Debates of 8 Nov 2019

MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:49 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:49 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:49 a.m.
Hon Members, we will commence with the Correction of Votes and Proceedings of the Eleventh Sitting of the Third Meeting held on 7th November, 2019.
Page 1, 2, …9 --
Yes, Hon Member for North Tongu?
Mr Samuel O. Ablakwa 10:49 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
Item numbered 6, the Official Report of 26th July, 2019 was corrected. It does not reflect that. The practice has been that it will indicate that items corrected, and adopted as the true record. It is as though, there was no correction at all and so, if that could be inserted?
Dr Robert B. Kuganab-Lem 10:49 a.m.
Mr Speaker, page 8, number 22, I had signed in yesterday but I am marked absent.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:49 a.m.
Very well. The Table Office will effect the appropriate correction.
Page 10, 11, 12 --
Mr Ablakwa 10:49 a.m.
Mr Speaker, please the paragraph just above the item numbered 11:
“The Hon First Deputy Speaker, referred the Agreement to the Committeen on Defence and Interior …”
The “Committee” is spelt wrongly; if it can be corrected accordingly.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:49 a.m.
Very well.
Page 12, … 27.
The Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 7th November, 2019 as corrected be hereby adopted as the true record of proceedings.
We also have two Official Reports of Friday, 25th October, 2019 and Monday, 29th July, 2019. Any corrections?
Mr Ablakwa 10:49 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am grateful.
I begin with the Official Report of Friday, 25th October, 2019. Under column 223 which has to do with the Papers presented yesterday, we had the opportunity to correct the records that they were visa waiver Agreements for diplomatic and service passport holders, ordinary passport holders should not be included.
So, if our records under Papers (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) could be corrected accordingly?
Mr Speaker, also under column 226, I see a reference to the ‘Hon Deputy Minister for Roads and Transport'. There is no such designation in Ghana; we have an Hon Minister for Roads and Highways and his or her Hon Deputy and then we have another for Transport separately. So, if our records can be corrected accordingly.
The other is a small item contained in the Official Report of 29th July, 2019 under Column 5061; it is very important because it is a constitutional body. The first paragraph under
column 5061 reads: “the National Commission on Civic Education
(NCCE)”.
As article 231 of our Constitution stipulates, it should be National Commission for Civic Education but we have National Commission on Civic Education. There is no such entity and so, if it could be accordingly corrected?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:59 a.m.
Very well. Noted.
Any more corrections? In the absence of any further corrections the Official Reports of Monday, 29th July, 2019 and Friday, 25th October, 2019 as corrected are hereby adopted as the true record of proceedings.

Hon Members, in the absence of any further corrections, we would take item numbered 3 -- Business Statement, but before the Hon Majority Leader presents it, I would read out some Communications from the President.
ANNOUNCEMENTS 10:59 a.m.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 10:59 a.m.
Chairman of the Business Committee/Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu) 10:59 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Committee met yesterday, Thursday, 7th November 2019 and arranged Business of the House for the Fourth Week ending Friday, 15th November 2019.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 10:59 a.m.
Arrangement of Business
Formal Communications by the Speaker
Mr Speaker, you may read any available communication to the House.
Question(s)
Mr Speaker, the Business Committee has scheduled the following Ministers to respond to Questions asked of them during the week:
No. of Question(s)
i. Minister for Agriculture 1
ii. Minister for Education 1
iii. Minister for Youth and Sports 1
iv. Minister for Communications 1
Total Number of Questions 4
Mr Speaker, in all, Four (4) Ministers are expected to attend upon the House to respond to Four (4) Questions during the week.
Statements
Mr Speaker, pursuant to Order 70(2), Ministers of State may be permitted to make Statements of
Government policy. Statements duly admitted by the Rt. Hon. Speaker may be made in the House by Hon Members, in accordance with Order
72.
Bills, Papers and Reports
Mr Speaker, Bills may be presented to the House for First
Reading in accordance with Order 120. However, those of urgent nature may be taken through the various stages in one day in accordance with Order 119.
Pursuant to Order 75, Papers for presentation to the House may be placed on the Order Paper for laying. Committee reports may also be presented to the House for consideration.
Motions and Resolutions
Mr Speaker, Motions may be debated and their consequential Resolutions, if any, taken during the week.
Presentation of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government
Mr Speaker, the Hon. Minister for Finance is scheduled to attend upon the House on Wednesday, 13th November 2019, to present the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the year ending 31st December 2020. The Business Committee therefore urges Hon. Members to arrange their affairs in order to be present in the House on the said date.
Post-Budget Workshop
Mr Speaker, in accordance with the practice of the House, a post- budget workshop has been scheduled for Members of Parliament to enable Hon. Members to assimilate the content of the Budget.
The workshop is expected to be held on Saturday, 16th and Sunday, 17th November, 2019 at the Justice D. F. Annan Auditorium of the Job 600 building.
The Business Committee hereby informs the House that all Members are expected to participate in the workshop and are accordingly entreated to avail themselves at the post-budget workshop.
Committee Clerks are also to attend the workshop.
Mr Speaker, since essential information would be provided at the workshop to equip Hon Members in the consideration of the Budget, Hon Members are entreated to be in attendance and to fully participate in the deliberations.
The Business Committee takes this opportunity to give prior notice to Hon Members that Debate on the Budget Statement and Economic Policy shall commence on Monday, 18th November, 2019.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 10:59 a.m.


Sitting of the House on Monday/ Extended Sittings

Mr Speaker, the Business Committee also recommends that the House Sit on Mondays, commencing on Monday, 18th November, 2018. Furthermore, the House may have extended Sittings to enable the completion of scheduled business.

Mr Speaker, in view of the Referendum to be held on the 17th of December 2019, and the need for Members to involve themselves in the organisation of the event and also to participate in the exercise, the House would not Sit on Monday, 16th and Tuesday, 17th December 2019. Due to this, the date of adjournment of the House would accordingly be affected. Consequently, the new date for the adjournment of proceedings in the Third Meeting would now be Saturday, 21st December, 2019.

Conclusion

Mr Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 160(2) and subject to Standing Order 53, the Committee submits to this Honourable House the order in which the Business of the House shall be taken during the week under consideration.

Questions

Q643. Mr Ekow Hayford (Mfantseman): To ask the Minister for Agriculture what plans are in place to re-activate the Mankessim Irrigation Project which has been abandoned since 2008.

Q645. Ms Francisca Oteng Mensah (Kwabre East): To ask the Minister for Education how many of the ‘E-Block schools' have been completed from 2017 to date.

Statements —

Presentation of Papers —

(a) Annual Statement by the Audit Committee of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) for the year 2018.

(b) Annual Statement by the Audit Committee of the Suaman District Assembly for the year 2018.

(c) Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the Bi- lateral Agreements for the
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 10:59 a.m.
Statements —
Presentation of Papers —
Annual Report on the Petroleum Funds for the 2019 Fiscal Year.
Motion
That this Honourable House approves the Financial Policy of the Government of Ghana for the year ending 31st December.
2020.
Committee sittings

Questions —

Q627. Mr Mohammed Abdul- Aziz (Mion): To ask the Minister for Youth and Sports when the Ministry will make public the full and final report on the Australia Commonwealth Games visa racketeering scandal.

Q644. Mrs Angela Oforiwa Alorwu-Tay (Afadzato South): To ask the Minister for Communications when the following communities in the Afadzato South District will be

provided with mobile telephone network connectivity: (i) Liati Soba (ii) Liati Wote (iii) Tafi Agome (iv) Goviefe Todzi (v) Leklebi Agbesia (vi) Xorse Kope (vii) Salami Kope (viii) Adzigbo Kope.

Statements —

Presentation of Papers —

Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Commercial Contract Agree- ment between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Energy) and China International Water and Electric Corporation for an amount of one hundred and three million United States dollars (US$103,000,000.00) for the supply and erection of electrical materials and equipment for the electrification of 582 communities in the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Eastern, Volta and Western Regions (phase 2 of the initial 1,033 Communities).

Motions —

(a) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the

Term Loan Facility Agree- ment between the Govern- ment of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and Industrial and Commercial Bank Of China (ICBC) Limited for an amount of up to ninety-five million, three hundred and seventy-five thousand, twenty United States dollars thirty-six cents (US$95,375,020.36), to finance the supply and erection of electrical materials and equipment for the electri- fication of 582 communities in the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Eastern, Volta and Western Regions (phase 2 of the initial 1,033 Communities).

Consequential Resolution

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Term Loan Facility Agree- ment between the Govern- ment of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and Societe General Ghana Limited for an amount of up to fifteen million, four hundred and fifty thousand United States dollars (GH$15, 450,000.00), to finance the supply and erection of
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 11:09 a.m.
electrical materials and equipment for the electri- fication of 582 communities in the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Eastern, Volta and Western Regions (phase 2 of the initial 1,033 Communities).
Consequential Resolution
(c) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of Import Duties, Import VAT, Import NHIL/GETFund Levy, ECOWAS Levy, EXIM Levy and Special Import Levy amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of thirty-one million, sixteen thousand, seven hundred and seventy- one United States dollars (US$31,016,771.00) [equi- valent to GH¢158,216,548.93] on project materials and equipment to be procured under the Agreement to finance the supply and erection of electrical materials and equipment for the electrification of 582 commu- nities in the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Eastern, Volta and Western Regions (phase 2 of the initial 1,033 Commu- nities).
Consequential Resolution
Consideration Stage of Bills --
Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2019. (Continuation)
Corporate Insolvency Bill,
2019.
Committee sittings --

Statements --

Motions --

(a) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Commercial Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (repre- sented by the Ministry of Energy) and China Inter- national Water and Electric Corporation for an amount of one hundred and three million United States dollars (US$103,000,000.00) for the supply and erection of electrical materials and equipment for the electri- fication of 582 communities in the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Eastern, Volta and Western

Regions (phase 2 of the initial 1,033 Communities).

Consequential Resolution

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the Bilateral Agreements for the Waiver of Visa Requirement for Holders of Diplomatic and Service Pass- ports between the Govern- ment of the Republic of Ghana and the Governments of (a) the Republic of Equatorial Guinea (b) the Republic of Hungary (c) the Republic of India (d) the Republic of Iran and (e) the Republic of Morocco.

Consequential Resolution

Consideration Stage of Bills—

Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2019. (Continuation)

Corporate Insolvency Bill, 2019. (Continuation)

Committee sittings ——

Mr Speaker, having said that, we have given an indication that beginning Monday, 18th November, 2019, the House would Sit on Mondays and perhaps also have extending Sittings. The extended Sittings are to assist the House in transacting the Business before us before we come to interrogate and consider the allocations to the various Sectors.

Mr Speaker, as I indicated the other time, there are many referrals to many of the Committees, which have not been reported on. I would want to re-emphasise that the Committees are required to submit these Reports to us to enable us transact the relevant Businesses on these referrals. There are referrals to the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. The following referrals are still before the Committee.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 11:19 a.m.


Mr Speaker, I am not going to go through that. That Joint Committee alone has 47 referrals.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:19 a.m.
Hon Majority Leader, is that part of the business?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:19 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it is important that the Committees work on them and submit their reports.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:19 a.m.
I think you have mentioned that. Let us proceed with the Business Statement.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:19 a.m.
Mr Speaker, but it is to draw attention that if the Committees do not work on these referrals and submit reports to us, the House would be disabled and we certainly cannot achieve much results.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Samuel N. George 11:19 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I have two issues with the Business Statement and the Hon Leader of the House made reference to the fact that because of the referendum on the 17th December, 2019 which is Tuesday, the House would not Sit on Monday, the 16th
and Tuesday, the 17th of December, 2019. However, I want to find out if it would not be practicable or if it is not possible for us to add 18th December, 2019, bearing in mind that some Hon Members would have to be returning from the Upper East and Upper West Regions at the conclusion of polls at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
So, having Hon Members come from far off regions to be in Parliament for the conduct of business on Wednesday by 10:00 a.m. may be a little too much for them. So I would want the Hon Leader and the Business Committee -- the Hon First Deputy Majority Whip, Mr Matthew Nyindam for instance, cannot return form Kpandai on time. So we need to look at that.
Mr Speaker, I also wanted to make an application to the Business Committee to see if it was possible to invite the Administrator of District Assemblies Common Fund to appear before this House next week, bearing in mind the great concern that Hon Members of this House and our District Assemblies are facing and the several issues that are arising from the disbursement of the Common Fund - project fund, monitoring and evaluation and the fact that these things are in arrears.
Mr Speaker, we are in the final quarter of 2019 and we have still not received our Assembly Common
Funds for the second quarter. I believe that it is imperative that before the Budget is read on Tuesday, we summon the Administrator to tell this House, not in a close session, an open one -- Ghanaians need to know the state of District Assemblies Common Fund. We need to know. Has Government made releases to the Administrator and she is not making it possible? Let us summon her to this House to report to the people of Ghana.
I am grateful, Mr Speaker.
Mr Mutawakilu Adam 11:19 a.m.
Mr Speaker, mine is in reference to the renegotiated agreement of the AGM that we approved here on the 3rd of May, 2019. There were certain issues raised in the report and the Hon Minister was to deal with those issues and report to the plenary within six months. The six months elapsed on 3rd November so I would want to bring it to your attention so that the Hon Minister would come and brief the House on those issues. One of the issues was in respect [Inaudible] -- So I would want to bring it to your attention, Mr Speaker.
Thank you.
Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza 11:19 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity and also thank the Hon
Majority Leader for the presentation of the Business Statement.
Mr Speaker, just to add to what the Hon Leader has advised in paragraph -- I just want to encourage my Hon Colleagues and Leadership of the House that if we are going to do extended Sittings, we should be here on time to justify why we would be Sitting beyond a certain time. There is no point in not Sitting before 12 o'clock but rather want to close after 8 o'clock. So if we are going to do extended Sittings, then let us make sure we start on time to limit how much time we spend into the night.
Mr Speaker, I have a great concern and I am speaking on behalf of a lot of my Hon Colleagues. There is a serious concern by Hon Members and the proposal is that perhaps, we suspend Sitting and have a Committee of the Whole immediately, to address issues that have the potential of affecting work from Monday.
If we look at the population in this House, for some few weeks now, it has been very disheartening. There are issues that cannot be discussed openly here. I encourage Leadership to consider with the Chair to suspend Sitting and hold a Committee of the Whole immediately to address certain things to pave way for the smooth running of the House from Monday going.
Mr Ras Mubarak 11:19 a.m.
Mr Speaker, in presenting the Business Statement, the Hon Majority Leader made references to reports that were laid in the Sixth Parliament and I seemed to be a bit confused about that. This is because I know that reports laid in the previous Parliament lapsed at the beginning of the new Parliament. So the Hon Leader would have to provide some clarity on that. If these reports were laid in the Sixth Parliament, probably, they would have to be looked at again.
Mr Speaker, secondly, on the post- budget workshop to be held here in Parliament House on Saturday, 16th and Sunday, 17th -- I do not know if there is a particular difficulty in doing this outside of the precincts of Parliament.
This is because at the Justice D. F. Annan Auditorium, there is a bit of difficulty in movement and we know that during workshops, Hon Members may want to confer with Colleagues and Clerks so it would be exceedingly exciting if this was held outside of the House. So we can properly participate on the 16th -17th November, 2019.
Thank you Mr Speaker.
Mr Samuel O. Ablakwa 11:29 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to draw the attention of the Hon Majority Leader who I must commend for the presentation of the Business Statement. In the attachment to the explanatory memorandum, that is the arrangement of Business, on page 1, item numbered 1(iii) (c), in the last line, in entry (e), the Republic of Morocco has been repeated. Could the second one be deleted?
Mr Speaker, in the items numbered 1(d), (e) and (f), I noticed that we are still working with the old regions. We have Brong Ahafo Region there, and
it is not clear if Volta Region is the old one or the new one without the Oti Region. This House must reflect the current reality. We no longer have Brong Ahafo Region in this country. This is a House of records, and I would appeal that we do the right thing.
Mr Speaker, the other matter I would wish to raise is an announcement that the Rt Hon Speaker made during his address when we reconvened. As I recalled, the Rt Hon Speaker indicated that we would receive a very important guest in the week. If my memory serves me right, he spoke of the Barbadian Prime Minister to address this House sometime on the 15th of November, 2019; two days after the presentation of the Budget Statement.
He said it may be around 3.00 p.m., so he urged us to prepare accordingly. It has not featured in the Business Statement for next week. If there has been any amendment to that announcement, the Hon Majority Leader could let us know, because some of us have adjusted our diaries accordingly so that we can be advised.
Mr Speaker, the other issue is the worrying trend of referrals to committees that are in abeyance in
perpetuity. I got frightened when I listened to the Hon Majority Leader on referrals to committees that date back to 2014. Probably, Hon Ras Mubarak could be helped. The Report is dated 2014, but it does not mean it was presented in 2014.
Some of these referrals are more than six months or a year old. Perhaps, it is time for the Standing Orders Committee to put in some time lines. When referrals are made to Committees, how long should it take? We cannot continue this way, where the Hon Majority Leader, after several months, has to beg Committees to do their works. It affects business in this House. What happens is, in the last hour, we are called upon to Sit on Mondays and Saturdays.
Mr Speaker, I was surprised when, in the ongoing BREXIT debacle, the House of Commons was asked to Sit on Saturday, 19th October, 2019. It would interest Hon Members to note that in the Prime Minister's speech, he said that was the first time they sat on a Saturday in 37 years since April 1982, following the invasion of the Falkland Islands.
Here, we will not plan properly, referrals will not be worked on, then in the last minute, we have to scramble and Sit on Mondays and Saturdays and we think that shows
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:29 a.m.
Hon Member, this is not the time to debate. If you have issues, just raise them and let us go on.
Mr Ablakwa 11:29 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would be guided and move to the final issue I have here.
Mr Speaker, I withdraw the phrase ‘black man's attitude'. I get the impression Hon Members are offended. I am deeply sorry. I did not mean to be offensive. I just wanted to say that some of our attitudes are not helpful. I am deeply sorry, if Hon Members feel offended. I did not intend to offend any Hon Member.
Mr Speaker, finally, with the post budget workshop in Parliament, I take a different view from that of the Hon Ras Mubarak. For the first time in many years, we would not be going to Koforidua; we would make good use of our new Job 600 office complex.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:29 a.m.
Hon Member, that is factually incorrect.
We have had a workshop in this Chamber before.
Mr Ablakwa 11:29 a.m.
Mr Speaker, in this Chamber? Thank you for the correction. I believe we should keep it as it is. I differ from the Hon Ras Mubarak that we should move out of town. We should make good use of the Job 600 more.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:29 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member?
Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 11:29 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I have two fundamental issues to raise. It is worrying when we listened to the Hon Majority present the Business Statement. He reads all the outstanding referrals against the Committees of Parliament. Indeed, your Committees have worked on some of the referrals.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:29 a.m.
Hon Member, please let us get this clear. Parliament is incapable of putting fuel in your cars to go where?
Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 11:29 a.m.
Mr Speaker, by my understanding, Parliament is supposed to budget for Committees for the purposes of doing these referrals. Sometimes the resources are not circulated.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:29 a.m.
Do you mean the Committee's budget is not released for it to work?
Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 11:29 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Committee's budget cannot be accessed.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:29 a.m.
That is different from putting fuel in your car. [Laughter.]
Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 11:39 a.m.
Very well. Mr Speaker, I overdramatised it.

Mr Speaker, the second issue is that, the Hon Majority Leader tells us that we are in the process of effecting a change to our Constitution. He tells us that others would be involved in the change that would be effected.

He said that because of the importance of the referendum, we would take two days off; from the 16th to 17th of December, 2019. I agree with the Hon Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business that the referendum is important, and so, we all have to be individually involved.

However, I had thought that because this is the legislative House, and because the people of Ghana in their wisdom felt that a provision should be entrenched, and have the people of this country involved in the process of its amendment, I was of the view that the Hon Majority Leader would invite the Electoral Commission to this House to brief us on what they are doing; the preparations that they put in place to have article 55 of the Constitution amended. This is because the Constitution does not take away our right completely.

We would take part in the referendum as citizens of Ghana, but when the results of the referendum is
demarcation of the districts was effected initially in this House. Somehow, the Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) has been changed. The C.I. that invited us to make comments has been withdrawn, and people are confused. They were districts or areas which were assembly areas
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:39 a.m.
Hon Member, what is your comment please?
Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 11:39 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the direct request is for the House, through the Hon Majority Leader and the Business Committee, to invite the Electoral Commission to this House to brief us on the referendum and the district assembly elections.
Mr Speaker, thank you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:39 a.m.
Hon Minister for Health, you wanted to make a comment. Do you still want to comment on the Business Report?
Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu 11:39 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I listened very carefully to the Hon Majority Leader when he read on the arrears of reports before Committees. He mentioned the Road Fund Report of 2015. Some of the reports were also of 2014.
I wonder whether these reports have delayed as far back as 2016 and 2017 while still here they were laid only this year. If they were laid this year -- [Interruptions] -- Mr Speaker I would yield.
Mr Speaker, thank you.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim 11:39 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise to join the Hon Sam George in making a request to the House through you, to invite the Administrator for the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF).
Mr Speaker, this issue came to mind when the Business Committee met last week. The House was scheduled to have a Joint Caucus Meeting or a Committee of the Whole, on either Wednesday or Thursday which did not materialise.
Mr Speaker, in that regard, I come under article 252 which says 11:39 a.m.
(1) “There shall be a fund to be known as the District Assemblies Common Fund.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament shall annually make provision for the allocation of not less than five per cent of the total revenues of Ghana to the District Assemblies for development; and the amount shall be paid into the District Assemblies Common Fund in quarterly instalments.”
Mr Speaker the emphasis is on “quarterly installments.” There have been arguments of only that of the first quarter being paid. Some of them even say that, that of the third quarter of 2018 is still in arrears, which is about GH¢200 million, or GH¢140 million. So, the figures have not been reconciled.
Mr Speaker, apart from that, there has been a Supreme Court ruling in connection with article 252(2), which says that not less than five per cent of either tax revenue or total revenue -- the House must be briefed on the effective date of implementation.
Therefore if the Hon Fuseini only requests that we invite the Administrator of DACF, then I would also request that we add the Hon Finance Minister to it, so that the two of them would give us the accurate figures we need. They would also be
able to give us the status of disbursement of the quarterly installments; how many of them are in arrears, and how many of them have been released.
Mr Speaker, this request is very important, and it would help the House to do our oversight work very well. If a Committee of the Whole could be called on Monday or Tuesday --
Mr Speaker, I am talking in connection with figures, and that is why the House was of the view that we have the Committee of the Whole, yesterday or on Wednesday, which could not come off. I therefore think that Monday or Tuesday would be appropriate.
Thank you very much.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 11:39 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would endeavour to be very brief.
I would want to thank you for the opportunity, and also thank the Leader of Government Business and Hon Majority Leader, for the elucidation on what our Business would be for the coming week.
Mr Speaker, I would also want to join him in emphasising that your good self -- in fact, I hold here a memo on the “Submission of lists of Referrals
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:49 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I believe there have been many comments, some of which are not related to the Business Statement as presented at all. I would however endeavour to respond to as many as possible.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Samuel N. George was the person who set the tone. He requested us to consider not Sitting on the 18th December, 2019. It was the consideration of the Business Committee that on that day, we could have as many Hon Members as possible in the House. However, if looking at the circumstances, approaching 18th December, 2019 we deem it appropriate to have it declared as a non-Sitting day, we would make that determination, but for now, what the Business Committee has decided is that we believe it would be appropriate to have a sitting on 18th December, 2019.
Mr Speaker, an Hon Member related to the second quarter arrears of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF). I am aware that the DACF is in arrears for the second quarter of the year, and that payment has really been effected.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:49 a.m.
Sorry, it has been arrears for what?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:49 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the second quarter of this year. It had been in arrears, but as we speak today, payments have been effected. Government is not yet in arrears for the third quarter; it is up to December. If it goes beyond 31st December, 2019, then, we could talk about arrears. Payment should be done within this period, anytime from now to December, 2019. Mr Speaker, that is for the second quarter.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Ahmed Ibrahim related to an outstanding release for 2018. I think that is the last quarter of 2018. That would as well be taken care of. So, I believe by next week or so, possibly, before the end of the week, that one would also be fulfilled.
Mr Speaker, there are other relevant anecdotes that may have to be considered. I know what Hon Members mean when they speak in that language. Mr Speaker, somebody is saying that in that regard, the Administrator must be invited. If it is necessary -- but what we would want her to do, I have assured that already, it is being taken care of in respect of the second quarter of this year and the last quarter for last year.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Mutawakilu Adam has drawn attention on an outstanding directive that the Chair gave. Perhaps I was not in the Chamber, but I would follow up to see that it is complied with.
Mr Speaker, Hon Governs Agbodza said that we should Sit early to justify any extension in the Sitting time. I agree with him that we must start early except that for today, there was a delay because we had a meeting that involved the Hon First Deputy Speaker, the Hon Minority Leader, myself and other Hon Members of the Standing Orders Committee, and that resulted in the late Sitting as experienced today.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Agbodza also said we should suspend sitting to pave way for some considerations to enable a tranquil Sitting into next week. Mr Speaker, I think your response is most appropriate, and I would not add anything to that.
Mr Speaker, the issue raised by the Hon Ras Mubarak has also been responded to by the Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. So again, I would not respond to that. Hon Ras Mubarak said that we should not meet in the auditorium because space is a bit constricted, and Hon Members would not be free to move about. Yes, we do not want Hon Members
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:49 a.m.
to float about; we want them to sit and listen to what would be churned out there. We want the Hon Members to be glued to the chairs. -- [Laughter] --
Mr Speaker, the Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa referred to a facility that relates to the Brong Ahafo Region and Volta Region in their earlier lives. I agree with him, except to remind him that the facility was in the pipeline of negotiation at the time those regions came under those descriptions so, it would be impossible now to change it to suit the new arrangement. Of course, we know the towns to be served, which places they allocated, and the necessary things would be done.
Mr Speaker, on the issue about the visit of the Prime Minister of Barbados, I agree we did not do that because there was no formal communication, but I know something would happen. Mr Speaker, likely on Tuesday, 12th November, 2019, the relevant announcement would be made when we have confirmation.
Mr Speaker, on the referrals, the Hon Okudzeto Ablakwa would know that the Standing Orders provide that referrals to Committees are not to stay there for more than three months. So, if we have a referral and it stays there
for one year. That Committee is in breach of our Standing Orders. We do not need any other provision to compel the transaction of business on those referrals.
If in the course of transacting business on those matters the Committee runs into some turbulence or hurdles, they are required to let this House know about the difficulties or challenges that they face, but they should not keep the referrals to themselves for one year without reporting back to Parliament any challenges that they may have. It is simply not right.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Alhaji Inusah Fuseini said that Committees are not well-resourced to perform their tasks. I know because Committees want to operate in an environment of tranquillity, usually would want to locate outside Accra. I appreciate the principle; however, there are some meetings that could hold in the precincts of Parliament. Not all meetings are required to be taken outside Accra. I believe that if we did that it would also help to speed up those referrals that are made to them.
Mr Speaker, on the invitation to the EC regarding the preparedness towards the conduct of the referendum and district level elections, I think it is a legitimate request and
we would see what to do. In fact, it came about in the discussion but we were not too sure whether next week would be the proper time to deal with it. Perhaps, the ensuing week would be better -- after the delivery of the Budget Statement.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minority Whip related to the five per cent of the total revenue that should go into the DACF. Mr Speaker, the ruling of the Supreme Court has given vent to that, and they have explained what really constitutes total revenue.
If we read the ruling, certainly, we do not need to do any other gymnastics, except to say that by the calculation, we would realise that it comes to the same thing; what is being done now. However, if the Hon Member wants the details, I would recommend to him that he goes and reads the ruling of the Supreme Court which is an official publication.

Mr Speaker, I thank you very much.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:59 a.m.
Hon Majority Leader, the suggestion is that we invite the Administrator of DACF to give us details. I am considering it; is it the Committee of the Whole or Joint Caucus?

A Joint Caucus is a Caucus Meeting, but a Committee of the Whole is a Committee of the House. Is that right? Very well.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:59 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I believe that I responded to the concern of Hon Members with respect to the last quarter 2018 because I know that it is being worked on to be released next week. Also, I know the second quarter has also been released, and if there are additions, we could do that.
If we have to meet the Admini- strator, it would have to be in a Joint Caucus and not the Committee of the Whole. This is because if we do so in a Committee of the Whole, there would have to be a Report from that Committee, which then would have to be debated in the House. So, the other vehicle is better, to have her appear before us in a Joint Caucus Meeting.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:59 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the point I made is that, if the House insists that we invite her, in spite of the assurances I have given, certainly, it would be done. I only said that we should use the appropriate vehicle. If he heard me, I said it would be better for us in the circumstance to do so in a Joint Caucus and not a Committee of the Whole.
This is because if we do so in a Committee of the Whole, we would have to generate a Report which would be debated in plenary. That is the issue that I raised, but if they still want it to be done, it could be done.
Mr Iddrisu 11:59 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would wait for your directive on this matter, but the truth is that, the non-releases and inadequate releases of the DACF affects the operations of Regional Coordinating Councils, District Assemblies and Members of Parliament's ( MP) delivery on the ground.
Sometimes, the Hon Majority Leader would invoke and I encourage him to invoke this, that Parliament still remains masters of their own procedure. If the Administrator comes before a Committee of the Whole, we are masters of our procedure. She should come with the Hon Minister for Finance, and we would decide what to do about the Report. We just want to express our disquiet about the non-releases of the funds, after which together, we would decide what to do about the Report.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:59 a.m.
So, what would happen if we meet at a
Joint Caucus Meeting? We have heard assurances from Hon Members of this House and you cannot hold them accountable for what they say here. I have heard some of the Hon Deputy Ministers speak earlier on air, saying moneys have been released, but Hon Members and the Committee Members complained that there is no such evidence.
So I think that it would be best if we heard from the DACF Administrator. There should be an official record of what she tells us, so that if there is the need for a follow- up, the Committee would do so. So would direct that the DACF Administrator would meet the House in a Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, 12th November, 2019, after adjournment.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim 11:59 a.m.
Mr Speaker, could you include the Hon Minister for Finance? At least, if he cannot come, one of his Hon Deputies should come. I believe that it would be appropriate.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:59 a.m.
I direct that the Hon Minister for Finance and the DACF Administrator meet the House in a Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, 12th November, 2019 after adjournment.
Item numbered 4, Questions. The first Question is to be answered by the Hon Minister for Trade and Industry. Question numbered 642 is in the name of the Hon Member for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh. You may ask your Question.
ORAL ANSWERS TO 11:59 a.m.
QUESTIONS 11:59 a.m.
MINSTRY OF TRADE AND 11:59 a.m.
INDUSTRY 11:59 a.m.
Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen) 11:59 a.m.
Mr Speaker, Astek Company Limited located in Nsawam in the Eastern Region was one of the first companies that expressed interest to be part of the Ministry's Stimulus Package Programme and sub- sequently the One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative using its subsidiary company, Nano Foods Limited. The company applied for an amount of GH¢5,444,760.00 from EXIM Bank consisting of capital
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, let me commend the Hon Minister for the awesome work done.
Mr Speaker, I am reliably informed that the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) has ensured that over 1,000,000 suckers have already been released to the outgrowers. Could the Hon Minister confirm this? If he can --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:09 p.m.
Question disallowed. Please ask questions related to the Nsawam Astek Company Limited. Outgrowers are not in the equation.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, could the Hon Minister apprise this House -- what was the state of the Nsawam Astek Company Limited 10 years ago?
Mr Kyerematen 12:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the factory under reference was completely shut down in the year 2009, and remained so until the year 2017 when the promoters of the company approached the Ministry for support.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, one of the critical requirements for the sustenance of the company is the raw material base. I wish to know from the Hon Minister if there are very good plans underway to ensure a regular and sustainable supply of pineapple to feed the factory?
Mr Kyerematen 12:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the GEPA, which is one of the agencies under my Ministry, has supplied pineapple suckers to the company with the purpose of boosting the production of pineapples by the farmers and the outgrowers.
In addition to this, the Ministry of Agriculture has also intensified its activities in terms of the extension of support to assist the farmers and the outgrowers to enhance their productivity and the yield per acre.
Mr Speaker, all this would support the supply of raw materials to the company.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:09 p.m.
Hon Member, your last follow-up question.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, rightly so.
The answers of the Hon Minister indicate that there is an outstanding amount to be paid. I would like to know from him if he could give indications as to what is being done to ensure the smooth payment of the outstanding amount.
Mr Kyerematen 12:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we are in regular consultation with the EXIM Bank and we have their assurance that the outstanding amount would be paid.
Mr Speaker, the company would use part of the outstanding amount, when paid, to pay for the purchase of fresh pineapples from the farmers and their outgrowers. This would ensure that the farmers receive their payments on time.
Mr Ato Panford 12:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, may I humbly ask the Hon Minister if there is any technical report, or a composed technical team to monitor the activities of Astek Company Limited since it had a facility from the stimulus package?
Mr Kyerematen 12:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, yes. Indeed, the Ministry has a technical support group composed of very experienced consultants, who provide technical assistance to the company after the disbursement of funds from the participating financial institutions.
The purpose of the technical assistance that is provided to the company is as follows; first, to closely monitor the firm's operations to identify early warning signals for operational distress. Secondly, to deploy resources to deal with challenges as they occur.
In addition to that, the technical support group actively promotes the company's products both within the local market in Ghana and then also in foreign markets. They also liaise with the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to ensure that there is consistency in the quality of standards of the company.
Mr Speaker, last but not least, the technical support group also assists the company to facilitate access to both capital expenditure and working capital requirements of the company.
Mr Mohammed Abdul-Aziz 12:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister if he could confirm that in the year 2003, when he was the Hon Minister for Trade and Industry, Astek Company Limited was closed down and its properties auctioned to settle their indebtedness to the Universal Merchant Bank?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:09 p.m.
Hon Minister, do you have any information to that effect?
Mr Kyerematen 12:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, regrettably, I am not in a position to confirm this at this material moment.
Mr Agbodza 12:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister -- in the first paragraph of his Answer, he said and I beg to quote:
“…subsequently the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative using its subsidiary company Nano Foods Limi- ted”.
Mr Speaker, whose subsidiary company is Nano Foods Limited? Is it to Nsawam Astek Company
Limited? This is because, from the way it is written, I do not know whether it is for --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:09 p.m.
It is implicit; it is contained in the Answer. If you have another question, ask it. Otherwise, I will pass it on.
Mr Agbodza 12:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister confirmed that the company requested about GH¢5 million which includes capital investment and operation cost. They have been able to give them the money for the capital expenditure. So how is the company coping; now that they do not have working capital, and how is that affecting their work?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:09 p.m.
Hon Member, you have not read the full Answer. It says that machines will be installed in the year 2020, and we have not reached there yet.
Mr Agbodza 12:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it will be people who will be working to carry out the capital investment. [Interruption.]
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:09 p.m.
Question ruled out.
Mr Moses Anim 12:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, Nsawam Astek Company Limited
served as a major source of employment for Nsawam and its environs. In addition to pineapple processing, they also process oranges into juice and its derivative products.
I would just want to know from the Hon Minister whether they are considering orange processing as well.
Mr Kyerematen 12:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, yes. Indeed, the machinery that is being procured would be able to also process other fruits for the purpose of canning and bottling.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:09 p.m.
Hon Minister, thank you for attending upon the House to answer the Question. You are discharged.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:19 p.m.
The next Question would be answered by the Hon Minister for Health.
Question numbered 648 standing in the name of the Hon Member for Mfantseman.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH 12:19 p.m.
Minister for Health (Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu) (MP) 12:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, Mfantseman currently has the Saltpond District Hospital. In terms of the Ministry's prioritisation of Health Projects, Saltpond is earmarked to receive rehabilitation and upgrade.
The Ministry is exploring avenues to secure funding for the earmarked rehabilitation. We have sent proposals to the Ministry of Finance. The approval may usually depend on the country's borrowing capacity.
Mr Hayford 12:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am happy that the Saltpond Hospital would be upgraded for the good people of Mfantseman.
Mr Speaker, the Mfantseman Clinic is located in Mankessim with a catchment population of 47,000, so I would want to find out from the Hon Minister whether there are plans to upgrade the clinic to the status of a polyclinic.
Mr Agyeman-Manu 12:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we have plans to do a lot more, and not only just the upgrade of the clinic into a polyclinic. In my next Answer,
he may hear what the Ministry plans to do.
Mr Speaker, our population is growing in all parts of the country. So areas that had smaller populations that deserved health centres have now outgrown them. So, we have massive plans to upgrade health centres into polyclinics.
Mr Hayford 12:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:19 p.m.
Very well.
Question numbered 649 stands in the name of the Hon Member for Builsa South.
Upgrade of Fumbisi Health Centre
Q649. Dr Clement A. Apaak asked the Minister for Health whether funding has been secured to upgrade the Fumbisi health centre to a district hospital
Mr Agyeman-Manu 12:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Health is currently in the process of seeking funds for the upgrade of some prioritised health centers to district hospitals and polyclinics. Fumbisi health centre is on the priority list. Proposals for the upgrade of health centers to district
hospitals and polyclinics have been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance pending approval.
Dr Apaak 12:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, could the Hon Minister be more specific as regards when funding would be secured? I asked this because I have asked this Question before, and the response at the time was that funding was being sought for.
Mr Agyeman-Manu 12:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it would be very difficult for me to be very specific because I am not part of the Ministry of Finance. During resource allocations, we only send proposals and wait to see what priorities they have after the resources have been distributed across the nation. So I am looking forward to know the allocations that would be given to my Ministry in the upcoming Budget Statement, and then my Hon Colleague would get to know what is in the kitty for all of us.
Dr Apaak 12:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister indicated in the last part of his Answer that proposals for the upgrade of Health Centres to District Hospitals and Polyclinics have been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance pending approval.
Mr Speaker, could the Hon Minister tell us the nature of the proposals, and whether it includes estimates on how much it would cost to upgrade the Fumbisi Health Centre to a District Hospital?
Mr Agyeman-Manu 12:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, at the moment, I would not be in a position to give figures; but we are doing expansion and refurbishing existing facilities in this particular proposal.
Mr Speaker, as I said earlier, it is not only the Fumbisi Health Centre because that facility is on the priority list; but we look forward to see how many of these facilities we would actually upgrade. It cuts across the country including the Ashanti Region, the newly created regions and other regions. So we are trying to see if we could get funding from the Ministry of Finance to see how best we could tackle them.
Dr Apaak 12:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister spoke about a priority list, which he said is not only confined to the upgrade of health centres into hospitals. I would want to know the position of Fumbisi Health Centre on the priority list and whether the list is national or segregated according to regions.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:19 p.m.
Hon Member, ask another follow-up question.
Mr Agyeman-Manu 12:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the upgrading of facilities like I mentioned, is of priority to the Ministry; but our priorities would depend on the amount of allocation the Ministry of Finance would give us.
Mr Speaker, at this moment, I cannot assure my Hon Colleague that this would be captured in the Budget Statement, so let us wait and see what would be presented to us.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:19 p.m.
Hon Member, the Question concerns Fumbisi District, and it is not part of your constituency.
Hon Minister, thank you for attending upon the House to answer the Question. You are discharged.
Hon Members, the next Question is to be answered by the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways, and the Question numbered 650 stands in the name of the Hon Member for Biakoye.
MINISTRY OF ROADS AND 12:19 p.m.
HIGHWAYS 12:19 p.m.
Minister for Roads and Highways (Mr Kwasi Amoako- Atta) (MP) 12:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
Background
The Teshie Link is a two lane dual carriageway road of length 7.5km, and is located in the Ledzokuku Municipality of the Greater Accra Region. The road is classified as a minor arterial by Department of Urban Roads (DUR), and links the Accra- Tema Coastal and Spintex roads. The Teshie Link serves schools, hospitals, and residential premises, such as the Manet Estate along the stretch. Other roads connect the Teshie Link to ensure continuity and accessibility within the enclave. Areas such as Tsui-bleo, Teshie Nungua Estates, Greda Estates, among others, are communities that connect unto the Teshie Link.
Current programme
The contract for the Construction of Teshie Link (7.5km) was initially procured through National Competitive Tendering and awarded to Messrs Malin Investment Limited on 3rd June, 2015. The Contractor commenced works on 7th July, 2015 for completion on 8th July, 2017. The Contractor suspended works as a result of undue delay in paying for work done by the Employer. After some payments were made, however, the contractor did not show progress on the contract and this led to its termination.
As part of the government's efforts to ensure the completion of the outstanding works and to ameliorate the suffering of commuters and residents along the corridor, the Ministry of Roads and Highways packaged the outstanding works and awarded the contract to Messrs Hajaig Construction (WA) Limited on 23rd November, 2018. No progress was, however, achieved and the contract has since been terminated.
In view of the challenges faced, the Ministry of Roads and Highways accepted a commercial offer from Messrs DSR Holdings Inc. of Dubai, UAE to source for funds from the Development Bank of Belarus and the
ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) to complete the project. The processes leading to acquiring funding facility were, however, cumbersome and would have delayed the continuation of the project.
Because of the importance Government attaches to this particular road project, the Ministry decided to continue the works with funding from its budgetary allocation from the Consolidated Fund. A new con- tractor, Messrs G.S International Developers GH Limited has been procured since August, 2019 to complete the outstanding works.
Progress to date include:
a) Completion of 1.5km of the south bound carriageway to asphaltic binder course (that is, ch 1+600 - ch 3+100)
b) Completion of 45 per cent of kerb works
c) Laying of 4.0 km of crushed rock base (that is, ch 1+600 - ch 3+100 and ch 3+900 - ch 6+400)
The progress of works is projected to be 30 per cent physical completion.
Minister for Roads and Highways (Mr Kwasi Amoako- Atta) (MP) 12:29 p.m.


Mr Speaker, seeking leave from you while on my feet, I would want to add that the expected date of completion is August, 2020. It would be completed within the next 10 months.
Mr K. N. Aboagye 12:29 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I was on the road yesterday. I did not see much activity. Is there any way the contractor could be compelled to expedite work on the site so that we do not miss the completion date? The contract started in 2015. Till now, we have a total of 30 per cent completion.
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:29 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is true that the work was started in 2015, but there was no progress on that road between 2015 and 2016 because nothing was done by the Government to facilitate it during that period. That road has suffered a lot of problems. It has a much chequered history, as I mentioned in my Answer.
I do not know which part of the stretch my Hon Colleague visited; but I can confirm that the work is going on in earnest. I paid an official visit to the site last week. Work is progressing as scheduled. I would want to assure this Honourable House, all the people on that stretch and the people of this
country that the work would be completed on schedule.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:29 p.m.
Are you done?
Mr K. N. Aboagye 12:29 p.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:29 p.m.
Very well.
Question numbered 651 stands in the name of the Hon Member for Odododiodioo.
Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza 12:29 p.m.
Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleague, Hon Nii Lantey Vanderpuye is not around. I know the Hon Minister took a lot of time to prepare the Answer. With your permission, I would ask the Question on his behalf.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:29 p.m.
Has he asked you to ask the Question for him, or are you assuming that responsibility?
Mr Agbodza 12:29 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am assuming that responsibility since the Hon Minister took time to prepare the Answers and is here in person.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:29 p.m.
I would want to be guided, Hon Leaders? Is he entitled to assume that responsibility on his own?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:29 p.m.
Mr Speaker, there are no such precedence; but knowing the controversy that Hon Agbodza may stir if you do not allow him, I plead that you allow him so that he walks away in peace [Laughter.]
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:29 p.m.
Very well. Given that you are the available Hon Leader, I would allow you.
Mr Agbodza 12:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I so much appreciate the opportunity.

The Ministry's Action on Deplorable Roads in the

Odododiodioo Constituency

Q651. Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza (on behalf of Mr Edwin N. L. Vanderpuye asked the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways what the Ministry was doing about the following deplorable roads in the Odododiodioo Constituency: (i) Agbogbloshie road (ii) Galloway road (iii) J. O. Ocquaye road (iv) Okaitei Nettey road (v) Amamomo close.
Minister for Roads and Highways (Mr Kwasi Amoako- Attah) 12:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
(i) Agbogbloshie road
Background
The “Agbogbloshie road”, classified under the Department of Urban Roads (DUR's) data base as Abossey Okai road, is located within the Ashiedu Keteke Sub-Metro in the Accra Metropolitan Assembly of the Greater Accra Region. The road is classified as a distributor or collector road by the DUR, which starts from the Ring Road West Extension (Korle Bu Mortuary Road) and ends on the Hansen road. It is 2.5 km long.
Current programme
The Agbogbloshie road has been awarded on contract. The road project is ongoing. A stretch of 1.8km out of 2.5km has recently been completed to asphaltic concrete surface.
The remaining 0.7km had previously been rehabilitated.
The outstanding works include drainage, construction of walkway and traffic management and safety works among others.
(ii) Galloway road
Background
The Galloway road is located within the Ashiedu-Keteke Sub Metro of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly in the Greater Accra
Mr Agbodza 12:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister obviously demonstrated that there is a programme to tackle the problems, which is to say that it has been selected as part of those to receive asphaltic overlay.
Mr Speaker, in the interim, what will the Ministry do to remedy or seal some of the dangerous potholes existing on some of those roads, while we wait for the funding?
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in my Answer, I stated honestly that these roads have a lot of potholes on them. Almost all of them are inundated with some potholes. Therefore, we have all these distributor or collector roads under our regular maintenance programme. I would want to assure my Hon Colleague that it would be done.
Mr Speaker, I am happy that the Hon Member who asked the Question on behalf of our Hon Colleague is also a Member of the Roads and Transport Committee, and he knows what we do. So I believe he understands what I am talking about.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:39 p.m.
Question numbered 652 standing in the name of Mr Fuseini Issah, Hon Member for Okaikwei North.
[Pause] --
The Hon Member is not in the House.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, when I saw the name, I thought it was our Hon Colleague, the former Hon Minister for Roads and Highways.
So, could I invite the Hon Deputy Whip to ask the Question on behalf of Hon Fuseini Issah?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:39 p.m.
Yes, Hon Deputy Whip?
Commencement of Construction of Selected Roads in Okaikwei
North
Q652. Mr Matthew Nyindam on behalf of Mr Fuseini Issah asked the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways when Logistic Support Services Limited, the contractor who was offered contract number DUR/
HO/GRF/(E)/PM/PART/OKN/
2015/01 to construct selected roads in Okaikwei North, would commence work.

Background

The selected roads under this contract are located within the newly created Okaikwei North Municipality of the Greater Accra Region. The roads are classified as distributor or collector roads by the Department of Urban Roads (DUR). They are either gravel or bituminous surfaced roads in poor condition.

Current programme

The contract for the Partial Reconstruction of Selected Roads in Okaikoi North Municipality was awarded on 13th May, 2016. It commenced on 30th September, 2016 for completion on 30 th December, 2017. The completion date has since elapsed. The contractor abandoned the site without notifying the employer. The contract was later re-scoped on 13th December, 2016, but the contractor has since not returned to site. The DUR will initiate the process to terminate the contract as soon as possible to enable the Ministry review the works for re- award.

Future programme

The project is among the list of road projects for consideration under the year 2020 budget Statement.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:49 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member, do you have any follow-up questions?
Mr Nyindam 12:49 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the Hon Minister for the assurance that it would be captured under the 2020 Budget Statement. It shows that he has given much attention to that particular project.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:49 p.m.
Very well, then you may follow-up with Question number 653.
Construction of additional Footbridges on the N1 (Apenkwa to Lapaz)
Mr Matthew Nyindam (on behalf of Mr Fuseini Issah) asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when additional footbridges will be constructed on the N1 stretch from Apenkwa to Lapaz to avert the number of pedestrian accidents.
Mr Amoako-Atta 12:49 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
Background
The George Walker Bush Highway otherwise known as the Tetteh
Quarshie -- Mallam Road is part of the National Route N1. The stretch is 14 km in length and is in the Accra Metropolitan Assembly of the Greater Accra Region. It is a dual carriageway road with a total of six lanes with various intersections and pedestrian crossing points. The road is a high-speed facility mostly going through urban areas.
Current Programme
Mr Speaker, currently, the Ghana Highway Authority has submitted a funding proposal from Messrs QGMI for the construction of 10 no. additional footbridges on the stretch between the Tetteh Quarshie and Kasoa section of the N1 to the Ministry of Roads and Highways. The facility has been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for consideration and approval. The proposal is a Design, Build and Finance.
Mr Speaker, this project will also include construction of ramps for existing 6 no. footbridges at Nogahill, Abofu, Akweteman, Lapaz, Nyame- kye and Kwashieman.
The Ministry of Roads and Highways is waiting for approval from the Ministry of Finance to enable the Ministry and GHA to proceed with negotiations.
Mr Nyindam 12:49 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I have no further questions.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:49 p.m.
Hon Members, the last Question for the Hon Minister is in the name of Hon Member for Sawla/Tuna/Kalba, Hon Andrew Dari Chiwitey.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:49 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member?
Mr Yusif Sulemana 12:49 p.m.
Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleague is on an official assignment in the Volta Region, so he has asked me to ask the Question on his behalf.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:49 p.m.
Yes, you may.
State of construction of Tuna- Kalba Road
Q654. Mr Yusif Sulemana on behalf of (Mr Andrew Dari Chiwitey) asked the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways what is the status of the construction of the Tuna - Kalba road, which was awarded on contract in 2016.
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:49 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
Background
The Tuna - Kalba feeder road is 30km and located within the Sawla/
Mr Yusif Sulemana 12:59 p.m.
Mr Speaker, from the Hon Minister's Answer, he alluded to the fact that the delay in the project is as a result of undue delay in payments.
Recently, we have been told that his Ministry has made arrangements to pay some contractors. An amount of about GH¢2 billion was released. I would want to find out whether this contractor would be taken care of, so that he could get back to site and get this project completed in time.
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:59 p.m.
Mr Speaker, on a point of correction, the amount of GH¢2 billion that was mentioned by the Hon Member was not the amount released. The Government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under the leadership of H.E. the President;
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has released an amount of GH¢2.2 billion to pay contractors, and this is unprecedented in the history of this country. A one-time off payment is a record because it is unprecedented; it has never happened in our country, and anybody could check from the history of this country.
Mr Speaker, I would want to assure the Hon Member that we are paying across board, and the payment is in currency. This obviously therefore comes under it because it is captured, and the contractor would be paid. Within the next few weeks, the contractor would be back on site because the payment is supposed to send all contractors who abandoned site, particularly between 1915 and 1916 back to work.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:59 p.m.
Hon Minister, did you say “1915 to
1916”?
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:59 p.m.
Mr Speaker, point of correction, it is supposed to be “2015 to 2017”. [Laughter]
Mr Yusif Sulemana 12:59 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I heard the Hon Minister say: “the Government of the NPP” -- Is there anything like that? I thought it was supposed to be “Government of Ghana”? This should be corrected because this is a House of records.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:59 p.m.
Hon Member, so what was your question?--- [Laughter]
Mr Yusif Sulemana 12:59 p.m.
Mr Speaker, from the Hon Minister's Answer, under part one, he said the progress of work is projected at about 30 per cent completion. Under part two, he said it is 40 per cent completion.
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister, whether he is aware that the project has deteriorated, and that the 30 and 40 per cent work done that he talked about would not be seen if he gets there today? Would the Hon Minister consider to re-award that portion to the contractor? If not, at the end of the day, the road would not be motorable for the people.
Mr Amoako-Attah 12:59 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank my Hon Colleague.
I could understand what he is saying because he is an engineer. What he says is true, but I would want to assure him that if a road deteriorates, it happens only on the surface, but it does not change the physical completion of the project.
I agree with him, that since the road has been abandoned for some time now, the surface has changed; however, the base remains
unchanged. Therefore, if the contractor goes back, he would only work on the surface and continue.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:59 p.m.
This is a constituency specific Question, so I would not allow anyone else to ask any other question.
Hon Minister, thank you for attending upon the House to answer the Questions. You are discharged.
Hon Majority Leader, it is past 1.00 p.m. already. Would we do Statements today? I wanted to proceed straight to --
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:59 p.m.
Mr Speaker, there is a Statement in the name of Major Derek Oduro (Rtd). It is a commemorative one, so we could allow it, and take the others next week.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:59 p.m.
Very well.
Hon Majority Leader, is it the commemorative Statement by the Hon Deputy Minister for Defence?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:59 p.m.
Mr Speaker, that is so.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:59 p.m.
Very well.
Hon Members, we would take the Statement by the Hon Deputy Minister for Defence; the Hon Member for Nkoranza North, on the “Remembrance Day Celebration.”
Hon Deputy Minister, you may make the Statement now.
STATEMENTS 12:59 p.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:09 a.m.
I would allow one contribution each, and then, if Leadership wants to contribute, I would recognise them.
Yes, Hon Member?
Mr James Agalga (NDC -- Builsa North) 1:09 a.m.
Thank you Mr Speaker. I would like to congratulate the Hon Deputy Minister for Defence for taking time off his busy schedule
to make this all-important Statement to commemorate Armistice or Remembrance Day.
Mr Speaker, like the Hon Member who made the Statement rightly indicated, Armistice or Remembrance Day commemorates the occasion when the allies in the first World War (WWI) came to an agreement with Germany, which has been defeated, to strike a deal to end the first World War (WWI). But after the WWI, Armistice Day has been extended to cover what is now popularly known as Remembrance Day.
Mr Speaker, this day is particularly important for us Ghanaians because a lot of our compatriots were drafted to fight for the Commonwealth because we were under the rule of the monarch at the time. Several of our sons and daughters fell in the battle for and on behalf of the Crown in the name of world peace. So on an occasion like this, I would join the Hon Member who made the Statement to salute our gallant soldiers who fell in line of duty.
But what is even most significant about the Statement is that it highlights the important role Ghana continues to play on the world stage for purposes of restoring peace in the world. So as part of our contributions, Ghana
has deployed over three thousand troops to peace operations across the world. Mr Speaker, a lot of them have lost their lives in Lebanon and elsewhere where they have been deployed, all in an attempt to foster world peace. On this occasion, I would like to salute all of them.
Mr Speaker, what touches my heart is the issue raised by the Hon Member who made the Statement about the welfare of the veterans. Indeed, some of those who fought in the second World War (WWII) are still alive and are part of the Veterans Association of Ghana (VAG). Although there is a legislation, (Act 844), which seeks to champion their welfare: Mr Speaker, I would like to note that as a country, we need to take the welfare of our veterans very seriously.
Yes, some attempts have been made to cater for their welfare, and the Hon Member who made the Statement has indicated that ten commercial buses have been bought and have been sent round the various regions to help ensure that there is self-sustenance as part of the attempt to provide for their welfare.
Mr Speaker, on this occasion, I would like to call on the authorities to do more in terms of extending support to our gallant veterans, some of whom actually fought in the WWII at the peril of their lives to foster world peace.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:09 a.m.
Yes, Hon Chairman of the Committee?
Mr Kwame Seth Acheampong (NPP -- Mpraeso) 1:19 a.m.
Thank you Mr Speaker. I rise to contribute to the Statement made by my former Committee Chairman who is now the Hon Deputy Minister for Defence.
Mr Speaker, truly, Ghana is the respected State when it comes to missions and operations around the world. And I am glad that on an occasion like this such a good Statement as Remembrance Day is made. I always, would like to associate with paragraph 6 of the Statement that allows all of us to participate by putting on these poppies on our breasts.

And the significance of the poppy as we patronise it is for establishing and reminding all of us of the need and essence of peace.

Mr Speaker, I am happy that today, in our country Ghana, we are peacefully speaking in this Chamber of the people's forum. That tells us that Ghana has truly travailed and this is as a result of those who sacrificed at the time to bring this peace to us. As it was rightly said by the Hon Ranking Member on the other Side, the Hon Member for Builsa North, we have veterans scattered all over our country.

Mr Speaker, permit me to thank H. E. the President of the Republic for his innovativeness of allowing his subordinates, the Hon Minister for Defence and the management of the National Lottery Authority to go into partnership to enhance the welfare of our veterans.

Today, there is a partnership that would yield benefits to the Veterans Association of Ghana and this would encourage other partners within the lottery environment, including private lottery operators.

This is something we all need to encourage, so that we can find other

sources of sustenance to enhance the wellbeing of our people.

Mr Speaker, we still have men who serve in the interest of this country and who build useful capacity in their line of duty. Unfortunately, when they come to the end of their duty tours and time served in our respective armies, we allow them to go home and do not use the experience they have gathered over the years.

Going forward as a country, I believe there is enormous untapped potential that we allow to go waste --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:19 a.m.
The Second Deputy Speaker would take the Chair.
MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:23 a.m.
Hon Member, continue.
Mr K. S. Acheampong 1:23 a.m.
Mr Speaker, my time in Parliament and having a relation with the men in green, officers and men from the Ghana Armed Forces in all its division; the navy, air force and infantry -- We need to put into proper use as a
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:23 a.m.
I would like to remind Hon Members that today is Friday but if you insist that you want to add a word to what they have said, why not? I would allow you. [Interruption] Do you insist? Alright.
Hon Richard Quashigah, you have just a minute.
Mr Richard Mawuli Kwaku Quashigah (NDC -- Keta) 1:23 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I want to take the opportunity to commend the Hon Member who made the Statement.
An occasion like this is very important for us to mark but I sometimes ask myself very hard questions on such occasions. This was a war that our people were compelled and drafted into. We were a colony at the time and many lives were lost. It is true that as we are told by history, our forefathers -- I wonder if any of them is still alive today -- They fought gallantly and displayed bravery while many lost their lives in the line of duty.
The thing is that at the time, they actually fought for the crown, England precisely. After the war, it did not even bring to us as a nation, liberation. We still continued under colonial rule and never had the freedom we expected, yet on such occasions, we talk about the freedom from repression that the victory of that war brought to us.
Mr Speaker, indeed, as a people in Ghana, did it bring us the needed freedom? A lot of these people's families were not compensated and many of them suffered in abject
poverty. The state of Ghana, when it became a free state, took it upon itself to ameliorate some of these situations; but have we sat back as a nation to reflect and ask the hard questions as to what reparations or benefits we got from Britain for having taken our fathers to such a war? Lives were lost but did they really compensate them?
While we commend our gallant soldiers and all those who lost their lives, we must also begin to ask the colonial masters some critical questions. I believe that there was a nation that stood on such grounds and demanded reparations from Britain, so why can we not also do same?
For far too long we have commended our people for fighting in these battles and bringing freedom but freedom to whom? Freedom to the colonial masters and Europe at the time and not to us as Africans or Ghanaians.
Mr Speaker, it is worthy to celebrate the occasion because of the lives that were lost. Once we do that, we should also commend those who continuously make the necessary efforts to take care of those who have become vulnerable as a result of peacekeeping missions and wars fought on behalf of this nation, especially when we became an independent state.
I have just been informed that the President has put some package together to assist veterans which is good and something all of us should applaud when things of this nature are done. However, we must do it and it should be enough to benefit people in those categories.
Mr Speaker, with these words, I thank you for the opportunity.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:23 a.m.
Hon Members, Statement time is ended and we would now proceed to the commencement of Public Business. Item numbered 6 on the Order Paper, Presentation of Papers by the Chairman of the Committee.
PAPERS 1:23 a.m.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:29 p.m.
Item numbered 7 -- Motion.
Hon Majority Leader?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:29 p.m.
Accordingly, items numbered 7 and 8 are stood down. We would move to the item numbered 9 - Motion.
Hon Chairman of the Committee?
MOTIONS 1:29 p.m.
Mr Robert Kwasi Amoah (on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee) 1:29 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this honourable House adopts the Report of the Committee on Environment, Science and Technology on the Headquarters Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA).
Mr Speaker, in so doing, I present your Committee's Report.
1.0 Introduction
The Hon Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Ms Sarah Adwoa Safo, on behalf of the Minister for Environment,
Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, on 23rd October, 2019 laid before the House the Headquarters Agreement between the Government of Ghana and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa
(FARA).
Pursuant to article 753(2) (b) of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Order 185, the Rt Hon Speaker referred the Agreement to the Committee on Environment, Science and Technology for consideration and report to the House.
2.0 Acknowledgement
The Committee met with the following to deliberate on the Headquarters Agreement signed between the Government of Ghana and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA):
1. Ms Adelaide Asante, Direc- tor for Science, Technology and Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI);
2. Mr Lawrence Kafui Kuwornu, Programme Officer, MESTI;
3. Ms Judith Amo Semadzro, Programme Officer, MESTI;
4. Ms. Audrey Abayena, Direc- tor Legal, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration;
5. Mr Yemi Akinbamijo, Execu- tive Director, FARA;
6. Ms. Irene Annor-Frempong, Director of Research, FARA;
7. Mr Wole Fatunbi, Lead Specialist, Innovation Sys- tems, FARA.
The Committee is grateful to all of them for the elucidation provided on the Agreement.
3.0 Reference Documents
The Committee referred to the following documents during delibera- tions.
a. The 1992 Constitution of Ghana;
b. The Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana;
c. The Cabinet Memorandum on the headquarters Agreement signed between the Govern- Government of Ghana and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FAFA);
d. Cabinet approval letter; and
e. The Headquarters Agreement signed between the Govern-ment of Ghana and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA).
4.0 Background Information
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) was established in 2001 by the Sub- regional Agricultural Organisation (SRO) on behalf of their respective member states. FARA serves as the apex continental organisation responsible for advancing food and agricultural research. It also serves as the technical arm of the African Union Commission (AUC) on matters concerning agriculture, science, technology and innovation.
In performing its mandate, FARA works in conjunction with SRO to support countries to plan and co- ordinate the implementation of the research and innovation necessary to achieve targets of continental agricultural development and food security policies.
In this regard, FARA served as the lead institution for the AU's Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme's (CAADP) pillar responsible for research and extension.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:29 p.m.
Hon Member, I did not know you were not the Hon Chairman of the Committee, until you ended because you should have sought some permission.
The Motion has been moved, any seconder?
Dr Emmanuel Marfo (NPP -- Oforikrom) 1:29 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion and to make few comments and also to urge Hon Members to adopt the Report.
Mr Speaker, we all know the importance of agricultural research to this country as a nation that is mainly agricultural based and our economy mainly supported by agriculture, so I believe any interventions that bring resources that would help us improve agricultural research, should be welcomed.
Mr Speaker, when the Committee met representatives from FARA, we were impressed by the number of work that they have done, the research and technologies that they have promoted across Africa, and indeed, the observation that almost every programme that they have implemented in their work, they have included Ghana.
This is very important because of the fact that in our country for example, with CSIR, which is the main body which hosts all the research institutes, about 99 per cent of the government releases go into compensation which leaves them with just about one per cent to do the core work of research and technology development.
Therefore, if FARA has asked us to host them, and continue to collaborate, cooperate and work with us, so that we would take advantage of their presence to leverage some resources to boost agricultural research and technology developments in Ghana, then I believe it is something that we all need to support.
Mr Speaker, this is a worthy cause for this country, and I pray Hon Members fully support it.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:29 p.m.
I have the impression that it is a straight forward Motion.
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:29 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, should I put the Question, or I should listen to the Hon Member for Efutu?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am not too sure that my Hon Colleague is properly constituted to contribute to this debate, and in that regard, we would want you to put the Question on the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Motion was not properly seconded. I do not know whether you would overlook the form and focus on the substance. Early on when the Hon Member moved the Motion, you drew his attention to the form and so I was wondering, maybe I did not pay attention, but I did not hear him second the Motion -- [Interrup- tions]. If he did it properly, that is fine.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:39 p.m.
Actually, he did it properly.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, very well.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:39 p.m.
Hon Member, I am sure you just want to be heard.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is so. -- [ Laughter] -- on a matter of substance and procedure, and you have heard me I am grateful.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:39 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, what do we have to do now? I wanted to move to the next item.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I believe we have the competence to deal with the next item.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:39 p.m.
Hon Members, item numbered 10 on the Order Paper -- Resolution.
Mr Kyei-Mensah Bonsu 1:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, respectfully, I would want to move the Motion for the adoption of the Resolution on behalf of the Hon Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:39 p.m.
Surely, Hon Colleagues will indulge their Hon Leader to move the Motion, so please go on.
RESOLUTIONS 1:39 p.m.
Mr Robert K. Amoah (NPP -- Achiase) 1:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:39 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, do we move to item 11 or 12? Item 11 deals with the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and item 12 is on the Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2019.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as advertised in the Business Statement for next week, it is intended for the Motion captured as item 11 on Tuesday, 12th November, 2019.
For the Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2019, we have agreed to do some winnowing on it before proceeding further in the
Mr Agbodza 1:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion for adjourn- ment.
ADJOURNMENT 1:39 p.m.