be provided with the needed resources to perform.
    National Youth Authority (NYA)
    The National Youth Authority has been provided with an amount of GH¢7,472,130.00 comprising GH¢5,372,130.00 as Compensation and GH¢2,100,000.00 for Goods and Services.
    In year 2016, the Authority plans to facilitate discussion at the National Youth Round-Table on Climate Change, train 2,250 youths in leadership, vocational and technical skills, and undertake renovation works in all eleven (11) of its Youth Leadership and Skills Training Institutes.
    The Authority, under the Ghana/ Columbia Exchange Programme will build the capacity of some youth in maize, yam and pepper production. The Committee was happy to note that in year 2015, the Authority, under the same programme, organised two workshops to teach some 100 farmers in the Ashanti and Brong- Ahafo Regions, value addition to plantain production.
    In spite of the importance of the Authority, the NYA lacks basic tools and equipment in its Youth Training Institutes. Its offices also lack equipment and furniture for effective youth service
    delivery. Besides, it lacks adequate personnel to provide the needed services. The Authority is currently available in only eighty-one (81) Metropolitan, Municipal and Distr ict Assemblies, posing a challenge for the Authority to implement government policies and programmes nationwide.
    Due to non-release and late release of funds, the statutory programmes of the Authority which are usually time-bound are often poorly organised or held late. Out of an allocation of GH¢10,053,734.00 made for year 2015, only GH¢4,852,176.84 had been released as at August 2015.
    It is interesting to note that GH¢4,012,235.00 out of the amount released went into the payment of compensation, leaving just GH¢839,941.84 to operate with. Currently, feeding grants to the 11 Youth Training Institutes are in arrears to the tune of GH¢1,353,345.00.
    Conclusion
    It is no gainsaying that the future of every nation largely depends on the quality of its youth. A well-trained, skilful and disciplined youth population has the potential to significantly contribute to the socioeconomic development of a nation. It is in the light of this that the Ministry of Youth and Sports has embraced Youth Development/Empowerment and Sports as vehicles for promoting development.
    These noble objectives cannot be realised unless adequate investments are made into building our sports infras- tructure and equipping our youth with the needed skills to unearth and nurture the vast economic potential of the Youth and Sports sub-sector. To this end, the effort to revamp our sports facilities through Private-Public Partnership (PPP) should be seen as a welcome initiative.

    The Committee, accordingly, recommends for the approval of the House an amount of twenty-two million, five hundred and sixty thousand, and fifty-eight Ghana cedis (GH¢22,560,058.00)for the implementation of programmes and activities of the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the 2016 financial year.

    Respectfully submitted.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:50 p.m.
    If there are no contributions, then I will direct that the Question be deferred until the Committee has done its homework and come up with the correct figure.[Pause]
    Any contribution?
    Mr Boniface Gambilla Adagbila (NPP -- Nabdam) 2:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I stand to support the Motion.
    The fact is that, business must be going on and the Ministry of Youth and Sports must be working. So, their request is quite appropriate to get the endorsement.
    Mr Speaker, I just want to make some few comments that would support in the quality of the use of the Budget Statement.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to draw your attention to the fact that, experience has shown that sometimes after Budget Statements are presented, there comes a Government Performance Contract with the various Ministries. When they appear here, we do not hear anything about the Performance Contract and I believe this goes a long way to affect approved budgets.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to say, the funding for the Ministry needs to be
    critically looked at. This is because the Ministry does a lot of sporting activities and for some time now, it has not been able to extend certain facilities in terms of financial support to other sporting groups under the Ministry.
    In the 2015 Budget Statement, when the Ministry requested for about GH¢36.2 million, it was reduced drastically to GH¢25 million. This goes to affect their performance.
    Mr Speaker, for this year, even the GH¢25 million they got has been cut down slightly above GH¢ 22 million. This would still go a long way to affect the Ministry's activities.
    Mr Speaker, it is my wish to say that the other critical thing is, there is a disconnect between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and its youth activities. Sometime last year, the Youth Employ- ment Agency Bill was passed.
    Mr Speaker, I would refer us to Standing Order 187, which reads 2:50 p.m.
    “The Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture shall consist of eighteen Members to which shall be referred matters relating to the youth, sports and culture generally.”
    The Youth Employment Agency, from all intent and purposes, the Executive has sought of truncated it into another Ministry. I think this is a violation of our Standing Orders. There was an occasion in dealing with the Youth Employment Agency Bill, we had a joint Committee work.
    It is my firm belief that, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations has to do with employment activities and labour issues. Employees are those who are paid salaries, they pay taxes, they have
    pension, end of service benefit and so many benefits as permanent employees.
    The staff of the Youth Employment Agency would be those to relate more directly with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations.
    Mr Speaker, we need to really look at the functions and mandate of the Ministry of Youth and Sports to have full control of youth activities. What is going to happen under the Youth Employment Agency is that, the Ministry intends to build the capacity of the youth to make them employable, so that the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations can employ them.
    So, for the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations wholly taking the responsibility for the same programming of the youth, capacity building and giving them the necessary skills, knowledge and attitude for future work, that falls clearly under the mandate of the Youth Ministry.
    So, it is one area I think is critical for this House to work with the Executive, to make sure that the Executive does not dictate to this independent House -- legislative body.
    Mr Speaker, when that happens, it creates confusion of multiple authority. Who would be reporting to who? In this case, we have two Ministries -- two Ministers and who reports to which Minister and which Minister has the ultimate responsibility?
    Mr Speaker, you would realise that the National Youth Authority (NYA), for example, runs 11 vocational training centres all over the country. When you look in the Budget Statement for this year, they have targeted over 2,000 youth to
    train. Yet the funding for youth training is directed to another Ministry. So, the Ministry of Youth and Sports would not have a firm control to make decisions as to where funding should go for proper and effective youth training.
    Mr Speaker, we need to look at that very critically and this disconnect has to be addressed.
    I also think that steps have to be taken subsequently to look at all past records of funding retrievals under this Ministry, that so many committees have been set up and there are some fundings to be retr ieved. The Ministry should be empowered or given further capacity to be able to look through the Commission's report on sporting activities from World Cups to whatever cups.
    The Maputo Commission is another one. Findings are there, moneys to be retrieved are there and we need a capacity to get these moneys to the Ministry to be able to take care of all sporting activities.
    Mr Speaker, I just want to say that, approval is sought for them to --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:50 p.m.
    Thank you very much, Hon Member.
    Hon Chairman of the Committee, do you want to react to what he said?
    Mr Woyome 2:50 p.m.
    No, Mr Speaker, I would want to correct the --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:50 p.m.
    I thought we would give the Hon Minister the opportunity to wind up and then we will defer the putting of the Question until the correction has been effected?
    Mr Benson Tongo Baba (NDC -- Talensi) 2:50 p.m.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:50 p.m.
    No, Hon Member. I have not given you the floor. But anyhow, please, go ahead but be very brief.
    Mr Benson Tongo Baba (NDC -- Talensi) 3 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion. However, I would have a few comments to make.
    One of it is based on paragraph 8.1 of the Report, which talks about the various activities of the Ministry. Next year, 2016, Ghana would be taking part in the Olympic Games in Brazil. Unfortunately, this has not been captured. There is the need also to take that one into consideration. This is because, the Ministry would be putting money into the participation.
    Mr Speaker, the next one is about the 2017 Unity Games. I do not understand why it is not 2016. The maiden Unity Games, which was launched, served as preparatory grounds for talent identifica- tion for major international games.
    Mr Speaker, in the past, it used to be known as “Funders Games” and it was changed to “National Sports Festival” and today, it is called, “Unity Games”. But since the maiden games, somewhere in 2011 or so, we have not had it.
    I would want to draw the attention of this House to chapter 6, article 37 (5) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, and with your permission, I beg to quote:
    “The State shall ensure that adequate facilities for sports are provided throughout Ghana and that sports are promoted as a means of fostering national integration, health and self-discipline as well as international friendship and under- standing.”

    Mr Speaker, I think our attitude towards sports development and promotion is becoming a bit of worry to those in the sector. First, on the infrastructural development, even though modest gains have been made, there is still a long way for us as a nation. Maintenance of these facilities have also become very scarce because of lack of funding.

    If we look at the budget that has been given to the Ministry, obviously, we are then telling the Ministry not to function at all. If we consider the funds that would go into all the activities mentioned there -- Black Stars -- AFCON 2017 and 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Black Satellites -- African Youth Championship, 2017, Black Starlets -- African Youth Championship, 2017, Black Queens -- African Women's Championship, 2016, Black Princess -- FIFA Under 20 Women's World Cup, 2016 and the Black Maidens -- FIFA Under 17 Women's World Cup, 2016 and the Olympic Games, one would realise that if the Ministry was allocated GH¢36 million -- what they received then was GH¢25 million.

    Then what they are going to receive in 2016 for all these programmes and other activities, I think that there is a need for the Ministry of Finance to look at the moneys that they have allocated to the ministry, so that they can come by way of supplementary estimates to cushion the Ministry and take it out of its problems.

    Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3 p.m.
    Hon Members, I think the debate is extending too far. We will listen to the Hon Minority Leader, if he has some contributions to make and then the Hon Minister will wind up and we will defer putting the Question.
    Mr Woyome 3 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the issue that was raised by the Hon Minority Leader has been corrected and so, I would want to —
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3 p.m.
    Hon Member, let us go step by step. I will give you the opportunity at the appropriate time. But in the meantime, let us hear him if he has a contribution to make.
    Mr Isaac K. Asiamah — rose --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3 p.m.
    Hon Isaac K. Asiamah, you said you had deferred your contribution to that Hon Member, and he has done it. This is because I knew that you were the Ranking Member, but you ch ose to l e t t he oth er Hon Member —
    Mrs Gifty Eugenia Kusi (NPP— Tarkwa-Nsuaem) 3 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, on page 5, item (iii) of the Report, the Ministry hopes to settle arrears in respect of the construction of the Cape Coast Sports Stadium as well as accumulated arrears by the national football teams.
    Mr Speaker, I hope that this arrears matter, which saw women footballers staying in a hotel, and being driven out, and coming back, eating “waakye”for lunch et cetera would not happen again this year. This is because it looks like it happens to only female footballers. If they are looking for money to do that, then I want to urge the Ministry to ensure that every arrears should be paid. They should not discriminate and pay only those they think they should pay.

    Mr Oppong-Asamoah — On a point of order.

    Mr Speaker, I would like to draw the attention of the House to the fact that we did not discriminate against our women.

    We made it so clear that what was budgeted for the All African Games was US$2,000, if we won gold and that was exactly what we intended to pay the women but they rejected it.

    It is not true that we discriminate against women. We still had some outstanding issues with even the male counterparts. It is not like we are discriminating against women.
    Mrs Kusi 3 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I saw the women outside eating “waakye” and so, the Hon Member should not bring himself.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3 p.m.
    Hon Member, make sure that you do not denigrate “waakye” because it is my speciality.
    Mrs Kusi 3 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, on page 9 of the Report —
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3 p.m.
    I do not think that is fair to those of us who like “waakye”— for you to make that kind of comment.
    Mrs Kusi 3 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am not saying that eating “waakye” is bad. No! I eat “waakye” but what I am saying is that, they were driven out of the hotel. Somebody bought the “waakye” for them to even eat.
    Mr Speaker, they were asked to leave. We all read it in the newspapers. I do not want us to go there.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to continue.
    In paragraph 8.4.2 of page 9 of the Report, and I beg to quote:
    “The Authority under the Ghana/ Columbia Exchange Programme will build the capacity of some youth in maize, yam and pepper production.”
    Mrs Kusi 3 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think there are so many farmers here who know how to — even I know how to grow maize, yam and pepper. Why should we bring people to come and teach them?
    Mr Speaker, I do not think this is good. Ghanaians are mostly farmers and teaching the youth to grow maize — When one digs a hole and puts two corn seeds in, one is growing maize — [Laughter]—

    Dr Ahmed Y, Alhassan On a point of order.

    Mr Speaker, I am sure that the production of maize is not as simple as digging a hole and putting it in and expect a good yield. Reference is being made to the scientific, appropriate and commercial orientation of maize production. I think that is what is worth teaching people and they have to do it. The fact that people are producing maize wrongly, does not make it correct.
    Mrs Kusi 3:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you.
    But I still think that we should not bring people to teach us how to plant maize.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to urge the Hon Minister, that if we approve this money for the Ministry, he should ensure that we put the money to the use that we proposed. I do not want to hear anything about Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Develop- ment Agency (GYEEDA), court cases, et cetera.
    Mr Speaker, with this contribution, I urge that we approve the sum, but I hope that they would use it judiciously.

    Mr Isaac K. Asiamah — rose --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:10 p.m.
    Hon Member, just clarification?
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 3:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, at the Committee level, some of us asked this question of the arrears with respect to the construction of the Cape Coast Sports Stadium. We were told that it was a Grant being used to construct it.
    Mr Speaker, as we speak, your Committee has not even been briefed about the nature of the Cape Coast Stadium, in terms of its capacity; nothing. The only answer they gave us when we asked, was that it was a grant. Parliament does not know the cost and capacity of it. So, we should bring this out.
    The Committee even asked for certain documentations, but with regard to the arrears by the national teams, we even asked for the total amount that Government owes them. We do not have it and so, if they could furnish us with this information —
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:10 p.m.
    Very well.
    I will let the Hon Minister respond at the appropriate time when he is winding up.
    Yes, Hon Minority Leader; any contribution? If not, I will let the Hon Minister wind up.
    Hon Member, we will come to yours. I have deferred it. So, let us go through the process. After all of that, if we have done the right thing, we would come to it, so that it can be taken.
    Minority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu) 3:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I guess I was going to take issues with a few things about the Hon Member for Tarkwa- Nsuaem and the Hon Ranking Member of the Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture.
    I realised that for last year, the Ministry had an allocation of GH¢36,186,217 and they indicate to us that for this year, their allocation is GH¢22,560,058 -- That is the request for which they are seeking an approval from Parliament.
    If there are arrears from the expenditure of last year, which amounted to GH¢36 million, how do they intend to settle the arrears that they are bringing forward to be settled with this year's allocation, which is just GH¢22 million?
    Mr Speaker, that is less than 60 per cent of the allocation for last year. So, how do they expect to settle the arrears from last year from this, given the tall order of programmes and activities that they have lined up for 2016?
    Mr Speaker, on page 3, where they have spoken of the arrears, we are not even too sure of the quantum of arrears. What is the quantum of arrears that they are bringing forward to 2016 to be settled out of this paltry allocation of GH¢22 million? How much it is, we are not informed.
    Mr Speaker, I guess the burden would be on the Committee Chairman to provide this House with further and better particulars about that, because we need to know to what extent that allocation is going to be encumbered.
    Mr Speaker, the other issue relates to the funding for the Cape Coast Sports Stadium that the Hon Ranking Member has re-echoed. My understanding is that, where we are, we are using some grants to settle the expenditures involved in the
    construction of the Cape Coast Sports Stadium. So, if they are saying that there are arrears, they must perhaps, situate it properly, how the arrears came into being and what is intended to be done by way of settling the arrears, that is outside the grant component. How is it going to be done? How did it accrue in the first place and how is it going to be settled?
    Mr Speaker, the next thing that I intend to raise relates to the training of the youth in vocational and technical skills. Whose remit is this? This is because the Minister responsible for Employment and Labour Relations came here and dealt with this same thing. Now, we have the Ministry of Youth and Sports also addressing this same matter-- Whose remit is this? Is it the Ministry of Youth and Sports or Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations?
    The overlaps are getting too many and if there are too many overlaps, certainly, it would amount to double or in some cases, triple expenditures being incurred. We need to have this centralised, so that we know that it is this Ministry -- The training would be done by the vocational training institutes anyway -- We would not do it by the wayside. And if it is that we are going to have this done, why not relocate it to the relevant Ministry, so that they come out better trained?

    Mr Speaker, there are people who are engaged in the production of yam, pepper and maize in this country and if we want some apprenticeship, why not second these guys to most of them in the Brong Ahafo and Northern Regions who are engaged in this?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:10 p.m.
    Well, Hon Minority Leader, the Hon Minister himself is here. So, let us give him the opportunity, so that he can wind up.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 3:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, that is why I am looking at him, so that he would be able to address these matters.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:10 p.m.
    Very well.
    So that he can wind-up taking into account these issues that have been raised.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 3:10 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, finally, the youth are spread everywhere in this country and I believe it is not good enough for the Hon Minister to indicate to us that as of now, they only exist in 81 districts. This is about a third of the districts that we have in the country.
    So, I would think that the efforts of the Ministry should be in that reach, trying to express itself in the other areas that they have not covered. This is because they need to bring the youth of those districts into their fold.
    If there are any directions or programmes that they laid out, those ones as well should be covered. But they should be concentrating their effort in the 81 districts that they now find themselves. I
    thought that should be the direction, not in value addition to plantain production. That is not their business. It is not the business of the Ministry of Youth and Sports at all as far as some of us are concerned.
    Thank you.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:10 p.m.
    Hon Minister, please, wind up, addressing these issues that have been raised. After that, I would find out from the Chairman of the Committee if he has been able to address the issue raised by the Hon Minority Leader and then we make progress.
    Maj. (Dr) (Alh) Ahmed (retd): Mr Speaker, in the Zongos, we have a very interesting saying about funerals of individuals who are regarded as poor. Normally, it is very simple and short -- [Laughter.] I was surprised that this presentation has generated such a long debate.
    Mr Speaker, but I wish to thank Hon Members for their very rich and useful contributions. When I also heard of the plantain issue, initially, I thought that we knew a lot about plantain in Ghana and I was amazed. But the Columbians have actually advanced in the value addition to plantain, even the stem has several useful products.We thought it was a useful exercise through the exchange programme.
    We had an agreement with Columbia, which was signed recently, in which we had exchanges in both sports and youth issues. So, they sent a group of youth to Ghana to interact with our youth and they ran two workshops in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions and actually taught our youth several value chain issues about plantain -- Right from the production up to getting the products and how to even make the plantain exportable and how to extend its shelve life.
    So, it was a very useful exercise and I would suggest that we encourage something like that.
    Mr Speaker, the Cape Coast Sports Stadium has a component that the Government of Ghana has to take care of. This is in regard to the provision of security, the use of water and electricity and also the clearing of the land as well as the clearing of materials and equipment from the Port of Tema and sometimes, Takoradi and transporting them to the site at Cape Coast.
    So, this is in the area where we incurred some arrears. But I have taken note of all these and I would arrange a special session of the Committee and give them a full brief at the appropriate time.
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 3:20 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, is he telling this House that he does not have the total cost for the construction of the Cape Coast Sports Stadium here?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:20 p.m.
    Even if you heard him clearly, he says he would arrange a meeting with the Committee to brief you about the details of all this. So, just hold your breath for the appropriate time.
    Mr I. K. Asiamah 3:20 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, this is a smart way of dodging the House.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:20 p.m.
    At the appropriate time -- [Laughter] --
    Yes, Hon Minister, are you through?
    Maj. (Dr) (Alh.) Ahmed (retd): Mr Speaker, I am done.
    Thank you very much.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:20 p.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Chairman of the Committee, have you sorted out that problem? If so, can we hear from you?
    Mr Woyome 3:20 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, yes, we have and there are two parts of it. The first has to do with the Table 1 on page 3. The total figure of the variance is 29.2 per cent and that is alright. Rather, we had the figure for Goods and Services wrong. The correct figure is 19.7 per cent. It used to be 16.7 per cent but should rather read 19.7 per cent. That is all.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:20 p.m.
    Very well.
    Mr Woyome 3:20 p.m.
    Then, the issue with regard to the indebtedness and arrears which was raised, we have captured it in the Report. In fact, by the expenditures of the Ministry, we have captured it before the various agencies and departments.
    We wrote certain policy achievements there. With regard to that, when you look at your Committee's Report, paragraph 8.1.1, you would notice some figures there as the global picture of how much, in terms of arrears and indebtedness of the various agencies and departments captured by the Ministry and with your permission, I beg to quote from there:
    “It came to the attention of the Committee that the Ministry is indebted to service providers to the tune of GH¢12,839,665 and US$ 985,447. Some of the affected companies…”
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:20 p.m.
    Very well.
    Thank you very much. I believe with this, I can now put the Question.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:20 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Bagbin 3:20 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Item numbered 15 on page 5 of the Order Paper.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:20 p.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Members, item numbered 15 on the Order Paper; Motion.
    Hon Minister of State at the Office of the President?
    ANNUAL ESTIMATES, 2016
    Office of Government Machinery
    Minister of State (Mr Akwasi Oppong Fosu) 3:20 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢718,854,911 for the services of the Office of Government Machinery for the year ending 31st December,, 2016.
    Mr Speaker, the Office of Government Machinery comprising the Office of the President and those organisations whose operations fall outside the traditional areas of sectoral responsibility, plans to undertake among others, the following programmes and activities during the 2016 financial year.
    Mr Speaker, for an efficient and effective public administrative system, the Public Sector Reform Secretariat would continue to facilitate the implementation of measures to improve service delivery in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Metropolitan, Municipal and
    District Assemblies (MMDAs) in line with international charters and protocols. The secretariat would continue the implemen- tation of the subvented agencies reform programme.
    Mr Speaker, to ensure the security and safety of citizens, the National Security Council would seek to promote stability, security and peace in Ghana and the sub- region. It would also continue to protect and secure vital national installations and ensure that the safety of people and property across the country core not put in jeopardy.
    The National Security Council would continue its core mandate of maintenance of internal peace and security through pre- emptive intelligence monitoring and reporting.
    Mr Speaker, to facilitate investment promotion, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) would undertake investment drives to stimulate domestic private sector investments and also seek to improve the legal and regulatory framework to improve the climate for private sector investment.
    The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) would continue the implemen- tation of Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Ghana Compact II, which is geared towards increasing private sector investment in power generation, strengthening the distribution sector and improving access to electricity.
    Mr Speaker, to promote youth and women empowerment, Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) would continue to support farmers, fishermen, micro and small enterprises and young men and women in the rural communities to set them up for livelihood empowerment in areas such as shoemaking, shea butter processing and small trading.
    Mr Speaker, with respect to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Management, Government would ensure that relevant supplies are procured on time to maintain the momentum of preventive interventions and sustain People Living with HIV (PLHIV) on treatment.
    Government would also continue to engage the private sector, through the Ghana AIDS Commission, to strengthen the forensic production base and raise additional resources for the national HIV response.
    Mr Speaker, for the implementation of the above programmes and activities, a total amount of GH¢ 718,854,911 covering Employees' Compensation, Goods and Services and capital expenditure has been allocated to the Office of Government Machinery for the year, 2016.
    Mr Speaker, I respectfully move, that this Honourable House approves the vote of GH¢ 718,854,911 in the estimates for the year 2016 to enable the agencies within the Office of Government Machinery to perform their function.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Question proposed.
    Chairman of the Finance Committee o (Mr James Klutse Avedzi) 3:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion moved by the Hon Minister of State, that the budget for Government Machinery is approved by this august House.
    Mr Speaker, in so doing, I present your Committee's Report.
    Introduction
    Following the presentation of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the year ending 31st December, 2016 by the Hon Minister for Finance, Mr Seth Emmanuel Terkper on Friday, 13th November, 2015, the 2016 Annual Budget Estimates of the Office of Government Machinery were referred to the Finance Committee for consideration and report in accordance with article 179 of the Constitution and Order 140 (4) of the Standing Orders of the House.
    The Committee was assisted during its deliberations by the Hon Minister of State at the Presidency, Mr Akwasi Opong- Fosu, Chief Director at the Presidency, heads and technical teams from the various departments and agencies under Government Machinery and officials from the Ministry of Finance and reports as follows:
    Reference Documents
    The Committee referred to and was guided by the following documents during its deliberations:
    1. The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana
    2. The Standing Orders of the House
    3. The Budget Statements and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2015 and 2016 Financial Years
    4. The 2015 and 2016 Budget Estimates for the Government Machinery
    5. 2015 Performance and Expenditures Reports of the Departments and Agencies under Office of Government Machinery.
    IGF 3:30 p.m.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:30 p.m.
    Hon Member, is it on a point of order?
    Mr Avedzi 3:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I just want to correct an impression created by the Hon Colleague.
    The answer or explanation given for maintaining the staff of the Scholarships Secretariat in their London office was not because the Ghana Mission in London was not co-operative.
    The answer or explanation given was that, the volume or number of Ghanaian students in the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe is so large that the staff of the Ghana Mission cannot add that assign- ment to their core business. It is not that they are not co-operative. The volume of Ghanaian students in Europe is big and that they need permanent staff of the Scholarships Secretariat to take care of that. That was the explanation given at the Committee.
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 3:30 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I maintain my submission that the explanation, as I heard among others, was that the staff of the Ghana High Commission there do not provide the fullest co-operation, hence the need to still maintain some staff to do that work.
    Mr Speaker, if one goes further to page 11 of our Report, in particular, paragraph 6.5, the Ghana AIDS Commission reports an expenditure of GH¢14 million. This, Mr Speaker, is very inaccurate. in the sense that, for three years running, they have not reported on any donor funding. Yet they have received huge sums of money from donors.
    Mr Speaker, once again, the explanation was that the time that the donors came in to support and the time that the Ministry needed such records, were such that the Ministry was unable to get accurate data.

    Again, it was explained that the donors have been dealing with the Agency directly. Mr Speaker, seriously, this cannot continue like that. This is because if the donors cannot relate with Government and trust the Government enough to share data with them, but deal directly with some of these agencies or this Commission, then there is a problem.

    So, I believe that going forward, it is important -- because it cannot be, that our development partners would want to deal directly with the Commission outside Parliament and outside the sight of the Executive, and they would be on their own.

    Mr Speaker, as a matter of records and for the purpose of our Constitution, it is only this House that can approve of any expenditure. If we have not appropriated, same cannot be spent.

    Therefore, I would urge the Hon Minister for Finance -- I know he is a very hardworking Hon Minister-- to see to this and get this matter addressed, so that this House would have the full information to be able to report on.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:40 p.m.
    Hon Member, are you up on a point of order?
    Mr Essilfie 3:40 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, as a point of correction.
    My good Friend said, Ghana Investment Promotions Council. It is not Council, it is now Ghana Investments Promotion Centre (GIPC).
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:40 p.m.
    Very well.
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 3:40 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, for the records, I acknowledge same. The GIPC, that is, Ghana Investments Pro- motion Centre. Very well so.
    They themselves had projected IGFs of GH¢10.6 million and as of September, they had been able to generate over nine million Ghana cedis. Yet the Ministry is giving them a target of about GH¢3.6 million for 2016. Meanwhile, they subvented.
    Mr Speaker, once again, I would have thought that under the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) and austerity, this agency or body would have been weaned off Government subvention. I do not think it is appropriate that this agency, having demonstrated capacity, Government would rather choose to reduce and still give more money.
    We need more money for some other things. So, this could equally be looked at, so that the Government would not unduly be spending there and also that Government would not encourage inefficiencies, because they have the capacity to do more.
    Mr Speaker, and on MiDA, we are aware that we have some commitments under the Compact II of the Millennium Challenge Progamme.
    Government successfully delivered on its counterpart funding by making payments of seven million dollars as required.
    Mr Speaker, but if you look at paragraph 9.2 on page 29, Government is making provision under ABFA -- GH¢20 million for the year 2016, where we have another commitment of seven million dollars.
    Mr Speaker, I am not too sure of the calculation or the exchange rate that was used. Perhaps, it could have been a mistake, and a genuine one, for that matter. Mr Speaker, but if one converts the GH¢20 million to dollars, one gets something around five million dollars, and we are supposed to pass an appropriation.
    How else is Government able to make up for the difference? That is also a concern. I believe that Government must look at this. This is because the exchange rate does not support the GH¢20 million they have provided in the Budget Statement.
    Mr Speaker, when one comes to the National Identification Authority (NIA), the Government has, in paragraph 9.90 of the Budget Statement, indicated that it is going to re-launch the national identification system. Meanwhile, if one looks at their Budget Statement, it is woefully inadequate.
    So, I do not know whether the Government, by way of policy, has such intention but it is not ready. If Government is not ready, it is not ready. There is no need to state same in the budget when there are no resources to support same. This is because our neighbours in Nigeria have really worked on this national identification system and it is helping in combatting crime.
    Mr Speaker, we know the laws we have passed in this country, particularly, the anti-money laundering laws, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) Act, which are all aimed at helping to curb crime.
    So, if the NIA is to be re-launched, they need to be well-resourced, so that they can help with the identification system to help our investigators when they are
    tracking some of those who would want to commit crime.
    Mr Speaker, so, I think that the resources for the NIA in the year 2016 are woefully inadequate and the Hon Minister --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:40 p.m.
    Hon Member, begin to conclude.
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 3:40 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, very well.
    Mr Speaker, my final point is on page 27, paragraph 9.15 and also page 14, paragraph 6.12.
    Mr Speaker, that is with respect to Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA). Last year, SADA only had about GH¢400,000 and in their Report, we are told that SADA spent an additional GH¢4.718 million from investment income but this amount was never approved by this House.
    Mr Speaker, if you look at page15 of the Committee's Report, this amount is captured there, that SADA has spent same. Already, we have issues with SADA, of which Government has considered same and has even ordered certain refunds, et-cetera.
    Mr Speaker, this House, although was promised in 2013, same has not been reported. So, if one sees that, Government is allowing certain investments to be spent without recourse to this House, it is a source of worry.
    Mr Speaker, therefore, I believe that, looking at SADA , there was no activity but Government increased their budget even in the year 2016, giving them almost four (4) million Ghana cedis, with over 70 per cent going into compensation. Then, why does one maintain the staff? Mr
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:40 p.m.
    Very well.
    Thank you very much, Hon Members,
    Yes, Hon Minority Leader?
    Minority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu) 3:40 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, just a few observations once again.
    In the consideration of these estimates, I think justice is not being done to Parliament by the platform that is being created for us to analyse the expenditure for the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
    Mr Speaker, I say so because when we came to considering the allocation to the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, they were only able to serve this House the expenditure as of August this year. Then the next one that we considered is up to September; we considered another one -- they are hanging at July.
    With this one, they have done well and they took us to October. So, we are not on the same page. Mr Speaker, that is not the best. If one wants to look at the performance of the various MDAs, they should endeavour to put us at the same level. Mr Speaker, it is not good enough.
    The Hon Chairman of the Finance Committee has indicated to me that, at least, it should have been in September. I think so too because that would mark the end of the third quarter. That should have been the minimum. But then, when we have some of them serving us in July, August, September and this one as I said, the Government Machinery has gone the extra mile up to October, I think it is not the best for us as Parliament in considering these estimates. That is the first observation.
    Mr Speaker, the second observation with respect to the Report that has been submitted by the Finance Committee for Government Machinery, I noticed that there is a provision for Expenditure Performance they began with the Office of the President, yet when you go through, you do not see any expenditure in the name of the President's Secretariat.
    It is not there. For the Vice President's office, yes. For the Chief of Staff's Office, yes. But not for the President's Office. I do not know how we are -- [Interruption] -- General Administration? Mr Speaker, but we should know that you are referring to the Office of the President. This is because for the Office of the Chief of Staff, you have already mentioned it -- [Interruption]
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:50 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Old Tafo, is it on a point of order?
    Dr A. A. Osei 3:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is a point of information.
    Mr Speaker, the Table 6.1 states -- “Expenditure returns of the Office of the President by cost centre”. That is how they defined it. So, maybe, he was not aware but it has always been called “General Administration”. So, this is for his information and we are just educating him.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 3:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am aware of what the Hon Ranking Member is saying. But I am saying that this document from Parliament becomes public document and if anybody takes a copy of this, how is he to know what amounts were spent by the Office of the President?
    Mr Speaker, the other important observation is that -- and it is very noteworthy that as of October 30th -- I thought they would make it October 31st , so that it would mark the end of October, which would be the end of the third quarter. Why 30thOctober instead of 31st October? [Interruption] The Hon Chairman of the Finance Committee is saying that the one extra day is jaara.
    Mr Speaker, on a more serious note, the Office of the Chief of Staff, allocation was GH¢12,400,926. As at the ending of October, they had released GH¢12,355,913. Mr Speaker, that meant that they only had 0.36 per cent outstanding. Significantly, for the Vice President's Secretariat, they were allocated, GH¢4,036,000 and they had released GH¢2,789,399.36 -- 30.9 per cent. Almost 31 per cent outstanding. But for
    Office of the Chief of Staff, almost everything was done with only 0.36 per cent outstanding. This tells us which office is more valued. The Chief of Staff or the Vice President? Mr Speaker, who is in charge?
    It is also significant to observe that, whereas for the various sectors, we see an upward adjustment between 5 and 10 per cent; for the Office of Government Machinery, there is an increase. Between last year's allocation and this year 's allocation, there is an increase -- a significant increase of 58.4 per cent. Agriculture, 5 per cent; Trade and Industry, about 3 per cent; Office of Government Machinery, 58.4 per cent.
    Mr Speaker, this is noteworthy -- [Interruption] -- If the Hon Minister for Defence is whispering, that it could be for “ways and means”, then --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:50 p.m.
    I did not hear that.
    Dr Benjamin B. Kunbuor 3:50 p.m.
    On a point of Order.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 3:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, that was why I said it was a whisper. You did not hear it. It was not meant for your ears. It was meant for me and I caught it.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:50 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, you have been given the floor and you are supposed to address the Chair, not to listen to asides.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 3:50 p.m.
    Yes. Mr Speaker, that is why I am referring him to you. It was meant for me. I caught it and I am referring it to you.
    It is significant -- 58.4, increase. The other areas, the productive sectors -- 2 per cent, 3 per cent, 4 per cent and 5 per cent. The unproductive sector - 58.4 per cent.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 3:50 p.m.


    Mr Speaker, Ghanaians should know about this.

    I thank you very much.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:50 p.m.
    Thank you very much.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved:
    That this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢718, 854,911 for the services of the Office of Government Machinery for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Bagbin 3:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if we can take the estimates on the National Labour Commission.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:50 p.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Members, Item 11, page 5 -- Motion by the Hon Majority Leader and Leader of the House.
    Hon Majority Leader, I will want to know what the two sides have agreed upon, whether there would be a suspension of Sitting.
    Mr Bagbin 3:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am aware of that. We are just trying to take this and then go on a short -- [Interruption.]
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 3:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Majority Leader exited for a very long time. He is just coming. Nobody knows what he went to do outside.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:50 p.m.
    You know the Kwaku Ananse story? [Laughter.]
    Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Bagbin 3:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am always taking care of his interest. I was working on the Reports of the Special Budget Committee and I have finished -- a lot of them.
    I am now just trying to move this and then we can go on a break, come back and then we continue with the rest.
    Mr Speaker, but if it is the pleasure of my Hon Colleagues that we should have the break now, I do not object to it.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:50 p.m.
    So, what is the pleasure of the House? [Pause]
    Hon Members, in the circumstances, proceedings would be suspended for one hour, to enable Hon Members refresh themselves and come back.
    The time now is 3.59 p.m. which is almost 4.00 o'clock. So, we would reconvene at 5.00 o'clock.
    Thank you very much.
    3.59 pm -- Sitting suspended.
    6.05 p.m. -- Sitting resumed.
    MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 3:50 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Bagbin 3:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if we may consider the estimates on the Judicial Service. That is item 23 on the Order Paper.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 3:50 p.m.
    Item 23, by the Hon Majority Leader and Leader of the House.
    ANNUAL ESTIMATES, 2016
    Judicial Service
    Majority Leader and Leader of the House (Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin) 3:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this
    Chairman of the Committee ( Nii Armah Ashietey) 3:50 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to support the Motion. I ask of the Honourable House to approve the sum of
    GH¢193,702,296.00 for the services of the Judicial Service for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Introduction
    The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the 2016 financial year was presented to Parliament by the Hon Minister for Finance, Mr Seth E. Terkper on Friday, 13th November, 2015 in accordance with article 179 (1) and (2) of the Constitution.
    Pursuant to article 179 (2) and (4) of the Constitution, the 2016 Budget Estimates of the Judicial Service was laid in Parliament and referred to the Committee on Judiciary for consideration and report in accordance with the Standing Orders of the House.
    Deliberations
    The Committee, during the considera- tion of the Budget Estimates, was assisted by the Judicial Secretary, Justice Alex B. Poku-Acheampong and other officials of the Judicial Service. Also in attendance was Mr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance and schedule officers from the Ministry of Finance.
    Reference documents
    The Committee referred to the following documents during its discussions:
    i. The 1992 Constitution
    ii. The Standing Orders of Parliament
    iii. The Annual Budget Estimates of the Judicial Service for the 2015 financial year
    iv. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the 2015 financial year
    Chairman of the Committee ( Nii Armah Ashietey) 3:50 p.m.
    v. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the 2016 Financial Year
    vi. Report of the Committee on the 2015 Budget Estimates for the Judicial Service
    Mission of the Judicial Service
    The Mission of the Judiciary and the Judicial Service is to resolve legal conflicts according to law, impartially and efficiently for all persons without fear or favour, affection or ill-will through true and proper interpretation, application and implementation of the laws of Ghana.
    Core Functions
    The core functions of the Judiciary and the Judicial Service are as follows:
    i. Promote the rule of law, transparency, accountability and anti-corruption.
    ii. Promote and uphold human rights, improvement to justice and protect the rights of the vulnerable in the society.
    iii. Ensure efficiency and the speedy delivery of justice.
    iv. Strengthen the capacity of its human resource and improve the conditions of service for all staff.
    v. Change the public perception of the Judiciary and build public confidence in the service.
    vi. Improve its infrastructural capacity to enhance its service delivery.
    Analyses of the Approved Budget of the Judicial Service For 2015
    A total amount of one hundred and ninety-nine million, five hundred and seventy-six thousand, eight hundred and sixty-seven Ghana cedis (GH¢199,576,867.00) was approved for the Judicial Service for the 2015 Fiscal Year. The breakdown is indicated in Table 1.

    Table 1

    Approved Budget of the Judicial Service for the 2015 Financial Year

    SPACE FOR TABLE 1 - PAGE 3 - 6.05 P.M.

    Out of the approved GoG Component of one hundred and ninety-three million, ninety thousand, seven hundred and nineteen Ghana cedis (GH¢193,090,719.00), an amount of one hundred and thirty-five million, three hundred and eighty-nine

    [NII ARMAH ASHIETEY] thousand, seven hundred and thirty-six Ghana cedis, eighteen pesewas (GH¢135,389,736.18) had been released as the end of November,

    2015.

    The total amount released constituted 70.1 per cent of the total GoG allocation to the Service. The details are shown in Table

    2.

    Table 2

    Details of Fund Releases to the Service as at theend of November 2015

    SPACE FOR TABLE 2- PAGE 4 - 6.05 P.M.

    Review of performance for year 2015

    Court administration programme

    The Judicial Service successfully disposed of ninety-eight thousand, six hundred and thirty-five (98,635) cases as against an annual target of ninety-five thousand, five hundred (95,500) cases nationwide.

    The Service has also covered twenty- eight per cent (28%) of its courts automation exercise while the computerisation of the courts has increased in coverage to about ninety-four per cent (94%).

    The “Justice for all” Programme was intensified during the period. Out of seven

    (7) Prisons visited, three hundred and ninety-seven (397) cases were reviewed. This was interspersed with the training of Judges within those jurisdictions.

    A total of thirty-one (31) new courts were also opened during the year.

    The Service again was able to audit eighty-four (84) out of the two hundred and sixty-six (266) courts earmarked.

    The construction of the 42-Court Complex located at the Victoriaborg was completed and commissioned for use in October, 2015. All the courts which were located at the Cocoa Affairs premises and other locations under poor conditions have been relocated to the Commercial and Specialised Court Houses.

    Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Programme

    A total of one thousand and forty- seven (1,047) out of a targeted four thousand, three hundred and twenty-one (4,321) cases were mediated and settled successfully by the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Programme. Ten (10) new courts were connected to ADR and twenty-six (26) mediators from selected Circuit and District Courts were made to undergo training in ADR.

    The 2016 Annual Budget Estimates of the Judicial Service

    The Judicial Service intends to undertake the following programmes in

    2016:

    Court Administration Programme

    The Service anticipates that a total of one hundred and one thousand, four hundred and forty-eight (101,448) cases will be tried and judgments delivered in the course of 2016. Court automation will be expanded to cover 34 per cent of total court houses and court computerisation

    will also be expanded to cover 96 per cent of total court houses.

    A permanent secretariat will be set up for effective co-ordination and management of the exercise. Further, Judges will be appointed to each region to sit on remand prisoners' cases regularly.

    Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Programme

    A total of four thousand, nine hundred and eighty-five (4,985) cases will be mediated and settled through ADR. It is anticipated that twenty (20) new courts will be connected to ADR in 2006. Basic training will be conducted for newly recruited ADR Co-ordinators attached to the district courts to strengthen the Programme.

    For the implementation of its programmes for 2016, the Judicial Service submitted a total amount of one hundred and ninety-nine million, four hundred and fifty-two thousand, five hundred and fifty-seven Ghana cedis, three pesewas (GH¢199,452,557.03) to His Excellency, the President. Details of the amount presented are shown in Table 3.

    Observations and Recommendations

    The Judicial Service as indicated afore, presented a Budget of one hundred and ninety-nine million, four hundred and fifty- two thousand, five hundred and fifty- seven Ghana cedis, three pesewas (GH¢199,452,557.03) to His Excellency, the President.

    In a letter of 9th November, 2015, His Excellency, the President, recommended to Parliament to consider reducing the amount to one hundred and ninety-three million, seven hundred and two thousand, two hundred and ninety-six Ghana cedis (GH¢193,702,296.00) in view of the current fiscal challenges facing the country.

    The difference is five million, five hundred and thirteen thousand, eight hundred and eighteen Ghana Cedis, forty- one Pesewas (GH¢5,513,818.41). The figure recommended by His Excellency, the President constitutes about 97.1 per cent of what was requested by the Judicial Service.

    The Committee, after some discussions, agreed to go by the recommendation by His Excellency, the President.

    As indicated in Table 3, the Judicial Service submitted an amount of one hundred and forty million, three hundred and eighteen thousand, seventy-six Ghana cedis, fifty-nine pesewas

    (GH¢140,318,076.59) in respect of Compensation of Employees to His Excellency, the President. During the consideration of the Estimates, it was disclosed that the Judicial Service had received approval to employ new judges and auxiliary staff in 2016.

    However, as at the time the Judicial Service was submitting the Budget to His Excellency, the President, approval had not been given. Hence the budget in respect of items 1 and 2, did not cover the expenditure on the new judges and staff to be employed. Some adjustments were therefore made by the Committee with the consent of the Deputy Minister for Finance who was present at the Committee's deliberations.

    An amount of one hundred and forty- one million, three hundred and fifty-seven thousand, five hundred and thirty-seven Ghana cedis (GH¢141,357,537.00) was therefore allocated in respect of Compensation of Employees. A corres- ponding amount of thirty-four million, six hundred and thirty-five thousand, one hundred and thirty-six Ghana cedis (GH¢34,635,136.00) was also made to the Estimate in Item 2.

    The Committee wishes to state that the adjustment did not affect the total budgetary allocation recommended by His Excellency, the President and which was accepted by the Committee. The reviewed budget is shown in Table 4.

    Table 3

    Budget Estimates of the Judicial Service for the 2016 Financial Year laid in Parliament

    SPACE FOR TABLE 3 - PAGE 6 - 6.05 P.M.

    Table 4

    Annual Budget Estimates of the Judicial Service for the 2016 Financial Year

    SPACE FOR TABLE 4 - PAGE 8 - 6.05 P.M.

    The Judicial Service indicated that the reduction will hamper the refurbishment of some of the Court Houses, such as the one in Cape Coast and Tarkwa and the rehabilitation of Bungalows for Judges earmarked for 2016. The Deputy Minister for Finance however, assured the Committee that in the event of a supplementary budget next year, the shortfall in the budget of the Judicial Service will be catered for.

    The Committee therefore, counts on the assurance by the Deputy Minister.

    The Committee also observed that staff of the Service have several unconsolidated allowances. The Committee was informed by the Judicial Secretary that this has created problems for the Service as most invariably, the payment of the allowances delay. He mentioned that the recent strike action by the staff of the Service was as a result of the delays in the payment of these allowances.

    As a way of addressing the issue, the Committee was informed that the Service has presented to the President, a comprehensive review of the remuneration of its staff with the conviction that it would be implemented in the ensuing year to avert possible strike actions. Unfortunately however, the proposals could not be fully discussed and approved to enable the Service include it in the 2016 Budget.

    The Committee is seized with information that if the issue is not promptly attended to, there would be serious consequences. The Committee therefore appeals to Government to expedite action in this regard to forestall any further strikes by the staff of the Service.

    As shown in Table 2, 70.1 per cent of the total GoG component approved for 2015 had been released to the Judicial

    Service as at the end of November, 2015. The Committee was informed that there were delays in the releases of the funds. The recent strike action embarked upon by the staff of the Service was as a result of delays by the Ministry of Finance in releasing the allowances of the staff. The Committee appeals to the Ministry of Finance to ensure prompt releases to the Service to allow for smooth operations.

    The Committee, in its previous Reports on the Budget Estimates of the Judicial Service, has advocated for an increase in the rate of retention of Internally Generated Funds (IGFs) from the Service to help address some of its financial challenges. At its last year's Budget Hearing, the Minister for Finance who was in attendance, assured the Committee that his Ministry was undertaking a complete review of the Law on retention of IGFs and submit to Parliament this year. This has not materialised.

    The Deputy Minister for Finance who participated in the Committee's deliberations on the budget estimates of the Service, assured the Committee that work is still being done on the law and it will soon be laid in Parliament. All issues relating to the retention of IGFs by various governance agencies and institutions are being addressed in the review.

    Conclusion

    There is the urgent need to improve access to justice to all manner of persons, reduce time spent in the adjudication process and build a healthy relationship between the Judicial Service and the general public. In cognisance of this, the Service is carrying out some reforms to improve its operations through the introduction of innovative approaches and the adoption of world acceptable best practices and standards in justice delivery.

    The objectives of the reforms may not be achieved, if the financial challenges confronting the Service are not addressed. The Committee therefore appeals to Government to ensure that adequate financial arrangements are made for the Judicial Service, to help promote and implement the reforms for the effective and efficient discharge of its constitutionally mandated functions.

    The Committee recommends to the House to approve the sum of one hundred and ninety-three million, seven hundred and two thousand, two hundred and ninety-six Ghana cedis (GH¢193,702,296.00) for the Judicial Service for the 2016 financial year.

    Respectfully submitted.
    Mr Frank Boakye Agyen (NPP -- Effiduase/Asokore) 6:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the Motion, and in doing so, I wish to draw the attention of this august House to the mission of the Judicial Service.
    Mr Speaker, the mission of the Judiciary is to resolve legal conflicts according to law, impartially and efficiently for all persons without fear or favour, affection or ill-will, through the proper interpretation, application and implementation of the laws of Ghana.
    Mr Speaker, in pursuit of that, the Judiciary has its core functions, namely, to promote the rule of law, uphold human rights, ensure efficiency, strengthen capacity of human resource, improve conditions of service for all staff of the judiciary, change the public perception of
    [NII ARMAH ASHIETEY] the Judiciary and build public confidence in the Service; and improve infrastructural capacity in order to enhance the Service's delivery.
    Mr Speaker, we come here every year to go through the ordeal of rising to support the budget for the Judiciary. Let us remember that the Judiciary is the third organ of Government. It is as important as the Executive and the Legislature.
    But it is the most distressed organ of Government. Why do I say so? They hardly have persons to speak on their behalf on the floor of Parliament except through the Committee. The Executive has men here and the Legislature also has men here but the Judiciary does not.
    Mr Speaker, last year --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:15 p.m.
    Hon Member, that is why you are here. The Committee is here for them.
    Mr Agyen 6:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we have limited authority to speak for and on behalf of the Judiciary because it is an independent organ of Government. We can only talk positively for them. That is my conviction.
    Mr Speaker, with last year's budget, only 70.1 per cent as of November was available to the Judiciary to perform its core functions. In addition to that, the Constitution compels the holder of the public purse to give the amount that has to be released to the Judiciary quarterly without failure. But if as of November, 70 per cent had been given, it means 30 per cent had not seen the light of day.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:15 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Muntaka?
    Alhaji Muntaka 6:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, with the greatest respect, we want the debate to flow but my Hon Colleague keeps using “Judiciary.” We are looking at the budget of the Judicial Service. We are not looking at the Judiciary. So, I would want you to draw his attention, so that -- He should carry that on board.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Agyen 6:15 p.m.
    Thank you; the two words are interchangeable. [Laughter]
    Mr Speaker, before the Judiciary presents its budget to Government, which by constitutional fiat, nobody, including the President, can touch, it sits down with the Ministry of Finance to discuss. The Ministry of Finance makes available to the Judicial Service, the amount of money available from the public purse.
    Mr Speaker, this year, GH¢199 million plus was agreed, after the meeting, between the Ministry of Finance and the Judicial Service. It was therefore, a shock and a surprise when the final figure came and it had been cut to GH¢193 million plus.
    Mr Speaker, it is a demonstration of bad faith and that is not the best way of handling the Judicial Service, the third most important organ. In fact, I think it is much more important in governance than the Executive.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:15 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Muntaka, I thought you said you wanted the debate to flow?
    Alhaji Muntaka 6:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the choice of words of my Hon Colleague is so bad that we cannot allow that. This is
    because this is a House of records.To say that it is bad faith for GH¢5 million out of what they requested to be taken -- He heard us talk about and institutions of health alone where, for one programme, GH¢93 million of the budget was taken away.
    So, he cannot purport that because GH¢5 million of the budget that was sent to the President by the Judicial Service had been cut off to align the budget, there is bad faith.
    Mr Speaker, we all have concerns that it would have been good that all these moneys should have been provided. But he should go through the budgets of all the agencies, including Parliament, to see the kind of cut off that has been done because of the economic situation and the effort to keep within certain confines. He should defray from using words such as “bad faith”.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 6:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think the Government Chief Whip should furnish us with better details about the economic situation -- HBe said it is the economic situation that we find ourselves, in which has occasioned the cuts and the surgery that he is talking about. What kind of economic situation has necessitated the cuts, so that we would be with him.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:15 p.m.
    I saw Hon Baffour on his feet.
    Mr Fritz F. Baffour 6:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, he said Government Chief Whip; he is the Hon Majority Chief Whip, just like he is the Hon Minority Leader.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 6:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleague Fritz Baffour certainly would grow up and come to accept this. This is normal parliamentary language.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:25 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, it is the same way Judiciary and Judicial Service are normal legal language. They are interchangeable. Nobody -- [Interruption.]
    Hon Fritz Baffour?
    Mr Baffour 6:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I just want to say something as he said “grow up”. I just want to say that I have heard. [Laughter.]
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:25 p.m.
    Please, let him continue.
    Mr Agyen 6:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would excuse the Hon Majority Chief Whip. If he understands the constitutional provision on the Judiciary, which says that nobody, not even President can touch the financial allocation to the Judiciary, he would not say the things he said.
    Nevertheless, Mr Speaker, I would continue.
    The Judiciary faces a threat of impending strike by its members. Why do I say so? It is because of lack of payment of its medical bills, clothing allowances, lack of certain allowances, which are due them, and also the low salary levels of the members of the Judicial Service.
    The Judiciary and members of the Judicial Service embarked on a strike action for a few days and we saw what happened. They threatened to embark on a strike again if the budget allocations are tampered with downwards.
    Mr Speaker, that is what we see. Are we going to allow a breach of the law?Lack of the ability to deal with criminals, because we are pushing members of the Judicial Service to take such steps that
    will protect their interest, basic existence and rights as human beings? --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:25 p.m.
    You have two minutes more.
    Mr Agyen 6:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have only five minutes and I would conclude.
    Mr Speaker, you may know -- because you are a veteran in the Judiciary -- that last year, debtors --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:25 p.m.
    Hon Member, you said I may know because I am --
    Mr Agyen 6:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, you are a veteran; you are a legal officer par excellence -- a former Attorney-General.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:25 p.m.
    Before that, you said something. I am what to the Judiciary? I do not have any relationship with the Judiciary.
    Mr Agyen 6:25 p.m.
    I know, Mr Speaker. You know the ins and outs of the Judiciary.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:25 p.m.
    How?
    Mr Agyen 6:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, as a former Attorney-General.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:25 p.m.
    Do not bring me into the debate. I am just a legal practitioner, who has been given the power to practise by the Office of Members --
    Mr Agyen 6:25 p.m.
    Thank you. I will not drag you into the debate.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:25 p.m.
    I do not practise. I do go to court but I do not know anything about the Judiciary. I have not even entered the new court building --
    Mr Bagbin 6:25 p.m.
    On a point of order.
    Mr Speaker, we have been trying to draw the attention of my very good Friend to the fact that we are dealing with the

    estimates of the Judicial Service, not the Judiciary.

    He has quoted the constitutional provisions and the law concerning the Judiciary, not the Judicial Service. The Judicial Service is part of Public Services. It is not an arm of Government. The Hon Member stated that it is the third arm of Government. No! We are talking about the Service, not the arm of Government called the Judiciary.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:25 p.m.
    Thank you, Hon Bagbin.
    Mr Agyen 6:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the budget allocation to the Judicial Service or the Judiciary is not separable. There is a single allocation to that august institution, which includes the service personnel and the members of the Judiciary.
    Mr Speaker, last year, a court action was initiated against the Judiciary. It took the sagacity of the Judicial Service Council to avert a catastrophe. The action is pending. It is all about the non payment of debts owed by the Judicial Service to debtors. It includes those who provide them with vehicles.
    Mr Speaker, the cut from GH¢199,702,296.00 to GH¢193,702,296.00 is an index to this fact, that the authorities which have to release the money are pushing the Judiciary to go to war -- [Interruption] -- Sorry! To go to court to defend itself.
    I have corrected myself.
    That notwithstanding, I support the Motion and pray that this august House will approve the GH¢193,702,296.00.
    When the Hon Minister attended the meeting with the Committee, he gave an assurance that as soon as possible, the difference of about GH¢5 million would be added to enable the Judiciary realise its core functions.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:25 p.m.
    Before I take other contributions, Hon Members, article 179 (3) of the Constitution states that:
    “The Chief Justice shall, in consultation with the Judicial Council, cause to be submitted to the President at least two months before the end of each financial year, and thereafter as and when the need arises --
    (a) the estimates of the admini- strative expenses of the Judiciary charged on the Consolidated Fund under article 127 of this Constitution; and
    (b) estimates of development expenditure of the Judiciary.”
    So, what the Constitution at this stage, in my view -- unless I am shown something different, the estimates ares in respect of the Judiciary. If we have added the Judiciary to the Judiciary Service and made it one estimates, then that is a different matter.
    Hon Agyen is right if he talks about the Judiciary. Unless, I can be advised differently.
    Mr Bagbin 6:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member's response to my point of order drew my attention to the Budget Statement. I went to page 205 to try and get the estimates for the Judiciary, but there were none apart from that of the Judicial Service.
    I also looked at the Constitution, which talks about expenses of the Judiciary. It is just like that of Parliament. In Parliament, we do not say Parliamentary Service -- Item number 4 on page 2015 -- Parliament of Ghana. So, I think the proper nomenclature should be the Judiciary, and not the Judicial Service.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:25 p.m.
    Then he is right.
    Mr Bagbin 6:25 p.m.
    I think the proper nomenclature should be the Judiciary and not the Judicial Service.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:25 p.m.
    So, he is correct.
    Mr Bagbin 6:25 p.m.
    He is correct. Yes, it is the Jud icia ry, n ot t he Judicia l Service. [Hear! Hear!]
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:25 p.m.
    Thank you very much.
    This is done in the finest traditions of the Bar as well as Parliament when you realise that -- I know the Hon Majority Leader is a very honourable man.
    Thank you very much, Hon Majority Leader.
    One more contribution, and then the Question. Yes?
    Alhaji Ibrahim Dey Abubakari (NDC -- Salaga South) 6:25 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    I would want a clarification from Table 1 of the Committee's Report --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:25 p.m.
    I take that to be your contribution.
    Alhaji Abubakari 6:25 p.m.
    Alright.
    Mr Speaker, Table 1 shows GoG allocation, donor support, retained IGFs and total budget estimates.
    In paragraph 6.2, with your permission, I beg to read:
    “Out of the approved GoG Component…”
    Mr Speaker, that is where they said they spent 70.1 per cent. They did not say it was out of the total budget estimate. May I know what they did with the donor support and IGFs? It has not been added to show how much has been spent as the 70 per cent of the total budget. The Report did not tell us. I would want a clarification from the Report.
    The GoG allocation is different from the total budget estimate, which is GH¢193,
    090,179.00 --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:35 p.m.
    The Hon Member for Offinso South and then the Hon Majority Leader will clarify --
    Mr Ben Abdallah Banda (NPP -- Offinso South) 6:35 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity --
    Alhaji Abubakari 6:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if he does not explain that, then we need to amend what is in the Report.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:35 p.m.
    We have heard your query. We will take the Hon Member for Offinso South. Thereafter, we will give the Hon Majority Leader the opportunity to address your concern.
    All you have said is that, if you do not get a satisfactory answer, you cannot see your way clear in supporting the Motion. I will give the Hon Majority Leader the opportunity to address it.
    Mr Banda 6:35 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to support the Motion to approve the sum of GH¢193,702,296 for the services of the Judicial Service for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:35 p.m.
    Hon Member, the matter is before court or going through some process. So, I do not want to preempt it. Is it a suggestion that people are corrupt, to improve the institution they work for or they are corrupt to enrich themselves? I find the connection difficult.
    I am following your presentation, that Government should increase funding to the Judiciary. I support that. You are saying that having regard to the Anas' matter, if we do not increase the funding -- That is where I find the difficulty. I have not understood you well.
    Mr Banda 6:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, in order for the Judiciary to work effectively, they need resources. Our Judges have to be well- equipped; they need to find decent accommodation where they can lay their heads; they would have to be resourced in such a way that they can work conveniently.
    Mr Speaker, it is very disheartening that in this 21st Century, most of our Judges still write in long hand. If we want the Judiciary to be very effective, then it is essential that our courts, right from the District Courts through to the Circuit and the High Courts, are automated and computerised, so that our Judges can deliver justice within a twinkle of an eye.
    Mr Speaker, in a nutshell, Government must try and find the difference in order to cushion the Judiciary, so that they can execute their mandate for the benefit of all of us and whoever intends to invest in the country.
    We cannot talk about investment without really talking about speedy delivery of justice. If we want to attract investors, then we have to look at the way our Judicial Service is equipped, the way our Judges are handled and resourced and the way our courts are automated and computerised.
    Mr Speaker, in short, the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance indicated that they would try and source for money from somewhere, find the difference, and give it to the Judicial Service, so that they can execute their mandate.
    What the Hon Deputy Minister said is reassuring. We count on the assurance of the Hon Deputy Minister. They should find the money wherever it is, so that the Judicial Service can do its work effectively for the benefit of all of us.
    Mr Bagbin 6:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thank my Hon Colleagues for the comments and the recommendations. These were all observed and articulated at the Committee meeting.
    As my Hon Colleague just concluded, the Hon Deputy Minister, who
    represented the Ministry, assured the Committee that these would be recon- sidered when the Supplementary Budget Statement is prepared. So, we would wait to see what happens.
    Mr Speaker, the differences have definitely raised some hairs in the Judiciary and we pray that they are captured. If it is not captured -- These are recommendations. This House can take them up and decide not to accept the recommendations from the President.
    I thank you all and would want to continue to urge you to approve the sum that has been stated on the Order Paper for the Judiciary.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved:
    That this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢193,702,296 for the services of the Judicial Service for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:45 p.m.
    Hon Members, the Communication from the President to the Speaker was entitled Annual Estimates for the Judiciary and the Judicial Service. It refers to both.
    Mr Bagbin 6:45 p.m.
    -- [Interruption] Ghana cedis.Did he mention the currency?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:45 p.m.
    The currency is Ghana cedi.
    Mr Bagbin 6:45 p.m.
    Thank you Mr Speaker.
    If we may consider item number 11, the estimates on the National Labour Commission.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:45 p.m.
    Item number 11, Hon Majority Leader --
    Mr Bagbin 6:45 p.m.
    Thank you Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:45 p.m.
    Let me finish with your title, Hon Majority Leader and Leader of the House?
    ANNUAL ESTIMATES, 2016
    National Labour Commission
    Majority Leader and Leader of the House (Mr A. S. K. Bagbin) 6:45 p.m.
    I am most grateful, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢2,203,811 for the services of the National Labour Commission for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Speaker, the National Labour Commission was established to develop and promote a peaceful and harmonious industrial relations environment, through the use of effective dispute resolution practices within the context of the law by promoting cooperation among the labour market players and also enhancing mutual respect for their rights and responsibilities.
    Mr Speaker, for this year, 2015, an amount of GH¢ 2,700,476 was allocated to the NLC. The Commission embarked on a number of activities, particularly so, as Goods and Services had over GH¢ 1 million and Capital Investment was
    GH¢700,000.
    Mr Speaker, we recall that there were a number of industrial agitations and the Commission was actively involved trying to promote collective bargaining, engaging a number of partners to discuss and negotiate in good faith, the issues that were confronting labour and its partners.
    This year, an amount of GH¢ 2,203,811 is what is estimated for the National Labour Commission, which means that, there has been a reduction. We are a bit worried
    about that reduction, taking into consideration, the fact that 2016 is a different environment -- an election year -- and we want to call on the State institutions to play an effective role in creating an environment that would allow all Ghanaians, not just free movement but at least, to be able to express their views, their decisions without fear or favour.
    Nonetheless, the Ministry explained the reasons behind that and we are being asked to take the amount, GH¢2,203,811 as the 2016 budget estimates for the NLC.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to urge my Hon Colleagues to approve that, as we continue to work with the Ministry to try to find additional money, which could be captured in the supplementary budget.
    Question proposed.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Joseph Zaphanet Amenowode) 6:45 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to support the Motion moved by the Hon Majority Leader and Leader of the House, for this House to approve the sum of GH¢ 2,203,811 for the services of the National Labour Commission.
    Mr Speaker, in so doing, I present your Committee's Report,
    Introduction
    In accordance with article 179 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana the Hon Minister for Finance, Mr Seth Emmanuel Terkper, on Friday, 13th November, 2015 presented the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2016 fiscal year to the House.
    Pursuant to Standing Orders 140 (4), and 184 of the House, Mr Speaker referred the Programme-based Budget Estimates of the National Labour Commission to the Committee on Employment, Social Welfare
    and State Enterprises for consideration and report to the House.
    The Committee presents its Report to the House for consideration and adop- tion.
    Acknowledgement
    The Committee met with the Acting Executive Secretary, Mrs Bernice Welbeck and officials of the National Labour Commission and the Ministry of Finance and deliberated on the 2016 Programme- based Budget Estimates of the National Labour Commission.
    The Committee is grateful to them for the information and support they provided during deliberations on the estimates.
    Reference documents
    The following documents served as reference documents during deliberations on the 2016 Programme-based Budget Estimates of the National Labour Commission:
    1. The 1992 Constitution of Ghana
    2. The Standing Orders of Parliament of Ghana
    3. The 2015 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Govern- ment of Ghana
    4. The 2015 Programme-based Budget Estimates of the National Labour Commission
    5. The 2016 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Govern- ment of Ghana
    6. The 2016 Programme-based Budget Estimates of the National Labour Commission.
    Mission Statement of the National Labour Commission
    The Mission Statement of the National Labour Commission for the 2016 fiscal year is to develop and promote a peaceful and harmonious industrial relations environ- ment through the use of effective dispute resolution practices within the context of the law by promoting co-operation among the labour market players and mutual respect for their rights and responsibilities.
    Vision statement of the National Labour Commission
    The vision of the Commission is to promote a peaceful and harmonious industrial relations environment borne out of the firm understanding of and committed compliance with the labour Laws by all stakeholders to make the Ghanaian economy competitive to attract investment.
    Strategic policy objectives
    The strategic objectives of the National Labour Commission are to:
    1. facilitate and settle industrial disputes in accordance with the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651);
    2. strengthen the capacity of the National Labour Commission to ensure speedy resolution of disputes;
    3. enforce rules and regulations governing labour administra- tions, international labour standards and ILO Conventions;
    4. promote social dialogue among the Tripartite Partners;
    5. strengthen the capacity of the Tripartite Partners;
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Joseph Zaphanet Amenowode) 6:45 p.m.
    6. build staff capacity through training and development;
    7. deepen ongoing institution and internalization and policy formulation, planning, monitoring and evaluation system at all levels;
    8. promote and protect the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees;
    9. increase the capacity of the Judiciary on Act 651 and its Labour Regulations, L.I. 1822 and L.I. 1833;

    10. improve the capacity of labour mediators and arbitrators; and

    11. promote an enabling environment and effective regulatory framework for corporate management;

    Outlook for 2015

    Funds allocated for the 2015 fiscal year

    For the implementation of activities for 2015, an amount of GH¢2,700,476 was allocated.

    The breakdown of funds allocated for 2015 activities is as follows:

    SPACE TABLE GOG - PAGE 7 -6.45P.M.

    Cost Centre Allocations

    SPACE FOR TABLE EMPLOYEE COMP. - PAGE 7 - 6.45 P.M.

    Projected activities for 2015

    The funds allocated were to be committed to the following activities in the 2015 fiscal year:

    General activities

    The Commission's focus for 2015 was to focus on the prevention of industrial disputes through the promotion of collective bargaining, engagement of partners to discuss and negotiate in good faith, promote effective co-operation between labour and management and use alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in the settlement of industrial disputes.

    The Commission was also to embark on public education campaign through engagement of parties at the enterprise level and the production of documentaries and dramatisation of the obligations of the parties in the employment relationship to promote social dialogue and partnership.

    Specific activities

    As part of the general activities enumerated above, the following specific activities were to be undertaken:

    Resolve 70 per cent of complaints filed

    Develop programmes to promote peaceful industrial relations

    Enforce decisions/Orders/Rules of the Commission in the courts

    Sensitise 120 social partners on the effective use of Alternative Dispute Resolution systems in Act 651

    Organise two-day seminar for 60 social partners on International Labour Standards
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:45 p.m.
    Hon Dr Prempeh, do you have a point of order?
    Dr Prempeh 6:45 p.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker.
    The Hon Chairman of the Committee asked that, the Ministry of Finance should be timeous in their releases. But looking round here, the Finance Minister and his Deputies are not here and we are doing Budget Estimates.
    May the Hon Majority Leader please, ask his deputy to call the Finance people for them to come and listen to what we are saying? They are the ones causing the problem. They cut unnecessarily. So, they
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:45 p.m.
    Do you want to respond, Hon Agbesi. I saw you pulling your chair back?
    All right, Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Bagbin 6:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I moved the Motion for the House to consider the estimates and I am noting down the points that are being raised. Our Hon Colleague, the Deputy Minister for Finance is always here with us but the Finance Committee is meeting and considering some business.
    Here he comes; he was before the Finance Committee and he has just entered.
    We have a lot before them and we want to move a lot of the Motions, so that tomorrow, the work of the House will be lighter.
    I am happy he has come and he will also note the concerns that are being raised by the Hon Members.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:55 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, I was wondering whether what you just said did not contradict your principle of separation of power. I know that you are a strict believer in the separation of powers in its truest form.
    I have heard you say on television; in fact, you are used in an advertisement that Members of Parliament should not be Ministers. So, you believe in separation of power. So, the Minister should come
    and do his thing. When you do that for the Minister, you are flouting your principle. I disagree with you but the way you say it almost every day on television, now, you are swaying my mind.
    Mr Bagbin 6:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker would recollect that I stated that these are recom- mendations and that we do the approval. But if you go through the Committee's Report, they have indicated that they would capture the difference in the supplementary budget.
    I said that if we got the supplementary budget and it was not captured, this House would then take the decision whether to approve it. I would want him to note it down, so that they can properly capture it in the supplementary budget. I am still within the principle.
    Question proposed.
    Minority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu) 6:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the activities of the Commission as set out in their programme for last year 2015, they indicated that they purposed to resolve 70 per cent of complaints filed. For 2016, they are indicating that they plan to settle 65 per cent of all complaints.
    As far as I am concerned, that is very defeatist at the very outset. When the Commission tells us that they intend to settle 65 per cent of all cases that come before them and not 100 per cent -- last year, it was 70 per cent and this year, they are saying 65 per cent.
    For all you know, next year, it would go to 60 per cent. That is not acceptable. You have set out to deal with cases that come before you -- all of them and that should be your purpose. But to tell us that your intention is to leave a backlog, you do not intend to resolve all cases that come before you, I think it is very wrong.
    The second observation is in respect of Goods and Services. The allocation for 2015 was GH¢1,015,425. For whatever reason, the same figure is lifted and quoted for 2016, GH¢1,015,425. What it means is that somebody just cut and pasted it there.
    I am not too sure that anybody wanted to do serious work. I am sure if we ask for justification, it would be difficult but the Hon Majority Leader is leading the effort and maybe, he was informed about the purpose of that. Could he tell us? I find it very embarrassing that we have these matters -- just cutting and pasting.
    A critical examination of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy for 2016, what we have before us, whether it is the old or new testament, it is no wonder that we have this reflection in the presentations by the various sectors.
    Clearly, you could see that for 2016, it has been cut and pasted and that is why we see a lot of cut and paste everywhere. Why could they not do a good job here, just cutting that part off and pasting 2016 on it? That is what we see everywhere in the budget -- cut and paste. What is that?
    Mr Speaker, I thank you
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:55 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, this is a serious matter because it is a remarkable coincidence that the same figure for last year appears this year. It is not your figure but the figure from the National Labour Commission. I would want to urge you to tell them the sentiments of not only the Hon Minority Leader but the House.
    How come that it is the same and if it is because somebody did not work, then we have to take exception to that. It is highly
    remarkable, even if the same figure for last year under a particular item, appears for this year. But I will put the Question while I am sure the Hon Majority Leader would take it up. Maybe, nothing has changed there but with inflation --
    Mr Bagbin 6:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I agree with you. Just to correct some wrong impressions.
    On page 6 of the Committee's Report, under 6.3.2, Specific Activities, Mr Speaker, it is stated, with your permission, I beg to quote:
    “As part of the general activities enumerated above, the following specific activities were to be undertaken:
    Resolve 70 per cent of complaints filed”
    This does not mean that they resolved 70 per cent but that is what they planned to do.
    When you go to page 7, under 7.1, you would see that the Commission received a total of 406 complaints by the end of August 2015, from over one million complainants cumulatively, out of which 170, representing 41.9 per cent were fully settled. So, the plan was 70 per cent but they only settled 41.9 per cent. They plan to settle 65, it is not that they settled 70 per cent and now, plan to settle 65 per cent.
    They looked at their performance and were able to settle only 41.9 per cent. So, if they were being too ambitious, now, they are trying to be realistic. Instead of going to 70 per cent and being able to settle only 41.9 per cent, now, we say 65 per cent and let us see how far we go, particularly so, as the budget has been reduced.
    I would crosscheck on that figure, which he was referring to as cut and paste. He is in love with that phrase,”cut and paste”.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved:
    That this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢2,203,811 for the services of the National Labour Commission for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Bagbin 7:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if we may take item number 9 on page 4 of the Order Paper -- Public Services Commission.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:05 p.m.
    Yes, item number 9 --
    Hon Majority Leader and Leader of the House?
    ANNUAL ESTIMATES, 2016
    Public Services Commission
    Majority Leader and Leader of the House (Mr Alban S.K. Bagbin) 7:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢2,250,099 for the services of the Public Service Commission for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Speaker, the Public Services Commission is the anchor of the Government. As we know, it is the head of all the Public Services of the country and they perform very important functions for the country. That represents the central management and governance agency of the country.
    Mr Speaker, for last year, they were allocated an amount of GH¢ 12,656,582. They carried out a number of activities, particularly since last year, they received as much as GH¢10,255,927 for Goods and Services.
    Mr Speaker, surprisingly, this year, the whole budget is GH¢ 2,250,099. That definitely is a cause for worry.
    Mr Speaker, the Commission would have really loved to have more because there is a lot to be done to try and equip and strengthen the Public Services of the country -- to be able to anchor Government this bit to improve the living conditions of the people.
    Unfortunately, the budget is too small and the Commission has indicated that the Government should do something about it. But as of now, this is what the Ministry says it can provide.
    Parliament itself did call on the Commission to try and support it to strengthen its services unit, particularly establishing the technical wing of the House to support Members either with research or timely, reliable and adequate data --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:05 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, you said you wanted the Public Services Commission to support the House?
    Mr Bagbin 7:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I said Parliament and not the House.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:05 p.m.
    Is the Public Services Commission part of the Executive or what is it?
    Mr Bagbin 7:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Public Services Commission is the centre of governance.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:05 p.m.
    So, does it advise the Judiciary?
    Mr Bagbin 7:05 p.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker. It also supports the Judiciary in the establish- ment of the Judicial Service. This is because it is the technical expert wing of the Public Services of the country. That
    Mr Bagbin 7:05 p.m.


    is why if you go through the Report, it is described as the Central Management and Governance Agency responsible for effective and efficient human resource management of the Public Services of Ghana.

    The Parliamentary Service is part of the Public Services of Ghana; like the Judicial Service. So, they support them to be able to serve these arms of government. It is not only for the Executive.

    Mr Speaker, I urge Hon Members to approve the sum of GH¢2,250,099 for the services of the Public Services Commission for the year ending 31st

    December, 2016.

    Question proposed.
    Chairman of the Committee (Prof George Yaw Gyan -Baffour) 7:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to support the Motion and to present the Report of the Committee.
    ‘Introduction
    In accordance with article 179 of the 1992 Constitution, the Hon Minister for Finance, Mr Seth E. Terkper presented the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the year ending 31st December, 2016 to Parliament on Friday, 13th November, 2015.
    Pursuant to Order 140(4) of the Standing Orders of the House, the Rt Hon Speaker referred the Annual Budget Estimates of the Public Services Commission (PSC) to the Special Budget Committee for consideration and report.
    Deliberations
    The Committee met with the Board Secretary, Mr Michael Owusu Nimako and other officials of the PSC and the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday, 9th December, 2015 and considered the referral.
    The Committee extends its appreciation to all the officials who participated at the Committee's sitting for their input.
    Reference documents
    The Committee made reference to the following documents during its delibe- rations:
    a. The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
    b. The Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.
    c. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2015 Financial Year.
    d. The Public Services Commission Act, 1994 (Act 482).
    e. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2015 Financial Year.
    Mission of the Public Services Commission
    The mission of the Public Services Commission (PSC) is to safeguard and promote integrity, accountability and competence in the public service organisations in Ghana, through the provision of advisory, consultative, regulatory and supervisory services.
    Mandate of the Public Services Commission
    The Public Services Commission (PSC) is the central management and governance agency responsible for effective and efficient human resource management of the Public Services of Ghana.
    Its responsibilities impact the coun- try's public administration system, especially in the thematic areas of human resource management, and transparent and accountable governance.
    Functions of the Commission
    To advise Government on the criteria for appointment to public offices as well as persons to hold or act in public offices.
    To promote efficiency, account- ability and integrity in the Public Services.
    To prescribe appropriate systems and procedures for the management of personnel records within the Public Services.
    To identify, explore and promote the recruitment of suitable personnel into the Public Services, acting in collaboration with educational institutions.
    To undertake planning of the manpower requirements of the Public Services, using data from educational institutions and other sources.
    Performance in 2015
    In the 2015 financial year, PSC achieved the following:
    Improvement in Human Resource Management
    As part of the implementation of the reform programme aimed at improving human resource management and development in the public service, the Commission developed a Human Resource Policy Framework and Manual which was approved by Cabinet, with over 800 copies distributed to public service organisa- tions.
    Chairman of the Committee (Prof George Yaw Gyan -Baffour) 7:05 p.m.


    implementation of certain pertinent programmes, such as phase 2 of the Human Resource Audit Programme which was planned at targeting 30 per cent of the Human Resource capacity of the public sector.

    Certain Arrears for the services rendered by the HRMIS Consultants cannot be honoured with this budget. In the view of the Committee, if MoF does not make arrangements to offset this debt, it might mean a judgment debt in waiting.

    Capex The Commission was also allocated an

    amount of GH¢450,000 for Capex in 2015. The Committee regrettably observed that no funds have been allocated for Capex in the 2016 budget.The situation, according to the Commission is quite disturbing, because certain projects that have begun would be stalled and so also would the plan for the procurement of office equipment for the 2016 fiscal year. Rehabilitation of Office Accommodation

    The Committee is aware of the deplorable condition of the PSC office building. The Commission is of the view that lives of users will continue to be endangered if rehabilitation works are not carried out as soon as possible.

    It was disappointing to note that the Commission would not be able to start any form of refurbishment on the deplorable building in 2016, due to the inability of MoF to allocate some funds for that purpose.

    However, the Committee suggested to the Commission to be proactive in its quest for funds to rehabilitate its office building.

    The Commission was advised to start negotiations with the Ghana Investment

    Promotion Council (GIPC) and other co- tenants of the facility to acquire funds for the rehabilitation works.

    Policy challenges with the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS)

    The Committee noted that as part of the efforts at rationalizing the manpower needs of the country through the implementation of the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS), data was to be collected from nine piloted MDAs including the Police Service, for validation and for capturing unto the HRMIS.

    The Police Service having the largest number of personnel among the security services, was selected to be part of the Pilot Programme. The Committee was however informed that, the Police Service proved most uncooperative with an unfounded apprehension of losing their financial independence when made part of the System and also cited fears of security breaches.

    The Commission explained to the Committee that, the inclusion of the police service in the pilot programme was because the service has the largest personnel among the security services.

    The idea was to create a sample size with public institutions with different numerical strength. However, the Commission encountered a lot of opposition from the Police Service which largely affected the implementation of the programme.

    Underscoring the importance of the PSC

    In the view of the Committee, the importance of the Public Services Commission cannot be over emphasised. Every public institution needs the support of the Commission in the establishment of its optimal human resource needs. The

    Parliament of Ghana is no exception, currently Parliament needs the services of the PSC to establish its optimum administrative support needs to function effectively. The Commission therefore needs to be adequately resourced to carry out its mandate.

    Conclusion

    In the light of the above, the Committee recommends to the House to approve, the sum of two million, two hundred and fifty thousand, and ninety nine cedis (GH¢2,250,099.00) for the implementation of the programmes of the Public Services Commission for the year 2016.

    Respectfully submitted.

    Question put and Motion agreed to.

    Resolved:

    That the Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢2,250,099 for the services of the Public Services Commission for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Bagbin 7:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if we could get back to presentation and First Reading of Bills, so that they could lay the Appropriation Bill. That is item number 6 on page 4 of the Order Paper — [Pause.]
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:15 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, would we not finish with all the estimates before we do this? The Appropriation Bill is made up of all the approved estimates. And so, when we approve the estimates, then we go to the Bills, take the First Reading, Second
    Reading. But I do not know how we can take the First Reading when we are in the middle as it were.
    Mr Bagbin 7:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is a Bill and they just captured what they are proposing to be appropriated. The Committee has got to work on the Bill. So, when the Committee is working on it, they will take the approvals into consideration. If there is the need for an amendment to be done, they will do it and then we will consider it at the Consideration Stage.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:15 p.m.
    The Table is strongly advising me against it but I will not engage in a debate with you — [Pause.]
    Mr Bagbin 7:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we are entirely in your hands.
    We may now go to Addendum 2. I did move the Motion on the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice, but the debate did not commence because Hon Members indicated that they did not have the reports with them. We could get back to it.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:15 p.m.
    Has it been seconded?
    Mr Bagbin 7:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it was not seconded and so, I will have to move it again for my Hon Colleague to second.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:15 p.m.
    All right.
    ANNUAL ESTIMATES, 2016
    Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice
    Majority Leader and Leader of the House (Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin) 7:15 p.m.
    Mr
    Chairman of the Committee (Prof George Yaw Gyan-Baffour) 7:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    The Hon Minister for Finance, Mr Seth E. Terkper, in accordance with article 179 of the 1992 Constitution, presented the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2016 fiscal year to Parliament on Friday, 13th November, 2015.
    Pursuant to Order 140 (4) of the Standing Orders of the House, the Rt Hon. Speaker referred the Annual Budget Estimates of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to the Special Budget Committee for consideration and report.
    The Committee met with the Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ, Mr. Richard Quayson, officials of the Commission and the Ministry of Finance and discussed the estimates.
    The Committee acknowledges the inputs of the Deputy Commissioner and the other officials during the deliberations on the estimates and wishes to extend its appreciation to them for attending upon the Committee.
    Reference documents
    In considering the draft Annual Estimates for the Commission, the under listed documents were used as reference documents:
    a. The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana
    b. The Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.
    c. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2016 Financial Year.
    e. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2016 Financial Year.
    Mission
    The Commission exists to enhance the scale of good governance, democracy, integrity, peace and social development by promoting, protecting and enforcing fundamental human rights and freedoms and administrative justice for all persons in Ghana.
    Strategic Direction
    Promote and protect fundamental human rights and freedoms
    Promote fair administration of public services and contribute to public demand for better service delivery Promote national integrity and combat corruption
    Build the Capacity of CHRAJ to Prosecute its Mandate
    Performance in 2015
    Allocation
    In 2015, an amount of twenty four million, four hundred and twenty nine thousand, two hundred and sixty Ghana cedis (GH¢24,429,260.00) was allocated to the Commission for its programmes. The breakdown of the allocation is as follows:
    GH¢
    Government of Ghana (GoG) -- 15,244,538
    Donor -- 9,184,722
    IGF -- -- 7:15 p.m.
    CHRAJ 7:25 p.m.
    Mr Bagbin 7:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if we may now take item 10 -- Electoral Commission.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:35 p.m.
    Item number ten -- Majority Leader and Leader of the House.

    ANNUAL ESTIMATES, 2016

    Electoral Commission
    Majority Leader and Leader of the House (Mr A. S. K. Bagbin) 7:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢826,897,772 for the services of the Electoral Commission for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Speaker, we all know that the year 2016 is a crucial year for this country
    because it is an election year. An important institution that would ensure that we sail through peacefully, is the Electoral Commission.
    Mr Speaker, the Commission, as we know, was allocated an amount of GH¢144,700,455 for the 2015 Financial Year. As of the end of November, 2015, an amount of GH¢107,149,947 was released to the Commission but the Commission carried out all the activities that we witnessed in the electoral calendar for the year 2015, including the recent by-election at Amenfi.
    Mr Speaker, the Commission budgeted for an amount of over GH¢1,700,000,000. The Committee held several meetings with the Commission and through a very critical auditing of the items, the Committee was able to scale down that amount to
    GH¢1,202,755,909.
    Mr Speaker, together with the Commission, we held a meeting with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry was able to allocate an amount of GH¢826,
    897,772.
    Therefore, there is a funding gap of over GH¢ 375 million. Mr Speaker, we got the Ministry to accept to fund the gap during the course of the year because we are unprepared to compromise on the peace, security and the free, fair, transparent and credible elections of 2016. So, I am sure the Ministry would be coming back to this House during the course of 2016.
    Mr Speaker, it is with this that I move, that we approve the sum of GH¢826,897,772 for
    the services of the Electoral Commission for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Question proposed.
    Ag. Chairman of the Committee (Prof. George Y. Gyan-Baffour) (on behalf of the Chairman): Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion and present your Committee's Report.
    Introduction
    The draft Budget Estimates of the Electoral Commission (EC) was referred to the Committee on Special Budget for consideration and report, in accordance with Order 140 (4) of the Standing Orders of the House.
    This followed the presentation to Parliament of the 2016 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government by the Hon. Minister of Finance, Mr Seth E. Terkper, on Friday, 13th November, 2015, in accordance with article 179 of the 1992 Constitution.
    The Committee subsequently met with Mr Amadu Sulley, Deputy Chairman (Operations), Director of Budget (MoF), Mr Patrick Nomo and officials from the EC and the Ministry of Finance and considered the draft budget estimates of the Electoral Commission.
    The Committee expresses its appreciation to all of them for their inputs at the Meeting.
    Reference documents
    The Committee referred to the following documents in the discharge of its duties:
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah (NPP-- Sekondi) 7:35 p.m.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to this debate and just to make one small
    comment relating to the highlighted portion of the Report appearing on page 10, the penultimate paragraph -- [Inter- ruption] -- Yes, the penultimate paragraph of page 10, “as a result, the Committee recommends that…”
    Mr Speaker, I would suggest to the Committee, in the light of the importance of these releases, to probably, meet the Electoral Commission (EC) bi-monthly and then have a briefing as to the progress of its preparation towards election 2016. It is not contained in this Report. [Interruption] -- Yes, it is not contained in this Report.
    I am curious why for such an important event, the new Chairperson of the EC did not avail herself of the opportunity of appearing before the Special Budget Committee together with her deputy.
    Thank you Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:35 p.m.
    Thank you.
    Hon Yieleh Chireh?
    Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh (NDC--Wa West) 7:35 p.m.
    Thank you Mr Speaker. I am very grateful for the opportunity to also add my voice to the issue that has been raised about the EC.
    The gap in terms of funding is always a concern for everybody and I believe that it is important for our own democracy, that resources are found for this. Mr Speaker, there is one worrying thing about publicity. Currently, it is all over that the elections would be in November. I do not know how many steps have been taken to ensure that the proper thing is done and that this information is being put out.
    If there are legal and administrative processes that we should initiate, I believe
    that this is the time for the EC to do so, so that it is not just an intention to move from December 7 to November 7.
    This is because this would involve a lot of publicity, and we already do not have enough resources to be doing this. If we let people have the idea that this is going to be done, and yet we have not started the processes of getting this properly done. And if it fails to mature, then we would have a more difficult situation of convincing people that they stick to the old date.
    I am calling on all those who need to initiate actions to do so, so that we are firm about the date before we put it in the public domain --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:45 p.m.
    Hon Yieleh Chireh, is your advice not coming too late? This is because the House met the Electoral Commissioner on Thursday and the matter is already in the public domain --
    Mr Chireh 7:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, that is what I am worried about. If the decision is a firm one and we all know that the processes have been followed up to the point that it must be announced, there is no difficulty.
    I sometimes hear people talk about the amendment to the Constitution, initiated by the Constitution Review Commission. These are all the issues involved, and we know that the process has been in limbo even after the Supreme Court had ruled in the Asare Case. So, I think that we need to be very clear before we put this thing into the public domain.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:45 p.m.
    Hon Member, how does the Supreme Court ruling affect us?
    Mr Chireh 7:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, when the processes were started, the case was sent to the Supreme Court to say that it should be stopped, and that the correct procedures were not adopted. Mr Speaker, but the Supreme Court has ruled that they could go ahead. Since then, nothing has been done for us to move forward. Nobody knows where we are moving now as far as the processes of constitutional amendments are concerned.
    Obviously, there are two legs to it. The one that requires the --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:45 p.m.
    Hon Yieleh Chireh, I am sorry to be cutting you short. I am sure that we are very interested in what you are saying.
    Do we need a constitutional amend- ment to hold the elections on November 7th, 2016?
    Mr Chireh 7:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I did not hear you clear.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:45 p.m.
    Do we need a constitutional amendment to hold the election on November 7th, 2016, and is it an amendment of an entrenched or un- entrenched clause?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 7:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the two provisions relating to the general election, that is the presidential and the parliamentary elections are non- entrenched. So, we could deal with them in the House with just a Bill.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:45 p.m.
    So, it is with just a Bill which can be done in one day. We can take it through the three stages in one day.
    Mr Chireh 7:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is good I heard this, that it can be done in one day.
    My earlier suggestion was that, really, this has to be started and we firm up these things before we start talking about them. I am sure that the moment we start the processes, we would realise that they are not straightforward as we are talking about. In my view, it is because we do not have resources; we should not be putting things that would require us to undo in terms of publicity.
    On this note, I also support that we should give them what is available and still make efforts to get additional resources to support them during the course of the year, so that we have a credible election.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
    Mrs Ursula G. Ekuful (NPP-- Ablekuma West) 7:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, on page 4 of the Committee's Report, I noticed that the breakdown of the total allocation and actual releases as of November, 2015 for the Electoral Commission indicates that no releases were made for Goods and Services, Capital Expenditure or the donor requirement for the funding of the Commission. Apart from the Compen- sation paid to the Commission, they got no other funds for their work.
    I am wondering how the Commission conducted the by-elections and all the various work that they did in the year. I am surprised that the Committee did not explain this curious phenomenon to the House.
    Mr Speaker, furthermore, the Electoral Commission, when assisting the political parties to conduct their internal elections, charges them fees for printing of ballot papers, taking of election materials to the various centres and the actual conduct of the elections.
    I am not aware under what law the Electoral Commission charges those fees. This is because as an Hon Member of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee, I have never seen the Electoral Commission come before us for any fees and charges under the requisite legislation.
    I also noticed that there is no line item for internally generated funds (IGFs) in this Report. I would like some response from the Special Budget Committee why that happened? This is because we are all aware that the Electoral Commission collects moneys from the political parties for the works it assists them to do. It is not recorded anywhere. So, it is not accounted for to anyone or in any form.
    That, in my view, is a very curious phenomenon which should not be allowed to continue. So, I would like the Committee to explain why that is not captured. If they are aware of it, what do they have to say to that as well?
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Minority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu) 7:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, as the de facto Hon Chairman of the Special Budget Committee has alluded to, the Electoral Commission submitted a request. With regard to the proposal that they first came up with, the Special Budget Committee, in their initial engagements with them, observed that the figures were too high.
    After about three plenary meetings, before the presentation of the Budget Statement, they themselves understood that they needed to do a reappraisal of the proposals they had submitted to the Special Budget Committee.
    Mr Speaker, happily, after we went through the Motions with them, I think
    they were able to make tremendous savings in the region of about GH¢100 million. That in my view, is significant. We do believe that it is still possible for them to do further interrogation of some of the issues, which they have brought even after their budget has been submitted, in order to make some savings.
    Mr Speaker, as the Hon Member for Wenchi has observed and as I also observed when they appeared before us in the Committee of the Whole last week, the conduct of elections in Ghana is just too high.
    Mr Speaker, the average per capita expenditure on the conduct of elections in Africa, and not even the sub-region, the whole of Africa, is US$13. In the Ghanaian situation, in the last one that we held, it was US$18.80.
    It is anticipated that for the year 2016, the figures that they have given us translates, using a voter population of about 15.2 million -- It translates into about US$17.69.
    We are being told by the Electoral Commission (EC) that, it is possible that the total number of registered voters for the December, 2016 elections may be around 15.7 million.
    Mr Speaker, you remember I raised issues with that figure but that figure would then give us about US$17.13 for the 2016 elections and the figure does not include whatever may be done next year with respect to re-registration or auditing of the systems.
    Mr Speaker, because they have told us that the conduct of a re-registration exercise is going to cost us about GH¢900,000,000, which would translate into about 234 million, using current exchange rates, that then would translate
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:55 p.m.
    Yes, do you have a point of order against your Hon Minority Leader?
    Dr Prempeh 7:55 p.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:55 p.m.
    The Hon Minority Leader is even surprised. He is turn ing back to see who has the effrontery --
    Dr Prempeh 7:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minority Leader made a statement --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:55 p.m.
    Who made the statement?
    Dr Prempeh 7:55 p.m.
    The Hon Minority Leader made a statement that from the calculation, the Ghana's per capita for the election if granted, all the moneys appropriated for the Commission, would bring it to about US$32. I am just
    juxtaposing it to what we normally feel, the 6 unit classroom block of 80,000 and it dropped to 300,000 under President John Mahama. So, I do not know why he is worried. That is what is in Ghana; everything goes up by three-fold and ten- fold.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 7:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker -
    - 7:55 p.m.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:55 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, I do not know what it is. I do not know what this is? Whether it is a point of order or point of clarification, information but I have to continue with you and then I recognise the Hon Majority Leader.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 7:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, in reality, I could not really hear him out well, so, I do not know where to situate it, because I could not exactly hear what he was saying. I do not know where to situate it in the context of our Standing Orders.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:55 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Bagbin 7:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:55 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Minority Leader?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 7:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, one cannot actually disregard what one did not actually hear. [Laughter.]-
    Anyway, the Commission is indicating that they want to inspect offices of political parties to authenticate which political parties to gazette.
    Mr Speaker, last year, they made a similar request, which was granted by
    Parliament. We all do know that as the Constitution provides, political parties shall have offices in at least, two thirds of the districts in this country.
    Mr Speaker, there are many political parties that exist only on paper, which do not even have offices in even 20 districts in the country and which otherwise, should not be granted any certificate to operate or purport to operate.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:55 p.m.
    Hon Dan Botwe, do you have a point of order?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 7:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, this year, the Commission made another request to go round the entire country to assure themselves of the existence of political parties and political parties which do not have offices in two-thirds of the districts in this country, would be de- gazetted.
    Mr Speaker, we expect the Commission to make good this promise because moneys are being provided for that purpose.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:55 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, can you not use the parliamentary procedure to invite the Electoral Commission to report on this matter at a certain point?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 7:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, as I said, last year, they made a similar request and were granted the appropriation and this year, they are coming back with the same request.
    We asked them at the Committee level and I can say on authority that, the
    answer that they provided was most unconvincing and most unpersuasive. But maybe, we would grant them some leave because we all do know that, there were a few issues that they had to contend with.
    But into next year and certainly before March, they should set out to establish this fact, that there are some political parties which exist only on paper and they should not be granted space to waste anybody's time.
    Mr Speaker, when one calls IPAC meetings, we have all manner of men and women parading there as party big wigs and yet their political parties do not exist anywhere. They exist only in their own imaginations.
    Mr Speaker, the EC should crack the whip and stop wasting the time of this country on such political parties that you and I know and I do know the Hon Majority Leader also knows.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 7:55 p.m.
    The “you and I” does not include me. It must be you and the Hon Majority Leader [Laughter.] -- I do not know -- I do not see anybody.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 7:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Majority Leader exactly knows what we are talking about here.
    Mr Speaker, there are some purchases that the EC would want to do. In particular, those purchases that are supposed to be offshore -- that are dollar rated.
    Mr Speaker, when we met them, for instance, they said they wanted to buy rechargeable lamps and the cost for one is US$176. Mr Speaker, that cannot be allowed and that is why we have suggested to them that they should go and appraise their own proposals and they would know that they would be able to cut down a lot on the cost.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 8:05 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Bagbin 8:05 p.m.
    On a point of order.
    Mr Speaker. I think my Hon Colleague, the Hon Minority Leader, is trying to recollect as much as possible, what took place. I think I disagree with him on some of the figures he is churning out now, as to what happened during the discussion.
    Initially, the proposal was for each polling station not to be above 500 and that is what took the figure to 50,000 polling stations. Mr Speaker, that definitely, was far beyond the budget and had to be reconsidered. They took the figure to 650 and that also took it to around 40,000, still above the budget. It was reconsidered to 850 and that took it to around 30,000.
    Mr Speaker, they are saying that they can still bring it to 29,000 because there are a lot of polling stations that are less than the 850. It is mostly in urban areas, municipalities that we have these large numbers --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 8:05 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, I am sorry to cut you. But all these information are so detail --
    You have the last bite of the cherry. After he finishes speaking, everything lies in your bosom and you can go to town. You would have the last bite of the cherry. So, let the Hon Minority Leader have his say.
    Proceed, please.
    Hon Minority Leader; bear in mind that everything you say, the Hon Majority Leader would answer.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 8:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we want to be factual and I think the Hon Majority Leader was saying that I was trying to recollect. I am sorry to say that when we had that meeting with them, unfortunately, he was not available. The meeting we first held with them -- he was not available. He was not there. I brought this out and in fact, Hon O. B. Amoah was with me.
    We produced this scenario and they said alright, they would go and look at it. Mr Speaker, so, when they brought out the figure -- the polling stations -- the initial thing, they had not done it. So, we said that they should go back and do the scenarios and come back and that is what they did subsequent to that meeting. So, I am sorry. That is the truth of the matter.
    Mr Speaker, it is not to indict anybody but to suggest that if they further interrogate the figures, it is possible that we can even get to about 700. If we get to 700, by the scenarios that we did, it was going to produce about 31,500 polling stations.
    So, I think that if we cannot get to, maybe, 600, which is the highest in the region, apart from Ghana's and we are using 700, it would help us prevent the usual tensions in some of the polling stations.
    I agree with him that in the country- side, the average is less than even 450. It is in the cities where we have the figures jacked up. In one of my polling stations, the figure was in the region of 2,120. Just one polling station. They eventually had to divide it into two -- I am talking about 2012 -- Today, it is intended to still bring that one further down to about four polling stations.
    That should be the way to go. This is because of the total number of registered voters. So, many people queued up and in frustration, had to leave by midday when the queues were not moving. That is why it is important to do these things in order for every registered voter to have the opportunity to vote.
    Mr Speaker, the other thing that they are promising to do, is conducting elections for political parties and an amount has been set aside for that.
    We do know that for the major political parties -- National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP), Convention People's Party (CPP), People's National Convention (PNC) and Progressive People's Party (PPP), these major parties -- The known ones that contest elections -- all of them have finished with the conduct of their own political primaries. So, which political parties are left? Yet the allocated figure is in excess of, I guess, GH¢2 million.
    We should be careful - that is about 20 billion old Ghana cedis. Where are those parties which would be conducting their elections? The party of the known woman who is becoming a comic relief to this country? Are we serious as a nation?
    Mr Speaker, then we have awareness creation, which is why we are saying that it should be possible for the Commission to interrogate their own figures. Mr
    Majority Leader (Mr Alban S. K Bagbin) 8:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I just would want to thank Hon Colleagues for the contri- butions, but to emphasise that the Hon Minority Leader, who is a very active member of the Special Budget Committee, was just bringing to the fore some of the issues that were raised and discussed with the Electoral Commissioner.
    In my opinion, all these were well noted, particularly so, as the Electoral Com- mission has learned a lot of lessons from the 2012 Elections.
    It is experimenting some of the things that they would want to implement in the 2016 Elections, like having two verification equipment at each polling station, so that in case there is a fault with one, the other would be applied. So, a lot of work is being done and definitely, the quality of election in Ghana, as we all know, is among the highest in Africa.
    I think that Hon Members have contributed to that, but as we all always
    state, the key word is “vigilance”. It is not just on the part of the Electoral Commission, but all of us.
    So, I thank Hon Members and urge all of us to vote for the Motion.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved:
    That this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢826,897,772.00 for the services of the Electoral Commission for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 8:15 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader and Leader of the House?
    Mr Bagbin 8:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if we could take the estimates on the National Media Commission?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 8:15 p.m.
    Item 13 -- Majority Leader and Leader of the House.
    ANNUAL ESTIMATES, 2016
    National Media Commission
    Majority Leader and Leader of the House (Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin) 8:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢1,755,975 for the services of the National Media Commission for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 8:15 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, this silence is very uncharacteristic of you.
    Mr Bagbin 8:15 p.m.
    Pardon?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 8:25 p.m.
    We are waiting for you.
    Mr Bagbin 8:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have seen the Report. The National Media Commission was allocated for the year 2015 an amount of GH¢2,899,648.00.
    This year, the provision that is being made for the Commission is GH¢1,755,975.00 as contained in the Order Paper.
    Mr Speaker, the Commission appealed to the Ministry to try as much as possible to do something about the amount. This is because there are a lot of things that are constraining the Commission in the performance of its duties. Even office accommodation is a problem for the Commission.
    The issue of trying to facilitate, regulate and make the media as responsive as possible is a very herculean task. So, the Commission had to put its case before the Committee and the Committee discussed the issue with the Ministry.
    Mr Speaker, the Committee had to strongly recommend to the Ministry to make additional funds available to the National Media Commission, particularly so, as the Commission is having a serious difficulty in enforcing the regulations of the Legislative Instrument (L.I. 2224) of
    2015.
    Mr Speaker, the Commission, as we all know, they would also be called upon next year, 2016, to try as much as possible to discourage the propagation of hate speech and statements that are meant to incite people. So, there is therefore, the need for the Ministry to make additional provision for the Commission.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move this Motion and I am urging my Hon Colleagues to support it with great hope, that the Ministry would do something about the provision that they are making to the National Media Commission.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Question proposed.
    Ag. Chairman of the Committee (Prof. George Y. Gyan-Baffour):Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion and to submit the Report to the House.
    Introduction
    The Minister for Finance, Hon Seth E. Terkper presented the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the year ending 31st December, 2016 to Parliament on Friday, 13th November, 2015 in accordance with article 179 of the 1992 Constitution.
    Pursuant to Order 140 (4) of the Standing Orders of the House, Mr Speaker referred the Annual Budget Estimates of the National Media Commission (NMC) to the Special Budget Committee for consideration and report.
    Subsequently, the Committee met with the Executive Secretary, Mr George Sarpong and officials of the Commission. Representatives from the Ministry of Finance were also present to assist the Committee in its deliberations.
    The Committee extends its appreciation to the Executive Secretary and all officials present at the Committee sitting for their input.
    Reference Documents
    The following documents were used by the Committee as reference materials:
    a. The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
    b. The Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.
    c. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2015 Financial Year.
    d. The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2016 Financial Year.
    CAPEX -- -- 8:25 p.m.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 8:25 p.m.
    Majority Leader and Leader of the House?
    Mr Bagbin 8:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, could we consider item number 24, which is the estimates on the Parliament of Ghana, on page 7.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 8:35 p.m.
    Yes!

    ANNUAL ESTIMATES, 2016

    Parliament of Ghana
    Majority Leader/Leader of the House (Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin) 8:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢255,865,717 for the services of the Service for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Speaker, let me stress that we said Parliament of Ghana, which is made up of the Parliamentary Service together with the Members of Parliament.
    Mr Speaker, for 2015, an allocation of GH¢185,194,572.00 was made for the Parliament of Ghana. Compensation took a bigger chunk of it, which is GH¢133,898,701.00; Goods and Services only had GH¢41, 295,871.00 while Assets had only GH¢10 million.
    Mr Speaker, for next year, 2016, the allocation for the Parliament of Ghana as contained in the Order Paper is GH¢255,865,717.00. But Parliament actually budgeted for GH¢265,274,737.00.
    This, the Ministry could not measure up to and reduced it to the GH¢255,865,717.00. A little bit over GH¢255 million.
    Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President, in accordance with the relevant laws of the country, recommended the figure to the House and that was made available to the Committee.
    The Committee has attached it to its Report, and the figures can be seen at paragraphs 2 and 3--what Parliament requested and what His Excellency has recommended.
    Mr Speaker, after thorough discussions, Parliament and the Committee agreed to accept the figure His Excellency recommended, so that the House would approve that for the Parliament of Ghana.
    Question proposed.
    With this, Mr Speaker, I beg to move.
    Chairman of the Committee (Prof. George Gyan-Baffour) 8:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion and in doing so, beg to present the Committee's Report.
    Introduction
    The Hon Minister for Finance, Mr Seth Emmanuel Terkper presented the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the year ending 31st December, 2016 to Parliament on Friday, 13th November, 2015 in accordance with article 179 of the 1992 Constitution.
    The estimates of the Parliament of Ghana were subsequently laid before the House in accordance with article 178 (1) (a) and 179 (2) (b) of the 1992 Constitution, section 15 of the Parliamentary Service Act, 1993 (Act 460) and section 15 (a) of the Parliamentary Service (Amendment) Act, 2008, (Act 763).
    Pursuant to Order 140 (4) of the Standing Orders of the House, the Speaker referred the draft Annual Budget Estimates of Parliament to the Special Budget Committee for consideration and report.
    The Committee met with the Clerk to Parliament, Mr Emmanuel Anyimadu, two of his deputies, Mr Cyril Nsiah and Alhaji Ibrahim Gombilla, and senior officials of
    Chairman of the Committee (Prof. George Gyan-Baffour) 8:35 p.m.
    Acheivements in 2015
    Legislative Business
    Parliament continues to discharge its mandate through Plenary and Committee sittings to consider and approve legislative proposals. In this regard, the House held a total of 105 plenary Sittings, 308 committee sittings and had laid a total of 309 Papers to the House for considera- tion and approval.
    The Papers included twenty-three (23) Bills, ten (10) Legislative Instrument (L.I.s) and Constitutional Instruments (C.I.), fifty-nine (59) International Loan Agreements and Conventions; and one hundred and seventy-two (172) committee reports presented as of now. Out of the 23 Bills presented, fifteen (15) have been passed into law.
    Parliamentary Oversight
    In accordance with articles 174, 178,181, 184 and 187 of the Constitution, Parliament continue to exercise oversight over the use of State resources. In this direction, the Public Accounts Committee conducted seven (7) public sittings to
    consider and report on Auditor-General's Reports and made a total of thirteen (13) recommendations involving retrieval of misappropriated public funds. The Government Assurances Committee also held two (2) public sittings for the first time to follow-up on assurances made by Ministers of State on the floor of Parliament.
    187 parliamentary Questions and 45 Statements were admitted. Committees of Parliament also undertook a total of 31 monitoring visits to assess the progress of implementation of selected projects approved in sector budgets.
    Provision of offices to Members of Parliament
    With the Job 600 facility completed, a total of 252 Members of Parliament are being provided with offices and secretariats to provide administrative and research support to facilitate the work of Members and increase their effectiveness. The facility also provides for committee meeting rooms, restaurants, an auditorium and banking services, among others.

    Outlook for 2016

    For year 2016, Parliament will undertake the following, among others:

    Parliament will continue to strengthen the capacity of MPs to effectively scrutinise policy proposals; widen public engagement in legislation; improve representation for effective public understanding of parliamentary business; and adequately monitor the implementa- tion of national policies as well as exercise effective oversight over the implementa- tion of programmes and projects approved in the budget.

    The Parliamentary Service will also undertake programmes to improve on processes and procedures for effective service delivery.

    The Public Accounts and Government Assurances Committees will continue to conduct public hearing to consider the Auditor General's Report and Ministerial Assurances respectively, as well as host dedicated websites that will provide the public access to reports on actions taken on their recommendations.

    The Table Office plans to install ICT applications for the dissemination of information to the public as well as design and operationalise electronic trans- mission of the Order Paper, Votes and Proceedings, Business Statements, Agenda, Standing Orders, the

    Constitution, Interpretation Act and other relevant enactments for access by Members in the Chamber, offices and vantage points in real time.

    Parliament will also develop a web- based GIS database application for effective monitoring of the implementa- tion of projects specified in the annual budgets through timely delivery of spatial data for evidence based oversight.

    The Office of Scrutiny will be established to provide expert analysis of policy measures including Bills, budgets, loan agreements and international financial transactions which are brought before the House for approval. In addition, the second phase of implementation of the Parliamentary Training Institute will be completed to provide continuing education, training and development of MPs and staff.

    The Institute will also serve as a regional centre for providing training in parliamentary practice, procedures, and research into parliamentary democracy for local and regional participants.

    Budgetary Allocation for 2016

    A total of two hundred and fifty-five million, eight hundred and sixty five thousand, seven hundred and seventeen Ghana cedis (GH¢255,865,717.00) has been allocated for the execution of the 2016 programmes of the Parliament of Ghana. The breakdown is as follows:
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 8:35 p.m.
    Thank you, Hon Gyan-Baffour.
    Mr Emmanuel K. Bedzrah (NDC -- Ho West) 8:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion, that this House approves the budget estimates for the Office of Parliament.
    Mr Speaker, first of all, I would like to commend the Leadership of the House, that they promised to give us Job 600 and to furnish it. Indeed, we have moved into Job 600 with all the amenities there - - [Interruption] -- I have moved.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to correct a statement made in the Report. The Government Assurances Committee did not have only two sittings; we had four sittings this year. We had four Hon Ministers who came before the Committee and we believe that before the end of the year, we would have another Hon Minister appearing before us and that would make it five sittings before the end of the year.
    That is in paragraph 5.2, where it states that the Committee had two sittings this year. Indeed, we had four sittings this year.
    Mr Speaker, I have noticed that the Social Investment Fund (SIF), which was originally managed by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has now been given to Parliament. I would want to plead with Leadership and the manager of the Funds that these funds would be used judiciously. When it is released to Parliament, we would use it in our various constituencies.
    Finally, we have been given an assurance that our constituency offices would be completed. But as of today, they have still not been completed. Most of us go to our constituencies without constituency offices.
    We would want to plead with Leadership and the Leader of the House
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 8:35 p.m.
    Hon Kofi Frimpong, do you have a point of order?
    Mr Bedzrah 8:35 p.m.
    He does not have -- [Laughter.]
    Mr Speaker, finally, I have noticed that the moneys allocated to Parliament in the 2015 Budget Estimates, only part was released. We know that this is the only House of democracy where legislative activities take place. If the budget for Parliament is not concluded or not given to us, how can we effectively discharge our duties as legislators?
    I would want to plead with the Hon Minister for Finance here, that as of September, 2015, only 85 per cent of our budget was released to us. I do not know whether the full amount has been released. We want the money, so that we can effectively discharge our duties.
    I believe that in 2016, the full amount would be released to us to discharge our duties as Hon Members of Parliament.
    With these few words, Mr Speaker, I support the Motion.
    Minority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu) 8:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, even though I am a member of the Special Budget Committee, unfortunately, I could not attend the meeting that dealt with the estimates of the Parliament of Ghana. But I have a few observations.
    Mr Speaker, the first relates to the Compensation. For last year, we had GH¢133,899,701. For this year, we have
    GH¢118,898,701. I wanted to know why we had this clamp down from GH¢133 million, that is almost GH¢134 million, now to about GH¢119 million.
    The second relates to Assets. I do not know whether no allocation was made for Assets for this year because it does not appear on the expenditure item on page 7 of the Report. It was captured under Capital Expenditure.

    This one is about GH¢39,960. That is almost GH¢40,000. I thought the figure for last year was about GH¢40,000 but I have been told that it was rather GH¢25,000. That then would mark a significant improvement. One would of course, have to factor in inflation and currency depreciation and all and perhaps, we would be back to square one. At least, it is something that we should show appreciation to.

    Mr Speaker, for Parliament, allocations are made to committees. We would engage the Budget Office and see what ultimately would be done in these areas. Allocations year in, year out, are made to the various committees. Unfortunately, when the committees undertake their programmes and the releases may have to be made to them, oftentimes, they do not get them.

    Yet at the end of the year, we have, let us say, one hundred per cent release of the allocations to Parliament. So, how

    come the releases are not made to the committees? It is a sad commentary.

    Mr Speaker, as we do know, every Parliament is as strong as its committees make it. It is not for fun that the committees are made to submit their programmes of activities into the ensuing year. Yet when they apply to make use of the allocations, more often than not, they are not given the allocations and so, the committees just sit tight. I am sure that that is the way to go --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 8:45 p.m.
    Hon Majority and Hon Minority Leaders.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 8:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, what we have to insist on is to make the committees fashion out their programmes and then what would have to be done is for the Service to react as and when.
    I agree that some of the committees oftentimes wait until close to the end of the Meeting and submit applications that they would want to travel. We may have about 10 committees applying to travel out at the same time, which is not healthy.
    If they submit their work programmes early enough, it should be possible for the Leadership to ensure that these things are worked out, such that we do not have many of them jammed up over particular weekends. Then everybody would have their way. Mr Speaker, that is the way to conduct business.
    The other matter that the Hon Member for Ho West alluded to, relating to -- He spoke about the Government Assurances Committee. Mr Speaker, it relates to the other committees that, once we finish with the consideration of the reviewed Standing Orders, the Committee should be liberated to conduct public sittings.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 8:55 p.m.
    Neither did the Hon Second Deputy Speaker -- [Laughter.]
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 8:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I did not even know about that. But for whatever reason, there is a particular region that has over-benefited from the first tranche -- [Interruption]
    Some Hon Members 8:55 p.m.
    Which region?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 8:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would not want to mention the name of the region -- [Interruption.] I am not afraid but I fear small-small.
    Mr Speaker, we should be candid with ourselves. There should be transparency in these matters and I think going forward, we should let him construct as many as possible next year.
    If we can have at least, a half of it done by the close of next year, Mr Speaker, it should be alright for us. After all, these are prefabricated structures and putting them together would not take much time at all, once he has the trust that he would be paid in due time.
    Mr Bagbin 8:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thank my Hon Colleagues and I urge them to whole- heartedly approve the provision for the Parliament of Ghana.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved:
    That this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢255,865,717 for the services of Parliament of Ghana for the year ending 31st December ,2016.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 8:55 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Bagbin 8:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if we may take item 12.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 8:55 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader?
    ANNUAL ESTIMATES, 2016
    Office of District Assemblies' Common Fund Administrator.
    Majority Leader and Leader of the House (Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin) 8:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢399,537 for the services of the Office of the District Assemblies' Common Fund Administrator for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Speaker, this amount is just for the Office of the Administrator, and we know the office exists to essentially disburse and manage the District Assemblies' Common Fund effectively and efficiently through the use of information technology. Mr Speaker, the Fund will definitely come in a formula for approval by the House.
    Mr Speaker, we believe that, this amount is sufficient to be able to keep the office and lubricate it to perform its functions effectively during the 2016 Elections.
    Question proposed.
    Ag. Chairman of Committee (Prof. George Yaw Gyan-Baffour): Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    I rise to support the Motion, and in doing so, I present your Committee's Report.
    Introduction
    The Hon Minister for Finance, Mr Seth Emmanuel Terkper presented the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the year ending 31st
    December, 2016 to Parliament on Friday, 13th November, 2015 in accordance with article 179 of the 1992 Constitution.
    Pursuant to Order 140 (4) of the Standing Orders of the House, the Annual Budget Estimates of the Office of the Administrator of the District Assemblies, Common Fund (OADACF) were referred to the Special Budget Committee by the Hon Speaker for consideration and report to plenary.
    The Committee met with the Administrator, Mr Kojo Fynn and the Accountant of the Office of the Administrator of the District Assemblies, Common Fund, Mr Ebenezer Yemofio and considered the said estimates.
    The Committee extends its appreciation to the above mentioned persons for their input at the Committee's meeting.
    Reference Documents
    The following documents were used by the Committee as reference materials:
    The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana;
    The Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana;
    The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2015 Financial Year;
    The Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2016 Financial Year.
    The Report of the Special Budget Committee on the 2015 Budget Estimates the Office of the Administrator of the Distr ict Assemblies' Common Fund.
    Majority Leader and Leader of the House (Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin) 8:55 p.m.


    Mission

    The Office of the Administrator of the DACF exists to essentially disburse and manage the District Assembly Fund effectively and efficiently through the use of information technology to Metro- politan, Municipal and Distr ict Assemblies (MMDAs).

    Core Functions of DACF

    To propose a formula annually for the distribution of the DACF for parliamentary approval:

    To administer and distribute the monies paid into the DACF among MMDA's in accordance with approved formula.

    To report in writing to the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development on how allocations made to MMDAs have been utilised.

    To perform any other function that may be directed by the President.

    Performance in year 2015

    The allocation and disbursement to the Office of the Administrator of the DACF for year 2015 for the compensation of its Employees amounted to two hundred and twenty two thousand, eight hundred and fifty Ghana cedis (GH¢222,850.00).

    The main purpose for the establish- ment of the OADACF is to utilize modern technology to effectively and efficiently disburse and monitor the Distr ict Assembly Common Fund to all the MMDAs with the goal of reducing poverty. With this goal in mind, the Office was able to undertake the underlisted activities in 2015.

    Completed an MIS Software System for capturing expenditure returns and supplementary budgets from the MMDAs

    Organised annual meetings with all the ten (10) Regional Co-ordinating units of the Regional Co-ordinating Councils (RCCs).

    Presented 2015 DACF sharing formula for approval and transfer of quarterly allocations to MMDAs, RCCs and Members of Parliament (MPs) and also,

    Presented 2014 Audited Accounts and Annual Reports to Parliament

    Outlook for 2016

    For the year 2016, the Office intends to step up its activities as follows:

    Improve the number of monitoring visits to Metropolitan/Municipal District Assemblies in collaboration with the Regional Co-co-ordinating Councils.

    Develop and Present the formula for the disbursment to Parliament for approval.

    Report promptly to Parliament on the activities of the Fund

    Continue to improve skills and knowledge of staff.

    Development of a new modern office building .

    Sponsor staff for external capacity building/training programmes.

    Year 2016 Budget Allocation

    In 2016, the Office of the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund has been allocated a sum of three hundred

    and ninety-nine thousand, five hundred and thirty-seven Ghana cedis (GH¢399, 537.00). This allocation is meant only for compensation of employees of the Office.

    Observations and Recommendations

    Budget Allocation for Year 2016

    With regard to allocation for the compensation of employees in 2016, the Committee was pleased to note that, an amount of GH¢ 399,537.00 has been presented to Parliament for approval. Although this allocation represents, an upward adjustment of about 44 per cent on the previous year's allocation, the 2016 Employee Compensation requirement of GH¢554,788, far exceeds the Allocation by

    GH¢ 155,251 (28%).

    As usual, no allocation was made for Goods and Services and Investment expenses, it is expected that, Parliament will approve of the formula for disbursement of the Fund which will include a retention of 0.5 per cent of the Common Fund by the Office for operational purposes.

    Removal from Government Subvention

    The Administrator informed the Committee that, the complicated pro- cesses and man hours involved in acquiring releases and disbursement of this scanty allocation, makes it most unattractive to access it.

    The Committee is convinced that, with the overwhelming demands on the national resource envelope, there is the need to wean some subvented institutions off the national Budget. The OADACF, just like the NHIS and the GETFund Secretariats, is in the position where it can

    be independent of Government's subvention and its vote for running the Office taken from the District Assemblies Common Fund.

    The Committee recommends to the Ministry of Finance to look at the law that, gives financial independence to the NHIS and GETFund Secretariats and see to the feasibility of applying same to OADACF. The Ministry should come out with the necessary guidelines and procedures to get the Office weaned off the National Budget.

    Delays in the Release of Funds to the MMDAs

    While the Committee focused mainly on the allocation to the Office of the District Assemblies Common Fund, it also expressed displeasure about the continual delay in the release of money on quarterly basis to the Common Fund as directed by article 252 (2) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and the DACF Act, 1993/Act 455/ (3), which states that “the allocation made by Parliament under section 2 (of the Act) be paid into the District Assemblies Common Fund in quarterly installments”.

    The Committee strongly believes that, these delays and late releases do not only frustrate and impede development in the MMDAs but also perpetuate and escalate poverty among deprived communities.

    The Committee once again requests that the process for the release of the DACF allocation for the 4th quarter of 2014 and 3 and 4 quarters of 2015 be expedited to enable the Administrator of the DACF make disbursement.

    The Committee was concerned that, often times, the Minister for Finance, assures Parliament of releases of the fund, yet it cannot be readily disbursed by the Administrator due to unavailability of the cash.
    Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh (NDC-- Wa West) 8:55 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I just want to make a comment about this recommendation, which I see as not the best. This is because, if you look at what GETFund and the National Health Insurance Scheme are doing, they are taking part of the money and administering the rest.
    What the District Assemblies Common Fund is doing is the best. This is because if you do not permit them to use part of the money they are supposed to administer, but rather allow them to use it as the National Health Insurance Authority is doing now, it is a big problem.
    This is because they spend about 20 per cent of the Fund to run concurrent budgets, taking care of emoluments of staff and all that. They have to rent offices.
    If you look at the GETFund, it is in- between the two, in the sense that they do not have this centralised institutions at the level where they will employ more people and be taking part of the Fund. If you are going to use part of that Fund to look after staff, rather, it will be a problem.
    In fact, we were always of the view that, the National Health Insurance Authority should be allocated money by the Ministry of Finance, so that they take care of the staff and leave the Fund intact to take care of providers and the core business of the National Health Insurance Scheme.
    If you look at what is happening at GETFund, again, it is supposed to deal with the formula we will approve. But if you encourage them to now employ people and also establish small bureaucracies all over the country in line with our decentralisation, the money that we have put there, which is tax money, will be used for other purposes either than the core business that they are supposed to do.
    So, I really do not think that this recommendation should be considered by the Ministry of Finance. But if they do it, they are going to create a problem. Now, if you say that they should be autonomous, what it really means is that, you are collecting tax money and directly allowing them to operate. They are not generating any money of their own. So, it is dangerous. I think we should change the formula properly.
    A lot of people have argued in the past for the District Assemblies Common Fund Administrator to have a secretariat and also have a Board as we have with the GETFund and the National Health Insurance Scheme. But in having Boards
    for Funds like these, you need to take care of the members of the Board; you need to cater for their benefits and everything else, and all of them are going to be benefiting from the Fund, which should be directly allocated to do projects.
    So, please, let us be very careful about this recommendation.
    Thank you very much.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 8:55 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Ayariga?
    Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (Mr Mahama Ayariga)(MP) 9:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, much as I support the Motion, I just want to direct the mind of the Hon Member to another related Report, which the Report of the Committee on Local Government and Rural Development on the Annual Report of the District Assemblies' Common Fund, in which there is reference to funds being used by the Administrator's Office -- I know but it has not been taken yet -- just some cross referencing.
    Mr Bagbin 9:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we have taken note of the comments made by Hon Members, particularly that of the Member of Parliament for Wa West and the Hon
    Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation. We would get the other bodies to move in this direction. This one is just for the emolument of the staff of the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund. The cost of operations and others are always 0.5 per cent, which is in the formula; I think that is the right thing to do. So, I urge all Hon Members to approve the Motion.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved:
    That this Honourable House approves the sum of GH¢399,537 for the services of the Office of the District Assemblies' Common Fund Administrator for the year ending 31st December, 2016.
    Mr Bagbin 9:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we have a few more items to take. We need to take item three three -- procedural Motion, item 34 and the Resolution on page 10 of the Order Paper.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:05 p.m.
    You mean item 33? When you said “three three”, I was looking at three. I asked, is this the wrong Order Paper? My mind recorded “three.”
    MOTIONS 9:05 p.m.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Gabriel K. Essilfie) 9:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 80 (1) which require that no Motion shall be debated until at least, forty-eight hours have elapsed between the date on which notice of the Motion is given and the date on which the Motion is moved, the Motion for the adoption of the Report of the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs on the Convention for the Establishment of the
    Dr Sagre Bambangi 9:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker I rise to second the Motion.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved accordingly.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:05 p.m.
    Item number 34.
    MOTIONS 9:05 p.m.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Gabriel K. Essilfie) 9:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House adopts the Report of the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs on the Convention for the Establishment of the Fishery Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) and the Headquarters Agreement for Ghana to Host the Fishery Committee.
    Mr Speaker, in doing so, I would like to present your Committee's Report.
    Introduction
    The Convention for the Establishment of the Fishery Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) and the Headquarters Agreement for Ghana to Host the Fishery Committee was laid in Parliament on 24th November, 2015 and referred to the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs for consideration and report to the House in accordance with article 75 of the 1992 Constitution and Order 176 of the Standing Orders of Parliament
    Deliberations
    The Committee met on 16th December, 2015 with officials of the Ministry of
    Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and the Fisheries Commission and considered the Conventions.
    In attendance were the Hon Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Develop- ment, Hon Sherry Hanny Ayittey, the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mrs Rebecca Amorh Aboagye and other officials from the Ministry and the Fisheries Commission. The Committee is grateful to the Minister and his officials for their inputs and clarifications.
    Reference Materials
    The Committee was guided by the following documents:
    i. The 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
    ii. The Standing Orders of Parlia- ment.
    iii. The Convention for theEstablish Establishment of the Fishery Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) and the Headquarters Agreement for Ghana to Host the Fishery Committee.
    Background Information
    Article 63 of the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS) stipulates that when a stock of fish occurs within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of two or more coastal states, the coastal states concerned should co-operate through appropriate sub-regional management organisation to ensure conservation, development and sustainable manage- ment of such fish stock.
    Within the West Central Gulf of Guinea, there are several fish stocks such as the sardinellas, mackerels, anchovies, croakers and sparides that occur in the
    EEZ of the coastal states of Benin, Ghana, la Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo. In order to ensure better conservation of the fish stocks, Ministerial Conferences on Fisheries Co-operation among African States Bordering the Atlantic Ocean (ATLAFCO) were convened in…..Guinea; Libreville, Congo; and Rabat, Morocco, in 1999, 2001 and 2005 respectively.
    The consultative meetings ended in the promulgation of a convention establishing the Fishery Committee in the West Africa Sub-Region to oversee the management and conservation of the stock that exist in the EEZ of the concerned coastal states.
    Article 4 (4) of the Convention establishing the Fishery Committee stipulates that “The seat of the Committee shall be at Tema, Ghana. The Committee shall enter into a headquarters agreement approved by the Conference of Ministers with the Host State. The seat of the Committee may be transferred to the territory of another contracting party pursuant to a decision of the Conference Ministers”.
    The Headquarters Agreement has since been signed between Ghana and the Committee and Ghana is currently hosting the Committee.
    Observations
    Sustainable Fish Management
    One of the objectives of the co- operation the Committee noted, is the promotion of sustainable management of the fish stock. This is because fish are migratory organisms in nature and could even traverse beyond EEZ of coastal states and international boundaries. As a result, coastal states need to co-operate
    to sustainably manage shared resources in conformity with the provisions of UNCLOS and other international treaties in order to maximise socioeconomic returns.
    Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Activities
    It would be recalled that on 5th November, 2014, the Hon Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Hon Sherry Hanny Ayittey laid before the House, the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 2015 in response to concerns raised by European Commission (EC) related to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and overfishing by Ghanaian vessels.
    These concerns resulted in Ghana been given a “Yellow Card” by the European Commission (EC) in November, 2013, restricting export of fishery products from Ghana to EU market.
    Parliament accordingly passed the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 2015 (Act 880) and the Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations, 2015 (L.l. 2217) to address lapses in legislation in dealing with IUU.
    This Convention therefore, offers opportunity for Ghana to seek legal access to the waters of member countries.
    Addressing Challenges of Piracy along the West African Coastline
    The Committee was also informed that the Convention seeks to address the issue of piracy by strengthening collaboration among member countries through the sharing of data and surveillance and monitoring devices to monitor activities and deployments of rapid response to activities by pirates.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Gabriel K. Essilfie) 9:05 p.m.


    Giving Legal Backing to the Operations of the Headquarters

    The Committee was informed that Ghana has served as the seat of the Secretariat of the FCWC from its inception and is the current President of the Committee. In spite of this fact, Ghana has not signed the Headquarters Agreement that gives the legal backing to host the Headquarters. Ratification will, therefore, be seen as fulfilling Ghana's obligations and commitment to the ideals of the

    FCWC.

    Ratification of the Headquarters Agreement will also clothe and accord the Secretariat with requisite powers and courtesies to undertake its functions. Ratification of the Headquarters Agreement will imply granting a “No objection” to the Diplomatic Status of the Headquarters and its staff as accorded to other international organizations under the Diplomatic Relations Act of 1962 (Act 148). This will enable the office and its staff be accorded the applicable privileges and immunities under Act 148.

    Financial Impact

    The cost of hosting the Headquarters including the provision of office accommodation would not be at any additional cost to Ghana since the office accommodation is on the premises of the Fisheries Commission Office at Tema. Utility bills of the FCWC are to be paid by the FCWC. The other financial impact of this agreement would be the tax exemptions that would inure to the Headquarters in the discharge of its official duties.

    Conclusion and Recommendation

    The Committee has thoroughly examined the Convention and is of the view that accession to the Convention will

    enable Ghana canvass issues of national interest. The Committee accordingly recommends to the House to ratify the Convention for the Establishment of the Fishery Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) and the Headquarters Agreement for Ghana to Host the Fishery Committee.

    Respectfully submitted.
    Mr William A. Quaittoo (NPP -- Akim Oda) 9:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion and in doing so, I would like to draw attention to why I would urge this House to ratify this Convention.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:05 p.m.
    Is it in the Report?
    Mr Quaitoo 9:05 p.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:05 p.m.
    Hon Member, just point out the pages. You just say that because of pages 8, 5 and 3, then sit down, it is in the Report. In doing so, I am guided by the provisions of the Standing Orders which state that when we are considering a Bill, if it is more than four lines, we should just point out where it is and that is sufficient.
    Let us just do that and it would be recorded in your name, when generations are reading it in future. It would be recorded as if you read it out. So, just point out the paragraphs.
    Mr Quaittoo 9:05 p.m.
    There is enough justification for the ratification of this Convention and it is duly captured on pages 2, 3 and 4 of our Report.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:05 p.m.
    Thank you very much, Hon Member.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:05 p.m.
    Item 35, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development.
    RESOLUTIONS 9:05 p.m.
    Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (Ms Hanny-Sherry Ayittey) 9:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that
    WHEREAS by the provisions of article 75 of the Constitution any treaty, agreement, or convention executed by or under the Authority of the President in the name of Ghana is made subject to ratification either by an Act of Parliament or by a Resolution of Parliament supported by the votes of more than one-half of all the Members of Parliament.
    IN ACCORDANCE with the said article 75 of the Constitution the President has caused to be laid before Parliament through the Minister responsible for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development the Convention for the Establishment of the Fishery Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) and the Headquarters Agreement for Ghana to Host the Fishery Committee on 24th November, 2015. NOW THEREFORE, this Honourable House hereby resolves to ratify the said Convention for the Establishment of the Fishery Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) and the Headquarters Agreement for Ghana to Host the Fishery Committee. Chairman of the Committee (Mr Gabriel K. Essilfie): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved accordingly.
    Mr Bagbin 9:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, there is some urgency about this Ghana Civil Aviation (Amendment) Bill, 2015. They have been here since morning assisting us throughout, and so, if we could take --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:15 p.m.
    The Ghana Civil Aviation (Amendment) Bill, 2015 at the Consideration Stage.
    BILLS -- CONSIDERATION 9:15 p.m.
    STAGE 9:15 p.m.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Magnus Kofi Amoatey) 9:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 2, subclause (1), paragraph (d), subparagraph (iv), line I, delete. “regulations” and inert “Directive”.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:15 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Minority Leader?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 9:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, with respect, we are going to deal with a Bill. On the face of what we are seeing here, there are so many amendments even from the Committee.
    Mr Speaker, I am not too sure that we would be treating this House fairly if we attempt to deal with it. We must be seen to be doing serious business here and not to just us run through and say we should adopt whatever comes from the Committee.
    Sitting here, I do not even have my own Bill. I thought we were going to deal with the other one from the Finance Committee -- The Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2015, which is just the amendment of one clause. I thought we would be dealing with that.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 9:15 p.m.


    If we have to deal with one, Mr Speaker, I would plead with the Hon Majority Leader, that he should let us relocate this till tomorrow. If we Sit early, say at 10.00 a.m, we should be able to deal with this matter. In the virgin hours, I think it would be better for us. Mr Speaker, but to deal with this at this time, it is not good enough.
    Mr Bagbin 9:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I take it that that would be the first item tomorrow morning after the usual -- at 10.00 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, but I would want to plead with Hon Members for us to take the consideration of the Excise Duty (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2015, which is item number 36 on the Order Paper.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:15 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, I know that I am not in charge of Government Business, but since I called the first advertised amendment on clause 2 on the Order Paper, should we take that and then go on to the other Bill or should we not? Should we wait?
    Mr Bagbin 9:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we should just step down further consideration so that tomorrow --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:15 p.m.
    Ghana Civil Aviation (Amendment) Bill, 2015 at the Consideration Stage stood down.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:15 p.m.
    Hon Members of the Committee, were you not following what was going on?
    Mr Magnus K. Amoatey 9:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we were following you very much.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:15 p.m.
    The Excise Duty (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2015 at the Consideration Stage.
    BILLS -- CONSIDERATION 9:15 p.m.
    STAGE 9:15 p.m.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr James K. Avedzi) 9:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move paragraph (a), the table, second column, second paragraph, line 1, delete “ per centum to 49” and insert “Less than
    50”.
    So, the new rendition would read:
    “Less than fifty per centum of local raw materials.”
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Mr Avedzi 9:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, paragraph (b), the table, second column, first paragraph, line 1, delete “(a)”.
    Mr Speaker, the new rendition would read 9:15 p.m.
    “Beer stout other than indigenous beer.”
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 9:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am struggling to follow the other amendment that he has just moved. It says, “Beer stout”.
    Is it “beer, stout”? Is stout not beer? [Interruptions] -- What is “no”? Stout is beer -- [Interruption] -- It is brown beer.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:15 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, your question is germane. What is stout?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 9:15 p.m.
    What is stout? [Interruption]
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:25 p.m.
    Hon Nii Lante Vaderpuye, are you an expert?
    Mr Avedzi 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, my information is that, we have “beer stout”, “Guinness stout”, et cetera. So, this is “beer stout”.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, Guinness is the brand name of a “stout beer”; one “stout beer”. It is Guinness stout, just like Cider is a form of beer. What we drink here in Ghana is “larger beer”. There used to ‘Pilsner beer'. All of it is beer.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:25 p.m.
    Hon Minority Leader, have you worked in a brewery before? I am surprised about --
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not need to work in a beer factory to know all these things.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:25 p.m.
    Your in- depth knowledge --
    I will recognise Hon Fritz Baffour before Hon Agbesi.
    Mr Fritz F. Baffour 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, “stout” is a fortified beer. The original was called a “Porter beer”. It was given to porters on the keys of harbours to give them strength to work. Stout is a fortified beer.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is the fermentation that gives it the quality of beer. So, what is he saying? Cider is beer.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:25 p.m.
    Before the Hon Majority Leader makes his
    contribution, Hon Member, do make yours.
    Mr Ebenezer O. Terlabi 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the difference is in the colour. Stout is a baked beer, if we want to look at it literally
    —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:25 p.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, I thought that you do not drink beer?
    Mr Terlabi 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, that is my area of specialisation, so, let me talk about it.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:25 p.m.
    Were you at the brewery?
    Mr Terlabi 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, not really. I never worked in the brewery but what I am saying is that, when one bakes lager, it is called stout — They introduce baking into the process and that is what is called “stout”, but it is beer. To differentiate between the two, one is “lager beer” and the other is a stout, although it is also beer. There is a difference.
    Mr Mahama Ayariga 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, while the debate was going on, an Hon Member behind me whispered loudly that they tried to convince Mr Speaker who is an expert on what the definition of beer is.
    Mr Speaker, I do not know if it is the case that you are an expert and therefore, there is no need to belabour the point in trying to define —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:25 p.m.
    It will interest you to know that I know next to nothing about these matters — [Laughter] — Alhaji and I are much more on the same level.
    Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, in this modern era of just googling things, one would just have to google and find the answer to it.
    310.3 Ghana Civil Aviation (Amdt) 21 December, 2015 Bill, 2015 -- Con. Stage 3104
    Mr Speaker, Google says, and I beg to quote 9:25 p.m.
    “Stout is a dark beer made using roasted malt or roasted barley, hops, water and yeast.”
    Mr Speaker, so it is a beer —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:25 p.m.
    Hon Nitiwul, you know the practice in the House is that, when you rely on a source, you have to Table the source. Would you want to Table your phone?
    Mr Nitiwul 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, Google is a search engine. It tells where one picks it from. It picks the information from Wikipedia.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:25 p.m.
    So are you taking it from your phone?
    Mr Nitiwul 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I just googled the word “stout” and under Wikipedia, Google gave me the definition of “stout” under Wikipedia and straightaway, it tells me that stout is a dark beer made using roasted malt or roasted barley, hops, water and yeast. So, Hon Members can google the word Wikipedia, look for “stout” and they will get the same definition.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:25 p.m.
    But Hon Member, you know how Wikipedia comes about; you can put information on Wikipedia today --
    Mr Nitiwul 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, yes, one can put information there.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:25 p.m.
    I do not want to cause trouble. I am surprised that — I do not want to cause trouble —
    Mr Fritz F. Baffour — rose --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:25 p.m.
    I will not recognise you.
    Mr Baffour 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I actually went to Ireland during the time I was doing “Sincerely Yours”. Guinness took me to Ireland and took me through the whole processes of the beer “stout” and all that. I also went to university in the west country of England, where Cider is actually distilled — It is fermented. I know that the rough form of Cider is called scrumpy.
    It is equivalent to “akpeteshie”. Do you see what I mean? It is very rough; they refine it and it becomes the apple cider that we drink. But scrumpy itself is the original fermented —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:25 p.m.
    Hon Member, why do you ask me whether I see what you mean? I have not drunk “akpeteshie” before.
    Mr Baffour 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I should not have said it because it would give vent to something that we did a long time before — [Laughter.]
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:25 p.m.
    You and who did?
    I do not know you. I met you in Parliament.
    Mr Baffour 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I apologise and withdraw that statement but I will not say “you see what I mean”—[Laughter.]
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:25 p.m.
    But just for the records, what is “Sincerely Yours?” You said, when you were doing “Sincerely Yours.” What is it?
    Mr Baffour 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it was a human interest television programme that I produced, directed and presented and I went all over the world —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:25 p.m.
    Please, that is asked by Mr Speaker.
    Mr Baffour 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I went to the Guinness Brewery in Dublin and the water for brewing Guinness — the Guinness in Europe is from the Liffey River in Dublin. The Guinness that we drink in Ghana is called Foreign Extra Stout (FES), because of the fermentation process -- it is longer.

    Question put and Amendment agreed to.
    Mr Avedzi 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, paragraph (b), the table, second column, second paragraph, line 1, delete “0 per centum to 49” and insert “Less than 50”
    Mr Speaker, the new rendition would be 9:25 p.m.
    “less than 50 per centum of local raw material.”
    Mr Quaittoo 9:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have something against the issue that you put the Question on. Scientifically, when one ferments any substance with either sugar or starch, one ends up getting alcohol.
    Mr Speaker, let me use soap as an example. We have a formula for producing soap.The basic formula is the same, but depending on the additive, whatever one does, one gives the different names and it becomes the type of soap that one wants to call it.
    Mr Speaker, we have a soap called Key Soap. It is soap and the basic ingredients are the same and the chemical formula are the same. We have Sunlight and the chemical formula is the same but whatever
    we add is different. So, if someone says that “stout” is different from “beer”, from my scientific knowledge, it is wrong. This is because the “stout” becomes an adjective describing the beer.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:35 p.m.
    Thank you.
    We were simply deleting the article “a”. So thank you for the contribution. It is well noted. The Hansard will record it and generations will judge us. But I will proceed and put the Question.
    Question put and Amendment agreed to.
    Mr Avedzi 9:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the last amendment is abandoned because what is captured in the Bill is correct. For that matter, we abandon the last amendment.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:35 p.m.
    Amendment withdrawn by leave of the House.
    I will put the Question on the clause.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 9:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we have dealt with that but I want further clarification.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:35 p.m.
    What have we done?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 9:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think we are all now richer for the definitions and I guess we have come to the conclusion that “stout” is beer. But the issue is, when we say beer stout other than indigenous beer, what do we mean by “indigenous beer”? [Interruption.]
    I just wanted further clarification, otherwise I thought that it might be misconstrued as if those beers that are brewed in Ghana are indigenous beers.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 9:35 p.m.


    That is why I wanted clarification on it. But if it is pito and palm wine that they are referring to, that is not a problem.

    Clause 1” as amended ordered to stand part of the Bill.

    The Long title ordered to stand part of the Bill.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:35 p.m.
    Hon Members, this brings us to the end of the Consideration Stage of the Excise Duty (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill, 2015.
    Motion number 37?
    MOTIONS 9:35 p.m.
    Mr James K. Avedzi 9:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved accordingly.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:35 p.m.
    Motion 38 -- Deputy Minister for Finance?
    BILLS -- THIRD READING 9:35 p.m.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:35 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, I thought you would celebrate the passing of the Bill.
    Mr Bagbin 9:35 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we actually deserve a pat on the back for what we have done today.
    I would want to take this opportunity to commend Hon Members highly and to ask that we can now take a bow because we need to rest a bit, so that we can continue tomorrow.
    Hon Members, this was just to make sure that we lighten the burden tomorrow. We have a few more items to pass and so, I would want to urge Hon Members to be prompt in this House at 10.00 o'clock tomorrow morning, so that we can start on time and also close on time.
    Mr Speaker, with this, we are entirely in your hands.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 9:35 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, this statement that “we are entirely in your hands”, how true is it? You are in charge of Government Business -- Can I just keep you here without any business? [Laughter.]
    It is not true! [Interruption.] You are in my hands. All right, then let us wait. [Laughter.]
    ADJOURNMENT 9:35 p.m.
  • The House was adjourned at 9.40 p.m. till Tuesday, 22nd December, 2015 at 10.00 a.m.