Debates of 5 Nov 2020

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:58 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker 10:58 a.m.
Hon Members, we have the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 4th November, 2020, for correction.
Page 1…29
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 10:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I just want to have an understanding. Fortunately, the Hon Majority Leader and the Hon Chairman of the Committee are here. Were we not in consensus that we delete “the authority of the Minister” in clause 1? [Interruption]
Mr Speaker, the word “the” came in clause 2, but in clause 1, we said that “execute on behalf of the State renewable energy projects”. I insisted that we should not take the authority
of the regulator, the Energy Commission, to the Minister. I just want it on the record.
Mr Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi 10:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker, after the debate, the amendment that was proposed was not taken. What was agreed on was to insert “the” before “asset”, and that is what was done.
Mr Iddrisu 10:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the insertion of the word “the” was for clause 2, and I have no difficulty accepting it. I said that we could not say that they should manage all the assets, and the Hon Majority Leader qualified it with “the” and we all agreed.
In respect of clause 1, I had insisted. Mr Speaker, I do not mind. For some of it, I would want to be on record that when we got to this point, this was my position and we said that -- [Interruption] Yes, we said that we did not want it to read “with Authority of the Minister”. The Hon Chairman initially said he agreed; the Hon Majority Leader came and improved it, and I said I did not mind because I just wanted it for the record.
Mr Speaker, sometimes, that is our difficulty when we have to go through suspending procedures and
processes. It does not give us time to look through the Bill in order that I can file my amendment for the record.
Mr Speaker 10:58 a.m.
In other words, you have said that you are not against the decision here, but that you said something to the contrary which you would want to be captured by the record. That indeed, if it is so, should be captured by the record. If the Hon Minority Leader indicated the contrary, nevertheless, the ultimate decision was different, still, his point must be captured for him.
Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah 10:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minority Leader said that he moved an amendment to clause 1, but it has not been captured in the Votes and Proceedings. I believe he still has the opportunity to come by way of a Second Consideration Stage. I was here and in clause 2, the Hon Leader inserted “the” after --
Mr Speaker 10:58 a.m.
Hon Chairman, he may come by a Second Consideration or not. That is his own decision. Nevertheless, if what he said is what actually transpired, then it must be captured per the record for him. That is all.
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the issue had to do with the insertion of the definite article in paragraph (b). If we did so, it would then cure what we thought was a deficiency in paragraph (a) which is what I proffered.
There was no need, therefore, to go and effect any correction in paragraph (a). Mr Speaker, that is what it is; it does not call for any Second Consideration. What I did in paragraph (b) cured the mischief that we all identified in paragraph (a) and so, there is no need at all for any Second Consideration Stage.
Mr Speaker 11:08 a.m.
So, shall that be captured? That should be captured accordingly for the record. That correction should be made by the Clerks-at-the-Table.
Page 29 … 32.

Hon Members, the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 4th November, 2020 as corrected, is hereby admitted as the true record of proceedings.
Mr Speaker 11:08 a.m.
We have two Statements in memorial. The Hon Members to make the Statements should kindly be brief. They must, therefore, choose what they consider most pertinent and say them in less than five minutes. We would then have a comment from each Side and then finish with those. We already know our tall order for the day, so please --
The Hon Minority Leader would pay a tribute in memory of Hon Norbert Awulley, and thereafter, Hon Gyamfi would make one in memory of Hon Nkrumah-Gyimah.
STATEMENTS 11:08 a.m.
Minority Leader (Mr Haruna Iddrisu) 11:08 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to pay this tribute to our former Colleague and Member for Builsa South, Hon Nobert Awulley.
Mr Speaker, Parliament received the news of the passing of Hon Norbert Awulley with great shock, as most of his Colleagues had for some years now not interacted with him, yet believed he was still quite agile, except for the usual ailments associated with aging.
Hon Norbert Awulley's association with Parliament dates back to the 7th of January, 1993 when he was sworn in as one of the pioneer Members from the Builsa South Constituency in the First Parliament of the Fourth Republic. Though a Member for a constituency in the Upper East Region, he is acknowledged for his significant contributions to nation building which transcended the borders of Builsa South to be one of the active voices and advocates for the development of northern Ghana.
Growing up in a typically rural setting with very few basic schools at the time, and of parents who were subsistent farmers, acquisition of formal education was simply not a priority. Extra effort at great cost in terms of pain, sacrifice and exertion of energy by his mother, also a peasant farmer, saw Hon Awulley through his elementary education to eventually qualify as a teacher after his training college education.
Mr Speaker, the late Norbert Awulley was a model Member of Parliament. He was very active and interactive both at Plenary and in Committee. He involved himself deeply in the work of the House and showed demonstrable commitment to all business conducted by Parliament;
from Statements to Questions, Motions and their consequential Resolutions and indeed legislation. He was also very meticulous in correcting Votes and Proceedings at the daily Sittings of the House.
Over his twelve years in Parliament, he served on a number of Committees, including the Committee on Environment, Science and Technology; Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture; the Standing Orders Committee; and the Business Committee. I trust that his death would inspire many of us, particularly Members of Parliament, to take particular interest in all the business of this House.
The late Hon Member, having himself been a product of a rural community, always sought in his contributions to champion the development of the rural areas of the country. He noted rightly that, the holistic development of the nation within the country's limited resource constraint was to use the Common Fund to address economic and social imbalances between the rural and urban areas in the country. Contributing to a Motion on the District Assemblies Common Fund, he had this to say in the Hansard of 29th May, 2003, Col. 717-719, Vol. 41, No. 5,:
“The purpose of the District Assemblies Common Fund is to address imbalances in the development of the country and, for that reason, all that we do here is to share resources in such a way that that imbalance is addressed.
… the needs factor takes about 50 per cent of the weight that is put on the distribution… whatever that influences the distribution of the Fund, should be made available to the District Assemblies so that correspondingly, the expendi- tures that are going to be made from the Fund will be used to address the imbalances that we have identified that are making us put weight to these imbalances.
…:if you use doctor/patient ratio to share money, does that money produce doctors in the area? If you put weight on teacher/pupil ratio, will the additional money sent to the district send teachers to those areas? These are questions that we need to ask ourselves … we need to refine this formula to meet the aspirations of the weights that we put on the formula”.
Mr Speaker 11:08 a.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Minority Leader, particularly, for your sensitivity with regard to the time.
Any contribution? Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu) 11:08 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the late Hon Norbert Awulley ,as we have heard from the Hon Minority Leader, was one of the pioneering Members of the Parliament of the Fourth Republic. I met him in 1997 and he was very gentlemanly in his conduct and demeanour. He was a very affable personality and he took his work very seriously.
He was one person who was very scrutinious and diligent in whatever endeavour he applied himself to. For the business of correcting Votes and Proceedings, I can vouch that he took
over from Hon Kwakye Addo, who between 1997 and 2000, undertook that enterprise. Hon Kwakye Addo was the first to be in the House and whenever it came to correcting Votes and Proceedings, it was his charge to lead the rest of the House in that.
When Hon Kwakye Addo exited, Hon Awulley filled in most efficiently. Not only did he register his presence in the correction of Votes and Proceedings but also in the crafting of laws, Hon Awulley was seen to be a very effective and efficient participant in that endeavour. He made Statements, asked Questions and sought the best for his constituents.
Mr Speaker, I never heard of any ailment, only to hear of his transition. I was shell-shocked when I first heard that he had transitioned. Apparently, he had been dead for more than three weeks when I heard that he had transitioned and I could not bring myself to believe that. The last time I saw him, he was in high spirits and never gave the impression that he was under the weather.
It reinforces the issue that often confronts us; how to take care of Hon Members who exit the Chamber.
We have been talking about instituting a pension scheme and I want to believe that into the next dispensation, perhaps beginning with this Parliament, we would be able to ignite this fire for us to be able to take care of those of us who exit this House, in particular especially, those who might have served a few more terms.
Mr Speaker, this should be a wakeup call because we have had too many transitions soon after Hon Members exit.
Mr Speaker, with this I pray that he has a comfortable rest in the bosom of the God that we all serve.
Mr Speaker 11:18 a.m.
Hon Members, we shall take the second Statement for the late Samuel Nkrumah-Gyimah, who was the former Hon Member for Odotobri.
Tribute to the late Samuel Nkrumah-Gyimah, former Hon
Member of Parliament for Odotobri Constituency.
Mr Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi (NPP -- Odotobri) 11:18 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the space to pay this tribute in honour of our departed Hon Colleague who served the people of
Mr Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi (NPP -- Odotobri) 11:18 a.m.
Odotobri constituency and our dear Country for eight years as a Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2005.
The Late Hon Samuel Nkrumah- Gyimah was born into the Agona Royal family of Jacobu on the 26th July, 1952 by the late Opanin Kwabena Gyimah and Madam Sarah Addai. Hon Samuel Nkrumah- Gyimah was a Christian and worshipped at Wesley Methodist Church at Jacobu.
Hon Gyimah started his formal education at Jacobu Methodist Primary School from 1959 to 1965 where he was always on top of his class. He continued his Middle School education at Local Authority No.1 Middle School at Jacobu and Wesley Practice Middle School in Kumasi.
Mr speaker, between 1967 and 1972, he attended Dunkwa Secondary School (Now Boa Amponsem Senior High School) and became the Senior Prefect during his final year at the School.
Hon Samuel Nkrumah-Gyimah was enrolled at Wesley College for a Post-Secondary Teacher Training and graduated in 1974 with distinction in Practical Teaching.
As a trained teacher, he taught at Asekyerewa Methodist Primary and Bekwai Methodist Middle Schools. Hon Gyimah also travelled to Oyo and Ondo States in Nigeria where he was engaged as a teacher in some secondary schools.
On his return home, he taught at Obuasi Methodist Middle School from where he was admitted to the University of Ghana, Legon to pursue further studies in Theatre. He successfully completed his studies in 1980 with a Diploma in Theatre Studies.
He returned to Ghana Education Service after his studies and was employed as a tutor in English language and Literature-in-English at Acherensua, Bechem Presbyterian and Ejisuman Secondary Schools between 1990 and 1996.
Mr Speaker, Hon Nkrumah- Gyimah launched into politics as a Founding Member of the New Patriotic Party in Odotobri Constituency in 1992 and eventually emerged as a Member of Parliament to represent the people of Odotobri on the 7 th January, 1997. As a Member of Parliament, he championed the creation of Amansie Central District in 2004 which was under the then Amansie East District.
Mr Speaker, Hon Gyimah served as the chairman of the select Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture. He was also appointed as the Chairman of the Welfare-Sub committee of Parliament House Standing committee in 2001.
From 1997 to 2001, he served as the secretary of Ashanti Region Caucus of Parliamentarians.
Hon Gyimah was also a member of the Forum of African and Arab States Parliamentarians on Population and Development ( FAAPPD), member of Commonwealth Parliamentarians Association(CPA), member of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) and a member of the National Democratic Institute of International Affairs.
In Sports, he was a member of the successful bid delegation for the Confederation of African Nations (CAN) in 2008. He was also a member of the Local Organisation Committee of CAN 2008 which organised the successful tournament in Ghana.
He served also as a member of the leadership of the Ghana delegation for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and 2002 Commonwealth Nations Games in Manchester.
Mr Speaker, Hon Samuel Nkrumah-Gyimah was an ardent supporter of Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Manchester United.
In Government, he was the Vice- Chairman of the National Commission on Culture. As a result of the enormous responsibilities, he travelled extensively across the Globe and visited many countries in Africa, Europe, America and Asia.
He was given the Excellence Award by the National Democratic Institute for Internal Affairs, Washington DC for Excellence in Democratic Leadership.
Mr Speaker, the good people of Odotobri constituency will forever remember Hon Gyimah for his contribution to Education, that is construction of decent classroom blocks; provision of social amenities like boreholes, electrification and many other support given to the constituents.
He left behind a wife and four children.
The Agona Royal family of Jacobu, the Widow and Children and the entire people in the Odotobri constituency have lost a great Servant Leader who worked tirelessly to help develop the constituency and Ghana as a whole.

[[MR GYAMFI] [ALHAJI MUNTAKA]

May the God almighty grant him everlasting rest.

Rest in Peace.
Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka (NDC -- Asawase) 11:18 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise to contribute to the Statement and also to pay tribute to our late Hon Colleague. Even though we did not come to meet him in the House, because our constituencies are in the same region and having also worked in this House for eight years, I cannot but extend my condolences to the family.
Mr Speaker, I do not want to repeat some of the comments made by the Hon Majority Leader but it brings to fore how we treat ourselves after we exit this House. If we look at the disadvantages Parliament has gone through over the years, I must commend you sincerely for the courage to extend our health facility to our former Hon Colleagues and their spouses even though it has not been fully captured in the emoluments.
Mr Speaker, as the Hon Majority Leader mentioned with regard to the issue of pension, what comes to mind when I see former Hon Colleagues is that yesterday, they were like us and
definitely tomorrow, we would be like them. When we see what they have become today, one may ask, whether he or she may like to be like the way they are? The best we can do is to put the necessary measures in place to ensure that the plight of our former Hon Colleagues do not continue to be what it is because one day, some day at a time, we would also be former Hon Members of Parliament.
Mr Speaker, we should not just lament without taking any action. I have suggested and I have seen some good initiative from you - for example, the Lobby that leads to the Chamber has pictures of both past and present Hon Majority Leaders and Hon Minority Leaders. We need to extend this to every Hon Member of Parliament who has been in this House. Even if we do not have their pictures, we could have their names displayed.
Almost every floor in Job 600 has a lot of space that we could display names of former Hon Members. We need to do this because it is a necessity. Some Ministries have the pictures of all their Hon Ministers who have served that Ministry from the day Ghana attained independence up till today. However, in Parliament when an Hon Member exits the House for just four years, he or she is completely
forgotten to the extent that when his or her name is mentioned, people ask who that person was. This is not right.
Mr Speaker, it is not surprising that many Hon Members who come to this House are not enthused to work first, as parliamentarians but usually have their eyes on becoming Hon Ministers. It is those of us who have spent a long time in this House that would rather make this place an attractive place for people to want to belong to here than to want to belong to elsewhere.
There is a clear example in the United States of America because very few Congress men would want to be called Secretaries, maybe, with the exception of the Defence Secretary and the Secretary of State. No Congress person wants to be a Secretary because he or she feels very proud as a Congress person. This is what we need to do and on days like these when we remember our fallen heroes, we need to remind ourselves that we still have a lot of work to do.
Mr Speaker, I have said it severally in this House that the disadvantage that we have had is the intermittent coup d'etats because each time there is one, Parliament suffers. So, Ghanaians do not seem to be familiar
with Parliament and each time something is to be done for Parliament there are a lot of resistances. It is for us to work very hard to let our citizens appreciate what we do and why some more resources need to be extended to this House and certain things need to be done to elevate the position of an Hon Member of Parliament.
Mr Speaker, I take this opportunity, once again, to extend my condolence and that of the Minority to the family and I hope that when the time for his burial comes, all the necessary courtesies would be done and we would also be present to bid him farewell.
May his soul rest in peace.
Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu) 11:28 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the space given me to also contribute to the Statement paying tribute to the late Nkrumah- Gyimah, who was one of the pioneer members the NPP fielded into the Second Parliament of this Fourth Republic.
Mr Speaker, he represented the people of Odotobri Constituency and before Nkrumah-Gyimah came to Parliament, he had trained as a teacher
Mr Speaker 11:28 a.m.
I thank you very much, Hon Majority Leader.
Hon Members, shall we rise for one minute silence in honour of our two former colleagues.
Mr Speaker 11:28 a.m.
May the souls of the late Hon Norbert Awuley and the late Hon Samuel Nkrumah Gyimah rest in perfect peace. Amen.
All Hon Members: Amen.
Mr Speaker 11:28 a.m.
Hon Members, at the Commencement of Public Business, item numbered 4(a), by the Hon Minister for Finance.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:28 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Deputy Minister for Finance would do the presentation of
the Paper listed as 4(a) on behalf of the Minister for Finance.
PAPERS 11:28 a.m.
Mr Speaker 11:28 a.m.
Hon Members, item numbered 4(b) by the Chairman of the Committee.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:28 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on behalf of the technical committee that was formed by the Standing Orders Committee, I will want to present this Paper to Parliament.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:38 a.m.
(i) Report of the Standing Orders Committee on the Review of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.
(ii) The Proposed Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana, November 2020.

By the Chairman of the Committee --

Report of the Committee on Defence and Interior on the National Signals Bureau Bill,

2020.

By the Chairman of the Committee --

(i) Report of the Finance Committee on the Facility Agreement among the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance), Deutsche Bank AG (as Original Covered Lender), and Export Credits Guarantee Department (operating as UK Export Finance [as

Direct Lender and Covered Lenders' Guarantor) for an amount of one hundred and forty-five million, four hundred and two thousand, two hundred and ninety-eight euros eighty-five cents (€145,402,298.85) to finance Tranche 2 of phase 2 of the Redevelopment and Modernisation of the Kumasi Central Market and its Associated Infrastructure in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

By the Chairman of the Committee --

(ii) Report of the Finance Committee on the Facility Agreement among the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance), Deutsche Bank AG (as Agent, Arranger, and Structuring Bank), and African Export-Import Bank (as Original Lender) for an amount of thirty-nine million, five hundred thousand euros (€39,500,000.00) to finance Tranche 2 of phase 2 of the Redevelopment and Moder- nisation of the Kumasi Central Market and its Associated Infrastructure in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

(iii) Report of the Finance Committee on the Amended and Restated On-Lending Agreement (amending the On-Lending Agreement dated 22nd September 2014) between the Govern- ment of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) for the Ghana cedi equivalent of two hundred and ninety-five million United States Dollars (US$295,000,000.00) for the Redevelopment and Modernisation of the Kumasi Central Market and its Associated Infrastructure.

(iv) Report of the Finance Committee on the EKF- Backed Loan Facility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and Standard Chartered Bank, London (as Original Lender, Agent, Structuring Bank, and Mandated Lead Arranger) for an amount of fifty-eight million, and fifty-eight thousand, five hundred and twenty-two euros ninety-nine cents (€58,058,522.99) [including Eksport Kredit

Fonden backed guarantee] to finance the Supply and Erection of Electrical Materials and Equipment for the Electrification of 205 Communities in the Upper East Region (SHEP 4) - Phase 2.

(v) Report of the Finance Committee on the Additional Financing Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and the ING Bank of Belgium SA/NV for an amount of four million, seven hundred and fifteen thousand, eight hundred and ninety-eight euros (€4,715,898.00) being loan component of the cost of seven million, twelve thousand, four hundred and ninety-eight euros (€7,012,498.00) to finance the Upper East Regional Water Supply Project.

(vi) Report of the Finance Committee on the Financing Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and the International Development Association for an amount of
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:48 a.m.
(represented by the Ministry of Finance), Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA [as Original Lender]), and ING Bank N.V. of Netherlands (as Arranger and Agent) for an amount of twenty-seven million, seven hundred and eighty-six thousand, four hundred and thirty-three euros five cents (€27,786,433.05) to finance the Establ ishment of Twelve (12) State-of-the- Art Technical and Vocational Education Training Centres- Phase II.
(xiv) Report of the Finance Committee on the State-to- State Loan Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium for an amount of eight million euros (€8,000,000.00) to finance the Supply and Installation of Integrated E-Learning Laboratories in Senior High Schools (TELEVIC Phase
II).

(xv) Report of the Finance Committee on the Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Minister for Finance) and KBC Bank NV of Belgium for an amount of three million, eight hundred and sixty-six thousand, four hundred and twenty-five euros twenty cents (€3,866,425.20 [including Credendo ECA insurance premium of (€272,425.20]) to finance the supply and installation of Integrated E- Learning Laboratories in Senior High Schools (TELEVIC Phase II).

(xvi) Report of the Finance Committee on the Export Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and Unicredit Bank Austria AG for an amount of eight million, two hundred and eighty thousand euros (€8,280,000.00) to finance the upgrading and enhancement of 2 Technical

Institutes and 4 Technical High Schools - Phase III.

(xvii) Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of Import Duties, Import VAT, GETFund Levy, NHIL, EXIM Levy, Special Import Levy and Domestic VAT amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of seven hundred and thirteen thousand, two hundred and sixty-three euros (€713,263.00 [made up of €624,932.00 on imports and €88,331.00 on local purchases]) on materials, equipment, and services to be procured in respect of the upgrading and enhancement of 2 Technical Institutes and 4 Technical High Schools - Phase III.

(xviii) Report of the Finance Committee on the Sovereign Guarantee Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment & Development (EBID) in Favor of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment & Development as Security for a Term Loan Facility amounting to fifty

million United States dollars (US$50,000,000.00) to partially finance the construction of certain road projects from Accra to Kumasi in the Republic of Ghana.

(xix) Report of the Finance Committee on the Credit Agreement between the Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited (CBG) and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment & Development (EBID) (with Government of the Republic of Ghana as Guarantor) for an amount of fifty million United States dollars (US$50,000,000.00) to partially finance the construction of certain road projects from Accra to Kumasi in the Republic of Ghana.

(xx) Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of Import Duties, Import VAT, GETFund Levy, NHIL, EXIM Levy, Special Import Levy and Domestic VAT amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of twenty-five million, eight hundred and thirteen thousand, eight hundred and fifty United
Mr Speaker 11:48 a.m.
Item numbered 4(e) - -Hon Chairman of the Committee on Works and Housing.
(e) By the Chairman of the Committee --
Report of the Committee on Works and Housing on the Addendum to the Works Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ghana Water Company Limited under the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources) and Messrs Denys Engineers and Contractors B.V. of Netherlands for an amount of six million, two hundred and five, thousand four hundred and thirty-one euros twenty-one cents (€6,205,431.21) for the Upper East Region Water Supply Project.
Mr Speaker 11:48 a.m.
Item numbered 5(f) -- Hon Chairman of the Committee on Education.
By the Chairman of the Committee --
(i) Report of the Committee on Education on the Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Education) and a Consortium of SUMEC Complete Equipment & Engineering Company Limited and Planet One Education Limited for an amount of one hundred and eighty-five million, two hundred and forty-two thousand, eight hundred and eighty-seven euros (€185,242,887.00) for the Establishment of Twelve (12) State-of-the-Art Technical and Vocational Education Training Centres- Phase II.
(ii) Report of the Committee on Education on the Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Education) and Televic Group NV of Belgium for an amount of eleven million, five hundred and ninety-four thousand euros (€11,594,000.00) for the supply and installation of Integrated E-Learning
Laboratories in Senior High Schools (TELEVIC Phase
II).
(iii) Report of the Committee on Education on the Supply Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Education) and VACE Systemtechnik GmbH of Austria for an amount of eight million, two hundred and eighty thousand euros (€8,280,000.00) for the supply of equipment, services and civil works for the upgrading and enhancement of 2 Technical Institutes and 4 Technical High Schools - Phase III.
Mr Speaker 11:48 a.m.
Item numbered 5(g) -- Hon Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs?
By the Chairman of the Committee --
(i) Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the Memorandum of Under- standing between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission relating to the implementation of the National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Centre in Accra, Ghana.
(ii)Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the National Centre for the Coordination of Early Warning and Response Mechanism Bill, 2020.
Mr Speaker 11:48 a.m.
Item numbered 5(h) -- Hon Chairman of the Committee on Environment, Science and Technology?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:48 a.m.
Mr Speaker, an Hon Member of the Committee would present the Paper on behalf of the Hon Chairman of the Committee.
By Dr Emmanuel Marfo on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee --
Report of the Committee on Environment, Science and Tech- nology on the Budget Performance Report in Respect of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation for the Period of January to December, 2019.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:48 a.m.
Mr Speaker, as agreed yesterday, the Hon Minister responsible for National Security was to come to the House today to present a Statement to us. The Hon Minister is here and so we would want to listen to him. After that, we would go into a Committee of the Whole and listen to some matters.
For now, we can listen to the Hon Minister for National Security.
Mr Speaker 11:48 a.m.
Very well. Hon Minister for National Security?
STATEMENTS 11:58 a.m.
Minister for National Security (Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah) 11:58 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am in the House today to make a Statement on the state of security of our dear country. As we are all aware, ensuring security for the population is a cardinal tenet of good governance in any democratic state.
Mr Speaker, since the advent of the Fourth Republic, past and present Governments have prioritised the protection of our territorial sovereignty against external threats and also created a secured environment to contain all internal threats. This feat of securing a peaceful environment has, in fact, earned Ghana the accolade as one of the peaceful and most secured countries in Africa.
Mr Speaker, we are now in extraordinary times. It is extraordinary times because despite our successes in ensuring peace and stability under the Fourth Republic, the emerging security threats that confront the nation are far more complex today than before. Internally, the country has over the last four years grappled with threats of terrorism, maritime security , election - related threats and succession threats.
Mr Speaker, in addition, high profile crimes such as murder, kidnapping, chieftaincy disputes, among others, have threatened to undermine the security of the State.
Fourthly, Mr Speaker, the Government, in collaboration with state security actors have been proactive in dealing with threats confronting the country, and I shall try
to outline some key national security concerns that have occurred in the past years.
Mr Speaker, activities of secessionist groups advocating for an independent Western Togoland have increased in recent times. Until recently, the Homeland Study Group Foundation had been the foremost group spearheading the secessionist agenda. However, some criminal splinter groups have sprung up, and they include the Western Togoland Restoration Front and the People‘s Liberation Council.
Mr Speaker, the event of 25th September, 2020 where members of the Western Togoland Restoration Front mounted attacks at Aveyime and Mepe police stations simultaneously and blocked the Juapong -- Accra and Sogakofe -- Accra main roads remain fresh in our minds. State security and intelligence agencies responded effectively in dealing with the threats posted by the Western Togoland Restoration Front.
Mr Speaker, the kidnapping and the subsequent death of the three Takoradi girls which occurred from 17th August to 21st December, 2018 remain one of the most daunting security challenges to have confronted the nation. Investigations led to the
arrest of the two accused persons who are currently standing trial for the suspected murder of the girls.
Mr Speaker, the lessons drawn from the murder of the Takoradi girls proved invaluable for the security agencies in rescuing the two Canadian girls who were kidnapped in June 2019. The suspects who were involved in the kidnapping have been arraigned before court and are currently standing trial. Unfortunately, Mr Speaker, the high profile murder case of the investigative journalist, Mr Ahmed Swaleh is yet to be cracked.
Mr Speaker, The recent unfortunate incidents of some high profile killings, among others, also created serious concerns among Ghanaians. Thankfully, the Ghana Police Service, in all the cases, have made significant breakthroughs and have arrested suspects connected to these crimes.
Mr Speaker, again, chieftaincy disputes continue to pose serious challenges to the security of the country. Disagreements in Tolon, Funsi, Mogneigu, Some, Bole and Teshie are but a few of the delicate chieftaincy disputes that have been recorded in recent past.
Minister for National Security (Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah) 12:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thanks to the proactiveness of the District, Municipal and Regional Security Councils who work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs and the National and Regional Houses of Chiefs, majority of these disputes are receiving serious attention for resolution.
Mr Speaker, these recent security developments have engendered heated public debates about the effectiveness of Ghana's intelligence architecture in pre-empting impending dangers. For instance, some Ghanaians have wondered why the evens of 25th September, with respect to the Western Togoland affairs occurred in the first place.
Mr Speaker, while these concerns may be valid, I humbly disagree with the assertion that the occurrence of some of these regrettable incidents amount to incompetence or intelligence failure.
Mr Speaker, I have come to the solemn realisation that there exists a perpetual but necessary conflict between security and transparency. Whereas the tenets of democracy impress upon us to constantly make information available, the need to protect the State requires that some
information be kept secret. Mr Speaker, it is this conflict that often rhymes the general public from appreciating the works of State security and intelligence agencies. Mr Speaker, this conflict is well expressed in a profound Statement by the former president of the United State of America (USA), President Barak Obama, and I would want to quote him, with your permission.
“National security requires a delicate balance. On the one hand, our democracy depends on transparency. On the other hand, some information must be protected from public disclosure for the sake of our security.”
Therefore, Mr Speaker, the fact that some information regarding pre- emptive measures instituted to forestall some of these threats are not given out for public consumption, does not constitute intelligence failure.
Mr Speaker, I can outline some of the security and intelligence successes that we have seen in recent times. The resolution of the Dagbon crisis represents a remarkable achievement in our nation's history. The delicate and complex nature of the crisis defines it as one of the most difficult national security issues in the past two decades. The successful installation of a new Yaa Naa accepted by both the Abudu and Andani gates can be
described as a leadership masterstroke by Government and indeed the people of Ghana.
Through the difficult journey of resolving that crisis, the blueprint for dealing with chieftaincy disputes has evolved and given a new template for the amicable resolution of chieftaincy disputes in the country as a whole.

Mr Speaker, permit me, also, to remind the House of the events of 20th September, 2019 when a combined team of security and intelligence agencies foiled an attempt to destabilise the country. I vividly remember that many Ghanaians took that development for granted. But I can assure you and the good people of Ghana that the swift operation by the intelligence community was a destiny-defining moment that saved us from a possible destabilisation attempt which could have truncated our democracy.

Mr Speaker, once again, I would want to remind the House of the threats confronting the country from the sub-region and the measures implemented to insulate Ghana against threats of terrorism. Recently, the sub- region has recorded a surge in terrorist activities. The fast-paced

nature of the threat particularly in the Sahel and the diverse groups involved imply that one country alone cannot effectively erect barriers against terrorism. Recognising the need for cooperation and collaboration with other countries as the best approach in securing ourselves against the marauding effects of terrorism in the sub-region, Ghana, under the distinguished leadership of President Akufo-Addo, spearheaded the establishment of the Accra Initiative in September 2017.

Mr Speaker, the initiative, comprising seven countries namely; Benin, Burkina Faso, La Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Mali and Niger has been vital in enhancing information and intelligence sharing, the training of security and intelligence personnel and conducting joint cross- border military operations to sustain border security. The birth of operations Koudanlgou I and II by the Accra initiative has proven to be integral in preventing the spread of terrorism.

Additionally, Mr Speaker, the Ministry of National Security has ensured the successful establishment of the National Counter Terrorism Fusion Centre and the publication of the National Framework for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Ghana. As a result of thisframework, Ghana
Minister for National Security (Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah) 12:18 p.m.


I would want to thank the personnel of the security and intelligence agencies for their hard work and also for their relentless efforts in serving Mother Ghana.

Mr Speaker, as the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections approach, we believe that the country is confronted with a huge test in the area of election-related violence, given the high stakes involved in competitive political contexts in Ghana and also on the continent.

Even when there is a common goal to be pursued, the very nature of democratic politics creates disagreements resulting from the political differences and interests of competing political parties. But the pursuit of our interest should not be allowed to deepen the political fault lines, which when unchecked could degenerate into political instability.

I therefore want to sound a clarion call to all political parties and all other stakeholders to uphold unity as the ultimate value that should guide our actions before, during and after the December elections. Truly, it will be

self-defeating and meaningless to pursue our political interests at the detriment of the State.

Mr Speaker, two things, however, give me cause for hope and assurance that we can overcome all these fears. Firstly, a few days ago, we held a meeting with some notable security gurus within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at my office, where both parties unanimously condemned the violent activities of the Western Togoland Restoration Front and further pledged to ensure a violence free elections.

Again, I am similarly happy that an NDC Parliamentary Candidate who is reported to have made some disparaging comments insinuating violence, has since come out to apologise and called for peaceful elections. Certainly, Mr Speaker, if we all do this, we can be sure of a free, fair and violence - free elections. Together, we can build the Ghana that we all desire.

Mr Speaker that said, it is worth noting that adequate measures are currently being instituted to ensure violent-free elections. I would want to assure Ghanaians that the National Elections Security Task Force is ready to provide adequate security against

potential electoral violence and all other acts of lawlessness. In the end, Ghana shall emerge victorious

Mr Speaker, as the successful first term of President Akufo-Addo draws to an end, I wish to thank you, I also want to thank the Leadership of Parliament and the Hon Members for the support given to the Ministry over the years to ensure that a secured and peaceful environment is provided for all Ghanaians. I particularly wish to recognise the cooperation and support received from the Hon Chairman and Hon Members, especially the Hon Ranking Member of the Select Committee on Defence and the Interior who has helped shape the policies and actions over the years.

Mr Speaker, at times, they have been very critical, just as many other institutions and Ghanaians have been critical of what they do. We do not get annoyed because of these criticisms. Today, these criticisms are the consultancies that we do not have to pay for. We just have to receive them in good faith and in the quiet of our bedrooms, review them and see which ones we can take on board.

Mr Speaker, I am encouraged by the activities of the security and intelligence agencies. I am convinced that we would have elections that will

be free and fair. I am not convinced that we will not have any violence, as we have not said, anybody who is thinking of engaging in violent activities should be informed that the security and intelligence agencies will be ready for them, and it will not matter where they are coming from. This we promise Ghana!

Mr Speaker, I thank you and I thank the House. Long live Ghana and may God bless us all.
Mr Speaker 12:18 p.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Minister for your briefing.
Yes, Hon Majority Leader, how do we go about this? Leaders, have you done some consultation?
Minority Leader (Mr Haruna Iddrisu) 12:18 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Majority Leader reached out to me to consult on the matter. We understand that the Hon Ranking Member and the Hon Chairman of the Committee on Defence and the Interior will make some comments. There are other major stakeholders that we would have to listen to, including the Electoral Commission. After their comments, the Hon Majority Leader and I will make brief comments, and then we will recline to the Committee of the Whole to hear the others.
Mr Speaker 12:18 p.m.
Yes, Hon Ranking Member?
Mr James Agalga (NDC -- Builsa North) 12:28 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to first and foremost commend the Hon Minister for National Security for the briefing he has given this House on the state of security in our dear country.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister in his briefing has outlined a number of emerging security threats to our dear country, and proceeded to outline some success chalked by this Administration in the management of our national security.
Mr Speaker, I would like to briefly touch on some emerging security threats that this country had to grapple with over the period and Government's handling of those threats. Mr Speaker, first of all, I would like to state the recent attack unleashed on our country by the secessionist group in the Volta Region, which is a matter that really touched on our national sovereignty. It was the first bold attempt by a group to directly challenge or to launch an assault against the sovereignty of our beloved country, Ghana.
Mr Speaker, after the attack, some statements were made to the effect, and these statements have now been
corroborated by the Hon Minister that there were some intelligence that had been gathered prior to the attack, and that Government's own response to the attack should not be interpreted as an intelligence failure. He quoted extensively from some security experts on the subject.
Mr Speaker, the point I would like to make is that Government's own position that the intelligence on the subject prior to the attack, could have resulted in a more proactive way on the path of our security agencies in foiling the attack.

Mr Speaker, the attack that was launched was very brazen. Police Stations were attacked, and arms were taken away by the secessionists. I think that moving forward, we should be more proactive when intelligence is gathered. Sharing of intelligence is very crucial in this respect, and I would like to note that once the attack was launched, we could be more proactive in rolling out preventive measures the next time that we gather intelligence on the activities of those groups.

Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister also alluded to the thought of kidnapping, and how the three Takoradi girls were taken hostage and subsequently

murdered. At about the same time, two Canadian girls were also kidnapped. Some have suggested that the speed with which our security agencies acted in relation to the attack and kidnapping of the Canadian girls, though commendable in a way, could have been replicated in our quest to rescue the Takoradi girls.

However, that is history now. We would like to admonish that our security agencies in fighting crime, should deploy measures that would lead to the rescue of all, rather than a setback, only to uncover dead bodies after the crimes have been committed.

Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister has touched on election security and related issues. Around this time of the year, what is the singular most important issue that should engage the attention of all? Government on its part has given the assurances that measures have been rolled out to guarantee the safety and peace of this country during the conduct of the elections, and after the elections.

Mr Speaker, the country has had the experience of going through successive elections, starting from 1992. Events leading up to the conduct of a recent by-election in Ayawaso West Wuogon, actually makes us feel jittery about the

prospects for peace in the upcoming elections. It is our admonishing and prayer that the events that reared their ugly heads during the conduct of the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-elections would not repeat itself, moving into the Presidential and Parliamentary General Elections. What happened at Ayawaso West Wuogon, if it is to repeat itself, definitely would mar the beauty of the upcoming elections and the peace of our country.

Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister has alluded to the success story of the Dagbon Chieftaincy crises to emanate from, the Accra initiative. The Accra initiative by Government has been commendable, but I have always maintained that the exclusion of Nigeria from the Accra initiative makes the initiative incomplete. So moving forward, efforts should be made to bring in Nigeria, our regional giant, to make the initiative complete.

Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.
Mr Kwame Seth Acheampong (NPP -- Mpraeso) 12:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to add my voice to the Statement made by the Hon Minister for National Security, a proud former Hon Member of this House, who has really brought a lot of dignity and experience to bear in the management of our public safety.
Minority Leader (Mr Haruna Iddrisu) 12:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, let me thank you, at least, as the Rt Hon Speaker of the House, for engaging the Hon Minister for National Security in the public interest to brief the people's representatives on his efforts to combat crime, and generally assure us of his preparedness of the safety and security of all Ghanaians.
Mr Speaker, we will take the word of the Hon Minister for National Security. It is reassuring. I would want to assure him of our avowed commitment to the unity, peace and stability of the country. We should work together. I foresee a Ghana where tomorrow, the conduct of elections should pass as a natural course like a childbirth, no threat of infant or maternal mortality, but just a normal transition.
The Hon Minister used the words “false notion of insecurity”. Yes, there is insecurity in the country, but
Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu) 12:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to thank the Hon Minister for National Security for availing himself to give this assurance to the country that the Ministry and indeed Government, are in firm control of the matters that portend to rough the State.
Mr Speaker, it is related to the activities within the front of the Western Togoland Restoration Front, the Homeland Study Group and the kidnapping and death of the three
Takoradi girls, the adoption and rescue of the two Canadian girls, some high profile killings and also chieftaincy issues.
Mr Speaker, we are all aware that what used to obtain in the past, in respect of the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI), the recent law that this House passed, the National Security and Intelligence Agencies law, is what the Ministry is instituting to provide a complete re-orientation to the intelligence agencies.
Mr Speaker, we should see the end of the days when the intelligence agencies were involved in debt collection and arresting people at the least pretence. Mr Speaker, that should be the face of the past, and what the Ministry is doing, bringing the proposals for us to craft this new law, should be satisfactory. We should all join to assist the Ministry in the new path that they would want to beat for intelligence gathering in order to forestall what may end up as a disaster for this country.
In spite of the achievements of the Ministry, we should all recognise that we are not out of the woods which is why the reference to the attempt by certain people to secede should be condemned, and I am happy that all
Mr Speaker, article 35(6)(a) is also very frontal on this. It provides 12:48 p.m.
“Towards the achievement of the objectives stated in clause (5) of this article, the State shall take appropriate measures to --
(a)foster a spirit of loyalty to Ghana that overrides sectional, ethnic and other loyalties;”
Mr Speaker, every now and then, we should remind ourselves that having resolved to live together in our country with a common destiny as one people, absolutely nobody has any right to raise issues of succession.

Having said so, we should also admit that in the lead up to elections, we need to be assured that the elections would be conducted in a very transparent and peaceful manner. I believe that the matters relating to the incident that happened at Ayawaso West Wuogon in the conduct of the by-elections should be condemned. They are reprehensible and should be condemned.

What I think we should not encourage is picking and choosing. National Security operatives have been involved in by-elections and elections that we have held. Many of them have proved to be very disastrous relating to the elections that we have conducted. If we have to raise issues and encourage the Police to be at the forefront of securing the elections, we must say so.

Mr Speaker, I believe that it is not right when people relate to only the Ayawaso incident. It should be a watershed mark for us, never to go there again but it is not the only incident in respect of elections. We had a Government that run to bite the bullet and set up a Committee to deal with it. To me, that should be the landmark event, but it is not the only one.

In Chereponi, when we had the National Security involve themselves, we had National Security operatives from the Castle at the time, come and shoot at seven people. It should be another matter that we should resolve to do away with. There should be no hypocrisy in this matter. I think that when we want to confront reality, let us do so and come to equity with clean hands and I think that it would matter to all of us.

Mr Speaker, I must once again congratulate the Hon Minister for National Security for being forthright with us. Let us all be forthright with ourselves. Thank you very much.
Mr Speaker 12:48 p.m.
Thank you very much Hon Majority Leader for your contribution. Where do we move from here Leaders? [Pause]
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we have listened to the Hon
Minister for National Security and I think that yesterday, we resolved that after hearing him, we would recline into a Committee of the Whole to allow some other stakeholders involved in election security to speak to us. So, at this stage, I guess we can recline to a Committee of the Whole.
Mr Iddrisu 12:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Majority Leader has asked that we go into a Committee of the Whole, so that we engage the other stakeholders. Thank you.
Mr Speaker 12:48 p.m.
The House will suspend sitting for a while as we dissolve into a Committee of the Whole, presided over by the Hon First Deputy Speaker.
1.00 p.m. --Sitting suspended.
6.24 p.m. -- Sitting resumed.
MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:48 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, where do we continue from?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, if we could go to the Order Paper Addendum?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:48 p.m.
Do we start from item numbered 1?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:48 p.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:48 p.m.
Very well.
Hon Members, item numbered 1 -- Presentation of Papers.
Item numbered 1 (a) (i) by the Hon Minister for Finance.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, if I could present the Papers on behalf of the Hon Minister for Finance because the Hon Minister for Finance has a meeting with the Finance Committee.
PAPERS 12:48 p.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:48 p.m.
Item numbered 1(b).
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, again, if I may present the Paper on behalf of the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:48 p.m.
Very well.
By the Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu) on behalf of the (Minister for Roads and Highways) --
Design-Build Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Roads and Highways) and Gabriel Couto- Rango Consortium for an amount of sixty-five million euros (€65,000,000.00) for the Design and Construction of 85kms of Arterial Roads and Critical Local Road Develop- ment Project in Teshie-Nungua, Accra.
Referred to the Committee on Roads and Transport.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:48 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, what next?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we could take item numbered 5 on the Order Paper Addendum.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:48 p.m.
Hon Members, Item numbered 5 on the Order Paper Addendum -- the Patents (Amendment) Bill, 2018 at the Consideration Stage.
BILLS -- CONSIDERATION 12:48 p.m.
STAGE 12:48 p.m.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, if I may stand on behalf of the Hon Chairman of the Committee to move this amendment?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:48 p.m.
Very well.
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu on behalf of the (Chairman of the Committee) 12:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 1, paragraph (a), subparagraph (f), before “biological'', insert “essentially''.
The new rendition would read:
“essentially biological processes for the protection of plants or animals other than micro- biological processes and all or part of natural living beings and biological materials found in
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 12:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 1 paragraph (b), subparagraph (h), delete and insert the following:
“known substance for which new use has been discovered except where the use of the known substance does not constitute an invention under subsection (1) of subsection
(3).”
Mr Speaker, we must get the rendition correct because it cannot be “subsection (1) of subsection (3)''. I guess it should be “paragraph 1 of subsection (3)'' but even with that I want to do a minor amendment in the first line.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, in line 1, insert the indefinite article “a'' before the “new'' and the “subsection (3)'', should also be “section 3''.
The new rendition would read:
“known substance for which a new use has been discovered
except where the use of the known substance does not constitute an invention under subsection (1) of section 3''.
Question put and amendment agreed to.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Ben Abdallah Banda) 6:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 1, paragraph (c), delete.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 6:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, what they have done is to combine the paragraph (b) (h) with paragraph (c), so that is why the paragraph (c) has been deleted.
Question put and amendment agreed to.
Clause 1 as amended ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Clause 2 -- Section 3 of Act 657 amended
Mr Banda 6:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 2, delete.
Question put and amendment agreed to.
Clause 2 ordered to be deleted from the Bill.
Clause 3 -- Section 5 of Act 657 amended.
Mr Banda 6:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 3, paragraph (a), subsection (5), line 3, delete “highly skilled” and insert “having ordinary skill”.
Question put and amendment agreed to.
Mr Banda 6:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 3, paragraph (b), subsection (5A), line 3, delete “highly skilled” and insert “having ordinary skill”.
Question put and amendment agreed to.
Mr Banda 6:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 3, paragraph (b), subsection (5B), line 3, delete “highly skilled” and insert “having ordinary skill”.
Question put and amendment agreed to.
Mr Banda 6:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 3, paragraph (b), subsection (5D), delete and insert the following:
“(5D) For the purpose of this section, a person having
ordinary skill in the art refers to a person having normal skill and knowledge in a particular technical field.”
Question put and amendment agreed to.
Mr Banda 6:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 3, paragraph (b), subsection (5E), line 1, delete “a”.
Question put and amendment agreed to.
Clause 3 as amended ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Clause 4 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Clause 5 -- Section 11 of Act 657 amended
Mr Banda 6:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 5, paragraph (a), subsection (4), subparagraph (g), sub- subparagraph (ii), line 3, delete “it” and insert “the product”.
Mr Speaker, we would want to avoid the use of the pronoun and the substitution of same with the subject “itself”.
Question put and amendment agreed to.
Mr Banda 6:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 5, paragraph (b), subsection, (4D), subparagraph (a), opening phrase, line 2, delete “it” and insert “the product”.
Question put and amendment agreed to.
Mr Banda 6:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 5, paragraph (b), subsection (4D), subparagraph (b), line 6, delete “that” and insert “the”.
It is consequential.
Question put and amendment agreed to.
Mr Banda 6:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 5, paragraph (b), subsection (4E), line 2, delete “Minister's decision” and insert “decision of the Minister”.
This is just to avoid the possessive.
Question put and amendment agreed to.
Clause 5 as amended ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Clause 6 -- Section 12 of Act 657 amended
Mr Banda 6:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 6, paragraph (a), subsection (3), line 3, delete “subcharge” and insert “surcharge”.
Question put and amendment agreed to.
Mr Banda 6:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 6, paragraph (b), subsection (5), subparagraph (b), line 1, before “rights”, delete “that” and insert “the”.
Question put and amendment agreed to.
Clause 6 as amended ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Clause 7 -- Section 41 of Act 657 amended
Mr Banda 6:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, clause 7, paragraph (a), lines 1 and 2, delete “in the interpretation”.
Question put and amendment agreed to.
Clause 7 as amended ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 6:44 p.m.
Hon Members, the Long title.
Question put and amendment agreed to.
The Long Title ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 6:44 p.m.
That brings us to the end of the Consideration of the Patents (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
Yes, Hon Majority Leader, what next?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 6:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, item numbered 53 on the original Order Paper.
MOTIONS 6:44 p.m.
Mr Ras Mubarak 6:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
BILLS -- SECOND READING 6:44 p.m.
Mr Banda 6:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to support the Motion ably moved by the Hon Attorney-General and Minister for Justice. In so doing, I present your Committee's Report.
Introduction
The Judicial Service Bill, 2020 was laid in Parliament on Tuesday, 6th October, 2020 by the Hon Attorney- General and Minister for Justice, Miss Gloria Afua Akuffo in accordance with article 106 of the Constitution.
Consequently, the Rt Hon Speaker referred the Bill to the Judiciary Committee for consideration and report pursuant to the provisions of the Standing Orders of the House.
Deliberations
The Committee met with the Chief Justice, His Lordship, Justice Anin Yeboah and other members of the Judicial Council and the Hon. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Miss. Gloria Afua Akuffo to consider the Bill. Officials of the Office of the Attorney-General were in attendance to assist in the deliberations.
The Committee expresses its profound gratitude to the Chief Justice, the Hon. Attorney-General and the Officials for attending upon the Committee and for assisting in the deliberations.
Reference Documents
The Committee referred to the following documents during the deliberations:
i. The 1992 Constitution of the Republic;
ii. The Standing Orders of Parliament, 2000;
iii. The Judicial Service Act, 1960 (CA 10); and
iv. The Judicial Service (Amend- ment) Act, 1984 (PNDCL
85).
Mr First Deputy Speaker 6:54 p.m.
Yes, Hon Ranking Member?
Alhaji Inusah A. B. Fuseini (NDC -- Tamale Central) 6:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion on the floor of the House and to make a few contributions.
Mr Speaker, the law that regulates the Judicial Service was passed as a Constitutional Instrument in 1960. There is the saying that the law that regulates the Service is outmoded, and it is not consistent with the 1992 Constitution and has many defects. All attempts by the Statute Review Commissioner to make it consistent with the Constitution has left some defects which cannot be corrected. It is a unique opportunity for us as a Parliament to bring the legislation that regulates the Judicial Service up to date.
Mr Speaker, this is a straightforward Bill. Half of the provisions of the Bill emanates from the 1992 Constitution. The other half
provides for matters which are normal and standard provisions in this House. I believe that if we address it considering the Bill, we should be able to take them and finish in no time.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 6:54 p.m.
Hon Member, “in no time” means we can do it today. Can we take the Consideration of the Judicial Service Bill, 2020 today?
Alhaji I. A. B. Fuseini 6:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I believe that if you are minded to indulge the Committee, the Committee is ever ready to push the provisions of the Bill to an end today.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 6:54 p.m.
I am minded to indulge in the Judicial Service Bill, 2020 if you are ready.
Mr Rockson-Nelson E. K. Dafeamekpor (NDC -- South Dayi) 6:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to add my voice to the Motion before the House to be approved.
Mr Speaker, in doing so, may I add that, indeed, the Committee observed, particularly as contained in paragraph 7, subparagraph (1) on page 3 of the Report -- it states that the Committee recognises that the passage of the Bill would rectify some
Minority Leader (Mr Haruna Iddrisu) 7:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, let me thank you very much for the opportunity, and to commend the Hon Attorney- General and Minister for Justice for leading us to establish the Judicial Service as is required of us under article 190 of the 1992 Constitution.
Mr Speaker, just for my purposes, even though the Committee captures it, article 190 of the 1992 Constitution establishes the Public Services, and it says
“190. The Public Services of Ghana shall include
(a) The Civil Service
(b) The Judicial Service”
It means that of all these institutions, we have set up their regulatory legal regimes in the form of Acts. It is only for the Judicial Service that this has not been done, and it is appropriate we do so in order that the Judicial Service, just like the Parliamentary
Service that assist Parliament, would assist the Judiciary in the performance of its duties in administering justice.
However, Mr Speaker, in doing so, may I respectfully refer you to the Committee's Report and to know whether this is the intention of the Hon Chairman. When they say in paragraph 7.1 “necessity to address some constitutional defects in CA 10”, there can be no constitutional defect in CA 10. I do not seem to get it. Probably, they wanted to say that CA 10 was not consistent with the 1992 Constitution.
However, if we read the headnote as I do, “necessity to address some constitutional defects” -- [Interruption] We should delete the word “constitutional”, if the Hon Chairman would oblige me. We should just say “necessity to address defects in CA 10” then we understand that we are bringing this law in order to ensure that CA 10 is revised, and we have a regulatory regime to support the Judiciary as an organ of State to administer justice without fear or favour.
Mr Speaker, along the line as I listened to the Hon Attorney-General, I have seen reference to article 158(2) of the 1992 Constitution. Now, may I respectfully, draw the attention of the

Mr Speaker, the learned Attorney- General and Minister for Justice should take note of article 149 of the 1992 Constitution because conspicuously lost in this Bill is the provisions in article 149. I have seen no reference to clause 158. Mr Speaker, article 148 of the1992 Constitution reads, and I beg to quote:

“149. Judicial officer shall receive such salaries, allowances, facilities and privileges and other benefits as the President may, acting on the advice of the Judicial Council, determine.”

Then the Constitution defines a judicial officer under article 150. Mr Speaker, the essence is to distinguish that category of judicial officers from judicial officer contemplated under the Constitution in article 70. Those who benefit from article 71, not 70.

Then also there are those who recognise the Chief Justice, the Superior Court Judges, Appeal Court Judges. Therefore, in this Bill, we must draw a clear distinction between two categories of judicial staff.
Majority Leader (Mr Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu) 7:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I have just a little observation in respect of Article 153(g) and I just want to draw the attention of the Hon Attorney-General and Minister for Justice -- I do not recollect exactly
Mr First Deputy Speaker 7:04 p.m.
I wonder whether we should discuss
that matter. This is because there is still the opportunity to appoint Regional Tribunal Chairmen. The Constitution has space for that. So until we remove that power from the Constitution, this provision should stay as it is.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
The Judicial Service Bill, 2020 accordingly read a Second time.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 7:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, item numbered 55.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 7:04 p.m.
Very well.
Motion, Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture.
MOTIONS 7:04 p.m.
Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture (Mrs Barbara Oteng- Gyasi) (MP) 7:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 80(1) which requirs 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 second reading of the Creative Arts Industry Bill, 2020 may be moved today.
Mr Ras Mubarak 7:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
BILLS -- SECOND READING 7:14 p.m.
Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture (Mrs Barbara Oteng- Gyasi) (MP) 7:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the Creative Arts Industry Bill, 2020 be now read a second time.
Mr Speaker, the purpose of the Bill is to establish a creative arts agency to provide the institutional framework for the development and management of the creative arts industry.
The United Nations Commission on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has emphasised the creative economy in the world economic and development agenda as an emerging competitive sector.
Mr Speaker, the creative economy related industries are among the most
dynamic activities in the world economy, providing new opportunities for revenue generation, job creation and contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The UNCTAD, in its Creative Economy Report of 2010, highlighted that “adequately nurtured, creativity fuels culture, infuses a human-centred development and constitutes the key ingredient for job creation, innovation and trade while contributing to social inclusion, cultural diversity and environmental sustainability”.
Mr Speaker, the regulation of the creative arts industry in the present state is bedevilled with challenges. These include fragmentation of the creative arts practitioners, lack of adequate data on the creative arts practitioners and their contribution to the economic development of the country and identification of cross- sectoral challenges that mitigate against creative initiatives.
Mr Speaker, to address these challenges, a committee was tasked to develop an initial policy for the regulation of the creative arts industry. The committee proposed a quasi-self- regulatory governance policy framework for the regulation of the industry. The Bill seeks to operationalise the quasi-self-
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Alex Kofi Agyekum) 7:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise to second the Motion ably moved by the Hon Minister.
Mr Speaker, in so doing, I would present the Committee's Report.
1.0 Introduction
The Creative Arts Industry Bill, 2020 was laid in Parliament and read for the first time on Thursday, 22nd October 2020. It was referred to the
Select Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture for consideration and report in accordance with Article 103 (3) of the 1992 Constitution and Orders 125 and 187 of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.
Pursuant to the referral, the Committee met with the Hon Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Chief Director and officials of the Ministry, a representative of the Attorney- General's Department and stakeholders from the creative industry to consider the Bill and reports as follows:
2.0 Reference Documents
The Committee referred to the following additional documents during its deliberations:
I. The 1992 Constitution of Ghana;
II. The Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana;
III. Reports from the Ministry on previous engagements with stakeholders; and
IV. Contributions from Stake- holders ( See list in Appendix
I).
3.0 Background
The regulation of the creative industry in its present stage is be- devilled with challenges. These include fragmentation of creative arts practitioners, lack of adequate data on the creative arts practitioners and their contribution to the economic development of the country and identification of cross-sectoral challenges that militate against creative initiatives.
To address these challenges, a committee was tasked to develop an initial policy to regulate the industry and it proposed a quasi-self- regulatory governance policy framework. The proposed governance framework forms the basis of this draft Creative Arts Industry Bill.
The Bill therefore seeks to operationalise the quasi-self- regulatory governance policy, which allows practitioners and enterprise operators in the creative industry, through an established Board, to participate in the development of policies, plans and programmes to regulate their operations when the Bill comes into force. The policies, plans and programmes would be implemented through an Agency to be established and known as the
“Creative Industry Agency” with clearly defined functions to promote effective and efficient regulation of the creative industry.
4.0 Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of this Bill is to establish a Creative Industry Agency to provide the institutional framework for the development and management of the industry. It seeks to operationalise quasi-self-regulatory governance policy which will allow practitioners and enterprise operators in the creative arts industry, through an established Creative Arts Board, to participate in the development of policies, plans and programmes to regulate their operations when the Bill comes into force. The policies, plans and programmes would be implemented through an Agency to be established and known as the “Creative Industry Agency” with clearly defined functions to promote effective and efficient regulation of the creative arts industry.
The Bill also seeks to address the financing challenge which the creative arts practitioners and operators encounter by providing for the establishment of a Creative Industry Fund to be accessed by creative arts practitioners and operators for financing of projects and programmes in the creative industry.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Alex Kofi Agyekum) 7:14 p.m.


xxvii. Clause 31 deals with Regulations and empowers the Minister responsible for creative arts to, on the recommendation of the Board, make Regulations for the efficient and effective implementation of provisions of the Bill, and to prescribe operating standards for enterprises in the creative arts industry as well as to prescribe the conditions for private sector investment in the creative arts industry.

xxviii. Clause 32 deals with the interpretation of some words used in the Bill.

xxix. Clause 33 provides for transitional provisions and requires a person who operates a creative arts enterprise, before the coming into force of the provisions of the Bill, to register that enterprise with the Agency within one year of the date of coming into force of the Bill.

6.0 Observations and Recommendations

I.The Committee, in its discussions with the Ministry and stakeholders observed that there are existing laws that currently guide the industry. These include the Copyright Act, 2005 (Act 690), Patents Act, 2003 (Act 657), Industrial Designs Act, 2003 (Act 663), Development and Classification

of Films Act, 2016 (Act 935) and the Acts of Parliament establishing National Dance Company, National Symphony Orchestra, Abibigroma, Pan African Writers Association, Bureau of Ghana Languages and the National Commission on Culture among others.

These existing laws however, do not adequately address the issues relating to the Creative industry in a holistic manner, making it difficult to effectively and efficiently regulate the activities and operations of the industry. This Bill when passed into Law therefore, will create the necessary legal framework to address the needs of all the industry players.

II. The Committee also observed that one of the key objectives of the Bill is to make the Agency the regulatory body for effective organisation and management of the creative industry. This will ensure adherence to prescribed standards and practices, on the part of all players within the industry, without stifling creativity.

7.0 Proposed Amendments by the Committee

As a result of its engagements with all stakeholders, and matters arising from the consideration of the Bill, the Committee proposes the following amendments:

i. Heading

Delete “Arts”

ii. Clause 1 -- Establishment of the Creative Arts Agency

a. Headnote: delete “Arts”

b. Subclause (1), line 1, delete “Arts”.

c. Subclause (2), line 3, after “other” delete “transaction”.

d. Subclause (2), delete and insert the following:

“The Agency may, for the performance of the functions of the Agency, acquire and hold property, dispose of property and enter into a contract or any other related transaction.”

e. Subclause (3), lines 1 and 2, delete “Landed Property and insert “Land”.

iii. Clause 2 -- Objects of the Agency

a. Paragraph (a), line 1, delete “arts” and do same wherever it appears in the clause.

b. In paragraph (c), line 1, delete “co-ordinate and facilitate the activities of” and insert “promote collaboration with”.

iv. Clause 3 -- Functions of the Agency

a. Paragraph (a), line 2, delete “arts” and do same wherever it appears in the clause.

b. Paragraph (c), delete and insert the following “advice the Government on matters relating to standards for the regulation of the creative industry”.

c. Delete paragraph (g).

d. Paragraph (j), line 1, before “facilitate” insert “collaborate with relevant institutions to”.

e. Paragraph (l), line 1, after keep, insert “maintain and publish”.

f. Delete and insert a new paragraph (q) “establish a disciplinary code and enforce the disciplinary code among members of the creative industry”.

g. Delete paragraph (r).
Mr First Deputy Speaker 7:14 p.m.
Yes, Hon Ras Mubarak?
Mr Ras Mubarak (NDC -- Kunbumgu) 7:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion. In supporting the Motion, I would like to make a couple of points.
Mr Speaker, the first is, instead of an agency, it would have been exciting to create an authority. That would have given it further impetus and a lot of mileage.
Secondly, contrary to the Minister's point, there is data on the creative arts industry. For instance, if we take the National Identification Authority registration, every person who was captured and registered under the NIA indicated their profession, so it is easier to harness Government data and use that for whatever they want to do.
Mr Speaker, it would be exciting to equip and provide local film producers with training, so that for local film producers in my constituency in Tamale South, local film producers in Asawase, this will go a long way to
Mr First Deputy Speaker 7:14 p.m.
Hon Member, I will share with you a film produced and directed in Bekwai; I will send you one for your entertainment. -- [Laughter]
Mr Ras Mubarak 7:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it would be exciting to equip these persons in the various parts of the country, not just with training, but the necessary logistics to help bring out the talent in them.
Mr Speaker, with this, I encourage Hon Colleagues to support the Motion.
Question Proposed.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu (NDC -- Tamale South) 7:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Motion. In doing so -- [Interruption] -- I will not listen to the absentee Hon Colleague of mine.
Mr Speaker, in paragraph 7.0 of the Report, I can see “heading”. Are they referring to the “headnote”? “Heading, delete Arts”, should we correct someting there?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 7:14 p.m.
Hon Member, if it is a correction in the Report, otherwise, if it is a proposed amendment, we will deal with it at the Consideration Stage.
7. 24 p.m.
Mr Iddrisu 7:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, yes, we would come to the amendments, but in the Report, I believe that what you are referring to should be “headnote” or something, and not just “heading”.
Mr Speaker, I support the Motion, but I have two observations. I would also want to encourage the Hon Minister to take particular interest in them. This is an incubator for employment, if the industry is harnessed well. There are a lot of young talents, both male and female, who have creativity and innovation, who want an opportunity to develop, particularly, pertaining to cultural issues, whether it is dancing or related to some other matter.
Mr Speaker, my other concern is that when one travels abroad or is even in Ghana -- with this one, I am happy that the Hon Minister for Communications is here. When one does anything on Ghanaweb, everything Ghana is dominated by a Shatta Wale, a Sarkodie or something. There is something wrong. That is not how to advertise a country,
Mr Frederick Opare-Ansah 7:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order against the Hon Minority Leader.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 7:14 p.m.
That is the kind of music he searches, so, that is what he would get.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
The Creative Art Industry Bill, 2020 was accordingly read a Second time.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 7:14 p.m.
Yes, Hon Majority Leader? [Pause]
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 7:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we could move on to take the item numbered 61.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 7:14 p.m.
Hon Members, item numbered 61 -- Motion; by the Hon Minister for Communications.
MOTIONS 7:14 p.m.
Minister for Communications (Mrs Ursula G. Owusu-Ekuful) 7:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 80(1) which require 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 second reading of the Cybersecurity Bill, 2020 may be moved today.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Frederick Opare-Ansah) 7:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 7:14 p.m.
Hon Members, we would move on to the item numbered 62, by the Hon Minister for Communications.
BILLS -- SECOND READING 7:14 p.m.
Minister for Communications (Mrs Ursula G. Owusu-Ekuful) 7:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the
Cybersecurity Bill, 2020 be now read a Second time.
Mr Speaker, this Bill seeks to establish a Cybersecurity Authority, protect the critical information infrastructure of the country, regulate cybersecurity activities, provide for interception of communications, and develop the cybersecurity of the country.
Mr Speaker, the internet has become an increasingly critical part of our lives and facilitates engagements for individuals, businesses and governments across the globe. These goals in internet interconnectivity has made all systems interconnected, and has served as the processes that enable individuals, businesses and governments to effectively communicate.
Despite the benefits of the internet that we all are aware of, it also has the other side of it. It exposes us to vulnerabilities and attacks by cybercriminals, and fraudsters. There has been a surge in the number of cybersecurity incidents including ransomware, cyber theft, banking fraud, cyber espionage and other cyber-attacks.
Sexually explicit images of children and unauthorised images of individuals are also proliferating on the internet,
Minister for Communications (Mrs Ursula G. Owusu-Ekuful) 7:34 p.m.
and these acts have permeated all sectors of the economy and have the potential to undermine our security and our economy.
Ghana has also acceded to the African Union Convention on cybersecurity and personal data protection; the Malabo Convention, and the Convention on cybercrime; the Budapest Convention, which was ratified by this House on 25th July, 2018 and 11 th April 2019, respectively. These international conventions also impose obligations on the country to develop our domestic law to be in line with the obligations that we have taken upon ourselves.
Mr Speaker, there are some existing laws which tackle some aspects of cybersecurity such as the Electronic Transactions Act and the Data Protection Act. However, a new legislation is required to deal with the existing and emerging cybersecurity challenges associated with the digital economy, and cyber-attacks targeting critical national information infrastructure.
The proposed legislation therefore seeks to ensure the safety and security of the cyber ecosystem of the country through providing an effective, legal
and regulatory regime with the mandate to protect and develop the cyber security of the country.
We cannot belabour the point about the development of cybersecurity in this country, in view of the various digitalisation initiatives undertaken by this Government, such as the National Identity System, Digital Property Address System, Paperless calls, Mobile Money Interoperability system, Ghana.Gov payments platform and many others. Several Ministries, Department and Agencies are also digitising at a rapid pace to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of their services.
Given the critical importance of cybersecurity to the nation, the issue of interception of traffic data and content data in a lawful manner is also an equally pertinent matter. Each one has to be addressed under the Bill in order to deal with cyber-attacks in an effective and holistic manner, and equip law enforcement agencies with the tools to deal with cyber-crimes and crimes committed using computer systems.
Technological development and its resultant growth in the telecom sector has also led to the exploitation of emerging communication channels
and this requires that we also take proactive steps to deal with the menace and protect the nation from all forms of cyber-attacks.

Interception is provided for under a number of existing laws, including the Narcotics Drugs Control and Enforcement and other laws. The proposed legislation seeks to complement the existing laws on interception and ensure compliance with articles 20 and 21 of the Budapest Convention, following the ratification of the Convention in the year 2019.

Various provisions deal with all these and many more issues that have been highlighted in the Bill. Cybersecurity and interception capability have become issues of critical national importance.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, the development of the proposed legislation is a proactive measure taken by the Government to empower the proposed Authority to lead our national cybersecurity efforts to ensure that Ghana fully reaps the digital dividends associated with the digitisation of her economy.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Frederick Opare-Ansah) 7:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to support the Motion and in doing so, present your Committee's Report.
1.0 Introduction
1.1 The Cybersecurity Bill, 2020 was laid in Parliament by the Hon Minister for Communications, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful on Tuesday, 3rd November 2020. Pursuant to Order 182 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, the Bill was referred to the Committee on Communications for consideration and report.
1.2 The Rt Hon Speaker further directed that the Leadership of the Committee on Defence and Interior join the Committee on Communi- cations in the consideration of the Bill.
1.3 The Committee subsequently met with the two Hon Deputy Ministers for Communications, Messrs Alexander Kodwo Kom Abban, and George Nenyi Kojo Andah, the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mrs Magdalene Appenteng as well as a technical team from the Ministry of Communications on Tuesday, 4th October, 2020 and considered the referral.
Alhaji Bashir Fuseini Alhassan (NDC -- Sagnarigu) 7:34 p.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I rise to support the Motion and urge that this honourable House contributes effectively to its passage. In so doing, I would like to premise my presentation on a few observations.
There is a saying that you do not hold a stick and allow a dog to bite you because that would be your own folly. In light of today's development, cybercrime has become a critical issue of national importance. In fact, it is a cardinal principle of national security policy in many countries today and I think that efforts to get a structure to combat and control activities in the cyber sector cannot be overemphasised.
Mr Speaker, first and foremost, this Bill which is coming before the
House today should have been here a long time ago. Indeed, the Ministry had engaged the Committee and other stakeholders as far back as early last year and it was our expectation that it would have been here earlier and not warrant us to take it under a certificate of urgency. So, that is something I think we should take due cognisance of in future.
I would also want to indicate that the Committee noted on page 12 of the Report which with your permission, I read:
“The Committee expressed grave concern about the possibility of abuse of powers under the guise of investigation by designated and investigative officers in the discharge of their duties under clauses 69 and 71.”
Mr Speaker, this is of critical importance, especially as we know that some significant amount of discretion would be vested in such officers, and discretion can be subject to abuse. So, especially in times such as we are, there is the possibility of this occurring and that is why it is important that a matter that touches on the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the people is looked at critically in this respect, so that the necessary safeguards are put in place.
I recognise that explanation was given to the effect that the measures inbuilt to cure this potential loophole for people to exploit would be undertaken to ensure that the officers who are granted that discretion would not abuse it. This would be done through things like ensuring that the Judge who would eventually give the warrant would make sure that it is intended for a good purpose.
Mr Speaker, if we give vent to this Bill, it would lead to the establishment of a Cybersecurity Authority which would then be in position to harmonise the activities of other operators in the industry. It would also be a formidable front to confront and fight cybercrime which is gaining ascendency in the country and as a result of which some degree of attention would need to be given to it.
I would also want to urge that Parliament should be supportive in the granting of funding sources because one of the critical areas in fighting cybercrime is to equip and financially anchor such institutions to perform. If they are bereft of resources, they would not be able to perform the functions for which they are created.
Mr Speaker, on that score, I support the Motion.
Mr Kobina Tahir Hammond (NPP -- Adansi-Asokwa) 7:44 p.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I thought that you were in your constituency this afternoon but maybe I misread whatever I read. In any event, that is fine.
Mr Speaker, this is a very serious issue we are discussing. The Hon Chairman already went through page 3, paragraph 4.2 of the Report and said that Ghana has had its fair share of cyber incidents such as cyber theft. He then goes through the full caboodle of the crimes that are committed. Then on page 11, paragraph 7.1.1, the Committee observed that the increasing reliance on digital ecosystem requires a regulative framework that adequately protects and secures the nation against cyber-attacks.
Whatever it is, it must be formidable. We have to really protect the interest of the country. In recent times, I have read stuff in some external law reports on some issues that have developed into serious reports and I am panicked because when it gets to this country, what would we do? This crime is committed by not some people of least intelligence but people with formidable brains who know how to
Mr First Deputy Speaker 7:44 p.m.
Hon Member for Adansi Asokwa, you may please continue.
Mr Hammond 7:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, indeed, I have had a very good
encouragement and help from my Hon Colleagues on the Majority Side, who are better learned in these matters. I am told that there is a technology called “broad chain technology'' -- [Interruption] -- they would not know these things if they do not have proper cyber training.
Mr Speaker, what happened in this case was that the guys left this information for the bank to pay some ransom and they were asked the ransom in “bitcoins''. Eventually, bitcoin was paid into some account; there are other people who have more brains. They were also able to outwit them, found out where exactly the bitcoins were deposited and in the end, the matter appeared in the High Court of England and Wales for some form of injunction to be issued to restrain all sorts of things.
There was an important point which emerged from this matter: it was decided that the status of bitcoin for instance was -- [Interruption]-- they are laughing. Is “bitcoin'' a currency which is of a legal tender? The status of it was determined for the court to see whether it was possible in one way or the other for - - [Interruption] --
Mr Speaker, this law must be taken so seriously. I would be in the House
and make sure to contribute for this Bill to become a law. We would get a very formidable, strong and effective system by way of legislation to try as much as possible to tame it, if we can outwit the criminals at least, keep their operations under control because they attack the banks and various security systems.
Mr Speaker, I thank you very much.
Mr Samuel Nartey George (NDC -- Ningo-Prampram) 7:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to support the Report of the Committee on the Cybersecurity Bill, 2020.
Mr Speaker, it is extremely important that where we have gotten to as a country, we improve our cybersecurity awareness. The Bill seeks to create a Cybersecurity Fund and that is one of the critical things I have looked at in the formation of the Authority. Indeed, setting up an Authority without the requisite funding for it to be able to exercise its functions, would tantamount to doing nothing.
We have seen quite a number of bureaucratic set-ups that are not effective because they are not well funded. The Committee has made some recommendations to the Bill
with regard to the source of funding; a dedicated line of funding from beneficial sectors of our economy that would benefit from the operations of the Cybersecurity Authority, and I urge Parliament to aid the Authority to ring- fence that level of funding.
Mr Speaker, the Bill also talked about the national and sectorial computer emergency response teams. In clause 46 of the Bill, it talks about an early warning system. Even though the Bill restricts it to human - generated incidents, it is important that we expand it to also cover incidents such as computer glitches. The threat to a country or to computer systems are not only restricted to human incidents. Computer glitches could in themselves pose a great risk to the infrastructure of a country.
Mr Speaker, the setup of the Cybersecurity Authority would regulate an industry that would exist today, without proper regulation which is the provision of cybersecurity services.
The Authority would act as a regulator that would issue licences and that in itself would bring some sanity to that area and ensure that any operator of any infrastructure that is designated by the Minister as a critical information infrastructure would need to have a cybersecurity service
Mr Samuel Nartey George (NDC -- Ningo-Prampram) 7:54 p.m.
provider to provide them the services, and that in itself would be an opportunity for job creation
Mr Speaker, the protection of children, given the incidence of COVID-19 and how they have all had access to the internet ahead of the time that we would have allowed them. Most children today, have devices that connect them to the internet for zoom classes, google meetings and google classes which expose them to all kinds of risk on the internet, such as child grooming, sexual context, cyber stalking, cyber bullying et cetera. So it is important that we have an Authority that would ensure that the incidence of risk is largely reduced.
Mr Speaker, even as we talk about the importance of the Cybersecurity Authority, I am very cautious on how we introduce the interceptory powers into this Bill. Even though the Committee has done extensive work in a certain safeguard to protect the rights of citizens, we must be careful the kind of interceptory powers we give and how these powers would be executed.
The risks of abuse exists and the remedies in there are post facto. This means that citizens could be open to abuse and can only find out most
likely, a year later. These are issues that we need to look at carefully and ensure that we strengthen all the safeguard measures and also ensure that the safeguard measures in the Bill are put in place and used adequately.
Mr Speaker, it is important for us to be mindful of the privacy protection of the citizens and ensure that their privacies, irrespective of our wish to localise the Malabo and Budapest Conventions are not compromised.
Under no circumstances should we compromise the privacy and protection of the citizen as espoused in article 18 (2) of the 1992 Constitution.

Mr Speaker, I thank you and I urge the House to support and approve the Report of your Committee.
Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu) 7:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleague who just spoke relates to the respect for the privacy of individuals and I think that in a very liberal society, that must be respected. We should also recognise that no freedom under the Constitution is unfettered. If we rehash the article 18(2) of the 1992 Constitution that he read to us, it reads with your permission:
“No person shall be subjected to interference with the privacy of his home, property, correspondence or communi- cation except in accordance with law and as may be necessary in a free and democratic society for public safety or the economic wellbeing of the country for the protection of the health or morals or for the prevention of disorder or crime or for the protection of the rights or freedoms of others.”
Mr Speaker, so, the freedom that he speaks about there under the Constitution, in article 18 (2) is not unfettered and that is what this law seeks to establish. We have our freedoms but they could be restrained or restricted in the interest of the generality of the citizenry and that is all that it says.
Mr Speaker, if he recognises that, then this law is not out of sync with the Constitution. I thank you.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
The Cybersecurity Bill, 2020 is accordingly read a Second time.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 7:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, respectfully, if my Hon
Colleagues would indulge us? There are very few amendments to the Cybersecurity Bill, 2020. In fact, there are just six amendments. All others have been proposed by the Hon Sam George and I believe there is a general understanding as to his direction but we can deal with it, respectfully.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 7:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we are cooperating and I thought that you had signalled that we could take the Judicial Service Bill, 2020 today as that is largely borrowed from the Constitution. With the Cybersecurity Bill, 2020, the fact that the Hon Chairman and Hon Members have done few amendments does not mean that that is all the amendments we are to consider. So, we could take the items by the Hon Chairman of the Committee on Finance, clear them and finish with that of the Judiciary today.
Mr Speaker, he should be assured that tomorrow, we would finish with the Cybersecurity Bill, 2020 for him. It is one day, one Bill. Today is that of Judiciary, after the items by the Committee on Finance. Tomorrow, we would take that of Cybersecurity.
Mr Speaker, we have all looked at the Bill and we would proffer amendments, so, he should not just
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 7:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, could we take item numbered 48 on the Order Paper?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 7:54 p.m.
Hon Members, item numbered 48, Motion by the Hon Minister for Finance.I grant the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance leave to move it on behalf of the Minister for Finance.
BILLS -- SECOND READING 7:54 p.m.
Chairman of the Committee (Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah) 7:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion and by so doing present your Committee's Report.
1.0 Introduction
The Borrowers and Lenders Bill, 2020 was presented and read the first time in the House on Friday 30th October, 2020 by the Honourable Minister responsible for Planning, Professor George Yaw Gyan-Baffour on behalf of the Minister responsible for Finance.
The Bill was subsequently referred to the Finance Committee for consideration and report in
accordance with article 103 of the 1992 Constitution and Order 169 of the Standing Orders of the House.
The Right Hon Speaker also directed the Leadership of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to join the Finance Committee to consider the Bill.
The Committee, together with the Leadership of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, met and considered the Bill with a Deputy Minister for Finance, Hon Kwaku Kwarteng, the Registrar of the Collateral Registry and a team of officials from the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Attorney General's Department.
Also in attendance were representatives of the Ghana Association of Bankers (GAB).
The Committee is grateful to Hon Deputy Minister for Finance and the team of officials for attending upon the Committee. The Committee is equally grateful to the Ghana Association of Bankers for attending upon the Committee.
1.1 Urgency of the Bill
The Committee determined and hereby certifies that the Bill is of an urgent nature and may be taken
Minority Leader (Mr Haruna Iddrisu) 8:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to support the Motion that the Borrowers and Lenders Bill, 2020 be read the Second time. The understanding is that there are some global best practices that reveal some regulatory failures in terms of our borrowers and Lenders Act, 2008 (Act 773).
However, as we do this, following the financial sector clean-up, we would have to take a much deeper
Mr Daniel O. Aboagye (NPP -- Bantama) 8:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Motion. These amendments being made to the original Act are meant to enhance the relationship between borrowers and lenders in Ghana.
Mr Speaker, credit is critical for economic development and we know that if credit is not managed very well, it will end up in non-performing loans which Ghanaians would eventually have to bail out some of these banks that would be unable to recover their loans. I believe that at the Committee level, we looked into the collateral registry and the clauses we found
there, are going to enhance our ability to push lending as well as people getting to know that when they borrow, they have to pay. Mr Speaker, I believe this is a good Bill that has to be supported. With these few words, I just have to say that I support the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
The Borrowers and Lenders Bill, 2020 accordingly read a Second time.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 8:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, item numbered 6.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:04 p.m.
Very well.
MOTIONS 8:04 p.m.
Chairman of the Committee (Dr Assibey-Yeboah) 8:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move , that notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 80(1) which require 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 Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of Import Duty, Import VAT, GETFund Levy, NHIL, and EXIM Levy on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by the following entities under the One District One Factory (1D1F) programme may be moved today.
Mr Governs K. Agbodza (NDC -- Adaklu) 8:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Dr Assibey-Yeboah 8:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Motion numbered as item 7 has 15 sub items and these are 1D1F tax waivers. We will take the Motions together as one and the Resolutions will come later and be listed as items 8 all the way to 22.
So, I will take the Motion now and then when we get there -- [Interruption] -- This is a fast-track approach.
MOTIONS 8:04 p.m.
Chairman of the Committee (Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah) 8:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this honourable House adopts the Report of the Finance Committee on the request for waiver of Import Duty, Import VAT, GETFund Levy, NHIL, and EXIM Levy on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by the following entities under the One District One Factory (1D1F) programme:
(i) Keda Ghana Ceramics Company Limited (waiver amount of US$13,510,881.00);
(ii)Sunda Ghana Limited (waiver amount of
US$6,799,183.00);
(iii) Happy Sunshine Company Ghana Limited (waiver amount of US$2,770,191.00);
(iv)Sinostone Alcohol Manufac- turing Limited (waiver amount of US$573,520.00);
(v) Appah Farms Limited (waiver amount of
US$278,429.00);
(vi)Western Deedew Group Limited (waiver amount of
US$36,645.00);
(vii) Koudjis Ghana Limited (waiver amount of
US$32,222.00);
(viii) Sunda Ghana Investment Limited (waiver amount of
US$5,559,019.00);
(ix) Zonda Sinotruk Assembly Plant Limited (waiver amount of US$5,109,675.00);
(x) Brompton Portfolio Limited (waiver amount of
US$4,996,170.00);
(xi) Golden Africa Consumer Products Ghana Limited (waiver amount of
US$3,091,126.00);
(xii) Golden Africa Soap Industries Ghana Limited (waiver amount of
US$2,561,664.00);
(xiii) GB Pharma Ghana Limited (waiver amount of
US$2,199,052.00);
(xiv) Beatex Enterprise Limited (waiver amount of US$200,626.00); and
(xv) Narubiz Limited (waiver amount of US$25,933.00).
Mr Speaker, in so doing, I present your Committee's Report.
1.0Introduction
The
i. Request for the waiver of Import Duty, Import VAT, GETFund Levy, NHIL and EXIM Levy amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of thirteen million, five hundred and ten thousand, eight hundred and eighty-eight United States dollars (US$13,510,881.00) on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Keda Ghana Ceramics Company Limited under the One District One Factory (1D1F) Programme,
ii. Request for the waiver of Import Duty, Import VAT, GETFund Levy, NHIL and EXIM Levy amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of six million, seven hundred and
ninety-nine thousand, one hundred and eighty-three United States dollars (US$6,799,183.00) on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Sunda Ghana Limited under the One District One Factory (1D1F) Programme,
iii. Request for the waiver of Import Duty, Import VAT, GETFund Levy, NHIL and EXIM Levy amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of two million, seven hundred and seventy thousand, one hundred and ninety-one United States dollars (US$2,770,191.00) on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Happy Sunshine Company Ghana Limited under the One District One Factory (1D1F) Programme,
iv. Request for the waiver of Import Duty, Import VAT, GETFund Levy, NHIL and EXIM Levy amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of five hundred and seventy-three thousand, five hundred and twenty United States dollars (US$573,520.00) on machi- nery, equipment and raw
Chairman of the Committee (Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah) 8:04 p.m.


District One Factory (1D1F) Programme,

xiv.Request for the waiver of Import Duty, Import VAT, GETFund Levy, NHIL and EXIM Levy amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of two hundred thousand, six hundred and twenty-six United States dollars (US$200,626.00) on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Beatex Enterprise Limited under the One District One Factory (1D1F) Programme, and

xv.Request for the waiver of Import Duty, Import VAT, GETFund Levy, NHIL and EXIM Levy amounting to the Ghana Cedi Equivalent of twenty-five thousand, nine hundred and thirty-three United States dollars (US$25,933.00) on machi- nery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Narubiz Limited under the One District One Factory (1D1F) Programme were laid in the House on Thursday, 29 th October, 2020 by the Minister for Monitoring and Evaluation,

Hon Dr Anthony Akoto Osei on behalf the Minister responsible for Finance.

Rt Hon Speaker referred the requests to the Finance Committee for consideration and report.

The Committee met with a Deputy Minister for Finance, Hon Kwaku Agyeman Kwarteng and officers from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to consider the referrals.

2.0 Documents Referred To

The Committee referred to the following documents during its deliberations:

The 1992 Constitution of Ghana;

The Public Financial Manage- ment Act, 2016 (Act 921); and

The Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.

3.0 Background

3.1 Keda Ghana Ceramics Company Limited

Keda Ghana Ceramics Company Limited was incorporated in January 2016. The company is located at

Shama District, in the Western Region. It produces various wall and floor tiles and sanitary wares and up to 95 per cent of their materials are sourced locally. The company's investors are Guangzhou Sunda International Trading Co. Limited and Guangzhou Keda Clean Energy Co. Limited.

The Company applied for and was granted a 1D1F status. Wherefore Parliament approved the waiver of taxes and duties for the company to enable it undertake an expansion project (Phase1).

The Company has successfully completed the Phase 1 of the project and intends to undertake Phase 2. Under Phase 2, the company would purchase materials, equipment and machinery.

In order to import the needed materials and equipment to expand its production, the company has requested for the waiver of taxes and duties under the 1D1F Programme. The Ministry of Finance has submitted the request to the House for approval in accordance with article 174 of the 1992 Constitution.

3.2 Sunda Ghana Limited

Sunda Ghana Limited is an international trading company that has

the approval of China Foreign Economic and Trade Commission. The company was incorporated in 2018 to produce sanitary pads, baby diapers and wipes. The factory is located at Dunkona, Weija.

The company planned to undertake a project to expand and enhance its production. The project was divided into two phases.

Given its limited finances, it applied for and was granted a 1D1F status. It therefore applied for the waiver of taxes and duties as incentives under the 1D1F Programme.

The request was approved which enabled the company to import equipment to enhance its operations under the 1D1F Programme. The company has successfully completed phase 1 of the project and intends to further enhance its production by implementing phase 2 of the project. Under the phase 2, the company would purchase additional materials, equipment and machinery.

In order to acquire and install these equipment and materials to enable the company expand its production, there is the need to waive the taxes and duties applicable as incentives under the 1D1F Programme. It is in this regard that the request for the waiver of taxes and duties for Sunda Ghana
Chairman of the Committee (Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah) 8:04 p.m.
detergent manufacturing unit in Tema. The company has applied for and has been granted 1D1F status.
The Company intends to install a manufacturing plant for the local production of detergent. In order to be able to import the plant for use, the company has applied for the waiver of taxes and duties as an incentive under the 1D1F Programme. In order to comply with the provisions of article 174 of the 1992 Constitution, the Ministry of Finance has submitted this request to the House for consideration and approval.
3.12 Golden Africa Soap Industries Ghana Limited
Golden Africa Soap Industries is part of the Golden Africa Group of Companies operating in various countries in Africa, namely: Kenya, Djibouti and Senegal. The company was incorporated in December 2018 and it is currently located at the Freezone enclave compound, Tema.
Golden Africa Soap Industries has established a soap manufacturing unit in Tema, Ghana, which will manufacture and market popular brands like SABA, Juliet and
Mediwist in Ghana and neighbouring West African markets. The company has applied for and has been granted the 1D1F status.
In order to take advantage of the West African market, the company is undertaking an expansion project. This would require the importation of raw materials, machinery and equipment to augment its operations. In order to successfully undertake this project, the company applied for the waiver of taxes and duties and it is this request that the Ministry of Finance has submitted to the House for approval in accordance with article 174 of the 1992 Constitution.
3.13 GB Pharma Ghana Limited
GB Pharma Ghana Limited is one of the country's biggest branded generic pharmaceutical corporations that identifies, develops, imports, distributes and markets branded human health products. The company was incorporated in 1994. Their products include Deep Heat cream for muscular pain, Cartef anti-malaria and Gebedol pain relievers.
The company however still imports all its finished goods from Europe, Japan and India.
The company intends to produce finished goods here in Ghana. GB Pharma has therefore expanded its capacity and has established a manufacturing plant under the One District One Factory (1D1F) Programme. In order to undertake the project there is the need to import the needed raw materials, equipment and machinery. The company has applied for the waiver of taxes and duties and it is this request that the Ministry of Finance has submitted to the House for approval in accordance with article 174 of the 1992 Constitution.
3.14 Beatex Enterprise Limited
Beatex Enterprise Limited is a Ghanaian registered company which was established in the year 2004. The primary nature of the business is to manufacture and sell quality mosquito coils that meet all requirements. It is Ghana's pioneer in mosquito coil production with seven brands including Lord and Old Soldier mosquito coils.
Beatex was originally the sole distributor of imported mosquito coils from Malaysia, but has transformed through the Presidential Special Initiatives program into a local mosquito coil manufacturing industry.
Beatex is authorized under the Environmental Protection Agency to manufacture mosquito coils. The company just got approval from the Foods and Drugs Board to produce eight products to be sold in the local market. They are further seeking to expand their operations to cover more brands and enter into foreign markets.
In order to assist the company import the needed raw materials, machinery and equipment to augment its operations, the company has applied for the waiver of taxes and duties as an incentive under the 1D1F Programme and the Ministry of Finance has submitted this request to the House for approval in accordance with article 174 of the 1992 Constitution.
3.15 Narubiz Limited
Narubiz Limited is a limited liability company which was incorporated on 8th November, 2018. The company is located at Dompim in the Wassa East District of the Western Region. It is established to process raw rubber into technical specified rubber for export. The location of the company is within the rubber producing area in the western region and is therefore good for the supply of raw materials

to the factory. The Company has applied and has been granted 1D1F status.

The company intends to be under the One District One Factory (1D1F) Programme to produce 6,900 metric tonnes of technical specified rubber per annum of which some will be for export. In order to assist the company, a request for the waiver of taxes and duties under the incentives of the 1D1F Programme has been submitted to the House for consideration and approval.

4.0 The Requests

The requests are to seek approval for the waiver of taxes amounting to:

US$13,510,881.00 on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Keda Ghana Ceramics Limited,

US$6,799,183.00 on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Sunda Ghana Limited,

US$2,770,191.00 on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Happy Sunshine Company Ghana Limited,

US$573,520.00 on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Sinostone Alcohol Manufacturing Limited,

US$278,429.00 on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Appah Farms Limited,

US$36,645.00 on equipment to be procured by Western Deedew Group Limited,

US$32,222.00 on equipment to be procured by Koudjis Ghana Limited,

US$5,559,019.00 on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Sunda Ghana Investment Limited,

US$5,109,675.00 on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Zonda Sinotruk Assembly Plant Limited,

US$4,996,170.00 on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Brompton Portfolio Limited,

US$3,091,126.00 on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Golden Africa

Consumer products Ghana Limited,

US$2,561,664.00 on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Golden Africa Soap Industries Ghana Limited,

US$2,199,052.00 on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by GB Pharma Ghana Limited,

US$200,626.00 on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Beatex Enterprise Limited, and

US$25,933.00 on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Narubiz Limited.

Attached as an APPENDIX are the details of the tax assessments done by the GRA

5.0 Observations

5.1 Keda Ghana Ceramics Company Limited

The Committee observed that the Ceramics Company produces ceramic tiles. It currently has 792 employees and created a total of

2,000 indirect jobs. The company intends to undertake an expansion project valued at US$77,260,000. The aim of the project is to construct eight production lines, of which four lines would be used for the production of ceramic tiles and four lines would be used for the production of sanitary ware. This will entail the construction of the warehouse/factory and the installation of equipment.

The company envisages that the project would provide about 5000 direct jobs and 3000 indirect jobs for sales agents and transporters. There will be a possible reduction in the importation of tiles and sanitary ware into the country.

5.2 Sunda Ghana Limited

The Committee noted that Sunda Ghana limited produces sanitary pads, baby diapers and wipes. They currently have a workforce of 600 direct staff and also provide five thousand indirect jobs for distributors, wholesalers and retailers who sell their products.

The Company earlier applied and was granted tax waiver under the 1D1F Programme to enable it import five diaper production lines, one sanitary pad production line and one wipe production line.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:14 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member for Bantama?
Mr Daniel O. Aboagye (NPP -- Bantama) 8:14 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to the Motion.
Mr Speaker, my friend, the Hon Member on the other Side talked about the number of jobs that these waivers would create. Before I came
here, I took a look at the Report. I just would want to say that these waivers for these 15 companies under the 1D1F would create a minimum of about 35,000 jobs, about a minimum of 878 direct jobs and about 27,000 indirect jobs.
The total investment that I looked at, looking at the Report is well over US$252.12 million of new moneys that are coming in, some of them going into new businesses and some of them going into the expansion of existing ones, and these are not even counting the jobs that are going to be created by their existing operations.
So I believe that this is our price to pay to create jobs. Also, there are other benefits that would come; we would eat what we produce, save our foreign exchange, get technology transfer and a lot more benefits. I think it is worth it for the Government to also put in some money for us to get this. The 1D1F is working.
Mr Speaker, one thing that I just would want to put up here for the records is that, we should encourage a lot of Ghanaian companies to take advantage of the working 1D1F because really speaking, this is for us. Mr Speaker, we should all support the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
RESOLUTIONS 8:14 p.m.
BY THE COMBINED 8:14 p.m.
Minority Leader (Mr Haruna Iddrisu) 8:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 8:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, item numbered 23.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:14 p.m.
Did you say 23?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 8:14 p.m.
I said
23.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 8:14 p.m.
Item numbered 23, Hon Chairman of the Committee?
Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah 8:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, item 23 is a procedural Motion. The Report that would be submitted subsequently, has two facility agreements and an on-lending agreement. It is a three-in-one Report. So the procedural Motions captured as item numbered 23, 26 and 29 would be moved together, likewise the substantive Motions 24, 27 and 30. So if I have your permission, I would move same.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:14 p.m.
Allow me five minutes. I would be back.
Hon Members, Sitting is suspended for five minutes.
8.19 pm -- Sitting suspended.
8.24 pm -- Sitting resumed.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:14 p.m.
Hon Chairman, you may move your Motion.
MOTIONS 8:14 p.m.
Chairman of the Committee (Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah) 8:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 80(1) which require 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 Finance Committee on the Facility Agreement among the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance), Deutsche Bank AG (as Original Covered Lender), and Export Credits Guarantee Department (operating as UK Export Finance [as Direct Lender and Covered Lenders' Guarantor]) for an amount of one hundred and forty-five million, four hundred and two thousand, two hundred ninety- eight euros eighty-five cents (€145,402,298.85) to finance
Tranche 2 of phase 2 of the Redevelopment and Modernisation of the Kumasi Central Market and its Associated Infrastructure in the Ashanti Region of Ghana may be moved today;
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 Finance Committee on the Facility Agreement among the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance), Deutsche Bank AG (as Agent, Arranger, and Structuring Bank), and African Export-Import Bank (as Original Lender) for an amount of thirty-nine million, five hundred thousand euros (€39,500,000.00) to finance Tranche 2 of phase 2 of the Redevelopment and Modernisation of the Kumasi Central Market and its Associated Infrastructure in the Ashanti Region of Ghana may be moved today;
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
Minority Leader (Mr Haruna Iddrisu) 8:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accrodingly.
Facility Agreements and an Amended and Restated On- Lending Agreement for the
Redevelopment and Modernisation of the Kumasi
Central Market and its Associated Infrastructure.
Chairman of the Committee (Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah) 8:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
I beg to move, that this Honourable House adopts the Report of the Finance Committee on the Facility Agreement among the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance), Deutsche Bank AG (as Original Covered Lender), and Export Credits Guarantee Department (operating as UK Export Finance [as Direct Lender and Covered Lenders' Guarantor]) for an amount of one hundred and forty-five million, four hundred and two thousand, two hundred and ninety-eight euros eighty-five cents (€145,402,298.85) to finance Tranche 2 of phase 2 of the Redevelopment and Modernisation of the Kumasi Central Market and its Associated Infrastructure in the Ashanti Region of Ghana;
That this Honourable House adopts the Report of the Finance Committee on the Facility Agreement among the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance), Deutsche Bank AG (as Agent, Arranger, and Structuring Bank), and African Export-Import Bank (as Original Lender) for an amount of thirty-nine million, five hundred thousand euros (€39,500,000.00) to finance Tranche 2 of phase 2 of the Redevelopment and Modernisation of the Kumasi Central Market and its Associated Infrastructure in the Ashanti Region of Ghana; and
That this honourable House adopts the Report of the Finance Committee on the Amended and Restated On- Lending Agreement (amending the On-Lending Agreement dated 22nd September 2014) between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) for the Ghana cedi equivalent of two hundred and ninety- five million United States dollars (US$295,000,000.00) for the Redevelopment and Modernisation of the Kumasi Central Market and its Associated Infrastructure.
Mr Speaker, in so doing, I present the Committee's Report.
1.0 Introduction
The
i. Facility Agreement among the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) Deutsche Bank AG (as Original Covered Lender), and Export Credits Guarantee Department (Operating as UK Export Finance [as Direct Lender and Covered Lender's Guarantor]) for an amount of one hundred and
forty-five million, four hundred and two thousand, two hundred and ninety-eight euros eighty-five cents (€145,402,298.85) to finance Tranche 2 of phase 2 of the Redevelopment and Modernisation of the Kumasi Central Market and its Associated Infrastructure in the Ashanti Region of Ghana,
ii. Facility Agreement among the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) Deutsche Bank AG (as Agent, Arranger and Structuring Bank), and African Export-Import Bank (as Original Lender) for an amount of thirty-nine million, five hundred thousand euros (€39,500,000.00) to finance Tranche 2 of phase 2 of the Redevelopment and Modernisation of the Kumasi Central Market and its Associated Infrastructure in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, and
iii. Amended and Restated On- Lending Agreement (amending the On-Lending Agreement dated 22nd September 2014) between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the
Chairman of the Committee (Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah) 8:14 p.m.


Prayer room

Union offices

Police station

Fire station

Post offices

Crèche

Clinic

Administrative offices

Waste separation dock

Cafeteria for staff

Change room for staff

Sewage treatment station

Generators

Fuel and gas storage tanks

The project also aims at providing infrastructure in the surrounding Central Business Area, making important interventions in the congested road system, organising and giving better conditions for

mobility in the area, allowing traders to receive their merchandise and customers to reach the area in a safer and more organised manner.

Phase 2 of the project is a continuation of phase I and will cover a total construction area of 172,197m2.

The two market areas (under the two phases) when completed, would be linked by two aerial walkways, providing ideal conditions for the flow of the large number of pedestrians that move frequently between them, with no interference from the street vehicular traffic.

3.1 Project Objectives

The objective for undertaking the project is to redevelop and integrate Kejetia and Kumasi Central markets, and improve on the ancillary roads, facilities and utilities in the enclave. This is to improve on the functionality of the market community and improve on doing business in the Central Business District (CBD).

4.0 Terms and Conditions of the Loan

The terms and conditions of the financing agreements are summarised overleaf:

A. UKEF Facility Agreement

Facility Amount -- up to €145,402,298.85 (o/w €126,500,000.00 is to finance contract amount eligible for UKEF financing and €18,902,298.85 is for the UKEF premium) inclusive of UKEF premium estimated at 13 per cent of the facility).

Interest rate -- 6M Euribor (Euribor floored at zero) + 1.60 per cent p.a.

Grace period -- 2.5 years

Repayment -- 10 years

Tenor -- 12.5 years

Commitment Fee -- 0.75 per cent p.a. on the undisbursed amount

Upfront Fee -- 1.50 per cent flat of the facility amount

All-in-Cost -- 3.93 per cent p.a.

B. Tied Commercial Facility Agreement

Facility Amount -- up to €39,500,000.00

Floating interest rate -- 6M Euribor (Euribor floored at zero) + 5.85 per cent p.a.

Risk Mitigation Fee -- 0.75 per cent p.a.

Grace Period -- 1 year

Repayment period -- 6 years

Tenor -- 7 years
Chairman of the Committee (Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah) 8:14 p.m.


Commitment Fee -- 0.75 per cent p.a. on the undisbursed amount

Upfront Fee -- 1.50 per cent flat of the facility amount

All -in -Cost -- 6.45 per cent p.a.

5.0 Project Description

The project will be a continuation of phase 1 and will cover a total construction area of 172,197m2. The main structure of the market building will be pre-manufactured steel structure and beams. The parts will be produced abroad and shipped to the site for assembling, this will allow for a very fast pace of construction. The roof will be in steel sheets with isolation to prevent heat from the sun. The central opening provides ventilation and light to the interior.

Multiple skylights will allow the entrance of sunlight providing natural illumination.

4.2 The Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract in the sum of €248.00 million (the equivalent of US$285.20 Million) would be implemented in two tranches. The first tranche of phase 2 is estimated at €82.00 million (the equivalent of US$93.40 million). The total land usage under phase 2 is summarised in the table below.

4.3. The following scope will be covered under the second phase of the project.

I. General Infrastructure (for decongestion of CBD)

a. Neighbouring Road Network improvements;

b. New Pedestrianised Streets;

c. New Aerial Walkways to avoid pedestrian and vehicular conflict;

d. New and enhanced Drainage System to prevent flooding;

e. New and safer Energy Distribution to prevent short- circuiting (causing fires);

f. New and improved Sewer Collection and Waste Disposal System;

g. New and improved Water supply to create a healthy Central Market environment.

II. Market Construction

a. Steel and concrete structure;

b. Metallic Roofing;

c. Stalls and circulation areas;

d. Conveniences;

e. Administrative and Manage- ment areas;

f. Technical Areas.

III. Market Infrastructure

a) Parking Lot

b) Transport terminal

c) Community Facilities (partial - to augment/complement facilities provided in Kejetia Market).

6.0 Observations

6.1 Total Cost of phase 2 of the project

The Committee was informed that the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for the second phase is in the sum of two hundred and forty-eight million euros (€248.00 million) (the equivalent of US$285.20 million) and is being implemented in two tranches pursuant to the Commercial Contract between the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and Messrs. Contracta Construction (UK) Ltd.

The Committee noted that Parliament on Tuesday, 24th July, 2018 granted approval for the
Chairman of the Committee (Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah) 8:14 p.m.


Commercial Contract and same was signed by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development on 19th December, 2018.

The first tranche was estimated at €82.00 million (the equivalent of US$93.40 million) and was financed by an earlier facility which was composed of the Facility Agreement of eighty -one million euros (€81,000,000.00) and a Tied Commercial Facility Agreement of twelve million, three hundred thousand euros (€12,300,000.00) between the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and Deutsche Bank AG London Branch.

6.2 Project Implementation

The Committee observed that the project commenced in February 2020 and is expected to be completed within thirty-six (36) calendar months.

To ensure seamless construction works and to deliver the project on time, the Government of Ghana (through the Ministry of Finance) has arranged the instant Facility from Deutsche Bank to finance the Tranche 2 of the phase 2 of the project.

6.3 Special Purpose Vehicle

The Committee noted that the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) have set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) known as the Kumasi City Markets Limited with the predefined purpose of managing and operating the market complexes and generating revenue therefrom.

As to whether there was private sector participation in the SPV, the Committee was informed that the SPV is a fully-owned company of the Government of Ghana (through the Ministry of Finance [MoF] and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development [MLGRD]) with the appropriate asset/liability structure and legal status.

The creation of the SPV is geared towards ensuring that the markets are managed on sound financial and commercial principles whilst also isolating the KMA from direct financial risks.

6.4 On-Lending

The Committee observed that proceeds of the credit facilities are to be on-lent to KMA. Revenue will be generated from rentable commercial spaces, goodwill, market tolls,

advertisement and parking fees from vehicles using parking facilities for the purposes of servicing the on-lent facility.

On the 22nd of September, 2014, the Government of Ghana entered into an On-lending Agreement with KMA in which the Project Funds were on- lent to the Assembly. The present Amended and Restated On-Lending

Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) is aimed at amending and restating the On-lending Agreement to cover the total amount of the Ghana cedi equivalent of two hundred and ninety-five million United States dollars (US$295,000,000.00) instead of the initial amount of Ghana cedi equivalent of US$172,512,500.00

The Terms of the On-Lending Agreement are as follows:

Facility Amount -- up to US$295,000,000.00

Payment Currency -- Ghana Cedi

Floating Interest Rate -- 5.50 per cent p.a.

Grace Period -- 1-year moratorium on interest and principal payments

Repayment Period -- 25 years

Payment Frequency -- Quarterly

It was further explained to the Committee that as part of the amendment and restatement of the On-lending Agreement, the Repayment Period has been increased from 20 years to 25 years. Again, repayment of the on-lent facility will commence one year after the completion and commissioning of the Project.

6.5 Operation and Revenue from phase 1

The Committee was informed that phase 1 of the Redevelopment and Modernisation of the Kumasi Central Market and its Associated Infrastructural Project was completed in February 2019 and is currently in operation.
Mr Ras Mubarak (NDC -- Kumbungu) 8:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion and make one point that has to do with the repayment for the project.
Mr Speaker, it is a very good project for the people of the Ashanti Region. However, if we look at the cost of the stalls and stores, it is
Mr Daniel O. Aboagye (NPP - Bantama) 8:24 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to the Motion in respect of the phase 2 of the Kumasi Central Market redevelopment.
Mr Speaker, on page 10 of the Report, the benefits of the project are outlined and that is to say that with this development, we would be able
to address the fire outbreaks; create about 800 to 900 direct jobs and 2000 to 2500 indirect jobs. That would improve the safety and security of the traders in Kumasi.
Mr Speaker, at the Committee level, we looked at the terms on which these loans are going to on-lend to K. M. A. and we raised the fact that the interest rate of 5.5 per cent to K. M. A. is expensive in the sense that if we look at the complaints that we received from the traders in Kumasi, that the costs of the stores are very
expensive, we expect that Government is going to subsidise this project.
So the Committee recommended that the Ministry of Local Government should talk to the Minister for Finance to consider the possibility of reduction in cost so that the property or the stores would become affordable to the people of Kumasi and make it possible for the stores to be occupied. It is better for us to get a lower cost so that the occupancy rate would be high and as a result generate the needed revenue to repay the loan.
Mr Speaker, I believe this is a good project and it is going to help the people of the Ashanti Region, especially those in Kumasi and I recommend that Hon Colleagues support this Motion. Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu (NDC -- Tamale South) 8:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to contribute to the Motion to support the redevelopment and modernisation of the Kumasi Central Market, understandably, part of the phase.
I have always insisted that Government is a continuum. This was initiated in 2015 by former President John Mahama. I still recall October, 2015 when he had to join the Asantehene to cut the sod for the modernisation of the Kejetia market following the promise he made while he was on his campaign. I accompanied him. Whatever it is, the modernisation of the market started under the NDC.
So Mr Speaker, what I just need to caution is borrowing. As we go forward, we would have to reduce the commercial borrowing. There are a number of the loans that the Ministry of Finance is still struggling with because what is required as counterpart is not being provided by Government. In many instances, Government has been compelled to borrow to provide that counterpart of 15 per cent. They have a huge portfolio of it that they are reviewing with the Ministry of Finance.
Mr Speaker, finally, my comment is that we hear some concerns about the distribution of this market that was completed. There was some tension
between the Regional Minister and the K. M. A. Chief Executive Officer. I think it is about time that they resolved it and let the market women have access to those stores. Apart from that, the stores are expensive.
Mr Speaker, next time, the Chairman of the Committee must apprise us of the repayment plan by K. M. A. This is not a giveaway. Government is only a guarantor and it is giving us a loan. So the charges they are making must assist Government to service the loan. With these comments, I support the Motion.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 8:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to also make a few comments.
Mr Speaker, first, this tranche of the development of the Kumasi Central Market must be made abundantly clear that it was not part of the original. It is a new project but I may agree if somebody says that it is subsequent to the previous one. Certainly it was not part of the original.
Mr Speaker, having said so, we need to have a very good design for this. What is coming out from the Kejetia project is that some of the stores are very small and into the
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 8:24 p.m.


second project we should ensure that the stores are spacious enough. They are not just for the petty traders and so we should make sure that the spaces contained in the stores are big enough to enable them conduct real business.

Mr Speaker, secondly, with the associated infrastructure, we should be very clear in our minds on what infrastructure we are talking about. In the Kejetia Project, they were not well-defined and so we must assure ourselves that the infrastructure is well- defined.

Mr Speaker, third is the parking space. Every market requires a parking lot. We should ensure that this one comes with adequate parking space. Other than that --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:34 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, Kumasi as it is now, even if you created a market space that will also become a market.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 8:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, going forward, we shall become wiser. We have made the space for it in the first place rather than not creating any space at all. That is the point that I am making.
Mr Speaker, I agree with the point made by the Hon Minority Leader, when he said that we should come with a clear determination of a repayment schedule, because ultimately, this would have to be borne by KMA. If it is not well defined, we will not be able to trace and track the beneficiaries and KMA would then become saddled with the payment of this loan, and would have to pay their own resources when the traders have been making payments. So we should demand from KMA a proper repayment schedule, so that Government is ultimately not saddled with paying back these loans, because Government is guaranteeing for
KMA.
Mr Speaker, I believe ultimately that, this is also going to contribute greatly to brightening up the skyline of Kumasi and modernising the city centre of Kumasi.
Mr Speaker, I believe and I know that there are plans to modernise the city centres. Takoradi and Tamale are now having their own share, and the other cities -- [Interruption] -- the Hon Member for Tamale Central knows. So let us resolve to develop our city centres.
I would also suggest strongly that in looking at this, every modern city has a convention centre. Our
development does not factor into the development architecture a conven- tion centre. None of the proposals for Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi and even the one by Tamale has a convention centre. We should be living in tandem with modernism, and include what is expected to be included.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:34 p.m.
Hon Members, Resolutions.
RESOLUTIONS 8:34 p.m.
Mr Iddrisu 8:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Facility Agreement among Government of Ghana,
Deutsche Bank AG and African Export Credits-Import Bank to
finance Tranche 2 of the Redevelopment and the
Modernisation of the Kumasi Central Market
Deputy Minister for Finance (Mrs Osei-Asare): Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that
WHEREAS by the provisions of article 181 of the Constitution and sections 55 and 56 of the Public Financial Management Act of 2016 (Act 921), the terms and conditions of all government borrowings shall be laid before Parliament and shall not come into operation unless the terms and conditions are approved by a resolution of Parliament in accordance with article 181 of the Constitution;
Pursuant to the provisions of the said article 181 of the Constitution and sections 55 and 56 of the Public Financial Management Act of 2016 (Act 921), at the request of the
Government of the Republic Ghana acting through the Minister responsible for Finance, there has been laid before Parliament a Facility Agreement among the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance), Deutsche Bank AG (as Agent, Arranger, and Structuring Bank), and African Export- Import Bank (as Original Lender) for an amount of thirty- nine million, five hundred thousand euros (€39,500,000.00) to finance Tranche 2 of phase 2 of the Redevelopment and Modernisation of the Kumasi Central Market and its Associated Infrastructure in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.
THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE 8:34 p.m.
HEREBY RESOLVES AS 8:34 p.m.
Mr Iddrisu 8:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Amended and Restated On- Lending Agreement between the Government of Ghana and KMA
for Redevelopment and the Modernisation of the Kumasi
Central Market
Deputy Minister for Finance (Mrs Osei-Asare): Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that
WHEREAS by the provisions of article 181(5) of the Constitution the terms and conditions of any international

business or economic transaction to which the Government of Ghana is a party shall not come into operation unless the said terms and conditions have been laid before Parliament and approved by Parliament by a Resolution supported by the votes of a majority of all Members of Parliament;

Pursuant to the provisions of the said article 181(5) of the Constitution, and at the request of the Government of Ghana acting through the Minister responsible for Finance, there has been laid before Parliament the terms and conditions of an Amended and Restated On- Lending Agreement (amending the On-Lending Agreement dated 22nd September 2014) between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) for the Ghana cedi equivalent of two hundred and ninety-five million United States dollars (US$295,000,000.00) for the Redevelopment and the Modernisation of the Kumasi Central Market and its Associated Infrastructure.
THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE 8:34 p.m.
HEREBY RESOLVES AS 8:34 p.m.
Mr Iddrisu 8:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 8:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we will deal with the item numbered 44.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:34 p.m.
Hon Members, item numbered 44, Chairman of the Committee?
MOTIONS 8:34 p.m.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Fredrick Opare-Ansah) 8:34 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 Communications on the Commercial Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Communications) and Rayzone Group Ltd. of Israel for an amount of fifty-eight million, seven hundred and ten thousand, three hundred and twenty-six United States dollars (US$58,710,326.00) for the Design, Development and Implementation of a Critical National Infrastructure Protection Solution, Digital Forensics Laboratory Infrastructure, Cyber Intelligence System, National Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT-GH) Infrastructure, as well as the Design of a Child Protection Solution, Cybersecurity Research & Development (R&D) Roadmap for Ghana and the construction of a facility to host the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) may be moved today.
Mr Ras Mubarak 8:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:34 p.m.
Chairman of the Committee, item numbered 45?
Commercial Contract Agreement between the
Government of Ghana and Rayzone Group Limited of
Israel for the Design, Development and
Implementation of Critical National Infrastructure
Protection Solution
Mr Opare-Ansah 8:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this honourable House adopts the Report of the Committee on Communications on the Commercial Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Communications) and Rayzone Group Ltd. of Israel for an amount of fifty-eight million, seven hundred and ten thousand, three hundred and twenty-six United States dollars (US$58,710,326.00) for the Design, Development and the Implementation of a Critical National Infrastructure Protection Solution, Digital Forensics Laboratory Infrastructure, Cyber Intelligence
Mr Opare-Ansah 8:34 p.m.


System, National Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT-GH) Infrastructure, as well as the Design of a Child Protection Solution, Cybersecurity Research & Development (R&D) Roadmap for Ghana and the construction of a facility to host the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

Mr Speaker, in doing so, I present the Committee's Report.

1.0 Introduction

1.1 The Commercial Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Communications) and Rayzone Group Ltd. of Israel for an amount of fifty-eight million, seven hundred and ten thousand, three hundred and twenty-six United States dollars (US$58,710,326.00) for the Design, Development and the Implementation of a Critical National Infrastructure Protection Solution, Digital Forensics Laboratory Infrastructure, Cyber Intelligence System, National Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT-GH) Infrastructure, as well as the Design of a Child Protection Solution, Cybersecurity Research & Development (R&D) Roadmap for Ghana and the construction of a facility to host the National Cyber Security

Centre (NSCS) was presented to Parliament by the Hon. Minister for Communications, Mrs. Ursula Owusu Ekuful on Monday, 26th October 2020 in accordance with article 181(5) of the 1992 Constitution.

1.2 ‘Pursuant to article 103(3) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 182 of the Standing Orders of the House, the Agreement was referred to the Committee on Communications for consideration and report.

2.0 Deliberations

2.1 The Hon. Deputy Ministers for Communication Messrs Alexander Kodwo Kom Abban, and George Nenyi Kojo Andah, the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mrs. Magdalene Appenteng, the National Cyber Security Advisor, Dr. Albert Antwi Boasiako and other Officials of the Ministry of Communications availed themselves to assist the Committee to consider the referral. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the Deputy Ministers and their team for their input.

3.0 Reference Documents

The Committee availed itself of the following documents during its deliberations:

i. The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

ii. The Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.

iii.The Electronic Communica- tions Act of 2008 (Act 775).

iv. Electronic Transactions Act, 2008 (Act 772).

v. Public Financial Management Act of 2016 (Act 921).

vi. Procurement Act, 2003 (Act

663).

4.0 Background

4.1 It is no gainsaying that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) today, is the key driver for socio-economic development the world over. Key sectors of the economy including Finance, Education, Energy and Health thrive on the effective application of ICT tools in the organisation of government functions and in the provision of services.

Government in realising this, has committed to implementing several digitalisation initiatives such as Mobile Money Interoperability System, National Identification System, Digital

Property Addressing System, Paperless Ports System and E-Justice System to formalise the economy.

4.2 As Ghana continues to take full advantage of ICT and the digital communication technology to stimulate and catalyse all sectors of the economy, it becomes increasingly exposed and susceptible to cybercrime and cyber-attacks. This therefore calls for the needed measures to protect the country's Critical National Information Infrastructure, individuals and businesses.

4.3 Recommendations from the findings of an assessment on Ghana's cybersecurity maturity status commissioned by the Ministry of Communications in March 2018, and conducted by the Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre of Oxford University in collaboration with the World Bank, indicated the need for Ghana to scale up its response to cyber incidents. Recommendations on the assessment included the need to institute mechanisms to protect Critical National Information Infrastructure and the establishment of a National Institution responsible for cybersecurity in both the public and private sectors.

4.4 Following from the above recommendations and in line with Government's efforts to scale up
Mr Opare-Ansah 8:34 p.m.


cybersecurity and combat the menace of cybercrime, the President, in November 2018 granted executive approval for the procurement of the following:

a. A Critical National Infrastructure Protection Solution;

b. Digital Forensics Laboratory;

c. Cyber Intelligence System;

d. National Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT-GH) Infrastructure;

e. A Child Protection Solution;

f. Cybersecurity Research and Development (R&D) Roadmap; and

g. The Construction of a facility to host the National Cyber Security Centre (NSCS).

5.0 Scope of the Project

5.1 The Project is made up of a technology and a building component. The technology component comprises a Critical National Infrastructure Protection Solution through the deployment of a Cyber Security Operations Centre (SOC) to protect

Ghana's Critical Information Infrastructures; Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) especially on cyber-attackers and intelligence to support law enforcement activities and a Digital Forensics Laboratory with capabilities to examine suspected devices and the identification and analysis of malware. The Technology component also includes a National Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT-GH) to coordinate the activities of Sectoral CERTs and a management system to manage cybersecurity incidents.

In addition, a Child Online Protection (COP) application will be deployed to help protect children against paedophiles, kidnappers, and cyberbullying among others.

The Project also involves the development of a roadmap for Ghana's Cybersecurity Research and Development (R&D) out of which other technology components as well as a Child Online Protection application would be developed in line with the commercial agreement.

5.2 The building component of the Project comprises the construction of a six (6) storey facility to host the National Cyber Security Centre. This aspect of the Project will be executed by the Construction Contractor -- Mendanha and Sousa (Gh) limited in accordance with the requirements

stated in the commercial agreement. The Ministry on the other hand is expected to provide the site for the construction of the building with suitable and secured facilities for hosting the project.

6.0 Contract Sum

6.1 The total cost of the project is evaluated to be fifty-eight million, seven hundred and ten thousand, three hundred and twenty-six U.S dollars (US$58,710.326). An amount of thirteen million, four hundred and ten thousand, three hundred and twenty-six U.S dollars (US$13,410,326.00) out of the total amount is estimated as the cost of the building component of the project while the cost of the technology component of the project is estimated at forty-five million, three hundred thousand U.S dollars

(US$45,300,000.00)

7.0 Observations And Recommendations

7.1 The Committee was informed that the Project will take 18 months from the date of commencement to be completed. The Agreement came into force on 3rd May 2020, the date on which the agreement was signed by both parties and shall continue until terminated pursuant to clause 18 of the Agreement.

7.2 The Committee noted that the execution of this project is timely, especially in the wake of Ghana's digitalisation agenda and the global cyber threat. As Ghana pursues its digitalisation agenda, it becomes more disposed to cyber-attacks. Hence the need to procure effective systems and solutions to protect critical information infrastructure.

For the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to perform at its optimum to respond to cyber threats, it requires a solution to protect the Country's National Information Data and to also coordinate cyber security incidents in the public and private sectors. The Centre also requires a building to host the solutions and serve as office accommodation for its officers.

7.3 The Committee noted that the National Communications Authority provides pre-emptive cyber alerts on cyber-attacks and has in place a Computer Emergency Response Team to respond to cybercrime similar to what currently pertains in the financial and health sectors. The Committee therefore sought an explanation as to why new services for the same purpose would be procured by the Contractor under the Agreement? The Ministry explained that Ghana has a Computer Emergency Response Architecture and currently operates a decentralised system in critical stakeholder sectors
Mr Ras Mubarak 8:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise to second the Motion, and in commenting I would raise a few issues.
Mr Speaker, first, the challenges that we face with Government espionage in respect of our cyber space cannot be over emphasised. If we look at the more advanced countries such as the United States of America (USA), Israel, Singapore, Estonia and Japan, their cyber infrastructure have been at one point or the other, compromised.
Mr Speaker, as recent as last Tuesday, the budget management system of the Ministry of Finance in our own country was compromised.
Mr Speaker, if you look at the Crime Investigation Department (CID) in this country for 2018, according to the CID of the Ghana Police Service, data on direct losses
resulting from cyber alone for the year 2018 is GH¢105 million. That is the quantum of losses that have arisen as a result of cyber activity. We have seen instances where banks, military installations and corporate institutions have been attacked.
Parliaments, at one point in 2012 in Germany, had their entire system compromised. So the need to do this cannot be overemphasised.
Mr Speaker, having said that, if we go to page 5, paragraph 6 of the Report, it says that the contract sum is an amount of US$58,710, 326, out of which an amount of US$13 million is going to be used for the fiscal infrastructure, and an amount of US$45, 300.000 million would be used for the technology component of this project.
Mr Speaker, when this came up at the Committee level, I insisted that we be given a breakdown of what we are going to use the entire amount of US$45, 300, 000 for. This is because we cannot ask Parliament to approve a facility of an amount of US$45 million and then as Hon Members of Parliament, in providing oversight, we would not know what goes into that amount of US$45 million that would be used for the technology component.
Minority Leader (Mr Haruna Iddrisu) 8:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to contribute to the Motion for the approval of the commercial contract for the protection of Ghana's cyber space, and our initiative as a country to build a robust cyber or information technology security. It is important for Government, for the military, and for corporate entities, particularly, the financial institutions that collect and process data, to have their data protected.
Mr Speaker, a significant portion of that data is usually very sensitive information that can even be associated with matters that relate to intellectual property and others. However, I would want to urge the Hon Chairman of the Committee that wherever we have “child protection”,
for the purpose of the records, it should be qualified as “child online protection.” This is because it is related to information technology.
Mr Speaker, it is a grave threat because of the new enthusiasm of our kids and children into the information Technology (IT) world. So, we need to put in the needed safeguards, so that parents would encourage their children to use the computer, which is a good thing, even though it could also be a double edged sword. If it is not managed and governed well, we may be exposing our children to the difficult cultures of Europe with its associated problems.
Mr Speaker, just to go into what the Hon Ras Mubarak observed, if we come to paragraph 52, we have a six storey facility, and we are told that it would cost an amount of US$13 million. Then again, we are told that an amount of US$45,300, 000 would be used, then it was divided into technology and building components. Next time, they should let us know the technology that they are talking about.
They should let us also know what we are likely to procure, for the purpose of our oversight. If they just tell us that they would spend an amount of US$45.3 million on technology, that is not sufficient
Minority Leader (Mr Haruna Iddrisu) 8:44 p.m.


enough for our purposes of providing budgetary oversight. We would want to know whether it is for devices, for programme, for software and the others. We should know.

Mr Speaker, finally, when we come to the scope of the Project, it is made up of technology and building components, so next time, they should let us know the kind of technology that they are talking about.

However, generally, it is a good and a worthy initiative that Ghana is responsive, particularly for the military. Along the line, maybe the Hon Minister for Communications would even have to engage the Hon Ministers for Defence and the Interior. The next attack on us, is likely to be a cyber-attack. Our military; the Ghana Armed Forces, is zero prepared, and the Police Service is also zero prepared. So we would need to help them build their infrastructure.

Mr Speaker, with these comments, I support the Motion.

Question put and Motion agreed to.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:44 p.m.
Hon Members, we would move on to the item numbered 46 -- Resolution, by the Hon Minister for Commu- nications.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 8:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we would have to take the item numbered 32.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:44 p.m.
Would we not take the Resolution?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 8:44 p.m.
I thought that we had done the Resolution.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:44 p.m.
No, we are now taking the Resolution.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 8:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am sorry. The Hon Minister would then have to lead us to take the Resolution.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:44 p.m.
Hon Members, we would move on to the item numbered 46, by the Hon Minister for Communications.
RESOLUTIONS 8:44 p.m.
Minister for Communications (Mrs Ursula G. Owusu-Ekuful) 8:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that
WHEREAS by the provisions of article 181(5) of the Constitution the terms and conditions of any international business or economic transaction to which the Government of Ghana is a party shall not come into operation unless the said terms and conditions have been laid before Parliament and approved by Parliament by a Resolution supported by the votes of a majority of all Members of Parliament;
Pursuant to the provisions of the said article 181(5) of the Constitution, and at the request of the Government of Ghana acting through the Minister responsible for Communica- tions, there has been laid before Parliament the terms and conditions of a Commercial Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Communications)
and Rayzone Group Ltd. of Israel for an amount of fifty-eight million, seven hundred and ten thousand, three hundred and twenty-six United States dollars (US$58,710,326.00) for the Design, Development and Implementation of a Critical National Infrastructure Protec- tion Solution, Digital Forensics Laboratory Infrastructure, Cyber Intelligence System, National Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT-GH) Infrastructure, as well as the Design of a Child Protection Solution, Cybersecurity Research & Development (R&D) Roadmap for Ghana and the construction of a facility to host the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE 8:44 p.m.
HEREBY RESOLVES AS 8:44 p.m.
Mr Ras Mubarak 8:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:44 p.m.
Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 8:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we would move on to the item numbered 32.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:44 p.m.
Hon Members, we would move on to the item numbered 32, by the Hon Chairman of the Committee.
MOTIONS 8:44 p.m.
Chairman of the Committee (Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah) 8:44 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 Finance Committee on the EKF-Backed Loan Facility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and Standard Chartered Bank, London (as Original Lender, Agent, Structuring Bank, and Mandated Lead Arranger) for an amount of fifty- eight million and fifty-eight thousand, five hundred and twenty-two euros ninety-nine cents (€58,058,522.99 [including Eksport Kredit Fonden backed guarantee]) to finance the Supply and Erection of Electrical
Chairman of the Committee (Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah) 8:44 p.m.


Materials and Equipment for the Electrification of 205 Communities in the Upper East Region (SHEP 4) - Phase 2 may be moved today.
Mr Ras Mubarak 8:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:44 p.m.
Hon Members, we would move on to the item numbered 33.
Loan Facility Agreement between GoG/Standard
Chartered Bank, London to finance the Supply and Erection
of Electrical Materials and Equipment for the Electrification of 205 Communities in the Upper East Region (SHEP 4) -Phase 2
Chairman of the Committee (
Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah) 8:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move that this honourable House adopts the Report of the Finance Committee on the EKF-Backed Loan Facility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and
Standard Chartered Bank, London (as Original Lender, Agent, Structuring Bank, and Mandated Lead Arranger) for an amount of fifty- eight million, fifty-eight thousand, five hundred and twenty-two euros ninety-nine cents (€58,058,522.99 [including Eksport Kredit Fonden backed guarantee]) to finance the supply and erection of electrical materials and equipment for the electrification of 205 communities in the Upper East Region (SHEP 4) - Phase 2.
Mr Speaker, in so doing, I would present your Committee's Report.
1.0 Introduction
The EKF-Backed Loan Facility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and Standard Chartered Bank, London (as Original Lender, Agent, Structuring Bank, and Mandated Lead Arranger) for an amount of fifty- eight million, fifty-eight thousand, five hundred and twenty-two euros ninety-nine cents (€58,058,522.99) [including Eksport Kredit Fonden backed guarantee]) to finance the supply and erection of electrical materials and equipment for the
electrification of 205 communities in the Upper East Region (SHEP 4) - phase 2 was presented to the House on Tuesday 3rd November, 2020.
Pursuant to Orders 169 and 171(1) of the Standing Orders of the House, the Agreement was referred to the Committee on Finance for consideration and report.
The Committee subsequently met and considered the Agreement with a Deputy Minister for Finance, Hon Mrs Abena Osei-Asare, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Energy and a technical team from the Ministries of Finance and Energy and hereby present this report to the House.
2.0 Background
A major objective of Govern- ment's poverty reduction and growth agenda is the extension of electricity infrastructure to support the operation of productive ventures, social projects and activities, especially in rural areas.
The National Electrification Scheme (NES) commenced in 1990 with the aim of extending reliable electricity supply to all parts of the country over a 30-year period.
The objectives of the National Electrification Scheme (NES) are as follows:
i. Reducing poverty, especially in the rural areas;
ii. Increasing the overall socio- economic development of the nation;
iii. Improving people's standard of living, especially those in the rural areas;
iv. Creating small-to-medium- scale industries in rural areas;
v. Enhancing activities in other sectors of the economy, such as Agriculture, Health, Education, Tourism; and
vi. Creating jobs in the rural areas, thereby reducing the rate of rural to urban migration.
Complementary to the NES is the Self Help Electrification Programme (SHEP) under which communities which are within 20kms radius of an existing medium voltage (MV) network, which have provided the requisite Low Voltage (LV) electric poles and have wired at least one-third (1/3) of the houses are qualified to be connected to the national electricity grid.
Mr Mahama Ayariga (NDC -- Bawku Central) 8:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion and in doing so, emphasise the need for this facility for SHEP 4, phase 2 to deal with many of the communities that remain to be Connected to the national grid.
I am happy that the towns include Bawku which has just two main communities mentioned. That is likely, because we have covered many of the communities in the Bawku municipality and Bawku Central Constituency through work that some of us have done for many years now and we are still doing. In many of the communities, Members of Parliament (MP) are compelled to, out of their personal resources, try and procure materials to assist communities to extend electricity.
It has become a common spectre these days to find huge billboards with “No Lights, No Votes” written on them. In some communities, MPs and candidates have been threatened not to appear in those communities to
RESOLUTIONS 8:54 p.m.
THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE 8:54 p.m.
HEREBY RESOLVES AS 8:54 p.m.
Mr Ras Mubarak (NDC -- Kumbungu) 8:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:54 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, the Judicial Service Bill has come.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 8:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we would take the other part of the SHEP-4 Electrification project on the Addendum Order Paper, that is items numbered 2, 3 and
4.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:54 p.m.
Item numbered 2 on the Order Paper Addendum. Chairman, Motion?
MOTIONS 8:54 p.m.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi) 8:54 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 Mines and Energy on the Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Energy) and Thengashep Ghana Limited for an amount of fifty million euros (€50,000,000.00) for the supply and erection of electrical materials and equipment for the electrification of 205 communities in the Upper East Region (SHEP 4) - Phase 2 may be moved today.
Mr Ras Mubarak 8:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:54 p.m.
Item numbered 3, Motion.
Contract Agreement between the GoG and Thengashep Ghana Ltd for the Electrification of 205 Communities in the Upper East
Region (SHEP 4)-Phase 2
Mr Gyamfi 8:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this honourable House adopts the Report of the Committee
on Mines and Energy on the Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Energy) and Thengashep Ghana Limited for an amount of fifty million euros (€50,000,000.00) for the supply and erection of electrical materials and equipment for the electrification of 205 communities in the Upper East Region (SHEP 4) - Phase 2.
In doing so, I would present the Committee's Report.
1.0 Introduction
1.1 The Commercial Contract between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Energy) and Thengashed Ghana (Pty) Limited for an amount of fifty million euro (€50,000,000.00) to execute the supply and erection of electrical materials and equipment for the electrification of 205 communities in the Upper East Region (Self-Help Rural electrification Programme - 4) was laid in Parliament on 3rd November, 2020 by the Hon Deputy Minister for Energy, Mr Joseph Cudjoe, on behalf of the Hon Minster for Energy, Mr Peter Amewu.
1.2 The Contract Agreement was subsequently referred to the Committee on Mines and Energy by the Rt Hon Speaker for consideration and report pursuant to Order 188 of the Standing Orders of the House.
2.0 Deliberations
2.1 The Committee met on Tuesday 3rd November, 2020 and considered the Agreement. In attendance at the meeting was the Hon Deputy Minister for Energy Mr Joseph Cudjoe and his technical team from the Ministry.
2.2 The Committee is grateful to the Hon Deputy Minister for attending upon the Committee to clarify to aspects of the Agreement.
3.0 Reference
3.1 The Committee was guided by the following documents:
I. The 1992 Constitution of Ghana; and
II. The Standing Orders of Parliament.
4.0 Background
4.1 The Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Energy had been pursuing a National
Electrification Scheme (NES) since 1990 with the objective of reducing poverty, creating small-to-medium- scale industries, creating jobs in the rural areas, stemming rural-urban migration and improving the overall socio-economic development of the nation.
4.2The target of the National Electrification Scheme (NES), complemented by the Self-Help Electrification Programme (SHEP), is to extend electricity supply to all parts of the country over a 30-year period. So far, 10,486 communities have been connected to the national electricity grid as at March 2019 under the NES and SHEP.
4.3 The implementation of electrification programmes resulted in an increased in electricity access rate from about 15per cent of the population at the inception of the NES to the current level of 84.98 per cent.
4.4 In order to accelerate the achievement of universal access to electricity, the Government of Ghana is implementing several electrification projects in some selected communities across the country, including the areas covered by the current Contract Agreement laid before the House.
Mr Gyamfi 8:54 p.m.


5.0 Observations

5.1 Contract Sum, Payment Schedule & Completion Timeline

5.1.1 The total contract sum of €50,000,000.00 will be expended on

the design, manufacturing, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning and handing-over of the electrification project for 205 beneficiary communities in the Upper East Region. The breakdown of the contract price is as follows:

i. Cost associated with Environmental and Social Impact Assessment -- € 386,000

ii. Project Management Unit Activities -- € 1,250,000

iii. Project Cost -- €46,469,042

iv. Contingency (7.06per cent) -- € 3,530,958

5.1.2 The Government of Ghana has committed to pay 20 per cent of the contract sum as an advance payment to the Contractors to take care of mobilisation and design and the remaining 80 per cent of the contract price upon submission of valid claims in respect of the supply of materials and installation.

5.1.4 The time for the completion of the works is 1,460 days from the commencement date.

5.2. Improving Electricity Access Rate

5.2.1 The Committee noted with concern, the varying inequalities of access to electricity in the country. It was observed that the beneficiary region under this project, is ranked 14th among the 16 regions of Ghana in terms of electricity access rate. It was further noted that only 6 out of the 16 regions have access rates above the national average of 84.98 per cent. The completion of this project therefore, would contribute significantly to the achievement of the target of 90 per cent electricity access rate by 2020.

5.2.2 The Committee was also delighted to observe that the Contracts involve the provision of the Light Voltage (LV) poles for all the beneficiary communities which has been a major challenge for many of the beneficiary communities.

6.3 Value for Money Assessment

6.3.1 The Committee was informed that the determination of the

Bill of Quantities for the project was based on the previous value for money assessment conducted by the Contractor - Thengashep under the phase -1 project. The Committee was however, assured that the current Commercial Agreement will undergo a Value for Money Audit, with recommendations incorporated into the Agreement before it is signed by the Parties.
Mr Mahama Ayariga (NDC -- Bawku Central) 8:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
I think that the Upper East Region has a peculiar problem in terms of settlement patterns. You would go to a village and one house is half a kilometre from the next house. Sometimes, you would need about 10 poles just to connect two houses.
I recall the contractor for Thengashep 3 approached me one day and asked me whether it would not make economic sense if I took the money and gave it to the people to go and build new houses at one location?
This was because you would see a house with three roomswhich does not cost more than GH¢3,000 or GH¢4,000 to construct but the person has to use about 15 poles. A pole is about GH¢500, then the conductors and the number of stays that would be used, the irons and all the equipment that would be needed to extend it and it has to be done to get to the person's house. If it is not done, a big sign board would be erected with the inscription “no lights no votes''.
Mr Speaker, I am personally indebted because I have had to buy poles, conductors and irons. I am in touch with supplies of all sort of equipment because the rural electrification in my constituency never seemed to end because people do not build close to where electricity is available but they move half kilometre away. I am sure after this is done, in three years' time, they would do another one which would be SHEP 5 because there would be the need to continue to extend the electrification.
Mr Speaker, I support this and also urge our people to also consider the settlement pattern and build near houses with electricity -- [Interruption] -- At community durbars, I always advise them and indicate to them that the reason we never finish these projects is because of the settlement pattern which has become very expensive -- [Interruption] -- It is not just the land tenure system but people relocate and want to live close to their farms and for that reason they build their homes near their farms which makes the electrification project very expensive.
Mr Speaker, this amount and the communities listed are inadequate. In the Report, two communities in my constituency have been listed, but I
have about eight work gangs in the constituency in eight different communities that I would personally pay for them to work. I could show the list of the communities in Bawku but it is only two communities that have been mentioned in the Report.
Mr Speaker, we have few weeks to hold the Presidential and Parliamentary General Elections -- my Hon Friends from the other Side who took over in 2016, would have finished it by now. So when I went to campaign, the people said the Government in power did not continue with the rural electrification.
It is only today that I have seen the facility that has been dedicated to the Upper East Region, in which Bawku has also been added but it is only two communities. Well, “kitiwaa bia nsoa'' to wit “even the little is all right'' -- [Laughter] -- So, we would take the two that have been added to the Bawku Municipality and pray that in the future, more of these facilities would cover the rest of the communities.
Mr Speaker, on that note, I thank you and support the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
RESOLUTIONS 8:54 p.m.
THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE 8:54 p.m.
HEREBY RESOLVES AS 8:54 p.m.
Mr Ras Mubarak 8:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 8:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we could take item numbered 35 on the original Order Paper.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:54 p.m.
Hon Members, item numbered 35
MOTIONS 8:54 p.m.
Chairman of the Committee (Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah) 8:54 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 Finance Committee on the Loan Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and the Government of the Republic of Korea (acting through the Export-Import Bank of Korea [Government Agency for the
Economic Development Cooperation Fund {EDCF}]) for an amount in Korean Won not exceeding the equivalent of one hundred million United States dollars (US$100,000,000.00) to finance the Techiman Water Supply Project may be moved today.
Mr Ras Mubarak 8:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 8:54 p.m.
Item numbered 36.
Agreement to Finance the Techiman Water Supply Project
Chairman of the Committee (Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah) 8:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this honourable House adopts the Report of the Finance Committee on the Loan Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and the Government of the Republic of Korea (acting through the Export-Import Bank of Korea
[Government Agency for the Economic Development Cooperation Fund {EDCF}]) for an amount in Korean Won not exceeding the equivalent of one hundred million United States dollars (US$100,000,000.00) to finance the Techiman Water Supply Project.
Mr Speaker, in so doing I present your Committee's Report.
1.0 Introduction
The Loan Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and the Government of the Republic of Korea (acting through the Export-Import Bank of Korea [Government Agency for the Economic Development Cooperation Fund {EDCF}]) for an amount of Korean Won not exceeding the equivalent of one hundred million United States dollars (US$100,000,000.00) to finance the Techiman Water Supply Project was presented to the House on Tuesday, 3rd November, 2020 by the Hon. Minister responsible for Parliamentary Affairs, Hon Osei Kyei-Mensah- Bonsu on behalf of the Minster for Finance.
The Rt Hon Speaker referred the request to the Finance Committee for consideration and report.
Mr Ras Mubarak (NDC -- Kumbungu) 8:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion for the adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee.
Mr Speaker, in reference to the terms of the loan, we seek a US$100 million of which 65 per cent is the grant element, service charge is 0.10 per cent, repayment period is 30 years, grace period 10 years and interest rate 0.1 per cent. The terms are very good. Water is life and for which reason, I support the approval of the request.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Dr Kwabena Twum-Nuamah (NPP -- Berekum East) 9:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion. Techiman is currently one of the fastest growing towns in Ghana and it is now the capital for the newly created Bono East Region.
Mr Speaker, this project would go a long way to enhance the water supply situation in Techiman. We all
know that water is life and so having enough supply of it would improve the health outcomes of the people of Techiman and its environs.
Mr Speaker, I am happy to note that in addition to Techiman, communities like Afrancho, New Tachiman, Tanoso, Tadeaso, Kuntunso, Ahenswa, Takofiano, Tuobodom, Djama, Kenten, Krobo, Akrofrom, Aworowa, would all benefit from this project.
Mr Speaker, Techiman was the first place I worked after medical school and even at that time, there had been issues with water. People had to come to the hospital to get water because of its challenges.

Mr Speaker, I believe that this project would solve the water situation in Techiman once and for all. The Government has done a lot in terms of water supply. We can talk of Yendi, Tamale, Sunyani and now, we have Techiman. I believe that this Government has done well.

Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.

Question put and Motion agreed to.
RESOLUTIONS 9:14 p.m.
THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE 9:14 p.m.
HEREBY RESOLVES AS 9:14 p.m.
Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah 9:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 9:14 p.m.
Yes, Hon Majority Leader, is there anything that is so urgent?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 9:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am sorry I did not hear you earlier. I thought you said I am tired and I responded no, I am not tired but I am getting tired. I did not know that you were referring to yourself.
I am sorry.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 9:14 p.m.
I said, I am exhausted.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 9:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I did not hear that; I am sorry.
Mr Speaker, if you would just permit me for just one minute, the Minister for Finance would present some Papers to us and then we shall adjourn subsequent to that.
So, that is on Order Paper Addendum 2.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 9:14 p.m.
Very well.
Hon Members, Order Paper Addendum 2.
PAPERS 9:14 p.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 9:14 p.m.
Shall we do the item numbered 1 (b) on the Order Paper Addendum 2?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 9:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Minister for Communications would hold the fort for the Minister for Health.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 9:14 p.m.
Item number 1 (b) (i) by the Hon Minister for Communications.
By the Minister for Communications (Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful) on behalf of (the Minister for Health) --
(i) Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Health) and MZ Liberec, a.s. of the Czech Republic for an amount of thirty-eight million euros (€38,000,000.00) for the construction and equipping of 40-Bed District Hospitals at Ayensuano, Effiduase and Offinso, and the Completion and Equipping of Old Tafo
Maternity and Kumasi South Maternity Blocks.
Referred to the Committee on Health.
(ii) Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Health) and Makiber, S.A., Spain for an amount of seventy million euros (€70,000,000.00) for the Construction and Equipping of Three Paramedic General District Hospitals in the Republic of Ghana.
Referred to the Committee on Health.
(iii) Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Health) and Amandi Investment Limited of Cyprus for an amount of one hundred and ninety million euros (€190,000,000.00) for the rehabilitation of the Effia Nkwanta Hospital and the
construction of a Regional Hospital in the Western Region of the Republic of Ghana.
Referred to the Committee on Health.
(iv) Commercial Contract Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Health) and Carl Friederichs GmbH of Germany for an amount of nineteen million, eight hundred and seventy-six thousand, seven hundred and forty-four euros (€19,876,744.00) for the supply of ambulances, and related training and maintenance services.
Referred to the Committee on Health.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 9:24 p.m.
Item numbered (c) by the Hon Chairman of the Committee?
By the Chairman of the Committee --
(i) Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement
Mr First Deputy Speaker 9:24 p.m.


between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources) and Electrochem Ghana Limited in respect of the Ada Songhor Salt Project (Ada West Lease Area [Ada Songhor]).

(ii) Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources) and Electrochem Ghana Limited in respect of the Ada Songhor Salt Project (Ada West & East Lease Area [Ada Songhor “B”]).

(iii) Report of the Committee on Mines and Energy on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources) and Electrochem Ghana Limited in respect of the Ada Songhor Salt Project

(Ada East Lease Area [Ada Songhor “C”]).
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 9:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I respect what you said but if you would just indulge us with the Third Reading of the Patents (Amendment) Bill, 2020, that is the item numbered 2 on the Order Paper Addendum 2.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 9:24 p.m.
Very well.
Hon Attorney-General and Minister for Justice?
MOTIONS 9:24 p.m.
Mr Iddrisu 9:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
BILLS -- THIRD READING 9:24 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT 9:24 p.m.