Debates of 15 Nov 2018

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:25 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Hon Members, we would take the item listed number 2, Correction of Votes and Proceedings and the Official Report.
Hon Members, we have the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 14 th November, 2018.
Page 1…7
rose
Mr Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member?
Mr George 10:25 a.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, on page 7, I have been marked as absent, but I was in the Chamber yesterday. Therefore, with your permission, I would like the Table Office to make the necessary correction.
rose
Mr Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Yes, Hon Yieleh Chireh?
Mr Chireh 10:25 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, if we look at item numbered 7 on page 7, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye is reported to have made the Statement on

World Diabetes Day, but the Statement was not made by him, but by Dr Mark Kurt Nawaane. So, I would want the records to reflect it properly.
Mr Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Member.
Hon Members, Hon Okoe Boye made a contribution, but he was not the Hon Member who made the Statement.
Hon Members, any other corrections?
Page 7…8 --
rose
Mr Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member for Ningo-Prampram?
Mr George 10:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on page 8, the second line of paragraph 8 says: “The Rt. Hon Speaker e referred…” The letter “e” before the word “referred” should be deleted.
Mr Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Member.
The word is rightly expunged.
Hon Members, any further correc- tions?
rose
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 10:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on page 8, item numbered 8, the word “Adoagyri” is spelt wrongly. It should rather be spelt as “A-d-o-a-g-y-i-r-i”. There should be the letter “i” after the letter “y”.
Mr Speaker 10:25 a.m.
The change is duly effected. Thank you very much, Hon Member.
rose
Mr Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Hon Member, are you on your feet?
Mr Hottordze 10:25 a.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, on page 7, I have been marked as absent even though I was in the House yesterday.
Mr Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Very well. The correction should be effected accordingly.
rose
Dr Sandaare 10:25 a.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Hon Member, we have made progress beyond that.
rose
Mr Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member?
Mr Mercer 10:25 a.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, I am sorry to have to take you back to page 7.
Mr Speaker, on the same paragraph 7, I believe that the World Diabetes Day, which is captured as “falling of” 14th November each year, should rather be captured as “fall on”, and not “fall of”.
Mr Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Very well. Thank you, Hon Member.
Page 8…12 --
rose
Mr Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader.
Ms Safo 10:35 a.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, on page 12, the amendment that was proposed on subclause 4, after the word “illiterate”, I believe that the “comma” there is irrelevant and should be deleted. So, in all, it would read:
“Where the applicant is illiterate and the request has…”
So, with the presence of the word “and”, we would need to take off that comma.
Mr Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Deputy Majority Leader.
Page 12…24 --
Hon Members, the Votes and Pro- ceedings of Wednesday 14th November, 2018, as corrected is hereby admitted as the true record of proceedings.
Hon Members, there being no Statement for this morning, I proceed to item listed number 4 on the Order Paper.
At the Commencement of Public Business -- The following Paper is to be presented by the Hon Minister for Finance -- Annual Report on the Petroleum Funds for the 2018 Fiscal year.
Ms Sarah Adwoa Safo 10:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, obviously, the Hon Minister for Finance is in the premises. [Interruption.] I know the entire Leadership of the House is aware of this fact.
Mr Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Order!
Ms Safo 10:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we have one of our own -- the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance is in the House as well. She has worked together with the Hon Minister for Finance -- [Uproar.]
Mr Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Hon Members, item listed 4 -- Hon Minister for Finance.
PAPERS 10:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Item listed 5 -- Motion.

Hon Members, Order!
MOTIONS 10:35 a.m.
REAL SECTOR PERFORMANCE 10:35 a.m.
MONETARY SECTOR PERFORMANCE 10:35 a.m.
EXTERNAL SECTOR DEVELOPMENTS 10:35 a.m.
FISCAL DEVELOPMENTS 10:35 a.m.
PETROLEUM RECEIPTS AND 10:35 a.m.
PUBLIC DEBT DEVELOPMENTS FOR 10:35 a.m.
TERM POLICY OBJECTIVES AND 10:35 a.m.
TARGETS 10:35 a.m.
VISION AND OBJECTIVES 10:35 a.m.
FISCAL OBJECTIVES 10:35 a.m.
FISCAL TARGETS 10:35 a.m.
REAL SECTOR OUTLOOK 10:35 a.m.
OUTLOOK FOR THE MONETARY AND 10:35 a.m.
EXTERNAL SECTORS 10:35 a.m.
FINANCIAL SECTOR POLICY 10:35 a.m.
INITIATIVES UPDATES 10:35 a.m.
FISCAL SECTOR OUTLOOK 10:35 a.m.
REVENUE MEASURES 10:35 a.m.
PETROLEUM REVENUE 10:35 a.m.
SECTORAL PERFORMNCE AND KEY 10:35 a.m.
MEDIUM TERM 10:35 a.m.
ADMINISTRATION SECTOR 10:35 a.m.
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT 10:35 a.m.
OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF MONITORING AND 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF REGIONAL RE- 10:35 a.m.
ORGANIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT 10:35 a.m.
PARLIAMENT OF GHANA 10:35 a.m.
AUDIT SERVICE 10:35 a.m.
PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION 10:35 a.m.
ELECTORAL COMMISSION 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND 10:35 a.m.
REGIONAL INTEGRATION 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF FINANCE 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT 10:35 a.m.
AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT 10:35 a.m.
NATIONAL MEDIA COMMISSION 10:35 a.m.
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING 10:35 a.m.
COMMISSION 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY 10:35 a.m.
AFFAIRS 10:35 a.m.
ECONOMIC SECTOR 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 10:35 a.m.
COCOA SECTOR 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES AND 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF LANDS AND NATURAL 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY 10:35 a.m.
GRATIS 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ARTS AND 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE, 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF BUSINESS DEVELOP- 10:35 a.m.
MENT 10:35 a.m.
INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF WORKS AND HOUSING 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF ROADS AND HIGHWAYS 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF SANITATION AND 10:35 a.m.
WATER RESOURCES 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS DEVELOP- 10:35 a.m.
MENT 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF AVIATION 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF SPECIAL DEVELOP- 10:35 a.m.
MENT INITIATIVES 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF INNER-CITY AND 10:35 a.m.
ZONGO DEVELOPMENT 10:35 a.m.
SOCIAL SECTOR 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF EMPLOYMENT AND 10:35 a.m.
LABOUR RELATIONS 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF CHIEFTAINCY AND 10:35 a.m.
RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF GENDER, CHILDREN 10:35 a.m.
AND SOCIAL PROTECTION 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH 10:35 a.m.
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CIVIC 10:35 a.m.
EDUCATION 10:35 a.m.
NATIONAL LABOUR COMMISSION 10:35 a.m.
PUBLIC SAFETY SECTOR 10:35 a.m.
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL 10:35 a.m.
AND MINISTRY OF JUSTICE 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE 10:35 a.m.
COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS 10:35 a.m.
AND ADMINISTRATIVE JUSTICE 10:35 a.m.
JUDICIAL SERVICE 10:35 a.m.
MINISTRY OF INTERIOR 10:35 a.m.
OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR 10:35 a.m.
DEVELOPMENT 10:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker 2:14 p.m.
Order!
SPACE FOR APPENDICES - 2:14 p.m.
SPACE FOR APPENDICES 2:14 p.m.
SPACE FOR APPENDIX - 2:14 p.m.
SPACE FOR APPENDIX - 2:14 p.m.
Mr Ofori-Atta 2:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to lay the document.
Mr Speaker 2:14 p.m.
Thank you. You may take your seat.

Thank you very much, Hon Minister for attending to the House and performing your constitutional duty.

Your Excellency, the Vice President, we thank you very much for attending to the House this day which in fact --

Hon Members, Order!

Order!

Please, let us just learn. In fact, he could contribute to debates, the only thing is that he cannot vote. So, Hon Members, we thank His Excellency, the Vice- President.

Hon Members, in accordance with Standing Order 140(3), the debate on the Motion shall stand adjourned for not less than three days:

I also direct that part of the Budget relating to the Ministries and consti- tutional bodies shall stand committed respectively to the Committee responsible for the subject matter to which the heads of the Estimates relate for consideration and report to this Honourable House as under Standing Order 140 (4).

Furthermore, any part of the Budget relating to revenue and expenditure shall stand committed to the Finance Committee in accordance with Standing Order 140(5).

Hon Members, it is passed the hour of 2.00 o'clock and under normal circums- tances, it is reserved for me only to adjourn this House. Out of deference to the Hon Leadership of the House, the Hon Leaders may have a word or two if it so pleases me.

Hon Members, Order!
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 2:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for stepping out of the ordinary and granting me the indulgence.

Mr Speaker, we look forward to a healthy debate. We will not reduce this to a battle of semantics, we will not respond to the repetitions but the Ghanaian economy is doing well even in the face of distressed businesses and growing unemployment. Mr Speaker, you can only adjourn us.
Mr Speaker 2:14 p.m.
Hon Members, Order!
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, let me thank my Hon Colleagues for recognising the sumptuous meal served by the Hon Minister for Finance by giving him a standing ovation. [Laughter.]
Mr Speaker 2:14 p.m.
Order! Order!
Hon Members, I thought that there was a smooth flow when the Hon Minority Leader had his turn. Please let there be a smooth flow.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as you said by quoting Standing Order 143, that after the presentation of the Budget Statement, the debate on it would stand adjourned for a minimum of three days and accordingly we shall respect that.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, let me take this
opportunity to inform Hon Colleagues that at the Business Committee this morning, we have agreed to have a Sitting of this House on Saturday in the lead up to the holding of the Delegates Conference.

Mr Speaker, this is a decision that has been jointly taken by the Leadership of the House including the Majority and Minority Sides and we recognise the importance of the Delegates Conference. We would not do anything to imperil their participation in that conference.

Mr Speaker, that is the decision of the Business Committee and I am just stating this so that Hon Members would take cognisance of it on Saturday morning.

Mr Speaker, nothing would be done to imperil the congress of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and that is why we would have a very early morning Sitting.

Mr Speaker, regarding what to do during the debate, we shall all wait until we get there. We intend to really begin the debate on Tuesday, and as for the initial commentaries, the good Book could always be right when it says that those who have ears should listen.

Mr Speaker, Ghanaians have listened and heard and they are most impressed.
Mr Speaker 2:24 p.m.
Hon Members, thank you very much for attending punctually today, and I hope you would come in the same numbers and be punctual as well tomorrow.
ADJOURNMENT 2:24 p.m.
  • The House was adjourned at 2.29 p.m. till Friday, 16th November, 2018 at 10.00 a.m.