Debates of 4 Apr 2020

Hon Members, we are suspending Sitting on this day, and this honourable House will stand suspended until the Speaker in
consultation with the Leadership of the House deems it fit to ask the House to resume Sitting.
This action is unprecedented but indeed we are living in unprecedented times and the whole Ghana State is in a State of unprecedented National Emergency.
I am praying that all MPs and supporting staff should rise to the occasion as patriots of the Republic.
I have faithfully read the Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU) Bulletin for April 2020 (copy attached). The document states:
“Parliaments are currently subject to the same public health and social distancing measures as schools, places of worship or businesses. Yet, in a time of crisis, the role of Parliament is more vital than ever”.
It states strongly the importance of all Parliaments continuing to sit, since “the role of Parliament is vital than ever”.
Therefore Parliament will have to find new ways and innovations to enhance, support and continue service to the nation. Several examples with the United Kingdom (UK), Spain, Brazil, Estonia, Israel, et cetera have gone virtual through technology. We are working on how we can apply appropriate technology for further development of the work in
Parliament. The details will be supplied to you when relevant consultations have been made.
Despite the dictates of national crisis and the times in which we live, Parliament should be responsive to the needs of our people. I wish to read to you our Standing Order number 6. It says, in plain language:
“In all cases not provided for in these Orders, Mr Speaker shall make provisions as he deems fit.”
Hon Members, we are not rising today, but we are suspending Sitting indefinitely. If we should rise, then on any emergency where our intervention would be required, we may need two weeks' notice if we should reconvene, according to the Constitution and the Standing Orders. Once Sitting is suspended, we can ask the House to proceed to work in a day or two's notice or within hours as the circumstances may demand.
I inform you with deep regret, that I have received a castigating letter from the Hon Samuel George, Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram Constituency which says that he cannot attend the Sittings of this House again because Sittings are just a waste of his time as the Sittings
during this period are only to approve loans. This is sad.

Hon Members, Order!

I am proud of the devotion Hon Members have shown during this period. I am particularly proud of the Hon Leader of the House -- Nana Sumpahene, Hon Osei Kyei-Mensah- Bonsu -- [Hear! Hear!] -- and all the other faithful MPs. And I would advise the hardworking Hon Minority Leader who has a great record in his wonderful contributions in this House to advise the Minority Members who do not see the need to corporate at this time of national emergency.

We have done great job as a House so far, and I would set out a few posterion reactions by this honourable House. When the crisis is over, I trust this honourable House would be proud of itself and in the eyes of Ghanaians.

The House indeed on the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaration of the COVID-19 as a public health emergency and the subsequent declaration of same by

H.E. the President of the Republic of Ghana considered and passed the following pieces of legislation:
Imposition of Restrictions Act,
2020;
Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring Bill, 2020;
Education Regulatory Bill,
2019;
Technical Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 [which is expected to be passed today];
Novel Coronavirus (COVID- 19) Act, 2020; and

Today, the law on the Stabilisation Fund was accordingly amended. You can imagine if the House were not Sitting, as some people would desire. Key among these are:

Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012); and

Novel Coronavirus (COVID- 19) Act, 2020.

The Corporate Insolvency and Infrastructural Bill is crucially needed to salvage and revamp the commercial and business environment of our country, if we are to continue to be relevant within the comity of nations.

In fact, the global community, as we speak, has now virtually written off the year 2020 in terms of economic achievement. Can you imagine a post-COVID-19 Ghana without legislation like the Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring Bill knowing the impact of this pandemic to even very powerful and buoyant countries like the USA, Germany, China, UK, et cetera?

This piece of legislation, the Consideration of which predates the COVID-19 pandemic is rather coming in handy to help resuscitate and address the post-COVID-19 economic decline. We therefore need a pat on our shoulders in this honourable House for expediting the passage of the law at this time.

The ongoing transformation within the educational landscape of the country necessarily justifies the adoption and passage of these legislative and policy measures to enable us restructure and offer quality education to our people even in the most difficult times.

The following loans and contract agreements including tax waivers among others were also approved during this period:

United Kingdom Export Finance Facility Agreement;

Term Loan Facility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and HSBC Bank;

Buyer Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Intesa S.p.A. Dubai Branch;

Commercial Facility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Intesa Sao Paolo to finance the asphaltic overlay of selected streets in Accra;

Facility agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and Deutsche Bank S.p.A. to finance the construction of a new market at Takoradi;

Commercial Facility Agreement between Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and

Deutsche Bank to finance the construction of another new market at Takoradi;

Contract agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and HSBC Bank Plc for the Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange;

Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Q.G. Konstruktion AB for the amount of 53 million euros to implement the asphaltic overlay of selected streets in Accra -- [This improves hygiene, of course];

Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development/ Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly) and Contracta Construzioni Italia s.r.l. for an amount of forty-eight million euros (€48,000,000) for the construction of a new Takoradi Market;

Request for waiver of import duties regarding EXIM Bank of India for an amount of 48 million in terms of railway development; and

Supplementary request for waiver of domestic VAT, Domestic NHIL with regard to strengthening Noguchi Memorial Institute and the University of Ghana Medical School.
We cannot go on holiday when such things are facing the nation. And I must emphasise that the laws are not just for joking; they are to improve national growth.

The Hon Minister responsible for Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta made a statement in which he apprised the House of the fiscal implications of the Coronavirus pandemic on the economy of the country and measures being implemented by Government to pay depositors who had their funds in defunct microfinance institutions and savings and loans companies. Of course, in such times, Parliament must be around to answer the call to duty.

Hon Members, again, the list includes the following loans and contract agreements:

Buyers Credit/Term Loan to finance the implementation of the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Induction Project. [Very soon, our children may go to

school for a long time using telephony, and it must also be benefited by the rural places; we need what we are doing].

Term Loan Facility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and the Barclays Bank of Ghana (now ABSA) for an amount of up to twenty-five million, one hundred and seventeen thousand, six hundred and sixty- one euros forty-two cents (€25,117,661.42) [made up of €23,250,000.00 as Contract Amount, €1,610,074.66 as Insurance Premium and management fee of €257,586.76] to finance the implementation of the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project.

Term Loan Facility between the Government of Ghana and Barclays Bank (now ABSA) with regard to financing the implementation of the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project.

Request for waiver of import duties regarding the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Project in another area.

Commercial Contract Agree- ment with regard to executing implementation of the Ghana rural telephony in another area.

Term Loan Facility for the supply and erection of electrical materials and equipment for the electrification of 292 communities in the Ashanti, Central, Eastern and Brong Ahafo Regions for the benefit of our people.

Term Loan Facility Agreement for the electrification of 292 communities in these very areas.

Medium-term Loan Facility for 234 communities in the North East, Savannah and Northern Regions.

Commercial contract agreement between Government of the Republic of Ghana and TBEA Hengyan Transformer Company Limited for 50 million United States dollars for equipment on the electrification of 292 communities in the Ashanti, Central, Eastern and

Brong Ahafo Regions under the Self-Help Electrification Programme (SHEP).

Engineering procurement and construction contract agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Tropical Cable Conductor Limited of 50 million for rural electrification.

Request for waiver of import duties for machinery and parts to be procured by the Kaskazini Limited as well as corporate income tax for the years of operation.

returned from duties abroad, sensitisation and education.
I appreciate the work of the Office of the Marshal, Medical Director and staff who have all helped us tremendously.
May the good Lord help us all and keep us safe and sound until we are asked to come back.
To the Leadership, both Majority and Minority, all MPs, the Ag. Clerk and his staff, and all workers of Parliament, please stay safe and sound and may Coronavirus stay away from all of us by the power and favour of the living God till we meet again.
I wish to inform you that I took the Coronavirus test three days ago and my test results came negative. [Hear! Hear!] Praise to the living God. All Hon Members and staff who wish to do voluntary testing should see Dr Prince David Pambo, Medical Director, Parliament Clinic.
Please note that the usual Rising Allowance which we are now terming Special Suspension Allowance would be paid to all relevant persons. Other payments will be made to Members accordingly.
I thank you for your attention.

Hon Members, I wish to file this for the record and also with regard to its publications in the Hansard for our further instruction.

I thank you very much.

If the Hon Minority and Majority Leaders have a few comments, they may make them at this stage.

Mr Speaker, I am shell- shocked and saddened by the way you are attempting to prorogue the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana. [Hear! Hear!]. You swore an Oath and that Oath was to uphold the Constitution of Ghana, the tenures, the values and the principles of the rule of law, and in particular, the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana. What you have done, I cannot find any space for it in the Standing Orders of the Republic of Ghana.
May I respectfully refer you to Standing Order 42. This Parliament has come to the end of the 45th Sitting of the First Meeting. This House on the 27 th March, 2020, per the Business Statement, adopted the Report for this House to adjourn sine die. Today's Order Paper advertised that the House would go on an adjournment sine die. With respect,
you have not even probably given the Hon Minority and Majority Leadership, as it is the known practice of this House, the opportunity to make our Closing Remarks.
However, I want to refer to Standing Order 42 --

Hon Minority Leader, the whole of last week --

Mr Speaker, at the time you should be keeping this country and the President together, you are dividing us with this dictatorial orders you have shown. We will not accept it. We came to this House as elected representatives of the people. The Rt Hon Speaker is not -- [Uproar] --

Hon Minority Leader -- ?

Order! For the information of the House, for the past two weeks, the Hon Minority Leader, the Hon Minority Chief Whip and others who are entitled by my invitation, all of whom are to attend the Leaders pre- Sitting meeting, have not attended except Hon Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah -- [Uproar] --

Hon Members, let me continue. What they are protesting about, I do not know; but after our meeting attended by the Hon Majority Leader and Hon Cudjoe-Ghansah, we deliberated on this matter and we took the decision that we shall suspend Sitting indefinitely so that we can - Hon Cudjoe-Ghansah was mandated to inform the Hon Minority Leader accordingly.

Hon Minority Leader, you may continue?

Mr Speaker, with all respect, you have no power under the Constitution or the Standing Orders to prorogue Parliament. Even in the UK, the Supreme Court succinctly ruled on this.

“Mr Speaker may at any time suspend a Sitting of the House.”
But Mr Speaker, per Standing Order 42(2) in particular, you are to uphold the Standing Orders as the Head of this Organ of State. It states:

“Mr Speaker shall be responsible after consultation with the House… [Mr Speaker, this is the House; the elected Members of Parliament]… for fixing the time when a Sitting of the House should be adjourned sine die or to a particular day, or to an hour or part of the same day.”
You have not given us a particular day and you have not shared any of those with us. But Standing Order 42 (3) is significant. Mr Speaker, with your kind permission, it says;
“Mr Speaker may, if he thinks fit call a Sitting of the House before the date or time to which it has been adjourned or at any time after the House has been adjourned sine die.”
But it is not for Mr Speaker to come and make a prorogue announcement that you are suspending Parliament. You do not have the power and you should be reminded. [Hear! Hear!] You are to do so with the House. [Uproar] -- Mr Speaker must show respect to the Leaders and Members of Parliament who are elected.
You have no reference to pre- Sitting meeting.
Mr Speaker, I wrote a letter to you on my advice on the Coronavirus pandemic and you responded to the letter through the Public Affairs Secretariat. Did you invite me as a Leader of this House?

Mr Speaker, you even have to dismiss two people from your office for keeping the truth because you denied by saying that you did not have correspondence when you had it. That is why I boycotted meetings and I stand by it.

Evidently, anybody in Ghana tomorrow should look for the despatch books. I communicated and for some reason, there was denial. Later on, some innocent people have suffered. In my protest, I responded to you through the same medium.

Mr Speaker, I am saying this as Minority Leader; this is the time you must keep this House together and keep the country together. Demonstrate respect to the Constitution of Ghana and to the Standing Orders of Parliament.

To suspend this House, I see it nowhere in this Standing Orders, and to refuse that we would not even have opportunity to make Closing Remarks at the critical juncture of our

country with COVID-19 pandemic, when the Minister for Finance who demonstrated urgency in coming to this House to give us how he intends to spend the capped funds of US$200 million is not here, that is not our concern. You are suspending us at a time when eight months into an election, we do not know the electoral roll we would use. Some two defective instruments of the Electoral Commission have been brought and withdrawn, yet we have presidential and parliamentary elections coming up.

Mr Speaker, I respect your age; I respect your speakership and it is your birthday, but we would not accept this unconstitutional parliamentary dictatorship in Ghana today, tomorrow and forever! -- [Uproar] --

Hon Members, when the Hon Minority Leader was speaking, the Majority side waited and listened. I have said it previously in this House, when you make a Statement or contribution on this honourable Floor, you do not walk soon after.

The Hon Majority Leader will make his contribution.

Hon Majority Leader?

Mr Speaker, today, if we were to be in normal times, we ought to have come to the end of our Plenary Session for the First Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Seventh Parliament successfully.
My Hon Colleagues and I know that we cannot say so with exactitude and no thanks to the novel COVID- 19 pandemic that has afflicted the world and is holding the country to ransom. Notwithstanding, I am grateful to have this opportunity to give account of what has transpired thus far during this Meeting.

Mr Speaker, the First Session of the Seventh Parliament of the Fourth Republic commenced on Tuesday, 28th January and today, the 4th of April, the Hon Members are rising --

Mr Speaker, as I was saying, the First Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Seventh Parliament for the Fourth Republic commenced on Tuesday, 28th January, 2020 and today, the 4th of April, 2020, the Hon Members are rising to resume at an unknown date.
[Interruption] --
Mr Speaker, the House has held a total of 46 Sittings --

Hon Members, Order!

Mr Speaker, the House has held a total of 46 Sittings within the 10 weeks which Parliament performed its deliberative, representational, oversight and legislative functions among other duties.
Mr Speaker, permit me to just highlight on some of the Businesses transacted by the House during the Meeting. The House gave approval to quite a number of loans and international agreements and adopted
a number of Committee Reports. About 29 ceremonial personal and constituency specific Statements have thus far been admitted by the Speaker and moved by Hon Members.
Mr Speaker, six Statements of urgent national importance have come to be made in the House by Hon Ministers of Finance, that of Sanitation and Water Resources and the National Security whereas 41 Questions have thus far been asked by Hon Members of Parliament which have been answered by the various Hon Ministers.
The House has passed these very important Bills -- the Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2020; the Customs (Amendment) Bill, 2020; the Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2019; the Technical Universities Amendment Bill, 2020; the Corporate Insolvency Bill, 2020; Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Act, 2020; National Trust Fund Bill, 2020; and the Imposition of Restrictions Bill, 2020. All these are very major Bills, the passage of which required extreme diligence and legalese.
Mr Speaker, that is why once again, apart from the Committees involved and the work they variously did, I and indeed the House remain eternally indebted to the swan band of numbers who have come together to form the winnowing committee to
clean up and reconcile amendments proposed to Bills to label the transaction of business on them to be effected smoothly.
The President on Thursday, the 20th of February, 2020 delivered his fourth Message on the State of the Nation Address in Parliament and that was in accordance with article 67 of the 1992 Constitution. It states that:
“The President shall, at the beginning of each session of Parliament and before dissolution of Parliament, deliver to Parliament a message on the state of the nation.”
Mr Speaker, it is sad to relate that my Hon Colleagues on the other Side of the political spectrum in Parliament walked out on that occasion. Various commentators commented variously on that conduct; whether they were right or wrong, must be left to history to judge.
At the beginning of this Meeting, the Leadership of the House held a media encounter to discuss Parliamentary agenda and other pertinent issues regarding the House. The Meeting witnessed 15 courtesy calls by civil society organisations, various dignitaries including the national chief imam, the ambassador
of Japan to Ghana, the Commonwealth Envoy from the United Kingdom, His Excellency Philip Parham among many other dignitaries.
Mr Speaker, the Public Affairs Department has made further arrangement with the Newsroom of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation to re-broadcast proceedings from the Chamber immediately after the major news bulletin at 7.00 p.m. This is to give citizens, especially those who are unable to follow proceedings live on our social media, the opportunity to do so in the evenings. The aim is to demystify Parliament and its work and bring Parliament to the doorsteps of our citizens.
A few events in recent history has affected the lives of the people around the world as profoundly as the spread of the Coronavirus known as COVID-19. As of today, the virus has infected over one million people and has resulted in over 68,000 deaths around the world with about 245,902 who have recovered as of today, 4th April, 2020.
Mr Speaker, although the evolution of the pandemic is full of uncertainties, one thing seems clear; the social, political and economic ramifications will stay with us for years to come. The lockdown measures and further

closures across the world in response to this emergency would send a major disruption to the global economic system.

Mr Speaker, various Governments around the world and multinational agencies are putting in place policies and measures not only to address the Coronavirus pandemic, but also to mitigate the social economic prices, protect jobs and incomes as well as provide and extend social protection services to the vulnerable in society.

The United States Senate, just last month, passed a US$2 trillion COVID-19 Aid Package to address the pandemic and also provide economic relief to workers, businesses, and hospitals among others. Mr Speaker, the World Bank Group is also rolling out a US$14 billion FastTrack Package to strengthen the COVID-19 response in developing countries and shortening the time of recovery.

In Europe, the European Central Bank has announced a £750 billion Eurobond to purchase programmes designed to mitigate the enormous economic and financial risk to the Eurozone caused by the pandemic. In Asia, the Bank of Japan has also launched a 1.3 trillion Japanese Yen equivalent to US$11.7 billion,

emergency bond purchase programme.

Mr Speaker, Ghana, like many other countries in the world, has not been spared this pandemic. As of today, 205 cases have been confirmed, five people have died from this pandemic and 31 patients have recovered thus far.

As we all know, a number of measures have been taken by Government to help address the outbreak of the COVID-19. Notable amongst them is the closure of all borders and airports, a partial lockdown of major cities which include Greater aCCRA, Kumasi Metropolitan Area, Tema and Senya Beraku Municipality in the Central Region.

Mr Speaker, by this special lockdown, Ghanaians are only allowed to go out to get essential items such as food, water, medicine and undertake banking transactions. Additionally, Ghanaians are further encouraged to observe social and physical distancing and practise personal hygiene which includes regular washing of hands and the use of sanitisers.

Mr Speaker, this House have been apprised of preliminary analysis of the macro fiscal impact of this pandemic. Indeed, there would be a likely significant slowdown in our GDP growth, significant shortfalls in petroleum revenues and shortfalls in

import duties and other tax revenues, increased health expenditures and tighter financing conditions and consequences on the 2020 Budget.

A number of measures have been taken to address these financial challenges including the COVID-19 National Trust Fund Bill which was passed a day before yesterday to receive donations for disbursement to individuals who have been impacted negatively by the disease.

Mr Speaker, the President of the Republic and some members of the Executive, Parliament and your good self, have all made donations to this Fund. Mr Speaker, let me announce that the Majority Caucus has decided to donate GH¢100,000.00 to complement the effort of Government to fight this destructive menace. [Hear! Hear]!

Mr Speaker, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are jointly providing over US$100 million to Ghana to assist the country in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. This US$100 million facility would be made available to Government and the people of Ghana as part of a short, medium and long term support. In addition to this facility, a US$65 million contingency emergency response component would also be made available to support critical activities

such as laboratory equipment and chemicals, essential medical equipment and supplies including test kits and personal protection equipment (PPE).

Mr Speaker, we are aware of the complementary efforts of the private sector in the fight against this pandemic and we commend them. To our front liners, the doctors and nurses who are at the fore front of this fight against COVID-19, we urge them to continuously work hard to save lives. As we all know, Government is working hard to provide them with the necessary PPEs to ensure the safety of the health workers.

Mr Speaker, this nation has prayed to God; the Creator we all believe in, and what is left for us is to step out and conform with common sense and the dictates of science. If we comply, we trust that the pandemic would soon be over for us to go about our regular duties.

Mr Speaker, as we rise today, we should be mindful that the spectre is not yet over, and for as long as it remains with us, Parliament must be on stand by to respond to the demands of the situation of emergency. Mr Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to express felicitations to you and your deputies for the manner in which the affairs of this Meeting has been steered. It is my sincerest hope that God would

continue to grant you wisdom and grace to be just and impartial as possible to guide the House in the discharge of its duties.

My Hon Colleague Members of Parliament have demonstrated patriotism beyond belief, especially those who often stay beyond the normal closing hours and those who availed this House and indeed the Republic of their services on Saturdays. Mr Speaker, Parliament is grateful and Ghana is grateful.

May I also express my appreciation to the Acting Clerk and his staff for working assiduously to enhance the business of the House.

The Parliamentary Press Corps is also commended for tirelessly ensuring that the good people of this country are kept updated on proceedings and indeed of the pandemic.

It is my hope that we would all come back rested, refreshed and poised to continue with the work entrusted to us by the good people of this country.

Mr Speaker, before I sit down I think that it is important to make a few remarks about what has happened. Mr Speaker, your declaration that the House should be suspended indefinitely, given the circumstances of

the times would not - as the Hon Minority Leader wanted us to understand - find expression expressly in the Standing Orders. However, we must recognise that we are not in normal times and in such situations, as our Standing Orders provide in Order 6 which states;

“In all cases not provided for in these Orders Mr Speaker shall make provisions as he deems fit”.

Mr Speaker, if anybody intends to challenge the direction given by the Speaker in any matter, that person would know what to do. In any event, what the Speaker has done today is not a proroguing of the House. A prorogation is a discontinuance of a Session, but this is a Meeting and not a Session. [Interruption.] I guess Hon Members would have patience and listen. What the Speaker has done is not a prorogation of a Session and so I believe people would understand it in that context.

Mr Speaker, Standing Order 93 (5) is also clear and I am sad that we should be rising today on this unfortunate note. The Standing Orders are clear that if anybody is aggrieved with the conduct of the Speaker or with any Hon Member, the Standing Orders are clear. The conduct of a Speaker, Members, the

Chief Justice and Justices of the Superior Court of judicature shall not be raised except upon a substantive Motion.

We may not always agree. I disagree with Hon Minority Leader on occasions and he also disagrees with me on occasions. Sometimes, we even raise our voices -- [Interruption] -- Sometimes I disagree with Mr Speaker, just as I have disagreed with the former Speaker of Parliament - [Interruption] -- When we disagree, the Standing Orders are set out for us to express our disagreements.

Mr Speaker, on that note, I would just want to conclude by saying, I thank you once again and Hon Colleagues in the House for how far we have come. I would want to

believe that we shall stand by ready when the occasion demands to come and continue with our Business.

Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for the opportunity.

Hon Members, order!
Hon Majority Leader and Hon Minority Leader, thank you very much for your remarks.
Hon Members, this House is now suspended indefinitely.