Debates of 23 Jun 2020

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 11:37 a.m.
Mr Speaker 11:37 a.m.
Hon Members, before we proceed any further, I appreciate the presence of quite a number of you here. On Friday, 19th June, 2020, we did not meet because we wanted to meet today in full swing. We are reasonably well placed and I trust that we shall have the full complement from this period unto election time.
I also continue to pray that as much as we are all in the height of the political season, so far as matters of the House are concerned, we must act as statesmen and assume some circumspection in all we do and in all that we say. It is good for the House.
Hon Members, in politics, you know that there is a political class, and when we talk about that group of people, it is to affect both the Majority and Minority at any given time. This is
because those are the people who are in the game of politics, and I pray that we shall conduct our affairs in that manner for the rest of the period.
To those who won, congratulations; to those who did not, better luck next time. We are in a very competitive situation. In fact, one thing we should all realise is that, sometimes we lose and sometimes, we win. Once you win a fight, one day or the other, be prepared to lose someday. [Laughter] That is the name of the game.
In fact, if nobody lost, nobody would have been here. [Laughter] Even for our followers, let us learn to rather cool them down, and let them know that we understand the enterprise of politics. That itself is good for the political hemisphere for peace and posterity.
Finally, you also know that being out of Parliament does not mean that you would not serve. In fact, both parties know that you can leave Parliament and serve in the Government. Some have even done that more strongly outside Parliament than inside. It affects both the left and the right.
We know of precedents in this regard, and so let us all attend to the Business of the House with all
seriousness and promptness so that if fortune smiles on the party on my left, some of you can still continue to play important roles, and if fortune also smiles ultimately on the Hon Members on my right, you will also be able to play a meaningful role in the next Government.
At this time and in my position, I wish you all well, and let us all play according to the rules of the game. God bless you.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 11:37 a.m.
Mr Speaker, let me thank you for the opportunity and to associate myself with your warm words of congratulations to those who have survived what I call political tsunami or tornado in the competitive democratic politics in the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
To the Hon Majority Leader, the on Hon First Deputy Speaker and the many others who have been able to make it, we wish them well. Mr Speaker, to those who were not able to make it, better luck next time as you have intimated.
Mr Speaker, there is concern if the vote reflects; whether the Hon Members of Parliament (MP) or the Government is unpopular or money is popular. That is the concern for
many of our very experienced Hon MPs, are being swept away by the power of money politics . Mr Speaker, the Hon Majority Leader and I have been discussing this concept and I know that you yourself are concerned.
To wither away the Seventh Parliament and Parliament as the citadel of democracy - we need to protect the sanctity and integrity of this House. I am not saying that akin to the NPP. In my party sometimes it may happen. The incident and magnitude may differ. Mr Speaker, we will need a national conversation on the politics of monetisation in our body politics.
Mr Speaker, I cannot mention everybody, but the loss of the Hon Chairmen of the Finance Committee and the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs certainly does not warm my heart. I can imagine a tomorrow's Parliament without Hon Dr Assibey-Yeboah and Hon Banda. On my Side, I have spoken about the departure of the Hon Yieleh Chireh and Hon Inusah Fuseini.
Maybe, tomorrow, the caucuses would have to strengthen our base and then we would relate to the main party such that tomorrow, we can make
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 11:47 a.m.
recommendations to ourselves as to who can make it and who deserves our protection to keep our democracy alive.

Mr Speaker, you could not have better said it than to ask for circumspection, that Hon Members should accept the reality. Some of the inexperienced hands, as we would call them today, may prove us wrong tomorrow. Mr Speaker, but for the Hon Majority Leader's protectionist policies, many more could have been victims of this. As undemocratic as it was, as I described it, it has served a purpose.

However, the protection should be extended to many others next time; it should not be narrowed to himself and a few others. Mr Speaker, if the Hon Majority Leader could have protected the life of Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah and Hon Ben Abdallah Banda, they would have been here with us next term.

Mr Speaker, I would want to thank the Hon Majority Leader and to also congratulate our Hon Friends and I wish them well. However, we need to have a national conversation on the

future of our democracy, the future of parliamentary democracy and the impact of money in our democracy. Mr Speaker, thank you.
Mr Speaker 11:47 a.m.
Hon Minority Leader, thank you very much.
Hon Majority Leader?
Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu) 11:47 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to congratulate my Hon Colleagues who turned out to be successful in the primaries of the NPP that was held over the weekend.
Mr Speaker, on the Thursday leading to the conduct of the primaries, we had cause to speak to some of the factors that contribute to the high attrition that the Parliament of Ghana has been suffering from during this Fourth Republic. Unfortunately, when we thought we were sounding a note of caution, we were not successful in our appeal.
As I keep saying, there is no democracy anywhere in the world in the entrenched democracies where at the end of the life of a Parliament, the sluice gates are opened for all comers. It does not exist anywhere in the world.
Mr Speaker, democracy everywhere in this world is guided and guarded; there is no democracy anywhere in the world that is for all comers. We should appreciate this and the parties should build into their systems the mechanisms to grow their parties in Parliament.
Parliament is the bastion of democracy. It is not with the Executive and it is not with the Judiciary, and that is the reason whenever there is a coup d'état, it is only Parliament that is proscribed. The Executive is not proscribed -- it is dissolved and supplanted by new people who call themselves the Executive.
The Judiciary continues in whatever form; whether or not it is termed as tribunals, they continue but Parliament is the arm of Government that is proscribed. Mr Speaker, Parliament is really the shield and anchor of democracy and a Parliament that is not strong derogates from the democracy that is being practiced in any parts of the world.
Mr Speaker, for now, the political parties have constitutions that allow for sluice gates to be opened and going forward, it is important that with the experiences that we are having -- last Thursday I said that I shudder to think of what may happen
to us and indeed to Parliament in two elections from now. We have an internal election and one quarter of sitting Hon Members of Parliament are jettisoned; 25 per cent.
Mr Speaker, it cannot be healthy for the growth of Parliament by any stretch of the imagination. It cannot be good for the development of our Parliament.
Mr Speaker, I have never said that once elected into Parliament, we should be static and that there should not be any process or recourse to renew Parliament. However, this should be structured, and as the Hon Minority Leader has said and I also said last Thursday, and as obtains elsewhere, the Parliamentary groups should be given the opportunity to assess the performance of the Hon Members of Parliament and maybe at the end of every Meeting we would pass the comments to the central party.
Also, constituency parties should also be allowed to submit reports on the performance of Hon Members to the centre to serve the purpose of correcting Hon Members of Parliament, shaping them up and developing them into finished products. As I said last Thursday, it
Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu) 11:57 a.m.
does not take four years to develop a Hon Member of Parliament. It takes more than two terms, perhaps even more than three terms to develop an Hon Member of Parliament. When we talk about the Hon Minority Leader today, he is not a yesterday's product and I am also not a product of the day before yesterday. Mr Speaker, we have been growing.
Incidentally, I heard a junior Hon Colleague saying on radio that if we do not renew Hon Members of Parliament, then persons such as Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu would not be coming up strongly. Mr Speaker, this person does not know the history of my party and he does not know the history of Parliament.
I started into the second term of my life in Parliament as a Deputy Whip, climbed up to Majority Chief Whip, I later became the Deputy Majority Leader and when my party lost power, I then became the Hon Minority Leader. I rose through the ranks; I did not come from nowhere to be made the Hon Minority Leader.
Mr Speaker, so those making these arguments do not even know the history of a certain Kyei-Mensah- Bonsu in Parliament. Today, when we mention people who are doing well in Parliament, a Mr Kyei-Mensah-
Bonsu would be mentioned, a Mr Haruna Iddrisu would be mentioned, and a Mr Bagbin would be mentioned. We are not instant products and people should appreciate this.
Mr Speaker, again, yesterday, I heard an Hon Member who does not belong to the ruling party say that for those who have lost the primaries, it meant an indictment on the performance of the ruling party and so the ruling party would then lose the elections.
Mr Speaker, if a highly-placed person in a party that is not the ruling party talks like this, then it means he is applying the wrong yardstick to measure the performance of Hon Members of Parliament. If this person is making this statement , then the foot soldier is right to say that the Hon Member is not bringing development projects and so the Hon Member should be removed.
On my way to Accra yesterday, I was listening to some of them who had won speak on a radio station, and one of them was saying that with the Hon Member that he unseated, the charge was that he was not in the constituency and does not come to the constituency, so he would stay in the constituency and work with them.
[Laughter] Mr Speaker, so who should be in Parliament to work?
Yet this was the charge of the person who had won. Another person was saying that the Hon Member had done little to bring development and so he has promised to bring development to his constituents and in the first two years he would spend time to fulfil his promises. Here we are; here we go again. So for that person, he measures the performance of an Hon Member of Parliament (MP) by development projects in his constituency, getting it wrong ab initio.

Mr Speaker, so we must be careful. I know that for a short time, it would really impact negatively on Parliament; committee chairmen whose capacity have been built to some extent, vice chairmen, ministers, deputy ministers have all fallen victims. In the short-term, certainly, we must admit that it would impact negatively on the Business we conduct in Parliament.

Mr Speaker, my appeal to those of them who have lost is to join forces with the people who have succeeded them warmly or rightly and team up to really work for the party. My joy is that those of them I spoke to yesterday, including the Hon Chairman of the Finance Committee

and the Hon Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, assured that in spite of what has happened, they would link up with colleagues and would put up their best to ensure that the Business before them are discharged. It is good to hear that.

Mr Speaker, we are all human beings, and we cannot pretend that they would come on board overnight, which is why I have decided to engage them. Those of them I have spoken to, including the Hon Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, are all poised to come back and work effectively to have the Business in Parliament effectively discharged.

Mr Speaker, where we are, I believe the political parties must retrospect and look at their constitutions. They must have a second look at their constitutions. They cannot certainly go on this way. As I said, democracy everywhere, is guided and guarded.

For now, Mr Speaker, we have to live with what we have. Going forward, let us all agree that this cannot go on. It would really decimate Parliament, and we cannot grow on Parliament the way the political parties are conducting their internal affairs.
Mr Speaker 11:57 a.m.
Yes, Hon First Deputy Speaker?
Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu 11:57 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to make a short comment.
Firstly, to those of us who did not have the opportunity to try to come back, winning primaries does not mean one is coming back. There is still the bigger challenge. Those who did not get the nod of their parties to come back, I wish them better luck next time. And for those of us who have been given the opportunity again, I pray we work harder so that we could retain our seats in the House.
Mr Speaker, I am worried about the discussion on alleged monetisation. I used the word “alleged” because the discussion is made to appear as though it is something that is exclusive to a political class. Rather, my observation is a manifestation of the culture of monetisation of politics in our country.
I encourage everybody to observe the everyday things around us and everything people do, either you are willing to offer money for people to do things which ordinarily should be done by themselves or you do it yourself.
Mr Speaker, when I was growing up, every community tried to do something on their own. Whether it is a school or a public toilet, they call for assistance when they get to a place where they cannot. Today, I have had young people ask me to buy them a mower to weed their school park.
When I was growing up at my grandmother's village, I saw with my own eyes that on Tuesdays the community brought bamboo to build classrooms. I was there when I saw them build the first classroom when I had gone for holidays. They built three classrooms in a day using bamboos. Today, they have a school.
Today, nobody contributes anything to the communities. They call their MP and they call for their Minister. For some of us, on a few occasions that you have travelled that I have had to take care, I have seen letters written and addressed to you asking for money to pay for hospital bills because people claimed they want money to feed on because their children have abandoned them. Those letters were intended for you but because I was acting in your stead, they were brought to my attention.
Mr Speaker, you do not have a constituency, so to speak, and so it cannot be said that you promised those people those kinds of assistance, but unfortunately, the narrative and discussion have been linked to promises we make. I have said, and I am saying again, that MPs often tout their party manifestoes.
If their party wins, they pray and hope and work towards achieving the manifesto promises. To hold individual MPs responsible for promises contained in manifestoes is most unfair. Last night, somebody asked me that some MPs actually promised some people that they would take them abroad. If it is so, it is a private support.
What we do not add is that none of those things go without solicitation that people come to you to ask for all kinds of things including getting them visas.
Indeed, somebody came to my office here and said that I should get his wife a work permit in the United Kingdom. He travelled from my constituency to my office here in Accra and asked that I get his wife work permit in the United Kingdom. This is the level of demands that people make on MPs, but I encouraged us to look at this question of monetisation.
My observation is that we are actually misdescribing the problem properly. The problem is that the level of dishonesty in the country is growing, and we have to deal with that. This is what we must deal with.
It is not only in the political arena. In every facet of our country, there is a manifestation of the level of dishonesty and demand for money for things that people must do ordinarily. My view is that we should start tackling them from the very base. I read a document on what Singapore did.
It said when the first President observed that the people in his community were freely littering and defacating everywhere, he told himself “I cannot change these people I have inherited. They don't see anything
Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu 12:07 p.m.
wrong with littering the environment and defacating in the open. It is their culture”. So he decided on another approach He targeted the very young people and made the schools different. Young people would go to school and they used different facilities. When they grow up with those facilities, they would not go back to the things that their parents and their grandparents did.

Mr Speaker, I would encourage us to look at the things we can do from the beginning. Probably, many of us are irredeemably dishonest. We should look at building new cultures and new values for the country looking at the basic, probably from the kindergarten level.

Mr Speaker, with these few words, I thank you for the opportunity.
Mr Speaker 12:07 p.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Majority Leader, Hon Minority and First Deputy Speaker for all you have said here this morning.
My over-ranking interest is that the work of this honourable House should proceed unabated. To both Sides, I wish to repeat that if you perform well in this honourable House, your Leaders and Hon Members would notice it and good things will await you in the future. So let us perform with excellence while we remain here.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 12:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker 12:07 p.m.
Hon Members, correction of Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 18th June, 2020.
Mr Speaker 12:07 p.m.
Hon Member, Business Statement -- Hon Majority Leader?
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 12:07 p.m.
Majority Leader/ Chairman of the Committee (Mr Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu) 12:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Committee met on Thursday, 18th June 2020 and arranged Business of the House for the Sixth Week ending Friday, 26th June, 2020.
Mr Speaker, as it is traditional, this Statement ought to have been presented to the House on last Friday, 19th of June, 2020, but the House resolved not to Sit on that Friday. It explains why I am doing so today. Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows:
Arrangement of Business
Formal Communications by the Speaker
Mr Speaker, you may read any available communication to the House.
Question(s)
Mr Speaker, the Business Committee has scheduled the following Ministers to respond to Questions asked of them during the week:
No of Question(s)
i. Minister for Railways Development 1
ii. Minister for Health 1
iii. Minister for Roads and Highways 6
iv. Minister for Works and Housing 2
v. Minister for Finance 1
Total number of Questions 11
Mr Speaker, in all, five (5) Ministers are expected to attend upon the House to respond to eleven (11) Questions during the week. The questions are of the following types:
i. Urgent -- 3;
ii. Oral -- 8
Statements
Mr Speaker, pursuant to Order 70(2), Ministers of State may be
permitted to make Statements of Government policy. Statements duly admitted by Mr 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.

New Patriotic Party 2020 Parliamentary Primaries

Mr Speaker, permit me once again to use this opportunity to formally congratulate all Hon Colleague Members of this House, who were successful in the 2020 primaries of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which took place over the immediate past weekend.

Mr Speaker, having successfully crossed the first hurdle, it is my hope that we shall all work conscientiously towards a decent, free and fair elections devoid of violence and acrimony come 7th of December, 2020 when we all return to the polls.
Majority Leader/ Chairman of the Committee (Mr Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu) 12:07 p.m.


To our cherished Hon Colleagues who were unsuccessful at the primaries, I say better luck next time. The failure to achieve success should not be the end of one's political life. Remember when one door is locked another may be opened. I hope you will continue to offer dedicated services to our dear nation in whatever capacities that you may find yourselves outside parliamentary life, at the end of your present career in Parliament.

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 --

Request for waiver of Import Duty, Import NHIL, GETFund Levy, Import VAT, EXIM Levy and Special Import Levy amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of three million, two hundred and fourteen thousand, five hundred and thirty-eight United States dollars

(US$3,214,538.00) on Kapek Scientific Mathematical Instruments (SMI) to be procured and supplied by M/s Blue Grass Group Limited for use in West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Examinations in Ghana.

Consideration Stage of Bills --

Land Bill, 2019. (Continuation of Consideration)

Committee sittings.

Urgent Question --
Dr b Zanetor Agyeman- Rawlings (Klottey-Korle) 12:07 p.m.
To ask the Minister for Works and Housing what steps his Ministry has taken to prevent the annual occurrence of flooding especially in low lying areas like Odawna, Adabraka Official Town, Osu Doku in the Klottey- Korle Constituency which just experienced a deluge on the 9th of June, 2020.
Questions
721. Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh (Nsawam-Adoagyiri): To ask the Minister for Works and Housing why the Ministry
abandoned the ‘CONTI Project' and what alternative solutions, if any, the Ministry proposes.
Statements
Presentation of Papers --
(a)Budget Performance Report in Respect of the Ministry of Information for the period January to December, 2019.
Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of Import Duty, Import VAT, GETFund Levy, Import NHIL, EXIM Levy, Special Import Levy and other approved imposts amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of four million, nine hundred and seven thousand, five hundred and fifty-five ZAR (ZAR 4,907,555.00) cedi equivalent
(a)[US$289,445.07] on equip- ment, tools and hardware in respect of the Ghana Radio Astronomy Project and Colocation of the Satellite Earth Observation Ground Receiving Station at Kuntunse for Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute.
Dr b Zanetor Agyeman- Rawlings (Klottey-Korle) 12:07 p.m.
(l) Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Opon Lease granted to Golden Star (Bogoso/ Prestea) Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose vehicle associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act 978).
(m) Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Akoti Lease granted to Chirano Gold Mines Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose vehicle associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act 978).
(n) Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Ajopa Lease granted to AngloGold Ashanti Ghana
Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose vehicle associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act
978).
(o) Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of (e)Ghana and Ajopa South Lease granted to Ghanaian Australia Goldfields Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose vehicle associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act 978).
(p) Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Adubea Lease granted to Asanko Gold (Gh) Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose vehicle associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and
Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act
978).
(r) Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Abore Lease granted to Asanko Gold (Gh) Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose vehicle associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act 978).
Motions
Consideration Stage of Bills --
Land Bill, 2019 (Continuation of Consideration)
Committee sittings.

Urgent Questions --
Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo (Ho Central) 12:07 p.m.
To ask the Minister for Finance when the designated health workers will be paid the “COVID-19'' special allowance of 50 per cent of their basic salaries as promised by the government and approved by Parliament.
Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh (Juaboso) 12:07 p.m.
To ask the Minister for Health what emergency preparedness and response plan the Ministry has put in place to help contain the spread of COVID -19 Virus and the details of the US$100m announced by the President will be spent.
Questions --
707. Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh (Nsawam-Adoagyiri): To ask the Minister for Railways Development when works on the Achimota- Nsawam railway line will be completed.
Statements
Presentation of Papers --
(a)Audit Committee Performance Report in respect of the Food
Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh (Juaboso) 12:07 p.m.
and Drugs Authority for the Period January -- December
2019.
(b) Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Operational and Budget Performance of the Ghana National Gas Company (GNCC) for the Year 2019 and outlook for 2020.
(c)Report of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on the Conduct of Public Officers Bill, 2018.
Motion --
Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the 2020 Work Programme of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation
(GNPC).
Consideration Stage of Bills
Land Bill, 2019. (Continuation of Consideration)
Committee sittings.

Question --

744.Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin (Nadowli/ Kaleo): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Takpo-Nanuilli-Chankpong- Tangasie-Nadowli Road will be upgraded.

734.Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome (South Tongu): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways what steps are being taken to upgrade the following roads:

(i)Todzinu through Dorkploame and Awuyakope to Dabala Junction;

(ii) Lave through Tolesem to Nutekpor.

*736.Mr Rudolf N. Amenga- Etego (Chiana/Paga): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways what steps the Ministry is taking towards the rehabilitation of the following roads in the Kasena-Nankana West District:

i.Kandiga Junction -- Sirigu road;

ii. Chuchuliga -- Chiana -- Nakong road.

*737.Mr Shaibu Mahama (Daboya/Mankarigu): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when work on the road networks of Daboya to Mankarigu and Daboya to Busunu will be completed.

*739.Mr Alhassan Mumuni (Salaga North): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways steps the Ministry is taking to ensure that the Tamale- Salaga-Mankango road is completed.

*742.Mr Abdul-Rauf Tanko Ibrahim (Yagaba-Kubori): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Kubori to Zanwara road will be rehabilitated.

Statements

Motions --

(a) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Operational and Budget Performance of the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) for the Year 2019 and outlook for

2020

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Mines and

Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and AGA Miradani Lease granted to Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose vehicle associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act

978).

(Consequential Resolution)

(c) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Lima South Lease granted to Abosso Goldfields Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose vehicle associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act 978).

(Consequential Resolution)

(d) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic
Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh (Juaboso) 12:07 p.m.
of Ghana and Abirem Lease granted to Asanko Gold (Gh) Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose vehicle associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act 978).
(Consequential Resolution)
(e) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Julie Lease granted to Phoenix Resources Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose vehicle associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act 978).
(Consequential Resolution)
(f) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Kunche/ Bepkong Lease granted to Azumah Resources (Ghana)
Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose vehicle associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act
978).
(Consequential Resolution)
(g) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Datoko Lease granted to Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose vehicle associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act 978).
(Consequential Resolution)
(h) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Mampong Lease granted to Golden Star (Bogoso) Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited
Special purpose vehicle associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act 978).
(Consequential Resolution)
(i) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Akanko Lease granted to Adamus Resources Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose vehicle associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act 978).
(Consequential Resolution)
(j) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Opon Lease granted to Golden Star (Bogoso/Prestea) Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose
vehicle associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act
978).
(Consequential Resolution)
(k) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Adoption of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Akoti Lease granted to Chirano Gold Mines Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose vehicle associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act
978).
(Consequential Resolution)
(l) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Ajopa Lease granted to AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose vehicle associated with the Royalty

Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act 978).

(Consequential Resolution)

(m) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Ajopa South Lease granted to Ghanaian Australia Goldfields Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose vehicle associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act

978).

(Consequential Resolution)

(n) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Adubea Lease granted to Asanko Gold (Gh) Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose vehicle

associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act 978).

(Consequential Resolution)

(o) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Abore Lease granted to Asanko Gold (Gh) Limited under the Asaase Royalties Limited Special purpose vehicle associated with the Royalty Monetisation provision of the Minerals and Income Fund Act, 2018 (Act 978).

(Consequential Resolution)

Consideration Stage of Bills

Land Bill, 2019. (Continuation of Consideration)

Committee sittings.

Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.

Mr Richard Quashigah -- rose
-- 12:07 p.m.
Mr Quashigah 12:07 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker for the opportunity to comment on the Business Statement. I would want to specifically look at the item numbered 2 (f), on the NPP's 2020 Parliamentary Primaries in which the Hon Majority Leader commended those who won and comforted those who lost.
Mr Speaker, indeed we are all very concerned about our Hon Colleagues who were desirous of making it to the next Parliament, but were unable to as a result of they not being selected during their party primaries.
Mr Speaker, life like you mentioned earlier, must continue after Parliament. So that should not be the end of life. There are a lot of things which have to be done by those who could not make it. As much as we are concerned and I would have wished that they won their primaries to come back --
Mr Speaker 12:07 p.m.
Hon member, if we were all to start making comments in that regard, we will not finish the Business. The Leaders have taken care of that, so stick to the Business.
Mr Quashigah 12:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker, to conclude --
Mr Speaker 12:07 p.m.
Hon Member, do not conclude. I said that you should
Mr Quashigah 12:07 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. Well said.
rose
Mr Speaker 12:07 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member?
Dr Robert Baba Kuganab-Lem (NDC -- Binduri) 12:17 p.m.
Thank you very much Mr Speaker. Sometime in February this year, I asked a Question of the Minister for Health to tell us, almost one year into the operation of the Zipline Drones, what the impact was and public health emergencies and they will be—
Mr Speaker 12:17 p.m.
Hon Member, you will please file a Question at once, even if an urgent one.
Yes, next person, Hon Okudzeto Ablakwa?
Dr Kuganb-Lem 12:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I filed a Question.
Mr Speaker 12:17 p.m.
Hon Member, you will please file a Question.
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (NDC -- North Tongu) 12:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am most grateful. The Hon Majority Leader would have to kindly pay attention to page 4 of the attachment, Question numbered 3(i) in the name of the Hon Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the “response plan” has been wrongly captured. And then on page 5, the Hon Majority Leader, the Ghana National Gas Company, the item numbered 3(a), we need to correct it to read; “GNGC”, not “GNCC”. So if these corrections could be effected?
Mr Speaker, just to draw the Hon Majority Leader's attention that there are a number of your referrals which are due, for example, the one to the Committee on Works and Housing on the matters that came up. It would be due in the ensuing week but I do not see that matter come up in the Business Statement.
Then, there was the blood donation referral as well to the Committee of Health. We need to be tracking a number of these referrals that you have made to the Committees which are way out of time. They were long
due and yet the Reports have not come to the House for further action. So if we can have a tracking system which addresses Mr Speaker's referrals, it would be really helpful.
I thank you Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 12:17 p.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Yes, Hon Member for Adaklu?
Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza (NDC -- Adaklu) 12:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity and I thank the Hon Majority Leader for the Business Statement.
Mr Speaker, other colleagues and I made a request for the Electoral Commissioner to appear before Hon Members. Indeed, she appeared before a Committee of the House; I was hoping that the Hon Majority Leader would give an indication if the Chair of the Electoral Commission would still appear before Hon Members or whether he is going to present a Report from the Committee.
Whichever would be better, I think the recommendation was for her to appear before Hon Members at the Committee of the Whole.
I thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 12:17 p.m.
Thank you very much.
Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I think the first two Hon Members who attempted to make interventions were ruled out; that is Hon Quashigah and the Hon Member who spoke from the seat of the Hon Eric Afful of Amenfi West, unfortunately, I do not know his name but, those two persons were ruled out.
The Hon Okudzeto Ablakwa referred us to some typographical errors on pages 4 and 5 and I think the Table Office would take care of that. And the referrals to Committees that there are a number of referrals to some Committees that are still before the Committees and he is asking for the Committees to be prevailed upon to submit their Reports. Mr Speaker, I think that is in order.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Agbodza says that there has been some recommendation to bring the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission to the Committee of the Whole. I do not know what recommendations bears that; I do not know where he is drawing his own inspiration from. There has not been any recommendation from anywhere.
Mr Speaker, the Special Budget Committee met the Commission and I have asked that a Report be submitted. Indeed, the clerk to the Committee has submitted a draft to me; he did so on Thursday, 18th June, 2020 but unfortunately, I could not consider it before I left. So I would have a look at it and have a discussion with the Hon Minority Leader, who is the Vice Chairman and then, we submit same to the House.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Speaker 12:17 p.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Majority Leader. The Business Statement as presented, is accordingly admitted.
Hon Members, we will move to the item listed 4. There is no Statement ready for today. At the Commencement of Public Business, we shall strive to take the item listed 5 et cetera.
Hon Majority Leader, I want to know what is ready. Could we move to the item numbered 5(a)? -- [Pause]-- Hon Members, the item listed 5(a), the Hon Minister for Finance?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, if you indulge me, I would like to present the Paper on behalf of the Hon Minister for Finance. Mr
Mr Speaker 12:17 p.m.
Thank you. Hon Deputy Minister for Finance?
PAPERS 12:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker 12:17 p.m.
Hon Members, the item listed 5(b), Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs?
By the Chairman of the Committee.
Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the Budget Performance Report in Respect of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration for the period January to December, 2019.
Mr Speaker 12:17 p.m.
Hon Members, the item listed 5(c) Chairman of the Committee on Mines and Energy? Is the Report ready? And if it is, if another member of the Committee will present it.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Chairman of the Committee is unavailable, and my information is that they have not finished with the consideration of those matters so we would have to stand them down.
Mr Speaker 12:17 p.m.
Then I suppose that affects up to (x —
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, up to page 5, (xiv).
Mr Speaker 12:17 p.m.
It ends with (xiv).
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, yes so we go to page 6 and deal with the item listed 6, Motion.
Mr Speaker 12:17 p.m.
Very well. The item listed 6, Motion, Chairman of the Committee?
MOTIONS 12:17 p.m.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh) 12:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 80(1) which requires that no Motion shall be debated until at least forty-eight hours have elapsed between the date on which notice of the motion is given and the date on which the Motion is moved, the Motion for the adoption of the Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the Budget Performance Report in Respect of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration for the period January to December, 2019 may be moved today.
Mr Iddrisu 12:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Mr Speaker 12:27 p.m.
Hon Chairman, if you would please move Motion 7 the substantive Motion?

Budget Performance Report on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration for the

period January to December,

2019.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh 12:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this honourable House adopts the Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the Budget Performance Report in Respect of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration for the period January to December,
2019.
Mr Speaker, in so doing, I would like to present your Committee's Report.
1.0 Introduction
The Budget Performance Report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration for the period January to December, 2019 was laid in Parliament by the Hon Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon Mohammad Habib Tijani on Wednesday, 27th May, 2020 in
Mr Speaker 12:27 p.m.
Thank you very much Hon Chairman. Yes, Hon Ablakwa?
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (NDC -- North Tongu) 12:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity. I beg to second the
Motion and make a few comments in its support.
Mr Speaker, the Committee observed that there has been a marked improvement in allocations from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration. As at the time we worked on this Report, it stood at 87 per cent which is an improvement from the previous year.
If you look at the breakdown on page 3, you would notice that the release for CAPEX is the lowest and stands at 13 per cent. We would want to draw attention to this development and urge the Ministry of Finance -- I am glad that the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance is in the House.
They should pay particular attention to the number of key projects that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration is working on, such as the Foreign Affairs Institute being constructed in Accra and a number of renovation works across the globe. These will require urgent attention so that we can make savings from the rent and other bills that we have had to foot. I hope that the Ministry of Finance would expedite action?
Mr Speaker, having said that, there is also the matter relating to the continuous interest which we observed in Ghana. You would notice on page 6, paragraph 5.2.7, that three new diplomatic missions have been opened in Ghana in the year under review from very respected countries -- Suriname, Kenya and Rwanda. It is a testament of the stability, peace and reputation that Ghana has had over the years.
We must do everything to guard that reputation, particularly as we go into an eighth round of elections which would be a watershed moment. We must all rededicate our efforts to protect the image of Ghana.
On the matter relating to the lack of funds and budgetary items to deal with consular relations for Ghanaians in distress as captured on page 8, item numbered 6.1 of the Report, I wish to stress that this is a very important matter, particularly in these times where we have a number of Ghanaians stranded, even as they wait to be evacuated back home.
There are no financial provisions in the Budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and that of the Missions abroad to extend consular assistance. This could be temporal like hotel bills, some stipend
for upkeep among others. Often, you would hear reports of staff of the various embassies, using their own resources or of public officials who travel to meet such situations to extend their support. This must change.
Consistently, the Committee has recommended that a budget line be created for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration for consular relations. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has also had cause to make that recommendation under the respected chairmanship of Hon Avedzi.
I hope that the Ministry of Finance would listen to the plea of this House, so that a special budget line item would be created in the Budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to take care of consular relations, particularly under the Vienna Convention which all nations are obliged to extend to their nationals.
Mr Speaker, the other matter relates to the African Continental Free Trade Area. Indications are that we are preparing for the final kick-off on 1st July, 2020, which is just a few days away. I urge that we work in earnest, so that the deadline is not missed. Having won the bid, the entire African continent is looking up to Ghana for the successful take-off of the
Mr Speaker 12:37 p.m.
Leadership from both Sides, may contribute or nominate.
Minority Leader (Mr Haruna Iddrisu) 12:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Motion.
Mr Speaker, with your permission, I beg to quote paragraph 6.5 on page 10 of the Report which says:
“The Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance secured a GH¢50 million loan facility for the renovation and procurement of properties…''
Mr Speaker, I am not too sure what the Committee meant by “procurement of properties''. However, I do know that this loan was secured in 2016 for the renovation and the acquisition of some other properties for the embassy.
My concern is, we do not want to engage in an act which is not lawful, so if they are required to use IGF, they must necessarily, pursuant to the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA) and other related regulations, secure the full support and blessing of the Ministry of Finance, for the retention of 100 per cent. I know that the 100 per cent retention
may be practically impossible but they must work towards an agreed amount and have the understanding of the Ministry of Finance on how much of the IGF would be retained for the purpose of amortising that particular loan. Next time, we need to know how they utilised that money, what properties they renovated and what new properties they acquired and at what amount? All these details must be provided to Parliament.
Mr Speaker, I also want to refer to page 6, on the opening of new Missions. I know that personally, you have been engaged in some work at the Ghana Mission in Belgrade and I also know that on the basis of your past diplomatic life, you have had some engagement and I have seen some official correspondence even from the office of the President on this matter. It would be important that next time, they apprise this House what steps they have taken in order to improve Ghana's relation in particular, with Belgrade.
Mr Speaker, my other comment is on passport and its processing. We should not celebrate 15 days and 10 days because we could do better -- and if we want to bring it to seven days, let it be. We should not create an impression as if some Ghanaians
are given special treatment when it comes to the acquisition of passport, particularly those who have money. Passport is not a document purposely for which its acquisition must be narrowed to who has money and who gets it early. It is a private document which a citizen must be entitled to.
Mr Speaker, my concluding remark would be in paragraph 6, under “establishment of consular fund to cater for Ghanaians in distressed situations''. A number of substantial Ghanaians are stranded in other countries as a result of COVID-19.
We need the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to prioritise essential repatriation of them whether in the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (USA), in Germany or any other part of Europe or in the Arab world. There are many Ghanaians who are stranded and the Ministry must give them special attention in order for them to come back home.
Mr Speaker, if the Hon Minister has any opportunity tomorrow, even with the Committee -- in South Korea, there is an imbedded chip passport. They must work towards the chip passport -- they cannot use the ordinary passport. With the chip passport, data is integrated on the
Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu) 12:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to also make a few remarks about the Report submitted by the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Mr Speaker, first of all, I would want to draw our attention to bullet 5.2.1 on page 4 of the Report, where we were informed that the Ministry in conjunction with the Office of the Head of Civil Service, organised a performance management training
programme for all Heads of Ghanaian Diplomatic Missions as well as for foreign service officers both home and abroad.
Mr Speaker, we have been told the purpose of the performance management exercise and it was done for 2019. I thought that the Report from the Committee accordingly, would inform us about the performance of those officers who attended the course.
This is because it was supposed to be a performance audit programme which the directors were run through. So the Report which covers 2019 should have assessed them using the benchmarks established by the Ministry themselves, yet we have no such report from the Committee.
Mr Speaker, it was indicated in bullet 5.2.2 of the Report that the Ministry has recruited additional staff which brings the total staff strength to 668. Of that number, we were informed that 359, which totals 53.7 per cent of the entire staff strength of the Ministry are women and 46.3 per cent are men.
This is one Ministry where females outnumber males and I thought that the Committee would highlight on that. It is one Ministry where males are
rather the endangered species and no one talks about that. Mr Speaker, I believe it is commendable and I do not want to believe that it is because the Ministry is headed by a female. What has happened in that Ministry is something that we must as a country, pat our shoulders on because it is very progressive.

Mr Speaker, in paragraph 6.1 of page 8, we are told that in line with the recommendations of the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Public Accounts for the establishment of a fund to support distressed Ghanaians abroad, the Ministry applied to the Ministry of Finance to establish a Consular Emergency Fund. I believe this is really commendable and that ensuing from the effort of the two Committees already mentioned, that is the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Public Accounts Committee, the Ministry has responded positively.

Mr Speaker, I believe this is a sequel to the charge of parliamentary committees under article 103 (1) and (3) for committees to enquire into the administration of Ministries. For them to make such recommendation which the Ministry has responded positively to, I believe it is very good for the joint endeavour of the two committees.
Mr Speaker 12:47 p.m.
Hon Members, item listed 8, Hon Chairman of the Committee, may you please move 8 (i) to (vii)? We have got your detailed Report, so just let the Hansard capture it and tell us your conclusion and recommendation.
Bilateral Agreements for the waiver of Visa Requirement for
Citizens Holding Diplomatic/ Service/Official /Ordinary
Passports between GoG and seven other countries
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh) 12:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move that this honourable House adopts the Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the following:
(i) Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the Bilateral Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Government of the Federation of Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis on Exemption of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports.
(ii) Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the Bilateral Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Government of the Republic of Suriname on Exemption of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports.
(iii)Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the Bilateral Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the
Mr Ablakwa 12:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion and in the spirit of deliberations say that this is really a straightforward matter; a number of visa waiver agreements for the countries that have been under listed.
The Committee worked on seven of them but we held on to that of Jamaica for further negotiations.
Mr Speaker, my only observation is that with the Agreement for Qatar, it does appear that whereas for Ghana only diplomatic and service passports are covered, for the State of Qatar, they had virtually all categories of passports. We raised that matter and we were assured that there would be some further engagement with the Qatari authorities so that there can be some reciprocity for us to be at par so far as the passports that are affected are concerned.
Mr Speaker, generally speaking, this visa waiver agreements are very much in order. They would deepen the economic and social ties between these respective countries and Ghana. I am hoping that we would use this to enhance trade in particular so that opportunities would be created particularly for the business community so that they can take full advantage of them to advance the economic fortunes of our country and the other respective countries.
I thank you very much for the opportunity.
Mr Speaker 12:47 p.m.
Thank you; I will take one from each Side of the Leadership.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu (NDC-- Tamale South) 12:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, let me thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Motion and to indicate that in the pursuit of economic diplomacy, these visa waivers are important to allow for unfettered access of members at the State level who have use for diplomatic passports to visit those countries.
Mr Speaker, I have seen that in the last paragraph of the Report of the Committee, they emphasised in their conclusion that the Agreements be approved by Resolution pursuant to article 75(2)(b) of the Constitution.
Mr Speaker, if the Committee quotes article 75(2)(b) of the Constitution, then what happens to the other provisions of article 75(1)? Article 75(1) provides and I quote with permission:
“The President may execute or cause to be executed treaties, agreements or conventions in the name of Ghana.”
They should not just quote article 75(2)(b) and leave the rest. They might just make reference to article 75 holistically and it protects them. What we are ratifying must have had the Executive approval of the President pursuant to article 75 of the
Constitution. So the Committee should not come and marry themselves only to article 75(2)(b) as if article 75(1) does not matter; it does.
Mr Speaker, I just have a little comment on Qatar. While in the case of Qatar, the Committee said:
“This Agreement was executed on 13th November, 2019 for holders of Ghanaian Diplomatic and holders of Qatari Diplomatic and Special Passports for travel up to 90 days in the receiving state.”
How come that Ghana's special passport has not been added? We encourage the Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs to still pursue Qatar. It should not just be diplomatic passports; it should be diplomatic and special passports.
Mr Speaker, we have even encouraged you to consider a visit to the Qatari Parliament because I know that they would want to open up their frontiers to Ghana, and there is a lot we can learn from their energy regime and benefit from some bilateral trade agreements.
Mr Speaker, in respect of the others, next time, what the Committee on Foreign Affairs must do is to give

us some small statistics in their work. For instance, beyond diplomatic passport, what are we likely to benefit from Venezuela by improved bilateral relations with them as a country?

They should do the same thing with Suriname so that we can appreciate that we are not just opening our doors to those countries. Even in traffic flow, citizens' visit to the respective countries -- we must also have an idea of what happens.

Mr Speaker, with these few comments, I support the Motion.
Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu) 12:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I do not want to over flog the issues raised by my Hon Colleagues in respect of paragraph 5.5 on page 6 of the Report.
Mr Speaker, the Committee should come with a better understanding of what is intended to be done whether indeed, our service passports would be recognised by Qatar for the same purpose as we recognise their special passport.
It is an observation that the Committee has made. They should press on so that they would be able
to report to us what it is that we are doing. We are talking about reciprocity, and we should be on the same wavelength; we should not short-change ourselves. That is the first observation.
The other issue is the one raised by my Hon Colleague, the Hon Minority Leader, in respect of article 75 of the Constitution. Mr Speaker, while I understand the principle that he raised, if the treaty is not executed, it cannot come to Parliament. So it is taken for granted that it has been done.
I thought what his request ought to have been really is to enquire into who has done this. Is it the Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration who is doing this on behalf of the President or the President did it on behalf of the country?
That, I thought, is the information that we would need, but we are not too sure whether the President went to those places and executed these treaties or maybe, the Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration did so on behalf of the Republic at the instance of the President?
Mr Speaker, I also believe that yes, as I indicated earlier, in our international relations, the interest of Ghana and Ghanaians should hold
supreme. So if we extend these courtesies, we should know how Ghana stands to benefit.
We are not told anything, and so, how are we to be positioned to approve or ratify these Agreements that have been put before us when we are not served with any information about how Ghana stands to benefit from these engagements?
Mr Speaker, that is why sometimes I really relate to Committee Reports and I indicate to them that oftentimes, the information they should provide to us as a House in order for us to make an informed decision -- we are left in a quandary. I am not too sure what we are supposed to make of this Report.
How would the nation benefit from all these seven Agreements? We are not told. If they know, they have kept them to themselves and that is most irregular.
How are we supposed to ratify these seven Agreements before us when they have not told us the benefits that the country stands to derive from these Agreements? It is certainly not the best.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Chairman of the Committee is here and he would learn useful lessons from the critique that we have subjected the Report to, and improve the content and the quality of the Report next time around.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Mr Speaker 12:57 p.m.
Hon Members, item numbered 9 onwards. We would take the Resolutions captured in items numbered 9 to 15 on page 7 to 12.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to seek permission for the Hon Deputy Minister to move for the adoption of the Resolutions.
Mr Speaker, as you said, it is from item numbered 9 to 15, but if I may apply for just one of them to be moved because they are procedural arrangements that must be done before the Resolutions themselves are moved. So if you could relate to the procedure first just for one Agreement and it would be deemed to have applied to all of them.
Mr Speaker 12:57 p.m.
Hon Deputy Minister, you may move the Resolutions captured in items 9 to 15.
RESOLUTIONS 12:57 p.m.
Minority Leader (Mr Haruna Iddrisu) 12:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motions agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Mr Speaker 12:57 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, are we in the position to move on to the Motion listed 16, though I do not see the Hon Chairman of the Finance Committee here?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, you have rightly observed, and there are some outstanding matters to be done in respect of those Motions, and the Hon Chairman of the Finance Committee is doing just that. So we would stand them down and attend to same tomorrow.
Motions stood down accordingly.
Mr Speaker 1:07 p.m.
Motions numbered 16 to 19 stood down accordingly. That brings us to item numbered 20?
Hon First Deputy Speaker, please get your loins girded.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Chairman of the Committee to lead us in the consideration of the Land Bill, 2019, is not even in the Chamber so I believe we can take it a bit easy today and return tomorrow to continue with the unfinished business -- the Consideration Stage of the Land Bill,
2019.
Mr Speaker, with this, I beg to move that this House stands adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon.
Mr Speaker 1:07 p.m.
Hon Minority Leader?
Mr Iddrisu 1:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion for adjournment.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
ADJOURNMENT 1:07 p.m.