Debates of 19 Jul 2019

MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:44 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:44 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:44 a.m.
Hon Members, Correction of Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 18th July,
2019.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:44 a.m.
Hon Members, Correction of the Official Report of Friday, 21st June, 2019.
  • [No correction was made to the Official Report of Friday, 21st June, 2019.]
    • Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:44 a.m.
    Hon Members, presentation of the Business Statement for the Ninth Week.
    Yes, Hon Chairman of the Committee?
    Ms Sarah Adwoa Safo 10:44 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I seek permission from you to present the Business Statement on behalf of the Chairman, the Hon Majority Leader.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:44 a.m.
    Granted.
    BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 10:44 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 10:44 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:
    No. of Question(s)
    i. Minister for the Interior 1
    ii. Minister for Education 2
    iii. Minister for Transport 1
    iv. Minister for Health 2
    v. Minister for Communications 1
    vi. Minister for Agriculture 1
    vii. Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture 3
    viii. Minister for Lands and Natural Resources 2
    ix. Minister for Roads and Highways 5
    Total Number of Questions 18
    Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 10:44 a.m.
    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.
    Mr Speaker, the Mid-Year Review of the Budget Statement was scheduled for the 22nd of July, 2019, which is next week Monday to be presented by the Hon Minister for Finance.
    Mr Speaker, debate was scheduled for the 23rd of July, 2019 which is the next Tuesday. I would wish to inform the House that the Mid- Year Review of the Budget Statement has been postponed to the 29th of July, 2019 and the Hon Minister for Finance would appear on the Floor to present the Mid-Year Review of the Budget Statement and the Economic Policy of Government for the 2019 Financial Year.
    Sitting on Monday/Extended Sittings
    Mr Speaker, the House is sche- duled to Sit on Monday, 22nd July,
    2019. The House may also sit beyond the stipulated 2.00 p.m. when necessary during week.
    Conclusion
    Mr speaker, in accordance with standing order160(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.

    Statements

    Presentation of Papers --

    (a) Annual Statement by the Audit Committee of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation for the year 2018.

    (b) Annual Statement by the Audit Committee of the Ministry of Education for the year 2018 in respect of (1) the University of Ghana; (2) University of Energy and Natural Resources; (3) Koforidua Technical Uni- versity; (4) Ho Technical University; (5) Takoradi Technical University; and (6) Students Loan Trust Fund.

    (c) Annual Statement by the Audit Committee of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board for the year 2018.

    (d) Report of the Finance Committee on the Loan Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development for an amount of seven million Kuwaiti Dinar (KD7,000,000.00)[equivalent to US$24,000,000.00] to finance the rehabilitation of the Dome -- Kitase Road Project (20.1km) and ancillary works.

    Motions --

    That this Honourable House adopts the Mid-Year Review of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2019 Financial Year.

    Consideration Stage of Bills --

    University of Technology and Applied Sciences Bill, 2018. (Continuation of debate)

    Statistics Bill, 2018.

    Committee sittings.

    Urgent Question --
    Mr James Agalga (Builsa North) 10:44 a.m.
    To ask the Minister for the Interior what measures the Government intends to put in place to deal with incidents of kidnapping of young women in the Western Region and other parts of the country.
    Questions --
    Q588. Dr Zanetor Agyeman- Rawlings (Klottey-Korle): To ask the Minister for Education when the Mantse Tackie Cluster of Schools Project will be completed.
    Q624. Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo (Ho Central): To ask the Minister for Education what plans the Ministry has for the provision of additional infra- structure for the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho.
    Q625. Ms Sophia Karen Ackuaku (Domeabra/Obom): To ask the Minister for Tran- sport what steps the Ministry has taken to install road safety signs, including road markings, speed ramps, bus stops and street
    Mr James Agalga (Builsa North) 10:44 a.m.
    lights on the Kasoa - Amasaman - Obuom-Domeabra road.
    Statements
    Presentation of Papers --
    Report of the Finance Commi- ttee on the Annual Report of the Public Interest and Account- ability Committee (PIAC) on the Management and Use of Petroleum Revenues for the Year 2018.
    Motions --
    (a)That this Honourable House adopts the Mid-Year Review of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2019 Financial Year.
    (Commencement/Conclu- sion of Debate)
    (b) Adoption of the Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Report of the Auditor- General on the Public Accounts of Ghana (Poly- technics) for the Period ended 31st December, 2015.
    Consideration Stage of Bills --
    University of Technology and Applied Sciences Bill, 2018. (Continuation of debate)
    Statistics Bill, 2018.
    (Continuation of debate)
    Committee sittings

    Questions --

    Q621. Mr Philip Basoah (Kumawu): To ask the Minister for Health when construction work on the Kumawu District Hospital, which has been abandoned for more than two years, will resume.

    Q622. Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh (Wa West): To ask the Minister for Health why the Government appointed a Registrar for the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency who is not a practitioner with considerable experience and training as per the Health Institutions and Facilities Act, 2010 (Act 829).

    Q623. Mr Geoffrey Kini (Nkwanta South): To ask the Minister for Communications when the following communities in the Nkwanta South Muni- cipality will be provided with mobile network connectivity: (i)

    Salifu (ii) Bontibor (iii) Kue (iv) Pusupu (v) Abubruwa (vi) B- Zongo.

    Q626. Mr Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwame Dafeamekpor (South Dayi): To ask the Minister for Food and Agriculture what steps the Ministry has taken to revamp the Agriculture Development Station at Kpeve, in the South Dayi District of the Volta Region.

    Statements

    Motions --

    Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Loan Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development for an amount of seven million Kuwaiti Dinar (KD7,000,000.00 [equivalent to US$24,000,000.00] to finance the rehabilitation of the Dome-Kitase Road Project (20.1Km) and its ancillary works.

    Consequential Resolution.

    Consideration Stage of Bills --

    Statistics Bill, 2018. (Continua- tion of debate).

    University of Business and Integrated Development Studies Bill, 2018.

    Committee sittings.

    Questions --

    Q618. Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh (Nsawam-Adoagyiri): To ask the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture when the contractor involved in the restocking of selected dams and dugouts with four million catfish and fingerlings would be paid accordingly.

    Q619. Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh (Nsawam-Adoagyiri): To ask the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture what steps are being implemented to ultimately ensure that we have a waiver of tax on aquaculture input materials as a boost to the industry.

    Q620. Mr Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwame Dafeamekpor (South Dayi): To ask the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture when the Tongor- Dzemeni fish landing site will be constructed.

    Q628. Mr Patrick Bogyako- Saime (Amenfi East): To ask
    Mr James Agalga (Builsa North) 10:44 a.m.
    the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources the progress on the exploration work being conducted on the Opon Mansi Iron Ore Deposit at Opon Valley in the Western Region.
    Q629. Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza (Adaklu): To ask the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources what led to the re- opening of mines operated by Shanxi Mining (Gh) Limited in August 2017.
    Statements
    Motions --
    Report of the Finance Commi- ttee on the Annual Report of the Public Interest and Account- ability Committee (PIAC) on the Management and Use of Petroleum Revenues for the Year 2018.
    Consideration Stage of Bills --
    Statistics Bill, 2018. (Continua- tion of debate)
    University of Business and Integrated Development Studies Bill, 2018.
    Committee sittings.

    Urgent Question --
    Dr Emmanuel Marfo (Oforikrom) 10:44 a.m.
    To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways if the Ministry is aware that all the three bridges crossing Sussan River, linking Sisaakyi/Bomso to Anloga in Kumasi, have collapsed and if so, when the Ministry will construct a link road/bridge across the river.
    Questions --
    Q635. Mr Kwadwo Nyanpon Aboagye (Biakoye): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways if condition surveys have been undertaken recently on the Buipe, Yapei, Daboya and Bamboi bridges, if yes, what the findings are and if there were recommendations to strengthen or replace them.
    Q636. Mr Elvis Morris Donkoh (Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways the update on the Afrangua - Abura Dunkwa Highway construction.
    Q637. Mr Elvis Morris Donkoh (Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways if there are plans of constructing the feeder roads
    from Afrangua - Ayeldo and Abokor Junction - Ayeldo.
    Q638. Ms Francisca Oteng Mensah (Kwabre East): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways what plans the Ministry has to construct the following roads in the Kwabre East Constituency: (i) Manpon- teng town roads (ii) Wonoo town roads (iii) Kyenasi - Fawoade road (iv) New Asonomaso - Kasaam road.
    Statements
    Motions --
    Third Reading of Bills
    University of Technology and Applied Sciences Bill, 2018;
    Statistics Bill, 2018.
    Consideration Stage of Bills --
    University of Business and Integrated Development Studies Bill, 2018. (Continuation of debate)
    Committee sittings.
    Mr Speaker, considering the number of Questions that we have been informed by the Table Office that
    are still outstanding, we would make room for additional Questions that are outstanding to be tabled for the ensuing week. So, if we see additional Questions on the Order Paper for the ensuing week, it is because there seems to be a number of them that we would want to put up for those who would answer to be able to answer them considering the heat of the political terrain now.
    And for 29th, again, to remind the Hon Members of Parliament that the Mid-Year Review is rather postponed to 29th July, 2019, not 22nd July, 2019 as earlier indicated.
    I thank you. I hereby humbly submit the Business Statement.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:54 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Nsawam- Adoagyiri?
    Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh (NPP -- Nsawam-Adoagyiri) 10:54 a.m.
    First of all, I am very grateful to you Mr Speaker for I realise my Questions have been admitted for Thursday, 25th July, 2019. I long anticipated.
    Mr Speaker, I have two issues 10:54 a.m.
    first one has to do with the Free Zones Amendment Act. As I checked the Hansard of the 26th June, 2018, I
    Mr Ras Mubarak 10:54 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am very grateful. In view of the abysmal performance of the Black Stars at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2019), I was hopeful and optimistic that the Hon Minister for Youth and Sports would have been scheduled to present a Statement to the House on Ghana's showing at the AFCON 2019.
    So I am making an application, if that could be considered.
    Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh 10:54 a.m.
    On a point of Order. Mr Speaker, I hope the Hon Member would use decorous words in the Chamber. To start a statement like, ‘the abysmal performance of the Black Stars…'' is so indecorous. This House is not used to such intemperate language.
    Mr Speaker, where is his standard for saying something is so abysmal? We have to be guided by our Standing Orders in view of the use of such language, which our Standing Orders frowns upon.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:54 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, your Hon Colleague says choose words that are decorous.
    Mr Ras Mubarak 10:54 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the word I chose was ‘poor performance, which translates as
    abysmal. The Hon Minister is a Minister for Education and he would best understand what “abysmal” means.
    But Mr Speaker, in view of questions from the public especially, about the cost of the entire AFCON Campaign, it would be very apt if the Hon Minister were to appear before the House to give us a Statement on our appearance especially, of the fact that there are too many Questions before you, and even if a Question were to be filed, I am not sure it would see the light of the day before this House rises.
    I thank you Mr Speaker.
    Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa 10:54 a.m.
    I am most grateful, Mr Speaker. I commend the Hon Deputy Majority Leader for the presentation of the Business Statement.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Majority Leader indicates that the Mid-Year Review of the Budget Statement would be presented on the 29th July, 2019. But she has been silent on when the debate would commence and how that also plays into what we had been told would be the date for adjournment Sine die. I am getting quite curious if our
    adjournment date may have been shifted forward, looking at the postponement of the Mid-Year Review.
    Initially, we were operating under a first week in August adjournment sine die. So, is there any indication as to when this Meeting would adjourn Sine die?
    Mr Speaker, secondly, there are a number of Conventions which were advertised for this Meeting that have still not been brought to the House. I I am particularly concerned about Visa Waiver Agreements which have been signed; the recent one being Ghana-Jamaica. But we have four others pending: Ghana-India; Ghana- Hungary; Ghana-Columbia and Ghana-Chile.
    The Hon Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee is here and we are concerned as Committee members when these would be laid, especially when at least the previous four I mentioned were advertised for this Meeting. Is there any indication when we could receive these Visa Waiver Agreements and we ratify according to article 75 of the Constitution?
    Thank you Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:54 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Agbodza?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:04 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Minority Leader?
    Mr Haruna Iddrisu 11:04 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to thank the Hon Deputy Majority Leader, for presenting the Business Statement on behalf of the
    Hon Majority Leader and the Business Committee. I did not have the opportunity to participate in the meeting because I was in Tamale to do what is democratically appropriate for my own survival and existence here, as Hon Member of Parliament (MP) to file my nominations [Laughter].
    Mr Speaker, at pre-Sitting, the Hon Deputy Majority Leader engaged you -- the Hon Majority Leader himself is in the Chamber now, but I particularly, appreciate the fact that the Mid-Year Review as advertised on page 2 of the Business Statement would no longer come off on the 22nd July, 2019 but rather on the 29th July, 2019. It pleases me to know that maybe, our concerns have been considered by the Hon Majority Leader, because many of our Hon Colleagues from the Minority Side are in their various constituencies to file their nominations to justify their continuous association with this House and to be part of this House.
    Many of the Hon MPs would be in their constituencies between the 24th and 25th of July, 2019 to go through the vetting process, so we cannot be in the House and in our constituencies at the same time -- However, we are still the representatives of the people at the same time. The 29th of July, 2019 appears to give us some room
    except to say, as the Hon Ablakwa has noted that consequent to the Mid- Year Review which is an important economic policy statement, we need to know how the economy is performing, so that we could cage how the year turned maybe, with all the complaints we hear from contractors being unpaid and ministries not getting allocations and releases which is also a fact. Many ministries, Departments and Agencies for this year, have not had money from Government. On the 29th of July, 2019, assuming there are consequential tax decisions which would rise out of the Mid-Year Review, I trust that we could take them.
    Mr Speaker, secondly, I would attempt to respond to Hon Annoh- Dompreh's question, giving my experience as a former Hon Minister for Trade and Industry that, the mandate and authority to review the Free Zones Act, rests in the bosom of the Hon Minister for Trade and Industry and appropriately, even though your Committee referred it, it is for the Hon Minister to seek Cabinet policy approval and approval for the amendment of it. I have not seen Parliament on its own or through its directive do same to it.
    When the Hon Minister for Trade and Industry came to this House to announce Ghana hosting AFTECH, it was part of his presentation. He spoke about economic zones and other things but I do not believe that the referral from June, 2018 would be enough to trigger the process. What he should do is to liaise with the Hon Minister for Trade and Industry to go to Cabinet to get policy approval for a review of it.
    I know that and I share his concern that many of the Free Zone enterprises are not in good state and the Ministry of Finance is ploughing back some of the exemptions that we granted. He is concerned with its implications on employment because a lot of them are struggling. However, I do not think that it is for Parliament through the directive of the Rt Hon Speaker, to seek a review.
    Mr Speaker, with my concern on the Electoral Commission, I have just seen an advertisement that the Special Budget Committee, would meet with some of the independent constitutional bodies and if we are not satisfied at that level, I would come back and renew my application to you on the Electoral Commission.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:04 a.m.
    Yes, Acting Hon Chairman of the Business Committee?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:04 a.m.
    I recognised the Acting Hon Chairman of the Business Committee.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:04 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, she completely abdicated the responsibility immediately I walked in, so I would want to continue from where she left off.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:04 a.m.
    Very well. I would revoke the leave I granted her. [Laughter.]
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:14 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I heard the Hon Member for Kumbungu, Mr Ras Mubarak make a statement that the Hon Minister for Youth and Sports should be in the House to make a Statement on the performance of the Black Stars. I have been in communication with the Hon Minister and he has agreed to come to the House. Initially, I thought we could take the Mid-Year Review on Monday, so I suggested to him that he could not come to the House on
    Monday but in the circumstance, I believe he could come to the House on either Tuesday or Wednesday to present his Statement. His coming is not at the instance of the Hon Member for Kumbungu because that agreement had already been extracted with the Hon Minister but of course, it would satisfy his own enquiry.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member for North Tongu, Mr Ablakwa wanted to know when the debate on the Mid-Year Review would commence and end. For Mid-Year Reviews, what is usually done is to have not more than two days to debate it. Sometimes, it even takes a day. Initially, it was to be presented before the processes involving the primaries of our Hon Colleagues in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Party got underway seriously.
    We would start the debate a day after it is presented, possibly, to have a day or two days. Usually, they are basically financial issues and we just allow the spokespersons from the Finance Committee to contribute to the issue plus maybe, the Hon Leaders to wind up. So, we could even take a day but it depends on the activities that are programmed for the days following after the presenta- tion.
    Mr Speaker, with Conventions not being brought to the House, usually, the Hon Member for North Tongu would have his own way of introducing matters that are extraneous into Business Statements that are presented to the House. He knows the route to apply himself to, but he has this uncanny ability to try to inject extraneous issues into the Business Statement that have been presented but beyond that, it would be important to liaise with the Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs and see what response to have for his own inquisition.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member for Adaklu has made an application to withdraw a Question. Once a Question is filed and admitted by you and it appears on the Order Paper, it is the property of the House, so he cannot unilaterally withdraw it. The House would pursue the Question for him but I recognised that it is an application from him, the key person sponsoring the Question. So we await your directive on that.

    I just want him to understand that once the Question is admitted by Mr Speaker and it is advertised, it becomes the property of the House. If he wants to withdraw, he must seek

    the indulgence of House and not do so unilaterally. That indeed, is the rule of the House.

    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minority Leader is indicating to me that we have factored the concerns of the Minority. Yes, the concerns of the Minority have been factored into the presentation but I would like him to know that the application did not come from him. His own application was for us to do it on the 23rd of July, 2019. I brought it forward to the 22nd of July, 2019. Then, if we did it on the 22nd of July, 2019, and started the debate on the 23rd of July, 2019, perhaps, they may have to migrate to their various constituencies and that would not help us to do justice to the Statement. That is why I thought that rather the ensuing week would be better.

    I needed to discuss it with the Hon Minority Leader but then because of the engagement that I had with the President and Minister for Finance, I could not reach him before the discussions that I had with my Colleague, the Hon Deputy Majority Leader.

    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minority Leader is right. If there are any tax issues that ensue from the presentation, those issues could be taken by the Committee on Finance under a certificate of urgency as we
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:14 a.m.
    Very well, the House accordingly adopts the Business Statement for the ensuing week.
    Hon Members, item numbered 4, Questions. The first Question numbered 589 stands in the name of Mr Ali Maiga Halidu, Hon Member for Dormaa West. Hon Minister for Education, you may take your seat to answer the Question.
    ORAL ANSWERS TO 11:14 a.m.
    QUESTIONS 11:14 a.m.
    MINISTRY OF EDUCATION 11:14 a.m.
    Mr Ali Maiga Halidu 11:14 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity, except to say that, this Question was asked a very long time ago. It has been over one and a half years now. I am aware the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:14 a.m.
    Hon Member, if there are no issues, why do you want to ask the Question?
    Mr Halidu 11:14 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in that case, I withdraw the Question.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:14 a.m.
    Hon Member, I am surprised you are talking about one and a half years. All the Questions that we admitted last week were for this year, 2019. So, they could not have been one and a half years old. I do not know how long it stayed before it got to the table of the Rt Hon Speaker.
    Mr Halidu 11:14 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I asked this Question in December, 2017.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:14 a.m.
    Hon Member, your Question is stamped, March 2019. That is when it got to the office of Mr Speaker. If your Question got missing somewhere, it got to the office of Mr Speaker in March, 2019 and it was approved to be answered today.
    But if the need does not arise further or the schools have been provided, you may say so, so that the Hon Minister saves time.
    Mr Halidu 11:14 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, let me thank the Hon Minister because the issues have been resolved.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:14 a.m.
    Very well. So, I will go on to Question numbered 590 in the name of Hon Andrew Dari Chiwitey, Hon Member for Sawla/Tuna/Kalba.
    rose
    Mr Andrew Dari Chiwitey 11:14 a.m.
    I thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Like my Hon Colleague said, I filed --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:14 a.m.
    Hon Member, I have recognised your Leader.
    Yes, Hon Minority Leader?
    Mr Iddrisu 11:14 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we just heard from the Hon Majority Leader on the application seeking your leave to withdraw a Question. He took us through a doctrine of how Questions could be withdrawn with your leave and that of the House.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:14 a.m.
    Hon Chiwitey, can you say to the microphone what you wanted to say, so that there would be a record of it?
    Mr Chiwitey 11:14 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I said I equally filed this Question since last year but in my case, they have not attended to it. So I will go ahead and ask the Question.
    Construction of New Classroom Blocks for (i) Digzie (ii) Basina-
    Yiri (iii) Yoli-Yiri
    Q590. Mr Andrew Dari Chiwitey asked the Minister for Education what measures the Ministry was putting in place to construct new classroom blocks for the following communities after their classroom blocks were destroyed by rainstorm: (i) Digzie (ii) Basina-Yiri (iii) Yoli-Yiri.
    Minister for Education (Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh) 11:14 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the above-mentioned classrooms within the Sawla-Tuna- Kalba Constituency were temporary or make-shift structures which were destroyed by rainstorm. They were not put up by government, GETfund or any government agency.
    Mr Chiwitey 11:14 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, for the information of the Hon Minister, the schools do not even have structures and so, I do not know why he talks about renovation.
    What immediate action would his Ministry take to enable the school children attend school on a daily basis? Over a year now, they have been sitting under trees.
    Dr Prempeh 11:14 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not want to say that my Hon Colleague brought a very misleading Question. From the Question, he asked for the measures the Ministry is putting in place to construct new classroom blocks. Like he just intimated, there were no classroom blocks there that could have been destroyed. That is where in my previous Answer, I said that there were makeshift structures that did not even belong to the District Assembly nor Central Government.
    That is why in that Answer, I said that I would liaise with his District Assembly so that we could do something immediately for them and plan to put together proper befitting classrooms in our term of funding. There were no classroom blocks to be destroyed; there were makeshift structures but his Question does not portray that.
    Mr Chiwitey 11:14 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I indicated here that they were completely destroyed. The structure that was put up by the community members were being used by the school children until a rainstorm destroyed those blocks completely. That is why I am asking when they would intervene.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:24 a.m.
    Hon Member, he has provided the Answer. He said that he will liaise with your District Assembly and make arrangements. If I understand him correctly, they are not immediate solutions.
    Mr Chiwitey 11:24 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am worried because it has taken the Ministry over a year and he indicated in his Answer that they would start the construction of school blocks in the next phase.
    My question to him is, when is the next phase of the construction going to start?
    Dr Prempeh 11:24 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you. If my Hon Colleague under- stands, that these were not there in the first place, what I was showing you is that within the next phase of our funding, we would consider Sawla/Tuna/Kalba Constituency and for that matter, the three places he spoke about.
    Mr Chiwitey 11:24 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am most grateful.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:24 a.m.
    Very well. The next Question is in the name of the Hon Member for Ho Central; Benjamin Komla Kpodo. I was looking at your seat, I did not realise that you had transmogrified to the front bench. [Laughter]
    Very well, you may ask your Question from the front bench.
    Mr Kpodo 11:24 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have been brought forward to assist the front bench.
    An Hon Member 11:24 a.m.
    By who?
    [Laughter] --
    Mr Kpodo 11:24 a.m.
    By the Hon Minority Leader. He can testify to that.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:24 a.m.
    I just did not know that. Now, I am happy to realise that you have transmogrified to the front bench.
    [Laughter] --
    Construction of Classroom and Administration blocks for Shia Senior High Technical School
    Q591. Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo asked the Minister for Education when the construction of classroom and administration blocks and other facilities for the Shia Senior High Technical School would commence.
    Dr Prempeh 11:24 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, that is also another very misleading Question. To preface my Answer, I am going to say --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:24 a.m.
    Hon Minister, hold on. I want to check whether in your Answer to us, you said, it was misleading?
    [Interruption] --
    Dr Prempeh 11:24 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have answered the Question but I will explain it to you.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:24 a.m.
    Hon Minister, can you read the Answer you have provided us?
    Dr Prempeh 11:24 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, all right. I take your guidance.
    Mr Speaker, the Ministry has an elaborate plan to improve and provide educational facilities in all Senior High Schools and Technical Institutions with emphasis on deprived Institutions.
    The Senior High School Intervention Project (SHSIP) which is aimed at providing infrastructural facilities to needy institutions is currently on-going and is being implemented in phases.
    Mr Speaker, the Ministry has taken note of the developments and wish to state that, in subsequent phases of the SHSIP, Shia Senior High Technical School will be considered.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:24 a.m.
    Hon Member for Ho Central?
    Mr Kpodo 11:24 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, far from my Question being inappropriate, it is rather the Answer -- [Laughter]
    -- 11:24 a.m.
    Dr Prempeh 11:24 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank God, ‘the cat is out'. The Hon Member is conceding that the Ministry has awarded the contract like I said. The contract has been duly awarded but the contractor is not doing his work as expected. He worked with Hon Ablakwa like he is saying, in the good old times.
    Mr Speaker, so, I hope that I can work with him outside the Chamber to speed up things. It is not as if nothing has been done and he knows very well. That is why I said that the Question might be misleading, not to denigrate him. However, we will work to solve the problem for him.
    Mr Kpodo 11:24 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, with that promise, he has even disarmed me, so I will work with him. [Laughter] -- I think that he is now being positive and so, I will work with him to get the work done for that school.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:24 a.m.
    Hon Kpodo, thank you. I am sure you would have gotten your response if you had reached out without bringing it here. [Laughter] --
    Very well. The last Question is in the --
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:24 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Coaltar, what is the problem?
    Mr Ayeh-Paye 11:24 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my constituency is Ayensuano, Coaltar is the District capital and not the name of the constituency.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:24 a.m.
    Yes, but you are still the Hon Member for Coaltar.
    Mr Ayeh-Paye 11:24 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister for Education said that the contractor is not doing what is expected of him. I want to find out when the contract was awarded to the contractor and what measures the Ministry is taking to take the contract from the contractor for re-awarding?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:24 a.m.
    Hon Member, I think that we have agreed that when it is constituency-specific, we will leave it with the Hon Member, and indeed, the Hon Member being satisfied, he has refused to do further questioning. So, your question is disallowed.
    Now, I will call the Hon Member for Manso-Adubia, Mr Yaw Frimpong Addo to ask his Question.
    Completion of Abandoned GETFund School blocks --
    Manso-Adubia
    Q592. Mr Yaw Frimpong Addo asked the Minister for Education what plans the Ministry had to complete the abandoned GETFund school blocks in the Manso Adubia Constituency of the Amansie South District.
    Mr Addo 11:24 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, at this point, I think I rest my case.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:24 a.m.
    Very well. That brings us to the end of Question time.
    Hon Minister, thank you for attending upon the House to Answer the Questions.
    I have admitted one Statement in the name of the Hon Member for Manso-Adubia, Mr Yaw Frimpong
    Addo, on the Disturbing State of Insecurity in theM a n s o - A d u b i a constituency.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    STATEMENTS 11:34 a.m.
    Mr Yaw Frimpong Addo (NPP-- Manso-Adubia) 11:34 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker, for granting me the opportunity to make this Statement on the state of insecurity in the Manso- Adubia Constituency.
    Mr Speaker, the recent national concern and outcry about security could be the reflection of the untold stories in some parts of the country, particularly in the Manso-Adubia Constituency. The inhabitants of the Manso-Adubia Constituency, for some time now, have known no peace as they are constantly under attack and threats at the hands of armed robbers, ripping away hard-earned moneys and subjecting them to other inhumane treatments.
    Mr Speaker, the Manso-Adubia Constituency with Amansie South as the administrative district, falls under
    the Manso Nkwanta District of the Bckwai Division of the Ghana Police Service in the Ashanti Region.
    Mr Speaker, the area was rela- tively peaceful until the proliferation of small-scale mining activities in the last decade. The distressing security issues and persistent threats to safety, particularly highway robberies, witnessed in the last few years, are nerve-wracking. The slums in the area have succeeded in making headlines in traditional and social media, carving a disreputable image for the district.
    Mr Speaker, on the 20th September, 2017, the Police Patrol team engaged five armed robbers in a shoot-out between Manso Kensere and Manso-Adubia highway which left three (3) robbers dead. The taxi cab used for the operation, a locally manufactured pistol and a single barrel gun were recovered by the Police.
    On July 11, 2018, armed robbers attacked and shot to death a Police officer with the Special Weapons and Tactics Unit (SWAT). The officer, Lance Corporal Tieku and his colleague Lance Corporal Nsiah were on board a Sprinter passenger bus when the armed men attacked them in the outskirts of a community called Ayirebikrom. Lance Corporal Tieku was shot in the abdomen and was
    pronounced dead on arrival at St. Martins Hospital at Agroyesum. Lance Corporal Nsiah and four other passengers sustained various degrees of injuries.
    Mr Speaker, the incident, as expected, demoralised the Police personnel in the region especially the immediate colleagues of the deceased officer.
    Subsequent to that, the Police retrieved four AK 47 assault rifles including two other guns seized from the police officers and two others believed to have been used for the operation; pump action guns; G3 and SMG assault rifles; seven boxes of ammunition with each containing 25 rounds of ammunition; 88 pieces of unspent AK 47 ammunition, and clothes in a bush around Dome Beposo near Manso Nkwanta.
    Mr Speaker, also on July 17, 2018, another shooting incident ensued between the police and alleged robbers at a community called Ayirebikrom, which resulted in the death of seven persons.
    Mr Speaker, the House would recall that on November 2nd, 2017, I asked the Hon Minister for the Interior about the measures that the Ministry had put in place to curb the highway robberies in the area. In his response,
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:34 a.m.
    None of the Hon Members of the Committee on Defence and Interior is in the House and none of the members of the Amansie Caucus is in the House. Regrettably, because of where I am sitting now, I cannot contribute, but I understand and know
    the challenges that the commuters on that route experience. Indeed, it was in the attempt by the police to deal with this that some young men were shot and killed at Asawase Constituency which became a big issue. It is because of the challenge that the police have in dealing with robbery on the road that spans between my constituency and the Hon Member's constituency.
    It is a huge challenge, but I would direct that the Hon Minister for the Interior addresses the House next week, on the steps that are being taken to deal with this challenge. It has been a long-standing challenge on that route. I so direct.
    Hon Members, this brings us to the end of Statements.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader, what item is next?
    Ms Sarah A. Safo 11:34 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we could take Motion numbered as item 6.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:34 a.m.
    Hon Members, item numbered 6 -- Motion.
    Hon Chairman of the Committee?
    MOTIONS 11:34 a.m.
    Chairman of the Committee (Nana Amoakoh) 11:34 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move that this Honourable House adopts the Report of the Committee on Works and Housing on the Contract Agreement between Ghana Water Company Limited (acting on behalf of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources for the Government of the Republic of Ghana) and Biwater International Limited of England, for an amount of two hundred and seventy-two million, two hundred and eighty-seven thousand, nine hundred and eighty United States dollars (US$272,287,- 980.00) in respect of the project known as the Tamale Water Supply Scheme.
    In so doing I beg to present your Committee's Report.
    1.0 Introduction
    In accordance with Article 181 (5) of the Constitution of Ghana (1992) the request for approval of the Contract Agreement between Ghana Water Company Limited (acting on behalf of the Ministry of Sanitation and
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:44 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Ranking Member?
    Mr Emmanuel K. Bedzrah (NDC -- Ho West) 11:44 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to second the Motion moved by the Hon Chairman of the Committee on Works and Housing.
    Mr Speaker, I have noticed that the Hon Chairman inserted “NPP Government”, which is not in the Committee's Report. In any case, when the water is provided to the people of Tamale, all of us would drink it, and so I would want that to be expunged from the Report. There
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:44 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources?
    Mr Patrick Y. Boamah (NPP -- Okaikwei Central) 11:44 a.m.
    Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to make some brief comments on the Motion before us.
    Mr Speaker, I would refer you to page 9 of the Report and the justification for Government's action. Tamale and its environs lacked potable water for some years. This Government has thought it wise through its policy of Water for All by 2030, to provide water for close to 800,000 people in and around Tamale. Various speakers omitted one very important point. If you look at the last paragraph, the communities that this project seeks to serve include Damongo, which has been --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:44 a.m.
    Where are Hon Mutawakilu and Hon Jinapor? You are here? I wanted to be sure that you are paying attention. It is good to know. You do not know what we are discussing, you see? [Laughter.]
    Mr Boamah 11:44 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is rightly so.
    Mr Boamah 11:54 a.m.


    Mr Speaker, the President in his wisdom, through the Party's Manifesto, has created a new region in the name of the Savannah Region with its capital at Damongo. All the communities within Damongo and all the towns en route to Tamale would be served. They include Yapei/Yipala.

    Mr Speaker, it is a very important project and I believe it will serve the people in and around Tamale very well.

    Thank you very much.
    Mr Ras Mubarak (NDC -- Kumbungu) 11:54 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am very grateful for the opportunity. Indeed, the people in and around Tamale have challenges with water and this in particular would serve many commu- nities including my Constituency. I make reference to page 9, paragraph 4 of the Report Gbullung, Tibung, Kumbungu, Zangbulung, Cheshegu, all in my Constituency are mentioned.
    I would want to make a special appeal even though in the Report it says that towns and communities that would benefit from the project would include but would not be limited to those mentioned. I want to make a special appeal for a community named Vao because they also have acute water challenges.
    Mr Speaker, finally, on page 3 of the Report, I have seen construction of staff accommodation. If I have the attention of the Hon Minister, there is no indication of exactly where the staff accommodation would be located. The Dalun area for instance, staff there have serious accommodation challenges and I would want that to be taken into consideration.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:54 a.m.
    Accommodation or water?
    Mr Mubarak 11:54 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, construction of staff accommodation on page 3. There is a treatment plant in my Constituency in a place called Dalun. Staff there are having challenges with accommodation and I would want the Ministry to take that into consideration in allocating where the accommodation would be located for staff.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Muhammed A. Gunu (NPP -- Savelugu) 11:54 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker for granting me the opportunity to support the Motion.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to seek your permission to refer to page 2. The existing water supply system for Tamale and its environs was constructed in 1972 under the Busia regime and due to the population growth, in 2008, the Tamale water supply saw an expansion under H. E.
    John A. Kufuor for 20,000m3 storage reservoir at Kukuo Yepalsi. I beg to quote:
    “This increased the production of the water treatment plant from 25,000m3/day to 44,000m3/day. However, due to rapid population growth in Tamale and its environs, there is not adequate capacity to meet the water demands of the fast developing city and there are increasing number of residents in Tamale.”
    Mr Speaker, I am very happy that this time round, the Savelugu Constituency, which is my Constituency is among the beneficiary communities and Pong Tamale as well. I would like to appeal to the Minister to add Diare, which is also an area that has also been challenged with water situation.
    Mr Speaker, Savelugu is one of the endemic areas in terms of guinea worm and several interventions have taken place in order to ensure that there is adequate supply of water in that area. This was where the Carter Foundation intervened yet all these have not yielded any positive results. For that matter, this has come at the right time. I am therefore appealing to the Minister to ensure that all the
    communities along the Savelugu and Pong Tamale up to Diare, would benefit from this particular project.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:54 a.m.
    I would give the last one to the Hon Member who was not paying attention to water in his Constituency before I come to the Leadership.
    Mr John A. Jinapor (NDC -- Yapei/Kusawgu) 11:54 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, as other Hon Colleagues have said, this project entails an amount of US$272 million. This is a huge amount of money. If we take our national budget to do an analysis, I do not think that any Ministry would even be allocated such an amount. So, this amount is a colossal amount. Even though it is christened as Tamale Water Project, it does appear that it spans beyond Tamale and even beyond the Northern Region.
    This is because it goes all the way to Damango in the Savannah Region. I would like to make a quick correction, that some towns and roads would benefit from this project but not all the towns. So, we might want to look at the other towns along that route. As my Hon Colleagues said, they have been advocating for a consideration to add some critical towns that they consider very
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:54 a.m.
    You should thank me for reminding you that it was about your Constituency.
    Mr Haruna Iddrisu (NDC -- Tamale South) 12:04 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Motion, and particularly commend Government and the Hon Minister for extending water to the Northern Region and the Savannah Region.
    Appropriately, we should correct that it is not just a Tamale -- Northern Region project. It includes Damango, Savelugu, and Diare as the Hon Member for Savelugu said, and Wayamba and Dungu on the airport road to Tamale among many other surrounding areas.
    I believe that Hon Wahab can also benefit from this when we take Tolon-- From Tamale through Tolon, Cheshegu, Banbaya area, Kunyevila and other areas; some of the communities include woribogu up to where Avanash water is, they would all definitely need to benefit from it.
    Mr Speaker, while commending Government, it is important for me to note that just about a decade ago, Government committed over €45 million to the same Biwater for expansion of water facility in Ghana. I am holding some records here which was a memorandum adopted in this House accordingly. The then Minister for Finance and Economic Planning Hon Dr Anthony Akoto Osei.
    Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleagues have referred to it already. Let me begin commenting that we join you in emphasising value for money. Value for money in my view, as we all shared with you at the workshop which was organised by the office of the Hon Minister in charge of Procurement, is critical in the exercise of Parliament's oversight.

    So, for it to be deferred into the future it does not put this House appropriately as a watchdog over the

    public purse. This House must therefore take a new position.

    Mr Speaker, we all joined you in Koforidua during the weekend, that it should be a new rule of thumb; no value for money, no approval or recommendation by Parliament. This is how we can ensure value for money and safeguard the public interest in this.

    If we look at the breakdown of the loan amount and I refer to page 4 of the Committee's Report, about US$40million would go to non- pipeline activities. The amount for client contingency is US$5million. We have a provisional sum of US$7 million, and that brings it to US$12 million in addition to the employer's provision of US$3 million; so that is US$15 million.

    Mr Speaker, I have a difficulty with item numbered 1 and 11 on page 4; development phase, US$8.1 million, and then we have contractor's preliminary cash of US$8.9 million. What is development phase and what is preliminary? It should be about the same, or there should be a relation- ship. So we need an explanation to the two.

    Cumulatively, when you do an addition of this, we would have about US$40million, which would not go to core water, including what we do with
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:04 p.m.
    Majority Leadership, do you want to comment?
    Ms Safo 12:04 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would defer to the Hon Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources.
    Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources (Ms Cecelia Dapaah) 12:04 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to say a few words in this Motion.
    I would like to place on record that this gargantuan sum of money to
    undertake this project is the single biggest water project the Government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has undertaken, so the recommenda- tions are welcomed. I will send them to him.
    I would also touch on the value for money audit. It is being done, it is in progress, and it will be ready at the end of August. So if the House agrees that we should always have it, we would have no objection to that. It is done by the Ministry of Finance.
    Mr Speaker, the appeals and recommendations have been noted, and we have taken cognisance of the fact that every 27 years, our population doubles. This project is built to take into consideration population growth to 2040.
    We have also dovetailed the Damongo water adequately into this project by expanding the pipelines, boosters and reservoirs. So we have saved a lot of money in this respect because Damongo water standing alone would have cost the nation US$40million. This Government needs to be commended for being very judicious with the funds allocated to us to undertake projects in this country.
    I wish to thank the Hon Minority Leader, the Majority Side, my Hon
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:04 p.m.
    Item numbered 7, Resolution, by the Hon Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources.
    RESOLUTION 12:04 p.m.
    Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources (Ms Cecilia Abena Dapaah) 12:04 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move,
    WHEREAS by the provisions of article 181(5) of the Constitution the terms and conditions of any international business or economic transac- tion to which the Government of Ghana is a party shall not come into operation unless the said terms and conditions have been
    laid before Parliament and approved by Parliament by a Resolution supported by the votes of a majority of all Members of Parliament;
    PURSUANT to the provisions of the said article 181(5) of the Constitution, and at the request of the Government of Ghana acting through the Minister responsible for Sanitation and Water Resources, there has been laid before Parliament the terms and conditions of a Contract Agreement between Ghana Water Company Limited (acting on behalf of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources for the Government of the Republic of Ghana) and Biwater International Limited of England, for an amount of two hundred and seventy-two million, two hundred and eighty- seven thousand, nine hundred and eighty United States dollars (US$272,287,980.00) in respect of the project known as the Tamale Water Supply Scheme.
    THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE 12:04 p.m.
    HEREBY RESOLVES AS 12:04 p.m.
    Mr Haruna Iddrisu 12:04 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Resolved accordingly.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:04 p.m.
    There is an Addendum Order Paper, and that is only for the presentation of a Report.
    Hon Leader, are you ready to present this Report?
    At the Commencement of Public Business -- Presentation of Papers
    by the Hon Chairman of the Committee.
    PAPERS 12:14 p.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:14 p.m.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
    Ms Safo 12:14 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, at the pre- Sitting meeting, both Sides of the House agreed that today would be light, considering that our Hon Brothers and Sisters on the other Side have very important party issues in their various constituencies.
    Mr Speaker, today being Friday, I know that Hon Members from both Sides would travel to their various constituencies as well. So I believe that at this point, we could bring proceedings to an end.
    Mr Speaker, we are, therefore, in your hands.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:14 p.m.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader, you would have to move for adjournment.
    Ms Safo 12:14 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I accordingly move that this House be adjourned till 10.00 o'clock in the forenoon on Monday.
    Mr Iddrisu 12:14 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion for adjourn- ment.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    ADJOURNMENT 12:14 p.m.
  • The House was accordingly adjourned at 12.16 p. m. till Monday, 22nd July, 2019 at 10.00 a.m.