Debates of 16 Jul 2021

MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 11:18 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 11:18 a.m.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
Hon Members, we will start with item numbered 4 on today's Order Paper, which is Correction of Votes and Proceedings and the Official Report of Thursday, 15th July, 2021. We would commence with the correction of the Votes and Proceedings.
Page 1 … 8 --
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
Hon Member, are you on your feet?
Mr Anthony Mwinkaara Sumah 11:18 a.m.
Mr Speaker, page 8, item
numbered (iv), the name should read “Anthony Mwinkaara Sumah”. The spelling of “Mwinkaara” is not correct. To get the right spelling, they should refer to the attendance on page 5, item numbered 203. There is an additional “i” in “Mwinikaara” which is incorrect.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
Table Office, the name was captured well in page 5, item numbered 203, but there was a mix-up on page 8.
Mr Sumah 11:18 a.m.
Mr Speaker, and on the same page 8, item numbered 6, line 7, the word “dezons” there should rather be “dozens”.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
What is it?
Mr Sumah 11:18 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the spelling of “dozens”.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
Table Office, have you got it?
Hon Member for Nadowli/Kaleo, it appears the Table Office is not getting what you are putting across.
Mr Sumah 11:18 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on page 8, item numbered 6, line 7, the word there should rather be spelt “dozens”.
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
Hon Member for North Tongu?
Mr Ablakwa 11:18 a.m.
Mr Speaker, still on that paragraph, item numbered 6, if my recollection is correct, the Hon Deputy Majority Whip came under Standing Order 91 and not Standing Order 78(a) as has been captured here. If there was an amendment later in the day, then it should reflect that.
This is because, it started with Standing Order 91 and probably later amended. So if we can capture exactly what transpired for the record.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
Hon Member, with your concern, we have to record the correct version. The error you are alluding to would appear in the Hansard.
Page 9?
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member for Lower West Akim?
Mr Charles Acheampong 11:18 a.m.
Mr Speaker, in paragraph 2, the word “heard” has been mis-spelt. It should be “H-E-A-R-D”. There should not be an additional “e”.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
Hon Member, may you speak up?
Mr Charles Acheampong 11:18 a.m.
Mr Speaker, on page 9, paragraph 2, the word “heard” has been mis-spelt.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:28 p.m.
Table Office, have you taken notice?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:28 p.m.
Page 10…12 --
Mr Ablakwa 11:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I seek your guidance on page 12. In the spirit of the earlier decision that the records must reflect what has been corrected, I recalled that yesterday, the US$28 million loan facility was corrected to read “2021 - 2025”, which is the more accurate period. But all throughout from page 12 to page 15 is the same “2021 - 2024”, which was corrected yesterday. So if it could be corrected accordingly?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:28 p.m.
Table Office, please, take note.
Mr Bismark T. Nyarko 11:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, page 12, first paragraph, line 3, there is a repetition of “on the”.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:28 p.m.
Are you on page 12 or 13?

Speaker.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:28 p.m.
Which paragraph?
Mr B. T. Nyarko 11:28 p.m.
The third line of the first paragraph.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:28 p.m.
Table Office, please, take note.
Mr Alexander K. Afenyo- Markin 11:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, first, my apologies for taking you back. With your leave, if we could go back to page 8, last paragraph, the last but one line, should read:
“… Speaker and leadership and therefore contemptuous of the House under Order 28.”
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:28 p.m.
Table Office, please, address that and add “under Order 28”.
So, we go back to page 13.
Mr C. Acheampong 11:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, sorry to take you back. Again, page 12, item (a), we have double punctuation marks at the end -- we have a comma and a full stop.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:28 p.m.
Table Office, please, take note of that.
Hon Members, that is why I take my time to mention the pages. If you watch, I take time before I move to the next page and so I enjoin Hon Members not to draw us back.
Page 13 …14 --
Mr B. T. Nyarko 11:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, on page 14, item numbered 10, paragraph 2, line 4, “Government of the Republic of Ghana” was omitted.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:28 p.m.
Table Office, please, take note.
Page 15?
Mr Sanja Nanja 11:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, page 15, paragraph 2 should read:
“… the Minister and seconded by the Hon Member for Ajumako/Enyan/Essiam, Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson)”.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:28 p.m.
Page 16…18 --
Mr James K. Avedzi 11:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, page 18, item numbered 13, the figure for the waiver was amended yesterday to read:
“US$11,512,095.99”, and it has a consequential effect on page 19 and page 21 and so the Table Office should correct it.
Mr Ablakwa 11:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, page 18, first paragraph, line 7 should read:
“… vehicles to be procured for Members of the Eighth Parliament…”.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:28 p.m.
Pages 19…23 --
Mr Charles Acheampong 11:28 p.m.
Page 21, the last line has “Mr” duplicated.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:28 p.m.
Pages 23…25 --
Mr Charles Acheampong 11:38 a.m.
Mr Speaker, my name is missing in the attendance list of the Committee on Communications yet I was present.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
Table Office, the Hon Member's name is missing from that list, so please take note.
Hon Member, did you attend the Committee Meeting? Why did they not record your name? That is the report that the Committee brought to us.
Mr Charles Acheampong 11:38 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I have informed the Clerk to the Committee about the omission.
Mr Ablakwa 11:38 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am most grateful.
With your permission, could we go back to page 22? If we do not do that, we would be most unfair to you. Yesterday, you worked very hard and presided over the House, but the Acting Deputy Clerk who supported you has his name there; “Mr Ebenezer A. Djietror,” but for the Speaker, we have “Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin” instead of your good self. But you presided and adjourned. I crosschecked from what we did the previous day which you presided over and you were accurately captured. So, I do not understand why this time, it is the Rt Hon Speaker. Could that be corrected? - I do not know if there is a reason for that.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
Hon Member, thank you for that. We will handle it.
Hon Members, pages 29-35.
Hon Members, the Votes and Proceedings of the 29th Sitting of the Second Meeting of the First Session of the Eighth Parliament held on 15th July, 2021 as corrected, is hereby adopted as the true record of proceedings.

Speaker, I would want to draw the attention of the House to Standing Order 13 (2) which dwells on temporary or continuous absence of the Rt Hon Speaker. With your permission, I beg to quote:

“Whenever the House is informed by the Clerks-at-the- Table of the unavoidable absence of Mr. Speaker, the First Deputy Speaker shall perform the duties and exercise the authority of Mr. Speaker in relation to all proceedings of the House until Mr. Speaker resumes the Chair, without any further communication to the House.”

Mr Speaker, as a House, we are guided by our Standing Orders, and I strongly believe that once Order 13(2) is clear, the House would have to be informed about the absence of the Rt Hon Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 13(2). This is what I want to bring to the attention of the House.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
Very well, we have taken note, and we will give the House information on the whereabouts of the Rt Hon Speaker.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
Hon Members, we would move to item numbered 5 on the Order Paper -- Business Statement for the Ninth Week. I would invite the Vice Chairman of the Committee to present the Business Statement.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 11:38 a.m.
Chairman of the Committee) 11:38 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to present the Business Statement on behalf of the Leader of Government Business.
Introduction
Mr Speaker, the Committee met yesterday, Thursday, 15th July, 2021 and arranged Business of the House for the Eighth Week ending Friday, 23rd July, 2021.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 11:38 a.m.
Arrangement of Business
Formal Communications by the Speaker
Mr Speaker, you may read any available communication to the House.
Question(s)
Mr Speaker, once again, the Business Committee has scheduled a considerable number of Questions for response by some Hon Ministers, particularly those who have more
Questions asked of them. This arrangement is intended to reduce the build-up 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:
No. of Question(s)
i. Minister for Finance -- 3
ii. Minister for Energy -- 9
iii. Minister for Communications and Digitalisation -- 2
iv. Minister for Environment, Science, Technology & Innovation -- 1
v. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration -- 2
vi. Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development -- 4
vii. Minister for Roads and Highways -- 9
viii. Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture -- 5
ix. Minister for Defence -- 1
x. Attorney-General & Minister for Justice -- 2
xi. Minister for Trade and Industry -- 2
Total number of Questions -- 40
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 11:38 a.m.
Mr Speaker, in all, 11 Ministers are expected to attend upon the House to respond to 40 Questions during the week. The questions are of the following types:
i. Urgent - 1;
ii. Oral - 39
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.
Mr Speaker, I would like to have your leave to amend item numbered e (ii) of the Statement, which refers to the Mid-Year Review of the Budget. It is rather on the 29th of July, 2021, I had a late indication from the Minister.
11. 48 a. m.

Mr Speaker, therefore, the Committee accordingly submits to this honourable House, the order in which the Business of the House shall be taken during the ensuing week. However, Tuesday is a holiday, and so we would not Sit as indicated earlier.

PUBLIC HOLIDAY (Eid ul- Adha)

Urgent Questions --
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (North Tongu) 11:38 a.m.
To ask the
Minister for Finance how much the President's recent official travels to France, Belgium, and South Africa in May this year cost the Ghanaian taxpayer.
Questions --
*148. Dr Clement A. Apaak (Builsa South): To ask the Minister for Finance if Govern- ment took a loan or loans to finance the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy.
*238. Mr Paul Apreku Twum- Barimah (Dormaa East): To ask the Minister for Finance the cost of air travel of the President using chartered flight between the period of 2013 to 2016.
*103. Mr Adama Sulemana (Tain): To ask the Minister for Energy when the electricity extension project on-going in the Tain Constituency will be completed.
*106. Mr Joseph Nikpe Bukari (Saboba): To ask the Minister for Energy the steps being taken to resume work on the rural electrification projects of the following communities, which have been abandoned since 2017: (i) Nakpar (ii) Nakpanbol (iii) Nankpeik (iv) Nanyeni (v)
Nayil-Sachido (vi) Namoangbani (vii) Bichakiyado (viii) Dungbang (ix) Yakpab (x) Wandamdo (xi) Magnalbido (xii) Jamoani.
*140. Mr Anthony Mwinkaara Sumah (Nadowli/Kaleo): To ask the Minister for Energy when the following communities in the Nadowli/Kaleo Constituency will be connected to the national grid: (i) Takpo (ii) Charipong (iii) Nanvilli (iv) Nator (v) Sankana (vi) Goli (vii) Kuntaali (viii) Gbierung (ix) Banu (x) Kankanzie (xi) Kpazimuulu (xii) Zomwaakyir (xiii) Toyaga (xiv) Konkongpari (xv) Nawuli.
*141. Ms Joycelyn Tetteh (North Dayi): To ask the Minister for Energy what plans the Ministry has towards extending electricity from Vakpo New Adomi to Vakpo Kenkui Kope, and from Tsyome Sabadu to Sabadu Tornu.
*142. Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome (South Tongu): To ask the Minister for Energy the steps the Ministry is taking to get aquatic weeds removed from the Lower Volta Basin, including all tributaries of the river within the South Tongu and the Dangbe East Districts.
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (North Tongu) 11:38 a.m.


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 United States dollars 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.

(g)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 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.

Motions --

(a)Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Lands and Forestry on the Annual Report of the Forestry Commission for the Year

2016.

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Committee on Lands and Forestry on the Annual Report of the Forestry Commission for the Year

2017.

Committee sittings.

Questions --

*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.

*197. Ms Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba (Tempane): To

ask the Minister for Communi- cations and Digitalisation what urgent steps the Ministry is taking to get Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs) and Metropolitan, Municipal & District Assemblies (MMDAs) to settle the total amount of GH¢11,254,881.30 owed the National Information Technology Agency (NITA).

*143. Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah (Ho West): To ask the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation on measures the Ministry has put in place in and around Weija-Gbawe Earth- quake Zones to prevent disaster and loss of lives and properties.

*157. Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (North Tongu): To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration how many Ghanaians were evacuated from other countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic and how much the evacuation cost.

*170. Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh (Juaboso): To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration the nature of diplomatic engage-

ments with the Russian Government relating to the procurement of Sputnik-V vaccines.

*161. Dr Godfred Seidu Jasaw (Wa East): To ask the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development when the renovation of hatcheries will start in the Upper West Region.

*162. Dr Godfred Seidu Jasaw (Wa East): To ask the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development what specific measures are being put in place to reverse the formal warning (yellow card) from the European Union (EU) that could lead to eventual banning of seafood from Ghana.

*163. Mr Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey (Keta): To ask the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development the plans the Ministry has to develop aquaculture in the Keta Lagoon and the numerous streams to produce more fish, shrimps, lobsters, crabs, etc. for more food and jobs.

*222. Mr Samuel Atta-Mills (Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/ Abirem): To ask the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development why the fish
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (North Tongu) 11:38 a.m.


(g)Adoption of the 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 forty-two thousand, six hundred and eighty-seven Uni ted States dol lars 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.

Consequential Resolution

(h)Adoption of the 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 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.

Consequential Resolution

Committee sittings.

Questions --

*87. Dr Hamza Adam (Kumbungu): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways why the road projects on the following roads in the Kumbungu Constituency have come to a standstill: (i) Kumbungu - Gbulung road (ii) Gbulung - Nyankpala road (iii) Bontanga - Dalum road.

*88. Mr Albert Tetteh Nyakotey (Yilo Krobo): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the following roads in the Yilo Krobo Constituency will be constructed: (i) Sikaben Junction - Agogo Township (ii) Huhunya - Boti road (iii) Sutapon - Opesika Area roads.

*96. Dr Clement A. Apaak (Builsa South): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when work on the

following roads will be completed: (i) Fumbisi - Zamsa (ii) Kaadema - Naga (iii) Uwasi - Katagri Phase 2 (iv) Uwasi - Katagri phase 3 (v) Gbedema - Kunkwak - Seniesi phase 1.

*97. Mr Desmond De-Graft Paitoo (Gomoa East): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways what has caused the delay in the construction of the road from Millennium City to Pentecost, in the Gomoa East Constituency, and when work is expected to resume.

*98. Mr Joseph Kwame Kumah (Kintampo North): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the following roads, which were awarded on contract in 2015/2016, would be completed: (i) Kintampo Municipal Township (ii) Sronase - Busuama (iii) Ntankuro - Kunsu.

*99. Ms Joycelyn Tetteh (North Dayi): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when works on the following roads would be completed: (i) Botoku - Tsuxo roads (ii) Wadamaxe - Aveti.

*100. Mr Bismark Tetteh Nyarko (Upper Manya Krobo): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when contractors working on the following roads will return to site, and the timelines for the completion of the roads: (i) Akatawia - Sekesua - Sumueh Junction road (ii) Korlewa - Anyaboni - Asesewa road.

*101. Dr Clement A. Apaak (Builsa South): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when work on the following roads will be completed: (i) Gbedema - Kanjarga - Fumbisi (ii) Gbedema - Kunkwak - Saniesi phase 3 (iii) Kanjarga - Musidem - Kalasa (iv) Kanjarga - Nyandema (v) Kanjarga - Doninga.

*102. Mr Joseph Nikpe Bukari (Saboba): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways on the measures being put in place to resume construction works on the following roads, which were abandoned since 2017: (i) Saboba - Yendi (ii) Saboba - Chereponi (iii) Ugando - Wapuli - Sunsun.

*91. Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome (South Tongu): To
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (North Tongu) 11:38 a.m.


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 Africa Games in 2023, involving over fifty-four (54) 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 (Okaikwei 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 (Okaikwei 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.

*167.Mr Yusif Sulemana (Bole/ Bamboi): To ask the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture how much has been expended on the Marine Drive Project in the last four years.

*149. Mr Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwame Dafeamekpor (South Dayi): To ask the Minister for Defence whether the soldiers who protected some Chinese nationals to engage in “galamsey” in Tontokrom have been arrested.

*159. Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (North Tongu): To ask the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice the status of the pursuit of justice in the following murder cases: (i) Ahmed Hussein-Suale (ii) Hon J. B. Danquah Adu (iii) Hon Ekow Hayford (iv) Prof. Emmanuel Benneh.

*160.Mr Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu (Madina): To ask the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice on steps being taken to amend our laws to abolish the death penalty, as recommended by the Constitutional Review Commission in the year 2010.

*165. Mr Yusif Sulemana (Bole/ Bamboi): To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry how much has been expended on subsidizing loan interests for One District One Factory companies, and the list of beneficiaries with matching amounts in the last four years.

*225. Mr Samuel Atta-Mills (Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/ Abrem): To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry why Komenda Sugar Factory is still closed, and what has happened to the strategic investor the country was promised.

Statements

Motions --

(a)Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Report of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) on the

Management and Use of Petroleum Revenues for the Period of January to June,

2020.

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Annual Report of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) on the Management and Use of Petroleum Revenues for the Period of January to December, 2020.

(c)Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Semi-Annual Report of the Bank of Ghana on the Ghana Petroleum Funds for the period of July 1 to December

31, 2020.

Committee Sittings.

Mr Speaker, we need to emphasise that the Committee did not receive the referral from the Rt Hon Speaker in respect of Mr Suhuyini's Motion, and that is why there is no such thing on the Business Statement. However, I need to emphasise that our Hon Colleague, the Hon Ken Agyapong, has been engaged extensively on this matter, and I have received very positive responses from him. So, I have no doubt on my mind that steps would be taken to deal with
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (North Tongu) 11:38 a.m.


Mr Speaker, therefore, I just needed to assure the House of these steps that have been taken by the Majority Leadership. We would want to work together. The media is not an enemy; we are not enemies to each other. Sometimes, we slip, but what is important is for us to take steps to remedy or resolve it when these things happen. We are all human. Therefore, having said all of these, I shall take a break and as is customary, Hon Members may make their inputs before we take the final decision.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
Hon Members, the Business Statement for the ensuing Ninth Week has been duly presented to the House. It is for the consideration of the House, and so, Hon Members are invited to contribute to the Statement. I would first invite the Hon Member for Bawku Central.
Mr Mahama Ayariga 11:38 a.m.
Mr Speaker, last week when the Business Statement was read, I raised some matters, and I was hoping that it would have been attended to, but unfortunately, they have not. The first
one relates to a Motion on the terms that this House investigates the recruitment practises of the State Security Agencies of Ghana between the period of 2013/2020, and to establish the levels of transparency and fairness of those practices and make consequential recommendations. This motion stood in the names of the Hon Haruna Iddrisu; Alhaji Mohammed- Mubarak Muntaka; the Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Hon Suhuyini Alhassan Sayibu; the Hon James Agalga and I.
Mr Speaker, I have noticed that the Motion has suddenly disappeared from the Order Paper, and as a co- sponsor of the Motion, I have not received any notice for any reason but the Motion has just disappeared without my consent. I have not been told that my Hon Colleagues on the other Side are not interested. Indeed, what I heard was that the other Side does not disagree with the Motion, but rather wants us to extend the period of the investigation to cover the years from 1993 to 2020.
Mr Speaker, I would have had no objection, even if they had requested that we should extend it to the year 1957, but the Motion cannot suddenly just disappear. If anything at all, the other Side would have brought a counter-motion that would have sought to extend the period of the
investigation. Therefore, I think that this Motion must be brought back since I personally have not withdrawn the Motion.
Mr Speaker, secondly, there was a second Motion, which also was on terms that this honourable House investigates the inappropriate interferences by members of the State Security Agencies of Ghana in the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections of Ghana in 2020, and in particular, the violence perpetrated against citizens, causing injuries, and leading to the loss of lives of Tajuddin Alhassan, at the age of 39; Abdullah Ayari, 18 years; Emmanuel Dompreh, 36 years; Samira Zakaria, 36 years; Ibrahim Abass, 30 years; Rita Otoo, 15 years; and Fuseini Musa, 14 years in the 2020 elections, and made consequential recommendations.
Mr Speaker, this Motion also stood in the name of the Hon Haruna Iddrisu, Hon Alhaji Mohammed- Mubarak Muntaka, Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Hon Suhuyini Alhassan, Hon Sayibu and Hon James Agalga and I. This Motion too has disappeared, and cannot be accounted for. I raised the issue last week and thought that the Hon Deputy Majority Leader would have addressed the matter, unfortunately,
this week again, it has remained unseen on the Order Paper. Therefore, I would want to draw attention to that, and also, to find out from the Hon Deputy Majority Leader, whether he would consider inviting the Hon Minister for Agriculture to the House to explain the crisis that confronts farmers in relation to accessing Government's subsidised fertiliser.
Mr Speaker, the rains are a problem, but even more threatening to food security next year, is the issue of farmers accessing subsidised fertiliser, and I am quite startled by the situation in my Constituency and across the country. As we speak, I am told by farmers in my Constituency that today, one would have to pay an amount of GH¢170 for a bag of fertilizer in my Constituency. I am sure that many of us have similar experiences in our Constituencies, and the time for applying the fertiliser is elapsing.
So, as a matter of urgent national interest, we should summon the Hon Minister for Agriculture to come and explain the crisis. I have also heard the Hon Minister for Agriculture on radio complaining about the Finance Minister, who is not making funds available for him to pay for the backlog of fertiliser that has been supplied by input providers.

Mr Speaker, we are confronted with a major national crisis, and if we do not take urgent steps as a Parliament to address these issues, then we would face the challenge where tomorrow, when we are giving ourselves cars, farmers will rise up to oppose same; they feel that when it is their matter, we do not treat it with the urgency and seriousness that is warranted. I do not think that they are against us having cars, but they also want to see that when we have issues that concern them, we deal with them effectively. So, I would want to know whether the Hon Majority Leader would consider bringing the two Ministers here to deal with such important national matters.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza 11:38 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.
11. 58 p. m.
Mr Speaker, my first concern is about the time that Sitting starts in the Chamber. This has been an issue of concern to Hon Members of Parliament and the public. We are told that one of the reasons we start Sitting at 2 o'clock is to give Members who are supposed to be here, ample time to prepare and come. I am not aware we have ever started work at 2
o'clock or 10 o'clock. I am concerned and I encourage Leadership to make sure - when we say we start at 2 o'clock, let us start at 2 o'clock; and if we say we start at 10 o'clock we should start at 10 o'clock. We cannot continue this way.
The outlier could be that there is a reason we cannot start at 2 o'clock on one or two occasions but this cannot be the reasons. If we want to start Sitting at 5 p. m., then, let us start at 5 p. m. but to tell me to come to work at 2 o'clock and I turn up at 1.30 p. m. and we do not start, I do not feel comfortable about it. Today, we started after 11 o'clock.
Mr Speaker, the second issue is I filed a Question to the Minister for Education with respect to how many contractors were paid since the House granted US$1.5 billion to the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to clear the arrears on the new project? That Question was scheduled some weeks ago but all of a sudden, that Question has vanished. I also filed a Question to the Minister for Agriculture as to whether the Report of the Cocoa Road Audit is ready, and whether same can be made available to Members of Parliament? That Question is yet to be scheduled.
Mr Speaker, last week, during the reading of the Business of the House, I raised an issue: everybody in this
country is aware that COVID-19 is beginning again. The third wave through the Delta Variant is spreading. When I raised the issue the last time, my respected Hon Colleague, the Deputy Majority Leader said I should file a Question. By the way, the President used to give us weekly updates on COVID-19 before the Election. I know the Election is over but COVID-19 is still spreading. Can Leadership make sure that when we resume Sitting sometime next week, our Hon Colleague, the Minister for Health could apprise the House as to what the Government is doing to increase education and tell us how they intend to combat the Delta Variant because we are aware the hospitals are getting full again?
Mr Speaker, these are the three concerns I have to raise. I thank you for the opportunity.
Mr Peter K. Nortsu-Kotoe (NDC -- Akatsi North) 11:38 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
This week, on Wednesday, 14th July, the Minister for Education appeared before this House to answer Questions numbered 61 and 62 as asked by the Hon Dr Clement A. Apaak.
Mr Speaker, I know very well that Answers to Questions are provided
by the Ministers to the Table Office and the Answers are published in the Order Paper. This morning, on Joy FM, between the hours of 9 and 9.30 a. m., the Deputy Minister for Education argued that the figures that were given by the Minister were not what was communicated to the Table Office. I see that as an indictment on the Table Office.
Mr Speaker, for the records, I would wish that you ask the Table Office to make available to you and to the Members of the House, the original correspondence from the Ministry of Education or from the Minister for Education for us to know whether the figures given by the Minister or the figures given by the Ministry were different from what was published by the Table Office in the Order Paper for Wednesday, 14th July, 2021.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
Hon Member, let me get the clarification; are you saying that the Deputy Minister was saying something different from what the substantive Minister said here?
Mr Nortsu-Kotoe 11:38 a.m.
Mr Speaker, yes. On Joy FM this morning, he said the figures were less or the figures the Ministry gave to the Table Office were less than what was put on the Order
Dr Clement Abass Apaak (NDC -- Builsa South) 11:38 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
I beg to express my concerns regarding the tendency of admitted and advertised Questions to disappear unceremoniously. I was slated to have asked the Minister for Roads and Highways two important Questions today with regard to road networks in my Constituency. I adequately prepared; adorning myself with my chiefly-looking red hat. I got here very early enough to prepare, only to get a copy of today's Order Paper, peruse it and come to the disappointing conclusion that I was denied the opportunity to ask my Questions today.
Mr Speaker, going through the Business of the House for next week, the Questions have again been slated for Friday, 23rd July, 2021. This tendency is very worrisome not only for us but for our constituents. We usually would convey to them and inform them that we are going to undertake these responsibilities on their behalf. Some make time to monitor Parliamentary proceedings online so, when suddenly, without any explanation, Questions that have
been admitted and advertised disappear, that cannot be good and we ought to make this point and make it forcefully.
Mr Speaker, I would like to add my voice to the plea made by the Hon Mahama Ayariga particularly with regard to the national shortage of fertiliser. By and large, we are a country that depends on agriculture; peasant farming. My parents called me only last night to ask me to do well to procure ten bags of fertiliser from Accra and send it to them through Bolgatanga so that they can take the fertiliser to my village, Doringa where they have a farm to go and apply it.
Mr Speaker, clearly, we have a challenge, so I would also like to appeal to the Deputy Majority Leader to use his good office to invite the Minister to come and address the House on this very important matter because we are tittering on a potential national crisis. This is the farming season and there are timelines at which fertiliser can be applied depending on the type of crops. And once those periods are over, even if one were to get the fertiliser and apply it, it becomes useless.
Mr Speaker, on this note, I would like to thank you for the opportunity.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
Hon Apaak, on your issue with respect to the Ministers, I think the
Deputy Majority Leader would address it but as far as I know, they have sought permission to be absent, so the Deputy Leader would address it. But let me take one. Hon Deputy Majority, would you like to address those things before I come in? Hon Member, hold on, let the Leader address those concerns raised before we come back to you.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, my good Friend the Hon Dr Apaak, I believe has had three of his Questions being answered this week. And he was also privileged to have caught the eye of Mr Speaker to ask a few supplementary questions.

Fortunately for him, the Question he complained about, has been programmed for next week. I share the concerns he has raised about some of the delays but if you look at Friday, we have loaded the day with a lot of Questions for the Minister for Roads and Highways.

You may recall that he was out of the jurisdiction on official assignment and due to the respect he has for the House, he wrote to inform us on that. So, I am pleading that the impression should not be created that he deliberately decided to delay.

Mr Speaker, on this matter where Members say that they have filed questions and they are not programmed, it is not in the hands of the Business Committee. When one files a Question, it does not automatically come to us. I would repeat what I said a week ago, that when you file a Question or even a Statement follow it up. They should go to the Table Office to make sure that it has been transmitted and you follow it up to the Speaker's Office to make sure that it has been admitted. They come to the Floor to lament, but for all they know, their Question has not been admitted.

Mr Speaker, this morning, my Senior Colleague, Hon Woyome applied some of these things I talked about. He was in the corridor and when we were having the pre-Sitting meeting, he came to remind you. There is a whole chunk of them, and so I plead that Hon Members should not sit and expect that once they have filed a Question, it is automatic. Then it is the Business Committee, the Hon Deputy Majority Leader and Majority Leader, I have heard, who do that for mischief. Then they say that it is the Business Committee. The Business Committee is made up of the Leadership of the House and Members. It is not a one-sided Committee, so what we receive is what we act on.

Mr Speaker, the Hon Ranking Member for the Committee on Education is drawing our attention to some inconsistencies in an Answer given and what was said on radio. In this House, we rely on the records here, so if he wants to put the Hon Minister's sincerity on the matter to the test, he should file a Question or take him on on the Floor. It does not come into the Business Statement and that is not our matter. The Hon Member knows what to do, unless it was meant for some other effect.

Mr Speaker, Hon Kwame Agbodza, my very good friend in whom I am well pleased, talked about today's Sitting time. As at the time we and Mr Speaker were ready, there was not the necessary quorum. We could not have sat and somebody would have raised it, so he should not say that Hon Members were here and Leadership failed. It was not Leadership that failed because we did not have a quorum.

Hon Ayariga and Hon Apaak want to know whether we could programme the Minister for Food and Agriculture to come and address us on the fertiliser issue. It is an important matter but I also believe that they could utilise the other tools available. It may be swifter if they file an Urgent Question. Last week, some issues

came up and we asked that they programme the Minister.

Sometimes, if you file an Urgent Question, Mr Speaker, would deal with it and then it can be part of the programme. If it is an Urgent Question, it could come in at any time, so I would plead that while we are making efforts to programme the Minister, an Urgent Question which would address the matter specifically would also help.

They could also make a Statement as sometimes Statements are referred to a Committee to look at or Mr Speaker could make some orders to the Minister. That would also help and so I am putting that across. They should explore that, so that we can make progress as a House.

Mr Speaker, I believe that I have exhausted all the questions, save that Hon Agbodza is repeating what he put across last week. Between last week and now, if he had filed an Urgent Question, I am sure that it would have been part of this programme. As a leader, I am advising that if he had filed an Urgent Question, it would have been faster. So, if he feels strongly about this, he should please file an Urgent Question with specifics of what he wants the Minister to tell the nation.

On the aspect of the President failing to address us after elections, we know that factually, he is wrong. Even after the election, the President has addressed the nation. We both know this. [Interruption]-- He has been coaching all of us and has to coach us and I would take his coaching in good faith. Sometimes, they say that he is an NDC and sometimes they say NPP. Mr Djietror is tired.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, it is my prayer that this Business Statement be adopted. Thank you.
Mr Ablakwa 12:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I noted that after a rather arduous, tortuous and perilous campaign, the Minister for Finance has finally been scheduled for Wednesday, 21st July, to answer the Question on the President's recent luxury travels to France, Belgium and South Africa. I hope that the Minister for Finance would be transparent and unimpeachably sincere with the House after all of this rigmarole.
Mr Speaker, on the issue of disappearing Motions, I noticed that the Hon Deputy Majority Leader has conveniently left out Hon Ayariga's concerns about his two Motions. I want to also raise concern about a third Motion which has vanished from the Business Statement. It is the one
advertised on numerous occasions on the Frontiers Healthcare Services Limited.
I have a copy here, which is a Private Members Motion, that this honourable House, constituted a bi- partisan Committee to investigate the circumstances under which Frontiers Healthcare Services Limited was awarded a contract to conduct COVID-19 antigen tests at the Kotoka International Airport, the terms of the contract, the track record of Frontiers Healthcare Services Limited, the efficacy, safety and reliability of the testing and to make consequential recommendations for the consideration of the House.
The sponsors are the Hon Minority Leader, Hon Haruna Iddrisu; Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka; Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh; Dr Sebastian Sandaare; Kwame Governs Agbodza; Dr Mark Kurt Nawaane; Ernest Henry Norgbey and my good self. This Motion no longer appears in the Business Statement. These are very important matters of enormous national interest and we cannot accept this.
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Deputy Majority Leader exactly what is happening to this Motion and the other two that Hon Ayariga mentioned. It is important that we pursue these matters. We noticed that of all the Motions that we
Mr Ablakwa 12:18 p.m.
have filed, it is only the one on Sputnik-V which has received attention and the proceedings are ongoing. We have enough Members in this House and we are ready to work.

We could have some ore tenus hearings and have all these Motions once they have been admitted. We are hinging closer to recess and we are ready to work. As the Hon Member for Adaklu, Mr Agbodza said, sometimes, we come to the House and wait for business to start.

Unfortunately, we start Sitting two or three hours late. If they had triggered this, we would have conducted hearings. Hon Members are ready to work. These are matters that the general public await answers to, so we cannot just keep them in abeyance and they appear and sometimes vanish and reappear. It is as though we are not committed and so let us show commitment.

Mr Speaker, my final issue relates to a rather strange - I do not know if it is an announcement or a notice and I do not know under what Standing Orders the Hon Deputy Majority Leader came under. The Rt Hon Speaker has referred the petition from the Hon Member for Tamale North,

Mr Suhuyini Alhassan Sayibu, to the Privileges Committee and that is the resolution of this House. That is the ruling of the Rt Hon Speaker, then the Hon Deputy Majority Leader, who we know is a long time counsel and lawyer of the Hon Member for Assin Central, Mr Ken Agyapong, has told us today, that we should prepare for some out of Privileges Committee settlement of a sort.

Under what Standing Orders did he give this announcement to the House? If he wants to plead for his client, he should come properly and do that at the Committee but he should not say that we would not have to go through that long process. Who has complained about the process? We are ready to go through the length of that risk.

We should be careful not to create the impression that some Hon Members, when the Rt Hon Speaker has referred a matter, are above that referral. He must go to the Privileges Committee and ensure that the decision of this House and the Rt Hon Speaker is respected. We reject this notice of yours because we do not know how it is grounded. I think it is important that we make that point very clear.
Mr Kwame Gakpey(NDC -- Keta) 12:18 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the delta variant of the COVID-19 pandemic has
ravaged the country and for almost two weeks, I have filed an Urgent Question for the Hon Minister for Health to come to the House to brief us about the status of this particular variant but up till date, it has not been advertised in the Business Statement.
Mr Speaker, I would want to seek your leave so that my Urgent Question appears on the business for next week so that the Hon Minister for Health could come to the House to brief us on the delta variant.
Dr Godfred Seidu Jasaw (NDC -- Wa East) 12:18 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Majority Leader's response on filing Urgent Questions, has to be looked at again. It appears that how the Table Office or the Business Committee treats Urgent Questions is not satisfactory. On the issue of fertiliser that the Hon Member for Bawku Central, Mr Ayariga and the Hon Member for Builsa South, Dr Clement Apaak talked about, I have already filed an Urgent Question since last Wednesday, bearing in mind that it would be treated as an urgent issue but it has not even been captured in the ensuing week's Business Statement.
Mr Speaker, again, seven weeks ago, there was an European Union (EU) announcement to issue Ghana a warning card on fisheries activities and the fact that we were likely to be
banned from the export of sea foods to the EU. I filed an Urgent Question five weeks ago for the Hon Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture to come to the House and brief us on what steps she has taken to address this. It has now been captured for next week and this is after six weeks. This is how Urgent Questions are treated. So, the Urgent Questions route would not help.
We should change our mind-set by asking Hon Members to file a questions and follow-up. Why do we set the system in place for us to file questions to the Table Office and they process it to the Rt Hon Speaker? They might as well cancel the Table Office and tell us to file the questions and walk to the Rt Hon Speaker, catch his eye for him to minute on it. The system should work. They should not expect us to file questions and then go and ask the Table Office about the status of our questions. If we do that systems would not work in this country and Parliament should not show such an example. Let us allow the office to work and then we could be able to address these issues for the nation.
Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for the opportunity.
Mr Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor 12:18 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to make a few comments.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:18 p.m.
Hon Member, the Hon Deputy Majority Leader, has already addressed this particular issue and we would rely on the report of this House. If you want to challenge it, do the needful whether you would file a Question so that the Hon Minister would come to the House to either confirm what he gave us or whether what his Hon Deputy said is what we should rely on. We do not need to belabour this.
Hon Majority Leader, could you address some of the concerns Hon Members have raised?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Member for Wa East, raised a matter in respect of Urgent Questions. If he pays attention to Order 66, he would not blame the Business Committee.

Secondly, they should engage their leadership, especially the Hon Whips to assist so that they do not come to the floor of the House to blame the Business Committee. That is all I would want to say in response to your

blame game. It is not proper with respect to the Hon Colleague.

Mr Speaker, on the Motions that require re-programming, I am only holding the fort here but I know as a matter of fact that the two leaders, the Hon Majority Leader and his colleague, the Hon Minority Leader agreed to deal with this matter. So, it is entirely in their hands. I would urge Hon Ayariga and Hon Ablakwa to engage the two leaders. Once they engage them and the appropriate responses are given, I am sure their concerns would be addressed.

Mr Speaker, the issue of Hon Suhuyini's application which was granted, I only referred to it as not having been programmed and there has not been a meeting scheduled for next week for the Privileges Committee because the referral did not get to the Business Committee. I just wanted to allay the fears of Hon Members who are anxious to see the Privileges Committee working.

I only added that that notwithstanding, as a House, if a matter of this nature has arisen, I am in leadership and I should engage my colleague. I made that statement in good faith but I find it strange that every step taken in good faith would be misconstrued particularly by Hon Ablakwa. Mr Speaker, he was in this

House when Sammy Gyamfi attacked the Speaker of Parliament and attacked his leadership. He did not respond to it; neither did he even get up to protect the image of Mr Speaker and Haruna Iddrisu and Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka . If this is the principle, this is very rich.

Mr Speaker, so, I think that he should appreciate the angle I came from; I did so in good faith. Yes, something has happened; Hon Kennedy Agyapong who is a Member of this Side has been engaged and I wanted to assure this House because the Member said it affects the integrity of us. I was assuring the House that we are taking positive steps and perhaps we may even resolve issues ahead of time.

Lawyers are here and they know out of court settlement. Sometimes, we resolve before the scheduled date of the matter and the court would accept it. -- [Interruption] -- I am invoking the inherent jurisdiction of the Hon Speaker which is also part of our rules; look at Orders 6 and 8. Read down there; it is there. Where the matter is not provided, Mr Speaker would direct and he so admits it.

Mr Speaker, I believe that the relevant issues have been addressed and I would pray that since today is Friday and our Muslim colleagues
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:28 p.m.
Yes, before we adopt, let me listen to the Deputy Minority Whip.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim 12:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I just would want to re- emphasise the matter raised by the Hon Mahama Ayariga. The rendition given by the Deputy Majority Leader is right. The Hon Speaker directed that the two leaders should engage on the security-related Motions to be able to assist him to manage them well. So, as they are not here, we must wait for them to come. I know they have not finished with their engagement and that is why they have not been able to reach out to Members. Mr Speaker, this is an information I am giving to the House. When the leaders finish their engagement, they would reach out to Hon Members.
Mr Speaker, I know the Rt Hon Speaker did that because security- related Motions are very sensitive. There was a Motion here and a counter one. I remember that even when we are discussing some security-related issues, we do them under Standing Order 44; that is, strictly closed Sitting and so certain
things do not go out. So, let us have confidence in the two leaders. When they return from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) conference, after their engagement, they would reach out to us.
Mr Speaker, then, on the matter of the fertiliser shortage, the Hon Mahama Ayariga, I know, has filed an Urgent Question to the Minister for Food and Agriculture which is appropriate. But we are in the farming season.
Filing the Urgent Question to the Minister for Food and Agriculture might not be able to solve the problem. If he can direct another Question to the Minister for Finance simply because this Urgent Question would take time to be admitted. He would have to come and answer and if it happens that he indicates in his answer that he is not the cause and that he is waiting on the Minister for Finance, then one would have to now file another Urgent Question to the Minister for Finance.
So, while the Deputy Majority Leader directed that the Hon Mahama Ayariga should make use of the tools available to him, I would urge that today he must file another Urgent Question to the Minister for Finance so that it does not become a blame
game. “Oh, I could have bought it but it is because he has not released moneys'. Let us go all out so that we would be able to get results.
Mr Speaker, I thank you and would want to appeal to you to move so that we adopt the Business Statement for the week.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:28 p.m.
Well noted.
Hon Members, the Business Statement as presented is hereby adopted.
Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with your leave, may we proceed to item 7 (b) and (c)?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:28 p.m.
Hon Members, item numbered 7 on page 3 of today's Order Paper.
PAPERS 12:28 p.m.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:28 p.m.
Item numbered 7 (c)?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Avedzi has forgotten our friendship. The Chairman of the Committee is unavoidably absent.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:28 p.m.
But Hon Deputy Majority Leader, you should have sought for leave.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Chairman of the Committee is unavoidably absent. Would it please you that I lay the Paper on his behalf?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:28 p.m.
Leave granted.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim 12:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, by the rules, if he is a Member of the Committee, he can do that but if he is not a Member of the Committee, any Member of the Committee in the House can do that.
Mr Speaker, there are new Members and if we do not go by the rules things may become messy; and if we do not go by our rules and procedures, maintaining order in the House in the future may be chaotic.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:38 p.m.
Very well.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I so concede. The Hon Member is right. However, today is Friday, 16th July, 2021, may posterity guide us on these strict principles and I have taken note of that.
Mr Speaker, I withdraw my application and the Hon Annoh- Dompreh who is a Member of the Committee will do so with your leave. We will be guided by your strict directives.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:38 p.m.
Hon Member, leave granted.
By Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh on hehalf of (the Chairman of the Committee) --
Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration) and the Government of the
United Arab Emirates on Mutual Exemption of Entry Visa Requirements in respect of Diplomatic, Service/Special and Ordinary Passport Holders.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, may we proceed to item numbered 17?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:38 p.m.
Hon Members, item numbered 17 on page 11 - Private Members' Motion.
Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh 12:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, if it so pleases you, I beg to seek your leave before moving the Motion for the debate to be deferred till next week Wednesday.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:38 p.m.
Hon Member, I did not hear you.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I seek your leave for the debate to be moved to next week Wednesday.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:38 p.m.
So, you will move the Motion but the debate is deferred to Wednesday?
Very well.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim 12:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Annoh-Dompreh could move the Motion and if it is seconded then we defer the debate till next week Wednesday.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:38 p.m.
Very well.
Hon Member, you can now move the Motion.
PRIVATE MEMBERS'
MOTION 12:38 p.m.
MAINSTREAMING AND 12:38 p.m.
STREAMLINING CSR IN 12:38 p.m.
GHANA 12:38 p.m.
Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh (Nsawam-Adoagyiri) 12:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that this honourable House passes a law to mainstream and streamline Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Ghana to ensure a cogent, equitable and sustainable national development.
Mr Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor (NDC -- South Dayi) 12:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved Accordingly.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:38 p.m.
The debate of this all-important Motion is being deferred till next week Wednesday. So, Hon Members, especially, the sponsors of the Bill, can
go and prepare themselves very well so that next week Wednesday, they could come and debate it.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim 12:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Motion has been moved and seconded. Per the rules, the Hon Member who moved the Motion should have stated that the debate relating to the Motion would be deferred till next week Wednesday prior to moving the Motion and same applies to the Hon Member who just seconded it. Without that when we come to the House next week Wednesday and the Hon Member who moved the Motion has not stated anything in relation to that the debate may become a bit problematic.
So, since we are masters of our own rules, we could give the Hon Member the opportunity to do same.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:38 p.m.
Very well.
Hon First Deputy Whip, I think before the Motion was moved, this issue of deferring the debate till next week Wednesday came up. So that may be why the Hon Member did not state that as he moved the Motion. However, whatever it is, the Hon Member who moved the Motion could do so next week Wednesday.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I think the point that the Hon First Deputy Minority Whip was trying to put across was to the effect that he wants the records to reflect that the Hon Member who moved the Motion reserves his right to argue his Motion in addition to - So, the Hon Member is deferring that right until next week Wednesday. The Motion has been moved but the Hon Member who moved it should have given a supporting argument to his Motion and same applies to my respected Hon Colleague who seconded the Motion.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:38 p.m.
Hon Deputy MajorityLeader, I think we are all on the same page. The Hon Member who moved the Motion will be allowed to argue out his case on Wednesday.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, Statements.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:38 p.m.
Hon Members, we have to take a couple of Statements before we adjourn. The first is in the name of the
Hon Member of Parliament for South Tongu; Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome on the Recent Spate of Football Hooliganism in Ghana.
STATEMENTS 12:38 p.m.
Mr Kobena M. Woyome (NDC -- South Tongu) 12:48 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is disheartening to wake up in the morning to hear that a sporting official or football lover has sustained injuries because of doing what he loves at the stadium.
It is about time this issue is addressed once and for all, given the fact that we all agree on the role of football in uniting and promoting productivity for national development.
Mr Speaker, permit me to quote Terry Pratchett, an English author; ‘the important thing about football is that it is not just about football, it transcends our differences in where we come from and what defines us'.
Mr Speaker, football, like any other sport, provides many economic benefits, for nations and individuals. It has fostered unity among nations and dealt a lethal blow to the things that divide us along racial, gender, and in particular, ethnic lines.
That which once was an all men's game now has active female enthusiasts. However, the game we all cherish has not been without challenges and the most serious one which threatens the beauty of the game is what we call football hooliganism.

Mr Speaker, football hooliganism refers to what is widely considered unruly or obstructive behaviour by overzealous supporters of the game. Actions such as vandalism, brawling and intimidation are enacted by association football club fans who participate in football. It occurs at different levels and sometimes involves football players who are to show sportsmanship.

It is interesting to note that in some instances, hooliganism occurs even outside sports stadia. Even off the pitch, the lives of others as well as their properties can be in danger. Most especially, it is this reason that makes hooliganism a delicate issue which requires every amount of effort to be built to fight it.

Mr Speaker, football hooliganism has a long history and it dates as far back as the 1880s where instances of football hooliganism were recorded in England. It was a period where gangs of supporters would intimidate

neighbourhoods in addition to attacking referees, opposing supporters and players. However, in the era of globalisation, I expect, if not completely eliminated, it should not be at the rate that we are witnessing. Mr Speaker, it is in the face of the seriousness of this matter that at the international level, issues relating to hooliganism are regarded as a threat to life and are tackled with all seriousness.

The Police and other security agencies have been introduced to the game of football to control crowds by ensuring that their presence in stadia are felt by fans. It is important however, to note that in dispatching the Police to ensure safety in the various stadia internationally, the noble intent surrounding such dispatches has not been enough in preventing riotous actions from emerging.

This means that Ghana needs to consider the best methods that have good psychological plea and are well advanced in our approach to deal with hooliganism while effectively forestalling counterproductive and unintended consequences.

Football hooliganism is a global problem although some countries such as the United Kingdom have drastically reduced its occurrence because of measures that have been put in place. One of the serious
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:48 p.m.
Hon Members, I would admit two contributions each from both Sides and it would include the Leadership.
Hon Member for Nabdam?
Dr Mark K. Nawaane (NDC -- Nabdam) 12:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I commend the Hon Member for a well-researched Statement.
Mr Speaker, I have been a victim of football hooliganism; I have been beaten and chased before and on one occasion, the Police had to whisk me from Adansi Praso to Assin Praso where there was a police station for my own safety just because I was the owner of Dunkwa United Football Club and I followed the team to very important matches.
Mr Speaker, indeed, it is a very big problem in Ghanaian football, especially at the lower levels like the First and Second Division levels. They always beat each other and these are not reported because probably they try to settle issues among themselves.

Mr Speaker, but this issue is now going beyond that level. It is even coming to the premiership level, and all the problems between Asante
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:58 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member for Sunyani East?
Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh (NPP -- Sunyani East) 12:58 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement made by our Colleague on the other Side on this important but also vexed issue of hooliganism in our sports, especially soccer.
More or less, hooliganism has become a universal phenomenon. It happens everywhere in the world. Last week or so, after the match between England and Italy, we saw the English fans going to the extreme issue of attacking supporters of the Italian national team. And this has happened in almost all the soccer club divisions we have in the country; the
First Division, Second Division and even in the Premiership.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Member who made the Statement alluded to several acts of hooliganism that have happened over the years in Ghana. In the recent league ongoing, acts of hooliganism have been recorded in the First Division, Second Division and the Premiership.
Mr Speaker, we may have to enquire into the real causes instead of blaming the visiting team or the host team. It may go beyond the host team being angered, frustrated, wanted to win a match at all cost, and therefore, taking the law into their hands and visiting some harm or hurting referees or officials or the visiting teams.
Mr Speaker, I am a fan of the Brong Ahafo (BA) United, an ardent supporter. Recently, we played Real Tamale United in Sunyani. The match never ended. I would want everybody to see the performance of the referee, the man in the middle of the game. He denied BA United two to three legal penalties. He awarded a penalty to the visiting team, and the match commissioner and other officials who were not on the field drew his attention to the fact that the penalty he awarded was doubtful, and so he reversed it, and the match continued.
At the end of the first half, the referee said it was getting late, darkness was falling and because there are no floodlights on the field, the match would continue the following day but there was no show the following day. This fact was communicated by the match commissioner to the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Mr Speaker, barring the fact that they would want to see their supporters teams win and therefore, if they are not wining, they become angry, frustrated and probably do certain untoward things. We should, as a matter of fact, also advise match officials to do what is right. While we caution the cat from pouncing on the fish, you also advise the fish not to give a bad odour to attract the cat.
Mr Speaker, we also need to improve the security on match days so that even if one is being cheated, he would still have cause to lodge a complaint and not take the law into their own hands and do what is not right to be done.
We have to improve on security on the playing field and also continue to advise the fans of various teams to exercise maximum restraint even in the face of any provocation or cheating that goes on.
Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh (NPP -- Sunyani East) 1:08 p.m.
However, Mr Speaker, unless the GFA stamps its authority, some of these occurrences would continue to happen. What do we do to referees who cheat leading to such incidents? We impose sanctions of say two or three match bans. How much do we pay the referees for officiating matches?
Assuming we pay a referee GH¢100 for officiating a match and after an incident we decide to suspend the referee for four matches, he or she loses GH¢400. This is not motivating enough because if the referee thinks he takes a bribe of GH¢5,000 from a team and is suspended for even 10 matches, he or she is better off. And if the GFA would make it a point that if the performance of the referee was not good, leading to a disturbance, there would be a replay, then it would also demotivate the referees for taking bribes.

If you take a bribe and your match has to be replayed and a different referee is allowed to officiate the game, it would be a disgrace upon the referee or match official. So we need to put in place very stringent measures and mechanisms to ensure that there

is always sanity on the field. Football is the passion and soul of Ghana. So it is for so many other countries and we need to protect the sanctity of it. Thank you for the opportunity, Mr Speaker.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:08 p.m.
Let me give the opportunity to Hon Oti Bless.
Mr John K. B. Oti (NDC -- Nkwanta North) 1:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to add my voice to this all-important Statement.
Mr Speaker, football hooliganism all over the world is a serious challenge. That notwithstanding, I think that the level of indiscipline in our country is becoming unbecoming. We all know for a fact that football, among all the sporting disciplines, is the heartbeat of our country. But what is happening at the various stadia across the country over the years, if not checked would throw this country off gear soon.
Mr Speaker, I am happy the Hon Member who made the Statement touched on what happened on May 9. I was at the stadium that day and I wish we were all there that day to see what really happened.
Mr Speaker, I would want to call upon this House and the authorities of our sporting games, especially GFA to put proper measures in place to check this canker. This is because I think that the sanctions set out for those who flout these rules are not stringent enough. The fact that a referee has committed a mistake does not give anyone the audacity to jump onto the field and misbehave - attacking and destroying State property. So I think that proper disciplinary measures ought to be put in place to ensure that what happened in Sunyani recently, if it happens again, the supporters of the Club or the Club itself should be severely punished. For instance, the Club should be banned forever from playing on home grounds. That would serve as deterrent to other football clubs who may want to indulge in that act in future.
So, Mr Speaker, I would want to commend the Hon Member for making this important Statement. This is because football all over the world, we all know, apart from gold and other drugs, is an area where there is a lot of money and our young men in the country, especially in my Constituency where we have a lot of talented players, are making it through football. So we cannot sit as leaders of this country and allow the lawless ones to destroy this beautiful game.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:08 p.m.
I would come to Leadership.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim (NDC -- Banda) 1:08 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to make a few comments on this all-important Statement.
Mr Speaker, growing up in the village, I witnessed some of these incidents of football hooliganism, which occurred due to poor officiating. Now, I am a bit old and I could see it happening even in our Premier League and on the international scale.
Mr Speaker, I remember that in those days in the village, a football referee could shout at a player to go to the penalty line and so he awards him a penalty kick. Then one would think that he was fighting the player meanwhile he was directing the player to support him. After directing the player, the player got to the inner parameter and dived and then the referee awarded the penalty. The opposing team then came to the referee and he asked if he talked when he whistled. Do referees speak after whistling? If referees are recruited in this manner, why would there not be
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim (NDC -- Banda) 1:18 p.m.
hooliganism? Then when the two teams come to the referee, he says that it is a dead-ball then he deads it and they start to play. So he could not succeed in awarding the penalty kick.
The one that the Hon Member for Sunyani talked about is not the first. There was a football match between B. A. United and - in Sunyani. The referee awarded a penalty kick and was beaten. He had to be dressed in police uniform before they could take him out of the Sunyani Coronation Park. What kind of penalty kick was that? Has anyone ever seen a penalty kick which after being shot has been declared an offside by the referee? Why would the fans not react? It was a penalty kick. It was not a goal. For fear of being beaten -- [Interruption] --
Mr Speaker, the most recent one was a decisive match which when B. A. United scores then Bofoakwa F. C. would qualify to the Premier League; if R.T.U. scores, then RTU would qualify to the Premier League. RTU came very late from Tamale. For such a decisive match, they had to come on time. How can RTU move from Tamale to Sunyani between four and five o'clock that they were going to play such a decisive match and then they say that because there is no time, 45 minutes should be played; break
and continue the other 45 minutes the next day? What kind of country are we living in? This is what happened.
Mr Speaker, have you seen a penalty that was reversed after being awarded? Which fans would sit for such things to happen? All the analogies I am just drawing your attention to are just for the nation to sit and decide for ourselves what we want for our football matches.
We used to create friendship, entertain-ment, love and all from football but now, it has become business and wherever profit exists, there is anger, tension and pressure. So, as a nation, if we want to go back to our glorious days where Ghana used to be a football country; where we used to win trophies; where players used to hold on to the ball and we used to go to the stadium to watch them.
Mr Speaker, we must train the referees as well because I can say that all the football hooliganism that we talk about are emerging out of poor officiating and I started drawing examples from my olden days. [Interruption] -- So clearly, poor officiating is the cause of our football hooliganism, and lack of training and exercising. Our players want the reward in football but they do not want to exercise and train, to go to the extent that football players train.

So if we want the best for our country, we must know those who are recruited to officiate our football matches. When there are sensitive matches to be played, certain places should not be declared as a no go areas for other things. For example, Mr Speaker, when I am coming to play football in your constituency, I am afraid, because it is your home and you must win. What about if we go to play international matches? That underscores the very reason Ghana has not been able to win any trophies after several years apart from the five continental trophies that we have won.

Mr Speaker, it is a good Statement from the veteran former Chairman and Ranking Member for the Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon Kobena Mensah Woyome. From the day he entered Parliament, he has been a Member of this Committee, so when he brings examples, we know that he has the experience in that area. I thank God he is still there to give us these examples, but he should help us to solve the problems.
Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh (NPP -- Nsawam-Adoagyiri) 1:18 p.m.
Mr Speaker, let me also commend the Hon Ranking Member, even though I regret the fact that the leadership of the Committee could have done better, especially in the pointers of the oversight of the Ministry of which the GFA is a sub-body. So, going into the future, it should be clear to us. The GFA should be taken on.
Mr Speaker, I do not want to belabour the point. My senior Colleague, Hon Ameyaw-Cheremeh made an interesting observation, which I find intriguing. He talked about a live match where a decision made by the referee has to be reversed as a result of some compulsion from the fans. I find it quite revealing and historic.
It also tells the extent of decadence in our football. Therefore, it is a good wakeup call to all stakeholders to do something. It is scandalous that even after the dreaded May 9 incident, people are still emboldened to engage in football hooliganism. There must be some significant course to work, because from where I sit, the causes are varied and married.
Mr Speaker, we are all aware of hooliganism in football globally. It dates way back to the 13th Century, especially in England. With all the measures put in place, in the so-called
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:18 p.m.
Hon Members, we will take the last Statement because today is Friday. The Statement is on Youth Skills Day. It is a commemorative Statement by the Hon Member for New Edubiase, Abdul Salam Adams.
World Youth Skills Day
Mr Adams Abdul Salam (NPP -- New Edubiase) 1:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to make a commemorative Statement on World Youth Skills Day.
Mr Speaker, on July 15 every year, the world celebrates World Youth Skills Day to highlight the opportunities and challenges that young people face in employment. The day also allows us to reflect on
the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. Since its inception in 2014, the World Youth Skills Day has provided a unique opportunity for dialogue between young people, Technical and Vocational Education, and Training (TVET) institutions, firms, employers' and workers' organisations, policymakers, and development partners.
Mr Speaker, this year's World Youth Skills Day under the theme ‘Skills for a Resilient Youth' will occur in a challenging environment, with the COVID-19 pandemic still disrupting TVET institutions. Youth skills development will face a range of unfamiliar problems emerging from a crisis where training has been disrupted in an unprecedented manner on a virtually universal scale.
Mr Speaker, young people aged 15-24 are particularly exposed to the socio-economic consequences of these disruptions. One-third of the world's 1.8 billion young people are currently not employed, educated, or trained. Of the one billion more that will enter the job market in the next decade, only 40 per cent are expected to get job offers that currently exist. Thus, the global economy will need to create 600 million jobs in the next ten years to
keep pace with projected youth employment rates.
Mr Speaker, the youth makes up about 30 per cent of Ghana's population, with about 12 per cent youth unemployment rate according to a World Bank report. In 2016, it was projected that 300,000 new jobs would have to be created each year to absorb the increasing number of unemployed young people in the country.

Mr Speaker, TVET has a vital role to play in fostering the resilience of young people in Ghana. Specifically, vocational and technical education is a vehicle that can provide practical education in order to make graduates employable. It can also equip graduates to set themselves in business and become employers in the future.

The challenge, however, is that the availability of TVET institutions to provide quality skills training is lacking from the supply side. At the same time, from the demand side, many young people do not find TVET attractive due to the negative stigma attached to it, especially in Ghana.

This situation has affected the enrolment of students into the TVET
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:28 p.m.
Hon Members, I would admit two contributors from each Side, including Leadership.
Yes, Hon Member for Madina?
Mr Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu (NDC -- Madina) 1:28 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this Statement made by the Hon Abdul-Salam Adams . I would want to use the opportunity to congratulate my Hon Colleague for bringing this to the fore.
Mr Speaker, it is important for us to realise as a people that grammar education has no answer to the unemployment situation that we have in Ghana today. The only way that we can resolve the problem of unemployment, particularly youth unemployment, is to get as many of our young people into entrepreneurship, which requires
specific skills, whether it is in hair dressing, carpentry, auto-mechanics or any form of skill that allows our young people to master their own art and create jobs for themselves.
Mr Speaker, the only way that we can achieve this is through TVET, and that is why it is important for the Government to place utmost importance on technical and vocational skills and their training, not only at the basic and secondary level, but also at the tertiary level.
Mr Speaker, in the last four years, how much has the Government committed to vocational and technical institutions in this country? I had an opportunity to visit the Ho and the Koforidua Technical Universities in the last one month. However, it is so amazing that some projects, dormitories and buildings that started way back have been abandoned, and these institutions are lacking the requisite infrastructure to develop.
Mr Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu (NDC -- Madina) 1:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we are all aware of the roles that the young people or the youth play as engines for oiling society, and indeed to keep it going. You would also agree that if you look at the age bracket as captured in the Statement, which is 15 to 24 years, some of the critical challenges that they face, for which many of us have sleepless nights, is the ability to engage them positively. Particularly so is in the area of employment.
Mr Speaker, as Hon Members of Parliament, day-in day-out, we receive requests, and are bombarded with demands from our constituents, particularly young people. There are those of them who have an education, and those of them who do not have the needed skills, although educated, to be able to engage themselves in meaningful ways of providing for themselves and their families. That is why it is important that as a nation, we work assiduously to ensure that technical and vocational education becomes dominant and common.
Mr Speaker, it is precisely for this reason that under the John Dramani
Mahama's Administration, a conscious effort was made to convert our polytechnics into technical universities as part of a grande agenda to enhance technical and vocational education.

Mr Speaker, we took a look at best practices in parts of the world particularly Germany, and we also looked at the sub-region. The conclusion was that many of the artisans who come to work for us in Ghana are persons with technical and vocational education from our neighbouring countries.

Mr Speaker, as we speak, our tiles, roofs, plumbing and even jewellery are products of technical and vocational education. Yet, in Ghana, it is as though we have relegated this very important component of the system to the background to the extent that it has been confined and defined to look as though it is those who are less intelligent and not capable of formal education, as we know it, who should become technicians or engage in vocation.

Mr Speaker, even this microphone, tables and chairs are products of technical aspects of human endeavours. Therefore, I wish to add

my voice to the call that we should work assiduously, particularly to remove the stigma associated with technical and vocational education. We should work to make sure that there are institutions across the length and breadth of the country to cater for the education of those sons and daughters of ours who are naturally talented and are very creative, and can do a lot to produce for us what we need so that they can also get employment for themselves, and we would cease to become an import- dependent country.

On this note, I commend the Hon Member who made the Statement very highly.
Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh (NPP -- Nsawam-Adoagyiri) 1:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, at the risk of being repetitive, let me say that I agree with many of the things our Hon Colleagues have alluded to, particularly the Hon Member who made the Statement.
Facts be told, Ghana as a country, irrespective of regime, we have shown some significant overtures towards ensuring the development of TVET. If you look at the Budget Statements, it runs through. Consistently, we have shown financial commitment made towards TVET.
However, from where I sit, we need to go beyond just the provisions in the Budget Statements. We have to go beyond that. Mr Speaker, I find this quite fundamental and reasonable. Have we asked ourselves if we have generated the interest? Have we been able to, alongside the budget provision, staged a good crusade that complements the provision of just the budget? It is important.
Mr Speaker, if we provide the funding and the people do not even have interest in it, everybody is focused on formal education to sit in an office - that is the mindset, and we must work on it. Otherwise, such appeals may not yield and elicit the needed response. We will not get it. There should be a dedicated effort to generate that interest amongst the youth, that it is not all about formal education. It is when we do this that we can be sure of a guaranteed positive response.
The Americans call it hands-on education. America is where it is today because of hands-on education. My Hon Colleague cited Germany. I recalled then candidate Akufo-Addo made it very clear that Ghana would buy into the TVET concept of the Germans. Lo and behold, if you look at the budget of the Ministry of Education in recent times, there has been dramatic and consistent
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:38 p.m.
Hon Leader, any indication?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 1:38 p.m.
Under the circumstance, I move, that the House is adjourned to Wednesday, 21st July, 2021, at 2 p.m.
Mr James Klutse Avedzi 1:38 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
ADJOURNMENT 1:38 p.m.