Debates of 24 Jun 2021

MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 11:50 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 11:50 a.m.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon Members, item numbered 4 on today's Order Paper -- correction of Votes and Proceedings and the Official Report. We only have the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 23rd June, 2021 and so we go to the Votes and Proceedings.
Page 1…8 --
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa 11:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
On the page numbered 8, the item numbered 8, the last but one line: “operators of Radio…”. We need to insert ‘Gold' in order to read ‘Radio Gold, 90.5 F.M.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Thank you very much, Hon Member.
Table Office, please take note.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Page 9 --
Mr Ablakwa 11:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the page numbered 9, the item numbered (c); the last paragraph: “by the Hon Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu on behalf of…”. Kindly insert ‘of the' to read, ‘of the Hon First Deputy Speaker'.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Table Office, take note of the omission of ‘of the'.
Page 10…11 --
Mr Ablakwa 11:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, page 11, the title of the Rt Hon Speaker, Speaker is incomplete without an ‘r'; the ‘r' is omitted.
Mr Speaker, and if it pleases you, I noticed that the matter relating to the Report of the Appointments Committee -- Question proposed; debate arising; Question put and Motion agreed to. There was a walkout by the Minority side and I thought that for the record, that should reflect accordingly, but when
we go through the Votes and Proceedings, it is as if everything is fine and all went well and there was debate from both Sides so I believe that —
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon Member, I think that one would be captured in the Hansard, not necessarily in the Votes and Proceedings.
Mr Ablakwa 11:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am most grateful.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon Members, page 12…14 --
Mr Ablakwa 11:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, at page 14, the item numbered 2 (iii) -- I am sure if my Hon Colleague and good Friend were here, she would have drawn your attention. Mavis Nkansah-Boadu but as it has been captured here, it appears to be ‘Mavia' instead of Mavis.
And I also noticed that there is quite a departure from our practice; if we look at pages 13 and 14, those who attended upon the Finance Committee, normally, we are told their institutions and the positions they hold but we just have Ministry of Finance, then the names are listed; National Sports Authority, and the
names are listed without the various positions they hold. So, if we could be consistent with our practice?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Thank you, Hon Member.
Table Office, please take note.
Hon Members, finally, page 15 --
Mr Kofi Iddie Adams 11:50 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
I would like to take you back to page 14 -- the item numbered 1 of the Business Statement: “the Committee met on Thursday, 23rd June…” Mr Speaker, 23rd June was Wednesday so, it could not have been Thursday so if it could be corrected to read as ‘Wednesday, 23rd June,
2021?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Table Office, please check the date well.
Hon Members, in the absence of any corrections, the Votes and Proceedings of the Sixteenth Sitting of the Second Meeting of the First Session held yesterday, Wednesday, 23rd June, 2021 is adopted as the true record of proceedings.
Hon Members, we will move to the item numbered 6 on today's Order Paper, Question time. We have an
URGENT QUESTIONS noon
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE noon
Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza (NDC - Adaklu) noon
asked the Minister for Defence what steps the Ministry is taking to ensure equity in the recruitment of personnel into the Ghana Armed Forces under the Ministry.
Minister for Defence (Mr Dominic Bingab Aduna Nitiwul) noon
Mr Speaker, to ensure equity in the recruitment of personnel into the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence, through the Ghana Armed Forces' Personnel Administration has
set some general requirements that the prospective applicants would have to meet before they qualify to be recruited.
In addition to the general requirements, the Armed Forces ensures that there is Regional balance, which is as nearly as possible, equal to the Regional Population Quota of the immediate past Population and Housing Census, as well as a minimum of 15 per cent of women.
Thank you.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker noon
Hon Member, any supplementary question?
Mr Agbodza noon
Mr Speaker, I am happy that the Hon Minister said that the recruitment takes care of the regional balance. However, we have 275 constituencies in the country and it is possible that if we just use the Regional balance, we might have a situation - some Regions have more than one section in terms of composition of demography.
I was looking at a situation where the Hon Minister's Answer would talk further beyond the Regions. For instance, in every constituency, you could say that when doing recruitment over a period, there could be at least somebody from that constituency
represented. Security of the realm is not only in the Regions. So, the Answer I was expecting --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker noon
So, Hon Member, what is the question?
Mr Agbodza noon
The question is; how does this equity address the issue beyond the Regions that he talked about?
Mr Afenyo-Markin noon
Mr Speaker, I know that my Hon Colleague is a very experienced legislator and he masters the rules. I beg to state clearly that the question is not a supplementary question.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker noon
Hon Minister, if you could answer the question for us, do that.
Mr Nitiwul noon
Mr Speaker, article 35 (6) (b) of the 1992 Constitution talks about recruitment into the Public Service. It talks about Regional balance and gender balance, so as much as possible, recruitment into the Public Service should be aimed at Regional and gender balance.
However, technically, the Armed Forces is not a Public Service but they try to ensure that they look at the spirit of the country, using that as a guide.
They have not stretched themselves to the constituency level. For now, the rules and regulations that they have made for themselves and their practices and conventions have been on Regional balance.
They have moved from the original 10 per cent which is in the regulation for women, to 15 per cent under the current Government. So, it is essentially Regional balance and not at the constituency level. I however, take the suggestion. Thank you.
Mr Agbodza noon
Mr Speaker, I thank the Hon Minister. He being a senior Member of this House would have heard variously, members of the public in our constituencies in addition to Members of this House, suggesting that they have gotten protocol arrangements to recruit personnel into the Ghana Armed Forces.
Mr Speaker, could the Hon Minister tell the country, whether there is an arrangement where selected Members of Parliament (MP) are given protocol opportunities to recruit into the Army? [Interruption] The answer would help address a problem that we all have. I can see some Hon Members feel uncomfortable.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker noon
Hon Member, you have asked the question, so allow the Hon Minister.

Deputy Majority Leader stop harassing me and let me ask my question?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker noon
Please Hon Member, let us get focused.
Hon Minister?
Mr Nitiwul noon
Mr Speaker, I have had cause to answer this question during my vetting and I said that there is no protocol allocation for the Armed Forces. I have said that before and let me repeat that the process that the Armed Forces go through does not lend itself to protocol allocations. So, I can confirm that MPs are not given protocol allocations. The Hon Member can tell his constituents that MPs are not given protocol allocations; they have never been given and they would not be given protocol allocations.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker noon
Hon Member, your last supplementary question.
Mr Agbodza noon
Mr Speaker, I thank the Hon Minister for the answer. I just want to reiterate my first supplementary question. Would the Hon Minister consider in the future, a situation where the recruitment takes consideration beyond the Regional
balance? This is because there may be some Regions that have got more demographic difference than just the Regional balance.
Would he consider that in the future since he has done similar by moving women from 10 per cent to 15 per cent, a situation where when recruitment is done, every MP could say that they know somebody recruited into the army, from at least each constituency? For our own sake and for the security of the country, it would be helpful.
Mr Nitiwul noon
Mr Speaker, I have already told the Hon Member that his suggestion would be looked at. So, we would look at that suggestion and get back to them. Thank you.
Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome noon
Mr Speaker, I just want to ask the Hon Minister how the Military ensured equity in the recruitments that took place in the recent past and not the very one that was recently advertised? How did they ensure equity in those recruitments?
Mr Nitiwul noon
Mr Speaker, as I said before, the only change from the past has been the increase of the number of women from 10 per cent to 15 per cent. All other processes remain the same and they are guided by the Regional balance and the 15
per cent minimum for women. That is what the Military has been doing all these years.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker noon
Yes, Hon Member for North Tongu?
Mr Ablakwa noon
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister for Defence indicated that Regional balance is a key priority of the Ghana Armed Forces. How do we ensure that in this Regional balance, we are also achieving ethnic balance? This is because we now have cosmopolitan Regions, so if we are just looking at where people apply from, it is very possible that in a particular Region such as the Volta Region, people who apply from Ho may not necessarily hail from the Volta Region. We are enjoined by the Constitution to work towards ethnic balance, so with Regional balance, how are we ensuring that there is equity so far as ethnicity is concerned?
Mr Nitiwul 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the provisions of the Armed Forces do not ask for a person's tribe for good reasons. However, the Hon Member's suggestion is good in the sense that it would ensure that there would not be the problem of packing just one tribe -- but for now we deal with regional balance, seriously.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
I would give the last slot to the Hon First Deputy Minority Whip.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister said that the 1992 Constitution recognises recruitment according to regional balance, so from the spirit of that constitutional provision, I would want to know if the Hon Minister would consider the decentralisation of recruitment into the Ghana Armed Forces on regional basis so that recruitment would be done in all the 16 regions. It is then that we could talk of proper equity.
Mr Nitiwul 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, recruitment is done by the personnel administration of the Ghana Armed Forces at the general headquarters in Burma Camp. The suggestion the Hon Member made is to consider the recruitment from all the regions. What happens is that centres are selected for the recruitment where interested persons report at these particular centres for the recruitment exercise.
However, I would relay his brilliant suggestion to the personnel administration at the headquarters to consider whether it would be feasible for them to review their roles to accommodate what he said.
Mr A. Ibrahim 12:10 p.m.
None

Hon First Deputy Minority Whip, you had only one chance because it was a supplementary question, I would not allow any further supplementary question.
Mr A. Ibrahim 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with due respect as leadership --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon First Deputy Minority Whip, no!
Mr A. Ibrahim 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I want to ask a last question.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon First Deputy Minority Whip, you have exhausted your time.
Thank you, Hon Minister, for attending upon the House to answer an Urgent Question. You are discharged.
Leadership, is there any indication?
ANNOUNCEMENTS 12:10 p.m.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon Members, the House would be suspended.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:10 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Business Statement has not been presented. The Hon Chairman of your Committee is unavoidably absent so if it would please you, I have his mandate to proceed as his able Hon Vice Chairman.
We would obviously take the Business Statement but I wish we suspend Sitting to do --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:10 p.m.
Hon Members, we could take item numbered 5; Business Statement.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 12:10 p.m.
Chairman of the Committee) 12:10 p.m.
Introduction:
Mr Speaker, the Committee met yesterday, Wednesday, 23rd June,
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 12:10 p.m.
Arrangement of Business
Formal Communication by the Speaker
Mr Speaker, you may read any available communication to the House.
Question(s)
Mr Speaker, the Business Committee, taking cognisance of the backlog of Questions asked of various Ministers of State, a considerable number of Questions have been programmed for responses by some Ministers, particularly the Minister for Roads and Highways as well as the Minister for Education.
This is to enable the reduction in the backlog of Questions before the Business of the House begins to increase in volume. Thus, the Business Committee has scheduled the following Ministers to respond to Questions asked of them during the week:
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 12:10 p.m.
No. of Question(s)
i. Minister for Works and Housing -- 2
ii. Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection -- 2
iii. Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs -- 1
iv. Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development -- 3
v. Minister for Youth and Sports -- 1
vi. Minister for Food and Agriculture -- 1
vii. Minister for Education -- 6
viii. Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture -- 4
ix. Minister for Communications -- 1
x. Minister for Lands and Natural Resources -- 1
xi. Minister for Railways Development -- 1
xii. Minister for Roads and Highways -- 12
Total Number of Questions -- 35
Mr Speaker, in all, twelve (12) Ministers are expected to attend upon the House to respond to thirty-five (35) Questions during the week. The Questions are of the following types:
i. Urgent -- 4;
ii. Oral --31
The Business Committee further recommends that Sittings of the House commences at 10.00 a.m. each day to afford the House enough time to dispose off the Questions as programmed.
Statements
Mr Speaker, pursuant to Order 70(2), Ministers of State may be permitted to make Statements of Government policy. Statements duly admitted by the Rt Hon Speaker may be made in the House by Hon Members in accordance with Order
72.
Bills, Papers and Reports
Mr Speaker, Bills may be presented to the House for First Reading in accordance with Order 120. However, those of urgent nature may be taken through the various stages in one day in accordance with Order 119.
Pursuant to Order 75, Papers for presentation to the House may be placed on the Order Paper for laying. Committee reports may also be presented to the House for consideration.
Motions and Resolutions
Mr Speaker, Motions may be debated and their consequential Resolutions, if any, taken during the week.
Conclusion
Mr Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 160(2) and subject to Standing Order 53, the Committee submits to this honourable House the order in which the Business of the House shall be taken during the week.

Urgent Questions --
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings (Klottey Korle) 12:10 p.m.
To ask the Minister for Works and Housing when the dredging of the Odaw Drain will be done in preparation for the rainy season.
Questions --
Q107. Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome (South Tongu): To ask the Minister for Works and Housing the steps the Ministry is taking to plan, design and construct drainage in Sogakope, Dabala, Sokpe, and Tefle townships to prevent the perennial flooding that destroy properties running into several millions of cedis anytime it rains heavily.
Q44.Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza (Adaklu): To ask the Minister for Gender, Children
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings (Klottey Korle) 12:10 p.m.
raw materials to be procured by Emperor Foods and Beverages Limited under the implementation of the One District One Factory (1D1F) programme.
(g) Request for waiver of Import Duties, Import VAT, GETFund Levy, NHIL, and EXIM Levy amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of one hundred and ninety-two thousand, fifty-three United States dollars forty-five cents (US$192,053.45) on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Yaabiko Enterprise Limited under the imple- mentation of the One District One Factory (1D1F) programme.
(h) Request for waiver of Import Duties, Import VAT, GETFund Levy, NHIL, and EXIM Levy amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of forty-two thousand, six hundred and eighty-seven Uni ted S ta t es do l la rs nineteen cents (US$42,687.19) on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Lesdy Company Limited
under the implementation of the One District One Factory (1D1F) programme.
(i) Request for waiver of Import Duties, GETFund Levy, NHIL, Import VAT, and EXIM Levy amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of three million, eight hundred and seventy-one thousand, one hundred and forty-seven United States dollars twenty-one cents (US$3,871,147.21) on machinery, equipment and raw materials to be procured by Matrix Industries Limited under the implementation of the One District One Factory (1D1F) programme.
(j) Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the Interim Trade Partnership Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana, on one Part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on the other part.
Motions --
Adoption of the Report of the Committee of the Whole on the Proposed Formula for the
Distribution of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) for the Year 2021.
Committee sittings.

Urgent Questions --

(a) Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome (South Tongu): To ask the Minister for Youth and Sports what steps the Ministry is taking to ensure that the country hosts successfully the All African Games of 2023, including time lines of completing key tasks/activities leading to the event.

(b) Mr Kofi Iddie Adams (Buem): To ask the Minister for Food and Agriculture whether COCOBOD's policy of hand pollination and pruning has been implemented and if so, what has been the impact on cocoa production.

Questions --

Q59.Mr Eric Afful (Amenfi West): To ask the Minister for Education what plans the Ministry has to reduce the gap

of pupil/teacher ratio among urban and rural Basic Schools in Ghana.

Q60.Dr Clement A. Apaak (Builsa South): To ask the Minister for Education if Messrs Bluegrass Group Limited has supplied 853,009 units of Kapek Scientific Mathematical Instruments (SMI) to the Ministry of Education at an estimated cost of GH¢63,975,675.00 (unit cost of GH¢75.00).

Q61.Dr Clement A. Apaak (Builsa South): To ask the Minister for Education if Government will procure and distribute past examination questions to final year students preparing to write the West African Senior School Certi- ficate Examination (WASSCE) this year, 2021, and how this will be funded.

Q62.Dr Clement A. Apaak (Builsa South): To ask the Minister for Education how much it cost the State to procure 568,755 past examination questions for Senior High School students who wrote the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings (Klottey Korle) 12:10 p.m.


Questions --

*91. Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome (South Tongu): To ask the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture what role the Ministry is playing to ensure that Ghana is showcased and marketed in a unique manner as a tourism destination, as Ghana is preparing to host the All African Games in 2023, involving over fifty-four countries participating, besides several thousands of athletes, business people and officials attending.

*104. Mr Richard Gyan- Mensah (Gomoa West): To ask the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture what pragmatic steps are being taken by the Ministry to prevent the recurrence of the tragic Apam beach drowning incident on our various beaches.

*134. Ms Theresa Lardi Awuni (Okaikwoi North): To ask the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture whether the Ministry has gathered data on the number of job losses and business collapses associated with the continuous closure of cinemas and theatres.

*135. Ms Theresa Lardi Awuni (Okaikwoi North): To ask the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture the reason behind the continued closure of theatres and cinemas as the impact of the pandemic has considerably abated.

*105. Mr Adama Sulemana (Tain): To ask the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation if there are plans to connect the following communities in the Tain Constituency to the Rural Telephony Project: (i) Brodi (ii) Yabraso (iii) Atomfourso (iv) Akore (v) Degedege (vi) Bepoayase (vii) Sampano (viii) Bebunsua (ix) Konkonte (x) Kogua.

*130. Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (North Tongu): To ask the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources the legal and policy justification for the burning of excavators in the ongoing fight against illegal small scale mining (galamsey).

*131. Dr Zanetor Agyeman- Rawlings (Klottey Korle): To ask the Minister for Railways Development the status of the land in and around the Abuja/ CMB Market and whether any

portion of the said land has been sold and if so, to whom, having regards to the developments in the area.

Statements --

Motions --

(a)Adoption of the Report of the Committee of the Whole on the Proposed Formula for Distributing the District Assemblies' Common Fund (DACF) for the Year 2021.

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the Interim Trade Partnership Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana, on one Part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on the other part.

-- Consequential Resolution

Committee sittings.

Urgent Questions --
Mr Abed-Nego Azumah Bandim (Bunkpurugu) 12:10 p.m.
To
ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the newly constructed bridges a t Kambatiak, Gbankoni, Kambagu and Nanyiar will be filled with gravel to avert loss of lives and properties, due to frequent accidents resulting in the loss of several lives and properties.
Questions --
Q71.Mr Philip Basoah (Kumawu): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways the status of the Kumawu Town Roads.
Q72.Mr Andrew Dari Chiwitey (Sawla/Tuna/Kalba): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways the status of the Tuna -- Kalba Road, which was awarded on contract in the year
2016.
Q73.Ms Betty Nana Efua Krosbi Mensah (Afram Plains North): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the road from Ekyi-Amanfrom to Agordeke in the Afram Plains District will be constructed, since the road has become unmotorable.
Mr Samuel O. Ablakwa (NDC-- North Tongu) 12:20 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you very much. Let me draw attention to the Question numbered 135 at page 5 -- [Interruption] -- The Hon Deputy Majority Leader is not paying attention. On page 5, Question numbered 134, I believe we would have to do some clean up on the phrase, “business collapses” to read “collapsed businesses” or “businesses that have been shut down”. The Question reads:
“To ask the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture whether the Ministry has gathered data on the number of job losses and collapsed businesses or businesses that have been shut down associated with the continuous closure of cinemas and theatres”.
I am not too sure this is how the Question was captured. I know Mr Djietror is quite diligent when it comes to the construction of these Questions.
Mr Speaker, my substantive concern is grounded in Standing Order 64 (2) and (3).
Mr Speaker, Standing Order 64 (2) and (3) provides 12:20 p.m.
“(2) Notice of intention to ask a question shall be given by the delivery of the question in writing at the office of the Clerk, Table Office, on a day not later than ten sitting days exclusive of any Saturday and Sunday or public holiday before the day on which the sitting commences at which it is proposed to ask a question.
(3) The Clerk shall ensure that the notice delivered to him under paragraph 2 of this Order is communicated to the person required to answer it not later than seven sitting days exclusive of any Saturday and Sunday or public holiday from the date of delivery.”
Mr Speaker, our Standing Orders are very clear and provides strict timelines for Urgent Questions. My Urgent Question to the Hon Minister for Finance on the cost of the President's recent travels to France, Belgium and South Africa was admitted by the Rt Hon Speaker on the 1st of June, 2021.
The question was filed at the same time that the one related to the Ministry of Defence on the state of the Presidential Jet was filed and admitted at the same time. The Minister for Defence has been here
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member for Daffiama/ Bussie/Issa?
Dr Sebastian Ngmenenso Sandaare (NDC -- Daffiama/ Bussie/Issa) 12:20 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Looking at the Business Statement, I would want to say that as a country, we are faced with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But more importantly, we, as a country, are faced with a potential threat of a third wave especially with the detection of the delta variant in our country some few days ago.
I think there is an urgent need for the Minister of Health to appear before Parliament to brief us on the measures that the Ministry has taken to ensure that as a country we can prevent and manage a possible third wave of COVID-19. Indeed, I have filed an Urgent Question but I do not see it here. I think there is an urgent need for the Hon Minister for Health to brief us as a House.
I thank you very much.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member for Sawla/Tun/ Kalba?
Mr Andrew Dari Chiwitey (NDC -- Sawla/Tuna/Kalba) 12:20 p.m.
Mr Speaker, last week when the Business Statement was presented, the Hon Dafeamekpor suggested to the Leader of the House that Members who filed Statements sometimes are put in a fix. So, if the Leader could always indicate for Members to know whether their Statements have been admitted and whether they have the opportunity to make those Statements so that they would be in the Chamber with copies of such Statements. But I still have not found anything like that in this week's Business Statement.
Mr Speaker, I think it is a very good suggestion as that would update Members and we would be prepared and be available to make our Statements. That would facilitate work in the Chamber. The Leader of the House should consider this suggestion as very important and in fact take it on board.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
I believe the Majority Chief Whip is taking note on behalf of the Leader?
Yes, Hon Member for Upper Manya Krobo, take the floor.
Mr Bismark Tetteh Nyarko (NDC -- Upper Manya Krobo) 12:20 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I filed an Urgent Question that appeared in the Business Statement for this week. According to the Statement, that Question is supposed to be answered today. However, the Order Paper has not captured same.
I was expecting to see it in the Business Statement for the Sixth Week and that has not appeared as well, so, I would want to draw the attention of the Leader of the Majority Group and the Business Committee to ask why it is so.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
Hon Member, which Ministry was the Question directed to?
Mr Tetteh Nyarko 12:20 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Ministry of the Interior.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:20 p.m.
All right. So, Hon Deputy Majority Leader, take note of that.
Yes, Hon Member for Adaklu?
Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza (NDC -- Adaklu) 12:20 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I also filed a Question to the Minister for food and Agriculture to apprise the House on the outcome of the five- year-old audit into the cocoa road contracts. In fact, we are in the fifth
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Hon Members, Let us allow the Hon Deputy Majority leader to answer those questions before we come back.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the first concern was raised by Hon Ablakwa on the text of Question numbered 134 by the Hon Member of Parliament for Okaikoi North. He is concerned about how the Question is structured but that is not the responsibility of the Business Committee. It is the responsibility of the Hon Member and once it has been admitted by the Speaker in its form, shape and substance, it appears as it is.
However, considering the fact that she is a first timer, I believe that he may warm himself up to some of the
first timers since he is very experienced so that he could nurture them on the proper way to ask their Questions.
The Table Office has always been helpful: that is Mr Djietror and his colleagues could also help and that notwithstanding, they could also work through their Leaders to tap from their experience to advise them on how to formulate Questions. So, it is not the Business committee but the Table Office that has made a mistake.
Mr Speaker, on the issue of the Urgent Question, I believe that it was based on the instinct of the Speaker but the Hon Member should be assured that I would contact the Speaker so that same is rescheduled. The issue is not about the Hon Minister avoiding the Hon Member's Question but it was stood down based on the instincts of the Speaker. So, it will be addressed.
Hon Member for Upper Manya Krobo raised an issue with an Urgent Question he filed. I think the issue of admissibility is squarely in the hands of the Speaker but I am told that the Ministry of the Interior asked for permission and same was granted. So, he should be assured that we will protect his interest and his Question will be Tabled for same to be answered as it is his right.
Mr Speaker, on the issue of Statements, this is a shared concern that sometimes, we are unable to make meaningful contributions to Statements because we do not get copies. It is a point that I welcome and so, what we should do is to always follow-up at the Table Office whether or not the Speaker has admitted the Statement. Sometimes, if we want Hon Members to read through and make meaningful inputs, they could share it through their pidgeon holes once the Statements are submitted so that at all times, Members would have it.
I believe that when we came to Parliament we were encouraged to do that because sometimes the Statement would not even be shared at all and we cannot make meaningful contributions. So, that concern is well noted and steps must be taken to address it.
Mr Speaker, I will find out about Hon Kwame Agbodza's concerns. I believe I have exhausted the issues that came up unless there are other matters. Yes, an Hon Colleague raised an issue about the Minister for Health. We have various tools at our disposal and so, the Hon Member should file a Question or make a Statement -- He is talking about briefing -- I do not know if he is a member of the
Health Committee but I strongly believe that the very issues that he wants the Hon Minister to address, if he should file Questions on that he would even get best answers and that can be compelling than seeking the pleasure of the Hon Minister to come here. If one sees the number of Questions that have been admitted, it squarely falls in line with what he is seeking to be done. My advice is for him to file a Question.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:30 p.m.
Hon Members, with respect to the issue of Statements raised by Member of Parliament for Sawla/Tuna/Kalba, I believe he has to raise the issue with the Speaker such that the Hon Member who seeks to have a Statement admitted, would be pre- informed so copies are made available to Members. So, just as the Hon Deputy Majority Leader has said, that this is a shared concern, the Hon Member should address that issue with the Speaker.
Again, the Hon Deputy Majority Leader has also raised issues in respect of some of the Ministers; in fact, I have two letters from the Minister for the Interior asking for some time to come and answer his Question. So, Hon Member for Upper Manya Krobo, there is a letter to that effect. Obviously, the Hon
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim 12:30 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would also want to add in line with what you have just said that as Leaders, when Hon Ministers bring excuse letters to the Speaker or the Hon Majority Leader -- As Leaders, I believe when our Colleagues ask Questions, it is only fair that we are told to inform them -- because the issue that the Hon Member for Upper Manyo Krobo just raised, is in the interest of his constituents. In fact, he has ever drawn my attention to it as it was in connection with the closure of a Police Station in his constituency and he asked an Urgent Question which was supposed to be taken today.
So, as to whether that would be rescheduled to Monday or Tuesday or not, we should be told in order to inform him accordingly so that he does not raise that matter on the Floor
because I believe ignorance about that necessitated his raising the issue on the Floor.
Mr Speaker, this House created some Ministries and Funds by law under a certain Act and these Ministries are no longer in existence. However, I would like to find out from the Hon Deputy Majority Leader when Government is going to amend those Acts by bringing it to the House for us to do the needful? Some examples are the Zongo Development Fund and the Ministry for Special Development Initiatives. In those Acts, there were certain responsibilities given to Hon Ministers representing the Boards which were enacted in this House.
As we speak, the Ministry for Special Development Initiatives is not under any Ministry but under the Office of the President. The Zongo Development Fund has a coordinator not under any Ministry and I believe this House is responsible to the people of Ghana by making amendments in this regard. So, when is the House going to be given that opportunity to make the needed amendments because if an Hon Member wants to ask a Question on the Ministry for Special Development Initiatives, who would the Question be directed to?
Mr Speaker, the Zongo Development Fund is a big Fund which was then under a Ministry but now, there is no Hon Minister, but however, a coordinator has been appointed. This means that there would be no one playing the role of an Hon Minister on the Board.
Mr Speaker, these are critical issues that we need to address as part of our role as a watchdog. So, I would want to know from the Hon Deputy Majority Leader when we would be given the opportunity so that we would do the needful to help the President to protect the public purse?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:40 p.m.
Hon Member for Buem?
Mr Kofi I. Adams (NDC -- Buem) 12:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
My issue is not directly related to the Business for next week but it affects the Business of the House, so I would want the Hon Deputy Majority Leader to take note of it. The issue was raised last time but we have not received --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:40 p.m.
Hon Member, if it is not related to what we are discussing then we have to assign another day to discuss it.
Mr K. I. Adams 12:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is not direct but there is some relation to it. It is about the COVID-19 situation and how this House has arranged its activities and also receives visitors into the House.
Mr Speaker, there is an indication of another strain that has entered into the country, yet we still allow visitors to come here unaccompanied. Mr Speaker, one would be in the office and someone would just open your door and tell you they want to discuss a facility or something with you, which means that people we are not expecting or people who have not been granted permission to come into the offices are being given access to enter our offices.
I think that Leadership should look at this situation seriously because some of the floors do not have people sitting at the reception and this is giving people too much access to just enter our offices.
Mr Speaker, should we wait for someone who is not supposed to enter our offices cause harm to an Hon Member of Parliament before we would start to put measures in place
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:40 p.m.
Hon Member for Atti Morkwa?
Mr David T. D. Vondee 12:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I just want to add to what the Hon Member for Buem just spoke about.
Mr Speaker, two days ago, I was in my office and I received an unknown visitor who claimed that he came for me to buy him an instrument for church service. I was frightened because I did not even receive a call from the front desk that the person was coming to see me.
The person could have harmed me. I thought this is a joke but yesterday a lady walked into my office unannounced and she said she was here to see me because she met me at the Office of the former President Mahama --
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:40 p.m.
Hon Member, we are dealing with issues that relate to the Business Statement. If your issue is different, then you can submit a Statement so that the entire House would be apprised and debate same.
Hon Members, please let us create an appropriate time for these things.
Mr Vondee 12:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:40 p.m.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, please address the few issues that have been raised.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I think the issue that Hon K. I. Adams raised is a welfare matter so we can take that up at the Caucus level or at the Committee of the Whole.
Mr Speaker, I think there is nothing more to say except to say that I would crave your indulgence for the Business Statement to be adopted.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:40 p.m.
Very well.
Hon Members, thank you for your contributions to the Business Statement.
I was about to suspend Sitting so that the House moves into a Committee of the Whole with the Administrator of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), but the Hon Minority Leader has pleaded that he wants to make a commemorative Statement. So, we would take that Statement and then move into a Committee of the Whole.
Hon Minority Leader?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would not litigate this matter but I know that the Hon Minority Leader does not like surprises. He said he consulted my boss and I have seen my boss here so I would not litigate. So, he can proceed.
STATEMENTS 12:40 p.m.
Minority Leader (Mr Haruna Iddrisu) 12:40 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to pay tribute to Dr Sulley Gariba on his passing to eternity on 27th April, 2021, and it is with profound sadness that I pay tribute to our dear colleague, friend and brother. He died at the age of 62 and has since been buried in accordance with Muslim custom.
Mr Speaker, Dr Sulley Gariba was born on May 4th, 1958 in Tamale and was a leading member of the Peoples
National Convention (PNC). He served as Senior Presidential Advisor to the former President of Ghana, Mr John Dramani Mahama, from 2009 to 2017. He was a diplomat, esteemed lecturer and a board member with several international non-profit organisations and foundations.
Mr Speaker, he had his elementary education in Tamale at the Ghana Secondary School and later in Wa Secondary School, which is in the constituency of Hon Abdul-Rashid H. Pelpuo. He holds a PhD in Political Science and International Development from Carlton University, Ottawa Ontario, Canada, which he obtained in 1989.
Mr Speaker, Dr Gariba's commitments to Ghana's democracy was deep and he was passionate about the development of the northern Ghana. This position helped him to actively recruit and mentor many young northern Ghanaians from across all parties to embark on successful political careers.
Mr Speaker, it is not surprising that he served virtually in every political Administration under the Fourth Republic. He served former President J. A. Kufuor, former President John
Minority Leader (Mr Haruna Iddrisu) 12:50 p.m.
E. A. Mills and more importantly former President John D. Mahama. It was his love for the country and for the good of the country.
He also believed in Affirmative Action, recognising the under- development of the North and committed to the development of the North. Therefore, he supported holistic development of our country. At the international level, Dr Gariba was a senior policy advisor on institutional development for peacebuilding for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja from 2005 to
2006.

He was a leader in the international evaluation movement having been the founding President of the International Development Evaluation Association (IDEAS) from 2002 to 2005 and president of the Africa Evaluation Association from 2007 to 2009. Because of his experience and his work of knowledge, H. E. John Dramani Mahama appointed him senior policy advisor.

He was the brain behind the creation of the Policy Delivery Unit at the Presidency. His team prepared H. E. John Dramani Mahama's first

policy statement when he assumed reins of government at the Accra International Conference Centre in 2012. The policy statement outlined the outstanding programmes and policies towards the twilight of the National Democratic Congress' Government in 2012 with timelines.

Mr Speaker, as a young Cabinet Minister, I still recalled how he walked to me when the President directed that every Minister must come with a costed programme on how he would contribute to job creation. Dr Sulley Gariba walked to every Minister to provide a detailed programme and justify what they were going to do to contribute to addressing unemployment in our country.

Mr Speaker, Sulley's politeness, his sobriety and calmness and humility was legendary. He would speak to every person beaming with smiles. Therefore, I want to extend our profound sympathy and condolences to Neo Thamae Gariba, the wife of Dr Sulley Gariba. To her, we say she should get the fortitude to accept the loss and trust that he is resting in the bosom of his Lord. He left behind some children, Letlotlo Morayo Gariba, Lemo Sule Gariba, Gyimah Litsitso Gariba and Ayisha Lineo Gariba.

May the soul of Dr Sulley Gariba rest in perfect peace.

Mr Speaker, in concluding, they say good people die every day but only a few affirm for us the goodness in humanity and leadership, which is the way Sulley Gariba did. He lived a life that was rich and accomplished, full and fulfilling. We shall greatly miss him.

On a personal note, he was an enormous source of support, resource and advice to me, personally. We cherish his memory and legacy. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:50 p.m.
Hon Members, I would invite only two contributions, and that would include Leadership.
Yes, Hon Member for Wa Central?
Alhaji (Dr) Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo (NDC -- Wa Central) 12:50 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement ably presented by the Hon Minority Leader, Mr Haruna Iddrisu.
Mr Speaker, this Statement could not have been presented by a better personality than this. I have known Dr Sulley Gariba since my secondary school days. We were in the same secondary school. He was a senior.
The year he left was the year I entered, but his name rang bells because he passed through the secondary school and was marked as one of the best and was a well respected student who showed leadership and class at the time of his stay in the secondary school.
Mr Speaker, as I started working with the National Youth Organising Commission as the Director of Finance Administration in 1999, Dr Sulley Gariba met me and encouraged me to think about working outside government circles. Three years later, he managed to convince me. I had registered my own consultancy, and he encouraged me to move out of government circles and join him. I did that in 2002 and worked with him in his consultancy with my smaller consulting group.
Mr Speaker, we worked together in Tamale, and I got to know the kind personality this man was; very sharp, forthright, a thinking individual who understands the complexities in solving social and political problems.
Mr Speaker, this man was a great asset to Ghana and indeed Africa. Most of his consultancies were not just within Ghana but outside Ghana as well. And in each of them, he would show that he was a master decision- maker and thus mastered issues understandably.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:50 p.m.
Let me give the opportunity to a lady.
Ms Zuwera Ibrahimah Mohammed (NDC -- Salaga South) 12:50 p.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
I can hear my Colleague and senior Murtala lamenting that it is his constituency. He forgets that it is my constituency as well.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:50 p.m.
Hon Member, are you advertising for Hon Murtala to also have the floor?
Ms Mohammed 1 p.m.
I am threatening him that in the election, he should get ready. I am coming back to Tamale Central.
Anyway, thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity. I would want to thank my Leader, Hon Haruna Iddrisu for the very apt Statement that he presented to this House eulogising my boss, mentor and brother.
Mr Speaker, my first contact with Dr Sulley Gariba was in 1998 when I had finished university. I enrolled on a programme of the Institute of Economic Affairs in collaboration with
the French University of Canada to undertake a Post-Graduate pro- gramme in Development Studies. Dr Sulley Gariba tended to be one of the main pushers of this programme for young Ghanaians who had completed university. He taught us a course in group dynamics and development tools.
Mr Speaker, after the programme, Dr Sulley Gariba gave me my first job as a young graduate. He recruited me into his firm, which was then Gariba and Associates, now called General African Services. I headed the Communication, Gender and Advocacy Desk in this Organisation.
Mr Speaker, fresh from University, I had not done community work before. Dr Gariba felt confident to send us out on assignments, and every time we came back and complained, he told us that that is the only way to learn.

He sends us to steering committee meetings where there are Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Board Directors and we are at a loss as to where to start from or where to end and he says, “When you come back,

do not tell me what you did well, tell me what the challenges were.” Through that, Dr Gariba trained us to become astute development professionals.

Mr Speaker, today, I owe everything to Dr Gariba and the three years I spent under his tutelage. He was a great mentor and he taught us one principle of life. He said, “Always look for the good.” Appreciative enquiry was his guiding words -- “Wherever you go in the community, do not go there assuming that the community is vulnerable. There is something good in the community. Look for what is good; when you find that, you would build on it.”

Mr Speaker, that was the approach we took as we worked with Dr Sulley Gariba in development work in the three northern regions of Ghana. Just before his demise, I went to him after I had won my primaries.

He was in Tamale and he organised a dinner. We had Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas there, Dr Montia, formerly of Bank of Ghana, Dr Awudu Tinorga and Mr Philip Ayensu of PDS fame. We had dinner together and he assured me of his support. Indeed, he reminded me of a lot of the community engagement protocols that we had imbibed as young people working under him.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
Before, I come to the Leader of the House, there are a lot of people interceding for Hon Murtala Ibrahim to speak. Hon Member, I am giving you two minutes so be brief. You claim the man hails from your constituency so be brief.
Mr Murtala M. Ibrahim (NDC -- Tamale Central) 1 p.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I cannot thank you more. I think I have to get you white cola after this Session and that is a sign of appreciation.
I want to first and foremost thank our Leader and Hon Member who made this Statement. Everything he said about Dr Sulley Gariba is absolutely true. Every single young politician in this contemporary era would have to look at Dr Sulley Gariba as a symbol of emulation.
As a young undergraduate student of the University of Ghana, I came in contact with Dr Sulley Gariba, whose name I was acquainted with as a young boy growing up in Tamale when I was in Level 100 in the 1999/2000 academic year. We used to invite him to come and address the northern students of the University of Ghana.
It is interesting to state that Dr Sulley Gariba is a pure Yoruba man. His grandparents came from Nigeria, settled in northern Ghana just like Mr Gbadamoshi, who ended up becoming the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service.
Dr Sulley Gariba spoke an impeccable Dagbani than some of us and he was so concerned about issues of the north. To that extent, anytime
we extended invitation to him to come and address us, he never missed that opportunity. I remember those times, his advice to us always was to take our studies seriously. Little did I know that several years after that, I would have the opportunity to work with him in the same Government when I had the privilege to be appointed as the Deputy Minister for Information.
Mr Speaker, we used to have the daily briefing. To a very large extent, his input was what culminated to the daily briefings we had at the Flagstaff House. This is because every single morning, we would have meetings to deliberate on the issues we were going to talk about.
So he tutored most of us and even after he left Government, I had the opportunity to meet him on several occasions. So to lose such a man is a great loss to the entire country but most importantly, to young people from northern Ghana who have decided to chart the path of politics. Whether one belonged to the political party he belongs to or not, he would have to see him as a symbol of emulation.
Mr Speaker, there is no denying the fact that he spoke an impeccable English Language and what was profound was not his ability to
communicate in the Queen's language but his ability to give a profound intellectual analysis on every single issue -- from socioeconomic issues to political issues. This was Dr Sulley Gariba.
So I just want to join the Hon Leader and my Hon Colleague to extend our profound and sincerest condolences to his wife, his family and remind all of us as stated in Qur'an Chapter 3, verse 185 -- that every soul shall taste death and then our true compensation would be recognised on the day of resurrection.
It is my prayer and believe, that the collective prayer of all well-meaning Ghanaians and most importantly, this House, including yourself, Mr Speaker, that our brother would be in the merciful hands of Allah. We want to also use the opportunity to urge all of us to be reminded that there is a day we would live no more and as we live in this world, we should be conscious of that on every single day.
I believe this was the position of Dr Sulley Gariba. We pray that Allah forgive him of all his sins he might have committed and show mercy to him and he be received in the merciful hands of Allah.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me the opportunity.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
Thank you very much.
Let me now come to the Leader of the House.
Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu) 1 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I also beg to lend my voice to the tribute paid by the Hon Minority Leader to the memory of Dr Sulley Gariba who passed on on the 27th of April, 2021.
Mr Speaker, a lot has been said about Dr Sulley Gariba, a diplomat and lecturer and indeed, one who was very much passionate about the development agenda of the Northern Region and in that regard, recruited a lot of people to join ranks in order to formulate programmes which would translate into projects to develop the northern parts of Ghana which he, like many of us, perceive and consider as slagging behind in development.
Mr Speaker, he wanted to serve as a bridge to bring up to speed the development agenda of the Northern Region.
Mr Speaker, at the international level, at the instance of Dr Ibn Chambas between 2000 and when Dr Chambas was at the ECOWAS Commission, he got Dr Sulley Gariba involved in the evolution and
development of relevant policies to propel the agenda of ECOWAS, and Dr Chambas made him a senior policy advisor at the institutional level of
ECOWAS.
Mr Speaker, if there is any outstanding contribution that Dr Sulley Gariba made in national development, I would want to relate to what he brought to bear on the work of the National Development Planning Commission.
Mr Speaker, in filling-in for former President John Dramani Mahama, on the submission of the Economic and Social Development Coordinated Programmes, he said that many times, we list programmes and policies, we do not provide roadmaps and timelines for the delivery of the programmes. For the first time, at the instance of Dr Sulley Gariba, we had this. I think that is his greatest contribution.
Mr Speaker, we have litany of policies and programmes submitted by all Presidents in fulfilment of the relevant provisions contained in the directive principles of State policy, and we submit them to Parliament. We benchmark budgets against the economic policies and programmes of Government in serving Administrations and there are no roadmaps; there are no timelines for
the delivery of the programmes that are listed and submitted to Parliament. He insisted that Presidents, in submitting the programmes to Parliament, should provide clear roadmaps, and indeed, timelines for the delivery, and I thought that was most outstanding.
Mr Speaker, so that is what I remember him for above everything else, and I would commend him so highly, and also recommend that following after that, the coordinated programmes should come to Parliament with roadmaps and timelines.
Mr Speaker, having said so, I would once again want to associate with Hon Colleagues who have spoken highly of him and to pray to God to give him a peaceful rest.
Thank you very much.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
Hon Members, may we rise and observe a minute silence for our departed Brother?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
May his gentle soul rest in peace, Amen.
Hon Members, there are other Statements, but we will hold on to them.
Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to propose that we move into a Committee of the Whole to deal with the proposals in respect of the formula for the disbursement of the GETFund. So, if you would indulge us, we can do so now.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
Hon Members, the House will now convene into the Committee of the Whole and so in the interim, Sitting is hereby suspended.
1.16 p.m. -- Sitting suspended.
2.05p.m. -- Sitting Resumed.
MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to enquire from my Hon Colleagues on the Finance Committee, whether they have finished with the documents listed
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1 p.m.
under the item numbered 8? If they have, then we could present the Papers, so that next week, we would be able to discuss them.

Mr Speaker, my understanding is that they have finished with the work on them, so I believe that we can lay the reports, and because we cannot consider them tomorrow, next week, we could consider them. So, we can do the presentation on behalf of the Committee. Therefore, if you would indulge me, I would want to present those reports.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
Very well.
Hon Members, we would therefore take the item numbered 8 on page 2 of today's Order Paper, Presentation of Papers.
PAPERS 1 p.m.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
Hon Members, we would move on to item numbered 8(ii).
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the items numbered 8 (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) are all in respect of the One District, One Factory (1D1F) Programme. So, I would want to put everything together and present them.
Mr Speaker, I signalled to the Hon Ranking Member that we would have to have some conversation on these items going forward. So, I would do the presentation in respect of the items numbered 8(ii) to (v).
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
Very well.
By the Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu) on behalf of (the Chairman of the Committee) --
(ii)Report of the Finance Committee on the request for waiver of Import Duties, GETFund Levy, NHIL, Import VAT, and EXIM Levy amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of fourteen million, seven hundred and eighteen thousand, four hundred and seventy-nine United States dollars sixteen cents (US$14,718,479.16) on materials, plants, machinery and equipment or parts to be imported by B5 Plus Limited under the implementation of the One District One Factory (1D1F) programme.
(iii) Report of the Finance Committee on the request for waiver of Import Duties,
GETFund Levy, NHIL, Import VAT, and EXIM Levy amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of eight million, nine hundred and eighty- three thousand, seven hundred and nine United States dollars (US$8,983,709.00) on materials, plants, machinery and equipment or parts to be imported by Ferro Fabrik Limited under the implementation of the One District One Factory (1D1F) programme.
(iv) Report of the Finance Committee on the request for waiver of Import Duties, Import VAT, GETFund Levy, NHIL, and EXIM Levy amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of one million, seven hundred and twenty- four thousand, one hundred and thirty-two United States dollars fifty-two cents (US$1,724,132.52) on materials, plants, machinery and equipment or parts to be imported by Everpure Holdings Limited under the implementation of the One District One Factory (1D1F) programme.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1 p.m.
Mr Speaker, yesterday, we had the formula for the disbursement of National Health Insurance Levy. Few issues were raised, and my understanding is that the Report has been affected by those issues.
I was indicating to my Hon Colleague, the Hon Deputy Minority Leader that if they are satisfied with the proposals to amend the relevant provisions, then we could take it because in that case, there would not be any objection. So, subject to those
issues that were raised, we can approve of same, but I would want to hear from the Hon Deputy Minority Leader.
Mr James K. Avedzi 1 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I think that we should take the Motion on the Health Insurance Levy on Tuesday. I looked at the Report yesterday and made some few corrections. I do not know the state that it has reached now because we would not Sit tomorrow. There are other works that we would need to do as Leadership for our Hon Members, so, I propose that if the Hon Majority Leader agrees, we adjourn and take the Motion on the Health Insurance Fund on Tuesday.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1 p.m.
So, you are proposing that we take it on Tuesday?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as I was saying, because the relevant issues were raised to affect the Report, I thought we could as well, because we agreed on the principle, approved of it subject to those amendments. However, I must confess that speaking now, I do not have the final Report before me, and so, in that regard, I guess we could go along with the proposal of the Hon
Deputy Minority Leader to take it on Tuesday, 29th June, 2021 plus the GETFund Formula.
Mr Speaker, it is important that we are able to do this before the beginning of the second half of the year. Hopefully, we can also do the approval of the District Assemblies Common Fund Formula before 1st July, 2021.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:15 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, on that note, what do we do now?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:15 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, subject to that, because we did not start early enough, I may want to move that we take an adjournment until Tuesday, 29th June, 2021, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon .
Mr Avedzi 2:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion. The time of 2 o'clock would be fine, because my Committee would sit from 9 a.m., and so that is good for us.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:15 p.m.
Mr Speaker, attention has to be drawn to the fact that the Report of the Business Committee proposed that we meet at 10 o'clock in the morning. It would mean that in essence, this final decision supersedes the one in respect of the Sitting on Tuesday. [Laughter]
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:15 p.m.
Hon Members, since the time is beyond 2 p.m., I will adjourn the House.
ADJOURNMENT 2:15 p.m.