Debates of 20 Jul 2018

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 1:08 p.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 1:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker 1:08 p.m.
Hon Members, Correc- tion of the Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 19th July, 2018.
Page 1… 10 --
rose
Mr Speaker 1:08 p.m.
Yes, Hon member?
Mr Etu-Bonde 1:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, paragraph 6 of item numbered 4 on page 8 -- I was in the House yesterday, but I have been marked absent, so I would want that correction to be effected.
Mr Speaker 1:08 p.m.
Hon Member, it would be corrected accordingly.
Page 11… 20 --
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa — rose —
Mr Speaker 1:08 p.m.
Yes, Hon Okudzeto Ablakwa?
Mr Ablakwa 1:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, on page 19 under “Business Committee” -- I am glad
the Hon Chairman of the Business Committee, the Hon Majority Leader, is here. It indicates that:
‘'The Committee met on Thursday, 19 th July, 2018 at 9.05 am and determined business of the House for the Eleventh Week ending Thursday, 26th July, 2018''.
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out if that was what happened at the Business Committee or it is an error. This is because we all know that we would rise on 27th July,
2018.
I have realised that the Business Statement is even contemplating Saturday.
So I do not know where the “26th July, 2018” came from. If it is indeed accurate or something is amiss. I would want to seek clarification.
Mr Speaker 1:08 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader and Leader of the House?
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleague is right, but I thought it would be dealt with when the Business Statement is presented for the ensuing week.
Mr Speaker, we agreed at the Committee level that we would certainly adjourn sine die on 27th July, 2018.
As he rightly observed, it may become possible for us to rather adjourn on Saturday, but it depends on how things play out in the course of the week.
If we have to adjourn on Saturday, certainly, we cannot travel beyond mid- day or latest 1.00 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in that regard, what obtains in the Votes and Proceedings needs to be corrected.
Mr Speaker 1:08 p.m.
Hon Okudzeto Ablakwa, are you satisfied?
Mr Ablakwa 1:18 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am most satisfied.
Mr Speaker 1:18 p.m.
Very well. Any other corrections?
The Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 19th July, 2018 as corrected is hereby admitted as the true record of proceedings.
Business Statement for the 11th Week, Hon Majority Leader?
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 1:18 p.m.
Chairman of the Business Committee/ Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah- Bonsu) 1:18 p.m.
Introduction
Mr Speaker, the Committee met yesterday, Thursday, 19th July, 2018 and arranged Business of the House for the Eleventh Week ending Friday, 27th July,
2018.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 1:18 p.m.
Arrangement of Business
Formal Communications by the Speaker
Mr Speaker, you may read any available communication to the House.
Question(s)
Mr Speaker, the Business Committee has scheduled the following Ministers to respond to Questions asked of them during the week:
No. of Question(s)
i. Minister for Education -- 5
ii. Minister for Trade and Industry -- 2
iii. Chairperson for the Committee on Lands and Forestry -- 1
iv. Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources -- 5
v. Minister for Energy -- 2
vi. Minister for the Interior -- 1
vii. Minister for Health -- 1
Total number of Questions -- 17
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 1:18 p.m.


Mr Speaker, a Question has been asked of the Chairperson on the Committee on Lands and Forestry. I guess this would be the first time when formally, an Hon Chairperson is being asked a Question.

Mr Speaker, we would see how it goes.

Mr Speaker, seven (7) Ministers are expected to attend upon the House to respond to sixteen (16) Questions during the week. One Question is to an Hon Colleague member of Parliament who is the Hon Chairperson for the committee on Lands and Forestry.

Statements

Mr Speaker, pursuant to Order 70(2), Ministers of State may be permitted to make Statements of Government policy. Statements duly admitted by Mr Speaker may be made in the House by Hon Members in accordance with Order 72.

Bills, Papers and Reports

Mr Speaker, Bills may be presented to the House for First Reading in accordance with Order 120. However, those of urgent nature may be taken through the various stages in one day in accordance with Order 119.

Pursuant to Order 75, Papers for presentation to the House may be placed on the Order Paper for laying. Committee reports may also be presented to the House for consideration and possible adoption.

Motions and Resolutions

Mr Speaker, Motions may be debated and their consequential Resolutions, if any, taken during the week.

Sitting of the House on Monday/Extended Sittings

Mr Speaker, the Business Committee recommends that the House would continue to Sit on Mondays. In the event, the House shall sit on Monday, 23rd July,

2018.

Furthermore, the House would continue to have extended Sittings beyond the stipulated time of 2:00 p.m. as provided under Standing Order 40(2).

Precedence of Public Business Over Other Business at Plenary

Mr Speaker, given the volume of outstanding business to be transacted by the House, the Business Committee strongly recommends that Public Business takes precedence over other Business programmed for the House during the ensuing week.

In this regard, Questions scheduled for the week and Statements, particularly commemorative ones, would be taken during late afternoon each day. For the avoidance of doubt, only Statements of government policy or on matters of urgent public importance may be delivered during the first half of the Sittings of the House each day.

Funerals of Statesmen

Mr Speaker, the Business Committee hereby informs all Hon Members that, on Thursday, 26th July, 2018, the one-week observance of the death of the former Member of Parliament for Sunyani East, a former Minority Leader, a former Majority Leader and Senior Minister, Hon Joseph Henry Mensah, would be held.

In this regard, the House would commence sitting at 10:00 a.m., suspend the Sitting at 2:00 p.m. to attend the one- week observance and resume proceedings

of the House, hopefully, at 4:00 p.m. Further details would be communicated in due course.

Furthermore, the burial service for former Vice-President of the Republic, H.E. Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, would be held on Friday, 27th July, 2018, at the Accra International Conference Centre. In view of this programme, Sitting of the House is expected to commence at 12:00 noon and not the usual 10 o'clock in the morning.

It is hoped that Hon Members would be in attendance to pay their last respect to the former second gentleman of the Republic.

Young Parliamentarian Forum

Mr Speaker, the Young Parliamen- tarians Forum is scheduled to hold its official launching on Wednesday, 25th July, 2018, at the 12th Floor of Job 600 office complex. The Young Parliamen- tarians Forum is a forum of all Sitting Members of Parliament below the age of 40 years.

All Hon Members who are below age 40 are accordingly informed to attend.

Mr Speaker, as I have indicated over the past two weeks at the presentation of the Business Statement, the House is expected to adjourn sine die on Friday, 27 July, 2018.

However, given the extra activities programmed for Wednesday through Friday, the House may Sit on Saturday and close at midday since we would not want to over-stretch the endurance of Hon Members.

Conclusion

Mr Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 160(2) and subject to Standing Order 53, the Committee submits

to this Honourable House the order in which the Business of the House shall be taken during the week under considera- tion.

Questions

*315. Mr Magnus Kofi Amoatey (Yilo Krobo): To ask the Minister for Education when the uncompleted classroom blocks of the Yilo Krobo Senior High School at Somanya would be completed.

*316. Mr Magnus Kofi Amoatey (Yilo Krobo): To ask the Minister for Education what steps the Ministry is taking to complete the GETFund funded projects that stand un- completed in the Yilo Krobo Constituency, particularly the following Basic School Projects: (i) Brukum Tsretsum (ii) Donguanor- Bisease (iii) Teapuornya (iv) Djopleminia (v) Korboe-Okumka Ahmadiya (vi) Akertebuor R. C. (vii) Tsebi-Teyi (viii) Yinase.

*370. Mr John Majisi (Krachi Nchumuru): To ask the Minister for Education when work will resume and be completed on the following GETFund projects:

i. 6-Unit Classroom Block at Anyinamae;

ii. 6-Unit Classroom Block at Banda-Buya;

iii. 3-Unit Classroom Block at Lonkolo.

*421. Dr Mark Kurt Nawaane (Nabdam): To ask the Minister for Education whether some basic schools in the Nabdam District have
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 1:18 p.m.


been earmarked for rehabilitation and maintenance works in 2018.

*422. Mr John Majisi (Krachi Nchumuru): To ask the Minister for Education when work will resume and be completed on the GETFund 6-Unit Classroom Block at Tumpunja in the Krachi Nchumuru District.

Statements

Presentation of Papers --

(a) Report of the Joint Committee on Mines & Energy and Finance on the Concession Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Consortium of investors led by the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) for private sector participation in the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) with the terms of the Second Millennium Challenge Compact.

(b) Report of the Finance Committee on the Protocol of Amendment to the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonisation of Customs Procedures.

(c) Report of the Finance Committee on the Amended Financing Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the International Fund for Agricultural Develop- ment (IFAD) for an amount of forty million United States dollars (US$40,000,000.00) to finance the Rural Enterprise Programme (REP).

(d) Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of Import Duties, Import VAT, Import NHIL, ECOWAS Levy, EXIM Levy, Special Import Levy and other approved imposts amounting to the Ghana Cedi equivalent of five million, two hundred and ninety-one thousand, three hundred and fifty-six United States dollars (US$5,291,356.00) on goods and services and equipment in respect of the Rural Enterprise Programme (REP).

(e) Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of Import Duties, Import VAT, Import NHIL, ECOWAS Levy, EXIM Levy, Special Import Levy and other approved imposts amounting to the Ghana Cedi equivalent of five million, two hundred and ninety-three thousand, four hundred and eighty-six United States dollars (US$5,293,486.00) on goods and services to be procured under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture's Modernising Agriculture in Ghana (MAG) Programme.

Motion —

(a) That this Honourable House adopts the Mid-Year Review of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2018 Financial Year.

(Moved on Thursday, 19th July, 2018, by the Hon Minister for Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta and seconded by the Hon Member for New Juaben South, Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah).

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Terms of a Receivables-backed Trade Finance Facility between Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and a Consortium of Banks and Financial Institutions, with the Government of the Republic of Ghana as Guarantor, for an amount of up to one billion, three hundred million United States dollars (US$1,300,000,000) for the Purchase of Cocoa in Ghana for the 2018/2019 Crop Season.

Consequential Resolution

(c) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of stamp duty amounting up to the Ghana Cedi equivalent of six million, five hundred thousand United States dollars (US$6,500,000) on the Receivables-Backed Trade Finance Facility between Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and a Consortium of Banks and Financial Institutions, with the Government of the Republic of Ghana as Guarantor, for an amount of up to one billion, three hundred million United States dollars (US$1,300,000,000) for the Purchase of Cocoa in Ghana for the 2018/2019 Crop Season.

Consequential Resolution

Consideration Stage of Bills —

Right to Information Bill, 2018. (Continuation of Consideration)

Ghana Integrated Bauxite and Aluminium Authority Bill, 2018.

Committee sittings.

Questions

*394. Mr Daniel Kwesi Ashiamah (Buem): To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry whether the Ministry will take into consideration the environmental impact of the ‘One District, One Factory' (IDIF) initiative and how the Ministry plans to deal with such impact.

*395. Mr Yusif Sulemana (Bole/ Bamboi): To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry where the factories to be established in 2018 under the Government's flagship programme, “One district, One Factory” would be located.

*419. Dr Clement A. Apaak (Builsa South): To ask the Chairperson of the Committee on Lands and Forestry, pursuant to Order 63, what action the Committee has taken regarding the Statement titled, “Illegal Felling and Harvesting of Rosewood and Its Attendant Destruction on the Environment in Builsa South”, which was referred to the Committee by the Speaker.

Statements

Presentation of Papers —

(a) Report of the Committee on Education on the Contract Agreement between the Govern- ment of the Republic of Ghana (Ministry of Education) and the AVIC International Holding Corporation of the People's Republic of China for the Ghana- China Project on the Rehabilita- tion and Upgrading of Equipment in Polytechnics and Technical
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 1:18 p.m.


(US$1,251,184.00) on goods and services and equipment under the Ghana Agricultural Sector Investment Programme (GASIP).

(b) Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of Import Duties, Import VAT, ECOWAS Levy, EXIM Levy, Special Import Levy and other approved imposts amounting to the Ghana Cedi equivalent of one hundred and ten million, seven hundred and forty-two thousand, eight hundred and eighty-one United States dollars and nine cents (US$110,742,881.09) on equipment and materials in respect of the supply and erection of electrical materials and equipment for the electrification of 556 communities in the Eastern, Volta and Northern Regions, Phase-1.

Motions --

(a) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Education on the Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (Ministry of Education) and the AVIC International Holding Corporation of the People's Republic of China for the Ghana-China Project on the Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Equipment in Polytechnics and Technical Institutes (including Technical Universities/Polytech- nics).

Consequential Resolution

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Education on the Supplementary Contract Agree-

ment No. 1 to Contract No. AVIC/ GHZ/11M5003 for the Ghana- China Project on the Rehabilita- tion and Upgrading of Equip- ment in Polytechnics and Technical Institutes (including Technical Universities/Poly- technics) between the Govern- ment of the Republic of Ghana (Ministry of Education) and the AVIC International Holding Corporation of the People's Republic of China.

Consequential Resolution

(c) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Education on the Supplementary Contract Agree- ment No. 2 to Contract No. AVIC/ GHZ/11M5003 for the Ghana- China Project on the Rehabilita- tion and Upgrading of Equip- ment in Polytechnics and Technical Institutes (including Technical Universities/Poly- technics) between the Govern- ment of the Republic of Ghana (Ministry of Education) and the AVIC International Holding Corporation of the People's Republic of China.

Consequential Resolution

(d) Third Reading of Bills

Ghana Integrated Bauxite and Aluminium Authority Bill,

2018.

Consideration Stage of Bills

Right to Information Bill, 2018. (Continuation)

Committee sittings.

Questions

*444. Mr Ekow Hayford (Mfantseman): To ask the Minister for Energy what plans are in place to extend power supply to the following communi- ties in Mfantseman Constituency: (i) Nameb (ii) Mankesim (iii) Taabosim (iv) Hini.

*457. Mr John Frimpong Osei (Abirem): To ask the Minister for Energy whether the Ministry has plans to provide off-grid electricity to the following communities in the Abirem Constituency, which are difficult to be connected to the national grid: (i) Kyiri Ahantan (ii) Twenwinso (iii) Etwe Nim Nyansa (iv) Kote Ye Aboa (v) Hwoa Ye Mmobo (vi) Akyekyeresu (vii) Tetteh Brofo (viii) Asarekrom (ix) Alhajikrom (x) Yaw Broni.

*445. Dr Clement A. Apaak (Builsa South): To ask the Minister for the Interior when a District Police Commander will be posted to Builsa South to head the Builsa South Divisional Police Headquarters and what is being done to improve law and order in Builsa South.

*447. Mr Richard Mawuli Kwaku Quashigah (Keta): To ask the Minister for Health how many new health workers have been engaged since 2017 till now.

Statements

Motions --

(a) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the

Request for waiver of Import Duties, Import VAT, Import NHIL, ECOWAS Levy, EDAIF, With- holding Tax, Special Import Levy and other approved imposts amounting to the Ghana Cedi equivalent of one million, two hundred and fifty-one thousand, one hundred and eighty-four United States dollars (US$1,251,- 184.00) on goods and services and equipment under the Ghana Agricultural Sector Investment Programme (GASIP).

Consequential Resolution

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of Import Duties, Import VAT, ECOWAS Levy, EXIM Levy, Special Import Levy and other approved imposts amounting to the Ghana Cedi equivalent of one hundred and ten million, seven hundred and forty-two thousand, eight hundred and eighty-one United States dollars and nine cents (US$110,742,881.09) on equipment and materials in respect of the supply and erection of electrical materials and equipment for the electrifica- tion of 556 communities in the Eastern, Volta and Northern Regions, Phase-1.

Consequential Resolution

Consideration Stage of Bills

Right to Information Bill, 2018. (Continuation)

Committee sittings.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 1:18 p.m.


.

Questions

*388. Mr George Boahen Oduro (New Edubiase): To ask the Minister for Youth and Sports the progress of work on the construction of the New Edubiase Sports Stadium and when works are expected to be completed.

*459. Ms Naana Eyiah (Gomoa Central): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways what plans the Ministry has to construct the following roads in Gomoa Central: (i) Gomoa Abaasa - Gomoa Ayensuadze (ii) Gomoa Awobrew - Gomoa Nsuaem (iii) Gomoa Achaise - Gomoa Dahom (iv) Gomoa Nndiwom - Gomoa Lome (v) Gomoa Ekwamkrom - Gomoa Manso.

Statements

Consideration Stage of Bills

Right to Information Bill, 2018. (Conclusion of Consideration Stage).

Committee sittings.
THE HOUSE IS EXPECTED TO ADJOURN 1:18 p.m.
SINE DIE 1:18 p.m.
Mr James Agalga 1:28 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, last Tuesday there was a shooting incident in Kumasi which resulted in the deaths of seven people.
Mr Speaker, the police administration held a press briefing and indicated that
the seven people were suspected armed robbers who had, on 11th July, 2018 shot dead a police officer, and that was the gang they targeted and killed.
But Mr Speaker, after the incident, relatives of the deceased came out and argued strenuously that their relatives were not armed robbers.
Mr Speaker 1:28 p.m.
Hon Member, have you filed a Statement on what you are alleging now?
Mr Agalga 1:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am raising a matter.
Mr Speaker 1:28 p.m.
Hon Member, wait. This is not the time for that kind of thing. If you feel so concerned about an incident, what prevented you from doing the right thing?
Hon Member, you are out of order.
Mr Agalga 1:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with the greatest respect—
Mr Speaker 1:28 p.m.
Hon Member, please.
Mr Agalga 1:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I wanted to invite you to order so that the Hon Minister for the Interior appears or be programmed.
Mr Speaker 1:28 p.m.
No, we will not take these kinds of Statements to invite people. If you, as an Hon Member of Parliament feels strongly about an issue, file a Statement thereon, and then the consequences would be directed upon accordingly.
Mr Ras Mubarak 1:28 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am very grateful for the opportunity.
There are a couple of issues that have been —
rose
Mr Speaker 1:28 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member?
Mr Abdul-Rauf Tanko Ibrahim 1:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the issue I intend to raise is not a matter that is related to the Business Statement submitted to this House -
Mr Speaker 1:28 p.m.
We are looking at the Business Statement. If it is not related to it, then I have disqualified your comment.
Mr T. Ibrahim 1:28 p.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker --
Mr Speaker 1:28 p.m.
Hon Members, please, today is a very busy day, and we have been compelled to start late. If it has nothing to do with the Business Statement, this is not the time to do it.
Hon Member, please proceed.
Mr Mubarak 1:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, there are a couple of issues I would want to raise from the Business Statement.
If you look at the item numbered 3 on the first page, “Sitting of the House on Mondays”, I wonder whether the Hon Majority Leader envisages Sittings beyond the 27th or 28th of this month, looking at how the language has been couched. It has been indicated that --
Mr Speaker 1:28 p.m.
Please, read the language.
Mr Mubarak 1:28 p.m.
Very well, Mr Speaker.
“Rt Hon Speaker, the Business Committee recommends that the House would continue to Sit on Mondays. In the event, the House shall Sit on Monday, 23rd July,
2018”.
We know that there is only one Monday ahead of us.
Mr Speaker 1:28 p.m.
It is in clear reference to an earlier decision that on Mondays, we shall Sit.
Mr Mubarak 1:28 p.m.
Very well.
Mr Speaker, there are a couple of other things that he has raised. I would wish to bring them to the attention of the House.
On item numbered 5, if it is the wish of the House that we Sit on Saturday, I would be very grateful if it is made known to the House, so that Hon Members can make adequate preparations towards Saturday.
I hope that there could be a finality on that as Hon Members might have made travel arrangements to their consti- tuencies over the weekend.
Finally, Mr Speaker, on page 1 of the Business Statement, the word “uncompleted” has been hyphenated, but it is not a hyphenated word.
On item numbered 6, on ‘Young Parliamentarians Forum', I believe there is a typographical mistake. It should have read:
“All Hon Members who are below age 45 are accordingly informed to attend.”
But it is indicated:
“All Hon Members are below 45 years are accordingly informed to attend.”
So I would be glad if that correction could be effected. Thank you.
Mr Andrew Dari Chiwitey 1:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the Hon Leader of the House and the Hon Chairman of the Business Committee
Mr Samuel O. Ablakwa 1:28 p.m.
I am most grateful, Mr Speaker.
I would run through a few issues very quickly. The item numbered 7 on the possible Sitting on Saturday, we are only told when we intend to close, which is at mid-day, but we have not been told the commencement time.
Would it be the normal 10 a.m. or does the Hon Chairman of the Business Committee wants us to come a bit earlier at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m.? We need clarity on that so we can prepare for next week.
Mr Speaker, item numbered 5, on the funerals of our illustrious statesmen who have departed, I would wish to commend the Business Committee for creating room for us to go and pay our respect.
There is a challenge with Thursday, 26th July, 2018. I noticed that they have created room between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. where we would proceed to the Hon J.H. Mensah's House for the one week observance.
I have just been reading the official funeral arrangements for H. E. the former Vice President, as has been put out this morning -- or it must have been last night. I noticed that on that same day, Thursday, 26th July, 2018, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. has been designated as the day for filing past, because there would be filing past on Friday.
Friday would be for the funeral service, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Mr Speaker, I wonder if we can accommodate that so that probably within the same time, on our way back from Hon J. H. Mensah's one- week observance, we could just file past as well.
We would be within time, that is, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.. And then we are creating for ourselves 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., so, if it is possible, we could box the two together, so that we are not accused of not paying attention to that and to avoid the possible oversight. I just made this proposal for the consideration of the House.
Mr Speaker, finally, on the Young Parliamentarians Forum, I noticed that the Hon Majority Leader said that there should be some biological certification - [Laughter.] I would want to plead that that biological certification should not be based on just a face value; accessing people, especially those of us who are bald headed -- [Laughter] -- because I qualify to be part of the Forum, and yet I have not been invited.
I do not know about the meetings and all of that. I have only seen the launch. I have been talking to my brother, Hon Agalga, who is also bald, and it appears that he has also been caught up in the situation.
Let this biological certification be based on our dates of birth and not on how we look or how we appear. [Laughter.] We may appear bald but we may be very young bald men, not in the category of Mr Speaker, with all respect. [Laughter.]
So I would plead that the organisers should take a second look at the membership and rope all of us in; we all want to participate.
Thank you very much. I am sorry to draw Mr Speaker in.
Dr Francis Dakura 1:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Chairman of the Business Committee whether in their contacts with the families of our very distinguished statesmen who passed on recently, the former Vice President and the former Senior Minister, they informed or advised on dress code, so that Hon Members of this august House can do as they might have been advised.
Are we allowed to dress the way that we individually would like to?
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
1. 38 p. m.
Mr Speaker 1:28 p.m.
Yes, at long last, Hon Member?
Dr Clement A. Apaak 1:28 p.m.
Thank you Mr Speaker, I rise to seek your permission to request that Question *419, slated for Tuesday, 24th July, 2018, be stood down.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Chairman of the Committee on Lands and Forestry has contacted me through a Memorandum, indicating that his Committee has prepared a visit to my Constituency, Builsa South, as part of the effort to give effect to the Statement that I made which your good Self referred to the Committee.
Mr Speaker, on that note, I feel that action is being taken and it is only proper that I allow the Committee to visit my constituency and come back and complete the assignment that you have so directed them to perform.
Mr Speaker, one of the reasons why perhaps there would be a slight delay to which I agree is because this is the rainy season.
In the rainy season, the illegal logging activities cease by virtue of the growth in the remnant savannah forest as well as the nature of the terrain. It makes it impossible and difficult for people to log and cart their loot from the savannah ecological zone.
Mr Speaker, the same reason would make it very difficult for the Committee to have access to the specific sites, and even to locate the specific sites where these illegal activities are undertaken.
So on this note, I ask for your intervention to allow me to stand down this Question and to allow the Committee to work and report back to your good Self.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 1:28 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the question the Hon Agalga wanted to ask, I believe he did not eventually ask; the question was abandoned. Mr Speaker, I believe it is important to state, as a matter of record, that the police never said they targeted to kill the seven people. Those were the Hon Member's words. That is a matter of public record. He may want to crosscheck the facts again.
Mr Speaker, I just want to sound a caution to Hon Colleagues that any time you are addressing the House on any matter, if Hon Members have any outstanding issues to raise, once you are addressing us, any Hon Member on his feet shall have to sit down. That is the rule.
Yet, when Mr Speaker was addressing us, so many of us stood up. Mr Speaker,

that is against our rules. I just wanted to sound Hon Members.

Mr Speaker, I guess Hon Ras Mubarak raised issues relating to some typographical errors. We would take them on board.

Mr Speaker, let me also say that when we aggregated the Questions, the Questions that have been programmed for Friday to the Hon Ministers for Youth and Sports and Roads and Highways, because they came to be added on later, they have not found expression on page 1. I believe that is an oversight.

Mr Speaker, the dress code for the two events, the one week observance of the late Hon J. H. Mensah is black. And if I heard the family spokesperson well in the Church the other time with respect to the funeral of the former Vice President, I believe the appeal was that we should all wear black. So we would not have to change if we have to do the two events.

Mr Speaker, an Hon Member asked a question about the status of an Urgent Question that he filed.

For the umpteenth time, let me state that when an Hon Member asks a Question, knowing that its admissibility lies with Mr Speaker and Mr Speaker alone, and that the Business Committee only programmes Questions that have

been admitted by Mr Speaker, Hon Members should use the usual resort to pursue where their Question is and not come to the Floor and raise issues about their Questions that were filed about two months ago but have not been featured.

We do not advertise nor transmit Questions that have not been admitted by Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, the Hon Dr Apaak asked that the Question listed as *419 - Mr Speaker, 419, as he knows, is a jinxed number. And when I came to addressing that issue, I said to him that we would get to see the status of that Question.

I know he applied himself to Standing Order 63 which provides that:

“Questions may also be asked of other Members relating to a Bill, Motion or other public matter connected with the business of the House for which such Members are responsible.”

Mr Speaker, the referral that you made was to the Lands and Forestry Committee and not the Hon Chairman. It was to the entire Committee and the Hon Dr Clement Apaak is a Member of that Committee.

So for him to turn to the Hon Chairman and ask the Question of the Chairman, while he himself is a Member, Mr Speaker, he owes it as a duty to himself to know that the referral was to the Committee and not to the Chairperson.
rose
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:28 p.m.
Are you not a Member of the Committee? If you are not a Member of the Committee, the referral was to the Committee and not to an Hon Member.
Mr Speaker 1:28 p.m.
The Business Statement as presented is hereby admitted accordingly.
Item 4 -- Urgent Question. Hon Majority Leader, any direction?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to plead with Hon Colleagues to vary the Business as set out on the Order Paper for us to do what is contained in the Order Paper Addendum.
That is the Presentation and First Reading of Bills.
Mr Speaker 1:48 p.m.
We would move on to item numbered 7 --
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I said the Addendum Order Paper.
Mr Speaker 1:48 p.m.
The Order Paper Addendum?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:48 p.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 1:48 p.m.
At the Commencement of Public Business, Presentation and First
Reading of Bills. Item numbered (a), Minister for Finance? Ghana Education Trust Fund Bill.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister for Finance has to perform some other assignment with the Committee and he is busy on that. For that reason, he sent the Hon Deputy Minister to be here to lay the documents on his behalf.
The Deputy Minister, Hon Abena Osei- Asare would do so on behalf of the Hon Minister.
Mr Speaker 1:48 p.m.
One of our own. Hon Deputy Minister for Finance?
BILLS -- FIRST READING 1:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker 1:48 p.m.
Item numbered (c)?
Mr Speaker 1:48 p.m.
Item numbered (d)?
Mr Speaker 1:48 p.m.
Item numbered (e)? [Pause]
It appears the Table Office has not got that one. Therefore we would stand that down for a while.
Hon Majority Leader, any further direction?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I guess the Clerks-at-the-Table would attest to the fact that the Bill is here, except, I guess, there is some mix-up.
Mr Speaker 1:48 p.m.
They do not seem to have it, unless the Hon Deputy Minister could supply a copy and we could go through that.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I believe accordingly, it could be considered as having been presented to the House. This is because the copies have been made available to the Table Office.
It looks like there was a slight mix-up, given the schedule of the Clerks-at-the- Table this morning, crisscrossing a few areas.
Mr Speaker 1:48 p.m.
Hon Minority Leader, any objection? No objection?
BILLS -- FIRST READING 1:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker 1:48 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, where are we?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we could lay items numbered 7 (c), Chairman of the Committee?
PAPERS 1:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker 1:48 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, item numbered 7 (e)?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, these Reports, 7 (e) (i), (ii) and (iii) are all ready. They have been worked on by the Finance Committee. Unfortunately, they are now camped elsewhere to consider some referrals.
Accordingly, as our Standing Orders provide, any member of the Committee could lay the document on behalf of the entire Committee. That being the case, I would urge that we indulge the Hon Deputy Majority Leader to do so on behalf of the Committee.
Mr Speaker 1:48 p.m.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, you may lay it accordingly.
By the Deputy Majority (on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee) --
Report of the Finance Committee on the Concessional Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the EXIM Bank of India for an amount of one hundred and fifty million United States dollars (US$150,000,000.00) to finance the Strengthening of Agricultural Mechanisation Service Centres (AMSECs) Project.
Mr Speaker 1:58 p.m.
Item numbered 7 (e) (ii) --
By the Minister for Procurement (Ms Sarah A. Safo) (on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee) --
(ii) Report of the Finance Committee on the Terms of a Receivables- backed Trade Finance Facility between Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and a consortium of banks and financial institu- tions, with the Government of the Republic of Ghana as Guarantor, for an amount of up to one billion, three hundred million United States dollars (US$1,300,000,000) for the Purchase of Cocoa in Ghana for the 2018/2019 Crop Season.
Mr Speaker 1:58 p.m.
Item numbered 7 e (iii).
By the Minister for Procurement (Ms Sarah A. Safo) (on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee) --
(iii) Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of stamp duty amounting up to the Ghana cedi equivalent of six million, five hundred thousand United States dollars (US$6,500,000) on the Receivables-Backed Trade Finance Facility between Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and a Consortium of Banks and Financial Institutions, with the Government of the Republic of Ghana as Guarantor, for an amount of up to one billion, three hundred million United States dollars (US$1,300,000,000) for the Purchase of Cocoa in Ghana for the 2018/2019 Crop Season.
Mr Speaker 1:58 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader?
Mr Speaker 1:58 p.m.
Item numbered 7 (a) -- Hon Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs?
By the Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs --
Annual Report of the Audit Committee of the Ghana Prisons Service for the year 2017.
Referred to the Committee on Defence and the Interior.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we may now take item numbered 7 (b).
Mr Speaker 1:58 p.m.
Item numbered 7 (b).
By the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation --
Electrical and Electronic Waste Management Agreement — Desig- nation of External Service Provider — between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innova- tion and the Environmental Protec- tion Agency) and Société Générale de Surveillance SA (SGS).
Referred to the Committee on Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we would stand down item numbered 7 (d); that would not be done.
We would now deal with the Questions.
Mr Iddrisu 1:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, yesterday, I drew the Hon Majority Leader's attention to what I probably may describe as the
non-functionality of the Communications Committee of Parliament and their inability to meet as a group. I believe we need to take it up as Leadership.
The Rt Hon Speaker did this referral several weeks ago and every other time we have to stand down the Report because they are not able to meet as a Committee. That cannot continue and so the Rt Hon Speaker may direct that Leadership engages, and if we would have to reconsider a re-composition of the Committee of Communications and its Leadership, we do so appropriately.
Mr Speaker 1:58 p.m.
This submission would be considered by the Leaders as soon as possible.
Hon Majority Leader, for now, what would you want us to take?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am just telling the Hon Minority Leader that on matters relating to the Communica- tions Committee, if he has any complaints, he knows what to do. [Laughter.]
Mr Speaker, we would take item numbered 4.
Mr Speaker 1:58 p.m.
Item numbered 4 -- Urgent Questions.
Hon Minister for Finance?
Ms Safo 1:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, Urgent Ques- tions are being asked of the Hon Minister for Finance. I would want to seek permission and leave of your good Chair to allow the Hon Deputy Minister, Hon Abena Osei-Asare to answer the Urgent Questions on behalf of the substantive Minister.
Mr Speaker, we are all very much aware of his engagements previously before the
event we had yesterday about the delivery of the Mid-Year Budget Review, 2018. I know the Hon Minority Leader would indulge us, knowing that he has been where we are now.
He knows that in preparing for that big event that took place yesterday, we would allow the Hon Minister for Finance a little bit of time to recover and then appear appropriately before the House.
Mr Speaker, so I am asking of your leave to allow our very own, Hon Osei-Asare who is the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance.
Mr Speaker 1:58 p.m.
— And “one of our own”!
Ms Safo 1:58 p.m.
“One of our own”, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 1:58 p.m.
Which expression has become a new nomenclature? [Laughter.]
Hon Minority Leader?
Mr Iddrisu 1:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I know you have a very soft spot for your Wesley Girls' High School lady there, our Sister, the Hon Abena Osei-Asare. So there should be no difficulty, except when the Hon Deputy Majority Leader says the Hon Minister would recover, she did not say from what? A VAT adjustment, a VAT increase or a non-adjustment of VAT increase -- which of them? [Laughter.]
Mr Speaker, so we would accommodate our Sister, the Hon Deputy Minister to stand in the stead of the Hon Minister for Finance.
I thank you.
Mr Speaker 1:58 p.m.
Hon Deputy Minister, you may take the appropriate chair.
Hon Member for North Tongu?
URGENT QUESTIONS 1:58 p.m.
MINISTRY OF FINANCE 1:58 p.m.
Minister for Finance 1:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in answering the Urgent Question, please permit me to describe the processes that lead to the payment of the District Assemblies' Common Fund (DACF).
Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) officers across the country assess and collect revenue due.
Revenues are paid by cash, cheques or bank transfers depending on the location of the collecting point.
Revenue collected across the country are reported through the GRA Regional Offices to the Headquarters.
Reported collections are reconciled with the Commercial Banks, Bank of Ghana, Controller and Accountant General and the Ministry of Finance to account for uncleared cheques, transit items and refunds among others.
Mr Speaker, this process requires an average of one month after the end of the collection month/quarter to complete the reconciliation process.
Mr Ablakwa 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am very grateful and I thank the Hon Deputy Minister for her response.
Mr Speaker, she has just indicated to us that they have effected the release for the first quarter but Hon Members of Parliament are yet to see evidence of that.
Mr Speaker, is she able to indicate to us when it is likely for the moneys to reflect in the accounts of the Assemblies, because things are really tough at the Districts?
Mrs Osei-Asare 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I could say that the amounts have been released to the various District Assemblies and by next week, hopefully, they should see these moneys in their accounts. Mr Speaker, I know that Hon Members of Parliament are receiving around GH¢61,000.
And depending on the nature of the Assembly -- I know that North Tongu would receive GH¢239,000 for this quarter and Dome-Kwabenya would also receive an amount in the region of GH¢249,000 for this quarter.
Mr Speaker, hopefully by next week, the moneys should reflect in the accounts of the various Assemblies.
Mr Speaker 2:08 p.m.
Hon Member, you may ask your next Urgent Question.
Delay in the Release of the DACF
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa asked the Minister for Finance what accounts for the delay in the release(s) of the District Assemblies' Common Fund (DACF) as stipulated by the 1992 Constitution.
Mrs Osei-Asare 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in my submission, I stated that in situations where revenue inflows are not sufficient to meet all constitutional charges on the Consolidated Fund, delays are occa- sioned. Mr Speaker, but we released the letter on the 18th of June and it took some time for the DACF to also process details and submit to the various Assemblies. So, we were on time and the letter was released on the 18 th of June to the DACF Administrator.
Mr Speaker 2:08 p.m.
Hon Members, consider- ing the time and the business ahead of us, I direct that the business goes beyond the prescribed hours.
Hon Okudzeto Ablakwa, please one more question.
Mr Ablakwa 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I have with me a copy of the communication that we received from the Administrator of the DACF and it came to us on the 26th of June, 2018. Mr Speaker, it informed us of
the release of the fourth quarter, six months down the line. Mr Speaker, clearly, the one-month window that she is talking about would go long past that. So there is something wrong fundamentally.
Mr Speaker, if you look at article 252 (2) of the Constitution it states and with your permission I quote:
“Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament shall annually make provision for the allocation of not less than five per cent of the total revenues of Ghana to the District Assemblies for development; and the amount shall be paid into the District Assemblies' Common Fund in quarterly instalments.”
Mr Speaker 2:08 p.m.
Hon Member, subject to?
Mr Ablakwa 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, there is no “subject to” in the Constitution.
Mr Speaker, I only read what is in the Constitution.
I would want the Hon Deputy Minister to let us know because it appears that there is something wrong. Mr Speaker, why these long delays because we received the letter in June for the fourth quarter of last year?
Mr Speaker, we would want to know what is happening and if she could assure us that, moving forward, they would bridge the time because the delays are really worrying.
Mrs Osei-Asare 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, on the part of the Ministry of Finance, we did the release on time so maybe we would need to liaise with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development as well as the Administrator of the DACF to expedite action when these release letters come to them.
Mr Speaker, but from the point of view of the Ministry of Finance, we released the letter and funds on time.
Mr Speaker 2:08 p.m.
Hon Deputy Minister, we thank you very much for coming to the House to answer our Questions. You are discharged.
Hon Members, we would move to Question numbered 450.
Hon Minister for Roads and High- ways?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister responsible for Roads and Highways has had to join the President on his duty-tour to the northern regions and so the Hon Deputy Minister is here to respond to the Question.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister is also the Hon Member for Ejisu.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 2:08 p.m.
MINISTRY OF ROADS AND HIGHWAYS 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker 2:18 p.m.
Hon Members, we would move to Question numbered 451 standing in the name of Alhaji Bashir A. Fuseini Alhassan.
Construction of Dungu, Dungu - Yipala, Kunyevela et cetera Roads
451. Mr Alhassan Umar (on behalf of Alhaji Bashir A. Fuseini Alhassan) asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Dungu, Dungu-Yipala, Kunyevela, Gbambaya roads, which were in very bad state resulting in frequent accidents and the associated loss of lives and property, would be constructed.
Mr Speaker 2:18 p.m.
Hon Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, you are respectfully discharged.
At the commencement of public Business. Item numbered 9 -- Motions.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:18 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I observed that the Question that was just asked stood in the name of the Hon A. B. A. Fuseini who was much more interested in playing the role of a Deputy Minority Leader than being interested in his own Question.

However, Mr Speaker, we would deal with item numbered 9.

Mr Speaker, again, the Hon Minister, having to be with the President up north, has sent his Deputy, the Hon Benito Owusu-Bio, to stand in his stead to move the Motion listed as item numbered 9.
Mr Speaker 2:18 p.m.
I have agreed so that we make progress.
Yes, Hon Deputy Minister?
BILLS -- SECOND READING 2:18 p.m.
Mr Speaker 2:18 p.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Deputy Minister.
Question proposed.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi) 2:18 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to support the Motion. In doing so, I would present the Report of your Committee.
Introduction
The Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Authority Bill, 2018 was laid in Parliament on Tuesday, 20th March, 2018 by the Hon Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on behalf of the Minister, Mrs Barbara Oteng-Gyasi pursuant to article 106 (1) of the 1992 Constitution.
The Bill was subsequently referred by the Rt Hon Speaker to the Committee on Mines and Energy for consideration and report pursuant to article 106 (4) of the
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, there is a major error in the Memorandum to the Bill and the Hon Deputy Minister would want to effect that correction before we proceed.
Mr Speaker 2:28 p.m.
Very well.
Hon Deputy Minister, you may want to effect the correction?
Mr Owusu-Bio 2:28 p.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, there is a mistake in the last paragraph on page 1 of the Memorandum which says:
“It was contemplated that the bauxite deposits in the country, principally at Kyebi (Kibi) in the Eastern Region, Nyinahin in the Ashanti Region and Awaso in the Western Region with total reserves estimated in excess of nine hundred metric…''
Note this correction: It is “in excess of nine hundred million metric” not “nine hundred metric”.
Mr Speaker, it should be 2:28 p.m.
… “nine hundred million metric tonnes''.
Mr Speaker, it is important that this is corrected by the Hansard.
Mr Speaker 2:28 p.m.
Very well.
Hon Members, any objection? The correction is carried out accordingly.
Mr Mutawakilu Adam (NDC-- Damongo) 2:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute and support the Motion.
Mr Speaker, this Bill is very important to us because we have not been able to complete the value chain in respect of our bauxite. The bauxite goes through about four stages -- the raw material that is the bauxite goes through a refinery, to a smelter test and the downstream industry where it is converted to transportation equipment which aircrafts can use.
It could also be used in building and construction, such as for roofing sheets and for engineering purposes, where high tension poles are transmitted and for other uses as packaging for Coca Cola and all that.
Mr Speaker, however, as the raw material moves from one stage to the other, there is always value addition and it has been realised that it has a multiplier effect of three. For example, there is a total deposit of about nine hundred million -- Assuming the price per tonne is US$60, if it is sold raw, that would be about US$54 billion.
If we have a refinery and it is refined, the US$54 billion multiplied by three would be about US$162 billion. If we have a smelter, it also increases in value, and as it increases in value, at the same time it creates job opportunities for Ghanaians. Therefore setting this special-purpose vehicle to facilitate this integration is very important.
Mr Speaker, the Committee looked at the Memorandum. However, with the mandate that was given to it, we had a few issues, but we managed to resolve them. The purpose was to promote and develop Integrated Bauxite and Aluminium Industry and to provide for related matters.
The Committee realised that when it comes to the management and regulation of our natural resources under article 269 (1) it is very clear that it is the Minerals Commission that is responsible for the management, promotion and regulation of our natural resources, and therefore giving that role to this special-purpose vehicle would be a conflict of roles.
Therefore the Committee looked at it critically and with a representative from the Office of the Vice-President, the Ministry, the Attorney-General's Department, we agreed as to how it should be. When we get to the Consideration Stage we would see that.
Mr Speaker, we also realised that in most cases when the Government has shares as a result of a joint venture agreement, that free carried interest is dilutable.
So as more shares are acquired, the value that Government earns becomes very low as it happened in AngloGold. Our 10 per cent carried interest per the Mineral and Mining Act is supposed to be free carried interest of 10. As Ashanti Goldfields merged with AngloGold, it diluted and now we have about 1.7.
Mr Speaker, to ensure that we safeguard this dilution, we made sure that any venture that is entered by this special- purpose vehicle should have a minimum of a non-dilutable free carried interest of 10. So irrespective of the increase in the number of shares, that 10 per cent continues to remain.
Mr Speaker, we also realised that there is the need for Ghanaian participation. So a minimum of 30 per cent was reserved to ensure that Ghanaians took part in the management and in the value chain of our natural resources.
Mr Speaker, with these few points, I beg to support the Motion.
Mr Speaker 2:28 p.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Member, for this valuable contribu- tion.
Dr Samiu Kwadwo Nuamah (NPP -- Kwadaso) 2:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for the opportunity to also contribute and support the Motion which was ably moved by the Hon Chairman of the Committee.
Mr Speaker, the Report made two changes in the Bill. The first one was the deletion of the word ‘‘Bauxite''. Clearly, what this means is that, we are focusing not on the regulatory functions which would usurp the activities of the Minerals Commission or focusing on the special- purpose vehicle which would enhance value on operations of the aluminium when it is extracted.
Mr Speaker, again, the word ‘‘Authority'' was changed to the word ‘‘Corporation'' to avoid any duplication of activities from the Minerals Commission.
Mr Speaker, the extraction of bauxite has been an activity that has been going on for some time, but clearly in this country, we have VALCO which has been crying for a cheap source of power for some time.
So it is refreshing that this Report captures the fact that we have to be able to supply power at 3.5 cents and below if we are trying to add any value to our aluminium.
Mr Speaker, this is refreshing because VALCO is a factory which is run on its own in the subregion, and if we are able to enhance and improve upon its operations, it would go a long way to create jobs, to boost revenue and to enhance the economy in general.

Mr Speaker, one thing I would want to draw our attention to is that we would have to learn lessons from what happened in Obuasi. Even though large quantities of minerals were extracted from that area, development has been lacked. If one goes to Obuasi now, it is an eyesore.

Mr Speaker, the Nyinahin and the Akyem area, especially Nyinahin, which is within the Atwima area of the Ashanti Region, if we are going to mine bauxite and enhance the value, the people of that area would want to see a direct benefit, an enhancement, and a boost in the activities of the area coming directly from the operations of the bauxite.

Mr Speaker, without saying so much, I would want to again support the Motion.
Mr Speaker 2:28 p.m.
Leadership, any comments?
Mr Samuel Abdulai Jabanyite (NDC--Chereponi) 2:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to contribute to our quest as a country to develop the Ghana Integrated Bauxite Development Authority as a special- purpose vehicle in our drive to industrialisation and transformation. This is certainly a good thing to do, because it has the potential to develop the Ghanaian economy.
Mr Speaker, I however have a concern and it stems from the fact that Ghana as a country has had so many natural resources that we have explored and these resources do not seem to have given us the needed benefits over the years.
For instance, if we look at our oil, cocoa and gold, the benefits we derive are not enough.
But there are clear examples of countries which have demonstrated that with the natural resources they have beneath the earth, if they have higher stakes in it, it would go a long way in developing the country.
A classified example is that of Botswana. As we speak, Botswana has a national stake of close to 57 per cent in the diamonds that they explore. As a result of that, they are able to stand on their feet to even dictate to the other industry members.
Mr Speaker, diamond has been mined all over the world, but the headquarters is in Belgium, and DBS has championed this for over 300 to 400 years. But two years ago, Botswana was able to tell DBS that they are in control because they have higher stakes.
If they want to do business with them, they should relocate their business to Botswana. With that, DBS tried to do everything; Botswana stood their ground and the company went to Botswana.
Now, because they have the higher stakes, they enjoy all the benefits along the chain that my Hon Colleague talked about.
Mr Speaker, if we take the mining of bauxite, there are four chains in the value chain; because they can afford to treat HIV/AIDS free for the whole country. They have free education from kinder- garten to university; free of charge.
So I would request that if we establish this Authority, it must ensure that Ghana as a country should commit our resources in developing it.
Mr Speaker, about four days ago, there was report from the United Kingdom Parliament where Ghana is seen as one of
the fastest growing economies in the world, yet the poverty level is very high. This is because it is not reflective.
The capital investments in all these things are foreign. So these foreigners also repatriate all the investments that we make. At the end of it, it is better that we allow the resources in their natural state, when we know we are not prepared to commit our own resources in investment, than leaving other people to come and have the full benefit of it.
These notwithstanding, I support that the Authority be developed. Thank you.
Mr Speaker 2:38 p.m.
Final contribution from the Majority side? [Interruption.] The Hon Member knows his new location does not change anything. [Laughter.]
Hon Member, you may proceed.
Mr William Agyapong Quaittoo (NPP -- Akim Oda) 2:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, industrial chemistry defines an ore as material from which it is commercially feasible to extract a mineral or any of the chemical elements.
So having these huge deposits of bauxite does not necessarily mean that it is commercially feasible to extract bauxite. Of course, the Report talks about it looking at the power that is required to extract the alumina.
It is so expensive that if we are not careful, we would have the deposits, but we cannot extract it because of the expensive nature of it.
For instance, it is known in Ghana that we have deposits of iron, but because of its quantity and the method involved, we cannot extract the iron. So Ghana is
deemed not to have deposits of iron, but we have deposits of iron.
Mr Speaker, we are so lucky that the bauxite deposits we have is so huge. But of course, the method of its extraction, known in chemistry as electrolysis, involves the use of huge electrical power and that is why we are struggling to do this.
Mr Speaker, because of this, the Report even indicates that it would be appropriate to remove the word “Authority” and replace it with the word “Corporation”. This is because the “Authority” connotes that it would have that management and regulatory powers which conflicts with the powers of the Minerals Commission already.
So the Report clearly states that we should delete the word “Authority” and replace it with “Corporation” such that they would only have commercial functions and that is what I am enthused about and the work that the Committee did.
If we do not do that and the so called body -- I do not want to call it Authority -- maybe, a corporation; but because we have not deleted the word yet, we can still call it Authority. If the body is established and it works and identifies that it is not commercially feasible to extract the bauxite, then of course, our deposits will still remain in the soil. We cannot do that.
So I would urge us all to support and accept the establishment of this body. But I would say that the body would have to concentrate its functions mainly on the commercial viability of extracting the bauxite, else it would be established and it would create employment for people to work, but at the end of it, of course, Ghana would be the loser, because we would
Mr Speaker 2:38 p.m.
Thank you, so much.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
The Ghana Integrated Bauxite and Aluminium Authority Bill, 2018 was accordingly read a Second time.
Mr Speaker 2:38 p.m.
The Hon Second Deputy Speaker would take the Chair as we proceed.
Hon Majority Leader, any indication?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I was going to propose that we take a suspension rather and then come back after an hour to do one or two hours and take an adjournment.
Mr Speaker 2:38 p.m.
Very well.
I would suspend the House; we would resume Sitting at 4 o'clock with the Hon Second Deputy Speaker in the Chair.
2.46 p.m. -- Sitting suspended.
4.57 p. m. -- Sitting resumed.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:38 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, any indication?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I guess we should all be wary of the Friday blues; the day is far spent. So Mr Speaker, I believe we may have to take an adjournment until Monday, 23rd July, 2018 at 10.00 a.m. in the forenoon.
Mr Speaker, it lies in your bosom to adjourn the House.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:38 p.m.
Hon Members, it being 5.00 p. m. and today being a Friday, and looking at the circumstances, I would proceed to adjourn the House to Monday at 10.00 a.m. in the forenoon.
Hon Members, the House stands adjourned.
ADJOURNMENT 2:38 p.m.
  • The House was adjourned at 4.59 p.m. till Monday, 23rd July, 2018 at 10.00 a.m.