Debates of 9 Oct 2020

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 11:51 a.m.
ANNOUNCEMENTS 11:51 a.m.
Mr Speaker 11:51 a.m.
Hon Members, there is a Communication from the President.
STATEMENTS 11:51 a.m.
Mr Moses Anim (NPP -- Trobu) 11:51 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to make this brief statement about the happenings of this morning on the demise of our Hon Colleague, Hon Ekow Kwansah Hayford.
Mr Speaker, this morning, we received the sad news of the demise of our Hon Colleague. Apparently, he was killed in cold blood when he was coming from the usual campaign trail because this is an election year, and we have two months to go for the 2020 election.
On behalf of Parliament, we send our condolence to the bereaved family, the wife, children, especially the core family and the rest. We also console ourselves and ask the Almighty God to continue to give us all the courage and the determination to continue to do our best for mother Ghana.
Mr Speaker, continuously, we have asked for provision of security for Hon Members of Parliament (MPs). It is not that we feel that MPs are so special from the people. It is just that
as Hon MPs, we are neither owned by our families or Parliament alone; we are owned by the state called Ghana.
Mr Speaker, as an Hon Minister of State can be targeted because of his political position, so an Hon MP remains a target for anybody who wants to go untoward or wayward in trying to terminate the life, harm or take away any property of Hon MPs.
Mr Speaker, we also know the effort that the Parliamentary Service Board, with you being the chairman, has made to ensure that Hon Members are provided with the necessary security that would sustain our lives and ensure that courageously, honestly and truthfully, we stand tall to our responsibilities established by the Constitution of this country.
We are aware that in one of the decisions taken by the Board, you directed the Clerk-to-Parliament to write to the Inspector-General of Police to demand from him that because this is an election year, he should take steps to provide the necessary security for Hon MPs. Mr Speaker, the response that was received by the Clerk-to-Parliament and minuted to you was not the appropriate response and the reaction that we expected of the Ghana Police Service.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 11:51 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity but with a heavy heart and some difficulty in accepting that this morning, we are without our Colleague, Ekow Hayford and the circumstance of his death is not natural. It is one for which we have been told and informed by the media that he was murdered in cold blood, having responded and identified himself as a Member of Parliament.
Mr Speaker, this would add up to the murder of our Colleague, the late Hon J. B. Danquah in February,
2016.
Mr Speaker, the first would be to commiserate with the family and to express profound condolences and sympathies to the family to accept this heavy loss but certainly not an acceptable loss.
Mr Speaker, it is a wakeup call that this Parliament under your Leadership must elevate the security of Members of Parliament as a primary matter of concern.
Mr Speaker, there is no member of the article 71 office holders under the Constitution who does not enjoy police protection. Indeed, District Chief Executives are not higher even
in terms of political elevation to Members of Parliament. Ministers of state are not above Members of Parliament by the constitutional framework. We are elected. Some Ministers may just be appointed.
So, Mr Speaker, I know what you have done personally at your level with respect to the matter of our personal safety and security. I recall that even at the last Board meeting, the Hon First Deputy Speaker was there when we raised the matter of MP security and even for Leadership.
Mr Speaker, I am compelled to read a paragraph from a letter from the Ghana Police Service signed by a C o m m i s s i o n e r - G e n e r a l , Commissioner of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, when you just requested for provision of security for the Leadership of Parliament while in our respective Constituencies.
For instance, if I would have to get to Tamale without my police, what happens? If the Hon First Deputy Speaker or the Majority Leader, Hon Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu gets to Suame without his police, probably, he may be flying while the police is in a vehicle going to join him.
Mr Speaker, it is significant to note this -- when you wrote to the IGP, this is what they responded with:
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 12:11 p.m.
“I am directed to inform you that considering the forthcoming general elections, coupled with emerging security threats in some parts of the country, it would be difficult to provide additional permanent protection officers for the Leadership…”
This is how we are treated as an institution. The most important organ in any democracy is parliament. Therefore, we welcome the President's commiserating message to you but beyond sympathies, we want action and that action -- the Inspector-General of Police, even though an institution of state falls directly under the Executive and therefore the Inspector-General of Police must seize this matter and act expeditiously and diligently and report back to you and Parliament.
We need to know the circumstances leading to the murder of our Colleague this morning after he successfully went to file his nomination as Ekow Hayford, Member of Parliament wanting a renewal of his mandate, he loses his life at 1 a.m.
So, Mr Speaker, the Inspector- General of Police and the Hon Minister for the Interior would have to take up this matter and report same to this House as a matter of urgency.
So, Mr Speaker, our first would be to express our sympathies -- it is a loss to all of us -- Parliament as an institution. I know it has been your quiet prayer that this Parliament would have passed with all 275 of us going through. Probably, God has accepted your prayer. That is why we have not had any natural incident. But this unnatural murder of a Member of Parliament -- it happened to J. B. Danquah. The perpetrators have not been identified.
They have not been punished but it raises an issue that Members of Parliament are our own enemies. There is public distrust. Sometimes, there is even public outrage. We have suffered physical attacks, verbal attacks but not deadly attacks. One can say he is not happy with the way we are contributing to his welfare but once he loses his life, that is it. What more can he do?
Mr Speaker, when we engage the public, they say Members of Parliament -- Yes, we are asking for the safety and security of every Ghanaian. We are only additionally asking that given the risk of the job we do, we are given self-protection and personal protection. That must be done by the Inspector-General of Police and the Minister for the Interior.

Mr Speaker, we control their purse -- if they refuse to provide for it, there would be an appropriation bill into next year and we would do what is appropriate -- needfully and lawfully because our lives matter and lives of Members of Parliament matter.

Mr Speaker, Hon Kwame Governs Agbodza and Hon Samuel Ayeh-Paye escaped death. On 3rd November, 2019, Hon Kennedy Kwasi Kankam escaped death. So they are real; there is real and eminent threat to the lives of Hon Members of Parliament. Therefore, we demand elevated self-protection for Hon Members of Parliament. While we call on the Executive and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to improve the general security landscape of the country and to contain crime, Hon Members of Parliament are not asking for too much.

Mr Speaker, this particular letter dated 6th October, 2020 addressed to you and the Clerk to Parliament that, they cannot even help us when we were talking about just when the leadership is in a constituency. When Hon First Deputy Speaker travels to Bekwai, he has no immediate police protection available. He symbolises

Parliament as an institution; anything that happens to him or the Hon Majority Leader, negates the gains we are making as a democracy. I think that Parliament itself must wake up, and to Hon Members of Parliament, this is not a matter on which we should be divided.

In any case, death does not know whether a person is a member of National Democratic Congress (NDC) or the New Patriotic Party (NPP). But we want it to be natural. We do not want it to be managed killing of a Member of Parliament who went to successfully file his nomination to serve his country.

Mr Speaker, the late Hon Ekow Hayford always sat through Sittings beaming with quiet smiles, and to lose a gentleman who is a Member of Parliament this way, is not acceptable.
Mr Ebenezer Narh Nartey (NPP -- Ablekuma Central) 12:11 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. Early this morning, as we always go on social media platforms, I read about the sad news of our Hon Colleague, who is also a brother to some of us.
Mr Speaker, just about some months ago, just as the Hon Minority Leader rightly said, Hon Kennedy
Mr Mahama Ayariga (NDC -- Bawku Central) 12:11 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much. I think Hon Colleagues have already expressed the condolences of this House to the family of the bereaved and the constituency. I will not belabour that point.
I also think that Leadership and Hon Colleagues have spoken eloquently about the need for enhanced security for Hon Members of Parliament. Let me just stretch it a little bit. At this material moment, it is not just Hon Members of Parliament; it is every candidate that is involved in the electioneering campaign. It could have been the candidate of the People's National Convention (PNC), it could have been the candidate of the NDC in that constituency or All People's Congress
(APC).
So, let us broaden the category and say that, at this critical moment when we are engaged in electioneering campaign, the candidates of the various political parties face different
levels of security threats. What I would urge to be done is, National Security should sit and do an evaluation of the levels of threats that we, individually face in our various constituencies and see how they can localise the use of the security apparatus on the ground to provide enhanced protections for all candidates, who at this time are compelled to be out of their homes at very late nights to campaign or receive guests at home very late and sometimes, at very ungodly hours and yet we cannot prevent anybody from coming to our homes at such times.
I will broaden the appeal, so that it covers all candidates of all the political parties who are campaigning around this time. It is just a period of two months, and I believe this nation has the capacity to do something about enhancing the security of candidates during this campaign.
Mr Speaker, I thank you very much.
Mr Speaker 12:11 p.m.
Hon Members, we shall have one more and that we wind- up. One of you, you should decide among yourselves.
Mr Ras Mubarak (NDC -- Kumbungu) 12:11 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Ras Mubarak (NDC -- Kumbungu) 12:21 p.m.
I would like to re-echo the sentiments as expressed by Hon Colleagues by expressing my heart- felt condolence to the family of our departed brother and Hon Colleague, and to the NPP as a family and to his constituents, Mfantseman Constituency.
Mr Speaker, indeed, it is a very tragic death. No Ghanaian deserves to die in a manner that has happened to our brother. Hon Ekow Hayford was a very quiet, humble and a decent Hon Member of Parliament.

Mr Speaker, he was one of those persons who would not even hurt an ant, not to talk about any person. That was his level of decency, and the way he related to his colleagues in Parliament is quite exciting. So it is very sad that people would take his life in this manner.

Mr Speaker, there could be no better tribute to his memory than to have him receive justice for his murder. There would be no better tribute to Hon Ekow Hayford than to bring the perpetrators of this dastardly act to book. I would encourage the security agencies to leave no stone unturned in getting this sorted out.

Mr Speaker, the concern by the Police cannot be entertained. To argue that they are overstressed, undermined and underfunded should not be an excuse to allow members of this arm of Government to be exposed to the kind of dangers that they are exposed to in the country.

Mr Speaker, as my colleague Hon Ayariga said, the time has come for us to look at providing security in a time like this when the level of threat to the lives of every Member of Parliament and every politician in the country is so high.

This is the season we spend so much time outside of our homes than any other time, which is week in week out, campaigning into the night. I would not belabour the point but to also encourage that the security agencies would expedite action in bringing justice.

Mr Speaker, if the Police says they are underfunded, this House has the authority to approve their funds on account. Based on that, we can raise a legitimate point to have them provided -- Mr Speaker, what would it take and how much would it cost the State to provide security for 275 Members? Is this so much that a Member of Parliament would have to lose his life in this manner.

In my view, the argument by the Police that they are underfunded, undermanned and overstretched is untenable, and this House must not entertain it.

I thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 12:21 p.m.
Thank you very much.
Hon Members, indeed, it is a very painful and distressful moment for this honourable House. The Late Hon Ekow Quansah Hayford, the Hon Member for Mfantseman was of an affable character, regular in the House, made useful contributions and he would be sorely missed, particularly considering the manner in which he lost his life.
This honourable House definitely extends its condolences to the entire family; wife and children and the larger Ghanaian family; to his constituents as a whole; to all Hon Members of Parliament who are also distressed at a time like this.
We all know from our Bible that at one time, Paul simply told a hardened Roman soldier that he was a Roman citizen, and that solider quickly released him. Now it looks as if it is
a real danger to say that one is a Member of Parliament. Have Hon Members of Parliament become an endangered species?. It pains me because these are elected persons on whom a very grave responsibility rests. If they do not come to do their job, there would be no money for us to take care of COVID 19, for example.
Therefore, it is very painful that the death apparently was related to his occupation as a Member of Parliament. What have the people here done to deserve this? It is a very important question worthy of being considered by every citizen of this country.
If Hon Members are made to feel that this is because of a person's involvement as a Member of this honourable House, it is a doubly sad day for democracy in the country. Perhaps, all those who are also responsible for looking after the safety of Members of Parliament should also take note of this as well as those who sometimes criticise when protection of Members of Parliament is being demanded.
It is noteworthy that the directives I gave as Chairman of the Board of the Parliamentary Service, the response of the Police sort of coincided with this unfortunate incident. I am respectfully directing the
Mr Speaker 12:31 p.m.
Hon Members, all relevant protocols that regard the decoration of the immediate parameters of Parliament with black and red, including flags flying in a certain manner within the parameters or the precincts of Parliament would be observed accordingly.
Hon Members, we shall do some very limited Business including the Business of the Hon Learned Attorney-General, then we shall suspend the House.
Hon Members, we shall take the Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 8th October, 2020.
Hon Members, any corrections?
Mr Speaker 12:31 p.m.
Hon Members, we also have the Official Report of 12th August, 2020 for correction.
Hon Members, any corrections?
  • [No correction was made to the Official Report of 12th August, 2020.]
    • Mr Speaker 12:31 p.m.
    Hon Members, again, we have the Official Report of 13th August, 2020 for correction.
  • [No correction was made to the Official Report of 13th August, 2020.]
    • Mr Speaker 12:31 p.m.
    Hon Members, we have the Business Statement for the ensuing week, which would be briefly presented as a formality.
    Mr Moses Anim 12:31 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I humbly ask your leave to present the Business Statement for the Second week ending Friday, 16th October,
    2020 on behalf of the Hon Chairman of the Business Committee.
    BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 12:31 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 12:31 p.m.
    Arrangement of Business
    Formal Communications by the Speaker
    Mr Speaker, you may read any available communication to the House.
    Questions
    Mr Speaker, Questions duly admitted by your good self would be programmed in due course for response by the relevant Ministers of State.
    Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 12:31 p.m.
    Statements
    Mr Speaker, pursuant to Order 70(2), Ministers of State may be permitted to make Statements of Government policy. Statements duly admitted by the Rt. Hon. Speaker may be made in the House by Hon Members, in accordance with Order
    72.
    Bills, Papers and Reports
    Mr Speaker, Bills may be presented to the House for First Reading in accordance with Order 120. However, those of urgent nature may be taken through the various stages in one day in accordance with Standing Order 119.
    Mr Speaker, pursuant to Standing 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.
    Mr Speaker, the Business Committee once again entreats all Hon Members to endeavour to arrange
    their affairs in order to enable them attend to Business at plenary. This request has become necessary in view of the brief period available for the transaction of parliamentary Business prior to the break for the general elections.
    By the close of Sitting today, Friday, 9th October 2020, barely four weeks would be available for the conduct of all outstanding parliamentary Business, although the House may continue to Sit after the elections prior to dissolution. However, a substantial number of critical Businesses would have to be transacted between now and the 7th of November, 2020, when the House would hopefully adjourn for the electioneering campaign. The Business Committee accordingly requests full cooperation and support of Hon Members for the effective and efficient transaction of plenary Business.
    The Business Committee further implores all Committees with referrals which require parliamentary consideration within this brief period, to expedite work on same and report to plenary as soon as practicable.
    Conclusion
    Mr Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order160 (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.
    Mr Speaker, the order of transacting Business for the week have been listed through Tuesday, 13th of October, 2020 to Friday, 16th October, 2020, and they are as follows.

    Statements

    Presentation of Papers

    (a) Annual Statement by the Audit Committee of the Brong Ahafo Regional Hospital, Sunyani for the year

    2019.

    (b) Annual Statement by the Audit Committee of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) for the year 2019.

    (c)Annual Statement by the Audit Committee of the Suaman District Assembly for the year 2019.

    (d)Annual Statement by the Audit Committee of the

    Ghana Immigration Service for the year 2019.

    (e)Report of the Bank of Ghana on the Conduct of Monetary Policy, Macroeconomic Review, and Banking Sector Developments for the period January to June 2020.

    (f) Annual Report of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) for the year 2019.

    (g)Report of the Committee on Education on the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana Bill, 2020.

    (h)Report of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on the Council of State Bill, 2020.

    Motions --

    (a)Second Reading of Bills

    Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

    (b) Third Reading of Bills

    Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
    Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 12:31 p.m.
    Consideration Stage of Bills --
    Complementary Education Agency Bill, 2019.
    Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring (Amendment) Bill,
    2020.
    Committee sittings.

    Statements

    Presentation of Papers

    Report of the Finance Committee on the Addendum No. 4 to the Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and Messrs Euroget De-Invest S.A. of Giza, Egypt for an amount of nineteen million, three hundred and five thousand, one hundred and seventy-nine United States dollars (US$19,305,179.00) for the Turnkey Design, Construction, Supply and Installation of Equipment and Provision of Technical Assistance in the form of Training and Two Years Maintenance for the 500-Bed Military Hospital at Afari, Ashanti Region.

    Motions --

    Second Reading of Bills

    Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana Bill,

    2020.

    Council of State Bill, 2020.

    Consideration Stage of Bills --

    Complementary Education Agency Bill, 2019.

    Petroleum Hub Development Corporation Bill, 2020.

    Committee sittings.

    Statements

    Presentation of Papers --

    (a)Report of the Finance Committee on the Anti- Money Laundering Bill,

    2020.

    (b)Report of the Committee on Health on the National Ambulance Service Bill,

    2020.

    (c)Report of the Committee on Health on the National Blood Service Bill, 2020.

    (d)Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of Import Duties, Import VAT, GETFund Levy, NHIL, EXIM Levy and Special Import Levy amounting to the Ghana Cedi equivalent of seven million, four hundred and forty-four thousand, six hundred and ninety-two united states dollars sixty-seven cents (US$7,444,692.67 [made up of US$5,963,498.00 imports and US$1,481,194.67 local purchases]) on materials, equipment, and services to be procured for the Construction, Supply and Installation of Educational Equipment and Training to Ten (10) Regional Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Centers.

    (e)Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of Import Duties, Import and Domestic VAT, GETFund Levy, NHIL, EXIM Levy and Special Import Levy amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of ten million, eight hundred and seventy-nine thousand, two

    hundred and twenty-eight euros ten cents (€10,879,228.10) on materials, equipment, and services to be procured for the Construction of five (5) Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Centers of Excellence.

    (f) Report of the Finance Committee on the OeKB- Backed Loan Facility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and C o m m e r z b a n k Aktiengesellschaft [with ECA premium support] for an amount of up to seventy million, seven hundred and thirty-three thousand, four hundred and twenty-three euros (€70,733,423.00) to finance the Sekondi- Takoradi Water Supply Rehabilitation and Expansion Project.

    (g) Report of the Finance Committee on the Commercial Loan Facility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and C o m m e r z b a n k Aktiengesellschaft for an
    Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 12:31 p.m.
    amount of up to ten million, five hundred thousand euros (€10,500,000.00) to finance the Sekondi-Takoradi Water Supply Rehabilitation and Expansion Project.
    (h)Report of the Committee on Works and Housing on the Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources [Ghana Water Company Limited]) and STRABAG AG of Austria for an amount of up to seventy million euros (€70,000,000.00) to finance the Sekondi-Takoradi Water Supply Rehabilitation and Expansion Project.
    Motions --
    (a)Third Reading of Bills
    Complementary Education Agency Bill, 2019.
    Petroleum Hub Development Corporation Bill, 2020.
    (b) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the
    Addendum No. 4 to the Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and Messrs Euroget De-Invest S.A. of Giza, Egypt for an amount of nineteen million, three hundred and five thousand, one hundred and seventy-nine United States dollars (US$19,305,179.00) for the Turnkey Design, Construc- tion, Supply and Installation of Equipment and Provision of Technical Assistance in the form of Training and Two Years Maintenance for the 500-Bed Military Hospital at Afari, Ashanti Region.
    -- Consequential Resolution
    Consideration Stage of Bills --
    Real Estate Authority Bill, 2020.
    Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana Bill, 2020.
    Council of State Bill, 2020.
    Committee sittings.

    Statements

    Motions

    (a)Second Reading of Bills

    Anti-Money Laundering Bill, 2020.

    National Ambulance Service Bill, 2020.

    National Blood Service Bill, 2020.

    (b)Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of Import Duties, Import VAT, GETFund Levy, NHIL, EXIM Levy and Special Import Levy amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of seven million, four hundred and forty-four thousand, six hundred and ninety-two united states dollars sixty- seven cents (US$7,444, 692.67 [made up of US$5,963,498.00 imports and US$1,481,194.67 local purchases]) on materials, equipment, and services to be procured for the

    Construction, Supply and Installation of Educational Equipment and Training to Ten (10) Regional Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Centres.

    -- Consequential Resolution

    (c)Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of Import Duties, Import and Domestic VAT, GETFund Levy, NHIL, EXIM Levy and Special Import Levy amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of ten million, eight hundred and seventy-nine thousand, two hundred and twenty-eight euros ten cents (€10,879,228.10) on materials, equipment, and services to be procured for the Construction of five (5) Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Centres of Excellence.

    -- Consequential Resolution

    (d) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the OeKB-Backed Loan Facility Agreement between the Government of the Republic
    Mr Speaker 12:31 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Adaklu?
    Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza 12:31 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Business Statement ably presented by our Hon Colleague.
    Mr Speaker, I think that Business in the House this week have been generally cordial. We made some progress despite the challenges. I
    think that we can build on it next week, however, on Tuesday, we recommended, and you agreed with us that Leadership must take the necessary steps to address housekeeping matters that are relevant to Hon Members.
    Mr Speaker, in order to ensure that next week's Business would be as cordial as this week's, I would want to reiterate to the Leadership to take the necessary steps to address all housekeeping matters that are relative to Hon Members of Parliament, so that the next four weeks of Sittings would be fruitful.
    Mr Speaker, I thank you.
    12. 41 p.m.
    Mr Speaker 12:31 p.m.
    Thank you very much.
    Leadership? Hon Members, in the absence of further comments, the Business.
    rose
    Mr Speaker 12:31 p.m.
    Hon Deputy Majority Whip, would you turn to respond to that?
    Mr Anim 12:31 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I just want to assure the Hon Member that his
    request is noted and Leadership would attend to it.
    Mr Speaker 12:31 p.m.
    Hon Members, the Business Statement, as presented, is admitted accordingly.
    Commencement of Public Business. Hon Deputy Whip, I do not see the Minister for Food and Agriculture. Is the Deputy Minister around or any other Minister just to present the Paper?
    Mr Anim 12:31 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I ask for your leave and indulgence of Hon Colleagues to allow the Hon Minister for Monitoring and Evaluation to lay the Paper on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture.
    Mr Speaker 12:31 p.m.
    Thank you. Yes, Hon Minister?
    PAPERS 12:31 p.m.
    Mr Speaker 12:31 p.m.
    Hon Members, the item numbered 5(b), Hon Attorney- General and Minister for Justice?
    By the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice—
    Courts Regulations, 2020.
    Referred to the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation
    Mr Speaker 12:31 p.m.
    Hon Members, the item numbered 6, Presentation and First Reading of Bills?
    BILLS -- FIRST READING 12:31 p.m.
    Mr Speaker 12:31 p.m.
    Hon Deputy Majority Whip, is there any indication?
    Mr Anim 12:31 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I take your earlier directive that we should adjourn the House at this moment into consideration —
    Mr Speaker 12:31 p.m.
    Do you want to move for an adjournment of the House?
    Mr Anim 12:31 p.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker, as you directed earlier.
    Mr Speaker 12:31 p.m.
    Hon Member, make a positive move and let us go ahead.
    Mr Anim 12:31 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I therefore beg to move that this House adjourns until Tuesday, 13th October, 2020 at 10 o'clock in the forenoon.
    Mr Speaker 12:31 p.m.
    Hon Members, as we await the seconding, the item numbered 5(a) is referred to the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation. They are Regulations.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Minority Leader, there is a Motion for adjournment; if you would kindly second it?.
    Deputy Minority Leader (Mr James Klutse Avedzi): Mr Speaker, I rise to second the Motion.
    Looking at the atmosphere of the House, and what had happened to our Hon Colleague, it is appropriate that we adjourn Sitting for today.
    Mr Speaker, I thank you.
    Question put and motion agreed to.
    Mr Speaker 12:31 p.m.
    Hon Members, any other communication with regard to
    ADJOURNMENT 12:31 p.m.