Debates of 21 Feb 2019

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:02 a.m.
Mr Speaker 10:02 a.m.
Hon Members, I would invite the Hon Majority Leader and the Hon Minority Leader to assist me in receiving His Excellency the President.
Mr Speaker 10:22 a.m.
Hon Members, we are honoured to have in the House, His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo -- President of the Republic of Ghana and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces -- together with his wife, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo. [Hear! Hear!]

The former Presidents; Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings and his wife, Mrs Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama.

[Hear! Hear!] -- [Uproar]

Order!

The Chairman and members of the Council of State, Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corp, Traditional and Religious leaders, eminent citizens of our country, my wife Alberta -- [Hear! Hear!] -- Leaders of all political parties in the Republic, distinguished ladies and gentlemen present here.

Hon Members, His Excellency the President is in the House this morning, in accordance with article 67 of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, to deliver his Message on the State of the Nation. On behalf of the Leadership, Hon Members and officers of this House, it is my singular honour to welcome His Excellency the President to this House.

Now, I respectfully invite His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo, to deliver his Message on the State of our Nation.

Thank you.
THE STATE OF THE NATION 10:32 a.m.
OIL AND GAS LICENSING ROUNDS 11:22 a.m.
Mr Speaker 12:12 p.m.
Hon Members, order!
In accordance with Standing Order 58, I wish to convey to His Excellency, the President of the Republic, the gratitude of this honourable House.
I seize this opportunity to express our appreciation to the Ghana Armed Forces, the various security agencies and our own internal security for their services which have ensured the smooth success of this function.
Hon Members, again and in accordance with our practice, a formal
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:12 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the President has come to this House this morning in fulfilment of article 67 which obligates him at the beginning of each Session of Parliament and before a dissolution of Parliament to address Parliament on the Message of the State of the Nation.
Mr Speaker, we have all seen the poise in the delivery which are admirable and commendable. [Hear! Hear!] We shall subject the content, which we have all heard, to scrutiny beginning next week Tuesday.

Mr Speaker, I thank you, and I so move.
Mr Speaker 12:12 p.m.
Hon Minority Leader?
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 12:12 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the President of the Republic and the Commander-in-Chief has dutifully performed his duties, as required of him in the Constitution, in this Chamber, as you have observed with an extraordinary conduct, honour and dignity of the President.
Let today mark the beginning of a rule of thumb that at all times including when he would soon be succeeded -- [Hear! Hear!] -- the same respect -- [Laughter] -- would be accorded.
Mr Speaker, with those affordable houses uncompleted in Ho and the elevation -- [Laughter] -- of the suffering of Ghanaians to misery or prosperity, you are reminded that the safety and security of Ghanaians remain paramount.
With that assurance, we would look up to you in dealing decisively, ruthlessly and timely without any flower given to any partisan actor.

Question put and Motion agreed to.
ADJOURNMENT 12:12 p.m.
  • The House was accordingly adjourned at 12.07 pm till Friday, 22nd February, 2019 at 10.00 am.