Debates of 6 Nov 2019

MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:43 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:43 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:43 a.m.
Hon Members, item numbered 2 on the Order Paper; Correction of Votes and Proceedings.
Page 1 --
Mr Richard Acheampong 10:43 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on page 1, the item numbered 10 says “Acheampong, Richard”.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:43 a.m.
Page
2…7 --
Mr Sampson Ahi 10:43 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I was present yesterday but I have been marked absent. Those who were not here have been marked present, but those who were here have been marked absent.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:43 a.m.
I am comparing the two foreheads to see whether -- [Laughter.] From Bia to Bodi is the same grade line, so the exchange is understandable.
Very well, the correction is noted.
Page 7, page 8 --
Mr Yusif Sulemana 10:43 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I was also around yesterday but I have been marked absent. On page 8, I was struggling to see my name because I was looking for it where it was supposed to be.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:43 a.m.
Very well.
Page 9…15 --
Mr Patrick Yaw Boamah 10:43 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on page 15, item numbered1, (ii), the last sentence, I think it was supposed to be “Atibie Hospital”.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:43 a.m.
Noted.
Page 16…18 --
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 10:43 a.m.
Mr Speaker, you are a product of this school, is it Law School? I see:
“The committee met on Thursday, 31st October, 2019 at 12:30 p.m. with officials of the General Legal Council and Independent Examinations Committee and discussed the failure rates recorded in the 2019 Law School Entrance Examinations and the Professional Law Examination”.
Is that the proper name of the school? The records should reflect what is appropriate.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:43 a.m.
Where is the Hon Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and his Hon Ranking Member? They are more current members. [Laughter.] I think the name is the Ghana School of Law.
Page 19…21 --
Hon Members, the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 5 th November, 2019 as corrected, be hereby adopted as the true record of proceedings.
There are three Official Reports for correction. Any correction?

Hon Majority Leader?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:53 a.m.
Item numbered 3, Questions.
Hon Majority Leader?
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:53 a.m.
Mr Speaker, there is just one Question slated to be responded to by the Hon Minister for Communica- tions, which stands in the name of Hon Angela Oforiwa Alorwu-Tay, the Hon Member of Parliament (MP) for Afadjato South.
Unfortunately, we have a commu- nication from the Hon Minister for Communications which indicates that she only had the Question transmitted to her on 31st October, 2019. So she is pleading respectfully to be allowed some room to gather the relevant information in order for her to respond
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:53 a.m.
Yes, Hon Minority Leader?
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 10:53 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I have just conveyed a copy of the letter from the Hon Minister for Communications to Hon Angela Oforiwa Alorwu-Tay, for her to appreciate that the Hon Minister would not be available this morning to respond to her Question.
I understand the Hon Minister because she has to solicit some information from the telecommuni- cation companies, which are largely private sector entities. We could therefore wait but not forever though. Maybe, in a week or two, she should be available to respond to the Question.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:53 a.m.
Very well, I would defer the Question.
The Business Committee should re-programme when the Hon Minister would come and answer the Question.
Question numbered 664 has accordingly been deferred.
Item numbered 4, Statements.
Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
STATEMENTS 10:53 a.m.
Majority Leader (Mr Osei K y e i - M e n s a h - B o n s u ) 11:03 a.m.
M r Speaker, I rise to make a brief Statement on the event that happened on the dawn of Monday, 4 th November, 2019 with respect to our Hon Colleague, Hon Kennedy Kankam, who is the Hon MP for Nhyiaeso in the Ashanti Region.
Mr Speaker, Hon MPs have defined functions in the governance architecture, which makes their responsibilities an onerous one. The functions of representation, deliberation, information transition, legislation, financial control, oversight, dispute resolution, and the ratification of treaties, protocols and conventions among others, makes Hon MPs outstanding personalities in the society.
Mr Speaker, it is for this reason that the security of Hon MPs should be a prime concern of the State.
Unfortunately, in recent times, many Hon MPs have had afflictions of tragic propositions, and these could not be matters that we should celebrate. Mr Speaker, about four years ago, we had the unfortunate transition of one of our Hon Colleagues, Hon J. B. Danquah Adu. What really happened, as I speak today, has not been unravelled as a nation.
Mr Speaker, in this Seventh Parliament of the Fourth Republic, many Hon MPs have been attacked by armed robbers, and the situation cannot continue eternally.
Mr Speaker, on the dawn of Monday, 4th November, 2019, our Hon Colleague, Hon Kankam, was resting in his house when three fully armed men scaled his wall, entered his house and physically attacked him. They first went to the room of the house help and disconnected her electrical and security gadgets. With a gun pointed at her head, she led them to the bed room of the Hon Member.
Immediately they entered the room, they tied him up and asked that he surrendered everything. They ransacked
the place and took his laptop and other electrical accessories from the house, including all his mobile phones and that of his wife. According to him, what saved his life was the fact that when they entered the room, they met his wife breastfeeding their baby. They looked at the baby and the mother, and told him that they had been sent to kill him; but looking at that small baby that his wife was breast feeding, they felt if they killed him it would be difficult an enterprise for the woman to bring up the baby. They took everything, and stuffed his land cruiser with the stolen items and zoomed off.
Just so to register the point that they had been sent to kill him, just when they left his room, they fired bullets, perhaps to send signal to whoever might have sent them that they fired and missed target. So, they zoomed off, but they had been in the house for three good hours -- an operation that lasted between 1.00 a.m. and 4.00 a.m. Certainly, they had come well-prepared and thought they were secured to carry out that act, which but for providence they would have done.
Mr Speaker, about an hour after the incident, the Hon Member rushed out to inform people physically because his mobile phone had been taken away.

So he had to personally come out to inform his next door neighbour, and then they contacted the police who sent signals around that a stolen vehicle had left a certain MPs house with a given registration number. The robbers however, drove for some 10 kilometres and then left the vehicle in front of somebody's house, locked everything and sped off.

Mr Speaker, this should bring us back to the prime concern that we have often expressed in this Chamber about the security of Hon MPs. Every now and then, the issue has been that Hon Members of Parliament are many. If we must be candid with ourselves, today, so many districts have been created. Yet, appropriately so, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) are provided with security. Why could we not do same for Hon MPs?

Going forward, I think that the country should make a determined effort to be decisive about this. This is because we cannot continue to imperil the lives of Hon MPs. Many of us have suffered highway robberies because we were not accompanied by security personnel. I think that two of our Hon Colleagues were attacked by armed robbers between Nsawam and Suhum. One other was between

Koforidua and Bunso Junction, and they were all saved by God's grace. This is because in the case of the two of them, they were shot at but missed targets.

Mr Speaker, I think that the time has come for the State to take a decision on the security of the Hon MPs. With the passing of days, the situation is getting worse.

So I will end with a humble plea to the Hon Minister for the Interior who unfortunately is not here. I think the House should come together and make a representation to him that indeed, from now on, a decision has been taken on the way forward about the security of Hon MPs.

Mr Speaker, thank you for the space allowed me to make this point.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:03 a.m.
Since this is a Statement from the Hon Majority Leader, should the Hon Minority Leader be the last person? Would you want to respond now before I give others -- ? [Interruption.] You will be the last person. Very well.
I will take two from either Side, and then we will continue. [Interrup- tion.] Hon Minority Chief Whip, I will give you the first opportunity because you are an Hon Member from the Ashanti region, before I come to the next Hon Member.
Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka (NDC -- Asawase) 11:03 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am very grateful for the opportunity to speak.
Let me start by commending the Hon Majority Leader for drawing the attention of the House.
If we would remember, yesterday at our enclave, I was concerned about how we would approach this. So I thank the Hon Majority Leader for drawing the attention of the House.
Mr Speaker, I was in Kumasi over the weekend. When I heard this sad incident, I tried to reach our Hon Colleague. Unfortunately, his phones had been taken away. I only got through with a call some time on Monday after 3 o'clock.
The incident that happened to our Hon Colleague was very unfortunate. It must be condemned by every well- meaning Ghanaian, especially with the notion of “we were sent to kill you”.
Mr Speaker, I do not think that the politics in our country has gotten to this stage. With the loss of our Hon Colleague, the late J. B. Danquah Adu; the number of threats that have been sent to other Hon Colleagues; and now, an Hon MP being held hostage for over three hours which took the intervention of God, however, I believe, just like the Hon
Majority Leader said; ‘the time to act is now. A clear example is what he gave where we now have 260 MMDCEs, and the State is able to provide them with security.
Mr Speaker, sometimes I do not blame the thinking of people, but they need to wake up to the realisation that because of the antecedent of our country and the number of coups we have had, Parliament is regarded as an after-thought by most institutions. When it comes to governance, they hurriedly meet the demands of the Executive as well as the Judiciary. When it comes to Parliament, however, then the excuses start.
The interesting thing is that we do not pray nor wish for such things to happen; but just to give a clear example of the weight of the three arms of Government. I remember when the late President of our country, Professor Atta-Mills died, we replaced him within four hours.
Mr Speaker, today, and may God forbid that it ever happen, should any of our Supreme Court judges die, it should take Parliament within two months to do replacement. When a District Chief Executive (DCE) dies, it would take the President an hour to replace him. When an Hon MP loses his or her life, it does not take the country months to replace him or her;
Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka (NDC -- Asawase) 11:13 a.m.
it costs this country a lot of money to replace an Hon MP when he or she loses his or her life. That is the difference.
Whereas those who are provided security, God forbid, when they lose their lives, they are replaced within hours. If those they do not want to give security to lose their lives, we would have to spend a lot of State resources to replace them. Which of these is the priority of the State?
Mr Speaker, the country must wake up to the reality, as we keep talking about it. Even within the precincts of Parliament, people could easily go to the Job 600 Building and cause harm. The State does not want to invest in protecting Parliament and its Hon Members as an institution. The State always has excuses.
The last time the Emoluments Committee tried to do something, the response was that we should be given 10 per cent to engage security. We would realise that it is woefully inadequate to the extent that even if we want to talk to the police administration that we are willing to pay for their services, they are not willing to provide security. So we would have to go for private securities.
The private security companies provide security personnel with a
stick, and they sit in front of our doors —[Interruption.] Mr Speaker, so, both we and the private security persons are at risk because all they can do is to open and close the gate. [Laughter.] This is because the law does not allow the private security companies to hold guns. Yet look at what happened to our Hon Colleague; three armed men scaled his fence. Imagine that there was a security person with a gun who at least fired warning shots, it could have gotten them to run away. They could not have scaled the wall, broken through the house, and stayed there for three hours. It is only God who saved our Hon Colleague.
This could have happened to any of us, and I cannot imagine the trauma our Hon Colleague is going through after this ordeal. Yes, many Ghanaians are going through same. We know that the populace is calling for enhanced security. We would continue to call on the Ministry of the Interior in particular, the National Security, the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and all the security agencies. Sometimes, they even call in the military to support them to beef up the security of the nation, so that every individual — whether politician, business person, or the ordinary citizen — could feel safe within their residences.

Mr Speaker, it is because of the nature of the job we provide that we sometimes get scared. We could be in traffic and someone would say, “this is Hon Muntaka” or “that is Hon Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu”. People just know us to the extent that we cannot even hide. We could choose to be in a t-shirt with even a cap, but they could tell who we are. Because of the nature of the job we do; every day we Sit, while others work in closed offices. Our official duty is to Sit in public. The things we say and do are telecasted around the world, and so one cannot hide his face nor his residence because we drive home, and people get to know where we stay.

Mr Speaker, fortunately, the Hon Minister for the Interior just walked in, and he is one of us. I remember when he was here as the Hon Deputy Minority Leader, we all had time to complain about this. I know it has to take a decision by the whole Government to do it, but we hope that he can make a good case. Let us not wait to lose another Hon Member, since we lost our Hon Colleague some years back. Up till now, the issue is dangling in court; they have not been able to find the perpetrators to prove them guilty yet. We do not have to
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:13 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member for Ablekuma Central?
Mr Ebenezer N. N. Nartey (NPP -- Ablekuma Central) 11:13 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for this opportunity.
Let me thank the Hon Leader of the House for coming out with this matter, which borders on the security of Hon Members of Parliament (MPs).
I know that by the close of today, Hon MPs would not be forgiven. We would be lambasted for asking for police protection. Just as the Hon

Minority Chief Whip said, if today, God forbid, we lose one District Chief Executive (DCE), the President would nominate that replacement, and we would have ten people to go and cast a vote to re-elect one. When an Hon MP loses his life, we would have a by-election that would cost the country and political parties so much. We need to look at the importance of it. The Hon Leader mentioned that Metropolitan Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) have police officers in their houses and offices.

I remember last year, when we debated the Budget Statement, we closed around 2.00 am the following day. I know some of my Hon colleagues who had to sleep in the office because of where they live. Some of us had to call people to meet us on the way because it was 2.00 am, and people would be monitoring us. If I had a police officer in my house, I could just ask him or her to meet me at the junction and escort me to the house.

Mr Speaker, we go to workshops. About two weeks ago we were at Koforidua. Unfortunately I left late. When I got to Mamfe, there was no light. I just prayed that God would just hold my hands and take me to Capital

View Hotel. It was because the place was so dark and I had no police officer with me.

Mr Speaker, this is a matter of concern. As the Hon Majority Leader said, the time for us to be given protection is now. High Court judges have police protection, but it is in this Chamber that we swear-in Chief Justices, Vice-Presidents and Presidents. That is the importance of this House. That tells us that even today, if we do not have a Vice President and we are to get one, we would need Hon MPs.

Mr Speaker, with these few words, I thank you for the opportunity.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:13 a.m.
Let me give the opportunity to Hon Dauda. I have a reason. He and I were victims of armed robbery at the same time. He would probably share the experience.
Alhaji Collins Dauda (NDC -- Asutifi South) 11:23 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
I wish to begin by thanking the Hon Majority Leader for bringing this important issue to the fore.
As you rightly indicated before giving me the opportunity, I have had several experiences with armed robbers. In Baatsona where I lived, I had three experiences where I was attacked in my bedroom. Thanks be to Allah, I survived. So anytime an issue of armed robbery is raised, I panic and really sympathise with the victims.
Mr Speaker, when one is attacked, it takes more than a year for one to recover from the trauma. That is with those of us who are old, but I do not know how long it takes for our children to recover. In one of the attacks, my children were attacked. They were the ones the armed robbers forced to get to my room. They asked my daughter to knock at my door for me to open, and they followed up. I received a lot of beatings. So this is
a very important issue that has to be considered.

Mr Speaker, my plea is that, we are discussing this issue so that it would be highlighted -- Maybe to get the sympathy of the public to come along with us. But Mr Speaker, with all due respect, I would prefer that while the Statement is admitted and a few comments have been made, you perhaps would end the discussion and get the Leadership of the House, led by your good self to meet the heads of the security agencies.

It is a matter of security and in this House, the convention is that security matters are not discussed in public, including their budget. Therefore if you would agree with me, I would invite you to maybe bring the discussion of this matter to a close after listening to one of the most Senior Members of the House and thus arrange a meeting with the heads of the security agencies to discuss the issue into more details as to how our security matters could be handled.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul (NPP -- Bimbilla) 11:23 a.m.
Mr Speaker, before the Hon Minister for the Interior
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:23 a.m.
Hon Minority Leader before the Hon Minister for the Interior.
Minority Leader (Mr Haruna Iddrisu) Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity and to commend the Hon Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business for bringing the matter about the safety of Hon Members of Parliament to the fore. And also the threats and risks to the lives of Hon Members and its consequence on us as a country. Mr Speaker, I also state strongly that the safety and life of every Ghanaian citizen is as important as the lives of
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:33 a.m.
Hon Members of Parliament. Indeed, one cannot overstate the threats and the risks. The Leader in his Statement, invoked our memories of the late Hon J. B. Danquah. The justice system is yet to deliver justice to him and his family, who are still grieving and yet we cannot even assure living Hon Members of Parliament of their safety and security. What has happened to Hon Kankam could happen to any of us.
Mr Speaker, I agree with the Hon Minister for Defence, except to say that on the Floor here, he is expressing a personal view. He cannot have a personal view as the Hon Minister for Defence. He cannot. Once he is the Hon Minister for Defence speaking on the floor of Parliament, he needs to assure us Hon Members of Parliament and all other Ghanaian citizens, that his men in uniform are up and doing. So personal views should not be encouraged.
Mr Speaker, before the Hon Minister for the Interior comes in, I have heard suggestions where Members of Parliament who controlled the public purse are ourselves complaining of what to do with our safety and security.
Mr Speaker, may I refer you to article 71 and for my purposes, read
it and make a point? All these must come under the ambit of article 71. I would read it and then go to 71(2).
“The salaries and allowances payable, and the facilities, and privileges available, to --
(a)the Speaker and Deputy Speaker and Members of Parliament …”

Mr Speaker, in fact, this should be part of our facilities and privileges that are provided for. In fact, the Hon Majority Leader alerted me to read the full article.

“The salaries and allowances payable, and the facilities, and privileges available, to --

(a)the Speaker and Deputy Speakers and members of Parliament;”

I believe the President has just inaugurated the Article 71 Committee. They should carry it on board. But Hon Members of Parliament must be ready to forfeit that 10 per cent for security added to their salaries which does not protect us in any way, and which does not provide for our security. Alternatively, we demand that each Hon Member of Parliament

is provided with a close aide of a security person responsible for our personal protection; we can do that, but we cannot do it outside the constitutional thinking as to what can happen to Hon Members of Parliament.

Mr Speaker, in the meantime, the Hon Minister for the Interior must instruct the Inspector General of Police to commence investigation into the attack on Hon Kankam and submit a report to us within a fortnight. We need an investigation. To paraphrase the Hon Majority Leader, “we have been sent to kill you.” For what and by who? You have sent that Hon Kankam be eliminated?

Mr Speaker, it is the same thing we slept over since the Hon J. B. Danquah's murder. The criminal trial itself in its tortuous and cumbersome nature has not served the ends of justice in that and that could repeat itself.

Mr Speaker, as for threats, the Hon Richard Quashigah reported to me that he got a text message, which said that they have been asked to come and eliminate him, so he should be careful. Many others in many other areas on different days.

Mr Speaker, sometimes, even when an Hon Member ends a debate on a matter that somebody disagrees with, the text message he or she gets is, “You will see, we will show you.”

Mr Speaker, I would just conclude with this. The mobile phone is an emergency tool. It is not for nothing that criminals attack it or seize it when they enter because as an emergency -- Many of you are interested in ‘l love you', ‘ I have missed you' and ‘I have called', no! -- [Uproar] -- This is rather just for the humour of it.

I just said that the mobile phone is an emergency tool and the reason criminals will get at it is because if your son or daughter is smart enough, even while the attack is ongoing, a text that says “We are under attack, come to our rescue'' to the emergency number is enough. That is why criminals would go and attack the mobile phone and the computer, so that you have no access to ask for a rescue support. We need to take our personal security seriously as Hon Members of Parliament in addition to what the State would provide which may not be enough.

Mr Speaker, another intriguing and ironic thing which the Hon Minister for Defence mentioned was that, to be an Hon Minister, one must be an Hon Member of Parliament. Then,
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:33 a.m.


from the Hon Member of Parliament to become an Hon Minister where a person becomes more important than the Hon Member of Parliament. It did not say that a person must be a Minister before he or she becomes a Member of Parliament.

The Constitution has recognised our weight, but we have degraded it. It is as if we are begging the Hon Minister for the Interior today. So long as it sits within Article 71, we are entitled to those facilities and privileges, including our personal safety and security to the maximum, and that of every other Ghanaian citizen. [Hear! Hear!] -- That should be provided for.

Mr Speaker, I would want to thank the Hon Majority Leader. We should engage Article 71 properly, so that all these issues would be resolved collectively.

In the meantime however, we need to know from the Inspector General of Police what the threat to Hon Kennedy Kankam is, what is the motivation and the source of what happened? We need to probe this uptick further. I believe the Hon Minister for the Interior is capable of getting his men to tell us in that area and to guarantee further the safety and security of Hon Members of Parliament.

When we travel outside Accra, it is even difficult to have some facilities available to Hon Members of Parliament. We are Honourable men and women and we should be treated with that honour.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:33 a.m.
Yes Hon Minister, what assurance can we get from you?
Minister for the Interior (Mr Ambrose Dery) (MP) 11:33 a.m.
Thank you Mr Speaker for this opportunity.
When Hon Alhaji Muntaka spoke, he alluded to my involvement when I was the Hon Deputy Minority Leader, in trying to work to enhance the security of this House. That did not stop. This security challenge has been with us and through it, we lost one of our Hon Colleagues, Hon J. B. Danquah through it, we lost a DCE somewhere in the Volta Region before we came to power and we are still dealing with it; through it, we have lost other Government appointees from both Sides.
Mr Speaker, since 2017, we have sought and set out to enhance the security of Ghana. I would like to remind Hon Leaders that I contacted them at a certain point in time and
asked them to provide residential addresses of Hon Members of Parliament for us to deploy police, but we never got it. Maybe, they were so busy. [Interruption] -- Wait a minute. In doing that, we are not discriminating against the public. They are a public strategy to maintain peace and security all over the place, but when we provide those residential guards, they serve as essential links to the general patrol system. If a police is in an Hon Member's house and he has a communication gadget, he is able to make contributions into the network that we have established. There was an arm robbery incident three houses away from my house, and because we had links around that place, we were able to react.
Let me assure all of you that we are interested in providing for Hon Members of Parliament within the context of an enhanced security for the whole country. Therefore there should not be any contradiction at all in trying to get Members of Parliament security.
I have made that attempt and I believe that it has now come again, I would suggest that the Parliamentary sub-Committee on Defence and the Interior be given that task to work on with the Ministry of the Interior and the commanders of the various security agencies to work the details. There is no difficulty about that.
Mr Speaker, I would want to assure you that we have assessed the security of this Parliament as we speak. I deployed a team which was led by the Hon Deputy Minister for the Interior. We have come here and found out the weaknesses. We would work and bring a report. Although we have police here, we have not left them to their fate. We have challenges that we still have to work on. So no Hon Member of Parliament should be afraid -- [Interruption] -- to provide their residential addresses. That was why I could not get it. A number of Hon Members who got challenges called me and I called the security agencies to deal with their issues. But let us go for a more comprehensive approach. Let us start by you providing me with your addresses andwe would deploy the police there, but you said, no! [Uproar]
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:43 a.m.
Hon Members, Order! Order!
Mr A. Dery 11:43 a.m.
Mr, Speaker, the late Hon J. B. Danquah, Hon Kankam, who is being talked about that he was robbed in his House -- I am therefore saying that each of us should give our residential addresses. [Interruptions] --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:43 a.m.
Hon Members, Order!
Mr A. Dery 11:43 a.m.
I am happy that you have seen the challenge that I face in getting the addresses. Despite the refusal, when Hon Members are faced with challenges in their residences, they behave as if the Hon Minister for the Interior and his agencies do not support them.
We seek to support them. We do not discriminate because we have mapped out the places. “Operation Calm Life” operates, and we would only add those as linked areas, that would help to facilitate our patrol.
Mr Speaker, I would want you to know that we are registering a formula and establishing a link between the Ghana Police Service and private security agencies, so that it feeds us with intelligence.
Mr Speaker, we have had 567 vehicles that have been deployed to help in that exercise. I would want to assure us that we are interested in the
outcome of the investigation of the incident that happened to the Hon Kankam, as with other criminal offences. Therefore the directives from the Ministry to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Police, is to expedite investigations in all directions.
Mr Speaker, for this reason, I could report to you that this year, we have had 47 reported cases of kidnap, we expedited investigation, and found 21 of those cases to be false. However, we have rescued 17 victims.
We have also placed before court, ten suspects, of which four have been convicted. I want you to know that it is part of the scheme that would give us expedited outcome in this matter.
The Hon Minority Leader also raised a very important point. We deal with an independent judiciary which we could finance with support from Parliament. However, sometimes we would also need to engage them, to facilitate expeditious disposal of these cases. It is across board.
The late Hon J. B. Danquah's case is still before court. The late Upper East regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) case is also before court. We have equally important issues, such as the murder
of the journalist still before us. All these are important issues that we would want to deal with expeditiously. I could therefore assure all that the Ministry would work hard across board to deal with them.
Mr Speaker, for now, I would request of you to allow the sub- committee of Parliament on Defence and the Interior, to engage all with the commanders, so that we work out the details. We would need information to be able to do this, however, Hon Members of Parliament want to still keep their addresses.
The Hon Sampon Ahi does not want us to know where he stays, but he wants us to be able to protect him. [Interruptions] -
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:43 a.m.
Hon Minister, you are out of order.
Mr A. Dery 11:43 a.m.
Mr Speaker, that is so. I was just playing with him. I am sorry.
Mr Speaker, we have security for the District Chief Executives (DCEs) because we know where they live. We would therefore want to know where Hon Members live.
Mr Speaker, the Vice President makes it easier for us with the
introduction of the digital address system. This is because otherwise, it would be more difficult for us.
Mr Speaker, I would therefore assure you that I am prepared to work with the Leadership of Parliament. I also want to assure the whole country that we would leave no stone unturned in dealing with it.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:43 a.m.
Hon Members, before I say anything, I would listen to the Hon Majority Leader again.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:43 a.m.
Mr Speaker, this is just to correct some factual inexactitudes.
Mr Speaker, what I said at the outset was that the event happened at the dawn of Monday. I think I got it wrong because it was actually the dawn of Sunday; the Saturday into Sunday. So this is just to correct what I said.
Mr Speaker, secondly, I agree with the Hon Minister for the Interior that we would need protection, most especially, at the residences of Hon Members. I think the issue with Hon Members' resistance has to do with where to lodge the address. Would it be at the national level or at the local
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:53 a.m.
Very well.
Hon Members, this is a matter that has troubled us. It is one matter that we are not bold to discuss openly because we are often afraid of the public reaction. That is the naked truth about Hon Members of Parliament. We never have the sympathy of the public, so we are always afraid to discuss matters that relate to our person. It is one of our challenges.
At this time, we could only pray that our Hon Colleague soon overcomes the trauma. When such an incident happened to me some time ago, afterwards, the sound of an air condition frightened me. For about a week I was afraid to switch on the air condition because anytime it banged up, I had to wake up and check whether there was somebody around my house. That is how deep the trauma is.
What I suggest we do is to take our personal security seriously.

We are asking for the assistance of the Police; it would be good we get provided with Police. But Hon Dan Botwe was the Minority Chief Whip and had a policeman in his house when the armed robbers attacked him.

Notwithstanding that, there was a policeman stationed in his house, so the presence of police would not be sufficient because I have a policeman in my house but sometimes I cannot find him. -[Laughter]- when I come back late in the night, he is not there.

Hon Members, but what I would like us to critically look at is the material we use to make the security things in our windows and our doors. What I saw in the photographs of Hon Kankam was that it has been cut. That particular material; those angled irons are quite malleable. Probably, it is time we took personal interest in what material we use rather than just letting the craftsmen select the material; because in the case of the late Hon J. B. Danquah's house, they opened that one and entered the house, and in Hon Kankam's case, they have cut through it and entered
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:53 a.m.
Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:53 a.m.
Mr Speaker, just by way of putting what you said in proper perspective. When Hon Dan Botwe was attacked, at the time, he had no police security. It was afterwards that we insisted that the Whips should also be provided with policemen.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:53 a.m.
Well, I would not debate that because the Chief Whip before him had a police so I would be surprised - very well. But the critical thing is that the police are not sufficient security for us; we should look at things that would protect us from getting into trouble.
Having said that, could I suggest to the Leadership to go into conclave with the Hon Minister for the Interior and discuss how effectively the Ministry and the security services in general could provide security for Hon Members of Parliament, particularly in our constituencies? We are most vulnerable in our constituencies because we take things for granted
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:53 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I believe certainly before the Meeting ends we should be able to resolve this matter.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:53 a.m.
Hon Majority Leader, what does that mean, before which meeting?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:53 a.m.
Mr Speaker, this Meeting, not today's Sitting.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:53 a.m.
When does this Meeting end?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:53 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Meeting is likely to go to the 21st of December, 2019. I have already announced --[Interrup- tion] --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:53 a.m.
That is what your Hon Colleagues are protesting about.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:53 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I say so because the Referendum comes off on the 17th of December and we need at least two days, especially, those of them going up north would need at least two days to go up, mobilise people to participate in the Referendum and then, drive down. So I would think that we may have to add one more day because perhaps, we are going to be absent for about three days.
The Referendum comes off on 17th December, 2019 which is a Tuesday and we may need travel time of Monday and after Tuesday, to come down. Perhaps we are going to lose three days and that is why it may become imperative to add one more day that is —
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:53 a.m.
Hon Majority Leader, that is not a problem; the problem is, how soon you and the Hon Minister for the Interior could report to the House?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:53 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am saying that certainly, before the Meeting comes to an end -- And Mr Speaker, possibly, I believe when we start attending to the sector allocations after the
presentation of the Budget, it would become difficult to create space for that so I would think that within two weeks we should be able to resolve this.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:53 a.m.
Very well, two weeks is acceptable. The direction is that, the Hon Majority Leader would report to the House, the outcomes of the meetings on or before two weeks from today.
I admitted one Statement in the name of the Hon Member for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Hon Frank Annoh-Dompreh.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:53 a.m.
Hon Member for Okaikoi, what is the matter?
Mr Boamah 11:53 a.m.
Mr Speaker, before you used your gavel, I was just pleading with you that Leadership have a feel of police security in their homes, so we needed you to at least, expand that Committee to include a Back-bencher from each Side. [Hear! Hear!] --
Mr Speaker, the Hon Majority Leader is in support.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:53 a.m.
Very well, either Side would nominate one Member from the Back-bench to work with the Leadership.
Hon Member, you remind me of myself sitting where Hon Richard Acheampong sits now when this matter was being discussed. And I made the same point that the Hon Leaders are protected and they do not care about the Back-bench. Now, the same accusation is coming to me today, sitting here as the Hon First Deputy Speaker.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:53 a.m.
I am not asking for -- just tell your Hon Leaders.
Yes, Hon Annoh-Dompreh?
STATEMENTS 12:03 p.m.
Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh (NPP -- Nsawam-Adoagyiri) 12:03 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise to make this brief Statement on the issues regarding the Nigerian border closure that began on 21st August, 2019.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:03 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member for Ningo-Prampram?
Mr Samuel Nartey George (NDC -- Ningo-Prampram) 12:03 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the issue of the border closure is one that has lingered for too long. The fact needs to be made that Nigeria maintains an official position that the target is not Ghana. The Government of Ghana sent a high- powered delegation to Nigeria and that delegation was assured that on the just past Monday, a corridor would be opened for Ghanaian vehicles to ply their trade and go in or for those headed to Ghana to come through.
Mr Speaker, after that assurance was given to the Ghanaian delegation, that this past Monday, they would open a corridor for Ghanaian
businesses, the Nigerian Government rather announced an extension of the border closure to 31st January, 2020.
The question we should ask ourselves is this, is Nigeria practising protectionism of their market? If the target is not Ghana, then they should as well create the corridor that they spoke about for Ghanaian businesses to go through. It was reported on Saturday in one of the news programmes that Kasapreko Limited, a Ghanaian company in the past six weeks alone, has lost US$2 million worth of business due to this closure. That is a Ghanaian business.
So, if Nigeria is fighting to protect its businesses, what are we as a country doing to protect our own interests? When Nigerians in Ghana flout our local laws when it comes to retail trade and we Ghanaians fail to enforce our public protection rules and laws just like those protecting Nigerian interests; what then happens to Ghanaian interests?
Mr Speaker, Nigeria cannot claim that they are using national security concerns as a reason to hold Ghanaian businesses up for upwards of eight weeks. It is unconscionable, given the dictates of ECOWAS. The Government of Ghana must make a forceful representation at the next Extraordinary Summit of ECOWAS,
and Nigeria must pay penalties to Ghanaian businesses that have suffered because this cannot go on like this.
We also need to state our position because at the end of the day, if Nigeria does this and gets away with it and we say yenfa mma Nyame to wit, let us leave it to God, as we always do, tomorrow it would repeat itself. So if Nigeria is beginning to protect its businesses, Ghana must also look to protect her businesses. If we have all signed AfCFTA and there is the ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons and goods, on what basis is Nigeria holding up Ghanaian businesses? Would they pay compensation to those companies?
Mr Speaker, it is sad. I saw pictures of the Ghanaian drivers who have been stuck at the border, who met the Ghanaian team, and it is most unfortunate. I appeal to the Chair to ask the relevant Committee to get involved in this matter, and find a resolution to this problem by supporting the work of central Government to ensure that Nigeria is compelled to make the necessary reparations to Ghanaian businesses that have been affected.
Mr Speaker, with these few words, I thank you for the opportunity
to contribute to the Statement and congratulate the Hon Member who made the Statement.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:03 p.m.
Hon Member for Shama?
Mr Ato Panford (NPP -- Shama) 12:13 p.m.
Mr Speaker, let me take this opportunity to congratulate the Hon Member who made the Statement, Hon Annoh-Dompreh, and say these few words in relation to the position and steps that the Committee of this august House has been able to take.
Mr Speaker, it is of great concern on these issues in respect of the two challenges that we have: the closure of the Nigeria-Benin border and the challenges that we have from some members of GUTA who have proceeded to take certain actions that if care is not taken, might ripple off in some of the serious arrangements that the inter-ministerial committee has done in respect to address the challenge.
I would add my voice to the chairman of GUTA, Dr Obeng, to express calm to members of GUTA -- to hold their horses for the Ministry to be able to dialogue with our counterparts in Nigeria to find a lasting solution to this situation.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:13 p.m.
Hon Member, are you done?
Mr Panford 12:13 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I pray that this august House takes a critical look at it.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:13 p.m.
Hon Ranking Member, you would speak on everything, so I would give the chance to other people. Hon Ablakwa, you would contribute last because you belong to the committee
Hon Member for Wa Central?
Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo (NDC -- Wa Central) 12:13 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is important to remember that Nigeria is a central pivotal rallying point for ECOWAS and it has played a major role in bringing ECOWAS together, and getting it to move as an economic bloc. So for them to take this unilateral action this way is a cause to worry about.
We all agree and know that when we sign protocols that are of international nature, we subsume our sovereignty in the larger organisation to which we belonged. So no country, after signing such agreements would go unilaterally to take a decision such
as what has been taken by Nigeria. Nigeria has demonstrated that it cannot be trustworthy in matters like these. Lots of West African countries, especially those that share border with Nigeria have their economy hinged on trade with Nigeria.
Mr Speaker, trade in West Africa is mostly informal, and in smaller scales with movement of goods and services across the border in the manner that is not very much regulated. Benin has about 50 per cent of its total economy dependent on this informal relation with Nigeria through approved means of entering Nigeria.
Mr Speaker, ECOWAS as a whole has a total trade of US$208 billion, and this is mostly moved by the goods and services that have been prevented from entering into Nigeria and this causes those countries a lot of pain.
Nigeria has taken this decision, based on a certain principle that it wants to protect its borders to ensure that its decision to make sure certain goods that are banned from being imported into the country are completely banned, so that other countries would not move to the country with those goods and services. This is in accordance with the national interest of their country.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:13 p.m.
Yes, Hon Deputy Minister?
Mr Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus- Glover (NPP -- Tema East) 12:23 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am most grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this Statement and I also want to commend the Hon Member who made it.
Mr Speaker, it is a fact that Nigeria has not adhered to the ECOWAS protocol that talks about the free movement of goods and people.
Mr Speaker, it is worrying that Nigeria today, does not remember the sacrifices and contributions of our forbearers who had the idea to give birth to ECOWAS. It is unfortunate that this is the angle and drive at which Nigeria wants to go.
Mr Speaker, it will interest you to note that as we speak, Nigeria has banned 45 different products from coming into their country. These are pharmaceuticals, textiles, mineral water, clothing and so on. There is no way any member of ECOWAS or outside it could import into their country. Their reason is to protect their industries; they want to create jobs for their people and for that matter, nothing can change their mind in pursuing this agenda they have taken.
However, when you listen to the reason for their closure, they said; ‘‘banning of illegal imports''. The question is, what about legal imports that people of Nigeria are bringing from outside their country? We have various channels of importing and exporting from each sides of the border.
Mr Speaker, I agree with Hon Samuel N. George that Kasapreko Company Limited has lost US$2 million. The poor innocent driver who knows nothing is suffering at the border as we speak. I would like to commend H.E. the President for delegating his Hon Ministers to go and empathise with his nationals.
Dangote Group Limited can load cement on their trucks and drive all the way to Ghana to sell even though, right in the Volta Region, we have Diamond cement. They cross their border and come to sell and go back to Nigeria. What wrong have we done?
Mr Speaker it is high time we call a spade a spade and not a long big wooden spoon. I agree that sometimes in Ghana, we need to continue with our diplomacy, and that is the angle taken by the President and his Hon Minister. However, it looks as if Nigeria is not trying to understand
and to believe in the treaty that we have all signed on to.
As we speak, GUTA and some of its members have closed down shops in Kumasi because section 26 of the Ghana Investment Promotion Center Act has been flouted. Since we do not want to go on that tangent, the leadership and the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism is engaging them to play by the rules. However, I believe that it is high time we reminded Nigeria that particularly, between the two of us, we have a lot in common.
Mr Speaker, the way we are going means that we must begin to go by this statement, “we must consume what we produce” because if we are not careful and Nigeria goes in the same direction that they are going, we would have crises on our hands.
I believe that H.E. the President might be speaking with his colleague. He should continue to engage him to open the separate border that they promised us so that goods can continually move between Ghana and Nigeria while we also give them safe corridors to transact their business here in Ghana.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity.
Mr Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus- Glover (NPP -- Tema East) 12:33 p.m.
I commend the Hon Chairman for bringing this matter up. It is one that is of grave concern to the people we represent in this Parliament and indeed, to the entire African region.
Mr Speaker, the actions of Nigeria, since 21st August, 2019, has led many Africans to wonder, if the dream of integration and continental African unity, which our forebearers worked so hard for, and for which our first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, committed so much effort to, would ever materialise.
The actions of Nigeria, as we are all aware, were quite sudden. They closed the land borders with Benin, Niger and Cameroon without notice. ECOWAS member states were not informed and as we speak, GUTA has reported that more than 100 trucks are locked up in transit.
From the Statement, we know that our Government, led by H.E. President Akufo-Addo, has sympathised with our compatriots by donating some CFA450, 000 just to, at least, try to ameliorate their plight.
We have all heard about the untold hardships and difficulties that traders, passengers and commuters are facing.
Mr Speaker, as we speak, over the weekend news came from Nigeria that President Buhari has extended the closure of their borders to 31st January, 2020. I just read a communique put out by the Nigerian Inter-Ministerial Committee on this matter, signed by the Nigerian Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama.
He announced that per the work of the Inter-Ministerial Committee, even the 31st of January, 2020 is not a given; and that there could be an extension beyond that date. It will depend on the work of the tripartite Committee's meeting in two weeks' time in Nigeria, where they have invited Benin and Niger to look at the matters.
Clearly, we are in for a very long and rough ride; an arduous one indeed. Though our Hon Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and Trade and Industry embarked on an effort to negotiate with Nigeria as we were reliably informed by the Hon Member who made the Statement, what is clear to me is that we need a regional solution.
We need ECOWAS and the African Union (AU) to stand up to its
mandate; we cannot leave member countries to their fate. This approach of individual member countries trying to negotiate with Nigeria to see if they could have mercy on them is not a sustainable path as it is not yielding results. We need to call on ECOWAS to be heard in this matter.
Mr Speaker, it is quite dis- appointing that since this matter began, ECOWAS has not been heard. One would have thought that the current ECOWAS Chairman, President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, whose country is affected, would have been heard vociferously on the matter. However, as we know, President Mahamadou Issoufou is yet to speak or convene an emergency meeting to look at this particular matter.
So many people wonder if we even need ECOWAS and the AU. We do. Some of us remain optimists in the integration agenda. We cannot develop in this balkanised state of 55 countries making up the AU, and trying to look for our destinies -- it will not work.

We can only develop when we come together and attain proper and true continental union, and with that, we can offer hope in transforming our continent.

That is why there is so much expectation around AfCFTA. It has been described as a game changer, but this singular act by Nigeria threatens the hope of the AfCFTA that many of us look up to -- that we would have a common market, and the 1.3 billion people on the continent can begin to play with a bigger size and compete favourably with other blocs like the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the European Union (EU) or the Asian tigers. Mr Speaker, alas, with this conduct by Nigeria, we are not sure of the future of the African continental trade which our country is happy to host its Secretariat.

Mr Speaker, I still believe that a diplomatic approach is the way to go, and it would be led by ECOWAS and the A U, and not leaving individual member states to their fate. Mr Speaker, as I make this point, we must urge calm, because we cannot in one breath say that we are for integration, and call on Nigeria to be committed to the ECOWAS Protocols of 1979 which calls for free movement of goods, persons and capitals, and in another, close down shops belonging to Nigerians or other foreigners.

That is why I would urge calm, and appeal to members of GUTA that the way to go is not for them to engage in what they want to describe as reprisal
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:33 p.m.
Hon Member, wind up.
Mr. Ablakwa 12:33 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I would want us to remember that on 23rd of November, 1958, we decided to set an example to the rest of Africa when Ghana and Guinea formed a union so that other countries would learn from us and this eventually led to the formation of the Organisation of African Union (OAU) in 1963.
So we must be committed to integration, and we must call on Nigeria to change track and open their land borders. We cannot address the concerns that they have in a unilateral way because multilateralism is still the way to go. Mr Speaker, ECOWAS and AU should awake from their slumber and show leadership. They cannot let down the continent in the way they have done.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement, and I commend the Hon Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee for this Statement.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:33 p.m.
I would give the last opportunity to the Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (Ms Shirley A. Botchwey) (MP) 12:33 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to say a few words. I would be very brief.
Mr Speaker, I believe that the concerns that have been expressed on the Floor this afternoon are very genuine. Like other Hon Colleagues, including the Hon Chairman of the Committee, backed by the Hon Ranking Member have said that this impasse would only be resolved through diplomatic channels.
Mr Speaker, retaliation would not resolve the situation, and it is in this respect that I would call on members of GUTA to remain calm because we all know what could happen if there are reprisals. We also acknowledge the fact that their concerns are very genuine. As has been said on the Floor already, since this happened, we have not rested on our oars at all.
The whole country is aware that the Hon Minister for Trade and Industry and myself have visited Nigeria to meet our counterparts, and certain agreements were made, and a follow up trip has been carried out by our Hon Deputy Ministers. We are in the process of engaging the Nigerian authorities at the technical level, and we are also in the process of engaging Nigerians at the very top.
Mr Speaker, all I can say for now is that Government is very engaged, both with Nigerian authorities as well as ECOWAS, because they are aware of what is happening. In the fullness of time, sooner than later, I will come to the Floor and give Hon Members a full Report on what has happened. I hope that by then this situation would have been resolved.
Mr Speaker, with these few words I would like to associate myself with the Statement ably made by the Hon Chairman of the Committee and backed by other Hon Colleagues, and to say that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and the Ministry of Trade and Industry are fully engaged on this matter and at the level of Heads of States.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:33 p.m.
Hon Minister, I am grateful that you came in just in time and contributed to this debate, but I would have liked to have an idea of how long we should wait to get a full Report.
Ms Botchwey 12:33 p.m.
Mr Speaker, if you give me about a week, I should be able to come to the House and give some substantive information on what has happened and is likely to happen.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:33 p.m.
I am very grateful. Let me formalise it so that we can draw you here. The Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration would brief the House on or before 13th November, 2019 on the situation at the Nigerian border.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:33 p.m.
Hon Members, item numbered 5.
Hon Majority Leader?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:33 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I believe that we can take Resolution numbered 6.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:33 p.m.
Very well.
Hon Members, item numbered 6 -- Resolution. Hon Minister for Finance?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:33 p.m.


Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance is here, so if we could allow her to move it on behalf of the Hon Minister?
Mr Iddrisu 12:33 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I see the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance who is an Hon Member of this House. Essentially, we have no difficulty if she moves the Resolution, except that we raised some questions and demanded some answers from the Ministry of Finance. We would need an assurance that those details would be provided, particularly, on matters relating to the disbursement of the US$200 million to the cocoa processing companies.
Mr Speaker, thank you.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:33 p.m.
Mr Speaker, Parliament has the responsibility of oversight, but certainly, if we make any legitimate request, then it must be satisfied. So, I believe that we can --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:33 p.m.
Hon Deputy Minister, you may move the Resolution.
RESOLUTIONS 12:33 p.m.
HEREBY RESOLVES AS 12:33 p.m.
THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE 12:33 p.m.
IS RESPECTFULLY RE- 12:33 p.m.
QUESTED TO ADOPT THE 12:33 p.m.
Chairman of the Finance Committee (Dr Mark Assibey- Yeboah) 12:33 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:33 p.m.
The Hon Second Deputy Speaker would take the Chair.
Item numbered (5).
  • [MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER IN THE CHAIR.]
    • Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Hon Member, I heard my Hon Colleague calling for item numbered 5. Is that the case?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we could take item numbered 5.
    PAPERS 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    Are we to move to item numbered 6? I think you have taken those Resolutions captured in item numbered 6 and 7?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is so.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:45 p.m.
    So which item do we move to?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if we would deal with item numbered 8.
    MOTIONS 12:45 p.m.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Francis Manu-Adabor) 12:45 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this Honourable House adopts the Report of the Committee on Lands and Forestry on the Annual Report and Accounts of the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands for the year 2013.
    By so doing, I present the Committee's Report.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Francis Manu-Adabor) 12:53 p.m.
    The Committee believes that those initiatives are critical to revenue mobilisation and land administration, and accordingly urges the OASL to expend more resources in the ensuing years to acquire state-of-the-art equipment and also build in-house capacity to manage data on stool lands.
    7.0 Conclusion
    After careful consideration of the Annual Report of the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands for the year 2013, the Committee noted that the performance of the Office during the year under review was unsatisfactory. The 25 per cent revenue collection rate obviously affected implementation of planned programmes and activities of the beneficiary Stools, Traditional Authorities and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
    The above notwithstanding, the Committee believes that the improvement in the legal and regulatory environment such as the passage of the Minerals Development Fund's (MDF) Act of 2016 (Act 912) and Minerals and Mining Regulations, 2018 (LI 2357) will go a long way to enhance the performance of the OASL in the subsequent years.
    The Committee accordingly urges the House to adopt its Report on the 2013 Annual Report of the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands
    (OASL).

    Ranking Member (Alhaji Collins Dauda): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion ably moved by the Hon Chairman of your Committee on Lands and Forestry on the 2013 Annual Report of the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands.

    Mr Speaker, in doing so, I wish to make one passionate observation and perhaps comment on one very important issue relating to land administration and its management in this country.

    Mr Speaker, the basis of the debate of this Report is grounded in the provisions of section 14 of the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands Act, 1994 (Act 481). With your kind permission, I read:

    “1. The Administrator shall within six months after the end of the financial year submit to the Minister a report of the activities of the Office during the preceding financial year including the

    manner in which the revenue has been distributed and the Auditor-General's report on the accounts.”

    Mr Speaker, we are today in November 2019, called upon to debate a report that was submitted to this House in October, 2018, which should have been discussed or debated in 2014 because this is a Report that affects the year 2013.

    Mr Speaker, if we look at the Order Paper, we have the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Reports on the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands. Clearly, the Office, based on the provisions I just heard is not compliant with its enabling enactment. Even though the Office submitted the reports for 2013, 2014 and 2015, they were supposed to be annual reports.

    As we do appreciate, there is a reason the law provides that they should submit an annual report to this House. It is for us to appreciate what they do with the resources approved for them, and also to guide us in the subsequent approval of resources for the Office.

    Mr Speaker, in the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, besides the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands, we have the Forestry Commission. We also have the Lands

    Commission and the Forest Plantation Development Fund. All these agencies I have named are required by law to submit annual reports to this House.

    Mr Speaker, in the case of the Lands Commission, I do not remember the last time a report was presented to this House on their performance or activities. The Forestry Commission has submitted report but it has also defaulted.

    That is not to say that it is only under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources that we have state agencies or institutions that have defaulted in the submission of annual reports to this House. Several of them have defaulted and therefore my presumption is that they take this House for granted and we need to crack the whip. We have a responsibility to exercise oversight over these agencies, and it is one of the reasons we have these provisions in their enabling enactment.

    Mr Speaker, it cannot continue like that. They are required to submit annual reports but for this House to be able to hold them responsible, I beg to make this proposal. Every Committee of this House has a responsibility over one agency or the other. I therefore, crave your indulgence to direct all Committee
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Francis Manu-Adabor) 1:03 p.m.
    Chairmen to provide the list of all State agencies required by law to submit annual reports to this House, and indicate agencies that have been compliant and those that have not been compliant.
    Mr Speaker, also, the House must take a decision or prescribe an appropriate sanction for state institutions or agencies that fail to comply with this provision.
    Mr Speaker, if we do this, it would help your Committees to very well appreciate the activities of these institutions, and also help monitor how revenues extended to them by this House are utilised. It would also help us, particularly during times when we are called upon to approve or make recommendations for the approval of their annual estimates.
    Mr Speaker, the other issue I would want to comment briefly on is with regard to boundary disputes as captured in the Report of the Committee. One of the challenges that confront this country in the area of land administration and management is the fact that our boundaries are not determined, particularly stool land boundaries.

    Mr Speaker, today if we ask the Chief or the traditional authority of Nungua to show its boundary with Teshie, there would be a problem in this country. It should not be the case.

    Mr Speaker, anyone who owns something should be able to determine the limit of what he has, particularly, when the person is allowed to sell or lease out. If a person says that he can sell something, he should be able to tell what he or she has. Unfortunately, in the land sector, people who claim that they own lands are unable to determine the size of the land. Land is so critical in the economic development of this country that we cannot continue along this path.

    Mr Speaker, in the Report, the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands is collaborating with other agencies of the Government, particularly, the Survey Division of the Lands Commission, to try to survey and map out lands that belong to allodial owners and, therefore, stool lands. I am aware of how much is allocated to the Administrator of Stool Lands. It is almost an impossible exercise to leave the survey of stool lands in the hands of the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands. We would not get what we want. Even if

    we would get, it would not be now; it would be when we, our children and our grandchildren are dead.

    Mr Speaker, therefore I would wish to make two proposals. One, because land is so critical in the economic development of this country, on an annual basis, the Ministry of Finance allocates funds from the Annual Budgetary Funding Amount (ABFA) to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to support State agencies, particularly, the infras- tructural sector which is a very critical area. If we survey our lands, particularly, those that belong to the stools, we would have covered about 80 per cent of the land holdings of this country. If we do that, we would minimise litigation, which would help enhance land management in this country.

    Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Finance must also find resources to engage surveyors. We have sufficient surveyors in this country who can carry out the exercise and get it done. I also appreciate the fact that in carrying out an exercise like this, it would evoke a lot of litigation and disagreements. In that regard, I would wish to propose that we revisit the issue of the Stool Land Dispute Settlement Commission in a reformed way, so that as we survey the issues

    that would come up they would be addressed by the Commission.

    Mr Speaker, I made these pro- posals with the view that we would enhance land management in this country. If that is done, we would attract investors in this country to help us grow the economy.

    Mr Speaker, because there are other Reports to be taken, perhaps, with our indulgence today, I would end here by once again seconding the Motion ably moved by the Hon Chairman.

    Question proposed.
    Mr Ebenezer Nii Narh Nartey (NPP -- Ablekuma Central) 1:03 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity.
    The 2013 Stool Lands Report has been seconded by the Hon Ranking Member of the Committee, Alhaji Collins Dauda.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:03 p.m.
    Hon Member, are you the Hon Member for Mpohor?
    Mr Nartey 1:03 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, no. I am Hon Member for Ablekuma Central.
    Mr Nartey 1:13 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the advice. I have taken it in good faith.
    Mr Speaker, after the preparation of the 2013 report, it has taken the Auditor-General's Department six years to finish with the Report for Hon Members to have it. Just as the Hon Ranking Member said, if it has taken the Auditor-General six years to submit a report, I doubt how the office of the Administration of Stool Lands would work effectively.
    As I speak, the 2015, 2016 and 2017 reports are still at the Auditor-
    General's Department; meanwhile, we are in 2019. So, if it has taken them six years to submit a report, then it means that reports for 2017, 2018 and 2019 might be ready in 2022 or 2025. I believe it is high time we call institutions that are responsible for some of these reports to work effectively to deal with issues that would come out from the report.
    Mr Speaker, going through the Report, if there are issues in 2013, how would we solve the problem? We are in 2019 now. We have to draw the Auditor-General Depart- ment's attention to some of these things because delayed audited reports affect the activities of institutions that submit their reports to them.
    Mr Speaker, on the issue of boundary disputes, the Committee realised that in 2013, the Admini- strator of Stool Lands had challenges on receiving revenues, because there were three or four people who claimed ownership of a particular land. When we go to the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands Department, they know that a particular land belongs to a particular family. At the same time, another family also claims ownership of the same land, and that is where there is dispute.

    So, which family or stool would the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands take the revenue from? It does not end there. When it is time for them to disburse moneys to the stool, it also becomes a problem because everybody claims that the land belongs to them.

    Mr Speaker, I think that it is a matter of urgency, and I am happy that the Office has collaborated with the Survey and Mapping Department to see to it that all family, stool, king and even Government lands have accurate boundaries. Everybody should know where his boundary ends.

    Mr Speaker, when some of us were young, we were told that if one would want to buy a land in the olden days, he just took a stone and threw it, and where the stone reached was the land given to him. They, for instance, used the nim tree or the coconut tree to allocate their boundaries.

    Mr Speaker, now, if we visit those villages, the coconut tree or the nim tree would no more be there. How would one therefore get accurate information on a land to ensure that we do not have dispute over some of these areas?

    Mr Speaker, the last issue I would want to talk about is on the management of data. When one goes to the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands, initially, they had difficulties in getting the data on lands and its ownership. Today, however, from the Committee's Report, we are made aware that they are coming out with data where they would have all this information.

    I would want to plead with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, supported by the Ministry of Finance, to release funds to the Administrator of Stool Lands to ensure that this data is done properly so that at the end of the day, we would have accurate information on every stool land that we have in this country.

    Mr Speaker, to conclude, their performance in the income that they generated from 2012, 2013 to 2014 is very good, but I think there is more room for improvement. They could only do that when they have the support. So, I would want to appeal to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Administrator of Stool Lands, as well as the Ministry of Finance, to support them and to enable them work effectively, so that we might not have conflicts in our land sector, nor have issues during the registration of our lands.
    Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo (NDC -- Wa Central) 1:13 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am happy to be part of this discussion.
    At the Committee meeting, a lot of issues came up. The major issue had to do with the fact that we had to consider the reports of 2013, 2014 and 2015 in 2019. The problems encountered in 2013 were same as in the reports of subsequent years. This tells us that the problems could not be addressed because of the delay in the reports of previous years.
    Mr Speaker, the directive that I would want you to give is to insist, in accordance with what the Hon Ranking Member said, that annual reports remain annual reports. They should not be bi-annual reports, four- yearly reports or quarterly reports. If they are to be annual reports, then they should be so.
    The importance of it cannot be overemphasised. Lands and forestry are very critical aspects of our development structure. The daily challenges we face in fixing the problems they generate cannot wait for one year or two years.
    Every single day, we have people who complain about lands; their double sale, and the un-identification of its boundaries. Whole communities fight because of this. When they have challenges, it is better for them to identify the challenges in time, so that they are nipped in the bud. If we cannot do that, then it would be a problem.
    Mr Speaker, again, the issues on stool lands also came up for discussion. One of the things I noticed was that the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands is moving into the northern sector, and it gladdens me because we are beginning to see problems in these areas, as to how families manage lands.
    We realised that the constitutional requirement that allows the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands to perform its administrator role does not include many of the places where land is held by the owners of the land or the original settlers of the place. They are however, finding a way of getting into it, and they have now reached the Upper East Region.
    According to the Report, some revenue has been generated from the Upper East Region. We would therefore urge them to find an ingenious way to get involve in areas
    in the north as well. This is because we find out that families, chiefs or Tindanas own lands on behalf of a huge community of people; sometimes for generations of people. If they are left alone, we would find one chief or Tindana who would sell lands that belonged to a whole lot of people and go scot-free.
    It is therefore important that they are brought under this regulation, so that the management of lands in those areas -- skin lands for that matter -- are seen as part of the process, and we could have effective management of our lands in the whole country.
    Mr Speaker, lastly, I am also happy there is a new land law coming up. We have been working on it, and I hope that the many problems that are identified would be taken care of, so that we could have a more comprehensive approach to land administration in Ghana.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Suhuyini Alhassan Sayibu (NDC -- Tamale North) 1:13 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to associate myself with the Report as seconded by the Hon Ranking Member of the Committee.
    Mr Speaker, I think that it would not be too much to repeat the call on those who have the responsibility to ensure that reports are up to date. It is important that we make that call repeatedly in anticipation that those who have the duty would act appropriately. Reports are more useful when they are timely.
    Sometimes, it is as if in this country, there is over concentration on people who stand for elected offices -- when it comes to the demand that they do what they are expected to do; the discharge of their responsibilities. That is why when we have the opportunity such as this, it becomes important that we remind all that the building of this nation would not be done to the levels that we would all appreciate if we all do not discharge our responsibilities as expected of us.
    If we are supposed to ensure, as Parliamentarians, that we hold the Government or the Executive to account, it would help our work better if we have institutions presenting their reports on time; and in this case, their audited reports. That is how we would be more effective, as the citizens expect us to be.
    Some of these people who expect us to be responsible and discharge our duties as an arm of Government that is expected to hold the Executive
    Mr Suhuyini Alhassan Sayibu (NDC -- Tamale North) 1:23 a.m.
    accountable are sometimes even part of those who are supposed to prepare these reports. For some reasons, however, they are not able to live up to expectation.

    Mr Speaker, I would therefore join the calls before mine that these reports must come on time. I also wish to commend this Parliament, and by extension, the whole Government; successive Governments and this current Government for the gradual steps that are always taken to ensure that we improve upon our systems any time we have the opportunity.

    Mr Speaker, this is because if we consider paragraph 6. 2 of the Report, we would realised that the Committee noted that the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL) did not receive any release out of the budgeted GH¢11,101,116.00, and the explanation given for this was that, before the creation of the Minerals Development Fund in 2016, the OASL was at the beck and call of the Ministry of Finance, so the Ministry of Finance used its discretion as and when to either release mineral royalties to the OASL or not.

    But with the establishment of the Minerals Development Fund,

    governed by law since 2016, the Ministry of Finance's discretionary power has been limited, and a matter that used to be of concern to the OASL is no longer such a big problem when it comes to the discharge of its duties and responsibilities to our traditional authorities who are the beneficiaries of the work that it does.

    Mr Speaker, finally, I would also like to touch on the need for us to ensure that we hold institutions that benefit on the back of our poor landowners. Mr Speaker, I made this point in reference to paragraph 6.3 where Payment of Revised Mining Concession Rent became a problem after the passage of the Fees and Charges (Amendment) Instrument to L.I. 219, (2012), which raised the rate from GH¢0.50 per square kilometre per annum to about GH¢9,000 per square kilometre per annum.

    Now, as a result of this rate, which was supposed to get more money from especially, international mining companies for the use of our traditional landowners, the international mining companies failed to comply and therefore, did not pay as was expected. This led to the inability of the OASL to raise the needed revenue for that year which eventually would have benefited our traditional authorities who hold these lands in trust.

    Mr Speaker, it has led to a revision of the regulations and I wonder if the revision is serving the interests of our people more than the first regulation would have served. I think that in some instances and on many occasions, unfortunately, we tend to acquiesce and perhaps, ponder to the whims and caprices of some of these international mining agencies to the detriment of our own citizens. So I think it is important that in some of these negotiations, we stand our grounds. And like some people have said in the past, even if it means allowing the minerals to be buried in the soil until such a time that we could have the technology developed locally to make good use of it, we should.

    This is because if we consider the profits that these companies make from their activities, it is bewildering that sometimes, when they are asked to make these little contributions, it becomes a matter of a tug of war between them and the Government.

    Mr Speaker, on this note, I would once again like to associate myself with the Report and hope that as we discuss other reports related to this, we would be guided by the submissions that have been made to improve upon the operations of the

    OASL.

    I thank you for the opportunity, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Andrew Asiamah Amoako (NPP -- Fomena) 1:23 a.m.
    Thank you very much Mr Speaker. I rise to also support the Motion on the Floor and in doing so, permit me to also raise one or two issues on the Report.
    Mr Speaker, when we look at the OASL, it is a creation of the Constitution, and it is also supported by an enabling ACT to regulate the activities of the Stool Lands in Ghana. Mr Speaker, when we look at the focus of the OASL, it is to raise revenue and disburse same to the beneficiaries which is the Stools and traditional owners and the district assemblies.
    Mr Speaker, this therefore, brings to focus that revenue is the main focus of the OASL and therefore, anything that is militating against this Office in raising revenue for the affected beneficiaries should be looked at again.
    Mr Speaker, when we look at the Report in paragraph 6.4, it talks about one of the issues that is militating against the OASL realising its target, which is raising revenue for the Stools and the traditional areas as well as the
    Mr Andrew Asiamah Amoako (NPP -- Fomena) 1:33 a.m.
    district assemblies. It is a fact that there are still issues that confront this country with respect to boundary demarcation of the Stool lands.
    Mr Speaker, when we look at our nation for the past one decade and beyond, we have established a project, which is land administration project, and one of the objectives of the project is to address this particular issue of the boundaries of the Stool lands we have. So if over ten years and beyond, we are still talking about disputes in traditional areas, then I think we still have a long way to go.
    Therefore if the Report talks about how the OASL is going to deepen the collaborations with the Stools, the chiefs and other stakeholders, I think it is something that we have to commend them to do and do it as quickly as they could. This is because if it is one of the issues that is militating against realising its goal of raising revenue, then I think we have to look and look at it again.
    Mr Speaker, as I said, the focus is revenue generation. And when we look at the beneficiaries; the Stools, the traditional areas and the district assemblies are so reliant on this money for the maintenance of their Stools and other activities.

    Therefore anything that the OASL would have to do to make sure that they are able to raise enough revenue to enable them give moneys to these offices, so that they can actually maintain what they are supposed to use the money for, can be done.

    Mr Speaker, paragraph 5.2.2 talks about the Customary Land Secre- tariat (CLS), and I think that it is one of the areas that we have to focus on. The CLS has been located within the regional capitals and a few district assemblies. I believe that if the CLSs are brought to the district assemblies which are closer to the people who would pay the revenue to the office, it would serve as a motivational factor.

    For people who are not even prepared to pay, if the office is closer to them, the motivation would be there to pay their duly demanded notices, so that the office can get the needed revenue to serve the beneficiaries who are so dependent on these revenues.

    Mr Speaker, when you look at the tables provided, it appears that the office in 2013, was able to realise only about 25 per cent of their revenue target, and this is woefully inadequate. Therefore if there is anything that is militating against their efforts in

    realising the revenue, we need to look at those areas and address them.

    Mr Speaker, with these few words, I thank you for the opportunity.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:33 a.m.
    I can see the Hon First Deputy Minority Whip wants to say a word.
    Mr Ahmed Ibrahim (NDC -- Banda) 1:33 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion and in doing so, I would just invite you to throw a strong signal. It is not only in the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources that agencies refuse to comply with the law and submit their annual reports. It clearly shows our lack of supervision and monitoring in the Ministries.
    When you go through the Report, it says that the Office even submitted the annual report without the audit report, meanwhile, annual reports include audit reports. This has been an excuse.
    It is not for nothing that the law requires that when you are submitting an annual report, the audit report must be part of it. I belong to the Commi- ttee on Communications and we visited the National Communication Authority. Since 2015 or so to date, the National Communication Authority
    has failed to submit its annual report to this House. Meanwhile, they are the ones who are calling for com- pliance of the law.
    Mr Speaker, when you are mandated to enforce the law, it does not mean that you are above it. When we visited them, I said we have oversight responsibilities over them, so why had they failed to submit annual reports for such a number of years? They said that they had finished their reports and were waiting for the audited accounts to be included in the report and that is why they were not able to comply with the law. Meanwhile, they are forcing others to comply with the law.
    This is Parliament, and failure to enforce the law, where annual reports will be annual reports, will send the development of this country backwards. This is because where there is no supervision, there is no progress and where there is detriment to the law and people are not deterred from doing what is wrong, the law becomes useless.
    So having added my comments on these, I urge that this House sends a strong signal out there, that annual reports are not five-year reports, neither are they decade reports. Annual reports are annual reports and
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:33 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:33 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I was minded to make some remarks, but given where we are and the fact that there are two other reports that are similar in nature to this, I
    would reserve my comments and rather contribute on the others. That would then pave way after you have put the Question on this for us to begin with the Consideration of the Narcotics Control Commission Bill,
    2019.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:33 a.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, I would be compelled to adjourn the House at 2 p. m. because I have to be somewhere immediately after 2 p.m. It is a commitment I cannot miss, so Hon Members should manage the time allocation very well, so that we can do more work before we adjourn.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:33 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, that is acceptable. I just want us to begin the Consideration of the Narcotics Control Commission Bill,
    2019.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:43 p.m.
    Alright. Before I put the Question, let me say this. I am being urged by the House to direct Committees to request institutions under their purview to comply with the provisions of their enabling Acts and other legislations that have compelled them to submit annual reports to the House.
    I would rather humbly call on Committees to follow up on this feedback of the inability of the
    institutions to comply with the provisions of the law. It is a feedback that we are getting, not from one institution, but as stated, from many institutions. It means that there is a major problem, and that is why I would not refer to it as refusal or failure but as an inability to comply with the provisions of the law.
    As clearly stated in the Report, when we imposed a rather huge levy on the mining industry, we saw the feedback, even though that should not be countenanced. It is important that the feedback comes in the form of petitions or other ways of drawing Parliament's attention to the difficulties they are facing in obeying the law. We do not just sit and make the law by ourselves. There are policies that are processed through the various sectors and then brought to Parliament for us to legislate.
    So, if there is a challenge, then we have to pass through the same process to review or amend the provision, but not for them to decide on their own not to comply.

    That is definitely a complete disorder, and so I urge Committees to follow up on this feedback and make sure that they report back to the House. If there is the need for us

    to revise or review the legislations, we would proceed to do so. I am not convinced that I should direct them to comply with the law. I do not want to give any directives that would not be complied with.
    Alhaji Dauda 1:43 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, with all due respect, the directive we asked you to give was not for you to direct institutions --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:43 p.m.
    The directive was not for me to direct?
    Alhaji Dauda 1:43 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the request we made was not for you to direct institutions to comply with the law -- the Committees of the House belonged to Mr Speaker, and there are Hon Chairmen of the Committees -- [Interruption] --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:43 p.m.
    Hon Members, I do not know why you want to debate this issue. Read the Standing Orders very well.
    Hon Member, you are right. They are Mr Speaker's Committees.
    Alhaji Dauda 1:43 p.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker. That is what is in the Standing Orders.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:43 p.m.
    You have tried to incorporate a practice somewhere, but you have not amended your laws to reflect that
    Alhaji Dauda 1:43 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Committees should find out from the institutions under them and identify those that are compliant and uncompliant. That is the starting point.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:43 p.m.
    That was not what was urged on me. Almost all of you requested me to direct those institutions.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:43 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Suhum?
    Mr Opare-Ansah 1:43 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, your response to the request was apt. When Parliament makes laws and those that are supposed to abide by it do not do so, it does lies with Parliament to chase after them. People could take other actions to compel those bodies to abide by the law.
    So, for Mr Speaker to urge Committees to oversight their agencies and institutions properly is the right prescription.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:43 p.m.
    We have been guided by the Hon Majority Leader to take item numbered 12, which is the Consideration Stage of the Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2019. -- [Interruption] -- yes, we would adjourn at 2.00 p.m.
    BILLS -- CONSIDERATION 1:43 p.m.
    STAGE 1:43 p.m.
    Chairman of the Committee (Mr Kwame Seth Acheampong) 1:43 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 1, subclause (1), delete and insert the following:
    “There is established by this Act the Narcotics Control Commi- ssion as a body corporate with perpetual succession.”
    Mr Speaker, this amendment has been proposed to rearrange the construction as established in clause
    1 (1).
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Mr K. S. Acheampong 1:43 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 1 - subclause (2), line 1, delete “its functions” and insert “the functions of the Commission” and in line 2, delete “movable and immovable”.
    Mr Speaker, the new rendition would be 1:43 p.m.
    “For the performance of the functions of the Commission, the Commission may acquire and hold property, dispose of property and enter into a con- tract or any other transaction''.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Mr K. S. Acheampong 1:43 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 1, subclause (3), line 1 delete “immovable” and in line 2, delete “costs” and insert “cost”.
    Mr Speaker, the new rendition would be 1:43 p.m.
    “Where there is a hindrance to the acquisition of property, the property may be acquired for the Commission under the State Lands Act, 1962 (Act 125) and the cost shall be borne by the Commission''.
    Mr Speaker, when we delete the word “immovable'' property, the
    construction would be singular, so we cannot use the word “costs'' which is plural.
    Mr Avedzi 1:43 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if the Hon Chairman of the Committee, could be kind to explain the deletion of the word “immovable'' and not “immovable property'? Does it mean that if there would be an acquisition of a vehicle which is a movable property and there is a hindrance, the acquisition of Land Act would be applicable?
    Mr Agalga 1:53 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the proposed amendment simplifies the clause in that, property can either be movable or immovable. So we thought that repetition was unnecessary; it is surplusage. So if we say; ‘property' simpliciter, it captures the meaning ascribed to immovable as well as movable.
    We thought the addition was flowery and does not add anything extra to the clause, and that is why the proposed amendment was --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:53 p.m.
    Actually, the purpose is not to exclude “movable property”, but they want to include; ‘movable property'. So we delete the “immovable” so that it is applicable to both “movable” and
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 1:53 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the purpose is to bring consistency. This is because in clause 1, we accept ‘property' and removed the ‘movable' and immovable'.
    Clause 1(3) is dealing with hindrance related to ‘immovable property'. So when we read ‘property' in clause 1(3) together with the acquisition under the State Lands Act, it can only apply to the immovable property.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:53 p.m.
    So it is not a matter of inconsistency. It is a matter of -- In fact, that is the right thing to do. So that is what we are now following on.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Clause 1 as amended ordered to stand part of the Bill.
    Clause 2 -- Objects of the Commission
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:53 p.m.
    I see a proposed amendment in the name of the Hon Minority Leader, but I do not see him on the Floor, neither do I see any indication that he has
    authorised anybody to move that proposed amendment.
    Mr Rockson-Nelson Dafea- mekpor 1:53 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have the authority of the Hon Minority Leader to seek your leave to take this amendment on his behalf.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:53 p.m.
    You have the authority? In what form?
    Mr Dafeamekpor 1:53 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, yes, I have the authority in an oral form. He directed me viva voce [Laughter] --
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:53 p.m.
    Yes, you may go on.
    Mr Dafeamekpor (on behalf of
    Mr Haruna Iddrisu) 1:53 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move
    Clause 2 -- paragraph (a), delete and insert the following:
    “(a) regulate and prohibit the possession, for the purpose of trafficking, cultivating, importing, or exporting narcotics”.
    Mr K. S. Acheampong 1:53 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the amendment proposed by my Hon Colleague on the opposite Side will change the entire objective as is already established in the Bill and it will defeat the purpose of the
    memoranda underpinning the Legislation before us.
    So I would ask my Hon Colleague to re-consider and wait so that as we go on, he will find out in subsequent clauses that will be of necessity to come in there. However, at this early stage, it will change the entire architecture of the Legislation.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:53 p.m.
    I wanted to be sure why this proposed amendment was made.
    Mr Chireh 1:53 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, as the Hon Chairman of the Committee is saying, the way it is put here is more of a function than an objection.
    If you look at the tenure of this whole Bill, it is one that is dealing with different types of things. If you look at what has been listed already under that, unless you want to add something, but if you bring this one, it will completely change what you want to do.
    This is because the aim of this Bill is first and foremost, to prohibit those things, but not to be captured in one sentence as an objective. It should be better itemised under the functions. Even though we have put too many things in there which are already in the Bill itself, if you read it along and to
    replace it with what is in the Bill itself, he would need to be here to convince us.
    This is because I do not think that my Hon Friend who moved the amendment has been given the reasons for this.
    Mr Agalga 1:53 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the proposed amendment like the Hon Member for Wa West has indicated, if it stands, will change the Bill and its intended purpose completely.
    If you look at the objects carefully, what the amendment seeks to do, has already been captured under clause 2(a) (i) which reads;
    “by controlling and eliminating traffic in prohibited narcotic drugs;…”
    Mr Speaker, however, if you look at (ii) which talks about the prevention of the illicit use of precursors that do not find expression in the amendment at all and yet, this is an important aspect that needs to be captured under this Bill.
    So, if we take out the use of “precursors” and allow the amendment to stand, the purpose would be completely defeated. I urge the House to reject the proposed amendment; it does not suit the
    Mr Dafeamekpor 2:03 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, this amendment is premised on paragraph 8 of the Memorandum accompanying the Bill. Now, we are saying in clause 2(a) that the object of the Bill is to ensure “public safety” and in doing so, we have further categorised that “public safety” to two sub-paragraphs.

    That is, paragraphs (i) and (ii) and what are these?

    (i) by controlling and eliminating traffic in prohibited narcotic drugs; and

    (ii) by taking measures to prevent the illicit use of precursors.

    Mr Speaker, the proposed amendment is to put all these matters in one composite paragraph, which is “regulate and prohibit the possession, for the purpose of trafficking, cultivating, importing, or exporting narcotics”. It serves the purpose of the object. If indeed, my Hon Brother would want to make his point forcefully that, because sub- paragraph (ii) may not be taken care of --

    We can do that further amendment, but to say that the proposed amendment does not take care of the object that we seek to achieve by this Bill, I find that very strange because the proposed amendment serves that purpose. It only says that clause 2(a)(ii) is not properly taken care of by the amendment that the Hon Minority Leader has proposed. Yes, I agree that it can be expanded to take care of it, but the amendment is on all fours and it serves the purpose in this matter.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:03 p.m.
    Hon Members, I do not think that we have to split hairs over this. What we are doing now is on the Objects of the Commission, but what you are saying would be a function. That is not the place to position it, and so I believe that when we move to functions and so on, we could elaborate on all that. For now, we are dealing with the Objects of the Commission.
    Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:03 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I want you to appeal to Hon Dafeamekpor to seek the authority of the Hon Minority Leader to withdraw this amendment. Mr Speaker, you have already indicated to him that he is combining objects with functions and that it is inaccurate.
    Secondly, even the formulation of this amendment is really not captured well. It reads: “regulate and prohibit the possession …” and in the second line it reads, “cultivating”. For consistency, it must read ‘cultivation, importation or import'. Mr Speaker, that is another issue with this. You have indicated to him that he has combined the object and the function. If he drops it for us to move on, it would serve this House better.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:03 p.m.
    Hon Member, I do not think you need to seek the permission of the Hon Minority Leader again. Once you have the permission to move the amendment, you also have his permission to withdraw it.
    Amendment withdrawn by leave of the House.
    Mr K. S. Acheampong 2:03 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 2, paragraph (a), delete “safety” and insert “health and safety by”.
    Mr Speaker, clause 2(a) would then read 2:03 p.m.
    “The objects of the Commission are to (a) ensure public health and safety by”.
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 2:03 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I support the amendment, except that the words are read in blocks. It should read (a) “ensure public health and safety controlling and eliminating …. (a) by (ii) by taking measures… [Interruption]
    I did not propose that. I have always said that we must read the words in block.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:03 p.m.
    Hon Members are going into the arena of drafting. I believe that we have always agreed that we should avoid repetition. Hon Member, it is just one sentence that has been broken down into parts. Sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) are both part of sub-clause (a). It could be broken down so that we use just one “by”. We do not need to repeat it.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:03 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, besides, if we do not introduce “by” in the preambular in paragraph (a), then paragraph (a) would stand alone as to read: “the objects of the Commission are to ensure public health and safety”. It is not meant to stand alone, but rather to bifurcate into those two strands. That is why we need “by” in the preambular in paragraph (a).
    Mr Speaker, I thought that the Hon Member on his return from London
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:03 p.m.
    Hon Members, I would want us to take a bow from this though it is not the proper thing to do, because we should be able to finish the clause and take a decision on it.
    Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:03 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want us to just tidy up because the following proposed amendment is the deletion of “by” in sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii), and that would then complete the amendment proposed earlier. So we can take just that amendment and close the chapter.
    Mr K. S. Acheampong 2:03 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 2, paragraph (a), sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii), at beginning, delete “by”.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:03 p.m.
    Hon Members, this is consequential.
    Question put and amendment agreed to.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:03 p.m.
    Hon Members, this brings us to the end of the Consideration Stage of the Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2019 for today.
    ADJOURNMENT 2:03 p.m.
  • The House was adjourned at 2.13 p.m. till Thursday, 7th November, 2019, at 10.00 a.m.