Debates of 9 Nov 2018

MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:58 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:58 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:58 a.m.
Hon Members, we have the Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 8th November, 2018, for corrections.
Hon Members, any corrections?
Page 1…10 --
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:58 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member?
Mr Banda 10:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am sorry to have to take you back.
Mr Speaker, yesterday, we effected an amendment which is captured on page 9 of the Votes and Proceedings, item numbered 8, clause 13.
Mr Speaker, the word “made” in the first line of the closing provision should rather be sent to paragraph 1(b), second line, such that after the word “deliberation”, we insert the word “made”.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:58 a.m.
Hon Member, I am not following you. Are you referring to the line that reads: “information is exempt from disclosure
Mr Banda 10:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the new rendition would therefore be: “… where the disclosure of the information will reveal (b) “a recommendation, consultation or deliberation made.”
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:58 a.m.
All right, very well.
Page 10 … 20 --
Hon Members, subject to the amendment made, the Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 8th November, 2018, is hereby adopted as the true record of proceedings.
Hon Members, we do not have any Official Report for correction today, so we would move on to the Business Statement.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:58 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member?
Mr George 10:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
Mr Speaker, respectfully, I would want to draw your attention and that of the House to Standing Order 48 (1) and (2).
Mr Speaker, looking through this Chamber, I would want to say that Mr Speaker has been at pain to demand that Hon Members of Parliament take their jobs seriously and do their jobs with dispatch.
Mr Speaker, Standing Order 48 (1) says, and with your permission, I beg to quote 10:58 a.m.
“ The presence of at least one-third of all Members of Parliament besides the person presiding shall be necessary to constitute a quorum of the House.”
Mr Speaker, a quorum consists of ninety-one Hon Members, but currently, we have just about fourty-two Hon Members in the Chamber. The Standing Order also states that there should be this quorum at the commencement of Sitting. So I humbly draw your attention for us to do the needful.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:58 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member for New Juabeng South?
Dr Assibey-Yeboah 10:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker, when the Standing Orders say “at the commencement of Sitting”, it implies “at the commencement of Public Business”, but we are not yet -- [Interruption]
Mr Speaker, that is why I say that if the Standing Orders say “at the commencement of Business, it should imply “at the commencement of Public Business”.
The Business being conducted now is in the bosom of Mr Speaker. We are not yet at the commencement of Public Business, so the Hon Member should wait, when we get to public Business, then he could raise those concerns.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:58 a.m.
Very well, I would hear the take of Hon Leaders on this, but I would hear Hon Members first.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:58 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member for North Tongu?
Mr Ablakwa 10:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am most grateful.
Mr Speaker, I wonder which Standing Order the Hon Chairman of the Finance
Committee referred to, because Standing Order 48 (1) does not make any reference to the Business of the House and all the interpretations that he alludes to. Standing Order 48 (1) is very clear. It says, and with your permission, I beg to quote:
“The presence of at least one-third of all Members of Parliament besides the person presiding shall be necessary to constitute a quorum of the House.”
Mr Speaker, Standing Order 48 (2) also says 10:58 a.m.
“If at the time of sitting a Member takes notice or objection that there are present in the House, besides the person presiding, less than one- third of the number of all the Members of Parliament, and after an interval of ten minutes a quorum is not present, the person presiding shall adjourn the House without Question put until the next sitting day.”
That is our Standing Order.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:08 a.m.
Hon Member for Nkoranza North?
Maj. (Rtd) Derek Oduro: Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, a couple of days ago when the Hon Second Deputy Speaker was in the Chair and this quorum issue was raised, he came out to say that even in the House of Commons, 11 people could stay in and do Business on behalf of the rest. He raised the point that it is the democratic right of the Hon Member who raised the quorum.
It is also a democratic right for the Speaker to use his discretion to allow --
Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh 11:08 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much for this opportunity.
My Hon Friend who just finished talking should refer to our Standing Orders. There are Standing Orders in the United Kingdom Parliament, and they follow those. Those Standing Orders cannot bind this Parliament. It is not correct.
The Order has been quoted fully, and therefore, if the Majority Side who have Government Business to do decides not to come in, what should we do?
Since the beginning of the week, we have been complaining about a quorum, and if we look at the Standing Orders, yesterday the Hon Speaker used Order 3 for us to continue with the Consideration Stage of the Right to Information Bill. This was a nuclear option that was given, and those of us who were present agreed with Mr Speaker, but not when the law is very clear.
It is in the Constitution and it is in our Standing Orders. Why would we be doing what we are doing? There must be something, and I would urge the Leadership of the Majority to resolve it before we can move on.
Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong 11:08 a.m.
Mr Speaker, our Standing Orders are very clear. My Hon Colleagues who have spoken to Standing Order 48(1) and (2)
are very clear on their points. However, if we look at the Order Paper before us today, I have signalled; my Hon Chief Whip and Hon Deputy Whips are already going round to close all Committee meetings which are on-going.
Mr Speaker, Standing Order 48(2) gives us some room that when this is cited -- At least, this is our business and we are masters of our own rules, so we would be able to work around it.
I indulge my Hon Colleagues that this is not the first time that such a thing is happening. We have been on the left-- hand Side of the House before. We knew how we supported and did Business in this House for Ghana to grow.
We are not saying that what they are doing is not within their right. It is within their right, but we are just ensuring that Mother Ghana enjoys the best, so we do what our colleagues are doing.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:08 a.m.
Hon Ras Mubarak?
I would give everybody a hearing, do not worry.
Mr Ras Mubarak 11:08 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am exceedingly grateful.
The issue on the Floor of the House is constitutional. If we look at article 102 of our Constitution, and with your leave, Mr Speaker, I beg to quote:
“A Quorum of Parliament apart from the person presiding shall be one-third of all Members of Parliament”.
Mr Speaker, if you take a cursory look at Hon Members of Parliament in the Chamber today, we are not even up to one- third, and in setting good examples and
demonstrating that we respect the rule of law, we ought to be seen to be adhering to the tenets of the Standing Orders of Parliament and the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
So I do not see how our Hon Colleagues on the other Side would argue that we should side-step the Constitution and go ahead with the Business of the House, when indeed we do not have the numbers to do the work of the House.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Joseph Cudjoe 11:08 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to draw the attention of the House to page 23 of the Order Paper, and for us to note that some Committee meetings have been advertised there, and the time for the meetings is 9 a.m., so we should be sure that the Hon Members in the meeting are already in the room. If they are not here, then certainly we should take note.
If we go to page 24, Friday 9th November, which is today in this instance as well, there is advertised there a Committee meeting; Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism, and it is also 10 a.m., so it is presumed that Hon Members of that Committee would also be there.
So, Mr Speaker, let us factor this into our discussion.
Thank you.
Mr Mathias Ntow 11:08 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
I believe it is very good that this concern has been raised, but I would like to find out from the Hon Majority Chief Whip, where is the Hon Majority leader himself?
Mr Speaker, we need to take matters relating to the Business of the House very seriously, because if one is a sympathiser to a widow, one cannot weep more than the widow herself.
The Majority Side of the House are the people who have the Government Business in their hand, and if they are not here -- though we all agree that some of them are Hon Ministers and they cannot all come, at least, a considerable number of them should be present in the Chamber so that the Business for the day could be executed.
So, Mr Speaker, could the Hon Chief Whip tell us something?
Thank you.
Mr Emmanuel Bedzrah 11:08 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, I know the Standing Orders lie in your bosom, and you could sometimes set it aside, but I would like to plead with our Hon Colleagues that as we have started, we should continue, though we have a constitutional matter to raise.
Mr Speaker, in my hometown, if a sick person lies on the ground crying, and one passes by without attending to the person, one day that sick person would rise and begin to throw stones.
I remember a story where a sick person was on the ground and people came around. All he said was that -- Listen to the koko seller too, because the koko seller is telling you a story that there is something wrong.
Definitely, there is something wrong, that is why Hon colleagues are calling for a quorum.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:08 a.m.
Hon Minority Chief Whip, I would now hear you.
Alhaji Mohammed Mubark Muntaka 11:08 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I must admit that this is very embarrassing for all of us. We are elected to be in the House by 10.00 a. m. and when we started this Meeting, we reiterated that 10.00 a. m. would mean 10.00 a. m. but now at 11.00 a. m., we can not secure the number to conduct Business. I think this is a serious concern and we should just take it beyond calling for the quorum.
Yes, our Standing Orders do not make any provision for the Hon Majority and Minority Chief Whips to be able to do anything to any Hon Member who chooses not to come at 10. 00 a. m. or decides not to even come at all.
I believe that as a matter of ethics, all of us need to take this very seriously. This is because it portrays the House in a very bad light to the general public. If we are leaders of this country, elected from various constituencies— we are not even supposed to work.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:08 a.m.
Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh 11:08 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
An Hon Member said that the Majority Hon Members are the ones who should come and do the Business of Government. I believe it is an erroneous impression that the Hon Member sought to create for this House and for the people of Ghana.
Each one of us who has been elected to be in this Parliament is here to do Business of Government when such businesses are brought.
Otherwise, if we are considering Bills, then the Minority would not participate in the Bills because they would be expecting only the Majority Side to be attending to Bills and pass Budgets and do other things that come to us from Government. So that wrong impression should not be created to the public.
Mr Speaker, an Hon Colleague has raised an issue about quorum and he referred to Standing Order 48.
Mr Speaker, with your permission, I beg to quote 11:08 a.m.
“1.The presence of at least one-third of all the Members of Parliament besides the person presiding shall be necessary to constitute a quorum of the House.
2 If at the time of sitting a Member takes notice or objection that there are present in the House, besides the person presiding, less than one-third of the number of all the Members of Parliament, and after an interval of ten minutes a quorum is not present, the person presiding shall adjourn the House without Question put until the next sitting day.”

Mr Speaker, as rightfully said by the Hon Minority Chief Whip, there are two Committees that are in a meeting at the

moment. The membership of those two Committees is about fifty --[Interruption] -- If all the Hon Members of those two Committees were to be here, we would have more than the quorum that the -- [Interruption].
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:08 a.m.
Hon Leader, I am not aware that we are entitled to count those at Committees as being in the Chamber. I am saying that we are not entitled, for purposes of determining quorum, to count those at the Committee meetings.
Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 11:08 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I agree entirely with you because that is the express provision. What I am saying is that --[Interruption].
Mr Speaker, would the Hon Minority Chief Whip stop heckling me?
Mr Speaker, once the issue has been raised, I believe you may ask that the bell be rung while we make the effort to bring those in Committee meetings to join us so that we could have the quorum to do Business.
Thank you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:08 a.m.
Very well.
The application was made to me under Standing Order 48. Subsequently, an Hon Member introduced article 102 of the Constitution.
Article 102 gives the quorum but Standing Order 48 regulates how to determine or prepare if you want to ensure that quorum is applied, the requirements
that we have a quorum. So far, I have not heard anything that persuades me not to apply Standing Order 48.
Order 48 (2) says:
If at the time of sitting a Member takes notice or objection that there are present in the House, besides the person presiding, less than one- third of the number of all the Members of Parliament, and after an interval of ten minutes a quorum is not present, the person presiding shall adjourn the House without Question put until the next sitting day.”
So I direct that the bell be rung and after ten minutes if the quorum is still not obtained, we would take the next step.
Meanwhile, the Hon Majority Chief Whip may proceed with the presentation of the Business Statement for next week.
Hon Majority Chief Whip?
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 11:28 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 11:28 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 11:28 a.m.


post-budget workshop has been scheduled for all Members of Parliament.

The workshop is expected to be held from Friday, 16th to Sunday, 18th November, 2018, at the Capital View Hotel, Koforidua.

The Business Committee further informs the House that all Members are offered the opportunity to participate in the workshop and are accordingly entreated to avail themselves at the post- budget workshop.

The respective Committee Clerks are also to attend the workshop.

Mr Speaker, Hon Members are entreated to be in attendance and to fully participate in the deliberations since essential information would be provided at the workshop to equip Hon Members in the consideration of the Budget.

The Business Committee takes this opportunity to give prior notice to Hon. Members that Debate on the Budget Statement and Economic Policy shall commence on Tuesday, 20th November

2018.

Sitting of the House on Monday/Extended Sittings

Mr Speaker, the Business Committee also recommends that the House sit on Mondays, commencing on Monday, 19th November 2018. Furthermore, the House may have extended sittings to enable the completion of scheduled business.

Conclusion

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

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

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.

Statements

Presentation of Papers --

(a) Financing Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the International Development Association (IDA) for an amount of Seventy-One Million, One Hundred Thousand Special Drawing Rights (SDR 71,100,000) [equivalent to US$100.00 million] to finance the proposed Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme.

(b) Financing Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the International Development Association (IDA) for an amount of Twenty-One Million, Four Hundred Thousand Special Drawing Rights (SDR 21,400,000) [equivalent to US$30.00 million] to finance the proposed Financial Sector Development Project.

(c) Request for waiver of Import Duties, Import VAT,

Import NHIL, ECOWAS Levy, EXIM Levy, Special Import Levy amounting to the Ghana Cedi equivalent of two million, twenty-eight thousand, eight hundred and sixty-three euros (€2,028,863.00) on goods to be procured in respect of the Enhancement of Road Safety (Phase II)— Turnkey Imple- mentation of Photovoltaic- Based Street Lighting Pro- gramme in selected communities.

(d) Ghana's Membership and Subscription to the Share Capital of the Africa 50 Fund for an amount of twenty Million United States dollars (US$20,000,000) as Ghana's initial subscription to the Africa 50 Fund (Vehicle for Accelerated Infrastructural Development in Africa).

(e) Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for the Utilisation of a Portion of GETFund's Revenues for the Debt Service of a Medium Term Loan Facility of the cedi equivalent of one billion, five hundred million United States dollars (US$1, 500,000,000) to be used for Educational Infrastructure.

Motion

Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Financing Agreement between the Govern- ment of the Republic of Ghana and the International Development Association (IDA) of the World

Bank Group for an amount of twenty-seven million, nine hundred thousand Special Drawing Rights (SDR27,900,000.00) [Equivalent to US$40 million] to finance the proposed Tourism Development Project.

Consequential Resolution

Consideration Stage of Bills --

Right to Information Bill, 2018. (Continuation)

Committee sittings.

Wednesday, 14™ November 2018

Questions

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

*468. Alhaji Mumuni Alhassan (Salaga North): To ask the Minister for Energy when the following communities will be connected to the national grid: (i) Dakpemyili (ii) Nachimbiya (iii) Janyili (iv) Kanjanyili (v) Fushila (vi) Yakura (vii) Chihigu (viii) Chandayili (ix) Kpalguni (x) Nyashila (xi) Dingoni (xii) Gbanteni.

*469. Alhaji Mumuni Alhassan (Salaga North): To ask the Minister for Energy when the following communities will be connected to the national grid: (i) Zantum (ii) Chongase.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 11:28 a.m.


Statements

Presentation of Papers --

Report of the Committee on Roads and Transport on the Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Roads and Highways through Ghana Highways Authority) and Fleck Elektroinstallationen GmbH of Austria in respect of the Enhancement of Road Safety (Phase II)— Turnkey Implementation of Photovoltaic-Based Street Lighting Programme in selected communities.

Motions

(a) That this Honourable House adopts the Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Performance Audit Report of the Auditor-General on the Disposal of Government Vehicles by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ghana Health Service.

(.Moved on Thursday, 25th January, 2018 by the Hon Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Mr James Klutse Avedzi and seconded by the Hon Member for Fanteakwa South, Mr Kofi Okyere Agyekum)

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Committee of Selection on the Re- Composition of Committees of the House.

Consideration Stage of Bills --

Right to Information Bill, 2018. (Continuation)
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 11:28 a.m.


Statements

Presentation of Papers --

Annual Report on the Petroleum Funds for the 2018 Fiscal Year.

Motion

That this Honourable House approves the Financial Policy of the Government of Ghana for the year ending 31st December 2019.

(Minister for Finance)

Committee sittings

Urgent Question
Mr Robert Kwasi Amoah (Achiase) 11:28 a.m.
To ask the Minister for Education when the roof of the dinning hall of Achiase Senior High School which was ripped off by rainstorm some five months ago will be fixed.
Questions
*452. Mr Samuel Nartey George (Ningo-Prampram): To ask the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources the current state of expansion works on the previously called “3-District” and now called “6-District” Water Project in Aveyime, which serves over 30 communities in the Ningo-Prampram District.
*453. Mr Mutawakilu Adam (Damongo): To ask the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources when the
Damongo Town Water System will commence.
*454. Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome (South Tongu): To ask the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources when the following communities will be connected to pipe-borne water: (i) Dorkploame and its environs (ii) Atsieve (iii) Gordorkope.
*455. Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome (South Tongu): To ask the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources when pipe-borne water supply to the following areas will be improved since connection to the national source took place over seven years ago: (i) Kpotame and its environs (ii) Toflokpo (iii) Agbakope (iv) Agbagorme (v) Hikpo (vi) Tordzinu.
*456. Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome (South Tongu): To ask the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources when the project to treat water and supply same to the Republic of Togo from the South Tongu District Capital, Sogakope, will commence.
Statements
Motions
(a) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for the Utilisation of a Portion of GETFund's Revenues for the Debt Service of a Medium Term Loan Facility of the Cedi Equivalent of one billion, five hundred million United States dollars (US$1,500,000,000) to be used for Educational Infrastructure.
Consequential Resolution
(b) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Roads and Transport on the Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Roads and Highways through Ghana Highways Authority) and Fleck Elektroinstallationen GmbH of Austria in respect of the Enhancement of Road Safety (Phase II)—Turnkey Implementa- tion of Photovoltaic-Based Street Lighting Programme in selected communities.
Consequential Resolution
(c) Adoption of the Report of the Committee of Privileges on Breach of Privilege and Contemptuous Remarks Allegedly Made by the Hon Member for Assin Central Constituency, Mr Ken Ohene Agyapong.
Consideration Stage of Bills --
Right to Information Bill, 2018. (Continuation)
Committee sittings.
Alhaji Muntaka 11:28 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I just wanted to draw the Hon Majority Chief Whip's attention to something. The weekend, 16th November to 18th November, 2018, is when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would hold its national congress. This means that most of those on the Minority Side of the House would not be available if we insist on proceeding with the Post-Budget Workshop. I plead that we reprogramme it.
If we think the following weekend would be far, there is the possibility of us attending the Post-Budget Workshop on,
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:28 a.m.
I would start from the back and cover everybody.
Yes, Hon Member for Kumbungu.
Mr Ras Mubarak 11:28 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I wish to comment on the Business Statement ably made by the Hon Majority Chief Whip. In doing so, I also wish to add my voice to the fact that Sitting on Monday, 19 th November, would be good for Business of the House, especially looking at the amount of work that needs to be covered.
So I hope that in adopting the Business Statement, Hon Members would agree that we Sit on Mondays, so we could cover the enormity of work.
Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza 11:28 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity and I thank the Hon Majority Chief Whip for the presentation of the Business Statement.
My first point is on extended sittings and the Budget Statement. I urge Leadership to make all the necessary arrangements towards the reading of the Budget Statement and the Budget season, if we are going to have extended Sittings.
I urge my Hon Colleagues to come in their numbers, so that we could deliberate on it.
Secondly, on the 30th of October, the Constitutional Instrument for the creation of the regions was laid. However, I have not seen any Hon Colleague with a copy of that document here. So I am not sure we could assume that the 21 days are counting.
This is because I, as an Hon Member, do not have one and I could challenge the Hon Majority Chief Whip to show us one if he has any. If nobody has got a copy, then we should reconsider the fact that it has not been laid.
Mr Peter Nortsu-Kotoe 11:38 a.m.
My issue has to do with notice of questions. Last week, we were given the agenda for the Third Meeting of this session of Parliament and on page 23, we had Questions to be asked and answered in this Meeting.
Mr Speaker, a number of Questions have been asked. I have three Questions pending, but they have not found space in the Agenda. My concern, which I want explanation or education on is that, these Questions, when not asked and answered before the end of the Second Session, would they be legible to be answered in the Third Session? If so, fine. If not, then what advice am I going to be given?
Mr Speaker, the second also has to do with Questions. In the Agenda for this Third Meeting, one would see that Questions have been outlined. Then if we go to the Business Statement for next week, one would see, Tuesday, 13 th November, 2018 — Questions.
My issue has to do with the Questions that are to be asked on those days. On some days, we see only one Question
being answered, and on some days, more Questions are answered. I want an education on it; whether it is because of the availability of the Minister or otherwise?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
Hon Okudzeto Ablakwa, do you still want to — All right, let me come to this side of the House first.
Mr Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi 11:38 a.m.
Mr Speaker, first of all, let me commend the Business Committee for the all-inclusive workshop for every Hon Member of this august House. Last year, I remember the workshop was attended by only Leadership of Committees and other Hon Members were not happy about it.
I think it is good that every Hon Member of this august House is given the opportunity to be part of this post-Budget workshop. I commend Leadership and the Business Committee for making it possible for every Member to be part of this workshop.
Mr Speaker, the second issue is the availability of copies of the Budget Statement. I am pleading with the Ministry of Finance that after Thursday, when the Budget is read, copies of the Budget Statement should be made available to every Hon Member on Friday when we are set for the workshop in Koforidua, so that we can have an effective workshop in Koforidua.
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa 11:38 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am most grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Business Statement.
I would want to commend the Hon Majority Chief Whip for the lucid presentation.
Mr Speaker, in the last paragraph of item numbered 4 of the Business
Statement, the Hon Majority Chief Whip read, and I beg to quote:
“The Business Committee takes this opportunity to give prior notice to Hon Members that Debate on the Budget Statement and Economic Policy shall commence on Tuesday, 20th November, 2018.”
Mr Speaker, normally, we are given an indication of time allotments to Ranking Members and other Members. We are silent on that this time. So I want to find out from the Hon Majority Chief Whip if the Business Committee has discussed that, so that in our preparation next week towards the Budget, we would know what the time allotments are.
And I would want to plead in that vein that adequate time be allotted and dedicated to this debate. This is because the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government is very important. We should treat it with all the seriousness that it deserves.
Mr Speaker, finally on my part, there is a very important matter which is of national interest. We all saw what happened yesterday on the Madina- Adentan stretch. I would have thought that next week, the Business Committee would programme the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways to appear before this House to give us some briefing on the matter. It is a matter that is of enormous national interest.
The media count and those living in that area have said that 194 people have died so far. We are representatives of the people. The media count — [Interruption] — Mr Speaker, I do not mind if Government has more authoritative figures. Even if it is one life — we saw what happened yesterday.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
Hon Member, kindly proceed with your comment.
Mr Ablakwa 11:38 a.m.
Mr Speaker, and so this is within the spirit of article 36(1) and 36(2)(e). Article 36 (2) (e) says, and I beg to quote:
“The state shall, in particular, take all necessary steps to establish a sound and healthy economy whose underlying principle shall include —
(e) the recognition that the most secure democracy is the one that assures the basic necessities of life for its people as a fundamental duty.”
Mr Speaker, article 36(1) says 11:38 a.m.
“The State shall take all necessary action to ensure that the national economy is managed in such a manner as to maximise the rate of economic development and to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every person in Ghana and to provide adequate means of livelihood and suitable employment and public assistance to the needy.”
Mr Speaker, this is why we are here in this House and this is why we are practising democracy. This is a very important matter. I apply to you that the Hon Minister —
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
Hon Member, I have already directed that the
Hon Minister who is responsible for road safety addresses this House. You were probably not here. I have given that directive. It is a Statement and when it comes, there would always be space for him.
Mr Ablakwa 11:38 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I was in the House that day. That was general matters to do with accidents on our roads after a Statement was made by Dr Bernard Okoe Boye.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
The Statement was in respect of an accident at the same location, and so it is generally about that. I am sure he would come next week.
Mr Ablakwa 11:38 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much. I am grateful.
Mr Ekow Hayford 11:38 a.m.
Mr Speaker, mine is on page 2 of the Business Statement — . Question to be answered on Wednesday.
Mr Speaker, my Question has been answered already, so I would be grateful if the necessary correction could be done.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
What is on page 2? I do not see any Question on page
2.
Mr Hayford 11:38 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Questions stated on Wednesday, 14 th November, 2018 — the Question starred 444 which stands in the name of Hon Ekow Hayford (Mfantseman).
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
That is page 4. All right, it is numbered 2 here.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 11:48 a.m.
Mr Speaker, let me thank you. I believe the matter of quorum was raised. This morning, the Special Budget Committee together with the Hon Majority Leader was meeting with the Electoral Commission to appreciate what
they are doing in respect of the Referendum and other elections.
And as you have noted, Ministers can always come under Standing Order 70(2) to make a Statement on any important matter. Fortunately for us, the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways is in the House. He himself is living to the sensitivities and concerns of the people of Ghana, and in particular, those affected by it. Therefore we look forward to seeing him.
Mr Speaker, just to emphasise what two of our Hon Colleagues have said, including Hon Ablakwa, that Thursday is dedicated to the Budget Statement and the Economic Policy of Government, we expect that Hon Members would be punctual and come on time, including Ministers of State.
There are those of them who are still not friendly to Parliament except when they come to ask for the exercise of the power of the purse.
Mr Speaker, then also, the post-budget workshop, as the Hon Majority Chief Whip has made an application, indeed, to be fair to Leadership, when we met, we did not have the benefit of the Whip, and the days were not available to us and therefore we could not programme them.

But as it has been noted by the Chairman for the Committee on Mines and Energy, it is refreshing that, at least, this time, all Hon Members would benefit from the post-budget workshop.

We hope that Hon Members would take it seriously, sit through and learn the tax policy, socio-economic analysis from
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
Yes, Hon available Leader?
Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 11:48 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we take notice of the issue raised by the Hon Minority Chief Whip of the fact that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would be holding its National Executive Elections on the 17th of November, 2018.
I think the Business Committee would have another opportunity to meet next week. So, it would take into account all those relevant matters in deciding when we shall have the post-budget workshop.
Mr Speaker, Hon Agbodza spoke about the fact that we would be having Extended Sittings and that arrangements should be made to ensure that Business of the House proceeds smoothly.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
Hon Member for Builsa North?
Mr James Agalga 11:48 a.m.
Mr Speaker, this is not a question directed at the Hon Majority Chief Whip. But I would want to seek your guidance because I am learning. Most of the time when leaders present the Business Statement before the House, they do that from the dispatch box. I am wondering why the Hon Majority Chief Whip has elected to --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
Hon Member, you were late, so I would leave you there.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member for Ningo Prampram?
Mr Samuel Nartey George 11:48 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I just would want to draw your attention to your previous ruling on my application to you. I am drawing your attention that it has been eighteen minutes past the ringing of the bell.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
Hon Member, we are on the Business Statement; I remember it. I am the time keeper and I have my watch before me, so do not worry.
Mr Daniel Ashiamah 11:48 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to appeal through you to the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways about the construction work ongoing at the Accra-Tema Motorway Roundabout. The access routes there are very terrible and -- even though it is a Japanese grant project, I would appeal to --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
Hon Member, how is that related to the Business Statement?
Mr Ashiamah 11:48 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am just appealing. When you are coming from Michel Camp --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
Hon Member, you know the Hon Minister's Office. Fortunately, he is here; so talk to him when he finishes answering the Questions, please.
Very well. That leads us to the end of the Business Statement.
The Business Statement for the Third Week Ending Friday, 16th November, 2018, is hereby adopted.
Hon Minister for Roads and Highways, are you ready to answer your Questions?

Why are you so happy about bicycle riding? I am asking the Hon Member who left, Mr Agbodza. He can also choose to come to Parliament by a horse or a truck.

Yes, Hon Minister for Roads and Highways, can you take your seat?

Hon Member for Kunbumgu, you may ask your Question.
URGENT QUESTIONS 11:58 a.m.
MINISTRY OF ROADS AND 11:58 a.m.
HIGHWAYS 11:58 a.m.
Minister for Roads and Highways (Mr Kwasi Amoako-Attah) 11:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I will begin with the background.
Background
The Zugu - Satani feeder road is a section of the 17.40km inter-district road which links Kumbungu Township to Sakpem Junction in the Savelugu Municipality of the Northern Region.
The Zugu - Satani section, which is from km2.20 to km8.00 is located within the Kumbungu District.
Current programme
The Department of Feeder Roads could not undertake the grading of the road in 2017 due to budgetary constraints. However, grading works on the entire stretch of 17.40km has been issued as a Variation Order to an on-going reshaping of Lepusi-Salinaayili and other feeder roads contracts located in the Yendi district.
Mr Mubarak 11:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am grateful for the Hon Minister's Answer. I would attest that indeed, work commenced last week.
This would be a final follow up question to the Hon Minister's Answer since work is ongoing.
Who is the contractor currently working on the road? [Uproar] - Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways is heckling me.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:58 a.m.
Hon Member, when a matter is public knowledge, you do not ask it here. You could easily verify from the site.
Mr Mubarak 11:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I do so because work commenced just last week and I am here in Accra. [Uproar.]
Mr Speaker, they are heckling me.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:58 a.m.
Yes, Hon available Leader?
Mr Chireh 11:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we have a clock here guiding everybody. So we have since been looking at that clock when the issue of quorum was raised for which a bell was rung. We do not want the time to be kept only by the Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:58 a.m.
Hon available Leader, the choice is not yours as to who keeps the time. It is the Speaker's prerogative. I keep the time. I would adhere to it.
Yes, Hon Member, you could ask your second Question.
Mr Mubarak 11:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker, following from the fact that work is currently ongoing, I do not intend to ask any further questions than to say that I am grateful to the Minister for having a contractor come to site.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:58 a.m.
Hon Members, the next Question is in the name of Hon Mathias Ntow, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Aowin.
Plans to Make the Enchi to Elubo Road Motorable
Mr Mathias Kwame Ntow asked the Minister for Roads and Highways what immediate steps were being taken to make the unmotorable Enchi to Elubo road motorable to alleviate the plight of the people within that catchment area as social and economic activities had virtually halted.
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
Background
The Enchi - Elubo road is Route N12 of length 72km. The road connects the Aowin and Jomoro Districts of the Western Region. It is a gravel road with poor surface condition.
Current programme
There are two on-going projects on the road namely; ( a) Upgrading to Bitumen surfacing of Elubo - Enchi Road N12 Phase 1 (km 0-17.6) and (b) Construction
of Elubo - Enchi Road Phase 2 (Km 17.6 -
37.6).
The projects are being financed from the Ghana Consolidated fund.
Mr Ntow 11:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister says work has commenced. May I know when this work commenced on that stretch of road?
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I can give the details on that road and inform him that the contractor on that stretch of the road is Eagle Star Enterprise Limited. The contract sum is GH¢42.4 million. Work started on 16th November, 2011, and it is supposed to be completed this year. As I speak, 57.53 per cent of the work is done.
Mr Speaker, if we take the Enchi to Elubo road, it is also under phase I which is N12 and that covers a distance of 17.6 kilometres. This project commenced on 16th November, 2011, and as I have already said, it was scheduled for completion by 16th May, 2014.
The completion date was extended to 16th May, 2018. This has also elapsed. The progress of work is projected at 57.5 per cent physical completion. The contractor has abandoned the site for one year now due to delay in payment for work done by the employer which is always Government.
Mr Speaker, again, construction of Elubo-Enchi Road II project commenced on 10th June, 2015, and was scheduled for completion by 10 th June, 2017. The completion date was extended to 8th June, 2018, which has since elapsed.
The current progress of work is projected at 13.2 per cent physical completion. The contractor has also abandoned site due to delay in payment for work done by the employer.
Mr Speaker, but moving into the future, the remaining 34.4 per cent has been designed and packaged under the Sinohydro Corporation Limited Project Phase II. That is the good news. The continuation of the ongoing project is dependent on the ability of the employer to pay for work done.
Ghana Highways Authority has taken all steps to get the road maintained under our normal routine maintenance programme.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Ntow 12:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am surprised at the response given by the Hon Minister. The road was supposed to be completed. According to the Answer that the Hon Minister just provided, the contract was awarded in the year 2011. As I speak at five minutes after 12 noon today -- [Interruption.] My Hon Brother, I am very serious; allow me to ask my question.
The road is blocked; no vehicle goes nor comes. At least, three pregnant women have died on this road. I am surprised he said that this road has been given on contract.
Mr Speaker, may I know when this road would be rehabilitated to ensure that it becomes motorable for the good people of Aowin? For all we know, the quantity of cocoa produced by this catchment area is huge. As I speak now the road is unmotorable --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:08 p.m.
Hon Member, are you done with your question?
Mr Ntow 12:08 p.m.
The Hon Minister should tell me exactly when the road would be fixed? [Uproar.] Shame onto them. [Pause.]
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:08 p.m.
Hon Minister, do you have any immediate plans to put the contractor back on site?
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I was clear in my Answer that the roads that were mentioned are not in good shape. So, I entirely agree with my Hon Colleague that the entire Enchi-Elubo road is one of the roads in our country in a deplorable condition, which the Government is attempting to work on from one region to the other.
Everything depends on funding. I thought that my Hon Colleague would be happy to hear that the road has even been picked and put under the Sinohydro facility, where money would be available to fix it from the present gravel “F” surface to a bituminous surface.
So, work is going on. Until that is done, we have captured it under our database to ensure periodic and routine main- tenance on that road.
Mr Speaker, the Government is working on that road. It would be fixed as we enter the first quarter of the year 2019; we would work on it.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:08 p.m.
One last question.
Mr Ntow 12:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I wish that Hon Members of this House were in that area to experience the plight, predicament and the ordeal that the people go through. [Uproar.]
Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleagues should understand that there are three major roads in the constituency --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:08 p.m.
Hon Member, are you asking a question?
Mr Ntow 12:08 p.m.
There are three important roads in the constituency. The first one is from Asankragua to Enchi.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:08 p.m.
Hon Member, are you asking a follow-up question? If you are, please flow.
Mr Ntow 12:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, yes, I am laying the foundation. The first one is from Asankragua to Enchi; the second one is from Enchi to Dadieso, which links Suaman and Aowin; and the third most important one is from Enchi to Elubo, which connects to Takoradi.
Mr Speaker, as I said, today, as I speak, the road is blocked. He should tell me when it would be constructed. The road from Enchi to Asankragua was constructed by the Government of the New Democratic Congress (NDC), if they do not know.
It was constructed in the year 2014. What is left is from Enchi to Elubo. So, he should tell me how it would be put in a proper perspective, so that people would benefit and find their way through.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:08 p.m.
Hon Member, he has told you what there is. If you have another question, I would -- [Interruption.]
Order, Order!

The next Question is in the name of Hon Thomas Nyarko Ampem of Asuogyaman.

Hon Ablakwa -- rose --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:08 p.m.
Hon Member for North Tongu --
Mr Ablakwa 12:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am most grateful.
Mr Speaker, please, Hon Thomas Nyarko Ampem is with the Committee on Local Government and Rural Development in Kasoa. He has asked me to ask this Question on his behalf, with your leave, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:08 p.m.
Leave granted; please proceed.
Mr Ntow 12:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with your kind permission, my last question has not been answered. [Interruption.]
First Deputy Speaker: Hon Member, I ruled that the question had been answered, so if you had another question you should ask; but you sat down. So, I have moved on.
Hon Okudzeto Ablakwa, you have my leave to ask the Question on behalf of your Hon Colleague.
Mr Ntow 12:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with your kind permission -- [Interruption.] The question has not been answered.
Steps to stop the removal of Bolts and Nuts in the Adomi Bridge
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (on behalf of) Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem asked the Minister for Roads and Highways whether the Ministry was aware of news reports that bolts and nuts used to rehabilitate the Adomi Bridge were being removed, and if so, what urgent steps has the Ministry taken to address the situation.
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:18 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Adomi Bridge is a 335 metres long bridge over the Volta River at Atimpoku in the Ausogyaman District of the Eastern Region. It consists of a 245 -- metre main span bridge and two approach bridges.
The main span bridge consists of 245 metres long decks suspended on the latticed steel are by cable hangers.
The bridge was constructed between 1955 and 1956. It was rehabilitated in the year 2014/2015 during which a lighting system was introduced to improve road user safety and aesthetics of the bridge. The lighting system has malfunctioned.
Mr Speaker, currently, during inspections carried out from 18th to 20th October, 2018, by the Ghana Highways Authority, it was discovered that 60 bolts and nuts were missing from the railings of the bridge. All bolts and nuts of the main structure of the bridge are, however, intact.
Mr Speaker, I want to touch on a detailed assessment of the bridge structural integrity.
1. The loss of bolts and nuts was not caused by malfunctioning of the railings on the bridge. They must have been obviously removed by criminal activities.
2. There is no increased risk of failure or damage to the main structure of the bridge.
3. There is no increased risk to safety of road users.
4. Further loss of bolts and nuts, however, could impair safety of the bridge and thereby, of road users.
Mr Ablakwa 12:18 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways for the response.
Mr Speaker, the Adomi bridge is a very crucial bridge, the only bridge that gives us access from the Greater Accra to the Eastern and Volta Regions. Indeed, you cannot get to Juapong in my constituency without using the Adomi bridge. So it is a very important bridge.
Mr Speaker, can the Hon Minister assure this House that measures will be put in place to prevent this as it is really unimaginable that as many as 60 bolts and nuts have been removed and this continued without the security noticing that this was going on.
So, what measures could we put in place so that we could prevent a recurrence in the future?
Mr Amoako-Atta 12:18 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I cannot agree with my Hon Colleague the more on this important issue that he has raised.
Mr Speaker, my Ministry is suffering a lot on these issues, not only on the Adomi Bridge but almost on all the bridges across the nation and it is a big national problem that must be addressed through our national security system.
Unpatriotic people are, on a daily basis, either removing stealing or vandalising bolts and nuts and what we call the road furniture that we have put in place to promote safety on our roads.
People are removing bolts and nuts from bridges, cutting crash barriers on our roads, removing safety signs and so on.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:18 p.m.
Hon Minister, hold on.
Hon First Deputy Majority Whip, what is happening on the Majority Side? Hon Nyindam, I am talking to you; what is happening at your Side?
Please, ensure order so that the Business of the House can continue.
Yes, Hon Minister, please continue.
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:18 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am only confirming the observation made by my Hon Colleague and it is a major problem for us to deal with, not only as a Government but as a State and a people. I pray that our security agencies should be put on red alert so far as this is concerned in order to avert any unforeseen catastrophe.
Mr Speaker, we may recall that last year at Garu-Tempane, a major steel metal bridge collapsed, not because it was weak
but because of the activities of unpatriotic people who went there in the night to remove the bolts and nuts.
All kinds of things are happening on our roads; “New Jersey Barriers” are being tampered with and whatever we put on the roads are being stolen. These kinds of road furniture are supposed to give protection to all users of the roads and it is an issue that, perhaps, would have to be taken up in this Honourable House to deal with and strengthen our security agencies.
Mr Speaker, I know a lot of things are being done in that direction but we must intensify it to save our roads and to protect ourselves by increasing our safety levels.
I also agree with him that as we speak, the Adomi Bridge must be well protected because we all saw what happened last two years, that is in the year 2015, when that bridge came under major repairs and the frustrations that people on that stretch and indeed, the travelling public suffered.
It is because of this that Government is intensifying efforts to construct an alternative bridge at Volivo which fortunately is in the constituency of Hon Ablakwa and we are almost at the tail end of the negotiations for it.
We are getting the facility from Japan and God willing, next year, we are likely to start with the construction of the Volivo bridge and that will then serve as an alternative to the Adomi bridge.
Mr Speaker, that does not mean that because of that we should keep an eye off the Adomi bridge, we shall continue to closely monitor it to ensure that the bridge is maintained in its form and strength for the travelling public of our nation.
Mr Ablakwa 12:18 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways will definitely live very long and we are very grateful to him for his continuous support. We know the good work that he is doing, especially within our enclave and I can attest to that.
Mr Speaker, the other supplementary question I have has to do with the lighting system. Perhaps, the miscreants and unpatriotic Ghanaians who are removing these bolts and nuts have been aided by the fact that the lights are not functioning and so the darkness has created a very congenial environment for them to take advantage of and remove these bolts and nuts and carry out their illegal activities.
Could the Hon Minister give us an assurance when the lights could be restored to help to improve the security on the bridge?
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you. The restoration of the light as he rightly admitted, is of great urgency and I wish that it had been done yesterday.
As I indicated in my Answer, we are working very fast on it and we have selected the best two of our known contractors who could fix the lights, but we must necessarily go through the procurement process. Mr Speaker, this is an emergency and we are speeding it up because emergency situations require emergency treatment.
I would want to assure the Hon Member that even though I would not put out a time line, timing in this exercise is of great essence but any moment from now, we would know what to do to make sure that the entire stretch is well lit to avert all these troubles; stealing and other unforeseen calamities. Mr Speaker, so we are working very fast on it.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:28 p.m.
Hon Member, you have asked all your three supplementary questions.
Mr Ablakwa 12:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am most grateful. This would be my third and final supplementary.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister talked about the National Security helping, so I would want to find out from him if the two District Security Councils (DISECs) in Asuogyaman District and North Tongu District would be allowed to also form task forces to protect the bridge?
Is this something that the Ministry would permit us to do in the interim before the National Security would arrive to protect the bridge? I am just trying to be creative to see whether his Ministry would welcome such initiatives from the two districts, the two District Chief Executives (DCEs), the DISECs and both Hon Members from Asuogyaman and North Tongu.
Mr Speaker, I would want to know if it is something that we could arrange; and are we permitted to do that?
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in my humble view, I believe that if we talk about National Security, it embraces all, and in the wisdom of the National Security apparatus, I do not think that it would be out of place to make use of DISECs. So I believe that could be done.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:28 p.m.
Hon Minister, maybe, I would make a suggestion. When I used to work in the Ministry, we had an example from South Africa because there was a report that the furniture for road and railways were being taken away.
They gave us the report showing how they dealt with a similar situation and they did that by involving the community leaders. When the things got missing for a second and third time they met the community leaders and told them that they would replace them, but if they get missing again, they would not return to replace them.
Indeed, after that, those that were missing were found; the community leaders were able to retrieve the items and stop the people because they knew them. So maybe, you may want to involve the community leaders in the locality.
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you. This is a very useful contribution and I would accordingly take a cue from you. I also wish to add that my Ministry is even planning to introduce Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at these high profile points like the Adomi bridge.
Mr Speaker, thank you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:28 p.m.
The next question is in the name of Hon Twumasi Kwame Ampofo, Hon Member for Sene West.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 12:28 p.m.
MINISTRY OF ROADS AND HIGWAYS 12:28 p.m.
Mr Ampofo 12:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank the Hon Minister for his submission but he is aware that during the last Parliament, both of us were on the road.
So he knows the terrain and the nature of the roads. He himself attests to how bad it is. Both the highway and the feeder roads are in bad shape as he stated.
Mr Speaker, therefore, may I know when the Sinohydro facility project will take off, and what is entailed in the Sinohydro package?
Mr Ampofo 12:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Atebubu - Kwame Danso road is also known by the Clerk to Parliament. He has been on that road some years back where he had to get down and some persons helped him including the chiefs.
In one instance, on his way going, he met one of the chiefs at that time and it was very muddy. So he had to get down for people to help him push his car. He is here and can attest to that.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:38 p.m.
Hon Member, ask your follow-up question. [Laughter]
Mr Ampofo 12:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank the Hon Minister for his submission, but on the feeder roads, it is very serious now. The roads have been torn in parts. Cars cannot ply the roads due to the poor nature of the roads.
The Hon Minister said in his Answer that the Kwame Danso - Konkonse, Kwame Danso - Akyeremade Battor road, Kyeamekrom - Tatto Battor road, Kyeamekrom - Chababa road and the other feeder roads; the Shafa Zongo - Dogondage road have all been awarded to a contractor this year but due to the rains, the contractor was not able to go there.
Mr Speaker, it is not raining now. When is the contractor moving to site to assist the good people of the area to carry on with the activities?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:38 p.m.
Hon Minister, has the rains ceased? If they have, is the contractor ready to move to site?
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, road construction generally, requires the application of water. That is why every road contractor tries to secure a water tanker. This is because before road construction can go on professionally, the road would have to be well compacted.
So even contractors on their own apply water as they work on the various stretches at the gravel earth level so that they can do effective compacting before applying bitumen.
But at the same time, if we experience heavy rainfall, it disturbs construction generally. That is what we are experiencing in most parts of our country where contractors spend a lot of money on materials; whether it is bitumen or concrete works, depending on what is being applied, if it is not well dried up and it rains, we will lose everything.
So contractors are very cautious when constructing roads during the rainy season, and we all know that the rains are being experienced heavily this year.
However, that does not mean that we are allowing the contactor to use it as an excuse. He is being monitored closely. That is why we want to ensure on our own to put those roads under routine maintenance.
The contractor, pretty soon -- This is because, in some areas the rains have been subsiding, and the contractor is putting everything possible together to mobilise to site. We are closely following up on him.
If the Hon Member likes, I would tell him the name of the contractor. This is because we are doing a number of roads in his constituency. The contract sum of all the roads put together -- In his constituency alone, we are spending GH¢187 million to tackle almost eight different stretches of roads that are interconnected. So the contractor must be well prepared and mobilise to site.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:38 p.m.
Yes, your last question?
Mr Ampofo 12:38 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I thank the Hon Minister for giving me this information. I would follow up with him at his office and get the details of the contractor and his contact number so that I can also do a follow-up.
Mr Speaker, on this note, I would like to know whether it is that one contractor doing all the feeder roads or there are different contractors.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:38 p.m.
The answer is in the Answer.
Mr Ampofo 12:38 p.m.
All right. Thank you, Mr Speaker, if it is in it.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:38 p.m.
Very well. The next Question stands in the name of Hon (Mrs) Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe- Ghansah. Hon Leader, you may ask your Question.
Current state of the refurbishment works on the Ada Foah town roads
477. Mrs Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe- Ghansah asked the Minister for Roads and Highways the current state of the implementation of the refurbishment works on the Ada Foah town roads in the Ada Constituency.
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
Background
Ada Foah town is located in the Ada East District of the Greater Accra Region. It has a total road network of 8.20 km. The network is characterised with deteriorated bituminous gravel and earth surfaces.
Current programme
There is no major rehabilitation programme for the town roads.
Future programme
Engineering design studies have already been carried out for rehabilitation of the deteriorated bituminous sections and upgrading of the gravel and earth sections to bituminous surface.
The estimated costs of the intervention to be implemented are being assessed. The procurement process will be initiated when funds become available.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:48 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member?
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:48 p.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, I could not have agreed more with my Hon Colleague and sister.
Mr Speaker, the importance of Ada Foah in our country cannot be overemphasised. We know that Ada Foah is a very important town with the location of an “Aqua Safari”, which contributes significantly to the socio-economic development of our nation, in terms of the services that it offers, including tourism.
All these put together should not leave any doubt in anybody's mind that Ada town roads and perhaps its surrounding roads should be worked on.
Mr Speaker, I would therefore want to assure the Hon Member that the town roads are being captured under the database of urban roads and in 2019, we shall work together to change the face of Ada roads.
Mrs Cudjoe-Ghansah 12:48 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, in the Hon Minister's Answer, under the “Future programme”, line three, reads:
“…the estimated costs of the intervention to be implemented are being assessed…”
I would like him to explain this phrase to us.
Mr Speaker, as the Hon Minister said, there is an estuary at Ada Foah itself, and its name is supposed to be “Ada Fort”. Again, Ada has now become a place for stress release for the people who live in the Greater Accra Region, the Volta Region and Ghana as a whole.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister should therefore explain to me what he meant by that statement in his Answer, and also tell me the time that the contractor would move to site for work to commence.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:48 p.m.
Hon Minister, have you awarded a contract? And if so, then when would the contractor move to site?
Mr Amoako - Attah 12:48 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, I could not put a finger on the exact or the estimated cost of the project, because its assessment is in currency; But I would want to assure my Hon Colleague that in 2019, Ada Foah roads would be tackled. This is because, as aforesaid, it is of primary importance to this nation and we give it that recognition.
Mrs Cudjoe-Ghansah 12:48 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, apart from tourism, there are a lot of economic activities that go on in Ada Foah. Ada Foah is where one would get good onions, carrots, green pepper, lobsters and other things.
Mr Speaker, I would like the Hon Minister to assure me that in the next Budget Statement to be presented by the Hon Finance Minister to the House on the 15th, Novermber, 2018, Ada Foah and Ada itself would be captured. This is because the other time the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways was here and we spoke about Asigbekope road, he assured me that he would do something about it, but up till now, I have not seen any sign.
Mr Speaker, in Ada, the road which is from Kasseh to Foah is 50 per cent completed -- It is not fully completed. Therefore the Hon Minister should give the assurance to this House that he is going to tackle all these roads and bring a smile to the faces of the people of Ada. This is because I believe Ada is not being treated fairly.
Mr Speaker, if we look at Ada, it is part of the Greater Accra Region, but it is not considered as such. Every good thing is taken to the other parts of the Greater Accra Region, but Ada also deserves a fair share of the cake. The Hon Minister should therefore please assure the people of Ada that everything would be fine.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:48 p.m.
Hon Minister, do you assure them that you would? They would want your assurance.
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:48 p.m.
Hon available Leader, there is one more Question. Unless --
Mr Chireh 12:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minority Whip asked for assurance, and also gave the background. Should the Government Assurance Committee take serious note? And when exactly would the work begin in 2019?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:48 p.m.
Hon Minister, the Hon Member would want to know if you could give them a timeline.
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:48 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, I believe that by the rules of this House, any assurance given by any Hon Minister is obviously taken up by the Assurance Committee.
So the assurance I have given is no exception. It is a normal part of our Business, and within that assurance, I am going to work very closely with my Hon Colleague to ensure that the project, as being assured, is implemented but it takes two to tango, so the two of us must work together to make it materialise.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:58 p.m.
Question 479, Hon Member for South Tongu?
Construction of Roads; (i) Kodzi Junction - Agbeve, (ii) Lollito Junction - Galotse - Hawuii
Q.479. Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the following roads would be constructed: (i) Kodzi Junction (Gladysco Junction) - Agbeve (ii) Lollito Junction - Galotse - Hawuii
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:58 p.m.


(i) Kodzi Junction (Gladysco junction)- Agbeve

Background

The Kodzi Junction (Gladysco junction)-Agbeve road is 19.6km and is partially engineered. It is located within the South Tongu District of the Volta Region.

Current programme

Mr Speaker, the road is currently under the contract, “Bitumen Surfacing of Agave - Afedome (21.0km) and Kpedzeglo - Agorve PHII (Km:9.50-17.5)”.

Workdone to date includes clearing of vegetation, 3.8km of cutting and filling to formation, construction of 900mm diameter Pipe culverts (8no.).

Progress to date is estimated at 13.8 per cent physical completion. The contractor has vacated site due to delay of the employer to honour payment for work done.

Future programme

The resumption and completion of the contract will depend on the ability of the employer to pay for the work done.

(ii) Lollito Junction - Galotse -Hawuii

Background

Lollito junction - Galotse - Hawuii road is 22.7km. It has three sections;

Section 1; Lollito junction to Amedormekope which is 17.2km and has earth/gravel surface is in fair condition.

Section 2; Amedormekope to Amedormekope outskirt which is 1.5km

and has bituminous surface is in good condition.

Section 3; Outskirt of Amedormekope through Galotse to Hawuii which is 4.0km and has earth/gravel surface is in poor condition.

Current programme

There is no major rehabilitation programme on the road.

Future programme

Prior to the construction of the above road, engineering design studies will be carried out in the second quarter of 2019. Thereafter, implementation will take place when funds become available.
Mr Woyome 12:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank the Hon Minister for these Answers, but let me just give a little background to this area.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:58 p.m.
Hon Member, you are entitled to ask follow-up questions, not background, please.
Mr Woyome 12:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is very important. This area holds a lot of economic potential. When we break down the tourism potential and the agriculture, currently a lot is going on there, but because of the nature of the road, a lot of others come and go away.
It is so critical. The current state of the road is bad, and investors come and go. It is estimated that this could give about 20,000 jobs both directly and indirectly.
Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the Hon Minister if he would re-consider the funding source and include this in the Sinohydro package which I believe has been well spoken about.
Would he consider adding this to that package so that in the very near future, we could have this road constructed, because it appears until funds are available we are not going to -- So if he could be specific and tie us to that also?
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, that concern has been taken note of and it would be considered as we go along. Serious attention would be given to whatever has to be done to work on the road, as it is being given to every other road in our country.
Mr Woyome 12:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, would the Hon Minister also consider the fact that till the funds come, some remedies could be done on these roads, because as we speak, the work that was done earlier which is well articulated and stated here has been destroyed by the rains that came, with huge gallies, making it impassable, and commuters are complaining.
Is it possible to arrange immediately on both roads, the Lollito- Galotse Hawuii road and the Agbeve road, some rehabilitation work while we wait for the major funding for the continuation of the project?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:58 p.m.
Hon Minister, would you undertake some remedial action while we wait for the funding?
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, that onus is on my Ministry. We have that responsibility, and it is part of our policy statement. The Ministry has to ensure that across the nation, all roads at all material times are motorable as much as possible to ensure the movement of goods and property.
That is why routine or periodic maintenance is very important and of great interest in my Ministry. That is the essence of establishing the Road Fund to take care of periodic routine maintenance on our roads until such time that, one after the other, we are able to develop those roads properly to bituminous level.
So that would be done. I also request my Hon Colleagues that we should work together to remind ourselves and bring this to my attention, not as a person but to the attention of my Ministry.
Fortunately, I am here with you as an Hon Member of Parliament. All my two Hon Deputies are also Hon Members of Parliament, so let us engage and talk together each day to address some of these critical issues.
Mr Speaker, I would want to assure my Hon Colleague and Friend that we shall work together to ensure that those roads are motorable all year round, until such a time that we apply bitumen on it.
1. 08 p. m.
Mr Woyome 12:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways for the readiness to assist but let me proceed to probably ask for his assurance in terms of the remedial repairs. This is because there are serious issues back that we would be most grateful if we could be assured of a particular time when this is likely to take place.
I have also taken his advice to get in touch with him for us to proceed from there. Could he also tell us, by which time when I get in touch, we would get this done?

[MAJ (RETD) ODURO]Mr Amoako-Attah: Mr Speaker, within my Ministry, we have room and we always make provision for emergency interventions.

So anytime such emergency works come up, particularly where, either due to heavy rainfalls or whatever, roads are blocked or roads are separating communities -- Those are emergency situations, and as I said, they call for emergency application of solutions.

I would like to repeat that we should work together. If there is any such emergency on their roads, we shall invoke the application of the emergency measures because it would never be allowed that any section of our country, and for that matter, our people should be separated by physical distance because of road blockage or collapse of bridge.

We always undertake emergency measures and find alternative routes. So I can assure you on that.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:58 p.m.
Very well, that brings us to the end of Question time. Hon Minister, we thank you for attending upon the House to answer the Questions. You are discharged.
Hon Majority Chief Whip?
Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 12:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I believe you admitted a Statement from Hon Derek Oduro (Maj) [Rtd], the Hon Deputy Minister for Defence. So if he may be given the opportunity to make the Statement.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:58 p.m.
Very well, the Ministry of Defence wishes to make a Statement on Remembrance Day and the Hon Deputy Minister is available.
Hon Deputy Minister, you are invited to make your Statement.
STATEMENTS 12:58 p.m.
Minister for Defence) 12:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for granting me the opportunity to make this statement on the occasion of the Veterans (Remembrance) day. Remembrance Day falls on 11 November each year to remember the gallant ex-servicemen who lost their lives in World Wars I and II for the peace we enjoy today. Ghana, on Sunday joins the rest of the World to commemorate the end of hostilities of World War II.
Mr Speaker, in 1918, the Armistice which ended World War 1 became effective at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month (11/11) of 1918 when the gun fell silent on the Western front in France and Belgium then the four years of hostilities ended.
The day was called the Armistice Day. Ghana then Gold Coast, being part of the British colony, also sent her gallant sons overseas to fight in this war. Some of our soldiers lost their lives.
These West African Servicemen at the time were under the Royal West African Frontier Force and, alongside British troops, fought in India, Burma, Myohaung (Theatre), Eastern Europe, Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Africa and other areas under very austere conditions.
Mr Speaker, it can be recalled that these ex-servicemen who assisted in the war effort, before the war, were promised proper resettlement. When they returned home from the war, those entitlements were not met. They could not find jobs and, their pensions were also denied them.
Pressing for their demands, a group of these ex-servicemen marched to the Osu Castle to present their petition to demand
the pension and other compensations promised them for their roles in the war.
Unfortunately, at the cross road, the colonial duty guard sharply requested a retreat by the unarmed ex-servicemen failing which three of them, Sgt Adjetey, CpI Attipoe and Pte Odartey got shot. Mayhem ensued from the incident and engulfed Accra which degenerated into what has become known as the 1948 Riots.
Mr Speaker, today, we praise the millions of ex-servicemen who bravely fought and died to make history in this country in particular, and the world at large.
The effort of our soldiers contributed to rescue the world from repression and granted us freedom. It is because of the courage, tenacity, sacrifice and selfless dedication displayed by these ex- servicemen that we stand here on this occasion to remember them.
It is important to acknowledge this memorable occasion through which they bequeathed to us peace and offered us important place in world history.
Many countries have recognised that the Remembrance Day does not only symbolise the sacrifices of those who fell in the two World Wars, but also those who have died in subsequent conflicts around the world, including those who were deployed on peacekeeping duties.
Ghanaian peacekeepers have died in places such as Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Southern Lebanon, La Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and so on in the cause of duty around the world and we need to remember them as well during such commemorative days.
The Day also underscores the paramount need not only to stop wars, but also to pursue the idea of peace at all cost and at all times as the only condition for the survival of the human race.
Mr Speaker, during the period towards Remembrance Day, artificial poppies are sold as a means of raising funds to support the veterans, especially the disabled and the hospitalised.
Red poppy flower symbolises the blood shed during horrific conflict, but also the hope of new life, and the poppy became the symbol of Remembrance Day.
Mr Speaker, as we commemorate Remembrance Day on Sunday, it is also important we pay respect and honour to those who in diverse ways lost their lives serving the country.
It is imperative that we observe this day with all the importance it deserves for, as the adage goes, “a nation that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for”.
Mr Speaker, once again, thank you for the opportunity.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:58 p.m.
Hon Former Minister for the Interior?
Mr James Agalga (NDC -- Builsa North) 1:18 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement ably made by the Hon Deputy Minister for Defence, himself a veteran, who saw action in various theatres such as Rwanda, Liberia, and Sierra Leone among others.
Mr Speaker, I would like to add my voice on this occasion which marks Armistice Day or Remembrance Day.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:28 p.m.
Hon Member, you have taken longer than the Statement itself.
Mr Agalga 1:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am winding up.
Mr First Deputy Speaker Please, wind up in one minute.
Mr Agalga 1:28 p.m.
Very well.
Mr Speaker, so the point I want to make once again, is that, 28th February, 1948 is a very important date in our history, but once again, a lot of the history has not been written.
Mr Speaker, Sergeant Issah Kanjarga — [Laughter] — was the officer in charge of the detail at the Christiansborg Castle who defied the effort or command of Major Imray at the time. [Interruption.] I would just wind up in 30 seconds.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:28 p.m.
Conclude or else I would take you off.
Mr Agalga 1:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in conclusion, Major Issah Kanjarga learnt at that early stage to defy an unlawful command to shoot at his own people. Even though he was an illiterate, he knew a lot about humanitarian law. He refused —
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:28 p.m.
I have taken you off, please resume your seat.
Mr Kwame Seth Acheampong (NPP — Mpraeso) 1:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, history is being told this day on the Floor of the House, and I am glad that we are all here today.
Within the next 48 hours, we would celebrate a hundred years of peace building and ensuring that society remains formal and governed by the rule of law, which is something we should all revere. This is because it has offered most of us, and persons like myself, the opportunity to say a word in Parliament to relieve all of us of our contemporary worries.
Mr Speaker, today we have discussed vigilantism and mob attacks in our Republic. This is a country that has gained independence for some sixty years and over, and has been remarked as one
of the best when it comes to helping the global community to maintain peace.
We stand in pole position. It is incumbent upon all of us in this House, who have had the opportunity to be representatives of our people, to continue to preach peace so that our massive following would not bring such bad behaviour to the peaceful existence we enjoy as a people.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Member who made the Statement has been eulogised. I remember that as an Hon Member of Parliament, when there was trouble in Mali, he sneaked out of Parliament to go to the military to help advise and admonish officers of our respected Ghana Armed Officers that as they went out there to maintain peace; high nationalism must reflect in their performance and duty.
Mr Speaker, I know that today, you just told my Hon Colleagues across the aisle that you would not entertain too much talk, but I want to plead with every Ghanaian listening to us and my Hon Colleagues in the House that peace is what this country needs.
We should all do our best to preach peace because the world needs peace. The world has preached peace for 100 years and peace is nothing but wealth. Without peace we cannot go about our normal chores; the economy and everything that we desire and love.
If we do not preach peace, we would not get there. We would not arrive at a destination we all hope to get to. And in respect of this, I thank the Hon Member who made the Statement for helping all of us to remember our gallant soldiers and veterans in times past.
Those who are yet to defend this country in the future must remember that
we have one Republic called Ghana, and it is respected in the nations all over the world; we should protect our land.
Mr Richard Mawuli Kwaku Quashigah (NDC — Keta) 1:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to also add my voice to the Statement ably made by the Hon Deputy Minister for Defence.
Mr Speaker, it is refreshing that our Hon Colleague, Mr James Agalga, gave us a historical narrative lucidly, which obviously gave a lot of insight as to what really pertained even after the First and Second World Wars.
Indeed, these are occasions that we need to remember with greatly cherished memories, in the sense that some people obviously had laid down their lives for not only world peace, but also for the peace and progress of our nation.
Mr Speaker, to a large extent, what happened in those days was a resistance against tyranny and a possible dictatorship in the world and the need to ensure the rights and freedoms of all in the world at the time.
Mr Speaker, if those actions had not taken place, if people within the Commonwealth were not to have been mobilised to resist tyrannical moves in those days, we would not have known what would have become of the world today, especially, as to whether we would still have been an independent State, or we would have remained under the tyranny of a powerful nation.
Mr Speaker, what is cardinal is the lessons we have learnt - people made sacrifices and laid down their lives to protect cherished values. For us, as a people in Ghana, we have been told that over 65,000 people were drawn from the then Gold Coast and the British territories.
They made great sacrifices. What have we actually learnt from it? Are we also making the needed sacrifices today to galvanise the fortunes of our nation Ghana, or are we becoming more self- centred with an attitude of all is about “me” first before my political party and, thirdly, the nation?
Mr Speaker, these are some of the things that we need to reflect on. To what extent have we imbibed in our young ones who are in the secondary schools and the tertiary institutions, the importance of the actions that happened in those days, and the need for them to acquire those values in order to be able to make our nation great and strong?
These are areas that I think we are failing in getting the young ones of our nation to hold dear. We should teach them these values and make them understand and cherish the essence of sacrifice; and to know that sacrifices devoid of parochial political interest, ought to be made at every level for the nation to be great and strong.

Mr Speaker, it has been indicated by my Hon Colleague on the other Side, the last Member who spoke that there is the need for us to do all that we can to maintain peace. But in maintaining peace, we are also required to resist oppression.

Anything that would lead to the oppression of the ordinary people of this country ought to be resisted. And that is why the Bible says that when the kingdom suffers violence, the violent must take it by force.

So if the right things are not done, you would necessarily expect that there should be some positive resistance. In order to avoid such happenings, there is the need for us all to do what is right and proper.
Mr Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover (NPP -- Tema East) 1:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, let me first of all join my Hon Colleagues to thank our senior, the Hon Derek Oduro for the Statement that he has shared with us.

Mr Speaker, it is quite important that we remind ourselves of these gallant sacrifices of our forebears. My own grandfather, Mr Karimu Titus-Glover was an ex-soldier in the World War II. Checking through paragraph 4 of the Statement, which I beg to quote:

“Mr. Speaker, it can be recalled that these ex-servicemen who assisted

in the war effort, before the war were promised proper resettlement.”

My emphasis is on “resettlement”. My few checks suggest that there has been little support that had come from the colonial masters at the time.

Today, when you see our veterans and you look at the commitment and sacrifices that they had made at that time to the peace of the world that we are all enjoying today, it makes mockery of their sacrifices. Some have suffered stroke, some are blind and what have you.

I think that reading from the Statement that Hon Derek Oduro has read to us makes us go back to look at the commitment and the sacrifice including those who have even died and gone. This is because they served as an opportunity for the current generation of soldiers to emulate what they have done.

Mr Speaker, it would surprise you to know that even the sacrifices that the Gold Coast Soldiers made, when you look at what they are doing at European Union (EU) countries, they even recognised them more than we do. It is an issue that I think we should look at in equal foot.

This is because the EU member countries at the time, if they contributed in terms of soldiers, we equally did same. But what is the level of the support that we are giving to ourselves currently and even what they have done before?

Mr Speaker, going forward, when you look at the role of Ghanaian soldiers in peacekeeping, we are almost one of the best, and I think that we must continue because of the training, sacrifices and the discipline of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) that has made Ghana to stand tall in the league of nations when it comes to peacekeeping.

I will agree with the Chairman of the Committee on Defence and the Interior that there is the need for us to continue to promote peace among ourselves. As a representative of our people, we do not have any choice but to continue to preach peace on whatever platform we find ourselves.

Mr Speaker, let me also add my voice that currently, the length of service is about 25 years in the GAF. But H. E. the President, knowing the activism within our soldiers, have decided to add five additional years on which I am told a Bill is being brought to Parliament for us to look at and approve so that our soldiers can continue to offer their support and sacrifices to the peace of our country.

Mr Speaker, before I conclude, I would also join my senior, Hon Derek Oduro, for this wonderful Statement which serves as a mark to us and for the current generation of young men and women, it is our duty to emulate the example of our forebears -- for the sacrifices of the peace that they have made for the world at large.

Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity.
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (NDC -- North Tongu) 1:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am most grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this Statement which has been so eloquently delivered by the Hon Deputy Minister for Defence.
Mr Speaker, we need to also celebrate the Hon Member who made the Statement; he is a veteran himself. He is one of our own and it is beautiful that he remembers his colleagues on this very auspicious occasion.
I have heard of his ordeal in Liberia when he was part of a peacekeeping mission from Ghana to Liberia; how he nearly left before his time when he came into combat and there was an explosion of a grenade. He is here and he can confirm that.
Mr Speaker, indeed, from the accounts I have heard, if it had not been the miracle working Lord -- because the grenade exploded in his face -- his mouth and eyes. He is here because of the mercies and the miracle working ability of the good Lord. So, we must celebrate him and celebrate all our veterans on this day.
Mr Speaker, but a hundred years on, there remain lessons to be learnt from what led to amnesties and what led to the Treaty of Versilles which then led to the formation of the League of Nations.
Unfortunately, all efforts after World War I to end the world war did not fully succeed. The world was to suffer another world war which is the World War II that occurred.
We do know that because of the lessons from World War I, the amnesties and the League of Nations collapsed and the United Nations was established. It is to the credit of the modern era that the United Nations appeared to have survived and World War III was prevented.

So such commemorations are very important.

Mr Speaker, the contributions of Ghanaian troops to these wars, sacrificing so that there would be global peace, must not be swept under the carpet. It must not be ignored. We must continue to honour the memory of those who laid down their lives.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:48 p.m.
Hon Members, the last word would be given to the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Defence and the Interior.
Mr Collins Owusu Amankwah (NPP - Manhyia North) 1:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to associate myself with the Statement ably made by the Hon Deputy Minister for Defence who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkoranza North, Major Derek Oduro (Rtd) on the Remembrance Day celebration.
Mr Speaker, Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day, is widely observed in Member States of the Commonwealth of Nations since the end of the First World War to remember members of the armed forces who died in their respective countries, who died in the line of duty.
Mr Speaker, I share the maxim that, “a nation that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for.” Indeed, the gallant
ex-servicemen were selfless and nationalistic. [Hear! Hear!] They sacrificed their lives to save mankind and they need to be celebrated. I therefore join the rest of the world to salute them on this great occasion.
Mr Speaker, I am of the considered view that, to whom much is given, much is expected. Therefore, it is sad to note that in their quest to demand what is due them, some of them, in the persons of Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey met their untimely deaths.
Mr Speaker, it is true that the unalloyed effort of our soldiers contributed immensely to rescue the world from repression and granted us the freedom that we enjoy today.
It is therefore imperative that their welfare should be paramount to all of us. But as a matter of fact, the current Government has ensured that the personnel who served in the United Nations Peace Keeping Missions are paid at their duty post as promised in the NPP Manifesto of 2016.
Mr Speaker, as a country, we appreciate the work of our soldiers. We would continue to be grateful for their services.

Mr Speaker, I agree with the Hon Chairman of the Committee on Defence and the Interior that we would need to sacrifice for our dear nation. We need to sacrifice our time and resources. Wherever we find ourselves, we should make sure that we contribute our quota to the development of this country.

Mr Speaker, with these few words, I rest my case.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:58 p.m.
Very well.
That is the end of Statements.
The Hon Majority Leader just came in. It is 2.00 p.m., and I do not intend to extend Sitting.
The front bench of the Majority, where do we go from here?
Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 1:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we may have to do some Public Business, so if you may direct that we enter Public Business.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:58 p.m.
Which item did you call for?
Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 1:58 p.m.
Item numbered 7, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:58 p.m.
It is three minutes to -- In fact, from the watch in front of me, it is a minute to 2.00 p.m. Very well.
Item numbered 7 -- Presentation of Papers by the Hon Chairman of the Committee.
PAPERS 1:58 p.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:58 p.m.
Hon Majority Chief Whip, I just received an Order Paper Addendum. [Pause.]
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, if I may, on the Order Paper Addendum, the Ministry of Finance is required to submit these Papers to Parliament for consideration.
I would want to crave your indulgence and that of my Hon Colleagues to lay these Papers on behalf of the Hon Minister.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:58 p.m.
Very well.
Minority bench, what do you say to the application?
Mr Chireh 1:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, this Order Paper Addendum and the list of things really confirm exactly what we complained about this morning. When did it occur to the Majority Side that these Papers should be laid?
As soon as Hon Members finished their contributions to the Statement, they left the Chamber. What is that? We cannot do Business like that. We cannot be sure that these were agreed upon with the Leadership.
Mr Speaker, I would take the risk of agreeing to this, but this should be the last thing they should do because the Majority, particularly under the Hon Leader, is not doing -- [Interruption.] If they challenge me, I would raise an issue.
rose
Mr Chireh 1:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, he should sit down. I am speaking; he cannot challenge me. Why?
Mr Speaker, reluctantly, on behalf of the Minority, we would listen to the litany of loans and Agreements, which is now normal. It is no longer against --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:58 p.m.
Very well.
Item numbered (a)(i) on the the Order Paper Addendum by the Hon Majority Leader.
By the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs (on behalf of) the Minister for Finance --
i. Third Addendum Supplemental to the Master Facility Agreement dated 16th December, 2011 as amended by an Addendum dated 21st June, 2013 and an Addendum dated 15th December, 2017;
Referred to the Committee on Finance.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:58 p.m.
Item numbered (a)(ii).
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I noticed that the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance has just re-entered the House. In order that the leadership of the Ministry would have their hands on this, I would want to bow out of this to allow the Hon Deputy Minister to lay the Papers on behalf of the substantive Hon Minister.
Mr Speaker, but that would, of course, have to come with the agreement of the Chair and the indulgence of the House.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:08 p.m.
Very well.
Hon Deputy Minister - items numbered (a) (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) on the Order Paper Addendum.
By the Deputy Minister for Finance (Mrs Abena Osei-Asare)(on behalf of) the Minister for Finance) --
ii. Third Subsidiary Agreement between the Republic of Ghana and China Development Bank (CDB) for an
amount of one hundred and eighty five million, five hundred and seventy thousand United States dollars (US$ 185,570,000.00) in relation to Coastal Fishing Landing Sites Project under the Tranche B Facility;
iii. Fourth Subsidiary Agreement between the Republic of Ghana and China Development Bank (CDB) for an amount of two hundred and ten million, six hundred and sixty thousand United States dollars (US$ 210,660,000.00) in relation to the Accra Intelligent Traffic Management Project under the Tranche B Facility;
iv. Second Addendum Supplemental to the Five Party Agreement (FPA) dated 13th June, 2012 as amended by an Addendum dated 21st June, 2013, a second Addendum dated 15th December, 2017.
v. Additional Accounts Agreement between the Republic of Ghana and China Development Bank (CDB);
vi.Charge Over Additional Accounts between the Republic of Ghana and China Development Bank
(CDB);

Item numbered vii?

By the Deputy Minister for Finance (Mrs Abena Osei-Asare) (on behalf of the Minister for Finance) --

vii. Deed of Confirmation to Offtaker Agreement between GNPC, acting on behalf of the Government of the Republic of
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:08 p.m.


Ghana as Seller and UNIPEC Asia Company Limited as Buyer; and

viii. Deed of Security Confirmation between Republic of Ghana and China Development Bank (CDB)

Referred to Finance Committee.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:08 p.m.
Item numbered b) by the Hon Minister for Finance. Yes, Hon Deputy Minister for Finance?
By the Deputy Minister for Finance (Mrs Abena Osei-Asare) (on behalf of the Minister for Finance) --
Deferred Payment Agreements between the Republic of Ghana represented by the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Roads and Highways and Synohydro Corporation Limited setting the terms and conditions of the deferral of payments under the EPC Contract Agreement in respect of Construction/Rehabilitation of Selected Roads and Interchanges in Ghana -- Phase 1.
Referred to the Finance Committee and Roads and Transport Committee.
Mr Chireh 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I will suggest that you add the Leadership of the Roads and Transport Committee to this particular referral.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:08 p.m.
Do you mean the referral?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:08 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, what is your view on that?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it ensues from the Contract Agreement
and in that regard, maybe, if we add just the Leadership, it will be acceptable.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:08 p.m.
Very well.
The Paper is duly laid and it is referred to the Committee on Finance.
I direct that the Leadership of the Committee on Roads and Transport join the Finance Committee in the consideration.
Item numbered (c) -- by the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we understand that the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways is responding to an emergency matter and so, even though he was here, he had to leave the Chamber.
In that regard, may I seek permission for the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance - [Interruption] -
rose
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, you would instruct the Hon Governs Agbodza that when I am on my feet and he is not on a point of order, he should, at least, allow me to talk.
So, maybe, I could lay the document on behalf of the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:08 p.m.
I said that do so on behalf of the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, on similar lines as we did for item numbered (a), we dealt with (a)( i) and then we went to (ii) and so on.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:08 p.m.
Are they different Agreements? Very well. So item numbered (c) (i).
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, item numbered (c) (i) and then this one now explains -- But let me lay the document and I thought that because they all come under (c) --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:08 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, it is one; the rest are just the breakdown of the Agreements.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, that is so. I was just drawing your attention to that.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:08 p.m.
So, Commercial Agreements including Financing Cost --
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I was just going to apply that we put all together and I do the bowing for the entirety of what is captured under item numbered (c).
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:08 p.m.
So, item numbered c) by the Hon Majority Leader?
By the Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs (on behalf of the Minister for Roads and Highways) -
i. Commercial Agreements including Financing Cost in the amount of up to US$646,637, 879.74 between the Government of the Republic of Ghana, represented by the Ministry of Roads and Highways and Synohydro Corporation Limited for the following road Projects constituting Phase 1 Projects under the Master Project Support Agreements
(MPSA);
i. Accra Inner-City Roads;
ii. Kumasi Inner-City Roads;
iii. Tamale Interchange Project;
iv. PTC Roundabout Interchange Project, Takoradi;
v. Adentan-Dodowa Dua l Carriageway;
vi. Sunyani Inner-City Roads;
vii. Western Region and Cape Coast Inner-City Roads;
viii. Upgrading of Selected Feeder Roads in Ashanti and Western Regions;
ix. Rehabilitation of New Abirem to Ofoasekuma Road; and
x. Hohoe-Jasikan Dodi-Pepesu road.
Referred to the Committees on Roads and Transport and Finance.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it should rather be, the Leadership of the Committee on Finance but essentially, it is to the Committee on Roads and Transport.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:08 p.m.
Very well.
It is referred to the Committee on Roads and Transport and the Leadership of the Committee on Finance.
Item numbered (c) ii?
By the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs (on behalf of the Minister for Roads and Highways) -
ii. Addenda to the Commercial Agreements.
Referred to the Committee on Roads and Transport supported by the Leadership of the Committee on Finance.
Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is past 2 o'clock and you may adjourn the House.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:08 p.m.
Very well.
Yes, Hon available Minority Leader?
Mr Chireh 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much.

We have agreed and supported all this, but I am just urging them that if they continue like this next week, there would be problems in the House.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with such conduct, the Hon Member for Wa West should be divested of that momentary authority that he enjoys as the Hon available Minority Leader.

It is important that we attend to the Business of this House. Today is Friday, I know that as much as he knows.

I was about walking out because of the programme that we have up north, and I am told that the aircraft is leaving at 3 o'clock and the rest of my Hon Colleagues are all there and so I have to quickly exit and get there.

Mr Speaker, so, he knows the programme that we have on hand as well as others that require the attention of

other Hon Members but the principle is well understood.

Thank you and I guess that my Hon Colleague, the Hon Majority Chief Whip is here to assume responsibility for any good thing that may come from the Hon Yieleh Chireh.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:18 p.m.
Hon Members, I believe that the vein in which the available Hon Leader spoke should be added to by what happened in the morning. Indeed, I have used every trick I have. I am embarrassed to use “trick”, but that is what I did to keep the House going.
There was an application for the House to adjourn because we did not have a quorum and I said that the bell should be rung so that we wait for a 10-minute period, but it has been three or four hours and we are still here. I have not confirmed whether Hon Members are --
Indeed, at any point in time, Hon Members ought to take the work of the House seriously. I believe that the call is apt except that it is not to the Majority Side, but it is to all Hon Members. If we take a look at the Votes and Proceedings we would find that over 100 Hon Members are recorded to be present.
For me, it is that part which is frustrating. Hon Members are present on paper but they would sit in their offices and not come here. So I must also advise that if a quorum is raised again I would apply the rules strictly.
On that note, I would proceed to adjourn the House.
ADJOURNMENT 2:18 p.m.
  • The House was adjourned at 2.21 p.m. till Tuesday 13th November, 2018, at 10.00 a.m.