Debates of 5 Dec 2019

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 12:30 p.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 12:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Hon Members, the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 4th December, 2019.
Page 1 … 5
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa 12:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, please, on page 6, the Hon Second Deputy Speaker, who is also a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, and the Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration have been marked absent with permission. They were with us at the Committee on Foreign Affairs meeting where we took the Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
The Hon Second Deputy Speaker was with us throughout the meeting. We were very blessed to have his insightful contributions yesterday, and the Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration was as well represented. So they should be marked present and not absent with permission.
Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka 12:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, this is an argument that has been made again and again. Mr Speaker, the Hon Members were not in the Chamber. With the greatest respect, we cannot encourage that Hon Members who sometimes just loiter around the Chamber without entering to be marked present. If one wants to be marked present, he would have to be in the Chamber.
If one is in a Committee meeting -- that is why for example, today, we said let us give between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 p.m. for Hon Members to have Committee meetings and run to the Chamber. If they are not done, they can go back after 2 o'clock.
Mr Speaker, we must not encourage Hon Members to say that they were at a Committee meeting and therefore they should be marked present. This issue has been ruled upon several times that an Hon Member has to be in the Chamber to be
marked present. Even if an Hon Member is on an official trip, he has to fill a leave of absence form for it to be properly captured.
So unfortunately, regarding what my Hon Colleague, Hon Ablakwa said, the records in the Votes and Proceedings reflect what happened in the House yesterday; they were absent. Committee meeting is not the Chamber.
Mr Ablakwa 12:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with all deference and respect to my Hon Chief Whip, if that would be the case then the two Hon Members should be marked absent, but not absent with permission. Did they fill any forms to be absent with permission? They were within the precincts of Parliament and the meeting was at 11.00 a.m. Our Hon Chairman is here. Mr Speaker, I would want your guidance.
Mr Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Hon Okudzeto Ablakwa, if they happened to have taken any permission to be absent, you would not know conclusively as you stand here, so let us not bring that in. If they are marked absent, and they would want to be marked absent with permission, because that is the case, let them go and say that one.
Mr Ablakwa 12:30 p.m.
It is rather “absent with permission”.
Mr Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Yes, so they should be marked absent. Simple. That is what the Hon Leader said. In your argument, all you canvassed was that they came to a Committee meeting. We have ruled again and again on Committee meetings as the Hon Minority Chief Whip has reiterated. So please, if you touch base at some corner and you are not part of the plenary you are absent. I believe that is incontrovertible. Let us move on.
That correction is ruled out.
Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh 12:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with your kind indulgence, I seek for the inclusion of the meeting of your Committee on Foreign Affairs. Yesterday we met and considered the Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration. I see a number of Committees to have also met which have been rightly captured by the Votes and Proceedings, but that of your Committee on Foreign Affairs has been left out.
Mr Speaker 12:30 p.m.
The clerk to the Committee must submit it, so that it is worked upon. What is the difficulty? As of now, I am told that the Ag. Clerk has not submitted that to the House. So please, let us not raise that matter. It will take us off tangent.

Hon Members, the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 4th December, 2109, as corrected be hereby adopted as the true record of proceedings.
Mr Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Hon Members, I will use my discretion to vary the Order Paper and call upon the Hon Minister for Agriculture to make a Statement, and go and see to other things, and then afterwards, we would have the Business Statement.
Hon Minister for Agriculture, your Statement on Farmers Day.
STATEMENTS 12:40 p.m.
Minister for Agriculture (Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto) 12:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to brief the august House of Parliament on the 2019 Farmers' Day Celebration. As required by law, this year's celebration falls on Friday the 6th of December,
2019.
Consistent with the long-standing rotational principle, the Volta Region will host this year's edition of the
Mr Speaker 12:40 p.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Minister.
Hon Members, I had an oversight of something; I did not present the Official Report, therefore before we comment on the Statement and then take the Business Statement, please, we also have before us the Official Report dated Wednesday, 13 th November, 2019.
Mr Speaker 12:40 p.m.
Hon Members, any corrections on the Official Report, please?
[No correction was made to the Official Report of Wednesday, 13th November, 2019].
We would now have contributions when necessary. In the process, the Hon First Deputy Speaker would take the Chair for me to open our conference on Private Member's Bills also being held at the Job 600 at the same time. You would remember that we had to change the time to 12.00 noon hence, that arrangement.
Hon Members, contributions. Hon Chairman of the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs?
Mr Kwame Asafu Adjei (NPP --Nsuta-Kwamang-Beposo) 12:50 p.m.
I am most grateful, Mr Speaker. I rise to associate myself with the Statement ably made by the Hon Minister for Food and Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs on this year's Farmers' Day Celebration which is to be held at Ho in the Volta Region.
Mr Speaker, available information indicates that about 70 per cent of the Ghanaian population live and earn their livelihood through agriculture in the rural areas. Unfortunately, value added in agriculture contributes only 20 per cent to the total gross domestic product, hence the widespread rural poverty can be attributed to low agricultural productivity
MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:53 p.m.
Hon Member, I think you are to comment briefly on the Hon Minister's Statement and not make another Statement with proposals. You are the Hon Chairman of the Committee, so please meet with him, but please comment on the Hon Minister's Statement.

encourage the Ministry to look at the appropriate technology. In other words, the act of making ploughs, buying tools for up and coming farmers -- This would help them earn more income, especially in the three Northern Regions.

With these few words, I congratulate our fisher folk and farmers.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:53 p.m.
Yes, Hon Minority Leader?
Mr Iddrisu 12:53 p.m.
Mr Speaker, could you indulge me to make brief comments because I have to return to the Special Budget Committee as the Hon Majority Leader is coming back for the Business Committee to assist with the Budget Estimate of the Public Services Commission.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:53 p.m.
Yes, please, that is why I gave you the Floor.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu (NDC -- Tamale South) 12:53 p.m.
Mr Speaker, let me thank you for the opportunity and I commend the Hon Minister for Agriculture for coming to this august
House to speak on the 35th edition of the National Farmers' Day. I would like to join him and the good people of Ghana in saying ayekoo to all our farmers and fisher folk for their continuous sacrifice and contribution to the social and economic development of our country.
We cannot overemphasise the significant contributions of agriculture to the development of the Ghanaian economy, employment and gross domestic product (GDP). What we have not done as a country is to take the agricultural sector into the next era of value addition. We produce, so as we produce --
Mr Speaker, I am told that there is a report from the European Union (EU) which shows that the EU benefits more from cocoa financially than we the producers of cocoa, that is Ghana and La Cote d'Ivoire. I am still trying to lay hands on the report because it would make useful reading. What is it that as a country, we are not doing with cocoa to gain value?
Again, we are not at the zenith of modernising agriculture as a country. I come from the Tamale South Constituency which is a rural one between Jerigu, Lahaga, Tugu and Datoyili. I am yet to come across a farmer who can afford to deposit
GH¢100,000 for the purchase of a tractor or combined harvester. As we speak, in the Northern Region, there are not available up to five strong motorable combined harvesters. The farmers are scrambling, just looking for the opportunity to get a combined harvester to harvest rice.
Mr Speaker, I heard the Hon Minister make a pronouncement on Government's determination to end the importation of rice. It remains unacceptable to us collectively as a country, that every year, we spend US$450 million on rice importation.
While we want to respect trade protocols with the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and others, what is it that we are doing to increase domestic rice production?
Even as we talk about the buffer stock among others, it is not enough. I do rice and groundnut farming sometimes and I have had an experience where in a particular year, when we harvested the rice, it took me one year to be able to sell it. Avnash Industries Ghana Limited came and picked a few but they were not interested in the others.
Yes, we would support the Hon Minister but to reduce rice importation, we must be self-sufficient in its production as a country and be ready to feed ourselves. We must change attitudes toward the consumption of locally produced Ghanaian rice and respect inter- national protocols while at it.
If we take the Tono Irrigation Area and Nasia, I know they have further developed the Tamale Irrigation Project which we initiated. Maybe, they should also pay attention to Nasia, Libga and particularly Sabari in the Yendi area for the purpose of irrigation development, so that we can have all year-round agriculture.
Mr Speaker, I was making the point about the cost of agricultural input. The cost of tractors and combined harvesters are steep and if this country wants to import farmers, we should look at a more substantially subsidised support for farmers. This is because I cannot see how a farmer can deposit GH¢100,000 for a tractor or combined harvester and service them as well.
Modern agriculture would mean going beyond the cutlass as mentioned by the Hon Minister in his Statement on the agenda of modernising and transforming agriculture.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu (NDC -- Tamale South) 1 p.m.
Again, the Brong Ahafo Region is noted to have a comparative advantage in the production of poultry and cashew. We should begin designating and recognising those regional potentials and supporting same. So we wish our farmers well.

Mr Speaker, towards the end of the Statement on Ghana Industrial and Commercial Limited (GICEL), the amount of money which was allocated and appropriated is not what it is, in terms of numbers so they have to engage the Ministry of Finance, further on it.

Mr Speaker, I join the Hon Minister for Agriculture, to wish our farmers and fishermen well. They should continue to sacrifice but what we should do as government is to ensure value addition for many of the agricultural produce.

There is no reason in Kumasi or Bekwai, orange, banana or mango produce should go waste -- even the pulp of mango has value. Many countries have attested to the fact that they like Ghanaian pineapple, orange and mango and yet we allow them to rot on the Suhum-Nsawam road, instead of getting them properly produced.

Mr Speaker, with these few words I thank you for the opportunity.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
Hon Minister for Western Region, I have not seen you for a while, so this is welcome for you.
Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko- Mensah (NPP -- Takoradi) 1 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I come to this House, almost every week.
Mr Speaker, I rise to contribute to the Statement which was ably made by the Hon Minister for Agriculture.
Mr Speaker, agriculture is one huge area that has continued to support this country over many decades. At a point in time even in the country's history, cocoa was a major infrastructural funding commodity and it continues to be so. In fact, most villages cry for more cocoa roads because apart from serving the needs of the cocoa farmer, it also serves the needs of communities.
Mr Speaker, if we take a look at the theme for this year's Farmer's Day, it is basically more on agri business and I believe that it is proper. It is very proper in the sense that we cannot continue to do agriculture as a way of life, rather, it has to be done as a
business. If we consider the work farmers, fishermen and people who rear animals do for this country, it clearly shows that when they get the needed push, they would be able to do more than they do now. Recently, the issue of planting of rice came up and the Ministry has done so well to organise aggregators and importers to do it.
Mr Speaker, the Western Region where I come from, is noted for a lot of agricultural productivity. For example, in the production of rubber countrywide, we do 98 per cent, in the production of cocoa, we do almost 50 per cent, in the rearing of fish, we do 60 per cent, in the production of palm, we do 35 per cent and currently, even with the production of coconut countrywide, we do 85 per cent. So we as an Administration have taken a decision that as part of the Planting for Export and Rural Development, we also want to do an additional five million coconut tree planting in the Western Region.
In the next three years, this would give us about US$400 million per year, if we get our acts together. So I would want to use this opportunity to encourage all Ghanaians to come to the Western Region to plant coconut trees. Our coconut is different, tastes different and also processable. Every
45 minutes, there is a truck load of coconut from the Western Region to Nigeria and the fact of the matter is that -- why do we export raw coconut, when we could even process them in the country before they are exported?
Recently, I had discussions with few people and I even believe that even with our cocoa that we process -- we should not export raw coconut again in this country but it should be given free of charge to the processors and when they process it we should take 50 per cent of the money. That alone could move us from just getting the 2.5 billion all the way to about 50 billion.
We have to look at the arrangements again. We give the cocoa that we produce as a country free to the processors and after they have sold the final product, we take 50 per cent of that money -- we would have added value and we would be able to pay for a lot of bills that hang over our necks in the long term.
Mr Speaker, I agree that when it comes to vegetables -- the oil industry is one area that continues to import from our neighbouring countries like La Côte d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member for Asunafo South?
Mr Eric Opoku (NDC -- Asunafo South) 1:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement ably made by the Hon Minister for Agriculture.
Mr Speaker, tomorrow is a special day for the farmers of our country and indeed, for the whole country. The Ghanaian farmer, regardless of the challenges, has done so well to ensure that throughout the year, every Ghanaian irrespective of their position, wealth and wherever they are located in this country, are fed throughout the year. Therefore it is proper and appropriate for all of us as we celebrate and honour our farmers, to salute them and then we must also pause and reflect on some of the challenges which confront them.
This day was set aside, after the country went through food crisis in the history of Ghana. We recalled that in 1983, when bush fires consumed our farms the Government of Nigeria repatriated most Ghanaians who had gone there at the time. The famine associated with the bush fires devastated most Ghanaian farmers during the period and caused an increase in agricultural productivity, hence the then Government under the leadership of former President Rawlings instituted this day for us to celebrate and honour farmers.
Mr Speaker, during the first year of the celebration of the Farmer's Day, farmers were given small awards but growth in the agricultural sector was very significant because it was around 30 per cent. Today, we give
them very important and huge awards but growth in the sector is still not encouraging. We need to look at what must be done to ensure that it is done for the realisation of the target we have set for ourselves.

Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister for Agriculture indicated in the Statement that for the first time in the history of agriculture in Ghana, the Ministry has been given money 10 per cent in excess of its budgetary allocation for this year. That is a good thing and it is an indication that more resources are being made available for agriculture in the country. However, the question we have to answer is whether we are witnessing corresponding growth in the sector?

Mr Speaker, this is because in the Budget Statement, it was reported that in the first half of the 2019, the very year that we have gotten so much money, growth in the sector was hovering around 2.6 per cent. Why do we put in so much -- ?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
Hon Member, please, be guided by the rules. Comment on the Statement and avoid controversy. That is what the rule says, if I may read it to you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
You will have the opportunity to debate the Budget Estemates -- but for now --
Mr Opoku 1:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I will leave that part. What is most important is that once you restrict me from looking at what the Hon Minister said, I am not to subject his Statement to critical analysis.
Mr Speaker, I just want to look at another critical area that we all have to consider.
The issue of cost of production in the agricultural sector. We recall that the Hon Minister mentioned agricultural mechanism and indicated that it is a way of increasing agricultural productivity.
Mr Speaker, subsidy on imported agricultural equipment have been raised from 40 per cent to 60 per cent. That is very huge; the subsidy is now 40 per cent instead of 60 per cent. So now farmers are being made to pay 60 per cent instead of the 40 per cent that they were paying. This will
increase the cost of production and if we are not careful, there will be a time where imported food will be cheaper than the locally produced ones. So we have to relook at the subsidy that is paid to our farmers.
Last year, while concluding a similar Statement made by the Hon Minister, he indicated that he was going to come out with a package to ensure that Hon Members participate actively in the ‘Planting for Food and Jobs' programme.
I believe that he is still working on it and probably, for a year, he has not finished. We just want to remind him that it is a good suggestion and he should go on and make sure it is rolled out.
Mr Speaker, last year, we also raised another important issue about insurance for farmers against drought, flood and other emergency situations. This is because in Ghana, agriculture depends on rainfall and so when the farmers take loans from the banks, invest in the production of some specific crops, and the weather is not friendly, it becomes difficult for them to recoup the invest they have made.
So there is the need for us to put in place a mechanism to offer some kind of insurance for some of these farmers as this is a way of getting a
lot of the youth to engage in agriculture in this country because of the aging population in the agricultural sector.
Another important area that we need to look at, has to do with the ‘One Village, One Dam' policy. Irrigation is the best for us because if we are able to irrigate 20 per cent of the total arable land available to us as a nation, we will be able to produce food enough to feed our people and export the excess.
However, looking at the policy and the way it is being executed, there is the need for us to relook at the ‘One Village, One Dam' policy. Especially when the Hon Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture appeared before this House and indicated to us that we are using ‘One Village, One Dam' policy for aquaculture purposes. [Laughter.] --
It is especially important for us to relook at the dugouts because they cannot be relied upon during the dry season for irrigation purposes. For this, the Hon Minister for Agriculture himself understands and there is the need for us to focus on proper dams and not dugouts for irrigation because we cannot use dugouts for irrigation. We have been trumpeting 560 dugouts -- they cannot be used for irrigation purposes.
Mr Speaker, this year we are hearing from the media; in fact, it has been extensively reported that the Peasant Farmers Association are refusing to participate in this all important programme.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
Hon Member, wind up. The rule is that you comment briefly but it is as if you are making another Statement.
Mr Opoku 1:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much. Today is a special day for those of us who are fortunate to serve on the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs as we believe that it is our day for us to extensively discuss some of the issues confronting that particular sector.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
Hon Member, you could have brought your own Statement. This is to comment on the Statement made by the Hon Minister.
Mr Opoku 1:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we have had a lot of challenges with our School Feeding Programme and during the year, the Hon Minister for Agriculture had to make some arrangements to be able to get some rice and maize to support that particular programme.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:10 p.m.
Thank you. Hon Abraham Odoom, he is the only farmer in the House.
Mr Abraham Dwuma Odoom (NPP -- Twifo Atti Morkwa) 1:20 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to contribute towards the Statement ably made by the Hon Minister for Agriculture.
Mr Speaker, I would like to add my voice to the previous contributors in congratulating our able farmers and fishermen. At the same time, I would also like to say that the President and the Hon Minister for Agriculture also need commendation for their exemplary leadership especially because for the first time in Ghana, we are told that the Maputo Convention is being satisfied. This is a commendable achievement that must be put on record.
Like the Hon Ranking Member said, yes, for the past two weeks in the media, we are hearing about
abundance of rice in the north, south and all the other rice enclaves. This is a clear manifestation of the success story of the ‘Planting for Food and Jobs programme' which the Hon Minister for Agriculture is leading.
Therefore it is important as a House that we are able to support the Hon Minister in the downstream processing as well as other things that we will require. At the end of the day, the clarion call of Ghanaians is, let us eat our own rice.
This is the message being echoed. I am glad to say that I attended a meeting with the Hon Minister yesterday and he has taken a bold step by calling millers and importers together as well as even the Central and Commercial banks. This is one thing that I see the Hon Minister doing which will definitely bring us to the point where Ghana will stop importing rice and we need to take note of that.
Mr Speaker, it is therefore important that as a Committee and a House, we should support the Hon Minister in his quest to take Ghana out of the large quantities of food we import. The Hon Minister and his Ministry is also looking at poultry which is also a significant area where
Ghana is now importing about 11billion of poultry. It is important that this area be looked at.

In congratulating our farmers, there is a lot yet to be done. As a people, we need to have a new mind set about what we eat. That is what would accommodate the expansion that our farmers put in. If our farmers are going to expand their productivity and expand their farms, as Ghanaians, it means we must learn to begin eating what our farmers grow so that at the end of the day we would be able to accommodate our farmers to make enough wealth and create the jobs we require.

Mr Speaker, with these few words, I thank you for the opportunity.
Dr (Mrs) Bernice A. Heloo (NDC -- Hohoe) 1:20 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to also congratulate our farmers. In so doing, I would like to pay special tribute to our women farmers who work alongside problems here and there and have used old ways of farming all these years. Indeed, when I look at our farming population, especially the elderly women, for the fact that they have to bow so low and use very small hoes to weed and come up with
very big farms, I think it is high time we once again look at the issue of farm implements. That would reduce drudgery in the lives of the farmers, especially the women who I am talking for and who have done that all over the years.
Indeed, if you go to other African countries, the farm implements used especially, hoes have much longer handles so they do not have to bend down so low to weed. It may be due to culture or other factors that we continue to use these small hoes that may cause a lot of pain to our women.
We might have to find out why and also what we can do, but it is important for us to innovate small implements that would take the drudgery of farming. Those could be some of the reasons why the youth find it difficult to go into farming.
I would end by just congratulating our farmers especially the women among them. I hope that the Ministry would take some steps to promote farming by our women and also remove the drudgery from their work.
Dr Kwaku Afriyie (NPP -- Sefwi-Wiawso) 1:20 p.m.
Mr Speaker, let me also hasten to associate myself with the Hon Minister who made the Statement and in particular congratulate him for a job well done
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:20 p.m.
You are more recognised as a doctor than a farmer. [Laughter.]
Dr Afriyie 1:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to put it on record that I was a farmer before I became a doctor. In fact, I owned my first cocoa farm when I was in sixth form in St Augustine's College before I became a doctor.
Mr Speaker, perhaps I digress. What I would want to end with is that, there are serious cultural issues which are also embedded in the way we farm. I would just illustrate it with one classical example and take my seat and yield to other Hon Members. When a cocoa farmer dies, instead of the estate being managed as a whole and the accruals shared among family members, sometimes, the cocoa farm is divided into piecemeal.
For me, it is the most critical reason Ghana cannot compete with La Cote d'Ivoire as far as cocoa is concerned. It is not because of old cocoa trees even though I concede they contribute. It is rather because we are using the same land and population to produce the cocoa, but they are doing more than double of what we produce.
It is because the cocoa does not have time to yield to its full potential. When the owner of a 15 year old cocoa farm dies, the families share it
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:30 p.m.
Hon Minister, please wind-up.
Dr Afriyie 1:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I believe that my Hon Colleague has done very well, but there are serious challenges in the way, and that is why he is here. I wish him well and I wish all farmers in Ghana, including myself a very happy anniversary.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:30 p.m.
Very well, the two of you would take your turns.
Mr Alexander K. Afenyo- Markin (NPP -- Effutu) 1:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to make a brief comment on the Statement made by the Hon Minister for Agriculture.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister spoke to the facts and in commenting, I would like to, at the risk of being repetitive, reiterate the following points:
One, pineapple production. This Government has demonstrated its interest in agriculture as the backbone of this economy to the extent that now, the Ghanaian farmers who are into pineapple cultivation have hope.
There is now a factory at Ekumfi that would produce fruit juice called Eku Fruity Juice. If you look at the value chain, the factory will not import pineapple, but depend on Ghanaian farmers involved in pineapple farming. Mr Speaker, how else can this Government demonstrate its commitment to agriculture?
Mr Speaker, with the Komenda Sugar Factory, it has recently been announced that the Government has
successfully negotiated for a new investor to take over the factory. The good news is that those cultivating sugarcane in the Komenda area and other parts of the country, including the sugarcane farmers in Effutu, Abobrim (New Winneba), the whole land is for sugarcane farming. Recently, some Brazilians did some studies, and they realised that the soil has not been touched with any fertilizer.
The farmers engaged in organic farming. It is an opportunity for the farmers in Effutu when the sugar factory, which did not really see the light of day in the past, to get on- stream.
Mr Speaker, with the production of rice, it has been reported by the Hon Minister, and in commenting on it, I would want to state the point --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:30 p.m.
Hon Member, focus on National Farmers' Day.
rose
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleague is now an available Hon Leader, he should not do that. Normally, it is reserved for the back benchers.
Mr Speaker, in congratulating our farmers, particularly those involved in rice cultivation, we have been told that the intervention by the Government has resulted in this unprecedented harvest in 2019/2020. We have been told that through the National Builders Corps (NABCO), fertilizers reached our farmers and our farmers benefitted from extension services.
Mr Speaker, people who were unemployed and sitting desperately at home, who would have become vulnerable have now been employed to train our farmers. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo may live long and God bless him.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:30 p.m.
Yes, Hon Dafeamekpor?
Mr Dafeamekpor 1:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I was hoping that my learned Friend and Hon Colleague would take a cue from your direction. He should focus on the Statement. He is going wayward. He is talking about other things as if he is making a new Statement on the Floor. I would urge him to take a cue from your direction and focus on --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:30 p.m.
Hon Member, I have given you two minutes to wind-up.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:30 p.m.
Yes, he said you are wading into other things which are not in the Statement.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am commenting briefly and I said at the risk of being repetitive, I would reiterate some few points. The point must come out.
Mr Speaker, with the rice farmers, the Hon Minister was able to put in place measures to ensure that our farmers got the necessary gains from their investment through the recruitment of extension officers.
Again, the Hon Minister made sure that this time around, the fertilizers got to the farmers. Mr Speaker, all those farmers who took advantage must be congratulated. I am hereby congratulating them for taking advantage of Government policy and making sure that today, we have rice
in abundance. What is left is for all of us to encourage the consumption of our local rice and other farm produce.
As my respected Hon Colleague, Dr Kwaku Afriyie said we should now give them the opportunity, because if they produce and they do not get market. For example, on our way to Prampram, we see those who are engaged in the cultivation of pineapples and watermelon by the roadside and their situation is very appalling. With the new approach, Mr Speaker, farmers would gain.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:30 p.m.
I gave you two minutes. It is either you conclude or I would conclude for you. [Laughter.]
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the intimidation is loud and I have my right to make my point without any intimidation. This cannot be countenanced -- [Interruption.] No, I am informing Mr Speaker about your conduct. [Laughter.]
Mr Speaker, when we come to cocoa, we know what the hand pollination has done for the Ghanaian cocoa farmer -- [Interruption] --
he knows. It is all over. Recently, under the new measures that COCOBOD put in place, they came for African Development Bank (AfDB) facility. We have been told that there would be new irrigation measures that would help boost higher yields.
Mr Speaker, more extension officers have been recruited and within three years, COCOBOD has --
Mr Abdul-Rauf Tanko Ibrahim (NDC -- Yagaba/Kubori) 1:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise to contribute -- [Interruption.]
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:40 p.m.
You are commenting.
Mr A. T. Ibrahim 1:40 p.m.
Whether comment or contributions. Whichever -- [Interruption.]
Mr Speaker, I would first of all want to comment.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:40 p.m.
Hon Member, you are out of order.
Mr A. T. Ibrahim 1:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to commend the Hon Minister for Agriculture for making a Statement in commendation of
farmers in this country. Before I proceed, I would want us to get some facts right.
Indeed, there is bumper harvest of rice in the northern part of Ghana. [Hear! Hear!] I cultivated 937 acres of rice. The Hon Minister for Agriculture is here, and he would bear with me that the fertiliser support that was given was for peasant farmers and not commercial farmers. What culminated into the bumper harvest was as a result of the efforts made by people who cultivated large tracks of farmlands.
Mr Speaker, it is only fair that if Government wants to support farmers and get a good output, it should be generalised. I bought my NPK fertilizer and urea fertilizer not from Government subsidy. No, there was no subsidy.
To the extent that I complained to the Hon Deputy Minister for Agriculture -- unfortunately, he is not here. He told me that the allocation was given to peasant farmers. [Interruption.] No, you did. Of course yes. I just want to make sure that we get things right.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:40 p.m.
Hon Member for Yagaba-Kubori, address me please and ignore any aside.
Mr A. T. Ibrahim 1:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, having corrected my Hon Colleague and made the point to the hearing of the Hon Minister for Agriculture, I would want to call on the latter and Government to make sure that the right farm inputs that would be made available to farmers, whether on a loan facility or support, should be made available to them at the right time.
Also, we have seen successive governments, including this Government, make frantic efforts to get farm machinery into the country for farmers to use to tend the soil. What we should have in mind is that, once we encourage people to get into farming, we should also make sure that when the produce is ready for harvest, there are machines available to get them harvested.
Mr Speaker, as I talk to you today, if you go to the valleys in the northern part of Ghana, some farmers are losing their rice to bushfire. It is so because there are no combine harvesters ready for harvesting.
People have been encouraged to get into farming, but there are no combine harvesters to harvest the farm produce. The Hon Minister for Agriculture should take this on board.
Also, when we import machinery into the country to support farmers, we should look for those that would last long, and would be able to do the work, not one that would work for three hours and break down. I am not being partisan on this issue; I am only saying that this is what we should do.
If we should get a very good machine, and even give it to a farmer on credit basis, with time, he would be able to pay back the facility. But if we give the farmer machinery that is not strong enough, within a year, it would break down. We would go chasing the farmer to get our money and we would not get it.
Mr Speaker, it is good that we encourage people to get into farming, and to also support them to harvest and then, we all enjoy the produce, and also make available marketing channels.
I sold my rice -- buy two, get one free for GH¢200.00.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:40 p.m.
Why did you sell it like that? Do you not know that your Hon Colleagues will buy rice this Christmas?
Mr A. T. Ibrahim 1:40 p.m.
No market, Mr Speaker. As I talk to you, there were speculations that Government was making -- That they should come and buy rice. Mr Speaker, we have not seen them.
An Hon Member 1:40 p.m.
We do not like your rice.
Mr A. T. Ibrahim 1:40 p.m.
I cultivate the best of rice. Find out.
Some Hon Members 1:40 p.m.
National Food Buffer Stock Company
(NAFCO).
Mr A. T. Ibrahim 1:40 p.m.
We have not seen them.
Some Hon Members 1:40 p.m.
They are there.
Mr A. T. Ibrahim 1:40 p.m.
There is no way officers of NAFCO will come to my area with the view that they want to buy rice and I will not see them. I am the Hon Member of Parliament for the Constituency. There is no one who has harvested more rice in that area than me. So where is it? Are they being political?
Mr Speaker, we have not seen them. Let us be serious about farming, and once we do, we would be self- sufficient in rice production in this country.
With these few words, I would want to commend our farmers for the good work they are doing for the country.
Mr Joseph Cudjoe (NPP -- Effia) 1:40 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity given me to extend my congratulations to the farmers of this country, and in particular, highlight a solution which the current Government, led by H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his able Hon Minister, Hon Owusu Afriyie Akoto, are delivering to solving the country's agricultural problems particularly, the main ones which have to do with the lamentations that the Hon Member who spoke last gave - buyers - and the one which have been known for years - financing - to the agricultural sector.
Mr Speaker, as for production, it is easy. We can always extend the services by providing the implements, and do the rest and then Farmers' Day would be celebrated. Mr Speaker, the problem has always been financing to the agricultural sector. In fact, over the past 20 years of the whole country's financial capability to finance the economy, less than four per cent goes to the agricultural sector, and the current Government is delivering the solution.
Mr Speaker, we all must have heard about the “One District One Warehouse” Programme how does it contribute to the solution of farmers for us to stop complaining about financing and marketing? This is part
An Hon Member 1:40 p.m.
Where are the warehouses?
Mr Cudjoe 1:50 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the warehouses are being constructed. Pilot ones are under development, some have been completed.

The holistic approach deployed by the Government would give finality to the problem that we cry about - financing the agricultural sector.

Thank you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:50 p.m.
Leadership?
Mr Rockson-Nelson E. K. Dafeamekpor (NDC -- South Dayi) 1:50 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to make a few comments and to associate myself with the Statement by the Hon Minister for Agriculture. In doing so, today is the 35th year of celebrating the National Farmers' Day.
We have come a long way and as a nation, we appreciate the role that farmers play in feeding the generality of the people and others. We appreciate the difficult terrain in which they work their knuckles to the bone to eke out a living out of farming and also feed the rest of the people.
Mr Speaker, when one travels from Walewale through Nalerigu, Gambaga, Garu to Tempane, Pusiga, Bawku, Bolgatanga, Navrongo and back to Tamale, that enclave alone —
Mrs Catherine A. Afeku 1:50 p.m.
On a point of order. Mr Speaker, Hon Dafeamekpor is misleading the House. For the last 35 years, Farmers Day has been the first Friday in December. All of a sudden, our Hon Colleague is changing the calendar for Farmers' Day. Our gallant farmers would be celebrated tomorrow, so we want it on record that it is not today that we are celebrating the Farmers' Day. This is a House of records, so please Farmers' Day is tomorrow.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:50 p.m.
Thank you for the correction.
Yes, Hon Member, take that in your stride.
Mr Dafeamekpor 1:50 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I appreciate the fact that -- I know that tomorrow is the day but it is today that we are eulogising our dear farmers. So in context, I am right to say it is 35 years. Mr Speaker, however, be it as it may, tomorrow is the day, and I do not have any power to change it. In fact, the celebration
starts from tonight. I have information that Ho is agog; farmers have travelled from all over the country, and Ho is filled up with them in anticipation of the celebration tomorrow. So it is today; it starts from today.

Mr Speaker, may I further appreciate the role of cocoa farmers. Indeed, I appreciate the Govern- ment's effort that in addition to the US$1.3 billion syndicated loan, it has also taken further steps to procure the US$600 million—
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:50 p.m.
On a point of order. Mr Speaker, ordinarily, I would not rise when my Hon Colleague is on his feet. He however, is a counsel; the last time, the Hon Majority Leader advised us that whenever we address you, our posture is important -- our hands must be behind us. If there is the need to stress a point, our right hand must come gently; but he has his hands like this, and he is throwing them up.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:50 p.m.
Hon Member, you are out of order.
Hon Member, continue.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:50 p.m.
Hon Member, do not respond to that; continue with your contribution.
Mr Dafeamekpor 1:50 p.m.
Mr Speaker, he assured me that he would heckle me when he gets the opportunity.
In short, we appreciate the role of farmers in contributing to the growth of this country. Indeed, it is because of that peculiar identity that there is a programme by the Government to tar roads that lead to a lot of farming areas, especially cocoa growing areas.
It is called the cocoa roads; it is because of farmers. A lot of the trunk roads that have been identified to be constructed in 2020 have also been identified so because they lead to the bread baskets of this country. So we are grateful to them.
I am particularly happy that the celebration is in my region; the Volta Region. The local economy of Ho would be re-energised. There would be multiplier effect of spending by the farmers overnight and tomorrow. The fact that the people of the region would take the opportunity to witness,
after a couple of years, the hosting of the National Farmers' Day in the Volta Region is in itself very important.
Mr Speaker, we wish our farmers very well; we encourage them to adopt more scientific means of producing farm products to feed our people.
With these words, we wish them well.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:50 p.m.
Majority Leadership?
Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu) 2 a.m.
Mr Speaker, let me also rise to lend my voice to the Statement made by the Hon Minister for Agriculture on the celebration of the 35th edition of the National Farmers' Day, which occurs tomorrow, 6th December, 2019.
Mr Speaker, in a lighter vein, having listened to Hon Tanko, I wondered whether he had subjected himself to the Committee that you head -- the Committee on Members Holding Office of Profit. -- [Laughter.] Our Standing Orders are very clear on that. For the avoidance of doubt, let me read to the Hon Member. Standing Order 173 (2) provides:
“It shall be the duty of the Committee to advise the
Speaker on Members who wish to be permitted to hold offices of profit or emolument, whether private or public and either directly or indirectly on the ground.”
Mr Speaker, so, I wanted to know whether our Hon Colleague has subjected himself to your Committee now that he indicates to us that he owns close to a thousand acres of Land but that is huge. Mr Speaker, it is a good information to us and to Government, and I believe the appropriate thing must be done in order for the country to have its own dividend.
Mr Speaker, Ghana still is an agrarian society; about 60 per cent of our workforce still remain with the agricultural sphere. It is the reason why all the major political parties in this country really put their eyes on the development of agriculture in the country.
I was just going through the Manifesto of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and on page 39, they say this on agriculture:
“We promise among other things to promote agriculture moderni- sation and to transform the rural economy. The objective is to
ensure food security and increase production of cash crops. Also, to ensure reduced import, increase export and the production of raw materials for industry”.
It is further to reduce poverty, raise rural incomes and improve the standard of living.
This is a noble cause.

Mr Speaker, if we look at page 17 of the NPP's 2016 Manifesto, it also provides that:

“Food is unnecessarily expensive in a country that is blessed with fertile land. Our production methods are not modern and income levels of farmers and fisher folk remain low, thus making the sector unattractive for the youth as a sustainable means of livelihood. [Our vision for the next four years is to modernise agriculture, improve production efficiency, achieve food security and profitability for our farmers, all aimed at significantly increasing agricultural productivity. The NPP will pursue a value addition strategy, aimed at rapidly
Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu) 2:10 p.m.
knows that is a palpable untruth because the maize that was taken from the buffer stock was not sent there from Burkina Faso or Nigeria.
It was Ghanaian produce that the Government of Ghana wanted to use to feed students in senior high schools, and also prevent the maize from going bad. With the tacit agreement of the ECOWAS Commission, this arrangement was made. Yet, we had people going to radio stations saying that the Government was importing maize and because of that, we are taking maize from warehouses in Tamale. That is a palpable untruth. [Interruption.] I am not provoking debate, but contributing. [Laughter.]
Mr Speaker, the agricultural productivity has also increased jobs. The buffer stock and livestock production have also increased but we need to do more.

While we celebrate, as the Hon Tanko Ibrahim said, we are celebrating productivity. So we must double our steps in the construction of the warehouses and mop up production. This is because if we do not do that and there is glut, it would demotivate farmers and nobody

would then go into farming again. We want to encourage the youth to go into farming. If they go into it and they are not even able to make ends meet or even breakeven -- my Hon Colleague, Hon Tanko Ibrahim, shouted when I made this allusion in a lighter note that he was not even breaking even. If that, indeed, is the case, then we need to be careful.

We need to harvest the produce to feed the industries that would be constructed. What it means is that we must hasten our steps in the construction of those factories in the districts, to swallow the excess food that is produced, beyond providing food security. Other than that, it would provide a demotivation to the farmers and the next couple of years, they may not even go into farming again.

Mr Speaker, while I commend the farmers for the great jobs they do for us to ensure food security and that for the first time in so many years we even exported some maize, it is important that we ensure -- [Interruption.] I have seen a head shoot up like -- [Laughter.]

Mr Speaker, we need to come together and encourage the Hon Minister for Agriculture to ensure, together with the Hon Minister for

Trade and Industry, that we hasten our steps in the construction of the factories, which are meant to take the produce of the agricultural sector and add value to it. That would also increase their income and help to also expand the farms.

Mr Speaker, I am happy that the celebration would go to Ho. The people of the Volta Region used to be the second producers of cocoa in the country when it started. Today, they have lost out, and I believe they are about the fifth or the sixth region. There are 16 regions now.

So maybe, we would count Ashanti, Bono, Ahafo, Western, Upper Western, Northern Upper and then the Western Region itself. Volta Region is about the sixth, which is not the best. So they should get to know the importance of continuing in that vocation of cocoa production, and whatever benefits would inure to all of us in the country as a collective.

Mr Speaker, I thank you for the space granted, and I thank the Hon Minister for Agriculture, who also submitted the Statement to this House.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:10 p.m.
Hon Members, before I bring the curtains down on Statement time, I would wish to take this opportunity to
congratulate farmers of my Constituency. I understand that tomorrow, the Farmers Day would be celebrated at Koneyaw. I wish I could be there myself but -- on behalf of the Hon Minister for Agriculture and on my own behalf, I congratulate the farmers in the Bekwai Municipality and in the country.
That brings us to the end of Statements time. There was supposed to be another Statement, but we have not done the Business Statement. So we may not have time to do the other Statement today.
Yes, Hon Majority Leader, you may now present the Business Statement?
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 2:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 2:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 2:10 p.m.
Arrangement of Business
Formal Communications by the Speaker
Mr Speaker, you may read any available communication to the House.
Questions
Mr Speaker, the Business Committee has not scheduled any Minister to respond to Questions. However, any Questions duly admitted by Mr Speaker would be programmed in due course for response by the relevant Ministers of State.
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.
Committee Reports on Estimates of MDAs and other Institutions and Related Motions
Mr Speaker, as indicated during the presentation of the Business Statement last week, the Business Committee would continue to liaise with the various Committees and accordingly schedule Committee reports on the Estimates for presentation at plenary whenever such reports are ready for laying. The respective Motions would sub- sequently be scheduled for debate by the House.
Mr Speaker, the Business Commi- ttee further entreats Committees to expedite consideration of the Estimates for presentation of reports on same at plenary.
Sitting of the House on Monday/ Extended Sittings
Mr Speaker, the House is scheduled to Sit on Monday, 9th December 2019. Furthermore, the House would have extended Sittings to enable the completion of the rather tall agenda of business pending.
Briefing by Ministers
Rt Hon Speaker, the Business Committee notifies all Hon Members that the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources and the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development are scheduled to brief the House on measures being adopted to comprehensively address waste management in the country including in particular, the signing of related off-taker agreements. The House is therefore expected to sit in Committee of the Whole to grant audience to the Ministers on Friday, 13th December 2019, at 2:00 p.m., in the Chamber.
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.

Statements

Presentation of Papers --

(a) Semi-Annual Report of the Bank of Ghana on the Petroleum Holding Funds and the Ghana Petroleum Funds for the period July 1- December 31, 2017.

(b) Annual Statement by the Audit Committee of the Madina Polyclinic (Rawlings Circle) for the year 2018.

(c) Report of the Special Budget Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of the National Media Commission (NMC) for the year ending 31st December 2020.

(d) Report of the Special Budget Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) for the year ending 31st December 2020.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 2:10 p.m.
(e) Report of the Special Budget Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) for the year ending 31st December 2020.
(f) Report of the Joint Committee on Gender & Children and Employment, Social Welfare & State Enterprises on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protec- tion for the year ending 31st December 2020.
(g) Report of the Committee on Defence and Interior on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of National Security for the year ending 31st December 2020.
(h) Report of the Committee on Defence and Interior on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Defence for the year ending 31st December 2020.
(i) Report of the Committee on Employment, Social Welfare and State Enterprises on the
Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations for the year ending 31st December
2020.
(j) Report of the Committee on Communications on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Communica- tions for the year ending 31st December 2020.
(k) Report of the Committee on Environment, Science and Technology on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation for the year ending 31st December 2020.
Motions --
(a) That this honourable House approves the sum of GH¢762,687,293 for the services of the Ministry of Finance for the year ending 31st December 2020.
(Minister for Fiannce)
(b) That this honourable House approves the sum of GH¢147,612,260 for the services of the Ministry of
Works and Housing for the year ending 31st December
2020.
(Minister for Works and Housing).
(c) That this honourable House approves the sum of GH¢413,484,337 for the services of the Ministry of Transport for the year ending 31st December 2020.
(Minister for Transport)
(d) Second Reading of Bills
National Fiscal Stabilisation Levy (Amendment) Bill,
2019.
Special Import Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
Consideration Stage of Bills --
Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2019. (Continuation)
Committee sittings.

Statements

Presentation of Papers --

(a) Report of the Finance Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Planning for the year ending 31st December

2020.

(b) Report of the Finance Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Regional Reorganisation and Develop- ment for the year ending 31st December 2020.

(c) Report of the Finance Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Office of Government Machinery for the year ending 31st December 2020.

(d) Report of the Finance Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) for the year ending 31st December 2020.

(e) Report of the Finance Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of the
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 2:10 p.m.


Statements

Presentation of Papers --

(a) Report of the Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the year ending 31st December 2020.

(b) Report of the Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs for the year ending 31st December

2020.

(c) Report of the Joint Commi- ttee on Lands & Forestry and Mines & Energy on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for the year ending 31st December

2020.

(d) Report of the Committee on Employment, Social Welfare and State Enterprises on the Annual Budget Estimates of the National Labour Commi- ssion for the year ending 31st December 2020.

(e) Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Energy for the year ending 31st December

2020.

(f) Report of the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development for the year ending 31st December 2020.

(g) Report of the Joint Commi- ttee on Trade, Industry & Tourism and Youth, Sports & Culture on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts for the year ending 31st December 2020.

(h) Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Trade and Industry for the year ending 31st December

2020.

Motions --

(a) That this honourable House approves the sum of GH¢1,545,340,874 for the

services of the Ministry of Defence for the year ending 31st December 2020.

(b) That this honourable House approves the sum of GH¢208,922,360 for the services of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations for the year ending 31st December 2020.

(c) That this honourable House approves the sum of GH¢154,432,255 for the services of the Ministry of Communications for the year ending 31st December 2020.

(d) That this honourable House approves the sum of GH¢9,650,836 for the services of the Ministry of Planning for the year ending 31st December 2020.

(e) That this honourable House approves the sum of GH¢153,260,855 for the services of the Ministry of Regional Reorganisation and Development for the year ending 31st December 2020.

Consideration Stage of Bills --

National Fiscal Stabilisation Levy (Amendment) Bill,

2019.

Special Import Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

Narcotics Control Commi- ssion Bill, 2019. (Continua- tion of debate )

Corporate Insolvency Bill, 2019. (Continuation of debate)

Committee sittings.

Statements

Presentation of Papers--

(a) Report of the Special Budget Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Electoral Commission for the year ending 31st December

2020.

(b) Report of the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 2:10 p.m.
(i) That this honourable House approves the sum of GH¢4,175,410 for the services of the National Media Commission for the year ending 31st December
2020.
(Minister for Parliamentary Affairs)
(j) That this honourable House approves the sum of GH¢60,703,670 for the services of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) for the year ending 31st December
2020.
(Minister for Parliamentary Affairs)
(k) That this honourable House approves the sum of GH¢40,897,551 for the services of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) for the year ending 31st December 2020.
(Minister for Parliamentary Affairs)
(l) That this honourable House approves the sum of
GH¢633,630,724 for the services of the Ministry of National Security for the year ending 31st December 2020.
(Minister for National Security)
(m) That this honourable House approves the sum of GH¢4,314,323,604 for the services of the Office of Government Machinery for the year ending 31st December 2020.
(Minister of State at the Office of the President)
Consideration Stage of Bills --
Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2019. (Continuation of debate)
Corporate Insolvency Bill, 2019. (Continuation of debate)
Committee sittings.

Statements

Presentation of Papers --

(a) Twenty-Third Report of the Appointments Committee on

H. E. the President's Nomi- nations for Appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court.

(b) Report of the Committee on Health on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Health for the year ending 31st December 2020.

(c) Report of the Committee on Roads and Transport on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Aviation for the year ending 31st December

2020.

(d) Report of the Committee on Works and Housing on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources for the year ending 31st December 2020.

(e) Report of the Finance Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Business Develop- ment for the year ending 31st December 2020.

(f) Report of the Finance Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Special Develop-

ment Initiatives for the year ending 31st December 2020.

(g) Report of the Finance Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Ministry of Inner-City and Zongo Development for the year ending 31st December

2020.

(h) Report of the Special Budget Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Office of the Special Prosecutor for the year ending 31st December 2020.

(i) Report of the Special Budget Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of Parlia- ment of Ghana and the Parliamentary Service for the year ending 31st December

2020.

(j) Report of the Finance Committee on the Agreement by the Government of the Republic of Ghana in favour of Ghana Amalgamated Trust Plc (GAT) to Support Selected Indigenous Ghanaian Banks made up of the following components: (i) An initial capitalisation of eight hundred million Ghana cedis (GH¢800 million) by the
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 2:20 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank the Hon Majority Leader and Chairman for the Business Committee.
As I indicated yesterday, we have not had the opportunity to meet with the Rt Hon Speaker, but we probably may have to agree on when to assume Sitting; whether we Sit at 10 a.m. and after one or two hours, allow for Hon Members to go and interrogate the Budget Estimates. Or we will agree to Sit at 12.00 p.m. as we have done today, and dedicate 9. 00 a.m. to 12. 00 p.m. to Committees of Parliament to sit and then come to Plenary.
I believe that if we discussed it -- That is why today, we are Sitting at 12 o'clock; it allows many other Committees to work. That is why when we take a look at the back, we would see that Hon Members are at Committee meetings considering the Budget Estimates.
So I probably think that you, I and the Hon Minister should confer whether ideally, going into next week, this House should not be Sitting at 12 noon. I would go for that, so that the Rt Hon Speaker, would further direct that Committees dedicate the first three hours from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for the consideration of the Budget Estimates.
Mr Speaker, walking through many of the meetings, what I have observed is that we invite Hon Ministers and Heads of Departments, and they have to sit for some hours waiting for Hon Members of Parliament and Hon Chairpersons to have a quorum in order to be able to proceed.
My second request would be for the Leader to know that we have indication that the Hon Minister for National Security would address this House on the threat to the stability and sovereignty of our country in the name of the Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF) of Trans Volta Togoland.
As the House would soon be going on recess, it is important that the Hon Minister for National Security apprises this House on how they are dealing with the potential threat to our
State and its security, even though these are not matters that would generate by itself to the Business Committee.
However, as a proactive Parliament and Hon Members of the Executive who are responsible for this, it is a matter of concern to us, and we should know how the National Security is dealing with the matter to keep the unity of our country guaranteed under article 4 as one united Ghana Republic.
Mr Speaker, I also note that next week, we should focus more on the financial related Bills so that we could get ourselves ready. In all honesty, I would wish that we rise on Friday, 20th December, 2019 and by 21st December, 2019 upon how much work is reported back for us, to be able to consider.
With these few comments, for purposes of highlighting, the Appointments Committee would meet to consider the Supreme Court's nominations next week -- the three Nominees who have so been referred to us. I am sure that we said by Friday, the first Report should be laid under your guidance so that on Tuesday, we could get it done.
Before the end of the year, we are picking up information -- The current Chief Justice would naturally retire after attaining the statutory age. The President would exercise his power, under article 144 to appoint a new one and therefore we should be able to bring closure on all those matters before we rise.
So I even think that your Committee may have a referral and I hope that I am not anticipating something to come from the President --
Mr Speaker, thank you.
Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin 2:20 p.m.
Mr Speaker, first of all, let me thank the Business Committee for putting our programme for the ensuing week together.
I have gone through the explanatory memorandum and the eleven paged Business Statement. Unfortunately, this matter of an assurance given by the Hon Minister for Trade and Industry when he came to the House to announce a dispensation for pharmaceutical companies, and a related issue of supporting the local printing industry is still outstanding.
Mr Speaker, I noticed that Hon Ministers are being programmed to
Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin 2:30 p.m.
make Statements, but this important matter is still pending.

Mr Speaker, I say so because the value chain must be complete. Our pharmaceutical companies were able to make a case for restrictions to be placed on 49 drugs being imported to enable them manufacture it locally. If they are still importing labels, what then happens to our local industries? Ghana Publishing Company Limited, Graphic Communications Group Limited and Western Publications Limited have demonstrated capacity.

Mr Speaker, I think the assurance given by the Hon Minister when he came to this House that he was going to ensure that the value chain effect is realised without delay must immediately be seen to be happening. And the only way --
Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza 2:30 p.m.
On a point of order. Mr Speaker, I rise to draw attention to the comments my Hon Colleague is making. The leader presented a tall list of things we are supposed to do next week. Historically, my Hon Colleague talks about the printing of drug labels. In my view, there is no relevance to the Business Statement before us. It would be important for
him to advert himself to the Business Statement so that we can make progress. This is completely out of order.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:30 p.m.
Hon Member, I was trying to make sense out of the printing of pharmaceutical labels and -- What are you driving at?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 2:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is important I give the history to this matter. I am not the one who is introducing this. The Ministry of Trade and Industry came to this Floor and announced that 49 drugs were restricted. As part of the measures to ensure a positive value chain, the Hon Minister gave assurance that the local printing industry would benefit and that these pharmaceutical companies would have to rely on local printing industries for their labels.
Let me now explain the relevance. In this Business Statement, the Business Committee tells us that Hon Ministers would present Statements in the ensuing week. All I am saying is that, that assurance given by the Ministry of Trade and Industry is still not in here because it is a matter of our records.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:30 p.m.
Very well. Your point is well made. The Hon Leader would respond to that.
Yes, Hon Member for Ablekuma Central?
Mr Ebenezer N. N. Nartey 2:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, on 5th November 2019, the Hon Majority Leader made a Statement in respect of our Colleague, Hon Kennedy Kankam who was attacked. You were in the Chair and directed the Hon Majority Leader that by 22nd November 2019, there should be a Report to this House on measures to help Hon Members of Parliament.
Mr Speaker, today is 5th December 2019. Per the Business Statement, from next week to 21st December, we might close very late. I would want to know from the Hon Majority Leader what the Committee has done and when they would present their Report?
Mr Agbodza 2:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we all noticed that the Annual Estimates delayed in getting to the various committees. We have got significant number of the Annual Estimates now, but majority of the Hon Ministers are availing themselves to the committees and their civil servants to take us through them. As a matter of fact, some of the Hon Ministers are not making themselves available. As we speak, there are some of the Ministers who are out of the jurisdiction.
The issue is that, we have a tall list of things to do. I understand the Hon Ministers are aware that the Budget Estimate season is here.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:30 p.m.
Hon Member, what should the Hon Majority Leader do about that in respect of the Business -- ?
Mr Agbodza 2:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Majority Leader, being the leader of Government Business in the House should encourage Hon Ministers to avail themselves to defend the Annual Estimates.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:30 p.m.
Should he put it in the Business Statement that -- ?
Mr Agbodza 2:30 p.m.
No. I am just reminding him that --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:30 p.m.
Let us focus on the Business Statement.
Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am not sure the available Hon Minority Leader who is the Ranking Member of the Business Committee brought this matter of the briefing by the Hon Minister for National Security to the Business Committee. Unfortunately, I was not at the Business Committee meeting.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:40 p.m.
I was briefed later on, of what transpired there. I am not sure the Hon Minority Leader brought it up there. He has the uncanny ability to introduce new matters even in his capacity as the Hon Ranking Member to the Floor once the Committee has concluded their Business. He has that uncanny ability and I would want to believe that if he has any of these considerations, he should let the Business Committee think through, then they can arrange.
As it is now, I cannot, on my own, stand here to assure that the Hon Minister must come or not. Even though for purposes of transparency and greater accountability, I think it would serve the House a very useful purpose if we could so arrange. But I would have a dialogue with him on that and see the space. Then, we can invite him.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minority Leader again raised an issue of when the House should Sit. Giving the quantum of Business that we have to transact, even though I appreciate the principle he espoused, I would still plead that the House Sits at 10.00 a.m. If we do that and the Annual Estimates are not done with, we can then apply ourselves to the Bills and
transact Business on them and wait until the Annual Estimates are ready for us to attend to them.
Mr Speaker, so I would plead with Hon Members that we should continue to Sit at 10.00 a.m. so that if there is no much Business in the morning in respect of the Annual Estimates, we can then dedicate the first few hours to the Bills.
Mr Speaker, Hon Afenyo-Markin raised an issue about the local printing industry. Again, I thought he was making some useful point except to remind him that the Business Statement is a Statement, and it is covered by the provisions under Part 10 of our Standing Orders. Because it is a Statement, any comment on the Statement should be related to the facts contained in the Statement and not matters that are extra to the Business Statement.
Mr Speaker, I would encourage the Hon Member for Effutu to explore the usual channels to seek remedy to the issues that he raised.
Mr Speaker, another Hon Member also raised an issue concerning Hon Kennedy Kankam. That indeed is a matter for the House Committee. Since I had to be away for some time,
I do not know the status of that issue before the Committee. So let me inquire and we would see what to do, except to assure that, already, we are having discussions with the Committee responsible for the emoluments and conditions of service of Hon Members of Parliament as appointed by the President. I would also endeavour to enquire from the House Committee if any business has been transacted on it in my absence.

Mr Speaker, I believe I have responded to the matters raised. The Hon Ministers that according to Hon Agbodza, who is a Ranking Member, are not availing themselves to the various Committees. He did not mention any name, but I think it is important we have the Hon Ministers appear before the Committees, otherwise, they will stall the consideration of the Estimates.

I would enquire from him those of them that he knows who are not availing themselves and I would engage them on the reasons why they are not availing themselves.

Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:40 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member for Effutu?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 2:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am ever prepared to learn and I do so in humility.
Mr Speaker, on this very important issue, it happened on the Floor of the House. This House was seized with fact and indeed, Mr Speaker directed. So once we are seized with the matter and the Rt Hon Speaker has given a directive, then the next step is for the Business Committee to programme the Hon Minister to comply.
So, when I do not find it in the Business Statement -- it was an order in this House that the Hon Minister should take steps to bring before this House the interventions he would put in place to ensure that the value chain effect is realised.
Mr Speaker, I am not deviating from the path of righteousness as taught me by the able Hon Majority Leader; he taught me to read the rules, and I am complying with them.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:40 p.m.
Hon Member, what are you trying to do? Challenge the ruling again?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 2:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, no. I will never challenge you.
Mr Speaker, I am humbly pointing -- [Interruption] -- he invites you to hold that I erred in the procedure when I invited you to get the necessary amendment on the Business Statement to reflect that the Ministry of Trade and Industry should make a Statement on this assurance again. He referred me to part 10 of the rules.
Mr Speaker, I am within the rules, because we as a House got this information from the Hon Minister and the Rt Hon Speaker directed that it should be done.
I am still learning; I will learn and I will use that knowledge later to intimidate those who are not ready to learn later. If the Hon Member intimidates me, there is no problem.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order against my Hon Colleague. Indeed, it is in respect of Order 92. I raised the issue that the matters that he raised have nothing to do with the Business Statement and he audaciously gets up and wants to consciously or unconsciously ignore what I said.
Mr Speaker, in that regard, I would want to direct his attention to
Order 99 that he is deviating from the Standing Orders. He said he wanted to learn; so he must learn properly. Mr Speaker, I would invite you to rule the Hon Member out of order, so that we can continue, and so that he can also learn.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:40 p.m.
I had earlier ruled him out of order, but he persisted. I thought he would introduce a new matter when I gave him the Floor.
Hon Member for Effutu, you are out of order. If you reintroduce the matter, I will punish you.
Hon Members, the Business Statement as presented is adopted by the House.
Hon Members, at the Commencement of Public Business -- Hon Majority Leader?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Estimates in respect of Parliament and the Parliamentary Service, and the Judiciary and the Judicial Service are not yet ready. So, I would just lay the one in respect of item numbered 5(a)(i) -- Annual Budget Estimates in respect of the Audit Service.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:40 p.m.
Very well, item numbered 5(a)(i).
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:40 p.m.
Hon Members, which other ones are ready.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the referral is not to the Committee, but to the entirety of the House, because the Estimates have been considered by the Special Budget Committee.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:40 p.m.
This is Presentation of Papers and not a report. It is the Budget Estimates which will go to the Committees and they would consider a report to the House.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, you are right. I think it has been wrongly captured. It should be the Report, because it has been considered by the Special Budget Committee. So this should be the Report of the Annual Budget
Estimates of the Audit Service for the year 2020, and not the Estimates.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:40 p.m.
Very well. Then I think it has been wrongly captured. Could we defer, so that appropriate --
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, if I may just correct the rendition of that statement. It should be Report of the Special Budget Committee on the Annual Budget Estimates of the Audit Service for the year 2020.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:40 p.m.
Very well. So you would lay it afresh.
PAPERS 2:40 p.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:40 p.m.
Are the Reports by the Hon Chairman of the Committee on Works and Housing ready? What about Committee on Road and Transport? Which Report is ready?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Report for Finance, that is item numbered 5(d).
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:40 p.m.
Both of them?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:40 p.m.
That is so, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:50 p.m.
I do not see the Hon Chairman or any member of the Finance Committee here.
By Mr Matthew Nyindam (on behalf of) the Chairman of the Committee --
(i) Report of the Finance Committee on the Concessional Financing Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Interna- tional Development Associa- tion (IDA) for an amount of one hundred and forty-four million, four hundred thousand Special Drawing Rights
( S D R 1 4 4 , 4 0 0 , 0 0 0 )
[US$200.0 million equi- valent] to finance the Ghana Economic Transformation Project (GETP).
(ii) Report of the Finance Committee on the Write-Off of a Deficiency in Public
Funds (Defunct Loans Receivables) amounting to three hundred and seventy million, sixty-two thousand, fifty-five Ghana cedis, thirty- seven pesewas
(GH¢370,062,055.37)
recorded in the Public Accounts on the Consoli- dated Fund.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:50 p.m.
Item numbered 6 -- Motion.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:50 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the items numbered 6 and 7 are not ready yet so we will not take them, but we can go to the Order Paper Addendum.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:50 p.m.
Item (i) on the Order Paper Addendum.
Chairman of the Committee?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:50 p.m.
Mr Speaker, those Reports are ready, but the Committee is still sitting thus attending to some other Budget Estimates. Mr Speaker, because this is just the Report of the Committee, with your indulgence and the acquiescence of my Hon Colleagues in the House, I would want to lay the Report on behalf of the Committee.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:50 p.m.
Hon Minority Leader, what is your view on that?
Mr Iddrisu 2:50 p.m.
No objection.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:50 p.m.
Very well, the Hon Majority Leader will then lay the Reports.
Items (i) and (ii) on the Order Paper Addendum.
By the Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu) on behalf of the (Chairman of the Committee)
-- 2:50 p.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:50 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, what next?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:50 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as I indicated, the Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2019 is slated to be considered by the House, but as I said, we need to do some serious winnowing on that. Accordingly, I would apply to have
the standing Committee on Winnowing to join me, once we adjourn, we begin with the winnowing process.
Mr Speaker, because it is past 2 o'clock you may on your own volition, adjourn the House until Monday, 9th December, 2019, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon.
Mr Iddrisu 2:50 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I wondered whether when we were at 2 o'clock, we did what was needful by our Standing Orders, but we are in your hands. We can adjourn so that we can go and do some work at the Committee level on the Budget Estimates, and probably come back on Monday, 9th December, 2019.
Mr Speaker, I would still urge the Hon Leader of the House that he should be persuaded that 10.00 a.m. may not work for many Hon Members. [Interruption.] I said I am still persuading you, while I associate myself for an adjournment that 12 o'clock would work for us rather than 10.00 a.m. Mr Speaker, we are in your hands.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:50 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in order that we do not end on a note of uncertainty, I said that we should meet at 10.00 a.m. on
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:50 p.m.
Monday, 9th December, 2019, in order for us to begin with the Consideration Stage of the Bills. If the Reports are not ready, we could then begin with the Consideration Stage of the Bills.

Mr Speaker, I would want us to be certain. We will come back at 10.00 in the forenoon on Monday, 9th December, 2019.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:50 p.m.
Very well. I am sure the Business Committee will reconsider the position and advise the House.
ADJOURNMENT 2:50 p.m.
  • The House was adjourned at 2.57 p.m. till Monday, 9th December, 2019, at 10.00 a.m.