Debates of 22 Jun 2021

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 11:49 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 11:49 a.m.
Mr Speaker 11:49 a.m.
Hon Members, Correction of Votes and Proceedings and the Official Report. We will start with the Votes and Proceedings of Friday, 18th June, 2021.
Page 1… 8 --
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa 11:49 a.m.
Mr Speaker, in the last paragraph at page 8, the name of the Hon Minority Chief Whip should be “Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka” not “Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Mutanka”. I am not aware that he has changed his famous surname.
Mr Speaker 11:49 a.m.
The name is “Muntaka”, not “Mutanka”. Clerks- at-the-Table, kindly take note?
Page 9.
Mr Peter Lanchene Toobu 11:49 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on page 9, the opening sentence reads:
“The House has accordingly approved the nominations of H. E. the President of the following persons …”
Mr Speaker, I think there is something missing; it does not sound well. It could probably read:
“The House has accordingly approved the following nominations of H. E. the President as Deputy Ministers of State.”
not “nominations of H. E. the President of the following persons …” There is a problem with the grammar so, I suggest it reads:
“The House has accordingly approved the following nominations of H. E. the President as Deputy Ministers of State.”
Mr Speaker 11:49 a.m.
Clerks-at-the- Table, take note?
Page 10.
Mr Ablakwa 11:49 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on the item numbered 9, the name of our Hon Colleague for Asuogyaman, is
“Thomas Nyarko Ampem” not “Apem” as one of our favourite local dishes. It should be “Ampem”.
With regard to the item numbered 10, the adjournment was till Tuesday. “Tuesday” has been spelt wrongly without the letter “s”.
Mr Speaker 11:49 a.m.
Clerks-at-the- Table, kindly take note of the two corrections?
Any further corrections?
Hon Members, the Votes and Proceedings of the Fifteenth Sitting of the Second Meeting of the First Session held on Friday, 18th June, 2021, as corrected, is hereby adopted as the true record of proceedings.
We will take Statements first before we go to Questions. I will permit two, and if there is time, three Statements to be made this morning.
The first stands in the name of the Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, the Hon Member of Parliament for Damongo. Hon Member, you may make the Statement now.
11. 59 a. m.
STATEMENTS 11:49 a.m.
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources (Mr Samuel Abdulai Jinapor) (MP) 11:49 a.m.
Mr Speaker on Friday, June 11, 2021, the Green Ghana Day, the people of Ghana demonstrated the greatest sense of patriotism by joining the President of the Republic, H.E., Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to plant over five (5) million trees across the nation.
I wish to express my profound gratitude to the multitudes of people who participated in this national and Godly exercise. We are particularly grateful to the President of the Republic, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for his foresight and support throughout the planning and execution of this ambitious national undertaking.
Mr Speaker, it is absolutely fitting that I specially indicate the appreciation of Government to the entire leadership and Members of this august House for suspending the business of the House on Friday, June 11, the Green Ghana Day, in full support of this important national
Mr Speaker 11:49 a.m.
Hon Members, the guidance I have from Leadership is that we will permit two contributions from each Side of the House. If Leadership wants to contribute, they are part of the two contributions allowed.
Yes, Hon Member for Wa Central?
Dr Hassan Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo (NDC -- Wa Central) 11:49 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to comment on this very important Statement delivered by the Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
Mr Speaker, this was marked with a lot of people coming out to demonstrate their decision to support the process of greening Ghana and to ensure that we recoup much of the lands we lost through tree planting. The project has been the project for everybody, and I am happy to note that the Hon Minister has acknowledged the contributions of many of us who were present and supported him in that enterprise.
Mr Speaker, we supported because he came around not as a Minister of a party or a Minister attributing his Ministry to a particular section of society but he came around,
Mr Speaker 12:09 p.m.
Hon Members, I forgot to remind you that contributions should not take more than five minutes.
I can see Hon Patricia Appiagyei. Am I right?
Ms Patricia Appiagyei (NPP -- Asokwa) 12:09 p.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker. Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this Statement ably made by the Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
I would like to take this opportunity to commend the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for leading this crusade. I would like to also commend the Minister for taking a very serious view
Mr Speaker 12:09 p.m.
Yes, Hon Minority Leader?
Minority Leader (Mr Haruna Iddrisu) 12:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, let me thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement ably made by the Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on the Green Ghana Day. I would also commend Ghanaians and in particular, the President, the Speaker of Parliament and Members of Parliament for the enthusiasm with which this was executed.
Mr Speaker, it only wakes us up that when we are together, we can successfully contribute to the building of our country, therefore, every other person, including our traditional rulers, deserves commendation. Our forest resources play a large role in income generation and household food security in Ghana with forest products
providing sustenance and revenue for about 2.5 million people in the country. For the Green Ghana Day, MPs travelled home and some to their constituencies.
Mr Speaker, how I wish that a year from today, you would ask each MP to report on the state of growth of the trees they planted. In this season, it is easy to plant because you can rely on natural rainfall. Whether the tree will survive will be seen when we usher in the dry season. If proper care is not taken -- It is also a fact that we have depleted our forest resources as a country and it is also a fact that we used to depend heavily on those resources for the development of our country as it provided some useful resources.
Mr Speaker, there is a brilliant article written by J. Boafo in 2013 on The Impact of Deforestation of Forest Livelihoods in Ghana. I would encourage the Hon Minister to read it. Much more need to be done. Undoubtedly, it was a very successful exercise at preserving our environment and contributing to the sustenance of a green and healthy environment of our country.
We now need to go beyond every other tree into planting exportable trees. How do we do it? There are categories of trees that we can
concentrate on and that would not only provide employment, but provide opportunities for export. That is why Government has launched the tree crop institution as a bureaucracy. So, last week, we planted more than five million trees. Tomorrow, let us see efforts in planting other economic trees that would be of value to the country's export.
Mr Speaker, no one can take it away from the Hon Minister and the President that they have done well. I would only remind them that when we reduce petty partisanship, our country would be a better country.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 12:09 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader?
Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu) 12:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement ably made by the Hon Minister.
Mr Speaker, as a nation, we should be concerned with the fast depletion of our forest cover. That is why the effort that has just began must be commended and sustained. It is the sustenance of the effort that we should resolve to continue as a nation.
At the beginning of the 20th Century, the forest cover of this country was 8.5 million hectares. At the beginning of the 21st Century, it had depleted from 8.5 million hectares to 1.5 million hectares. Today, as we speak and in fact, over the past 20 years, we have depleted one million hectares. So, effective forest cover in this country is only 500,000 hectares.

Mr Speaker, an average virgin forest would contain 100 trees per hectare. So, if we have depleted 8 million hectares, it means that we have depleted 800 million trees in this country and that is what effort and mischief we want to cure. As the Hon Minister said, this exercise was successful because we planted 7 million trees. It is good to boast about that but against 800 million trees lost, if we do not sustain efforts and we reduce it to yearly rituals, we cannot make any advancement in this.

Mr Speaker, I commend the process that we have begun but we need to double our efforts. Felling of trees attributable to farming activities, the burning of trees for charcoal and wild bush fires to feed the mills -- between 20 and 30 years ago, Kumasi was the centre of sawmills. However, today, there are only three sawmills in effective operation, and
Mr Speaker 12:19 p.m.
Hon Members, 14th June, 2021, was christened “Green Ghana Day'' and not “Tree Planting Day''. From the statistics that has been provided, it is clear that as a nation we have decided to re-green Ghana, so it is not about planting trees but about nursing seedlings of various tree species. It is about nurturing, taking care of them and growing those seedlings.
So, I support the call for all of us to take care of the seedlings that we have nurtured. We should not just plant and move away for the birds or the drought to take them away. We have to take care of the seedlings until they grow then we would be greening Ghana.
So, the call that annually, we should revisit this day, is a call in the right direction, and I want every Hon Member including my good self -- I have nurtured one and I would follow- up to see how it would do and so you have to do same so that by the time you leave Parliament in four years' time, you would see the precincts of Parliament and your constituencies grow green. That is the only way we would make progress.
I would also add my voice to thank the Hon Minister for coming to make this Statement and for at least, showing gratitude to all who participated in the exercise.
Mr Ibrahim Ahmed 12:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I want to seek your guidance -- in the Hon Minister's Statement he stated that 11th June, 2021, was christened as “Green Ghana Day'' but I heard you say it was christened on 14th June, 2021. Please, I want to know which of the two dates is the “Green Day Ghana''?
Mr Speaker 12:29 p.m.
Hon Member, sorry, it is 11th June, 2021. Thank you for the correction.
Hon Members, the next Statement is on the 74th birthday of our late illustrious former President Jerry John Rawlings, by the Hon Member for Buem, Mr Kofi Adams.
Hon Member, you may make your Statement.
74th Birthday of the Late Former President Jerry
John Rawlings
Mr Kofi Iddie Adams (NDC -- Buem) 12:29 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity given me to make a Statement on the 74th birthday of former President J. J. Rawlings.
On November 12, 2020, Ghana was struck by a massive earthquake that shook its very foundations and uprooted a giant oak tree. Former President Rawlings, bade farewell to his beloved country, sending shock waves across the length and breadth of the globe.
Mr Speaker, it is less than a year of his passing to eternity and I am honoured that as a former special aid of this great statesman, you have
Mr Kofi Iddie Adams (NDC -- Buem) 12:29 p.m.
Former President Rawlings was seen as the father of the Fourth Republic and had been celebrated for his willingness to hand over power when his tenure of office ended. With that singular act, he created a precedent that has blessed this country with three more seamless leadership transitions.

Post presidency, H.E. Jerry John Rawlings continued to pursue his ideals with the firm belief that if we all put our hands on deck and pursued our agenda with sincerity and integrity, we would develop our country in the right direction and ensure that we are all beneficiaries of social justice.

Mr Speaker, Ghana rose to economic and political recovery after the retrogression of the 1970s. This

was initiated by H.E. Jerry John Rawlings when he launched the pragmatic economic recovery programme to revive the financial health of Ghana to engender economic growth and sustenance.

As a leader, his objective was to institutionalise participatory governance that allowed people at local level to determine their own developmental priorities. To quote him:

“Our objective is to end, once and for all, the parasitic relationship that enables the urban elite not only to live off the sweat of the rural dweller but to dictate to him the conditions of his existence.”

Mr Speaker, J. J. Rawlings focused on human centred policies in order to improve the all-round status of Ghanaians and Ghana. The list of projects during his tenure as Chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and as President of

Ghana under the NDC are endless. With food security as his priority, Ghana recorded a food production growth of 148 per cent for the period of 1995-1997 ranking third after Jordan and China.

Mr Speaker, under his leadership, the Ghana Export Promotion Council (GEPC), now Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) was created in 1994 to help diversify exports in Ghana and promote incentives.

Former President Rawlings is recognised for literally bridging the divide between the northern and southern Ghana with the construction of major roads that have today ensured that travelling to or from those parts of the country is not a multiple day journey. Electricity distribution was expanded across Ghana bringing in its wake a whole new dimension to the course of rural national development.

Mr Speaker, H.E. Rawlings was not only Ghana-oriented; he remained committed to peace and stability on the African continent and pursued the policy of nurturing enabling relations. He contributed to conflict resolutions in countries such as Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Liberia. In 1994, he became the ECOWAS Chairman
Mr Kofi Iddie Adams (NDC -- Buem) 12:29 p.m.


In the area of tourism and pan- Africanism, former President Rawlings ensured that under his tenure, the concept of Pan-African Historical Theatre Project dubbed Pan-African Festival (PANAFEST) was given life when in 1992 the first PANAFEST was held.

Today, the university is one of Ghana's major universities with campuses in Tamale, Wa, Nyankpala and Navrongo.

Former President Rawlings was never inactive and so commented on social and political issues without fear or favour.

Mr Speaker, the list of awards, honorary doctorates and citations were endless and would take a whole day to list here but we cannot forget his contributions to the easing of the conflict in Somalia, as the African Union's High Representative for that country. We cannot also forget his role as United Nation's Eminent Person on International Volunteerism.

As part of his 70th birthday in 2017, a symposium was held under the theme: “Protecting and Safeguarding National Environment for Future Generations.” Experts from academia, individuals and other state actors spoke extensively on climate change in Ghana, small scale mining, sustainable use of our coastal and marine environment drawing particular attention to vulnerable communities. This brave, affable, passionate and proud advocate would have been 74 years today.

Mr Speaker, Jerry John Rawlings came, saw and conquered. [Hear! Hear!] His legacy should be one that this House should encourage the youth to emulate. In the end, despite his political ideologies and leanings, our brothers on the other Side did not hesitate to court his counsel and friendship.

His talismanic political prowess was admired by all. The legend lives on.

Rest in peace, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings.
Mr Speaker 12:29 p.m.
Hon Members, once again, two Members from each Side of the divide. Well, there is only one Side now, so, I will give the opportunity to the senior citizen, Senior Hon Member and Senior Leader Mr Cletus Avoka.
Mr Cletus Apul Avoka (NDC -- Zebilla) 12:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I wish to congratulate the Hon Member for Buem Constituency for this brilliant tribute on the 74th birthday of the late President Jerry John Rawlings.
Mr Speaker, at age 73 when former President Rawlings died, one could say that he was neither too old nor too young. Indeed, he could have lived for several more years if not, a few more years and that would have been to the benefit of Ghana and mankind.
When we were young, we were told that former President Nkrumah never dies and we did not understand. We thought that Kwame Nkrumah was physically going to live forever. Little did we know what it meant; which was that Nkrumah's legacy, vision, charisma and achievements for Ghana and the world would live on. This means, we would continue to remember his great achievements. Having said that, it is my submission that former President Jerry John Rawlings also never dies -- [Hear] [Hear]
Mr Speaker, we are all aware of the charisma, affability and achievements of former President
Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin (NPP - Effutu) 12:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for this treasured opportunity to make some few comments on the Statement made by my good Friend -- Hon Kofi Adams. He has strongly registered his presence and there is no doubt about this since he is coming with a lot of experience in politics.
Mr Speaker, former President Jerry John Rawlings, was a man of many parts and Hon Kofi Adams has chosen the part of diplomacy but we know that as a politician, I would not say, he enjoyed controversy, but he created opportunities for debates which became controversial. These are parts of leadership.
Yes, indeed, we have been told by the Hon Member who made the Statement that former President Rawlings established the University for Development Studies (UDS) but what the Statement forgot was perhaps, the fact that the three institutions in Winneba; the National Academy of Music, the Advanced Teacher Training College and the Specialist Training College were all converted into one institution which became
Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin (NPP - Effutu) 12:39 p.m.


University College of Education and later, former President Kufuor, through an enactment made it a full-fledge university.

However, for us to look at the legacy of former President Rawlings, we may also look at areas of retribution. The Hon Kofi Adams said, former President Rawlings is the founding father of the Fourth Republic and I do strongly contend that the PNDC regime, having overthrown a constitutional democracy and after years of wondering --
Mr Speaker 12:39 p.m.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, this is a Statement to eulogise a past leader and I think that it is not proper to try to take away the shine of the day. There would be an opportunity for you to do that but not on this particular day.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:49 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I humbly take a cue -- [Interruption] --
Mr Speaker, they are already shouting and do not want us to contribute. If that is the pleasure, I would rest my case and not make further comments. Mr Speaker, Mr Rawlings is a man of many parts and we are talking about his legacy. I am
rose
Mr Speaker 12:49 p.m.
I see two Hon Members on their feet. Any issue?
Mr Edwin N. L. Vanderpuye 12:49 p.m.
Mr Speaker, you drew the attention of the Hon Deputy Majority Leader to the day we are celebrating, but he is further gravitating towards the same
point in a cunning way. I want to draw the attention of the Hon Deputy Majority Leader to the fact that in our culture and tradition, on days like this, we do not talk about the ills of an individual. Mr Speaker, as a Ghanaian, the Hon Deputy Majority Leader must respect our culture and do what must be done.
Mr Speaker, thank you.
Mr Speaker 12:49 p.m.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, I just guided you to take this on board. I know there would be occasions where we can debate the pros and cons as well as the strengths and weaknesses of our past leaders, but since we are celebrating his birthday today, we should just celebrate him.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, so please let us celebrate this day.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:49 p.m.
Mr Speaker, is it your pleasure that I rest my case? Mr Speaker, I am celebrating his birthday and he is a man I admire so much. Mr Speaker, are they restraining me from freely talking about the man who later became my good friend too? That I visited him and took inspiration. [Interruption]
Mr Speaker, they are not the only people who admired Mr Rawlings because we also admired him and that is true. Mr Speaker, in delivering a tribute can I not say that occasionally my father got angry and gave me some lashes?
Mr Speaker, if they do not want us to have a lively afternoon then I would rest my case.
Mr Speaker 12:49 p.m.
I want to listen to an Hon Lady.
Ms Zuwera I. Mohammed (NDC -- Salaga South) 12:49 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity. Mr Speaker, before I associate myself with the Statement, I want to wish you a belated Happy Father's Day because you have managed 275 Hon Members for the past six months and I know what this means. We saw an example of this last Friday and I hope you had a restful Father's Day.
Mr Speaker, I commend Hon Kofi Adams for his Statement on the birthday of His Excellency, Ft Lt Jerry John Rawlings who would have turned 74 years on this day, if he were still with us. Mr Speaker, the Statement has already said a lot about this eminent Ghanaian leader and I wish to add a few words to illustrate what the man stood for.
Ms Zuwera I. Mohammed (NDC -- Salaga South) 12:59 p.m.


Mr Speaker, the sons and daughters of northern Ghana associate and respect this vision. Again, in 1992, he turned the Advanced Teachers Training College -- where I grew up as a little girl into a university college. Of course, this process was accelerated at another time, but the fact remains that Ft Lt Rawlings, under the PNDC, converted the Advanced Teachers Training College, a specialist teachers training college, into a college of education.

Mr Speaker, when I was growing in Winneba, at the Advanced Teachers Training College, I saw a lot of my uncles and aunties who travelled

to Winneba to upgrade their teacher education qualifications. So, for the late Ft Lt Rawlings to have had that vision to further enhance the status of the qualifications, that our uncles and aunties were receiving, is something that we can never discount.

Mr Speaker, in 1995, when the University for Development Studies (UDS) was established, again, it took the singular effort of this son of Ghana to bring joy to the people of northern Ghana. I am sure Mr Speaker would bear testimony that the challenges and issues of folks from the northern part of Ghana who knock at our doors every day looking for admissions into tertiary institutions has diminished completely because the UDS has effectively taken care of that situation. We the people of northern Ghana would continue to celebrate the life of this son of Ghana who thought about us always.

Mr Speaker, the last time I spoke with Ft Lt Rawlings was on Monday, 27th July, 2020. My brother called me and told me to call the old man; and when I called he answered and asked what he can do for me. I told him that my brother said I should call him and he asked , “Who is your brother?” I said “Tankama Imbobupe”.

Mr Speaker, I want to quote the exact words that came from his mouth. He said “He is a good man. Is that your brother?” And I replied, yes, that is my brother. He then said to me, let us pray we get over COVID-19 soon so that you can come by the House and we have a chat.

Mr Speaker, this was the last time I spoke with H. E. Ft Lt Jerry John Rawlings. And I was waiting for that day when COVID-19 would be over and I could go and have a chat with him. Unfortunately, that did not happen. On 12th November, 2020 as we were all busy traversing our constituencies, campaigning for votes, the very things he knew how to do better than any other politician in this country, I got the call that we have lost Ft Lt Jerry John Rawlings.

Mr Speaker, at that moment, we did not need anyone to tell us that we needed to suspend our campaign activities. We just did not have the zeal and the moral authority to continue. We were all members of the party that this great man founded. So we all packed bag and baggage and returned to Accra to mourn our founder.

Mr Speaker, today, we celebrate his life, and I can assure my colleague, the Hon Member who made the Statement, that indeed, we would all be there to plant the trees at his alma mater in celebration of his memory.

Mr Speaker, we are hoping that our leaders would take a cue from this man who had the singular ability to turn his opponents into his friends. This was Jerry John Rawlings. [Hear! Hear!] And if we all imbibe in that spirit, our dear nation can only be better for all of us.
Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu) 12:59 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to add my voice to this Statement on the 74th birthday of our late former President, Jerry John Rawlings, made by Mr Kofi Adams, the Member of Parliament for Buem.
Mr Speaker, the date of birth of any person is a day of joy, and as such, it must be so marked. When a child is born, he knows no evil, he sees no evil, he feels no evil and he does no evil. Ft Lt Jerry John Rawlings grew with age. He was human. The man had many positive attributes, but at the same time, human as he was, he had his own negatives. However,
Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu) 12:59 p.m.


he had a very clear vision of justice, probity and accountability. As to how he executed, the processes leading to justice, probity and accountability, we might agree to disagree with the processes that he embarked on to achieve the vision of justice, probity and accountability.

Mr Speaker, as a Majority Leader and as a Minority Leader, you used to employ a common catchphrase in this House, “The young shall grow”. Respectfully, Mr Speaker, you heard me. So we are all growing. That President Rawlings was and maybe cannot be challenged, but he has his own ways. And by the process of executing the ideals, he quartered many friends and quartered many enemies. But we learn from history, and I believe that by what he did, this nation has a store, a complete warehouse, of ideas to harvest from; as and when it becomes necessary. The entire nation stands guided by what he did. I think that should be the legacy of Rawlings to us as a nation.

I believe in these matters, especially as I said, because this is a date of birth that we are observing, it is important that we do not relish in negatives.

Mr Speaker, I thank you for the space granted me.
Mr Speaker 12:59 p.m.
Hon Minority Leader, I thought we have finished with the two contributions from each Side?
Hon Members, it is important we take what I am going to tell you seriously, that the greatness of a man or a woman is not in how much wealth in terms of money, property or assets he or she acquires. But it is in his or her wealth of integrity and his ability to affect those around him or her positively. Nobody can take this away from Rawlings. His life has affected not only Ghanaians but Africans and the world in general.
And so we have great and illustrious sons and daughters of our country. Let us celebrate them. Let us make the younger generation know that it is good to be good. There is no perfection in life. We still have a long way to go, but I am very convinced that very soon we would get there.
Now, we would move to Question time. We would start with item numbered 5, the Urgent Questions. Item numbered 5(a), the Question standing in the name of the Hon Member for Gomoa East, Mr Desmond De-Graft Paitoo.
Hon Member, you may ask your Question.
URGENT QUESTIONS 1:09 p.m.
MINISTRY OF SANITATION 1:09 p.m.
AND WATER RESOURCES 1:09 p.m.
Mr Desmond De-Graft Paitoo (NDC -- Gomoa East) 1:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources the measures being put in place to avert the water problems in the following communities in the Gomoa East Constituency: (i) Nyanyanom Kakabra (ii) Adamukrom (iii) Apra (iv) Akofi Bankyiase (v) GPRTU (vi) Millennium City and its environs.
Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources (Ms Cecilia A. Dapaah) 1:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Weija and Kwanyako Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) serve the afore-mentioned communities. The Weija systems supplies water to Nyanyano- Kakabra, Adamukrom, Akotsi Bankyiase and GPRTU areas.
The Weija system has undergone multiple capacity expansion inter- ventions resulting in a current design capacity of approximately 51MGD (230,000m3/day) with a current
average production capacity of 43MGD (194,182m3/day). The shortfall in production is attributed to power outages within the enclave and a reduction in the efficiency of some electro-mechanical components (i.e. pumps) of the water system.
Mr Speaker, as a result of the water supply -- demand gap, the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has instituted a Water Management Programme (i.e. water rationing) by which it supplies water to all the areas at least twice a week. However, because most of the areas are located at the extreme end of the distribution network, they usually experience either very low pressures or no flows on days that they are scheduled to benefit from the water management programme.
Mr Speaker, Apra has an estimated population of 430 and has a borehole fitted with hand pump, which provides the water needs of the community because the GWCL distribution network does not extend to the community. To improve upon the water supply situation in the areas currently being served and also extend water supply to Apra, GWCL has signed a Commercial Contract for the construction of a new 22MGD (100,000m3/day) water treatment plant at Weija coupled with adequate transmission and distribution network
Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources (Ms Cecilia A. Dapaah) 1:09 p.m.


to increase access to improve water supply. The project is of high priority to Government and the contract will be brought to the House for consideration as soon as the necessary upstream clearances are obtained.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Paitoo 1:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to know the kind of assurances that the Hon Minister would give. This is because looking at those places that have been mentioned, it is the new areas that everyday people migrate from their places to because they have built there. So the people going there are many and there is no water there so I would like to find out from the Hon Minister the kind of assurances she is giving and when all that she is talking about would be implemented for the people to get potable water to use?
Mr Speaker 1:09 p.m.
You are asking for assurances from her?
Mr Paitoo 1:09 p.m.
Specifically, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 1:09 p.m.
Specific action not assurance?
Mr Paitoo 1:09 p.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 1:09 p.m.
Hon Minister, he is not asking for assurances but the
specific actions you are going to take to provide water in those areas because of the movement of people now to settle in those areas.
Ms Dapaah 1:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as I said, the new arrangement would put on board, 22 million gallons of water and that should take care of the new areas.
Mr Speaker, again, it is worthy to note that when people move, they hardly inform Ghana Water Company Limited but Ghana Water Company tries to make sure people get water when they move.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 1:09 p.m.
Hon Members, we move to the next Urgent Question standing in the name of Ms Joyce Tetteh, Hon Member for North Dayi.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH 1:09 p.m.
Ms Joycelyn Tetteh (NDC -- North Dayi) 1:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Health what mechanism has been put in place by the Ministry to monitor the effectiveness of ambulances distributed recently.
Minister for Health (Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu) 1:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the National Ambulance Service received the 307 ambulances procured by the Government through the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives under the “One Constituency, One Ambulance” policy, on 28th January, 2020 after they were commissioned by the President, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Mr Speaker, prior to the commissioning, all the ambulances were fitted with tracking devices with monitoring screens at the National Dispatch Centre in Accra to monitor the ambulances for effective operations.
Mr Speaker, each of the ambulances also has a tablet which is also linked to the Dispatch Centre by a GPS system for communication between the Dispatch Centre and the ambulance crew, and also for easy direction to locations of distress calls.
Mr Speaker, all the ambulances are also fitted with GoTa radio communication systems provided by the National Security for easy and prompt communication between the dispatch centre and the ambulances.
Mr Speaker, to achieve effective monitoring of the ambulances, the Service has acquired additional
Mr Speaker 1:09 p.m.
Hon Member, any supplementary question?
Ms Tetteh 1:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to ask the Hon Minister what the oversight responsibilities of Members of Parliament in monitoring these ambulances are supposed to be?
Mr Agyeman-Manu 1:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, a desk officer has been appointed within the PPME directorate of the Ministry that received on quarterly basis, a report on the performance of the entire Ambulance Service. That is part of our monitoring mechanism.
They report on the operation, the state of the vehicles, their finances to fuel the ambulances and whatever challenges that they have and we work on them to ensure that the
Ms Tetteh 1:09 p.m.
Mr Speaker, finally I would want to know what the condition of the crew is and if people are supposed to pay before enjoying the services of the ambulances?
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Agyeman-Manu 1:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the National Ambulance Service is one of the agencies of the Ministries.
In all the agencies, the workers and the professionals in the health sector have service conditions that bind their increment on engagement.
Mr Speaker, it would be very difficult for me at this stage to just give a chronology of all the service conditions that the Ambulance Service staff have. There are several things for both senior and junior staff. So, if my Hon Colleagues wish, I can submit to her the entire booklet called the Service Conditions of the Ambulance Service.
rose
Mr Speaker 1:19 p.m.
Yes, Hon Ranking Member for the Health Committee?
Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh 1:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am most grateful.
In the answer of the Hon Minister, he mentioned the fact that there are tracking devices in the ambulances that have been distributed so far. We saw a view of an ambulance carting bags of cement. Was it detected on the radar of the tracking device?
Mr Agyeman-Manu 1:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am very much aware, and some of my Hon Colleagues should be aware, especially the Hon Ranking Member of the Health Committee, that the Ambulance Service has issued a statement on that incident. The monitors and the type of mechanism we have could not detect it, because that particular ambulance was not in operation.
It had been parked in a mechanic's workshop for servicing, and then the mechanic who is a driver took the ambulance without the authority of the Service. So, when the issue came up, the Ambulance Service issued a statement on this matter and it was published in the media. I have asked for further investigations, and I am still waiting for a report on that.
Mr David Vondee 1:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you. I would want to ask the Hon Minister whether these vehicles have specialised mechanics to service them, because I have seen these vehicles taken to ordinary mechanics? These are specialised vehicles that are put together to take care of the medical needs of people.
Mr Agyeman-Manu 1:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Ambulance Service has its mode of operations including servicing of the vehicles. This particular ambulance was one of the 307 ambulances, and we have signed a service agreement with the supplier for a number of months before the Ambulance Service could take over the entire service of these ambulances. At the time the incident occurred, we were in that service arrangement and therefore, it was the supplier who should have repaired the vehicle. So, the ambulance was at the supplier's workshop that this incident took place. At the time, it was not even in the hands of the Ambulance Service.
Mr Speaker, we are using mechanic shops which belong to the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the Ghana Ambulance Service, and we also appoint in certain areas where we do not have our own accredited mechanic workshops to service these vehicles.
Ms Ntoso 1:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, may I know from the Hon Minister, who is responsible for the authorisation on the usage of the ambulances at the districts level? Is it the district directorate or the district assembly?
Mr Agyeman-Manu 1:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is the Director of the District Ambulance Service.
Mr Speaker 1:19 p.m.
Hon Members, by an act of Parliament, we established the National Ambulance Service, and they have directors and staff. They are trained and sent there. I am a former Minister for Health, so I know that.
Mr Cassiel Ato Forson 1:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, can the Hon Minister come again, and explain to us why the tracking device of the ambulance could not work since it had been parked?
Mr Speaker, I understand that parking an ambulance does not disable the tracking device. It is for the reason why the tracking devices are installed. Could the Hon Minister explain?
Mr Agyeman-Manu 1:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as part of my answer, I said I have asked for further investigation and the report has not landed in my office.

One of the questions I asked was what has just been asked. I believe when the Report on further investigations come, I would be able to answer this question.
Dr Clement Apaak 1:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you. I would like to find out from the Hon Minister who is responsible for fuelling the ambulances?
Mr Agyeman-Manu 1:19 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the agency is responsible for fuelling the ambulances.
Mr Speaker 1:19 p.m.
Hon Members, we would move to item numbered 6. We do not have an Answer to Question numbered 44, and we have not seen the Hon Minister in the House. For Question numbered 46, we have an Answer to it, but I just received a letter from the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, which says that the Minister has been called to attend to some urgent matter.
So, the Minister will not be available today to read the Answer that has been filed. So, we will not get the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to Answer the Question today. We will reschedule it for him.
Hon Members, on behalf of the House, I would discharge the Hon Ministers for Health, and Sanitation and Water Resources for attending upon the House to answer the Questions.
We would go to Question numbered 7, which stands in the name of the Hon Member for La Dadekotopon, Ms Rita Odoley Sowah.
ORAL ANSWERS TO 1:29 p.m.
QUESTIONS 1:29 p.m.
MINISTRY OF LANDS AND 1:29 p.m.
NATURAL RESOURCES 1:29 p.m.
Ms Rita Naa Odoley Sowah (NDC -- Dadekotopon) 1:29 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources what steps the Ministry has taken so far, and what further steps the Ministry plans to take to resolve the issues of land dispute between the Military and the La Traditional Council as well as the Youth of La.
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources (Mr Samuel Abdulai Jinapor) 1:29 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the La Traditional Council, over the years, has submitted a number of petitions to the Government for the release of some lands in Burma-Camp, and other parts of Accra being occupied by the Ghana Armed Forces. Indeed, there are several of such petitions outstanding across the country.
Mr Speaker, as we are all aware, matters relating to compulsory acquisition of land have been a subject of extensive controversy and complexities from the colonial government to date.
Mr Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that upon my assumption of office as Minister, I have met the various stakeholders, and held several meetings with the Military High Command and the La Traditional Council, out of which I set up a Committee, chaired by Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio, Member of Parliament for Atwima-Nwabiagya North Constituency and the Deputy- Minister designate for Lands and
Natural Resources, to deliberate on the matters of controversy and meet with the parties to find a lasting solution to this matter. The Committee is done with its work and is preparing its report for the consideration of Government.
Mr Speaker, I should happily inform the House that even though this matter is yet to be resolved, the two parties, namely, the La Traditional Council and the Ghana Armed Forces have exhibited a high level of cooperation, constructiveness and seemed to be engaging in good faith.
It is my expectation that the Committee will submit its report by the end of this month, June, 2021, and, hopefully, out of which, we should be able to resolve, conclusively, all the long standing issues in controversy. Whatever decision that government will eventually come to ought to be motivated by the law and, the established facts, and should be capable of standing rigorous scrutiny.
Mr Speaker 1:29 p.m.
Hon Member, any supplementary question?
Ms Sowah 1:29 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister, when the Committee in question was set, and the time given to them to come out with the report?
Mr Speaker 1:29 p.m.
The Hon Member would want to know when the Committee was set, and the time- frame for the Committee to submit its report.
Mr S. A. Jinapor 1:29 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as I indicated, the Committee is scheduled to present its report by the end of this month -- June, 2021. The Committee was established about a month ago.
Mr Speaker 1:29 p.m.
Any further supplementary question?
Ms Sowah 1:29 p.m.
Mr Speaker, before I come to the next supplementary question, I think that the Hon Minister has not answered the question that I put to him. My question was to know when the Committee was set, and the time-frame that the Committee was given to present its report.
Mr Speaker 1:29 p.m.
That is exactly the question that the Hon Minister answered. He gave us the time that it was set, and when it would submit its report. That is what the Hon Minister just stated. Maybe, you did not hear him clearly. I can ask him to repeat it.
Yes, Hon Minister?
Mr S. A. Jinapor 1:29 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as I indicated, the Committee was set
up a month ago, and it is scheduled to present its report by the end of this month.
Ms Sowah 1:29 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister, if there is any proper mode of acquisition of the lands in question, and under which law?
MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:34 p.m.
Yes, Hon Minister?
Mr S. A. Jinapor 1:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the matters of compulsory acquisition of lands in our country are complex, and therefore, I inherited this matter between the La Traditional Council and the Military High Command. I scheduled series of meetings with the Military High Command and the La Traditional Council, and I came to the firm conclusion that it would be important for us to establish the law and the facts.
The law is what the Hon Member talks about; the various acquisitions. Therefore, if we talk about a square meter of land which is in controversy,
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:34 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member, any other supplementary question?
Ms Sowah 1:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister, the steps the Ministry is taking to prevent the re-occurrence of what happened on the 15th April, where some youth of La and some media persons visited the land that was supposed to have been given to them, but were brutalised by men in military uniform.
So, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister, what the Ministry would do to prevent such an occurrence from happening again, since the Military are working on the said land where the people were beaten? I would also implore the Hon Minister to pursue justice for the youth of La who were brutalised.
Mr S. A. Jinapor 1:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, if such an incident occurred, then it is obviously regrettable, but that is a matter for the security agencies to deal with. For my purposes, I am working with the Ministry to ensure that the issues in controversy are resolved, and hopefully, if these issues are resolved, then these kinds of confrontations would be averted. However, I would answer by concluding that this claim, if found to be correct, falls squarely within the four corners of the security service of our country.
Mr Patrick Y. Boamah 1:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, paragraph 2 of the Hon
Minister's Answer reads as follows 1:34 p.m.
“Indeed, there are several of such petitions outstanding across the country”.
I would want to find out from the Hon Minister, whether this Committee is looking into all the petitions before him, to enable him get one document to deal with holistically?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:34 p.m.
Hon Minister, are you minded to answer the question?
Mr S. A. Jinapor 1:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank the Hon Member for the question. Yes, he is right. As the Hon Minister responsible for Lands and
Mr Suhuyini A. Sayibu 1:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to follow up to find out from the Hon Minister, if the duration for the Committee to submit its report was at some point extended,
and what the Hon Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, the Hon Benito Owusu-Bio's Committee gave as reasons for the request for extension? This is because per the date and record, this Committee was supposed to have presented their report by 7th May, 2021.
They were given a two week period when they were inaugurated, so, what has the Hon Benito Owusu- Bio's Committee told the Hon Minister as reasons for the delay of this report?
Mr S. A. Jinapor 1:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I answered the question on when their Report would be delivered, and I would want to repeat it. The report is expected to be delivered at the end of this month. The Hon Member is right. When the Committee was instituted, they were given a two- week period within which to submit their report.
After they commenced their work, it came to their attention that a lot of survey ought to be done, several meetings organised, and a lot more engagements had to take place for us to come to a point where we would have consensus among the parties. This occasioned an extension of the period within which they ought to present their report.
Mr Speaker, we committed to the House that by the end of this month, the Hon Benito Owusu-Bio's Committee will submit their report to the Ministry for our consideration.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 1:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, after listening to the Hon Minister, I have taken a curious parliamentary notice of him reporting to this House that he appointed the Hon Benito Owusu-Bio to chair this Committee. In what capacity was Hon Owusu-Bio appointed?
More importantly, he added that the parties have exhibited good faith when he referenced the GAF and the La community. Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from him whether beatings and assault is acting in good faith because the people of La were subjected to some indignation of humiliation of assault in the hands of the men of the GAF and whether those beatings were even justified in law?
Mr S. A. Jinapor 1:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is trite that the Hon Benito Owusu- Bio is an experienced parliamentarian. He is a five term Hon MP, a Ghanaian, and he served on the Committee on Lands and Forestry for several years. Therefore, I took the view that he had the requisite expertise, experience and tempera- ment to chair this Committee and
resolve the issues involved. Mr Speaker, that is the reason I exercised my powers as Hon Minister to appoint him to chair the Committee.
Mr Speaker, on the second issue, my involvement in the GAF and the La Traditional Council dispute was post this alleged brutalities. I find them reprehensible and regrettable and I do not think that it is something we should encourage. Ultimately, if we are able to resolve the issues in controversy, my view is that, it would bring a long lasting solution.
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa 1:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise to ask the Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources as to what informed the earlier decision by the Government which was led by his predecessor to announce to the chiefs of La that Government had decided to hand over the lands to them? It appears that is really the genesis of the crisis. Is the Hon Minister apprised with that fact, and what accounted for the policy change after the elections?
Mr S. A. Jinapor 1:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the records I have perused does not support the conclusion or assertion that Government handed over the lands to the La Traditional Council; that did not happen. There were negotiations and engagements as is the case now between the Government through the Ministry of Lands and
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:39 p.m.
Hon Members, Question time has come to a close. Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, we thank you for attending upon the House to answer questions. We are so grateful. You are discharged now.
Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh 1:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I conferred with my Hon Colleagues on the other Side, and we have agreed to take the item numbered 10 -- Notice of Committee which with your leave I take --
[Pause] Mr Speaker, with your leave, we will break into Committee of the Whole and consider the National Health Insurance formula.
We also have a briefing from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) which was an agreed agenda by the House last week as the Business Statement was presented. Mr Speaker, with your leave, we would have to break into Committee of the Whole.
Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu 1:39 p.m.
Mr Speaker, there is an Order Paper Addendum, and there is only one item -- Presentation of Papers -- the Report -- [Interruption]. I am sorry, Order Paper Addendum numbered 2. I believe the Order Paper Addendum is a Question which has been asked. Mr Speaker, I refer to the Order Paper Addendum numbered 2. There is only one item on it -- Presentation of Papers, and I seek your indulgence to present that Paper.
I also wish to add that after the Committee of the Whole, we resume Sitting so that we can take the Seventh Report of the Appointments Committee. I asked that whatever they have done, they should distribute it so, they have started distributing what is available. I am sure by the time we finish with the Committee of the Whole, Hon Members would have the
opportunity to go through them so that we can take that one and hopefully tomorrow, we can take the Eighth Report. That is my request.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:39 p.m.
Hon First Deputy Speaker, I am not clear. Do you want to lay the Paper?
Mr Osei-Owusu 1:49 p.m.
Yes. On the Order Paper Addendum, the Eighth Report of the Appointments Committee is to be laid. Then there is one on the original Order Paper item numbered 9, Motion.
Mr Speaker, the application that we moved into a Committee of the Whole has been made to you. Mr Speaker, I am suggesting that after the Committee of the Whole, the House resumes so that we could take the item numbered 9 on today's Order Paper also. But for now, my prayer is that we lay the Paper as itemised on the Order Paper Addendum numbered
2.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:49 p.m.
Very well.
Yes, Hon Minority Leader?
Mr Iddrisu 1:49 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I have no difficulty supporting the Hon Chairman of the Committee in laying
the Paper, but I have a difficulty when the rules, and I refer to Standing Order 74 -- when Papers are presented, the rule is that the Paper must have been ready for distribution. In the interest of cooperation, we have allowed for some of these Papers to be laid but the rule -- respect the letter and spirit of the rule. When a Paper is presented and Mr Speaker says it is for distribution to Members, that Paper must be distributed accordingly to Members.
So, yes, he would lay the Paper but when he lays it, I would request the Table Office now to distribute the copies available to the Hon Members because I have reached out to say that this Paper is not ready for distribution, the Chairman insists so; he should lay it but after laying it, Mr Speaker, I would hold you to the strict rule that copies be distributed for the attention of Members.
This is not an ordinary Report; there is no difficulty with the Report; there is a Report that we would consider and I have only said that let Members have copies. Hon Chairman I do not have any problem, we have read the Report not once, not twice but Members must have copies of the Report and read it to be able to contribute to the Motion. So, if he insists, he could go ahead but when he finishes laying the Paper, I
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:49 p.m.
Very well, Mr First Deputy Speaker, you may lay the Report?
PAPERS 1:49 p.m.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:49 p.m.
Yes, Majority Leadership?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 1:49 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I think there is an agreement as you directed earlier, with your leave, we could now move into the Committee of the Whole and consider the items I have mentioned as in the formula for the National Health Insurance and then, the briefing from the Ghana Statistical Service.
I thank you.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:49 p.m.
Yes, Minority Leadership, do I hear anything from your end?
Mr Iddrisu 1:49 p.m.
Mr Speaker, please get me right; I do not have a problem with us going on with the Motion; mine is that --[Interruption]-- do not project me as if I am a difficult person. Let us print the Hansard and that is why we are recording; the Chairman said, after this we take Motion 9, I heard you.
Mr Osei-Owusu 1:49 p.m.
Mr Speaker, what I said was that after the laying of the Paper, we could break into the Committee of the Whole. But I request that after the Committee of the Whole, we resume and take Motion numbered 9. The Minority Leader is confusing the two: the laying of the Paper is different from the request that we do the Motion numbered 9 after the Committee of the Whole. These have been the two requests I have made.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:49 p.m.
Very well --
Mr Iddrisu 1:49 p.m.
Mr Speaker, Seventh Report of the Appointments Committee is what the Chairman wants us to take after the Committee of the Whole's sitting. What I requested and insist is that, allow Hon Members time to peruse the Report. That is all that I ask for. And Mr
Speaker, you can see the lady just walked past my back; she is now distributing the Report. Chairman and I have seen, reviewed and read the Report and I would contribute but Members are entitled by our rules to these Papers laid to read, appreciate them and make meaningful contributions.
That is all I have asked for; I have no problem with the Report at all as I whispered to the Chairman.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:49 p.m.
Hon Minority Leader, please we have taken notice of what you have just said.
Hon Members, the House is suspended. We are breaking to meet the National Health Insurance Authority.
1.56 p.m. -- Sitting suspended.
5.08 p. m. -- Sitting resumed.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:49 p.m.
Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:49 p.m.
Mr Speaker, if it may please you, we would proceed to item numbered 9 on page 3 of the Order Paper.
MOTIONS 1:49 p.m.
Chairman of the Committee (Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu) 1:49 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this honourable House adopts the Seventh Report of the Appointments Committee on H. E. the President's nominations for Deputy Ministerial Appointments. In so doing, I would present your Committee's Report.
1.0 Introduction
1.1 On Wednesday, 21st April, 2021, H.E. the President submitted to Parliament nominations of a Minister of State and 39 deputy Ministers - Designate for con- sideration and approval in accordance with article 78 (1) and 79(1) of the 1992 Constitution. The Rt. Hon. Speaker subsequently referred the nominations to the Appointments Committee for consideration and report pursuant to Order 172 of the Standing Orders of the House.
2.0 Reference Documents
The Committee made references to the under-listed documents during its deliberations:
i. The 1992 Constitution;
B R O B B Y - - D E P U T Y 1:49 p.m.
MINISTER--DESIGNATE 1:49 p.m.
L A B O U R R E L AT I O N S 1:49 p.m.
BAAFI -- DEPUTY MINISTER- 1:49 p.m.
INDUSTRY 1:49 p.m.
GFZA 1:49 p.m.
ADAM -- DEPUTY MINISTER 1:49 p.m.
DESIGNATE FOR ENERGY 1:49 p.m.
JALULAH -- DEPUTY 1:49 p.m.
MINISTER-DESIGNATE FOR 1:49 p.m.
-- DEPUTY MINISTER - 1:49 p.m.
DESIGNATE FOR FOREIGN 1:49 p.m.
AFFAIRS 1:49 p.m.
-- DEPUTY MINISTER 1:49 p.m.
HOUSING 1:49 p.m.
DEPUTY MINISTER- 1:49 p.m.
DESIGNATE FOR TRADE AND 1:49 p.m.
INDUSTRY 1:49 p.m.
-- DEPUTY MINISTER 1:49 p.m.
DESIGNATE FOR INFOR- 1:49 p.m.
MATION 1:49 p.m.
MANTEY --- DEPUTY 1:49 p.m.
MINISTER DESIGNATE FOR 1:49 p.m.
SEINI -- DEPUTY MINISTER- 1:49 p.m.
DESIGNATE FOR HEALTH 1:49 p.m.
YEBOAH -- DEPUTY 1:49 p.m.
MINISTER-DESIGNATE FOR 1:49 p.m.
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY- 1:49 p.m.
A M P O F O - - D E P U T Y 1:49 p.m.
M I N I S T E R - D E S I G N AT E 1:49 p.m.
FOR EDUCTION 1:49 p.m.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:18 p.m.
Yes, Hon Minority Leader?
Ranking Member (Mr Haruna Iddrisu): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
I would speak in support of the Motion and the nomination of our Hon Colleagues, Hon Bright Wireko- Brobby, Hon Michael Okyere Baafi, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, Mr Herbert Krapa and my own schoolmate, Mr Alfred Tuah-Yeboah. I would make a few comments.
First, if you look at page 6, which states, “magic behind stable labour front”, the labour front was largely stabilised by the end of 2016 because the most insidious conflicts were dealt with. It had to do with the second tier pension scheme and matters arising out of the non-availability of codified conditions of service for health workers in the country. So, all these major conflict issues were particularly resolved before 2017.
Mr Speaker, Hon Brobby, the Deputy Minister-designate for Employment and Labour Relations also spoke about minimum wage. It is important to emphasise that minimum wage affects just the private
sector and we should be interested in public sector wages and the relationship between minimum wage and public sector wages. So, we expect that sooner than later, Government and its tripartite partners must make a determination of the public sector base pay, so that workers would know whether to expect some fortune of 10 per cent, 11 per cent or 12 per cent.
As I observed earlier, there was no budgetary provision for increment in wages, therefore, it would be significant that we know Government's position.
Finally, on the same nominee, on the matter of addressing child labour, growing up, I used to go to the farm with my uncle. I am sure that any British or European at the time would have construed that as child labour or child slavery, but it was part of my socialisation. Every other time school was on holiday, I would be compelled by my mother to go to Damonkoyiri to farm.

They conceive this as labour or slavery but I think that they are overstretching it.

Mr Speaker, with regard to the designate Hon Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Micheal

Okyere Baafi -- I want to recommend that the Committee on Trade and Industry must take particular interest with issues concerning the Ghana Free Zones Authority. At the time that he inherited it as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), staff population was about 80 but today, it is more than 120. What would happen to productivity? The numbers have ballooned so, the Committee on Trade and Industry must take the issue up. He would assist Mr Alan Kyeremateng as the Hon Minister for Trade and Industry.

Mr Speaker, I insist that many of the functions of the Ministry of Trade and Industry have been taken away to the Ministry of Finance particularly, matters of trade facilitation and that has to be corrected which includes the Ghana Exim Bank.

Mr Speaker, with regard to Dr Mohammed Amin Adam Anta, we grew up together in Tamale and he has contributed to inspire many young people. He has also become like the senior Hon Deputy Minister from the north.

From 2005 and 2007, he has been the Hon Deputy Minister so probably, he would be the Hon Deputy Minister to Mr O. B. Amoah, as the senior of

the Hon Deputy Ministers -- Dr Amin Anta, would qualify to deputise for him. Unlucky for him, he has not received the President's attention to be elevated to the status of an Hon Minister but I am sure he would pray to his God that someday, whiles there is a tomorrow, the wish of God would be done. However, undoubtedly, he is a brilliant young person who understands his subject matter which is energy related.

However, my problem with him is the way he harassed the former Hon Member for Karaga, Mr Dandawa out of Karaga and distributed state resources as if they were personal resources in Karaga and he even instructed VRA and others not to make transformers and electric wares available to him. Nonetheless, he would add up to the Hon Member for Energy to perform the role.

Mr Speaker, we need to improve the performance of our energy sector whether it is dumsor or preso preso. (Adundum adundum no egyaei) The designate Hon Deputy Minister for Energy, Dr Amin Anta, is recommended. He manifested his brilliance but where I disagreed with him was his festination that we should merge PURC with the Energy Commission. I do not think that is the way to go. We should keep the regulators distinct and separate for them to be able to play their roles.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:18 p.m.
Before the Hon Member for South Dayi would contribute, the Rt Hon Speaker would take the Chair.
Question proposed.
MR SPEAKER
Mr Rockson-Nelson Este Kwami Dafeamekpor (NDC -- South Dayi) 5:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to contribution to the Motion.
Mr Speaker, we know the designate Hon Deputy Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Mr Bright Wireko-Brobbey in this House and we believe that he would acquit himself. The matters that were put to him were effectively responded to and we hoped that he would assist the substantive Hon Minister to carry out the functions of office at the Ministry assigned to him.
Mr Speaker, with regard to the designate Hon Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Michael Okyere Baafi, until he joined this House he was the C.E.O of the Free Zones Board. He understands matters of trade which includes the local and international dynamics. Yes, he was part of the committee that
recently met with the Ghana Investment Promotion Agency. We understand that the newly signed Continental Free Trade Agreement would bring opportunities and so would standards be introduced. So, what benefits would it bring to our locals when we are unable to produce to meet standards that for instance, would be agreeable to the country's designation like South Africa?
It is very important that we are able to create the opportunities for our local firms to be able to benefit. Indeed, standards would also come with languages, we should be able to package our products in such a way that they would be translated into other languages that are not known to us.
Mr Speaker, I would want to wish the Hon Minister-designate for Trade and Industry, Mr Baafi, all the best at the Ministry. It is an important Ministry and I think that coupled with his two other Hon Deputy Ministers, they would be able to assist the Hon Minister to deliver on the policies of the Government.
Mr Speaker, with regard to Dr Mohammed Amin Anta, who was my senior in school -- we were all student politicians. He was the former NUGS president and a very erudite economist and well vest in energy
Mr Rockson-Nelson Este Kwami Dafeamekpor (NDC -- South Dayi) 5:28 p.m.


matters. As the Hon Minority Leader said, he is closely behind the Hon Deputy Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Mr O. B. Amoah, in the ranking of senior Hon Deputy Ministers. This would be his second stint as an Hon Deputy Minister for the Energy Ministry.

He acquitted himself well when he was given the first opportunity. So, I believe that he would bring that pedigree to bear on his new role and be able to bring to fruition the policies that the Government intends to roll out.

Mr Speaker, but one critical thing that he is aware of is that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is complaining about revenue falls and yet, we are unable to provide meters to homes, so that readings could be done for which revenues would be earned.

Why are we having difficulties in supplying meters to our communities?

Mr Speaker, as I speak, my people in South Dayi are crying for meters. They want network expansion and yet we cannot get the meters. Even those who have resources to buy the meters are unable to get them. So, I

would want to urge him that as a matter of urgency, they should take steps to make the meters available so that Government can earn enough revenue from the consumption of electricity.

Mr Speaker, one other area that I think he should also pay attention to is where he says that by 2023, the Government intends to have a universal rural electrification coverage. We would want to urge him that when they are rolling out the rural electrification project, they should not leave places like South Dayi out. I still have a lot of communities that are not connected and I would urge him to do the universal coverage properly.
Mr Speaker 5:28 p.m.
Hon Member, did you say by 2023?
Mr Dafeamekpor 5:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, indeed, yes.
Mr Speaker 5:28 p.m.
The Government programme says by 2023 there would be universal electricity coverage in the country?
Mr Dafeamekpor 5:28 p.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker, I can refer the House to that particular statement under rural electrification.
Mr Speaker 5:28 p.m.
Unless the policy has been revised; I have never read it anywhere that by 2023 --No!
Mr Dafeamekpor 5:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is 2024; I stand corrected.
Mr Speaker 5:28 p.m.
Even that is still a printer's devil.
Mr Dafeamekpor 5:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, if I may refer the House to page 25.
Mr Speaker 5:28 p.m.
I am saying that may be a printer's devil.
Mr Dafeamekpor 5:28 p.m.
Very well, but if I may just read for the records.
Mr Speaker 5:28 p.m.
Yes?
Mr Dafeamekpor 5:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the last sentence of the paragraph under issues relating to some rural electrification project -- [Interruption] -- Page 25 of the main Report states:
“He expressed the commitment of the Government to ensure universal access of electricity across the country by 2024 and promised to assist his Minister to achieve it.”
Mr Speaker 5:28 p.m.
I hope the Hon Deputy Minister is available to confirm
or say otherwise because I have read Government's documents and that is not what they say.
Mr Dafeamekpor 5:28 p.m.
Very well, I am guided.
Mr Speaker, I may want to wrap up by also indicating to the Hon Deputy Minister-designate that as we speak, the Volta River Trust Fund is still unable to pay compensation to lots of communities whose lands were submerged during the construction of the Volta Dam, and it is a big problem to some of these community leaders.
For instance, in South Dayi, traditional areas like Tongo Chanakpe, Kpalime and Kpeve Traditional areas are still struggling to get paid for the requisite compensation of lands that they lost during the construction of the Dam. So, I would want him to take up the matter for us.
Mr Speaker, finally, if I may touch on Hon Tuah-Yeboah, my senior in the Law. He has distinguished himself, except that under the Report at page 63, in addition to the correction that has been carried out, if the Table Office may take note of the fifth line from the bottom of page 63; instead of “Otu Essel Chambers”, they wrote “Out”; it is “O-t-u” . If that correction can be quickly made?
Mr Speaker 5:28 p.m.
Well, from the guidance that I have here, it is Hon Samuel George first before Hon Avoka.
Mr Samuel Nartey George (NDC -- Ningo Prampram) 5:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you. I would not want to belabour the point on some of the nominees who have been spoken about already even though I would want to congratulate the Hon Mohammed Amin Adam who I met as a national service person at that time as a Senior Member of the Vice President's Office where I did my national service. Since then he has gone on to excel and to distinguish himself.
I would want to briefly touch on Ms Fatimatu Abubakar, the Deputy Minister-designate for Information and state that it was interesting watching her vetting and it is a good rise for a young lady from the Zongo who we have seen as a Spokesperson at the Presidency and today found herself in this enviable office. She says that she would help her Minister pass the Broadcasting Bill. She bemoans
the fact that we have not passed the Bill and maybe, she needs to know that the Bill has not come to us. It is still at the Ministry. So, if the Ministry brings the Bill to this House, this House would act with expedition.
But I would want to welcome her to that Ministry and hope that she would help very much to deal with an issue that was raised at the Appointments Committee; the emergence of the culture of silence and the fact that it is important that as a Ministry of Information, they are the vanguard of protecting the independence of the media and the ability to have the free pass to determine their own editorial policy.
Again, on the issue of conflict between the National Media Commission (NMC) and the National Communications Authority (NCA), she spoke with some clarity on the way forward in that space.
Mr Speaker, the last person I would want to touch on is Mr Mark Okraku Mantey, Deputy Minister- designate for Tourism, Arts and Culture. It is good to see a member of that fraternity in a role where he can influence policy. We would want to see action on his part in pushing Government to implement a policy that
would change the fortunes of the creative arts industry because on many times we have heard the creative arts industry players complain.
The creative arts are a key tool for national development. Just yesterday, the Child Right International passed a Report that said 55 per cent of Ghanaian children aged between 11 and 19 want to travel outside Ghana because they do not see the future of this country. Where do they want to go? They would want to go abroad. These are all being influenced by what they are watching; the telenovelas.
So, if our creative industry begins to package the Ghanaian story, this would be a good thing and he, as a creative arts person, must lead that vanguard and support his Minister to ensure that the cinemas are opened; he gets the President to open the cinemas quickly and then also have the theatres that were promised to be built for the creative arts industry.
Mr Speaker, I am grateful for this opportunity to contribute to the Seventh Report of the Appointments Committee. I thank you.
Mr Cletus Apul Avoka (NDC -- Zebilla) 5:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Let me join my Hon Colleagues in supporting the Motion and to congratulate all the 12 nominees. I think that not only are they lucky but we have a lot of confidence in them because the President with about 15 million adults reposed confidence in them and nominated them as such. So, I congratulate them, particularly Hon Mohammed Amin Adam, whom I interacted with a lot when I acted as Chairman of the Energy Committee briefly in 2016. I used to consult him and his advice was very resourceful and useful. We are grateful to him.
Mr Speaker, then also, two others, the Hon Abdulai Abanga and Ms Fatimatu Abubakar who are hailing from my traditional area. We congratulate them.

Mr Speaker, I wish to congratulate Mr Alfred Tuah-Yeboah - Hon Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice for his boldness and courage. I have neither met, seen nor interacted with him but this observation was done during the vetting.

When he was asked whether he thought that capital punishment be removed from the statute books, he replied among other things that even though he is a human rights lawyer,
Mr Osei-Owusu 5:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Majority Leader wanted to apply for a correction to be made.
Mr Speaker 5:48 p.m.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 5:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, before I make my own contribution, permit me to make a correction at paragraph 4.1.3 on page 12. The designation should read “Deputy Minister-designate for Employment and Labour Relations”. So, we have to delete the “Lands and Natural Resources” and insert “Employment and Labour Relations”.
Mr Speaker, having done this, I would thank Hon Colleagues for making it possible for this Report to be taken. Indeed, on Thursday when tempers were high, through your guidance and our own cooperation, we resolved that which needed to be resolved and our Hon Colleague, Ms Gifty Twum-Ampofo, is part of this Report.
Mr Speaker, throughout the period of vetting, it has taken the cooperation of this House to make sure that we
do this and I have no doubt that our democracy has gotten to a point where the national interest, either in Government or in Opposition is the ultimate object. Once there is this understanding then this country's democracy indeed has a future.
Mr Speaker, we have few women in politics, therefore, when I see their courage in getting to mainstream politics - my only wish is for them not to come and compete with me in my constituency, but I wish them well.
Mr Speaker, I am happy that at least, we have women who have been nominated by His Excellency the President, especially the young ones. I congratulate them and I believe that they would take advantage of the opportunity to serve their country.
Mr Speaker, I conclude by drawing the attention of the nominees to this very important observation by many. Since 1992, all the Hon Deputy Ministers have had one reason or the other to complain; they get into office very happy and anxious but the come back to complain. However, for those who waited on the Lord and had all the patience, they renewed their strength.
So, I urge them not to go and expect all things to be rosy. They should take it easy, calm their nerves,
Mr Speaker 5:58 p.m.
The House has accordingly approved the President's nominees for appointment as Deputy Ministers in accordance with article 79(1) of the 1992 Constitution.
They are:
1. Hon Bright Wireko-Brobby -- Deputy Minister for Employment and Labour Relations;
2. Hon Michael Okyere Baafi -- Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry;
3. Hon Mohammed Amin Adam -- Deputy Minister for Energy;
4. Hon Stephen Pambiin Jalulah -- Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways;
5. Hon Thomas Mbomba -- Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs;
6. Hon Abdulai Abanga -- Deputy Minister for Works and Housing;
7. Hon Herbert Krapa -- Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry;
8. Ms Fatimatu Abubakar -- Deputy Minister for Information;
9. Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey -- Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture;
10. Hon Mahama Asei Seini -- Deputy Minister for Health;
11. Mr Alfred Tuah-Yeboah -- Deputy Minister for Office of the Attorney-General and Justice; and
12. Hon Gifty Twum-Ampofo -- Deputy Minister for Education.
On behalf of Parliament and on my part, I want to congratulate all the Hon Deputy Ministers who have distinguished themselves to receive the unanimous approval of the House. We hope and pray that His Excellency would proceed to give you his appointment by giving you the usual letters.

Particularly, for those who are Hon Members of Parliament, I want to emphasise that your primary duty is to this House and it is not to H. E. the President. That is your secondary duty. Your primary duty is being a representative of your constituents. That is what they voted for you to do. His Excellency, the President has just given you an additional responsibility.

And so wherever you are, this House would continue to follow and treat you as a Member of Parliament.

I am sure you are all guided by history and you know those who decide to abandon this primary duty and rather focus on the secondary duty. At the next call to the Bar, look at the records, and advise yourself properly.

With this, once again, I congratulate all of you.

We are just left with one small business to transact before we adjourn. It has to do with what Hon Members themselves have agreed upon; the withdrawal of the formula for the distribution of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and the laying of a new one.
Mr Alexander K. Afenyo- Markin 5:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as our rules are clear on this, once a document is laid, it is the property of the House and it only takes your leave to withdraw same.
On the strength of that, I therefore seek your leave to withdraw the formula for the distribution of the GETFund, 2021 earlier laid on the 9th of June, 2021.
Mr Speaker 5:58 p.m.
Yes, Minority, any objection? Is leave granted?
Hon Members, the Report on the Formula for the Distribution of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) for the year 2021, which was laid earlier has accordingly been withdrawn.
Mr Speaker 5:58 p.m.
Hon Members, Order Paper Addendum 3. Presentation of Papers, by the Majority Leader.
PAPERS 5:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker 5:58 p.m.
Its being five minutes after 6.00 pm, I think you are now in my hands, and I would proceed accordingly without calling for any motion to adjourn the House. [Hear! Hear!]
Mr Afenyo-Markin 5:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, that is rightly within your discretion, but we have conferred and if it would please you, you may adjourn till tomorrow at 2.00 pm.
Mr Speaker 5:58 p.m.
I had directed early on that we are adjourning till tomorrow at 2.00 pm. So it is good that we are of the same mind.
Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 5:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I have just a small announcement. Through you, we would want Hon Members to take notice that tomorrow, at 12.00 noon, your good self would inaugurate the Manage- ment Committee of the Parliamentary Friendship Associations. You are doing that and it is your summons. Hon Members must make it a point to attend.
Mr Speaker 5:58 p.m.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, thank you for echoing what has been announced many times. Tomorrow, at 12.00 noon, we would inaugurate the Management Committee of the Parliamentary Friendship Asso- ciations.
We have had a lot of requests from the various countries eager to have this Parliamentary Friendship Associations actively working on parliamentary diplomacy which is a new area that is being developed by the Committees of Parliaments in the world.
So Hon Member, take advantage and join the Parliamentary Friendship Associations. There is nothing to lose. You rather stand to gain, particularly most of you who have not yet crossed the borders of Ghana. So, at 12.00 noon, we are expecting many more of you at the Justice D. F. Anan's Auditorium.
With this, I proceed to adjourn the House.
ADJOURNMENT 5:58 p.m.
  • The House was adjourned at 6.05 pm till Wednesday, 23rd June, 2021, at 2.00 p.m.