Debates of 17 Jun 2021

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 2:24 p.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 2:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker 2:24 p.m.
Hon Members, we would go straight to item numbered 4 on the Order Paper, Correction of Votes and Proceedings and the Official Report. We would start with the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 16th June, 2021.
Mr Speaker 2:24 p.m.
Hon Members, we would want to vary the order of Business and move straight to item numbered 8.
Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh 2:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is rightly so; as agreed by Leadership of both Sides. We would take item numbered 8, after which with your leave, we would break into Committee of the Whole because of the strong concerns about the consideration of the formulas for the Statutory Funds. Today, we are considering the formula for the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). We would then come back and take other items on the Order Paper.
Mr Speaker, we are taking the Presentation of Papers. With your leave, I would take item 8(b) on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee.
Mr Speaker 2:34 p.m.
Hon Members, we are altering the order of Business for the day according to the earlier agreement between the leaders of the House.

So, At the Commencement of Public Business, item numbered 8 on page 4 of the Order Paper, Presentation of Papers.

Item numbered 8(a) - by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
rose
Mr Speaker 2:34 p.m.
Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 2:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, item numbered 8(a) is not ready yet and so we would move to item numbered 8(b) instead.
Mr Speaker 2:34 p.m.
So are we going to stand down 8(a), (i)(ii) and (iii) or we defer it?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 2:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we are anticipating the arrival of the Minister and so we would stand it down for now.
Mr Speaker 2:34 p.m.
Item numbered 8(b), by the Chairman of the Committee.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 2:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I already sought your permission to do the laying on behalf of the Chairman.
Mr Speaker 2:34 p.m.
Minority Leader- ship, any objection?
Your Hon Colleague wants to lay the Seventh Report of the Appointments Committee for and on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee.
Mr Avedzi 2:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, that is in order.
Mr Speaker 2:34 p.m.
Hon Member, leave granted.
Item numbered 8(b) by the Chairman of the Committee?
PAPERS 2:34 p.m.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 2:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, by your indulgence and based on earlier agreement, we could now break into the Committee of the Whole to consider the GETFund formula after which we go back to the Questions and other businesses for the day.
Mr Speaker 2:34 p.m.
Hon Members, Sitting is accordingly suspended to enable the House reconstitute itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider the various formulas that have been laid before the House.
2.27 p.m. - Sitting suspended.

4.24 p. m. -- Sitting resumed.
MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:34 p.m.
Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 2:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, contrary to the earlier agreement that when we are done with the Committee of the Whole we would revert to Questions, I seek your leave and the indulgence of my Hon Colleagues for us to move on to the Presentation of Papers, the item numbered 8 (a) (iii), after which we would come back to Questions.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 2:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleague; the Hon Majority Chief Whip, must seek your leave. The power to vary Business lies in your bosom. I have no objection to what he has done, but he must seek your leave for you to vary the order of Business, for us to proceed to the Commencement of Public Business, and probably come back to Questions. I have no objection, but he must respect your Chair that you are granting him leave, and varying the order of Business to move on to the item numbered 8.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:34 p.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Minority Leader.
Hon Members, the order is hereby varied. So, at the Commencement of Public Business, we would move on to the item numbered 8 (a) on page 4 of today's Order Paper. It is a Paper to be laid by the Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
PAPERS 2:34 p.m.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 2:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we may revert to Questions, and instead of starting from the Urgent Question, I seek your leave for us to start from the Question numbered 12.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 4:34 p.m.
Hon Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources? Let me now invite the Hon Member for Kpandai, Hon Daniel Nsala Wakpal to ask his Question. Is the Hon Member around? [Pause]
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 4:34 p.m.
Hon Member for North Tongu, I hope you are not also the Hon Member for Kpandai. What is your issue?
Mr Ablakwa 4:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, my issue is that the provisional Order Paper for today had my Question prominently listed, but coming to the House today, and looking at the Order Paper, the Question that was advertised for the Hon Minister for Finance to answer on the cost of the President's recent travels to France, Belgium and South Africa is conspicuously missing. Mr Speaker, I wonder what the cause of this rather strange development is? That is why I am on my feet.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 4:34 p.m.
Hon Member, your Question is not before me. Anyway, Leadership?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 4:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, for what I know, it is the Rt Hon Speaker who admits Questions, and when they are admitted, and Answers are ready, they are accordingly advertised. I could make a reasonable deduction, and it is fair to make an excuse that probably, the Answer is not ready, and that is why it is not captured. The Hon Member may want to find out from the Speaker's Office why the Question was not advertised.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 4:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Business Committee met this morning, and sincerely, I could not take part in the meeting. I understand that the matter was discussed, and the Hon Minister asked for a rescheduling of the Question. I would engage my Hon Colleague.
Indeed, the Hon Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings tried to reach me when she got to the Committee meeting, but I was held up at another discussion. Hon Ablakwa, I would persuade you that the Question may be rescheduled, and the Hon Minister for Finance would come and respond.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 4:34 p.m.
So, Hon Member, your Question is
ORAL ANSWERS TO 4:34 p.m.
QUESTIONS 4:34 p.m.
MINISTRY OF SANITATION 4:34 p.m.
AND WATER RESOURCES 4:34 p.m.
Mr Daniel Nsala Wakpal (NDC - Kpandai) 4:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources whether there are plans to initiate a town water system project in Kpandai, which is now a municipality.
Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources (Ms Cecilia Abena Dapaah) 4:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, Kpandai is the capital town of Kpandai District in the Northern Region with a population of about 14,000 people. In 2007, the Government of Ghana with funding support from the French Development Agency (AFD) constructed a Town Water System to serve a population of 8,625 and it was designed for a period of 10 years.
In consonance with the rural water management policy, the water system was handed over after construction to the Water and Sanitation Management Team (WSMT) with the active support of the District Assembly.
Currently, the water system has broken down and efforts by the Municipal Assembly to rehabilitate the water system has yielded no results due to financial constraints.
Mr Speaker, I wish to emphasise that, over time, most of the small town water supply systems have been fraught with challenges posed as a result of the WSMTs not properly accounting for their stewardship and resisting interventions aimed at maintaining and upgrading these systems. Whilst some of these systems are reeling under heavy electricity debts, others have broken down and have been abandoned.
Mr Speaker, to stem the tide and make rural water supply more efficient and accessible to communities, Government is considering a policy review to make the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) provide the needed managerial and technical backstopping to save these water systems that were provided at high cost to Government.
Mr Speaker, in our effort to improve water supply in Kpandai District, the CWSA is engaging the Kpandai District Assembly to take over, rehabilitate and expand the existing water supply system to meet the increasing water demand.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 4:34 p.m.
Hon Member, any supplementary question?
Mr Wakpal 4:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to know how Government intends to facilitate the quick release of funds to ensure that the water system is restored in time to ease the current crisis?
Ms Dapaah 4:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we are doing everything possible to engage the district assembly to work on this.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 4:44 a.m.
Any further supplementary question, Hon Member?
Mr Wakpal 4:44 a.m.
Mr Speaker, considering that the water systems were badly broken as a result of improper management, how does Government intend to play a supervisory role to guard against the mismanagement of these systems when they are restored?
Ms Dapaah 4:44 a.m.
Mr Speaker, there are reforms that are being introduced into the system to make sure that there is proper accounting and monitoring. Also, there are systems to be put in place to maintain and manage the system.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 4:44 a.m.
Let us shift to Question numbered 13 on page 2 which stands in the name of the same Hon Member for Kpandai.
Hon Member, Question numbered
13?
Mr Daniel Nsala Wakpal (NDC -- Kpandai) 4:44 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources whether there are plans to provide borehole facilities or alternative water systems for the following communities in the Kpandai Constituency: (i) Samboli (ii) Chakori (iii) Nyumbo (iv) Lambado (v) Binagmado (vi) Kujo (vii) Bubari (viii) Kwatape (ix) Kapui (x) Takinado (xi) Sungwa (xii) Legee (xiii) Ochiripe (xiv) Nijero (xv) Dalando (xvi) Kpakpa (xvii) and Kachinke.
Ms Dapaah 4:44 a.m.
Mr Speaker, communities within the Kpandai constituency are currently faced with some challenges in the supply of safe water due to population increase. Whilst, Nyumbo, Chakori, Lambado,
Mr Wakpal 4:44 a.m.
Mr Speaker, until annual budget allocations are made, what are the Ministry's immediate plans to supply water to these communities?
Ms Dapaah 4:44 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the primary funding for our work is
through the annual budget allocation. Apart from that, we also have donor agencies that help us, so we would put this on the priority list.
Thank you.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 4:44 a.m.
Hon Member, any further supplementary question? If you are okay, then we would move to Question numbered 14 which stands in your name again. You may ask the Question.
Mr Daniel Nsala Wakpal (NDC - Kpandai) 4:44 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources if there are plans to extend small water systems to the following communities in the Kpandai Constituency, to solve the perennial water scarcity problem: (i) Kabonwute (ii) Sholoto (iii) Blajai (iv) Kojobone (v) Wiae (vi) Lonto (vii) Kabeso (viii) Kpadjai (ix) Gulibi Quarters (x) Binagmado (xi) Tanglento (xii) Balai (xiii) Kitari (xiv) Kakpani (xv) Nkachina (xvi) Kumdi (xvii) Katiejeli and (xviii) Buya.
Ms Dapaah 4:44 a.m.
Mr Speaker, currently, Kabonwule, Katiejeli, Buya and Gulibi Quarters communities have limited mechanised water systems, while the other 14 communities have boreholes fitted with hand pumps. However, the population of these towns have outgrown the water
supply facilities and are not capable of meeting the demand for water.
Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources through the Ghana Water Company Limited is implementing a policy where all new water supply treatment plants would supply water to towns and communities along the transmission line from the water source and distribution lines.
Mr Speaker, furthermore, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources and the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, would annually also make budgetary provision as well as solicit for financial and technical support from Development Partners to enable the Community Water and Sanitation Agency extend small water systems to these communities to resolve the perennial water scarcity problem.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 4:44 a.m.
Hon Member, any supplementary question?
Mr Wakpal 4:44 a.m.
Mr Speaker, most of these boreholes are dilapidated and as rightly stated by the Hon Minister they are unable to cater for the water needs of these communities. Since water scarcity poses a great threat to
Ms Dapaah 4:44 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I assume that the Hon Member wants to find out what we mean to do to alleviate the perennial water scarcity problem in the interim? I would want to place on record that during the dry season, we do have such situations. If we have the rainy season, I think that we can also rely on this natural benevolence that we enjoy to also fill up some of these aquifers. Meanwhile, like I said, we are doing everything possible to get funding to undertake this Project.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 4:44 a.m.
Hon Member, do you have any other question? That would be your last supplementary question.
Mr Wakpal 4:44 a.m.
My last follow-up question is that the perennial water scarcity problem is dangerous because it triggers the outbreak of diseases which has an adverse effect on human life. What is Government's long-term plan to eliminate the acute water shortage in the Kpandai District?
Ms Dapaah 4:44 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I could not agree more with the Hon Member. Like I said, we are exploring all avenues to make sure that we provide water to stem diseases and the
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 4:44 a.m.
Thank you. Let me at this juncture invite the Hon Member for Bole/ Bamboi, Mr Yusif Sulemana to ask the Minister his Question.
Mr Yusif Sulemana (NDC -- Bole/Bamboi) 4:44 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am very grateful for this opportunity.
I beg to ask the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources when Bamboi would be provided with pipe-borne water.
Ms Dapaah 4:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, Bamboi is in the Bole/Bamboi Constituency under the Bole District of the Savannah Region being served by boreholes. The groundwater table of the community is low and, as a result, the available boreholes are not yielding sufficient water to be mechanised.
Consequently, the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) has undertaken a preli- minary assessment of the Bamboi
water situation and has established that it is possible to supply safe water to Bamboi from New Longoro, a community in the Bono East Region which is separated from Bamboi by the Black Volta River at a distance of about 1.5 kms.
Mr Speaker, New Longoro benefitted from a Limited Mechanised Water Supply Scheme in 2017 under the Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation Project funded by the World Bank. The Water Supply Scheme is operational and is being managed by the CWSA.
Furthermore, in 2020, the CWSA successfully drilled two (2) high- yielding boreholes in New Longoro for possible mechanisation and extension to Bamboi by the middle of next year, 2022.
Mr Sulemana 4:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in the last paragraph of the Hon Minister's Answer, she stated that in 2020, two boreholes were constructed and that mechanisation would take place by the middle of 2022. I would want to find out from her the cause of this delay. How could boreholes be drilled in 2020 and be mechanised in 2022?
Ms Dapaah 4:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, this is due to the distribution of the funding that we have and it has been projected for 2022.
Mr Sulemana 4:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister the source of funding for this Project?
Ms Dapaah 4:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the source of funding is from the Annual Budget Estimates.
Mr Sulemana 4:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister if after the mechanisation she would consider to extend the water to the Bamboi Polyclinic because they do not have water? The polyclinic would be commissioned somewhere in July 2021.
Ms Dapaah 4:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, this is a new request and it would be considered.
Mr Andrew Dari Chiwitey 4:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister why the Ministry and the CWSA would not consider a system that would draw water from the Black Volta because it is the Black Volta that separates Bamboi from - they could draw water and treat it from the Black Volta and distribute it to the community instead of relying on the borehole.
A similar thing has been done in Damongo, where water is drawn from the White Volta and supplied to the
people of Damongo, Tamale and the other surrounding areas. So, why would they not consider this option?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 4:54 p.m.
Hon Member, the question was constituency -- specific but I allowed this particular question because I know you share boundary with the Hon Member for Bole/Bamboi.
Ms Dapaah 4:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I did state earlier that water would be drawn from the Black Volta over a distance of 1.5 kms to serve the area.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 4:54 p.m.
Hon Members, we will now take Questioned 48 on the Order Paper.
Connection of some communities in the Asuogyaman District to
the Ghana Water Pipelines
(Nnudu, Aboasa, Apeguso, et cetera)
Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem (NDC -- Asuogyaman) 4:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Hon Minister what plans the Government has to connect the following communities in the Asuogyaman District to the Ghana Water company's pipelines: (i) Nnudu (ii) Aboasa (iii) Apeguso (iv) Mpakadan (v) Anyensu (vi) Abomayaw (vii) Frankadua (viii) Fintey (ix) Osiabura.
Mr Ampem 4:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, there are communities which are smaller than Frankadua but are connected to the GWCL, but it does not matter if these communities I listed would get water from GWCL. I want to know if they have any immediate plans to provide water to the communities that I have listed?
Ms Dapaah 4:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is our vision to make sure that all communities are provided with water. As I said, we struggle between these two Agencies to provide water for the people of Ghana, so wherever we need to link to GWCL, we would do that. If we have enough yield to also supply from CWSA, we would do that.
Mr Ampem 4:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to know if the Hon Minister is aware of an expansion project that was on-going about seven years ago in Atimpoku with the intention of supplying the communities that I mentioned with water from GWCL?
Ms Dapaah 4:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am aware.
Mr Ampem 5:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, if the Hon Minister is aware of that particular project, I would have expected a firm assurance from her
that these communities would be connected. What is the status of that expansion project as we speak and when does she think that project would be completed?
Ms Dapaah 5:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I need to get in touch with my technical team to be able to give the current status.
Mr Speaker 5:04 p.m.
Now Hon Member for Ketu North, Mr James Klutse Avedzi?
Solution to Acute Water Shortage in Dzodze under
Government's COVID-19 Free Water Programme
Mr James Klutse Avedzi (NDC - Keta North) 5:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources what the Ministry was doing to solve the acute water shortage in Dzodze, which, according to the Community Water Board, was due to the inability of Government to pay for the free water supplied to the people under the Government's COVID-19 Free Water programme.
Ms Dapaah 5:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Dzodze Water System was part of the EVORAP projects that were completed in September 2004 with funding from GIZ/GoG funds and
handed over to the Water and Sanitation Management Team (WSMT) of Dzodze under the Community Management model for the operations and maintenance of the water system.
Mr Speaker, the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, in 2017, entreated the Ketu North Municipal Assembly to take-over the management of the water system to provide the needed managerial and technical backstopping to save these water systems that were provided at high cost to Government, but the offer was turned down.
Mr Speaker, I wish to indicate that the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, and the Community Water and Sanitation Agency are liaising with the Ministry of Finance to effect payment of the outstanding bills for the free water supplied by the Dzodze WMST to the residents, as well as other outstanding bills owed across the country.
In line with Government's ‘Water for All' agenda, all new water supply treatment plants will supply water to towns and communities along the transmission line from water source and distribution lines. I therefore, want to state that Dzodze and other communities including Agordome, Akatsi, Abor, Klikor-Agbozume,
Mr Avedzi 5:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, this water shortage in Dzodze is really affecting the people. Considering the Hon Minister's interaction and engagement with the Minister for Finance, what is preventing the Ministry of Finance from paying for the water consumed by the people under the programme so that the Community Water Board can use the money to maintain the equipment in order to supply water to the people? We have approved money under the COVID-19 programme to supply water to the people; the water has been supplied and the Ministry of Finance is not paying the Community Water Board to maintain the equipment and that is causing the water shortage. What is preventing the Ministry from paying for the water consumed?
Ms Dapaah 5:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I believe that the Minister for Finance should be commended for paying the free water bills from time to time. To give a few figures, Government has spent over GH¢805 million to provide free water from April 2020 to April 2021 and the Minister for Finance has been gracious enough to pay close to GH¢500 million for urban water, and we also commend him for paying GH¢33 million for rural water.
Mr Speaker, I would like to place on record that in the whole world, it is only President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo who has provided free water to his people. [Hear! Hear!] We all know the essence of potable water to the good people of Ghana and the Government is doing everything in its power and Dzodze is included in the payment of outstanding bills.
As I speak, the outstanding bill for rural water is GH¢13.21 million and the Hon Minister for Finance is ready to consider the payment.
Mr Avedzi 5:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister is commending the Minister for Finance for paying huge sums of money for the water consumed. Is she telling me that the people of Ketu North and for that matter, Dzodze are not important so that whatever they
consume is not paid by the Government? Is that what she is telling me by the figure she is quoting? The people need water, they have not paid for what they have consumed and she is now quoting figures. We want the money paid to the Community Water Board so that they can fix their equipment --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:04 p.m.
Hon Deputy Minority Leader, what is your question? Just ask your question.
Mr Avedzi 5:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, my question is whether the people of Ketu North are not important so that whatever they consume can also be paid in order for the community water to use it in fixing the equipment?
Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin 5:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:04 p.m.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, the Hon Minister is --
Mr Alexander K. Afenyo- Markin 5:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with respect, I seek your leave to draw our attention to Standing Order 69 on page 47. It reads:
“As soon as a Question is answered in the House any Member beginning with the Member who asked the Question may, without notice, ask a supplementary question for the Further elucidation of any matter of fact regarding which
the answer has been given, but a supplementary question must not be used to introduce a matter not included in the original question”.
Mr Speaker, I humbly submit that the path taken by the Hon Colleague, the Deputy Minority Leader, is not in accord with what the rule states. He has asked his main question and this is not a supplementary question and he should be guided accordingly. It is only fair.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:04 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, well noted. However, the Hon Minister is ever willing to respond to that question.
Ms Dapaah 5:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am flabbergasted by the statement made by the Hon Member for Ketu North. I did mentioned that every Ghanaian is entitled to potable water. When we consume water and the Government says it is free, it does not mean we should not pay for it. I commended the Hon Minister for Finance for living up to expectation in making sure that funds are released and spread all over the country including my village; we have an outstanding bill as well and everybody is important in Ghana.
So, it is rather unfortunate that the Hon Member should stray into those areas.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:04 p.m.
Hon Member, your last question but restrict yourself to the substantive question.
Mr Avedzi 5:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the question I asked fits perfectly into the supplementary question because I asked the question based on the Answer she provided.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:14 p.m.
Hon Leader, please ask your final supplementary question.
Mr Avedzi 5:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the people of Ketu North, for that matter Dzodze, are dying because they do not have water. Mr Speaker, and the Hon Minister would have to liaise with the Ministry of Finance to pay the money to the Community Water Board for the equipment to be fixed before the people will get water. I want to know how soon this would be done, but if it would not be done soon, then what interim measure would be put in place for the people to get water?
Ms Dapaah 5:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the process through which payments are made is not as if the bills are presented today and paid tomorrow. We have to do validation and auditing before, and with the accountancy
background of the Hon Deputy Leader, I think he would agree with me that even if the Hon Minister for Finance provides the funds today, it would take some time to even pay the communities.
Again, I must stress that we are on course with funding to pay the community bills that are to be paid.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:14 p.m.
Hon Member for Akatsi North?
Mr Peter Nortsu-Kotoe 5:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you.
In the Answer by the Hon Minister, she mentioned that outstanding bills for the free water that was supplied by the Dzodze Water Sanitation and Management Team to the residents, is yet to be paid. Mr Speaker, can the Hon Minister tell the House how much the Ministry owes the Dzodze Water Sanitation and Management Team?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:14 p.m.
Hon Member, I would not allow the Hon Minister to answer this Question. As I said yesterday, this is a House of records so we do not have to invite an Hon Minister to answer a specific Question and later ask another question involving money. The Hon Minister might say something which might not be the case and the records would capture that.
Please, I would not allow this particular Question.
Mr Avedzi 5:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister did not answer my question.
Mr Speaker, I asked that before the money would be released by the Ministry of Finance, what interim measure will the Hon Minister put in place for the people to get water? She did not answer that portion of my question.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:14 p.m.
Hon Member, you are Hon Leader and that is why I would allow the Hon Minister to respond.
Ms Dapaah 5:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with your kind permission, I do not think that the Hon Member wants me to tell him that I would have to pay the Bill. At the end of the day, it is the funds that we would receive from the Ministry of Finance that we would use to pay the Bills. As I said, it is not just the payments for Dzodze because the story is the same in other parts of the country. So, as soon as we get the funds we would make the payments.
Mr Speaker, thank you.
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:14 p.m.
Hon Member, yours would be the last supplementary question.
Mr Bedzrah 5:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you.
In the Answer by the Hon Minister, she said:
“In line with Government's ‘Water for All' agenda, all new water supply treatment plants will supply water to towns and communities along the transmission line from the water source and distribution lines. I therefore want to state that Dzodze and other communities including Agordome, Akatsi, Abor, Klikor-Agbozume, Aflao, Greater Lome and its environs, have been considered to benefit from the Sogakope-Lome Transboundary Water Supply Project upon completion.”
Mr Speaker, I just want to find out from the Hon Minister how soon this Project would start?
Ms Dapaah 5:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Member is aware that this is a transboundary project and we have a constraint with even our meetings because they have all been virtual. Mr Speaker, as soon as the situation
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:14 p.m.
Hon Minister, thank you for attending upon the House to answer the Questions from Hon Members. You are discharged.
I would now invite the Hon Minister for Finance to take the appropriate seat and answer the Question asked of him.
Hon Minority Leader, you may now ask your Urgent Question.
URGENT QUESTIONS 5:14 p.m.
MINISTRY OF FINANCE 5:14 p.m.
Minister for Finance (Mr Ken Ofori-Atta) 5:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you because it is always a pleasure to be here and also for all the support given
to the previous Administration and for the great things we were able to achieve in the House.
Mr Speaker, the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic required urgent action to contain its negative and harsh impact on lives and livelihoods. As part of measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on public finances, the Hon Minister for Finance, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana and the Controller and Accountant -General triggered the Bank of Ghana Asset Purchase Programme in line with Section 30(6) of the BoG Act of 2002 (Act 612) to provide Government with GH¢10 billion through the purchase of Government of Ghana COVID-19 Relief Bond to help finance COVID- 19 and related residual expenditure.
Mr Speaker, since the facility was raised under Section 30(6) of Act 612, which relates to borrowing under emergency, the facility was structured as a long-term facility and not subject to section 30(3) where repayments are to be done within three months after grant of the advance.
The terms of the Bond are as follows: The Bond name: COVID-19 Relief Bond Programme; Programme size: GH¢10 billion; Tenure: 10 Years with Two Year Moratorium;
Repayment: Amortising after Moratorium; Principal and Interest will commence in November 22; Interest Rate: Floating pegged to prevailing NPR and the Currency is the Ghana Cedi.
Mr Speaker, the GH¢10 billion was issued in two tranches and the first tranche of GH¢5.5 billion face value was issued on 15th May, 2020 and the final tranche of GH¢4.5 billion face value was issued on 9 th September, 2020. Mr Speaker, consequently, the first repayment of principal and domestic interest due would be reflected in the debt repayment schedule for the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policies of the Government. There were no other temporary advances from the Bank of Ghana in 2020.
Mr Speaker, thank you.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:24 p.m.
Yes, Hon Leader, any supplementary question?
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 5:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister for Finance whether the Bank of Ghana (BoG) bought any Government bonds?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:24 p.m.
Hon Leader, you may repeat the Question.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 5:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I asked whether the BoG purchased any Government bonds?
Mr Ofori-Atta 5:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, this is obviously a new question. The BoG consistently does secondary market trading. We have accounts there, and we draw down on our deposits. Really, if it is also an issue of where we got these sources from, we also got about US$5.7 billion from the International Monetary Fund's (IMF's) Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) during that period.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 5:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I just want to know the value of Government bonds that were purchased by the BoG, and whether it was beyond the GH¢10 billion for which the Minister for Finance was in Parliament which we granted approval, and if any other advances were made to the Government by the BoG?
Mr Ofori-Atta 5:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the GH¢10 billion was clearly the one major transaction that was done apart from our own draw down of deposits from the BoG. Whatever the BoG does in secondary trading, that really was not to the Government of Ghana (GoG).
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 5:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I just want to know the value of Government bonds purchased by the BoG.
Mr Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin 5:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I shall repeat my earlier application. The Hon Minority Leader and I know that we act within the confines of our rules. When these questions come up in such manner, I would not want to say that it amounts to ambushing, but we would want to give facts, answers that would not turn out to be contradictory. So I plead that we go in accordance with what Standing Order 69 requires of us. If the Hon Minority Leader wants to know specifically what bonds the BoG issued or purchased, he could file the same Question, and the Hon Minister cannot say that he does not have the figures. I just would want to draw your attention to that for the second time.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:24 p.m.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, I am inclined to go with you. Like I said yesterday, this House must give accurate records. Looking at your Question “To ask the Minister for Finance the total amount of temporary advances from the BoG to the GoG for the 2020 Financial Year” and to come and ask the Hon
Minister something quite different from this would be problematic. So like I said yesterday. Hon Minority Leader, if you want that specific response, please file a specific Question to that effect so that the Hon Minister can give accurate report to this House and the nation.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 5:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would not litigate your ruling. I would respect it.
I just wanted for the record from the Minister whether the GoG got some financing by way of bonds. If the answer is not available, I would proceed to my second supplementary question.
Mr Speaker, in his Answer, the Hon Minister quoted section 30 of the BoG Act of 2002 (Acts 612). With your indulgence, I quote subsections (1), (2) and (3), but my emphasis would be on subsections (2) and (3) since he referenced it in his Answer:
“(30) (1) The Bank may:
(a) make advances and loans to the Government on overdraft or in any other form that the Board may determine;
(2) The total of the loans, advances, purchase or treasury bills and securities
together with money borrowed by the Government from other banking institutions and the public at the close of a financial year under subsection (1) shall not exceed 10 per cent of the total revenue of the fiscal year in which the advances were made''.
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister what the revenue for the 2019 fiscal year was and how he arrived at the amount which the Hon Minister, the Controller and Accountant-General and others borrowed in accordance with subsection (6) of the Act?
Mr Ofori-Atta 5:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, this is a new question, first of all. Also, really, we believe that we stayed within the law. We would need to do a comprehensive analysis and certainly submit to him. That should not take us too long to do. Information on the 10 per cent et cetera could be provided, and I suspect that if we look through our Mid-Year Review, we would have those answers.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:24 p.m.
Hon Minority Leader, your last supplementary question.
Mr Speaker, I would end at this.
Subsection 3 of Act 30 which is on temporary advances provides, and with your permission, I quote:
“(3) An advance made under subsection (1) shall be repaid within three months after the grant of the advance, and where that advance remains unpaid after the due date, the power of the Bank to make further advances in a subsequent financial year shall not be exercised unless the amounts due in respect of outstanding advances have been paid.”
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister what effort he is making to pay back these advances?
Mr Ofori-Atta 5:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as I mentioned that we went under section 30(6) which then gave us the space, given the extent of the pandemic not to run into treasury bill type rates. I stated that it was issued on 15th May, 2020 and 9th September, 2020, which then gave us until 2022 to begin those payments. We expect to be able to fulfil it.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:24 p.m.
Hon Members, let me invite the Hon Member for Tamale North, Hon Suhuyini Alhassan Sayibu to ask the Hon Minister his first Question.
ORAL ANSWERS TO 5:34 p.m.
QUESTIONS 5:34 p.m.
MINISTRY OF FINANCE 5:34 p.m.
Mr Suhuyini A. Sayibu (NDC -- Tamale North) 5:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Finance which independent power producing companies have received payment
from the Government of Ghana for excess capacity charges and how much was paid to each company in the last four years.
Minister for Finance (Mr Ken Ofori-Atta) 5:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, these are very important issues of power for us as a country.
Mr Speaker, the underlisted Independent Power Producers have received payments for excess capacity charge for the period under review (2017-2020) totalling US$937.50 million.
The breakdown is as follows:
IPP Amount (US$ millions)
1. AKSA -- 347.20
2. Karpower -- 359.00
3. Cenpower -- 231.30
Source: ECG/MoF
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Sayibu 5:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister's Answer is in the form of a range (a period under review) 2017 to 2020. Would the Minister be kind enough to break it down to how much was paid for each year?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:34 p.m.
Hon Members, when I ask if the Hon Minister is minded, I am looking at it that probably the question is being shifted. So if the Hon Minister is minded, he can answer the Question. Hon Minister, you may if you think you can?
Mr Ofori-Atta 5:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the amount as I stated from 2017 to 2020 totals US$937.5 million. The breakdown is as follows:
AKSA, 2017 - US$35.7
million, 2018 - US$59.4 million, 2019 - US$136.8 million, 2020 - US$115.3 million; totalling US$347.2 million;
Karpower, 2017 - US$65.3 million, 2018 - US$108.9 million, 2019 - US$138 million, 2020 - US$46.8 million; totalling US$359 million;
Cenpower, 2017 - 0, 2018 - 2019 - US$86.5 million, 2020 - US$144.8 million; totalling US$231.3 million.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Sayibu 5:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, would the Hon Minister be kind to also let us know the quantity of megawatts determined to be excess for which these payments were made?
Mr Ofori-Atta 5:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I think it is a legitimate question. Only I am not prepared for it and so we can bring that to the House or he could ask another question so that we come to the House and answer. I think you know that the power area is a crucial area for all of us and we need to
understand that we have been going through negotiations to bring these things down. We have gone a long way with AKSA, Karpower, Cenpower and co so that the whole issue of take or pay would be reduced and we would come down to maybe more tolerable and sustainable levels. So we would be prepared to bring those details to him.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Sayibu 5:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I think the House would be grateful if the Hon Minister is able to give us the time- frame within which that answer would be given so that we can conclude questions on this matter.
Mr Speaker, maybe just finally, would the Hon Minister take this opportunity also to refute a publication of 10th February, 2021 by the Daily Guide Network that quoted and named a source from the Ministry of Finance putting the figure at GH¢12 billion and various reports that suggested we paid US$500 million annually for excess capacity charges?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:34 p.m.
Hon Member, I have said this over and over again. Obviously, these are figures and you do not expect the Hon Minister to come here and be ambushed. So if you want these figures, please file a separate Question
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:34 p.m.
Hon Member, for Bongo?
Mr Bawa 5:34 p.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, I believe that the Hon Minister for Finance would definitely be told when he is paying “excess capacity” what this excess capacity consists of. My question is: how much was paid as part of the total amount of about US$900 million? How much of it was taken care of for our reserved margin? Remember that reserved margin is not paid for so how much of this figure went for the reserved margin which the utilities need to be able to run?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:34 p.m.
Hon Member for Bongo, please file a separate specific question for that. We are all interested, the nation is interested.
Mr Bawa 5:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:34 p.m.
Hon Member, listen to me. You are not the only person who is interested
in the figures. I am interested and the entire nation is interested. Please, you do not bring the Minister here if he is not prepared to give those particular figures. Please file a separate Question. The Hon Minister would come here and answer it.
Mr Bawa 5:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, he has given us a total figure.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:34 p.m.
The total figure was based on the Question that was filed to him.
Mr Bawa 5:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, he has given us a total figure and clearly you realise that he had figures. When he talked about 2017 --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:34 p.m.
Hon Member, I have turned down that question, please. You have even exhausted your time.
Hon Sayibu, you can ask your second Question.
Suspension of June 2018 Contract
Contract for McKinsey & Company Inc. Ghana and the
GRA 5:34 p.m.
Mr Sayibu 5:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Finance why McKinsey & Company Inc. Ghana and Ghana Revenue Authority
mutually agreed to suspend a June 2018 contract, which was aimed to increase tax revenue collection.
Mr Ofori-Atta 5:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in 2018, GRA and McKinsey signed a 3-year service agreement which would have ended in 2021. However, because of a leadership change at both the Board and Management level in GRA in 2019, the McKinsey's agreement, amongst others, was reviewed to ensure that it was in line with the new strategic direction.
After the review, GRA and McKinsey mutually agreed to change the focus of the Agreement from supporting only the immediate need to increase revenue collection in the 2018/2019 fiscal year, to a long-term objective to create a sustainable revenue collecting entity.
Mr Speaker, the new contract represents this new strategic direction and is focused on three directional areas; digitisation, performance management and supporting the creation of a transformation office to build internal capacity.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:44 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member, your supple- mentary Question?
Mr Sayibu 5:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in response to the Question, the Hon Minister indicates that the new contract represents a new strategic direction, and he has also indicated the areas of concern.
Mr Speaker, I have with me the new contract titled 5:44 p.m.
“Service Agreement between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and McKinsey & Company Inc. Ghana”, signed on the 12th of June, 2018. On page 4 of the document, paragraph 4.2 reads which I quote with permission:
“The Parties acknowledge that the overarching deliverable from McKinsey shall be to support the GRA to increase tax revenues substantially over and above the baseline of 17 per cent year-on-year growth”.
Mr Speaker, my supplementary question is, has McKinsey, for which they are paid the amount of US$18 million plus for 24 months been able to substantially increase tax revenue over and above the baseline of 17 per cent since this contract was signed?
Mr Ofori-Atta 5:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the contract as we know, was brought in for the change in the period that I mentioned, and I believe that they have been paid some amount of US$7 million as the total payment till date,
Mr Sayibu 5:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the answer that I get to the question is that the records from the GRA would be sent to this House later. I do not think that the additional lecture on being penny-wise and pound-foolish was really the answer to the question, but I would wait and hope that the records from GRA, as it relates to revenue increases, would be transmitted to this House very soon. This is because from just a cursory look, it is clear that the GRA, since this contract was signed - I have some of the figures for 2019 and 2020 here, but we have not been able to raise revenue beyond 17 per cent. However, I would wait for the Minister's records, so that we would interrogate that.
Mr Speaker, as my second supplementary question, I would also want to find out from the Minister, the period for which the amount of US$7 million that he said was paid was paid? Again, just to refresh the memory of the Hon Minister, page 5 of the contract actually quotes the contract sum of an amount of US$18,240, 000 over a period of 24
months. So, it is an amount of US$18 million and not US$8 million as he has suggested. But my question is, can he please give us the period for which the amount of US$7 million was paid to McKinsey?
Mr Ofori-Atta 5:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I do not have the exact date, except to state categorically that it was at the end of the period in which the new contract was then being re-negotiated. I am sure that I can get the date as to when the new management came in, which would have been the termination point for that. So, that can easily be supplied.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:44 p.m.
Hon Member, your last supple- mentary question. Have you exhausted your questions?
Mr Sayibu 5:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, will the Hon Minister be kind enough to let us know the method of contracting that was used to choose McKinsey?
Mr Ofori-Atta 5:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, like most agencies and MBAs, in terms of the nitty-gritties of administrative procedure for these things, I would have to consult to be able to bring the exact way in which the procurement was executed. [Interruption]
Mr Speaker, I simply stated --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:54 p.m.
Please, order! He is repeating what he said.
Mr Ofori-Atta 5:54 p.m.
I simply stated. Like most MMDAs, the board and the administration are able to contract, and go through their procedures. I can find out exactly what it is they did to provide to you.
Mr Patrick Yaw Boamah 5:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the Hon Minister if between the period of operation of the McKinsey and Company Inc Ghana he was satisfied with their performance in terms of revenue generation?
Mr Ofori-Atta 5:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I think there was a confluence of factors beyond the revenue that we were looking at. We all appreciate the complexity of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Customs Division to Domestic Tax Revenue Division (DTRD) to support services, et cetera. All of those were important to create an efficient machinery for us to get to the levels that we want to.
Thus, I am satisfied with the direction and we actually are moving towards a new collaboration with the security agencies, the Ministry of Finance, the Auditor-General, and the
Mr Samuel O. Ablakwa 5:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minster for Finance how many workers are executing this contract on the McKinsey side? What is their staff strength in Ghana?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:54 p.m.
Hon Member, respectfully, I would not allow it. You may ask a different question, but not this.
Mr Ablakwa 5:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, there have been reports that the execution of this contract has led to McKinsey workers virtually taking over GRA, so, this is an opportunity for the Hon Minister to respond to that matter. It is very much related to this.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:54 p.m.
Hon Minister, are you minded to answer?
Mr Edward Bawa 5:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, based on an earlier response to a question that was asked by Hon Boamah as to whether the
performance of McKinsey was satisfactory, the response of the Hon Minister is yes.
There was a question that was asked by Hon Suhuyini Sayibu as to the deliverables that McKinsey was supposed to do in terms of increasing their tax revenue by 17 per cent and above. The Minister's response was that, he did not have it, but he would supply us with those figures. On what basis did he make this judgement value that McKinsey's performance was satisfactory?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:54 p.m.
Hon Minister, are you minded?
Mr Boamah 5:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, may I refer you to Standing Order 67(b) and (j)? Mr Speaker, paragraph (j) says:
“a supplementary question shall be subject to the same rules of Order as an original Question;''
Mr Speaker, paragraph (b) says 5:54 p.m.
“a Question shall not contain any arguments, expression of opinion, inferences, imputations, epithets or controversial, ironical or offensive expressions or hypothetical cases”.
Mr Speaker, the question the Hon Member asked is a bit hypothetical and I do not think it satisfies the rules for you to admit it. I do not think so.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:54 p.m.
Hon Minister, are you minded to answer? If you would have to come back, that is fine, but if you are minded, you may do so.
Mr Ofori-Atta 5:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, for most of us, we know that GRA has maybe, about 6,000 employees, and another 5,000 or so Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) employees and so, to begin to suggest that some consultants have taken over about 12, 000 workers, is not where we are at. Therefore, we should be clear on what it is we want to know.
Certainly, when I get in as the Hon Minister for Finance and bring some people, it does not mean I have taken over the 600 people who work in the Ministry. Those are just simple arithmetic numbers, and so, the answer to the question is no.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:54 p.m.
Let me now go to Leadership.
Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka 5:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I just would want to find out from the Hon Minister that based on the contract that was
signed with McKinsey, would he say that their operations and the target set for them were met during the period in question?
Mr Ofori-Atta 5:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as I mentioned, there was a change in management, and therefore, a new contract was negotiated which presupposes to me that at interim period, they felt that they had received adequate returns for the work done and therefore continue to extend it. I do not think I can prejudge all of that. I look forward to a more engaged spirited due direction for that to occur. We continue to monitor and evaluate and I am sure in the end, success would come to the Republic.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:54 p.m.
On that note, Hon Minister for Finance, we are so grateful to you for attending upon the House to answer Questions from Hon Members. You are hereby discharged.
MR SPEAKER
Mr Afenyo-Markin 6:04 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we may move to item numbered 9.
Mr Speaker 6:04 a.m.
Hon Members, item numbered 9 on page 4 of the Order Paper, Motion.
MOTIONS 6:04 a.m.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu) 6:04 a.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 Sixth Report of the Appointments Committee on H. E. the President's nominations for Deputy Ministerial Appointments may be moved today.
Mr Speaker 6:04 a.m.
Any seconder?
Mr Iddrisu 6:04 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I have some preliminary objections to --
Mr Speaker 6:04 a.m.
To the procedural Motion?
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 6:04 a.m.
Our rules require that when you lay a Paper, it should be adopted after 48 hours. However, in this particular matter, I see a name here. I engaged the Hon Chairman that at Committee, Hon Sayibu voted against Hon Gifty Twum-Ampofo. So, she was approved by a majority decision which matter I conveyed to the Hon Chairman yesterday. Hon Sayibu also conveyed to me --
Mr Speaker 6:04 a.m.
Hon Minority Leader, I asked whether you have a preliminary objection against the procedural Motion?
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 6:04 a.m.
Mr Speaker, not at all.
Mr Speaker 6:04 a.m.
So, let us go and when we get there, you can raise this issue.
Any seconder to the procedural Motion?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 6:04 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion negatived.
Mr Speaker 6:04 a.m.
Hon Members, it means that the House does not look
prepared to take the Motion. I think that Leadership would have to do some work.
Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 6:04 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we have been working together as a House and as a team. I would want to put it on record that our Hon Colleagues have sprung a surprise and it is not good for consensus building. [Interruption] Even this morning we engaged our Hon Colleagues and there were no views like this. So, I am surprised that they are opposing this procedural Motion.
However, Mr Speaker, I crave your kind indulgence that as important as this Motion is, you suspend Sitting for 20 minutes for the House to come back and take a decision on this procedural Motion. I submit that if we go on this tangent, it will not be good for the House. [Interruption] I want to implore your wisdom, that we suspend Sitting for 20 minutes and come back to take a decision on this procedural Motion.
Mr Speaker 6:04 a.m.
Hon Minority Chief Whip?
Alhaji Muntaka 6:04 a.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
I am surprised that my Hon Colleague, the Majority Chief Whip is rather accusing us of pulling a surprise. In the actual sense, it is they who are pulling a surprise on us. The first draft of this Report was given to the Hon Minority Leader by the Hon First Deputy Speaker. He went through and drew the Chairman's attention to our concerns. He did not tell me that he cannot take the concerns on board. So, the understanding of the Hon Minority Leader was that those concerns were taken care of.
Mr Speaker, the final Report was not showed to the Hon Minority Leader, only for him to get to the Floor of the House to see that the concerns that were raised were not taken care of. The Hon First Deputy Speaker is now giving explanations as to why he did not take the concerns. Who is pulling a surprise on the other? It is they.
It was because of the consensus that we were willing to stand down the 48 hours. They were supposed to distribute the Reports and let Hon Members read it to be conversant with the contents before we take it. However, because the assumption was that the concerns had been relayed by the Hon Minority Leader and had been taken care of, we assumed that we did not need to drag it further but allow it to go.
Mr Speaker 6:14 p.m.
Let us listen to the Hon Mr First Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Committee because some statements have been made by the Hon Minority Chief Whip and it is proper that I give him the opportunity and after that, I would come to the Hon Minority Leader.
Mr Osei-Owusu 6:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, first, I heard that apparently, I have changed the Report from the discussions so far. A copy of the Report was presented to the Hon Minority Leader and a copy was also presented to me. Apart from making corrections and sometimes, making little changes to the expressions, I did not add or subtract. This is the entire Report given me by the secretariat. If there was no name on it, I could not have added that because I cannot just add a name without the rest of us
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 6:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we have been very cooperative and supportive and the Hon Chairman of the Committee knows that. Even at times, we helped him form a quorum; we could check the record.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Member for Tamale North, Mr Suhiyini Sayibu, walked to me and the Hon Chairman and said that he would vote against the designate Hon Minister for Education, Mrs Gifty Twum-Ampofo but he was stepping out to go and eat. I asked him why and he gave me an explanation.
Mr Speaker, yes, it is true that drafts are normally given to the Hon Chairman and me. I have requested the Clerk of the Committee to come to the Chamber because I have a funny way of doing my corrections. When I read the Report, I singled out “Mrs Gifty Twum-Ampofo's approval
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 6:24 p.m.


by consensus'' and said it should be substituted for “majority decision''. When the Clerk to the Committee comes to the Chamber, I would let her show it to you openly. However, I walked to the Hon Chairman to engage him on whether he remembers that the Hon Member for Tamale North, Mr Suhiyini Sayibu indicated to him that he would vote against that Hon Member. He assured me that he would take that on board.

Mr Speaker, that is what I know. -- [Interruption] -- Yesterday, I walked to him on this matter. Then it means that even me, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, did not vote on this matter. Mr Speaker, as you may recall, it was the day you needed me and the Hon Minority Chief Whip to accompany you to the National Chief Imam. There is no matter. For the record, the Hon Member for Tamale North raised an objection that he would vote against her. I would want the Clerk to the Committee to come to the Chamber. I corrected two things in the Report - “improvement and increases in accidents'', so this should not tear our heads.

Mr Speaker, the Hon Chairman has spoken to the second issue. While we joined you to the National Chief Imam, he engaged with the Committee

and they agreed to sit the next day which was a Friday. Again, for the record, I was the first person to tell the Hon Chairman that you have contemplated that Parliament may not Sit that particular day because you wanted us to support the “tree planting exercise''. I further informed him that you and the Hon Majority Leader have indicated to me that even a night before the population census, you would probably give us a break. The Hon Chairman told me that he was not in the known but I asked him to engage me when he consulted further. After his consultation, he did not come back to me.

So, when I heard that the Committee would sit on Friday, I instructed the Minority Chief Whip to reach out to him so that he could schedule it to Monday, even if it meant taking five nominees for the day but he insisted that because they had taken a decision - which decision was taken in the absence of leadership? That cannot be fair. So, when I go to the Committee meeting and there is a quorum I should proceed that we have a quorum? Is that what he wants? We should not split heads over this. The Hon Member for Tamale North, walked to us and told us he would vote against Mrs Gifty Twum- Ampofo.

Mr Speaker, I want the Clerk of the Committee, summoned to your office to bring my corrected record because I normally write with a different pen. I circled “Mrs Gifty Twum-Ampofo'' and asked them to delete “consensus''. There was another correction that I made with regard to “increase in accidents''. I told them to delete “increase'' and replace it with “improvement''. I want that record to be brought to you. We should not split heads over this matter.

I walked to the Hon Chairman yesterday and asked him to look at the issue with regard to “Mrs Gifty Twum-Ampofo'' and let it be a majority decision. The Hon Member for Tamale North, feels strongly about it - then he scheduled a meeting on Friday and insisted that they had quorum. It is all right if they have quorum - we would work with quorum.

Mr Speaker, ordinarily, we have been very cooperative and he knows that. So, does he want to say that I did not even take a vote on “Mrs Gifty Twum-Ampofo''? I was seated with him when the Hon Member for Tamale North walked to tell us.

Mr Speaker, for my integrity, I insist that the Clerk-to-the-Committee

brings my corrected notes on what was given to me. I would even add that Hon Tampuli's name was spelt without the addition of ‘Sulemana' and I still remember this in the draft given to me. I told the Hon nominee to go back to his Curriculum Vitae since I know that a third name is supposed to be there and that is also in what I reviewed yesterday. One of the Hon Nominees who has been a deputy Minister was not captured and so, you will see my note again. Hon Naana Eyiah.

So, ordinarily, we should not split heads over this in the spirit of working together but maybe, you will hear Hon Suhuyini Sayibu because I know he walked past me and related it to the two of us.

[Pause] --
Mr Speaker 6:24 p.m.
Hon Members, please, I want to see everyone seated. I repeat it --
[Pause] --
I want to repeat what I said early on. I think that Leadership should put their heads together to resolve this matter. I will not allow any more
Some Hon Members 6:24 p.m.
No.
Mr Speaker 6:24 p.m.
Well, Hon Richard Acheampong, are you on your feet to say that you disagree with me?
[Laughter] --
Mr Richard Acheampong 6:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, far from that. I overheard my Senior Hon Colleague say there is a ‘senior prefect' but per our Standing Orders, we do not have this arrangement. Who nominated him as the ‘senior prefect' in this House?
Mr Speaker 6:24 p.m.
So, how many minutes of suspension? Leadership, is 10 minutes enough?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 6:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, unfortunately, I was on my feet earlier to express the very issues we have raised. However, we thank you for your guidance and I believe that 20 minutes for us to engage to resolve this matter as per the earlier application will be helpful.
Alhaji Muntaka 6:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, your indications obviously are in the best interest of the House. I would like to plead that we adjourn and continue tomorrow because at this moment, considering how high tempers are, we would not achieve better results. I doubt that if Leaders should engage for 20 minutes, it would not be enough to resolve this and meanwhile, it is half past six. Looking at most of us being present in the House since morning, perhaps taking an adjournment would help calm tempers to be able to resolve this by tomorrow morning.
[Hear!] [Hear!]
Mr Speaker 6:34 p.m.
I did not hear you well. Did I hear you say that the way Hon Members are mad?
Alhaji Muntaka 6:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I said that tempers are high because those who are to lead the discussion are so angry and my fear is that in the circumstance, they will only go and continue with the argument without necessarily trying to resolve it. I believe that tomorrow morning would allow for some reflection to overcome this.
Mr Speaker, just as you said, a lot has been sacrificed for us to come this far, especially this Side of the House. Mr Speaker, in terms of cooperation, a lot has been sacrificed and our Hon Colleagues on the Appointments Committee would agree to this. So, when it comes to the point where we have to see eye-to-eye with each other and we bring in technicalities, then that breaks confidence and trust. Mr Speaker, under these circumstances, it would be difficult for us to suspend for 10 minutes and discuss this. Mr Speaker, I am really sorry but this is the reality. Thank you very much.
[Hear!] [Hear!]
Mr Speaker 6:34 p.m.
Hon Members, I believe strongly that in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. In fact, not just one opportunity but many opportunities. So, my advice is not to permit you to continue. If you say that your preference is not for a suspension but for an adjournment, then I would put the Question because I can see
that one Side wants a suspension and another Side wants an adjournment. So, I would put the Question for you to take the decision because it is not for me to do so.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 6:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with respect and if I may quote the Hon Minority Leader, he said that “this is not a matter for us to split heads over.” Mr Speaker, I am of the firm view that having ruled that we should engage, then let us engage.
The position of the Hon Minority Chief Whip is to the effect that tempers are so high, but we even resolved the 7th January matter. Mr Speaker, I listened to the Hon Chairman of the Appointments Committee as well as the Hon Minority Leader and I believe that these are matters that we can resolve. So, I would encourage my Hon Colleagues that since you have --
Mr Speaker, with the respect that we have for you as the Rt Hon Speaker of this House, it means that we should oblige you when you give an advice and you have advised that we should engage as leadership. I do not think that the Hon Majority Chief Whip wants to suggest that we should not explore that opportunity now. So, I would plead with the Minority Leadership that we should take advantage of the 20 minutes that the
Mr Speaker 6:34 p.m.
Hon Members, we would do a headcount.
All those who are against an adjournment should stand up to be counted.
Mr Speaker 6:34 p.m.
Hon Members, if you keep moving then it would be difficult for the counting to be done.
Mr Speaker 6:44 p.m.
Hon Members, be seated. [Pause]

Please, this was the report I received. And so we would go by the list. We have the list here; we mention your name, and tick against it. [Pause] Hon Members, please, we are starting the counting.
rose
Mr Speaker 6:44 p.m.
Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 6:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we started Sitting at 2.00 pm. As we speak, per the clock, it is 15 minutes to 7.00 p.m. Upon a normal count, we have done four hours and forty- five minutes.
Mr Speaker, simply put, at this juncture, per our rules, we are in your hands. [Uproar.] It is not our motion -- At this moment, we are entirely in
your hands. Per the rules, the discretion is entirely yours.
That notwithstanding, we on the Majority side are willing to engage our Colleagues on the Minority side in respect of your earlier decision. Since Hon Haruna Iddrisu is of the view that we do not split heads, we would not split heads and would like to proceed to consider this matter. Perhaps, if they are minded to oblige us, we come back tomorrow and with fresh minds proceed.
However, Mr Speaker, we cannot take a vote to adjourn or otherwise. It is entirely in your hands to decide, because of the time that we have already spent.
Mr Speaker 6:44 p.m.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, we are in the middle of taking a decision whether we should adjourn or continue Sitting? If we are to continue Sitting, we would have to suspend for a few minutes for Leadership to put their heads together.
Now, I put the Question for adjournment and it was difficult taking a decision based on the voice votes because both Sides shouted. And so I decided to go to the next step the option of head count.
And so it is not now in my hands but of the House. If the House says we should now discontinue with that process and adjourn, say so.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 6:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, all I sought to say was that the process of voting for adjournment or otherwise was otiose, having regard to the time. It cannot be adjournment at this point. Hon Members, let us pay attention to the rules.
Mr Speaker, at this juncture, adjournment or otherwise is entirely in your hands unless an Hon Member here is opposed to you adjourning the House.
So I would plead with you to exercise that discretion. But Mr Speaker, if under the circumstances, it is your pleasure that a motion be so moved, I would move that motion for us to adjourn, having regard to the fact that we are still in your hands to determine whether we are to adjourn or not.
Mr Speaker 6:44 p.m.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, I do not need any motion. There is a Question on the Floor on the issue of adjournment already. If you would want me to repeat the Question, I would do so.
Mr Speaker 6:54 p.m.
Once again, I would want to urge Leadership to put their heads together to resolve this seeming impasse. We have gone far with consensus building and so let us not allow this small matter to mar all that we have achieved. I want to emphasise that it must be peace without victory.
Hon Members, if you want to listen to yourselves, I would stop; after you

Hon Members, I am just repeating that it must be peace without victory. Only a peace between equals can last. Are we together?

Tomorrow is Friday and as you know, we want to adjourn early for Hon Members to proceed to their constituencies.
ADJOURNMENT 6:54 p.m.