Debates of 21 Jun 2019

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:22 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:22 a.m.
Mr Speaker 10:22 a.m.
Hon Members, correction of Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 20th June, 2019.
Mr Speaker 10:22 a.m.
Hon Members, correction of the Official Report of Tuesday, 30th April, 2019.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 10:22 a.m.
Chairman of the Business Committee/Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu) 10:22 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Committee met yesterday, Thursday, 20th June, 2019 and arranged Business of the House for the Fifth Week ending Friday, 28th June, 2019.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 10:22 a.m.
Arrangement of Business
Question(s)
Mr Speaker, the Business Committee has scheduled the following Ministers to respond to Questions asked of them during the week:
iii. Minister for Energy 1
iv. Minister for Finance 4
v. Minister for Roads and Highways 5
Total Number of Questions 12
Mr Speaker, five (5) Ministers are expected to attend upon the House to respond to twelve (12) Questions during the week.
Mr Speaker, when the Business Committee met, we proposed 12 Questions to be answered by five (5) Ministers. Unfortunately, between yesterday and now, the landscape has been altered a bit. The Hon Minister for Finance will not be in the jurisdiction. Mr Speaker, he pleads that he personally comes to assume responsibility of answering those Questions that the Ministry is responsible for.
Mr Speaker, accordingly, the Business Committee would have to meet to reprogramme the Hon Minister to appear in the ensuing week; not the one immediately following.
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 Speaker may be made in the House by Hon Members, in accordance with Order 72.
Bills, Papers and Reports
Mr Speaker, Bills may be pre- sented 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.
No. of Question(s)
i. Minister for the Interior 1
ii. Minister for Defence 1

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 --

Q575. Mr Albert Akuka Alal- zuuga (Garu): To ask the Minister for the Interior what measures the Ministry is putting in place to reduce armed robbery in the country.

Q587. Mr Emmanuel Agyei Anhwere (Atwima Nwabiagya South): To ask the Minister for Defence what has stalled the construction of the Military Hospital at Afari in the Atwima Nwabiagya Municipality, which commenced in 2008.

Statements

Presentation of Papers --

Annual Statement by the Audit Committee of the Bekwai Municipal Assembly for the year

2018.

Motions --

(a) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Semi-Annual Report of the Public Interest and Account- ability Committee (PIAC) on the Management of Petro- leum Revenues for the Period January to June 2018.

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Annual Report on the Petroleum Funds for the 2018 Fiscal Year.

(c)Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Reconciliation Report on the Petroleum Holding Fund for the year 2018.

Consideration Stage of Bills --

Vigilantism and Related Offences Bill, 2019.

Committee Sittings

Questions --

Q593. Dr Mark Kurt Nawaane (Nabdam): To ask the Minister for Energy when electricity supply will be extended to the

following communities in the Nabdam District: (i) Nangudi Techiman (ii) Pelungo Zeemboug (iii) Dasang Nayakora Yagre (iv) Ndamboug Kpalikpii (v) Ngberiboug (vi) Gungware (vii) Zalerigu Zuaya (Bariki) (viii) Zoug/Zogamok (ix) Daliga (x) Logre Tengnaab Yagre.

Q594. Mr Christian Corletey Otuteye (Sege): To ask the Minister for Energy when the following communities will be connected to the national grid: (i) Caesar Korpe Panya (ii) Dogo Korpe (iii) Wonyi.

Q595. Mr Isaac Adjei Mensah (Wassa East): To ask the Minister for Energy when the following communities in the Wassa East District, which have been connected to the national grid under the Self-Help Rural Electrification Project, will be supplied with electricity metres: (i) Wassa Agave (ii) Esaase (iii) Kakokrom (iv) Sodji.

Q596. Mr Wahab Wumbei Suhuyini (Tolon): To ask the Minister for Energy when the following communities will be connected to the national grid: (i) Kpaniyili (ii) Wayamba (iii) Jagriguyili (iv) Buiyili (v) Tibogu (vi) Koblimahigu (vii)

Tuzeenaayili (viii) Botingli (ix) Dalimbihi (x) Zantani.

Q597. Mrs Angela Oforiwa Alorwu-Tay (Afadzato South): To ask the Minister for Energy when the following communities in the Afadzato South District will be connected to the national grid: (i) Gayadzi (ii) Kpokope (iii) New Site (iv) Quarters (v) Azikope (vi) Adakope (vii) Aveyoryoe (viii) Aveyoryoe No. 2 (ix) Kpakope (x) Sadzikope (xi) Akrobotornu (xii) Hadzi- dekorpe.

Q598. Mr Alhassan Umar (Zabzugu): To ask the Minister for Energy when will the contractor return to site and complete the connection of the following communities to the national grid: (i) Korikumgu (ii) Nyankpala (iii) Mongoase (iv) Jagrido.

Statements

Presentation of Papers --

(a) Report of the Finance Committee on the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) Facility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and HSBC Bank
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows 10:22 a.m.


Plc (as Facility Agent and Arranger) for an amount of thirty-one million, five hundred thousand euros (€31,500,000.00) to finance the implementation of the Rural Communities and Small Towns Water Supply Project.

(b) Report of the Finance Committee on the Term Loan Facility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represen- ted by the Ministry of Finance) and HSBC Bank Plc (as Facility Agent and Arranger) for an amount of four million, five hundred thousand euros (€4,500, 000.00) to finance the imple- mentation of the Rural Communities and Small Towns Water Supply Project.

(c)Report of the Committee on Works and Housing on the Supply Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (repre- sented by the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resour- ces) and Aqua Africa Limited for an amount of thirty million euros (€30,000,000.00) relating to the Rural and Peri-

Urban Nano-Filtration Water Projects in Ghana under the Rural Communities and Small Towns Water Supply Project.

Motions --

(a) Adoption of the Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Report of the Auditor- General on the Public Accounts of Ghana (Pre- University Educational Institu- tions) for the Financial Year Ended 31st December, 2015.

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Report of the Auditor- General on the Public Accounts of Ghana (Pre- University Educational Institu- tions) for the Financial Year ended 31st December, 2016.

Consideration Stage of Bills --

Vigilantism and Related Offences Bill, 2019. (Continuation of debate)

Committee sittings

Urgent Question --
Mr Peter Nortsu-Kotoe (Akatsi North) 10:22 a.m.
To ask the Minister for
Finance why the Ministry has failed to release to the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) its appro- priated funds for August to No- vember 2018 and January to May 2019 to enable the GETFund to meet its obligations.
Questions --
Q584. Mr Mohammed Abdul- Aziz (Mion): To ask the Minister for Finance how much has Government paid in judgement debt from January 2017 to date.
Q585. Mr Ernest Henry Nor- gbey (Ashaiman): To ask the Minister for Finance why the Public Procurement Authority is charging company registration fees without Parliamentary approval.
Q586. Mr Yaw Frimpong Addo (Manso Adubia): To ask the Minister for Finance what has been the overall impact of the reforms introduced by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at the ports of entry in the revenue mobilisation drive of the Ministry.
Statements
Motions --
(a) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) Facility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and HSBC Bank Plc (as Facility Agent and Arranger) for an amount of thirty-one million, five hundred thousand euros (€31,500,000.00) to finance the implementation of the Rural Communities and Small Towns Water Supply Project.
Consequential Resolution
(b) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Term Loan Facility Agree- ment between the Govern- ment of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and HSBC Bank Plc (as Facility Agent and Arranger) for an amount of four million, five hundred thousand euros (€4,500,000.00) to finance the implementation of the Rural Communities and Small Towns Water Supply Project.
Consequential Resolution
Mr Peter Nortsu-Kotoe (Akatsi North) 10:22 a.m.


(c) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Works and Housing on the Supply Con- tract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources) and Aqua Africa Limited for an amount of thirty million euros (€30,000,000.00) relating to the Rural and Peri-Urban Nano-Filtration Water Pro- jects in Ghana under the Rural Communities and Small Towns Water Supply Project.

Consequential Resolution

Consideration Stage of Bills --

Vigilantism and Related Offences Bill, 2019. (Continuation of debate)

Committee sittings.

Questions --

Q604. Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo (Ho Central): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways on the status of

works on the dual carriage road from the University of Health and Allied Sciences campus to Titrinu, on the Ho - Aflao road.

Q605. Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo (Ho Central): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when construction of the dual carriage road from Sokode to the centre of Ho, which started in 2016, will be continued and completed.

Q606. Rev John Ntim Fordjour (Assin South): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when bitumen surfacing and upgrade of the following roads will commence: (i) Nyankumase - Jakai (ii) Jakai - Assin Kruwa (iii) Jakai - Kyinso (iv) Assin Manso - Ochiso - Haasowodze.

Q607. Mr Robert Kwasi Amoah (Achiase): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Aperade - Akenkansu road will be considered for construc- tion.

Q608. Mr Robert Kwasi Amoah (Achiase): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways the plans the Ministry has for the Cannan - Achiase road in the Achiase Constituency in the Eastern Region.

Statements

Motions --

Third Reading of Bills

Vigilantism and Related Offences Bill, 2019.

Committee sittings
Mr Speaker 10:32 a.m.
Thank you, Hon Majority Leader
Mr Benjamin K. Kpodo 10:32 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I refer to this week's Business Statement which was presented last Friday and to yesterday's Order Paper which showed a provisional Order Paper indicating that my two Questions numbered 604 and 605 would be taken today. But in today's Order Paper, I have seen that it has been taken off, such that the Business Statement for next week shows that it has been rescheduled for Friday, next week. Can I have some explanation to this since these Questions have been hanging since last year July?
Mr Ras Mubarak 10:32 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I was hoping that the adoption of the Public Accounts Committee Report of the Auditor-General on the
Accounts of District Assemblies would be featured in the Business Statement for next week. The Report is currently ready and there are quite a number of reports that need to be presented. So I was hoping that it would find expression in the Business Statement.
Mr Speaker, I was also hoping that the Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration would have been scheduled to appear before the House to make a Statement on the Floor in view of the seeming rising tension that has been reported lately with regard to our neighbours from Nigeria.
Mr Speaker 10:32 a.m.
Hon Member, you may ask your question.
Mr Ras Mubarak 10:32 a.m.
So could the
-- 10:32 a.m.
Mr Speaker 10:32 a.m.
You may want to ask your question.
Mr Ras Mubarak 10:32 a.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker.
Finally, Mr Speaker, looking at the agenda for this Meeting, it is very heavy, but sadly, we are not moving with a lot of speed. There are some Bills -- for instance, the Disability Bill, 2019; the Aging Bill; the Sugar Bill; and the Affirmative Action Bill. I am hoping that all these very important Bills would find expression in the
Mr Alhassan Umar 10:32 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on the Business Statement, page 2, Question numbered 598 under Alhassan Umar, I see the item (i) spelt wrongly. It is spelt “K-o-r-k-u-r-u- g-u”. The fifth item was also deleted; it is “K-u-k-p-a-l-i-g-a”.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Rockson-Nelson E. K. Dafeamekpor 10:32 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I make reference to the Business Statement presented two weeks ago, which featured two of my Questions. A week ago, the Hon First Deputy Speaker who presided over our Sitting assured the House that, given the peculiar nature of the Questions that I had posed, arrangements would be made for the Judicial Secretary to address the House in camera in respect of the answers that I seek from the Judicial Secretary. I do not see that arrange- ment featuring in the Business Statement for next week.
Mr Speaker, furthermore, I recall that when the law students petitioned this House, the Constitutional, Legal
and Parliamentary Affairs Committee was detailed to deal with the issue and bring a report, which we did, and after the debate, you correctly made recommendations for it to be directed to the General Legal Council to look at the matters that we have considered.
Mr Speaker, I do not find anything indicating that, indeed, the transmittal letter has been sent to the General Legal Council, and whether they have responded or whether they have taken into consideration the suggestions that this House referred to them for consideration.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Kobena M. Woyome 10:32 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to refer to Order 64 which indicates how one who asks an Urgent Question would be given a quick response as needed.
Mr Speaker, I actually asked an Urgent Question about a month ago with regard to the wish of a lot of people out there wanting to know the budget that powers the campaign being embarked on by our national team.
Mr Speaker, the tournament is commencing today and we have not heard any answer. So the Chairman of the Business Committee should tell us whether that has come to the Committee's notice.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:42 a.m.
Mr Speaker, Hon Kpodo's question is about the fact that he filed two Questions which were slated for answering today but they have been moved to next week Friday. The Hon Minister for Roads is not available in Accra and the indication was that he was going to be in charge of the Question. So we had to move it to Friday, next week, because of our own internal arrangement that the Minister for Roads and Highways comes to this House on Fridays to answer Questions. Perhaps, we should have informed you accordingly, that that had been the arrangement.
So, Mr Speaker, it is not out of spite. It is only because the Hon Minister would not be available.

Mr Speaker, Hon Ras Mubarak also asked about the Public Accounts Committee's (PAC's) Report on the Reports of the Auditor-General on the Accounts of District Assemblies for the Financial Years ended 31st December, 2016.

Mr Speaker, that is really slated for today which is Motion captured as the item numbered 7. We have not been able to take this and if you could remember, it was slated for debate on

Wednesday; we shifted it to yesterday and today as well.

The reason is that the Hon Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee has given an indication that he wants to be personally present in the House before we start the debate on that Motion. It explains why we have had to be shifting the goal post in the course of the week.

So those two Reports, that is, the items numbered 7 and 8, which relate to the PAC Report and the other one to the Polytechnics for the period ended 31st December, 2015 would also be programmed for next week. It is because we are not sure of when the Hon Chairman is coming back that we have slated it for today. Certainly, for all intents and purposes, we cannot take the two Motions today, and so we will pre-load them on to next week's agenda.

Mr Speaker, the Hon Ras Mubarak is a very diligent Member of the House and I thought that when items appear on the Order Paper, he will apprise himself of them before he asks questions. The thing is before him and he is asking a question for next week.

Mr Speaker, he is asking when we are going to invite the Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to come to brief this House
Mr Speaker 10:42 a.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Majority Leader.
The Business Statement of the week is admitted accordingly. The item listed 4 -- Questions. Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, if you would please take the appropriate seat.
Hon Member for Ho West?
ORAL ANSWERS TO 10:52 a.m.
QUESTIONS 10:52 a.m.
MINISTRY OF LANDS AND 10:52 a.m.
NATURAL RESOURCES 10:52 a.m.
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources (Mr Kwaku Asomah Cheremeh) 10:52 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I wish to state that the Ministry has not granted any concession for the harvesting of Rosewood or any other forest product within the Kalakpa Resources Reserve. The Reserve is a wildlife conservation area or a protected area currently under the management of the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission. Accordingly, no logging operation is permitted in the Reserve.
Mr Speaker, however, there are a number of illegal settler communities within the Reserve, such as Fosime and Dzroade (Ho West), Vanakope and Dokpo (Adaklu) and Avetakpoe (Central Tongu), which have not been evacuated and resettled outside the Reserve since its creation in 1975. Some of the members of such illegal settler communities carried out illegal logging of Rosewood in the Reserve and were arrested and prosecuted by the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission.
The Rosewood billets were then seized and later auctioned to McDon Company to evacuate them from the Reserve and the appropriate revenue was duly paid.
I therefore confirm that, currently, no concession has been granted to
any individual or organisation within the Reserve.
Mr Speaker 10:52 a.m.
Hon Minister, thank you very much.
Hon Member, any follow-up questions?
Mr Bedzrah 10:52 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister just told this House that McDon Company had been granted the permit as an auctioneer to purchase the illegal logs. I would want to find out from the Hon Minister how McDon Company procured them. Was it sole-sourcing?
Mr A. K. Cheremeh 10:52 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the McDon Company went through the processes of procurement and won and was, thus, after the auction, given the opportunity to purchase the billets that were illegally harvested in the Reserve.
Mr Bedzrah 10:52 a.m.
Mr Speaker, could the Hon Minister make available to this House the total revenue that was accrued from McDon Company?
Some Hon Members 10:52 a.m.
File a new Question!
Mr Bedzrah 10:52 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would not file any new Question because the Hon Minister's Answer
says that revenue accrued has been paid into the Forest Reserves Account. So, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister if he could make available to this House the total amount received from McDon Company.
Mr A. K. Cheremeh 10:52 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on this question, I would have to refresh my memory with the documents that are available at the Ministry and the Forestry Commi- ssion.
Mr Speaker 10:52 a.m.
Hon Member, the Hon Minister says that he is capable of answering the question, but you must give notice. Because your Question did not ask for such details. Let us get this clearly.
Mr Bedzrah 10:52 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the follow-up question was as a result of his Answer. I have in my hand two press statements from Abutia Development Union and they relate to this same issue. I know the Hon Minister has these statements, but I would tender it --
Mr Speaker 10:52 a.m.
Hon Member, please the process is for you to file an Urgent Question even on Monday.
Mr Bedzrah 10:52 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister just told this House that he would refresh his memory and
Mr A. K. Cheremeh 10:52 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I think that with all these follow-up questions that have been asked by the Hon Member, I would need time to consider them and return to answer them. Mr Speaker, so I crave your indulgence in this circumstance.
Mr Speaker 10:52 a.m.
Hon Member, details and dates of the arrest do not necessarily emanate from the Question numbered 579. Hon Member, you are entitled to ask all those questions, but if you want, then frame a Question accordingly.
Mr Bedzrah 10:52 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you.
Mr Speaker, would the Hon Minister be willing to furnish this House with the day and time when those illegal settlers were arrested?
Mr Speaker 10:52 a.m.
Hon Member, for the avoidance of doubt, Question numbered 579 simply reads:
“To ask the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources whether the Ministry has given conce- ssion to any organisation or individuals to harvest Rosewood in the Kalakpa Game Reserve in the Ho West and Adaklu Constituencies.”
Now, if you want to ask for these figures and so on, then please file another Question.
Hon Member for Adaklu, since Adaklu Constituency has been mentioned, I would allow you to ask a question.
Mr Kwame G. Agbodza 10:52 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity.
Mr Speaker, in paragraph 2 of the Hon Minister's Answer, he acknow- ledged the fact that the Game Reserve was created in 1975. Indeed, the settlers were there before 1975. In his Answer, he said that the State did not evacuate and resettle the people.
So, if the State failed to evacuate and resettle the people, why does the Ministry -- it did not start with this Hon Minister -- keep calling them illegal settlers. They were there before the Game Reserve was created, but the State failed to evacuate them and so why are they being referred to as illegal settlers on their own land? Would the Ministry take any step to either speed up the evacuation or stop branding them as illegal settlers?
Mr A. K. Cheremeh 10:52 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the issue raised by the Hon Member for Adaklu would be investigated and dealt with.
Mr Speaker 11:02 a.m.
Hon Minister, thank you very much.
This is a constituency-specific — the specificity was extended to the Hon Member for Adaklu, of whom I was very conscious, since Adaklu is part of the Question. Hon Member, look at the Question well.
Hon Minister, thank you very much for attending to the House --
rose
Mr Speaker 11:02 a.m.
Hon Member, are you from Adaklu? [Laughter.]
Hon Minister, you are respectfully discharged.
The item listed 5 -- Statements. We have a Statement on the Black Stars. Hon Asemanyi, Hon Vice Chairperson of the Youth, Sports and Culture Committee.
STATEMENTS 11:02 a.m.
Mr Kojo Asemanyi (NPP -- Gomoa East) 11:02 a.m.
Mr Speaker,thank you very much for granting me such an enviable opportunity to make a Statement in this august House on the topic, Ending the 37-year trophy drought of the Black Stars of Ghana: the role of the Nation.
Mr Speaker, one of the sporting activities in Ghana that the citizens are very passionate about is football. Not only does football bring honour and prestige to the nation, it also fosters national unity and cohesion and as well enhance the nation's international reputation. It is for these reasons that government continuously invests heavily on our national football teams with the ultimate aim of making the nation proud.
Mr Speaker 11:12 a.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Member, for this well- researched Statement.
Mr Rockson-Nelson E. K. Dafeamekpor (NDC -- South Dayi) 11:12 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for
the opportunity to commend my Hon Friend for making this very important Statement.
To associate myself with it, I add that, indeed, soccer remains one of the most important social events that unify this country. It is also a huge source of revenue, in terms of the economic activities generated in the host country.
Mr Speaker, I would want to plead with the Government to take steps to bid for future events of this nature, for the economic potential that it brings, in terms of sports tourism and the enhancement of domestic tourism.
Mr Speaker, on the flip side, even though we seek to glorify our achievements in the past, our domestic soccer league is dying. When we go out to perform in international tournaments like this, we need to take steps to revive our local leagues, so that we could keep producing players to feature on international arenas.
Mr Speaker, the tournament begins today, but as an Hon Member of Par- liament for the good people of South Dayi, I do not know how much this country would spend on the tournament, and it is important that --
Mr Speaker 11:12 a.m.
Hon Member, we shall generate debate later.
Mr Dafeamekpor 11:12 a.m.
Very well, Mr Speaker, I am guided.
Mr Speaker, I would therefore want to associate myself with the Hon Member who made the Statement, and wish the Ghana Black Stars the best of luck. It has been close to 40 years since we last won the nations' tournament. I would therefore want them to put in the best of efforts, so that we could lift the diadem and lift the spirit of all soccer-loving Ghanaians this year.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.
Mr Speaker 11:12 a.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Member.
Yes, Hon Afenyo-Markin?
Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin (NPP -- Effutu) 11:12 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Statement.
Mr Speaker 11:12 a.m.
Hon Member, you rather contribute to a Statement, not comment on it.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:12 a.m.
Mr Speaker, Standing Order 72 says, and with your indulgence I quote:
Mr Speaker 11:12 a.m.
Hon Member, you should do so without generating controversy or debate.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:12 a.m.
Mr Speaker, exactly. I will not go the path that the Hon Member for South Dayi chose.
Mr Speaker 11:12 a.m.
Hon Member, nobody has gone there. It is not on record, so you should advise yourself accordingly.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:12 a.m.
Mr Speaker, you advised him and he took a cue.

Mr Speaker, I was born in 1978, and I know that I am a young man or “a small boy”. I am, however, far older than many of them there.

Mr Speaker, the expectation of the nation was very high, but unfor- tunately, we could not make it. We again heard that Ghana had lifted the trophy for four times; but per the records, we are no more the leading nation in terms of the number of times that we have carried that trophy. This means that that record we set before 1992 has been overtaken by events. This means that other nations have gone beyond the four-time record that we set.

Mr Speaker, one important thing to consider in competitions like this is team work. We know of the Brazil fiasco, where there were issues of unity because people went on different paths. It is not about individual skill, but it is about team work. The Hon Member who made the Statement calls on the players to lift high the flag of Ghana. So, it is not a National Democratic Congress (NDC) nor the New Patriotic Party (NPP), or the Convention People's Party's (CPP) matter. It is also not a matter for

somebody to believe that because he is not the one in charge, he could criticise and dampen the spirit of the players. So, it is for all of us --
Mr Speaker 11:12 a.m.
Hon Member, there is no such assumption, so you cannot comment upon that.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:12 a.m.
Very well, Mr Speaker. It is so, and I take a cue.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Member who made the Statement himself has given us a path, a righteous path, upon which we should proceed, and it is that this competition is not partisan politics. The Hon Member told us to be patriotic --
11. 22 a. m.
Mr Speaker 11:12 a.m.
Hon Member, you are now introducing an element. Do not go the political pathway, or else, you would generate debate.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:12 a.m.
Very well.
Mr Speaker, we should be patriotic, we should support the team and pray for them because if they win, it is Ghana which has won.
Mr Speaker, it is like the recent Dagbon peace initiative. It was an issue for Ghana when we heard that
there was peace at last in Dagbon. It was not about the Government or the Opposition, but Ghana.
Mr Speaker 11:12 a.m.
Hon Member, you insist on going that way. It is like calling the dog a bad name and then, hanging it. Nobody presumes there is any difficulty. So since we are all united, please go on with the united acumen.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:12 a.m.
Mr Speaker, all I am saying is that it is our patriotic duty to defend the flag of Ghana. We have done it in other areas. As a country, we have a record — even the way we have resolved chieftaincy crises in the past in bringing peace. We have the capability to do away with all personal interests and proceed on the path of patriotism.
Mr Speaker, therefore, whether somebody is a general captain or captain —
Mr Speaker 11:12 a.m.
Hon Member, you are going the controversial pathway.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:12 a.m.
Speaker, I withdraw.
Mr Speaker, I am saying that the members —
Mr Speaker 11:12 a.m.
No, but the point is that controversial issues like captain
Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:12 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it is my duty to boost their morale. So, all I am saying —
Mr Speaker 11:12 a.m.
Boost it.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:12 a.m.
Very well, Mr Speaker.
It is the duty of the technical team, those who would motivate them, to show our players some care. They should show them respect, help and encourage them.
Mr Speaker 11:12 a.m.
There is no cause to wonder if they are showing them respect. We take it that they are showing them respect; it is their job.
Hon Member, conclude.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:12 a.m.
Mr Speaker, so, on behalf of the people of Effutu, I wish the Black Stars the very best. They are all peers; they should share the same esprit de corps on the field no matter what. Mr Speaker, they should play having
Ghana in mind that they would lift the flag of Ghana in a competition like this for the fifth time.
Mr Speaker, from 1987 to date, if we count, it is over thirty years. So, Mr Speaker, I conclude on the following points — One, we should make available the necessary support systems to motivate them; two, we should avoid all issues of controversy that may obstruct their concentration in the camp and on the field; three, we should pray for them; and four, as a nation, we should not give up. If the Black Stars at a point in time do not perform, we should not overly criticise them. Five, we should be reasonable in our expectations.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 11:12 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member for Afadzato South?
Ms Angela O. Alorwu-Tay (NDC -- Afadzato South) 11:12 a.m.
Thank you Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement.
I also would like to take this opportunity to thank the Hon Member
who made the Statement for a good job done.
Mr Speaker, yes, as citizens, we would always remain patriotic to our dear nation. I just want to take this opportunity to wish our team the very best of luck. I urge them to be united, exercise very well, and do what they could do within their strength or capacity to bring us the trophy. We need the trophy badly.
Mr Speaker, by God's grace, if we win the trophy, I would like you to ask the team to come and put the cup in front of you so that we would all look at it and be proud and say that yes our boys have really done well.
On this note, we wish them very well; we wish them the best in everything they would do. Some of their videos are trending on Facebook; after watching the video, one would realise that they are very ready. They should know that we would watch every match on the television. If only there was a way, they could see us cheering them on; but unfortunately, they would not be able to see us support them. We would continue to send the Facebook messages to them. This House, by your Leadership, should send them a special message on your letterhead to urge them to bring us the cup.
Mr Speaker, on this note, I thank you for the opportunity.
Mr Speaker 11:12 a.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Member.
Yes, Hon Member for Okaikwei- North?
Mr Fuseini Issah (NPP -- Okaikwei-North) 11:12 a.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement.
Mr Speaker, Ghana loves football and football loves Ghana. It has been about 40 years since Ghana won the Cup of Nations. In fact, at a certain time, we did pride ourselves as having won the tournament on four occasions. This was before a country like Cameroon won it for the first time. Now, our compatriots, like the Nigerians, the Egyptians and the Cameroonians, have overtaken us. We have been waiting for an opportunity like it happened in the 1983, where we won and showed the whole world that we were indeed a soccer nation.
Mr Speaker, since we last won the African Cup of Nations, we have made ourselves proud. In 2006, we saw our performance in Germany. It continued in 2010 where we were at a point, the sole African team in the
Mr Speaker 11:32 a.m.
Hon Ayariga?
Mr Mahama Ayariga (NDC -- Bawku Central) 11:32 a.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, in year 2015, I was the Hon Minister who led the delegation to the African Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea. I must say that it was a very great experience for me. I had the opportunity to work first hand with the footballers, the
technical team and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) that supported the Ghana campaign.
Mr Speaker, the Black Stars fought gallantly, defied all predictions and finally got to the finals.
At the finals, they held La Cote d'Ivoire with its galaxy of international footballers. They held them full time; goalless. We went into extra-time and they still held them the full extra-time, goalless. We went into penalties and led them.
Mr Speaker, a very interesting development took place while we were in the stadium. When we led them during the penalty shoot, I received a call from the Sultan of Sokoto, congratulating me on the victory of the Black Stars. While he was still on the phone with me, we missed the next penalty and by the time he hung up, we had lost the match. [Laughter.] Since then, he and I have joked about this phone call and defeat.
There is no doubt that even though we did not lift the trophy in 2015, the Black Stars fully acquitted themselves and showed that Ghana was indeed, a soccer nation. If we would recall, they had just come from Brazil where they had suffered all sorts of challenges, which became a big
national issue, and they are very determined to redeem their image.
Mr Speaker, I have no doubt that the Black Stars, the young footballers we have, are a united team who are very committed to their country and would lay down their lives for their country. The politics we play and the media engagements we involve ourselves in, observing these boys performing on the ground, do not affect them. When they are out there fighting for their nation, they are ready to die.
I recall that during the quarter finals, we played Equatorial Guinea and they expected to win. We found a way to motivate our boys and when they got to the stadium, within 30 minutes, they led by three goals. Equatorial Guinea erupted and threw all sorts of things at us at the stadium. Some of our Hon Colleagues were there, and the whole city of Bata came out to demonstrate and burn tyres.
The military had to be brought into the city, but the boys kept playing until the match commissioner decided to end the match and declare Ghana as the winner. We were all cordoned off in some corner, and heavy security was brought to protect us. They had to clear the streets in the city in order to drive us to the Ambassador's
residence, and under heavy security, we were kept there until the following day.
Mr Speaker, this did not, in any way, move the boys or frighten them and they went to the finals and almost took the cup. So, I have no doubt that these footballers are very dedicated and committed. The two leaders of the team worked together at all times, and I saw them do so as a united team. No matter what anybody says, they still work together. I am very confident that at this tournament, they would work together and try as hard as they can to deliver to Ghana.
All that I urge, from my experience, is that they request the best technical team, because when they are playing, they need very good technical direction. So, they always demand a good technical team. I believe what we have is a good technical team, and they would deliver.
Mr Speaker, we on our part, should try as much as we can to go there and support them. We should not sit here and expect them to see us on television. When it really gets to the crunch, they expect to hear us shout in the stadium, to give them the moral support. So, Ghanaians should endeavour to be there to support them.
Dr Bernard Okoe Boye (NPP -- Ledzokuku) 11:32 a.m.
Mr Speaker, some of my Hon Colleagues are asking whether I play soccer. All those watching from Ledzokuku would attest to the fact that I am one of the best footballers ever produced from the community. [Laughter.]
At the last two consecutive festivals we have had, in terms of the football game, I was the lead scorer and I have scored at every festival. So, I speak with a lot of technical knowledge.
Mr Speaker 11:32 a.m.
Practical or technical?
Dr Boye 11:42 a.m.
Mr Speaker, both. I have practised on the field, and I also have technical knowledge.
It is very possible to break the spell this time, and there are many reasons for saying so. First of all, we just have to work hard and be disciplined. I think that Ghana is known to have the talent. When we look at the team, they
have a lot of talent. It is very important for them to come together, be disciplined, listen to the strategy and work according to plan.
When we look at what happened in Brazil, issues with how bonuses were structured, among others, ultimately have an impact on the game. So, I am happy that this time, we have not heard any noise, and things have been well-structured. I strongly believe that it would ensure that there is a lot of harmony in the camp.
Mr Speaker, I am particularly happy this time, also, that we have a black coach, and a Ghanaian for that matter. More often than not, we go for competitions and get the cup, but it is as if the managerial wherewithal is not with us. We win the game or tournament, but people credit other brains for winning the cup. This time, we have an opportunity to win at a time when a Ghanaian is in charge of the team. It is my hope that the coach would be bold.
It is not the first 11 set that tells how good a coach is, but the changes he is ready to make depending on how the game goes. He has to be bold and does not have to be risk averse.
Mr Speaker, sometimes, the spectators are able to tell that if ‘A',
‘B', ‘C' should happen, something good would come out of it and when the coaches do it, good results come out of it.

What this means is that we have to be bold and take decisions depending on how the games go. The coach must own the list.

Mr Speaker, in the history of this country, we have had occasions where a team played and it comes out that players got their names in the list either through lobbying, or sending gifts and so forth. We should make sure that our best 11 set of players get on the pitch. The players should be selected on their competence and delivery and not who has called whom and who has paid whom. I believe this time we would do the right thing.

Mr Speaker, when the Black Stars, then in Brazil, insisted that they received their moneys before they played, a lot of Ghanaians got upset and the spirit of the nation left them. That was why they came back to apologise. Now that they have apologised, it is my prayer that the spirit of all Ghanaians would be with them.

Beyond what the players could do, the spirit or support of the nation
Mr Emmanual Armah-Kofi Buah (NDC -- Ellembele) 11:42 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement.
Mr Speaker, this week when I noted the collapse and passing of the former President of Egypt and the threat being issued by the Muslim Brotherhood, what came to mind was the issue of security and how the authorities in Egypt would protect all the teams, the spectators and suppor- ters who would be in Egypt. It is an issue of great concern, so even as we prepare for this tournament, we would urge the authorities in Egypt to ensure maximum security for the players and a successful tournament.
Mr Speaker, we have come a long way, and coincidentally, we are talking about the Black Stars; but in terms of soccer, I would want to say that Nzema Kotoko is on its way to the premiere league. Ironically, another team called Karela United would play the finals with Kumasi Asante Kotoko. These are teams that are unknown but they have come this far because of sheer determination and the zeal to succeed.
The Black Stars have gone through so much already and we know that in the past years, the issue of football and the challenges we face have curtailed our own leagues and that has had some impact. We also know that some of the players, especially, the younger ones, have not had the international exposure that is required, but this is an opportunity for them to shine and to be on the world stage. They have to go to Egypt believing that they would win this Cup. We have attempted to bring the African Cup to Ghana in the past 20 years after we had won it almost 40 years now in the desert.
Yesterday, when I heard a commentary on the teams that are likely to win, Ghana was not mentioned. I heard them talk about Cameroon, and possibly, Egypt; and I asked myself what happened to Ghana? When we talk about fa- vourites in the African tournament, Ghana was always on the top. The time has come for Ghana to take its rightful place in the African tournament but we cannot say that with just words.
I would want to urge the Hon Minister for Sports to make sure that they engage with all the right authorities to provide all the logistics needed for the team to succeed. We cannot say we want to win the
tournament and yet, fail to provide what is needed. For a team to win a match, they have to be prepared, they have to be in the right hotels, they should have the comfort that is needed and all the physiological preparedness must be in place.
I would want to urge the authorities to make sure that these are there - so that it would not happen like it happened years back -- [Inter- ruption] -- maybe, in Australia, but that is not what we are talking about. We are talking about this current tournament and how we would win. Have we secured the right hotel for the Black Stars -- not the hotels in the slum and the right neighbour-hood for them to ensure maximum security? I ask because all these are important.
An Hon Member who spoke earlier said that he would urge all of us to be in Egypt. Mr Speaker, we all do not have to be there. This notion that when the Black Stars is playing we should create another huge budget to send so many supporters there is unnecessary. If one has the passion to support the Black Stars, the person should organise himself or herself to do so as a patriotic Ghanaian and that is all we call for.
We wish the Black Stars well. I believe that a lot of preparation has
Dr Augustine Tawiah (NDC -- Bia West) 11:52 a.m.
Mr Speaker, a lot has been said about the Black Stars going out and making a name for our nation. Some Hon Members have indicated that they were familiar with the Black Stars somewhere in 1992, but this country has produced players who played their hearts out.
In the 1970's players like Abdul Razak, Opoku Afriyie, Mohammed Polo, Robert Hammond, Awule Quaye played for the Black Stars; and it was the Black Stars. We saw all that in the Accra Sports Stadium. The commentator then, Mr Adjei Boye, was my Physical Education (P.E) teacher and he did a splendid job with his commentary.
This country has come a long way in playing on continental basis but we are all aware that we have had difficulty in winning the Cup itself.
Mr Speaker, but while we want to win the cup, there are other issues that are significant. I would want to go through five regions in this country before I enter my Constituency in the
Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko- Mensah (NPP -- Takoradi)(MP) 11:52 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to add my voice to this Statement in support of the Black Stars.
Mr Speaker, I believe that we are all here to support the Black Stars win this time around after a long dry season in not winning such cups for this country. The last time Ghana won the African Cup of Nations, majority of the players had come from the Western Region; the Kwofies and the Quarshies. Over time, it is becoming even difficult to get a lot of local players to feature in such tournaments.
Mr Speaker, I believe that, now that we are starting a new tournament, it is appropriate that Ghanaians continue to support the Black Stars without unnecessary interference. In times past, anytime we went for a tournament and there were difficulties, virtually all Ghanaians became coaches. I believe that makes it very difficult for the players to even focus on the match.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim (NDC — Banda) 12:02 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to make a few comments.
To begin with, I must thank the Hon Member who made the Statement for bringing this to the attention of the House and to remind you of how happy we were when we met the Egyptian President as Ghanaians; and the kind of respect that we were accorded and how they made specific reference to the Ghana Black Stars.
Ghana Black Stars has some kind of world and continental pride that nobody can take away.
Mr Speaker, I think this brand was earned through the effort of some former players. Even though the Hon Member who made the Statement stated that we have won the trophy four times, we have been in the semi- finals about eight times and we have been in the finals about three times. If that is the case, it means the tech- nicalities are still there. As a nation, I believe we must jealously guard the soccer pride that we have.
It is not only in Egypt; we were in Namibia and at the airport, the name
Mr Speaker 12:02 p.m.
Thank you very much.
Yes, Majority Leadership?
Mr Matthew Nyindam (NPP -- Kpandai) 12:02 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker for the opportunity to associate myself with the Statement ably made by my Hon Colleague.
Mr Speaker, the whole nation is united behind the Black Stars team, because the national interest is paramount when it comes to things like this. Soccer has been one of the pillars that has united all of us. This spirit is still very high.
Mr Matthew Nyindam (NPP -- Kpandai) 12:12 p.m.


Mr Speaker, the pride of Ghana is important when we travel outside the boundaries of Ghana. When we meet people out there and we tell them we are from Ghana, the first thing they talk about is football. So that tells us that football is one of the things that sells Ghana outside, and we need to continue to support our players.

Mr Speaker, I have the trust in our players that we will win. It is not the talks, but it is about us trying as much as possible to support them spiritually and physically. Whatever we can do as a nation to support them, we must do it.

Mr Speaker, it is an undeniable fact that when it comes to football, there are the individual talents. These individual talents are put together and that is why it is teamwork. Football is not about individual brilliance, it is not how skilful an individual is. It is about how the individual strengths are coordinated and put together to win as a team.

Mr Speaker, I would want to urge our players to play as a team, not as individuals. If they begin to exhibit their individual talents -- at the end of the day, it is not about an individual but the team.

Mr Speaker, another thing we hear about is the winning bonuses. Sometimes, these issues become so thorny that they break the team apart. It is true that they need the winning bonuses -- the Bible says, “Man does not live by bread alone…” So, our players should know that it is not about the winning bonuses, because the trophy, the unity, the pride and the euphoria that accompany the winning of the trophy is more important and should sell more than the winning bonuses that an individual recieves.

Mr Speaker, I would want to urge our players to look at carrying the nation higher rather than looking at their individual winning bonuses.

Mr Speaker, finally, I have the confidence in the Hon Minister for Youth and Sports. I know he has put in a lot and so has the Government. I sincerely believe that the Hon Minister and the technical team have put in place all it would take for the Black Stars to shine in Egypt. We all continue to pray with them and we wish them all the best. I know that by the close of the tournament, Ghana would be celebrated as the winners.

Mr Speaker, with these few words, I thank you for the opportunity.
Mr Speaker 12:12 p.m.
Thank you very much Hon Members.
This brings us to the end of Statements.
At the commencement of Public Business, the item numbered 6, Presentation of Papers.
PAPERS 12:12 p.m.
Mr Nyindam 12:12 p.m.
Mr Speaker, today is Friday and Hon Members are preparing to go to their
Constituencies. So, I move that this House adjourns till Tuesday --
Mr Speaker 12:12 p.m.
Hon Member, there would also be Committee sittings.
Mr Nyindam 12:12 p.m.
And Committee sittings as well, Mr Speaker. With all that I move that this House adjourns till Tuesday -- [Interruption.]
Mr Speaker 12:12 p.m.
I want people to have a holistic picture of the Business here to avoid some of the negativities. So please, put it all in full.
Mr Nyindam 12:12 p.m.
Mr Speaker, today is Friday, and looking at our Order Paper, we have Committee meetings. And as I said earlier, Hon Members are also going to prepare to visit their Constituencies, which is part of our Parliamentary work. Looking at the time, I move that this House adjourns till Tuesday, 25th June, 2019 at 10 o'clock in the forenoon.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim 12:12 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise to second the Motion, and in doing so, I also appeal to Hon Members to be very punctual next week because we have a lot of things to do including the joint Caucus meeting that we could not hold yesterday.
ADJOURNMENT 12:12 p.m.
  • The House was accordingly adjourned at 12.17 p.m. till Tuesday, 25th June, 2019 at 10.00 a.m.