Debates of 1 Feb 2019

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:23 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:23 a.m.
Mr Speaker 10:23 a.m.
Hon Members, correction of Votes and Proceedings dated Thursday, 31st January, 2019.
Mr Speaker 10:23 a.m.
Hon Members, we have the Official Report of 4th December, 2018 for correction.
Mr Speaker 10:23 a.m.
Hon Members, we would move on to the Business Statement for the Second Week.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 10:23 a.m.
Chairman of the Business Committee/ Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah- Bonsu) 10:23 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Committee met yesterday, Thursday, 31st January, 2019 and arranged Business of the House for the Second Week ending Friday, 8th February, 2019.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 10:23 a.m.
Arrangement of Business
Oaths
The Member-elect for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency is expected to take and subscribe to oaths during the week.
Formal Communications by the Speaker
Mr Speaker, you may read any available communication to the House.
Question(s)
Mr Speaker, the Business Committee has scheduled the following Ministers to respond to Questions asked of them during the week:
Mr Speaker, eight (8) Ministers are expected to attend upon the House to respond to thirteen (13) Questions during the Week.
Statements.
Mr Speaker, pursuant to Order 70(2), Ministers of State may be permitted to make Statements of Government policy. Statements duly admitted by the Mr Speaker may be made in the House by Hon Members, in accordance with Order 72.
Bills, Papers and Reports
Mr Speaker, Bills may be presented to the House for First Reading in accordance with Order 120. However, those of urgent nature may be taken through the various stages in one day in accordance with Order 119.
Pursuant to Order 75, Papers for presentation to the House may be placed on the Order Paper for laying. Committee reports may also be presented to the House for consideration.
Motions and Resolutions
Mr Speaker, Motions may be debated and their consequential Resolutions, if any, taken during the week.
Joint Caucus Meeting
Mr Speaker, a Joint Caucus meeting is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, 5th February, 2019 after adjournment. Outstanding pertinent matters would be discussed. In this regard all Hon Members are therefore encouraged to avail themselves at the meeting.
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.

Oaths --

The Member-elect for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency to take and subscribe to oaths

Questions--

*491. Mr George Nenyi Kojo Andah (Awutu-Senya West): To ask the Minister for Fisheries and Aqua- culture what plans the Ministry has to commence work on the Senya Landing Beach Wharf for which the sod cutting was done by the late Hon Gladys Asmah in the year 2008.

Statements

Presentation of Papers--

(a) Loan Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the African Deve- lopment Bank for an amount of ten million units of Account (UA10.00 million) [equivalent to US$14.00 million] to finance the Ghana Incentive-Based Risk- Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSALP) Project.

(b) The 2019 Work Programme of the Ghana National Petroleum Cor- poration (GNPC).

(c) Report of the Committee on Lands and Forestry on the 2012 Annual Report of the Forestry Commission.

No. of Question(s) i. Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture -- 1 ii. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration -- 1 iii. Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs -- 1 iv. Minister for Communications -- 1 v. Minister for Works and Housing -- 1 vi. Minister for Finance -- 4 vii. Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources -- 1 viii. Minister for Roads and Highways -- 3

Total Number of Questions -- 13
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 10:23 a.m.
(d)Report of the Committee on Lands and Forestry on the 2013 Annual Report of the Forestry Commission.
(e) Report of the Committee on Lands and Forestry on the 2014 Annual Report of the Forestry Commission.
Motions--
(a) Second Reading of Bills --
Chartered Institute of Bankers (Ghana) Bill, 2018.
(b) Third Reading of Bills --
Right to Information Bill, 2018.
Committee sittings.

Questions--

*484. Mr James Agalga (Builsa North): To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration whether Government has plans to accede to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness and the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons.

*485. Mr Simon Acheampong Tampi (Tatale/Sanguli): To ask the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs why the Tatale/ Sanguli Traditional Council has not been inaugurated, and what steps are being taken to inaugurate the said traditional council.

*486. Mr Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central): To ask the Minister for Communications what steps are being taken to improve mobile telephony in remote parts of Amenfi Central.

*488. Mr Samuel Nartey George (Ningo-Prampram): To ask the Minister for Works and Housing when construction of the Ningo Sea Defence would commence.

Statements

Consideration Stage of Bills--

Payment Systems and Services Bill,

2018.

Committee sittings.

Questions--

*424. Mr Michael Yaw Gyato (Krachi East): To ask the Minister for Finance the amount paid on every GH¢100 transaction on mobile money transfer, whether the payment is made at the point of deposit, withdrawal or both.

*493. Mr Isaac Adongo (Bolgatanga Central): To ask the Minister for Finance how much has the Government of Ghana (Bank of Ghana) paid to GCB Bank for the takeover of selected assets and liabilities of UT and Capital Banks, giving full details of terms and conditions of any instrument used for the payments.

*534. Mr Isaac Adongo (Bolgatanga Central): To ask the Minister for Finance why the GCB Bank has not filed its audited financial statements

with the Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Stock Exchange as at 21/05/

2018.

*535. Mr Kwame Govers Agbodza (Adaklu): To ask the Minister for Finance whether the introduction of the ‘Paperless Port' has increased the cost of doing business at the ports.

Statements.

Motions--

(a) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the Kintampo Waterfall Disaster.

(b) 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 Food and 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).

Consideration Stage of Bills--

Payment Systems and Services Bill, 2018. (Continuation)

Committee sittings.

Questions--

*490.Alhaji Habibu Tijani Mohammad (Yendi): To ask the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources when the Yendi Water Expansion Project will commence.

*526. Mr Samuel Nartey George (Ningo-Prampram): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways if the Ministry has any plans to carry out maintenance works on the potholes that have developed at the Steel Works Junction on the Tema - Aflao road.

*527. Mr Patrick Bogyako-Saime (Amenfi East): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways what plans the Ministry has for the construction of the following feeder roads: (i) Bawdie - Suhyenso - Mansiso (ii) Adesu - Afransie - Wassa Ajumako Boyekrom.

*528. Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh (Juaboso): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Benchemah Junction - Ajuafua road, the only available route for commuters in the catchment area would be completed to facilitate the movement of persons and goods including in particular cocoa, as the road is currently virtually impassable.

Statements

Motion--

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.
Mr Speaker 10:33 a.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Majority Leader.
Mr K. Agbodza 10:33 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity and I thank the Hon Majority Leader for the presentation of the Business Statement.
Mr Speaker, taking cognisance of the disturbing news items and things on social media about what happened at Ayawaso Wuogon Constituency yes- terday, can the Business Committee consider urgently, scheduling the Hon Ministers responsible for the Interior and the National Security to fully brief this House as to what exactly happened at Ayawaso West Wuogon, especially since one of our Hon Colleagues in the House was seen in a video clip being assaulted.
Mr Speaker, it would be very helpful if the Hon Ministers responsible for the Interior and the National Security could brief the House as to what exactly happened?
Mr Ras Mubarak 10:33 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to comment on the Business Statement, and in doing so — I have, indeed seen the Agenda that the Hon Majority Leader made reference to.
In the Agenda, there are several reports of the Public Accounts Committee that are scheduled to be looked into on this particular Meeting. Is there a way the Business Committee could give us exact indication because the reports are quite a lot?
There are about seven of those reports that have been pending for nearly a year now since the Public Accounts Committee considered and prepared its report. So if we could get an indication as to exactly when each item in the Agenda would be looked into. It would also very much aid Hon Members of the House.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:33 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the issue raised by Hon Ras Mubarak is of concern to all of us, and indeed, I must admit it is germane to the Business that we would be conducting in the House.
Mr Speaker, further to what he has said, there are referrals, many of them to many Committees, and the Committees are not transacting business on them. They need to sit on those referrals, finish with the business and submit their reports to us.
Mr Speaker, I agree with the request by Hon Ras Mubarak that we should pry into those reports and see which ones are ready and could be taken as soon as possible. I would also want to emphasise the point that I already made, that the other Committees should be much more proactive in the referrals that have been made to them and submit their reports.
We have eleven weeks. Every now and then, issues come to the House and people are making issues as if Parliament has nothing to do.
Mr Speaker, there is so much work in the Committees that if they submitted them and we were to deal with only those items, we would require, at least, about three weeks to deal with all of them, and yet the Committees are not bringing the reports. This is just to add to what he has said.
Mr Speaker, the other request by Hon Agbodza, that the Hon Ministers for the Interior and National Security be invited to the House to give a briefing as to what
he alleges transpired during the course of the elections, first of all, it is not part of this Business Committee's Report.
The Business Committee met before the conduct of the elections and so we could not have factored that into the report. Secondly, I keep insisting that the Business Committee does not generate its own agenda. If he deems it appropriate to make the request for the Hon Ministers to be invited, he knows what to do.
He should not make the request to me. He should make the request in the name of the House to the Speaker of Parliament. But if he says it is adjunct to the report that I have submitted and he comes on the wings of that, he knows that he is wrong, and he knows what to do.
Mr Speaker, let him do the appropriate thing and the appropriate response would be given to him.
Mr Speaker 10:33 a.m.
Hon Members, the Business Statement as presented is hereby admitted accordingly.
Hon Members, item listed 4 — Questions.
If the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways would please come up. Question *521 stands in the name of the Hon Member for Amenfi West.
ORA L ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 10:33 a.m.
MINISTRY OF ROADS AND 10:33 a.m.
HIGHWAYS 10:33 a.m.
Minister for Roads and Highways (Mr Kwasi Amoako-Attah) 10:33 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
(i) Asankragwa Town Roads
There are two (2) major road projects being executed in Asankrangwa township. They are:
a. Upgrading of Asankrangwa Town Roads (3.0km), and
b. Emergency Asphaltic Overlay of Selected Arterial and Collector Roads in Asankrangwa.
Background
Asankrangwa town is located within Amenfi East District of the Western Region. As part of Department of Urban Road's (DUR) objective to improve the network in Asankrangwa, it has commenced work on some selected arterials and distributor/ collector roads.
Upgrading of Asankrangwa Town Roads (3.0km)
Current programme
The contract for the Upgrading of Asankrangwa town roads (3.0km) was awarded on 15th August, 2016. The works commenced on 1st November, 2016 for completion on 31st October, 2017 which has since elapsed. The progress of work to date is projected at 50.0 per cent. physical completion.
The contractor has suspended work as a result of the employer's undue delay in paying for work done. The project is financed from the Ghana Road Fund.
Mr Speaker 10:43 a.m.
Hon Member, any follow up question?
Mr E. Afful 10:43 a.m.
Mr Speaker, from the Answer given by the Hon Minister, I would want us to do some corrections here. Asankrangwa is not in Amenfi East; it is in Amenfi West and it is the Municipal capital of Amenfi West.
Secondly, Samreboi is not located in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality; it is in Amenfi West.
Mr Speaker, going to my main follow up question, I am happy to attest to the
fact that the progress of work as of now is five per cent physical completion since April 2018 on the Breman Fordjorkrom Road. The contractor has vacated site for the past six months. So, I would want the Hon Minister to let me know when the contractor would be going back to site to continue with the project.
Mr Amoako-Attah 10:43 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to thank my Hon Colleague for the correction he drew my attention to. I have taken note of those corrections.
Mr Speaker, I would have to investigate that because to the best of my knowledge and the information I have, the contractor had been on site. He only left site during the Christmas season and I am told that he is gone back to site.
So I would have to do a follow up to make sure that the contractor is on site. It is true that he left site for a period and he was to go back just after the Christmas season. So my information is that he is mobilising to go to site and I would follow up on that.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 10:43 a.m.
Hon Member, any further question?
Mr E. Afful 10:43 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I believe I am all right with the response to Question 521.
Mr Speaker 10:43 a.m.
Hon Members, Question numbered 522 - Hon Member for Amenfi West?
Closure of Road between Samreboi and Woman-No-Good
*522. Mr Eric Afful asked the Minister for Roads and Highways whether the Ministry was aware that the road between Samreboi through Woman-No-Good to Prestea has been closed down for over
Mr Speaker 10:43 a.m.
Hon Minister, you may answer the Question.
Mr Amoako-Attah 10:43 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
Background
The Aboi Nkwanta - Mumuni road route, route123 and Prestea - Samreboi Roads route R121 lies within the central forest belt of the Western Region. They are located in the Amenfi West and Prestea Huni Valley Districts of the Western Region respectively.
The roads are gravel surfaces in fair to poor condition.
Current programme
There are currently two COCOBOD Funded projects on-going, namely the Construction of Aboi Junction - Amoaku Junction-Mumuni road (km 0-45) and the rehabilitation of Prestea - Samreboi road km (0-40).
Aboi junction-Amoako junction-Mumuni Road
The Aboi Junction - Amoaku Junction - Mumuni Road (km 0 -45) was awarded for construction as part of the COCOBOD Funded Projects. This project commenced on 4th August, 2016 and was scheduled for completion on 3rd August, 2019. The progress of work is projected at 63.6 per cent physical completion.
The Prestea - Samreboi Road Project The Prestea - Samreboi road (km 0-40)
project was awarded for rehabilitation as
part of COCOBOD Funded Projects. This project commenced on 11th May 2016 and was scheduled for completion on 11th May, 2019. The progress of work is projected at 42 per cent physical completion.
Both projects are on suspension as a result of the suspension of all COCOBOD funded projects since June, 2017 to allow for general overview and rationalisation of all such projects. Future programme
The Prestea - Samreboi (km 40-44), the 4km stretch of the road which is the cut off section was awarded in November, 2018. The source of funding is the Ghana Consolidated Fund. The contractor is mobilising to start the work.
The continuation and completion of the two COCOBOD funded projects depend on the lifting of the instruction to suspend works and the availability of funds for payment.
Mr Eric Afful 10:53 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to know from the Hon Minister, if the earlier contract by COCOBOD has been abrogated since a new contract to construct the Prestea-Samreboi road has been awarded in November 2018?
Mr Amoako-Attah 10:53 a.m.
Mr Speaker, under normal circumstance, a new contract cannot be awarded if the previous one has not been terminated but in this particular case, we are talking about a different section. That is why I said in my Answer that we are going back to site after we have finished sorting out and the ban lifted off the COCOBOD projects.
Mr Speaker, I am happy to announce that the Ministry has reached an agreement with COCOBOD to take over
all the COCOBOD funded roads across the nation effective this January. So that it would be tackled as soon as practicable.
Mr Eric Afful 10:53 a.m.
Mr Speaker, there was a lot of ambiguities in the Answer. I would want to know whether the COCOBOD contract has been abrogated, so that we could know where to start from because it is mixed up.
Mr Amoako-Attah 10:53 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I was very clear in my Answer. Effective January, my Ministry took over all COCOBOD funded road projects across the country, so there would be a continuation of the contracts. The contractors left site for only one reason, that the roadworks had been suspended for review.
Now that my Ministry has taken over, we would go back to all the COCOBOD funded projects and so, we do not need to terminate the contracts where contractors were properly procured and were on the road before the suspension.
My Ministry has begun work and we are liaising with all such contractors to go back to the hitherto suspended COCOBOD roads. There is no need for any termination or abrogation prior to beginning the projects. The portfolio of all COCOBOD funded road projects have now come under the Ministry. Very soon, contractors who vacated site would be remobilised to resume work.
Mr Speaker 10:53 a.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Minister.
Question numbered *523 standing in the name of the Hon Member for Ningo- Prampram.
Dr Clement A. Apaak 10:53 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I seek your leave to ask Question numbered
523 on behalf of the Hon Samuel Nartey George.
Mr Speaker 10:53 a.m.
You may proceed.
Construction of Speed Ramps (Tsopoli, Dawa, Afienya Townships and
et cetera Roads) Dr Clement A. Apaak (on behalf of Mr
Samuel Nartey George) asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the request for speed ramps in the Tsopoli, Dawa and Afienya townships, on the Tema-Aflao road and the Tema-Akosombo road respectively would be addressed to forestall the continuous unfortunate loss of lives.
Mr Amoako-Attah 10:53 a.m.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Background
The Tema - Aflao and Tema - Akosombo roads are part of the national route N1 and N2 respectively. The routes connect the eastern corridor of the country to the capital, Accra. The townships of Tsopoli, Dawa and Afienya are in the Ningo - Prampram and Shai Osudoku Districts of the Greater Accra region.
The surface conditions of the Tema- Aflao and Tema Akosombo roads are good and fair respectively and are both asphaltic concrete.
Current programme
Due to the high status of these roads in the network hierarchy and their national importance, road safety issues are taken seriously through a rigorous process.
The Ghana Highway Authority will continue with its studies and monitoring of sections of the roads to identify the blackspots for the appropriate road safety interventions.
Dr Apaak 10:53 a.m.
Mr Speaker, looking at the
written response of the Hon Minister, he indicates under Current Programme, the Ghana Highway Authority would continue with its studies and monitoring of sections of the road to identify the black spots for the appropriate road safety interventions.
Mr Speaker, could the Hon Minister give us an indication with regard to the time that would be required for the study to be completed?
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:03 a.m.
Mr Speaker, as indicated in the Answer, studies by the Ghana Highway Authority are ongoing. Black spots are very dangerous, and we have notices to that effect. About six spots have been identified, and there is a procedure for doing them.
The nature of the black spots and the danger that a particular black spot poses would determine the type of speed ramp to be mounted. So, it has come to our attention and very soon, in about a maximum of three months, depending on the outcome of the studies, speed ramps would be constructed at black spots that require such safety measures.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 11:03 a.m.
Question numbered 524.
Dr Apaak 11:03 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I again rise to crave your indulgence to ask Question numbered 524 on behalf of the Hon Member of Parliament for Ningo- Prampram, Hon Samuel Nartey George.
Mr Speaker 11:03 a.m.
Please, proceed.
Dr Apaak 11:03 a.m.
Mr Speaker, if you must know, Hon Samuel Nartey George is recuperating from the act of lawlessness that he was subjected to.
Completion of Afienya-Dawhenya Road
Dr Clement Apaak (on behalf of Mr Samuel Nartey George asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when construction of the Afienya - Dawhenya road would be completed.
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:03 a.m.
Mr Speaker, Background
The Afienya - Dawhenya Road is Regional route R13. The road length is 7.2km. It lies in the Ningo - Prampram and Shai Osudoku Districts of the Greater Accra Region. The road connects the Tema - Aflao corridor to the Shai area and the Akuapim Ridge.
The road surface is bituminous surface treated. The surface is in fair condition.
Current programme
A contract for the Rehabilitation of the Afienya - Dawhenya Road (7.2km) was awarded to commence on 23rd December, 2014 for completion on 10th June, 2016. The progress of work is projected at 45 per cent physical completion. It is financed from the Consolidated Fund.
The Contractor has suspended works for non - payment of work done.
Future programme
The continuation and completion of the project depends on the payment for work done.
Mr Speaker 11:03 a.m.
Thank you, Hon Minister.
Dr Apaak 11:03 a.m.
Mr Speaker, could the Hon Minister give us an indication as to what is being done to ensure that the contractor receives payment so that he can get back to complete the road in question?
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:03 a.m.
Mr Speaker, that is the exact problem that holds up the work. The project, as indicated, is funded by the Government of Ghana (GoG), which is from the Consolidated Fund. Currently, arrangements are being made by GoG to pay contractors.
I hope that the contractor's turn to be paid would be reached soon, and he could go back to work because the Government has started paying all contractors, both at GoG and the Road Fund.
So I would want to assure the Hon Member that I would follow-up on this particular contractor to ensure that he is part of those that are being paid now, so that he could go back to work.
Mr Speaker 11:03 a.m.
Hon Samuel George is in the House.
Hon Member, do you still have his mandate to continue?
Dr Apaak 11:03 a.m.
Mr Speaker, Hon Samuel George is here; I think he just arrived from his physician. I yield to him.
Mr Speaker 11:03 a.m.
Hon George, if you have a supplementary question to your Question numbered 524, you may ask one question.
Mr Samuel Nartey George 11:03 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am grateful.
Mr Speaker, I would like to further ask that since the contractor has suspended
work for non-payment, does the Hon Minister have a specific timeframe that he could assure the people of Dawhenya and Afienya?
This is because the Hon Minister has been gracious enough to visit that road himself and he knows the difficulty that the people live in there.
Is there a specific timeframe because when I look at the 2019 Budget Statement, there is no mention of that road in the budgetary allocations. Is there a specific timeframe for budgetary releases for this road in the year 2019?
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:03 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it is true that I have visited the project site with my Hon Colleague, so I know the state of that road.
It was not mentioned in the 2019 Budget Statement because it is an ongoing project, so it needed not be repeated.
With the assurance that he wants, I said earlier that currently, GoG, which is the Ministry of Finance, is paying contractors. In fact, payment is also ongoing from the Road Fund.
So, the assurance I can give is that knowing the state of the road, in particular, as I visited there with him, I would follow- up on this. He would have to work with me to follow-up to make sure that the contractor is part of those who are currently being paid to enable him go back to site.
Thank you.
Mr Speaker 11:03 a.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Minister.
Question numbered 525 -- Hon Member for Dormaa West.

525. Mr Ali Maiga Halidu: asked the Minister for Roads and Highways what the status of audit cocoa road contracts was as many communities were cut off due to the rainy season.
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:03 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) had since year 2007 assisted the Government of Ghana in rehabilitating some selected roads within the country, especially feeder roads that lead to cocoa and coffee growing areas.
In the immediate past Administration of the country, a number of road projects, not only on feeder roads but on trunk and urban roads, were awarded with a total commitment exceeding GH¢10.0 billion covering over 150 projects.
When the current Administration took over in January, 2017, the new Board met and assessed the commitment on road projects including amounts outstanding for payment to contractors for work done. COCOBOD, in June 2017, decided to suspend all road projects financed by the Board while an audit team was set up to physically ascertain projects that were, indeed, awarded and on-going.
The field audit was to enable COCOBOD undertake a general review of the numerous projects and based on the stages of work done, rationalise the contracts.The audit team was to recommend projects for (a) continuation to completion (b)rationalisation by reviewing the scope of works and (c) termination.
To date, only audit reports on road contracts in Western and Brong Ahafo Regions have been submitted to the Agencies under the Ministry.
This notwithstanding, a decision is being taken for all the COCOBOD road projects to revert to the Ministry of Roads and Highways and its Agencies for implementation while COCOBOD finds money to pay all contractors for work done to-date.
The Ministry of Roads and Highways will have to assess the outstanding works, re-package them for re-award to the same contractors. Only the employer in these new contracts will change from COCOBOD to Ministry of Roads and Highways.
Mr Speaker 11:13 a.m.
Thank you very much. Hon Halidu, any follow up?
Mr Halidu 11:13 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am done. Thank you.
Mr Richard Acheampong 11:13 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity.
Mr Speaker 11:13 a.m.
No.
[Interruption]----
Mr Eric Opoku 11:13 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to ask this Question.
In the Hon Minister's Answer, he indicated that contracts awarded under the cocoa roads amounted to over GH¢10billion. In the 2017 Budget Statement presented before this honourable House, paragraph 371 under the heading; Cocoa Roads, Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister for Finance stated that:
“Mr Speaker, over the past three years, COCOBOD allocated US$450million (GH¢1.6billion) to the rehabilitation of cocoa roads. COCOBOD has so far awarded contracts totalling GH¢5.1billion”.
So, the Hon Minister for Finance indicated that the cost of all the cocoa roads is GH¢5.1billion. But today, the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways is talking about over GH¢10billion. So which one is correct? We want the Hon Minister to answer this. [Interruption] --
Mr Speaker, I would just want to find out from the Hon Minister which one is the truth because this is a House of records and when he gives conflicting information, we must understand which one is accurate and could be relied upon?
Mr Speaker 11:13 a.m.
Hon Minister? Hon Majority Leader, were you in a process of --
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:13 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the question is not clear to me; perhaps he is confusing the issues. I am talking about projects that were awarded and I have given the number of projects awarded as 150; and GH¢10 billion covering 150 projects will not be surprising.
Mr Speaker, we are talking about the awards made; I did indicate in my Answer that some of the projects could not even take off. I am sure that in the Hon Minister for Finance's Budget Statement, he was referring to projects that were captured by him that payment could be effected, but what I have given is the correct information from my Ministry.
That was the value of the contracts awarded from COCOBOD and that is why they set up that technical committee to review and to rationalise them. That is the information at COCOBOD.
Mr R. Acheampong 11:13 a.m.
Mr Speaker, re- ferring to paragraph 5 of the Hon Minister's Answer, we are told that some of the reports are ready; that is for the Brong-Ahafo and Western Regions.
Mr Speaker, in the year 2017 we were told in this country that the cost of some of the cocoa roads awarded under the previous administration, were inflated and some of the contracts never existed.
So now that the reports of two regions are ready, can the Hon Minister share these reports with the general public so that we can authenticate whatever allegations were made in those days and to better appreciate what the Hon Minister has stated in his Answer?
Mr Speaker 11:13 a.m.
Whereas this may be a good question, it requires notice. You may ask it in a Question that stands on its own. This is not meant to be a whole discussion on cocoa roads.
Hon Minister --
rose
Mr Speaker 11:13 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member, this will be the last follow-up question.
Mr Ahi 11:13 a.m.
Mr Speaker, according to the Hon Minister, in June 2017, COCOBOD decided to suspend all road projects financed by the Board whiles an audit team was set up to physically ascertain projects that were indeed awarded and on-going.
Again, the Hon Minister stated that till date, only audited reports on road contracts in the Western and Brong Ahafo Regions have been submitted to the agencies under the Ministry.
Mr Speaker, can the Hon Minister tell us when the remaining reports on the other regions would be ready?
Mr Speaker 11:13 a.m.
Do you mean reports in general?
Mr Ahi 11:13 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I mean reports on the other remaining regions.
Mr Speaker 11:13 a.m.
Do you mean remaining
reports regarding which no question has been asked or what?
Mr Ahi 11:13 a.m.
Mr Speaker, --
Mr Speaker 11:13 a.m.
Hon Member, do you mean the cocoa roads as a whole?
Mr Ahi 11:13 a.m.
Mr Speaker, yes.
Mr Speaker 11:13 a.m.
Hon Members, anyone who wants to ask a general question on cocoa roads should ask such a question. It does not come from this question.
Mr Ahi 11:13 a.m.
Mr Speaker?
Mr Speaker 11:13 a.m.
Any question from Leadership? Otherwise, Hon Minister, thank you very much for attending to the House to answer our Questions.
Mr Amoako-Atta 11:13 a.m.
None

If any Hon Member is inclined -- Hon Minister? Very well, you may.
Mr Amoako-Atta 11:23 a.m.
Mr Speaker, COCOBOD is not under my Ministry. I am reporting on what took place at COCOBOD and in my Answer I said that COCOBOD had undertaken a general review.
Out of the Reports on the two regions, that is the Western and Brong Ahafo Regions, which have been submitted to my Ministry -- I have not said that the Report on the other eight regions are not available; I have not said so. I am only reporting on what had come to my Ministry. That is the statement I made so I have not said anything contrary to what is in the Report.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 11:23 a.m.
Mr Speaker, just to afford the Hon Minister an opportunity on the discrepancy to the 2017 Financial Statement by the Hon Minister for Finance, particularly on paragraph 371 on page 72. Mr Speaker, I beg to quote:
“COCOBOD has so far awarded c o n t r a c t s t o t a l G H ¢5.1 billion”.
Mr Speaker, I beg to quote the Hon
Minister's Answer on page 10 11:23 a.m.
“… but on trunk and urban roads were awarded with a total commitment exceeding GH¢10.0 billion ...”
Mr Speaker, I want to ask for the record whether it is GH¢5.1 billion or GH¢10.0 billion.
Mr Amoakoa-Attah 11:23 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I do not see any discrepancy at all. From my Ministry's point of view, I have said that contracts had been awarded and I have given the number of contracts and the amount.
Mr Speaker, contracts could be awarded and if perhaps they have not been taken off, then definitely the Ministry of Finance would not capture it.
So the GH¢ 10.0 billion I have spoken about is factual. The Ministry of Finance for its financial records and for purposes of capturing what ought to be paid might have put it at GH¢5.1 billion. Mr Speaker, so there is no discrepancy at all.
Mr Speaker 11:23 a.m.
Hon Minister, thank you very much for attending to the House --
rose
Mr Speaker 11:23 a.m.
Hon Majority Leader, do you want to ask a question?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:23 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister was on the verge of being discharged when the Hon Minority Leader intervened and I am happy that you have granted me some space.
Mr Speaker, I would want to ask the Hon Minister whether it is the case in his Ministry that they do constant review of award of contracts just as we saw this year, that the provisional GDP for 2016 was 3.7 per cent and reported in the 2017 Budget Statement, but in 2019 when it was reviewed it came to 2.2 per cent.
Mr Speaker, is it the case that they are constantly reviewing their contracts?
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:23 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I think that is a fair question -- [Laughter]
Mr Speaker, projects definitely undergo regular reviews and so projects are not static because they are related to sources of funding and they also relate to the capacity of contractors and so on. Mr Speaker, so, it is true that in my Ministry projects are reviewed from time to time.
Mr Speaker, thank you.
Mr Speaker 11:23 a.m.
Hon Minister, thank you very much.
Hon Members, a question may be asked sometimes to solicit further elucidation on any Answer.
Hon Minister, thank you for attending to the House and attending to our Questions.
At the commencement of public business -- item numbered 6 -- Motions.
Hon Chairman of the Committee, are you ready?
rose
Mr Speaker 11:23 a.m.
Hon Minority Leader?
Mr Iddrisu 11:23 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I have been trying to catch your attention and to come under Standing Order 72 --
Mr Speaker 11:23 a.m.
Hon Minority Leader, you have not been trying; you just got up and I have acknowledged you. So, say that and let us proceed.
Mr Iddrisu 11:23 a.m.
Mr Speaker, may I refer you to Standing Order 72 and I raise this in relation to Standing Order 53.
“By the indulgence of the House and leave of Mr Speaker a Member may, at the time appointed for statements under Order 53 (Order of Business) explain a matter of personal nature or make a statement on a matter of urgent public importance.”
Mr Speaker, yesterday was an important democratic exercise --
Mr Speaker 11:23 a.m.
And with the?
Mr Iddrisu 11:23 a.m.
Mr Speaker, urgent public importance --
Mr Speaker 11:23 a.m.
No, please start. One may make a Statement on what?
Mr Iddrisu 11:23 a.m.
A matter of urgent public importance.
Mr Speaker 11:23 a.m.
The process being?
Mr Iddrisu 11:23 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am now coming to introduce to you, with ‘your indulgence'. Mr Speaker, yesterday, one --
Mr Speaker 11:23 a.m.
Hon Minority Leader, “a leave of the Speaker”?
Hon Minority Leader, you would do well to let us discuss such matters and then you would give me your relevant notification before this. Definitely, this is not a practice that, without consent from both Hon Leaders, would normally be allowed because the discretion lies with me.
The Leadership have every opportunity to meet with me. Indeed, I saw you this morning and so we would not encourage what I would call “ambush” litigation. It would not be allowed in this -- That is why we have the pre-Sitting meetings. So, I have ruled on this matter.
At the commencement of public business -- item numbered 6 -- Motion, Hon Chairman of the Committee.
Hon Chairman of the Committee (Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah): Mr Speaker, I have conferred with the Hon Majority Leader and we would take the Motion numbered 6 on Tuesday. We want it stood down and taken on Tuesday, hopefully.
Mr Speaker 11:23 a.m.
Very well. Item numbered 6 is stood down.
Hon Members, item numbered 7.
Hon Chairman of the Committee on Lands and Forestry, are we in a position to proceed?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:33 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Report from the Committee is ready.
Unfortunately, the Leadership of the Committee are unavailable. So, we may stand it down till next week and take same in all probability on Wednesday.
Mr Speaker 11:33 a.m.
Very well, items numbered 6 and 7 are put for Wednesday. Table Office to list that accordingly.
Item numbered 8 -- Right to Information Bill, 2018. We dealt with this yesterday, and I gave some directives.
Hon Majority Leader, it appears your items are exhausted. We have finished with the Business listed. Could we have a Motion for adjournment?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:33 a.m.
Mr Speaker, for item numbered 8, we have had some discussions on that.
Mr Speaker 11:33 a.m.
Hon Majority Leader, we are not handling item numbered 8 today.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:33 a.m.
Yes, we have not concluded the discussions that we should have on that. So, we would stand it down for further consultations.
Mr Speaker 11:33 a.m.
We have already put it down till Tuesday in your absence. You have not been briefed.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:33 a.m.
Mr Speaker, in my absence, it was stood down for Tuesday. So, we would continue the discussions on that and take it --
Mr Speaker 11:33 a.m.
We have put that down for Tuesday. Please, consult your colleagues who were present accordingly.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:33 a.m.
Mr Speaker, that is what I am saying; already, we have had some discussions.
The Hon Minority Leader and I, and indeed at the Business Committee, had some discussions. I am reporting that, accordingly, we could take it next week. I would even want to believe that on either Tuesday or Wednesday, we can take it.
Mr Speaker 11:33 a.m.
That is for Tuesday, then. Please, any Motion?
Hon Minority Leader?
Mr Iddrisu 11:33 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I appreciate your ruling on the matter when I referred to Standing Order 72. However, one of our Hon Members of Parliament (MPs) was assaulted yesterday --
Mr Speaker 11:33 a.m.
Hon Minority Leader, please, we shall not breed by the window, that which has been refused by the door. [Interruption.]
An Hon Member 11:33 a.m.
What is the law?
Mr Iddrisu 11:33 a.m.
I would come properly by a Motion on the assault on the Hon Samuel George on Tuesday.
Mr Speaker 11:33 a.m.
Is somebody asking me what the law is so that I will elucidate? That is most unparliamentary?
Hon Majority Leader, shall we have an application at this stage?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:33 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it appears we have finished with the Business for today.
That being the case and today being Friday, I believe we could take an adjournment, for which reason I move that this House takes an adjournment to reconvene on Tuesday of next week at
Mr Iddrisu 10 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion for adjournment.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
ADJOURNMENT 10 a.m.
  • The House was accordingly adjourned at 11.38 a.m. till Tuesday, 5th February, 2019 at 10.00 a.m.