Debates of 30 Nov 2021

MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
ABSENCE 3:59 p.m.
OF MR SPEAKER 3:59 p.m.
PRAYERS 3:59 p.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:59 p.m.
Hon Members, we would
commence Sitting with the
Correction of the Votes and
Proceedings of Friday, 26th
November, 2021.
Page 1….10 -
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:59 p.m.
Hon Member for Kwadaso?
Dr Kingsley Nyarko 3:59 p.m.
Mr
Speaker, on page 8, normally
after the list of attendees, the
next advertised item is
Correction of Votes and
Proceedings and the Official
Report. However,
it is not so in this particular
Votes and Proceedings so I
would want to find out if it was
done during the last Sitting. It is
very important for the records.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 3:59 p.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:59 p.m.
Very well.
The Table Office would
verify and make the appropriate
corrections. Thank you
Dr Nyarko 3:59 p.m.
Also I have a
minor correction on page 9 but it
is very important. Mr Speaker,
at item numbered 6, we have to
insert ‘a' before “Division” so that it would now read:
“The Hon Member for Effutu and the Deputy Majority
Leader, Mr Alexander
Kwamena Afenyo-Markin
challenged the decision of the
Chair on the voice vote and
called for a Division …”
Also, item numbered 7
should be corrected to read:
‘Following an Uproar in the Chamber …”
Again, this particular item
has not been captured properly
and the full import of this
sentence must be recorded. Mr
Speaker, because I remember
that when the Rt Hon Speaker
resumed Sitting, he made a point
that he did not know what was
causing the disturbance until a
Clerk-at-the-Table informed
him that it was because of his
directive that the Hon Ministers
of State must leave the Plenary,
and upon our insistence that the
General-Secretary of the
National Democratic Congress
(NDC) must also leave.
So, I think that if we do not
add this to the item then it is not
Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:59 p.m.
Hon Members, the Votes and
Proceedings are like minutes. It
is just a summary. The Official
Report will capture the full
details of viva voce recordings
of what happened in the
Chamber.
Hon Majority Leader?
Majority Leader (Mr Osei
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu): Mr
Speaker, I think there is a mix-
up on item numbered 8 on page
9 with regard to how it has been
captured.
Mr Speaker, it reads 3:59 p.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 3:59 p.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:59 p.m.
Hon Members, Order!
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 3:59 p.m.
For those of them who
responded “Noe”, he said the
number was 137.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 3:59 p.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:09 p.m.
Very well, the Clerks-at-Table
will rearrange the events guided
by the records as contained in
the electronic records already in
the custody of the House. Now,
subject to the corrections made,
the Votes and Proceedings of
Friday, 26th November, 2021 is
hereby adopted as the true
record of the House.
Yes, Hon Majority Leader,
you may present the Business of
the House now.
BUSINESS OF THE 4:09 p.m.
HOUSE 4:09 p.m.
  • [including Export Credit Guarantee Support from Compañia Española de
  • [including Swiss Export Risk Insurance Agency (SERV) Insurance Premium]) for the Construction of Nine (9) State-of-the-Art Technical and Vocational Training Institutes in Ghana - Phase I. Consequential Resolution Committee Sittings
    • PUBLIC HOLIDAY 4:09 p.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:19 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, I
    remember I suggested to the
    Business Committee not to
    schedule any more Questions
    during this busy period of the
    Budget debates. Has the
    Business Committee considered
    that? I suggested that you defer
    all Private Business until we are
    done with work relating to the
    Budget Statement.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 4:19 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if the House comes
    to approve the Budget - The consideration of the Estimates
    cannot be done in a day for the
    report to be produced on the
    same day. This is why in the first
    week, after the approval, the
    entire week will be frozen for
    Questions. That is why we have
    that pack of Questions.
    Last Friday, as I indicated, I
    have made that observation - something happened in the
    House. The House purportedly
    rejected the Budget Statement.
    If indeed that is true, that would
    also mean that the Budget would
    have to be resubmitted. In the
    course of the week, the days will
    be fallow, and they would be
    filled in by the Questions. I
    believe the House knows what
    to do and it would do what is
    required of it.

    Business of the House
    Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah 4:19 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, thank you. The Hon
    Majority Leader in submitting
    the Business Statement said that
    Friday is a public holiday:
    National Farmers' Day. Given
    the fact that the House is likely
    to rise somewhere in the middle
    of December, is it that the
    holiday being Friday, 3rd
    December, 2021 would be
    compensated for and whether
    there are any plans for us to Sit
    on Saturdays before we rise.
    Mr Speaker, do I have to
    repeat the Question?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:19 p.m.
    Hon Member, I heard you. You
    asked whether he would make
    arrangements to cover the public
    holiday.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:19 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Nyarko Osei, you
    wanted to ask a question.
    Mr Nyarko Osei 4:19 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, that was the issue that I
    wanted to address.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:19 p.m.
    Hon Member of Kwadaso was
    also on his feet -?
    Hon Leader, you may answer
    the question by the Hon Deputy
    Minister. He asked that in view
    of the fact that Friday, 3rd
    December, 2021 is a public
    holiday, do you have any
    programme to replace that day
    as to the House Sitting on a
    Saturday or a Sunday.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 4:19 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Business
    Committee did not come to any
    determination on that. In the
    absence of the Committee, I
    cannot come by any
    programme. I may have to do
    some consultations and if it is
    possible to have a Sitting, we
    could, but given the
    circumstances, I do not want to
    give any promise that the House
    may Sit. I guess by Thursday,
    2nd December, 2021, we should
    be able to determine whether the
    House will Sit on Saturday or
    not.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:19 p.m.
    Very well.

    Business of the House

    In the absence of any more

    questions, the Business

    Statement for the week ending

    Friday, 3rd December, 2021 is

    hereby adopted.

    Yes, Hon Majority Leader? - There are a list of Ordinary

    Questions and Urgent Questions

    as listed in items numbered 6

    and 7. What do you propose to

    do with them?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 4:19 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we will step down
    all of the Questions and
    commence Public Business.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:19 p.m.
    Very well.
    That should bring us to the
    end of the Private Business.
    Now, we would go to Public
    Business. Are there any Papers
    to be presented?
    Hon Chairman of the Finance
    Committee, are you ready with
    the Reports that are listed
    against your name?
    Mr Kwaku Agyeman
    Kwarteng: Mr Speaker, we are
    ready.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:19 p.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Members, item
    numbered 9, by the Chairman of
    the Committee.
    PAPERS 4:19 p.m.
  • [including Export Credit Guarantee Support from Compañia Española de Seguros a las exportacion Cia de Segurus y Reaseguros (CESCE)]) to partly finance the contract value for the Design and Construction of the Peduase-Mamfe - Koforidua Scenic Route Project. (iv) Report of the Finance Committee on the Tied Commercial Facility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and
    • Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:19 p.m.
    Hon Majority Leader, I
    remember I suggested to the
    Business Committee not to
    schedule any more Questions
    during this busy period of the
    Budget debates. Has the
    Business Committee considered
    that? I suggested that you defer
    all Private Business until we are
    done with work relating to the
    Budget Statement.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 4:19 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if the House comes
    to approve the Budget - The consideration of the Estimates
    cannot be done in a day for the
    report to be produced on the
    same day. This is why in the first
    week, after the approval, the
    entire week will be frozen for
    Questions. That is why we have
    that pack of Questions.
    Last Friday, as I indicated, I
    have made that observation - something happened in the
    House. The House purportedly
    rejected the Budget Statement.
    If indeed that is true, that would
    also mean that the Budget would
    have to be resubmitted. In the
    course of the week, the days will
    be fallow, and they would be
    filled in by the Questions. I
    believe the House knows what
    to do and it would do what is
    required of it.
    Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah 4:19 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, thank you. The Hon
    Majority Leader in submitting
    the Business Statement said that
    Friday is a public holiday:
    National Farmers' Day. Given the fact that the House is likely
    to rise somewhere in the middle
    of December, is it that the
    holiday being Friday, 3rd
    December, 2021 would be
    compensated for and whether

    Papers

    there are any plans for us to Sit

    on Saturdays before we rise.

    Mr Speaker, do I have to

    repeat the Question?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:19 p.m.
    Hon Member, I heard you. You
    asked whether he would make
    arrangements to cover the public
    holiday.
    rose
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:19 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Nyarko Osei, you
    wanted to ask a question.
    Mr Nyarko Osei 4:19 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, that was the issue that I
    wanted to address.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:19 p.m.
    Hon Member of Kwadaso was
    also on his feet -?
    Hon Leader, you may answer
    the question by the Hon Deputy
    Minister. He asked that in view
    of the fact that Friday, 3rd
    December, 2021 is a public
    holiday, do you have any
    programme to replace that day
    as to the House Sitting on a
    Saturday or a Sunday.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 4:19 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Business
    Committee did not come to any
    determination on that. In the
    absence of the Committee, I
    cannot come by any
    programme. I may have to do
    some consultations and if it is
    possible to have a Sitting, we
    could, but given the
    circumstances, I do not want to
    give any promise that the House
    may Sit. I guess by Thursday,
    2nd December, 2021, we should
    be able to determine whether the
    House will Sit on Saturday or
    not.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:19 p.m.
    Very well.
    In the absence of any more
    questions, the Business
    Statement for the week ending
    Friday, 3rd December, 2021 is
    hereby adopted.
    Yes, Hon Majority Leader? - There are a list of Ordinary
    Questions and Urgent Questions
    as listed in items numbered 6
    and 7. What do you propose to
    do with them?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 4:19 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we will step down

    Papers

    all of the Questions and

    commence Public Business.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:19 p.m.
    Very well.
    That should bring us to the
    end of the Private Business.
    Now, we would go to Public
    Business. Are there any Papers
    to be presented?
    Hon Chairman of the Finance
    Committee, are you ready with
    the Reports that are listed
    against your name?
    Mr Kwaku Agyeman
    Kwarteng: Mr Speaker, we are
    ready.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:19 p.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Members, item
    numbered 9, by the Chairman of
    the Committee.
    PAPERS 4:19 p.m.
  • [including Export Credit Guarantee Support from Compañia Española de Seguros a las exportacion Cia de Segurus y Reaseguros (CESCE)]) to partly finance the contract value for the Design and Construction of the Peduase-Mamfe - Koforidua Scenic Route Project. (iv) Report of the Finance Committee on the Tied Commercial Facility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and HSBC Bank Plc. (as Mandated Lead Arranger and Agent and other financial institutions as Original Lenders) for an amount of forty-five million Euros (€45,000,000.00) to finance the Design and Construction of the Peduase - Mamfe - Koforidua Scenic Route Project.
    • Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:29 p.m.
    Hon Members, we would move
    on to the item numbered v.
    By the Chairman of the
    Committee -
    (v) Report of the Finance
    Committee on the
    Amended and Restated
    SERV-Covered and
    Down payment Export
    Credit Facility
    Agreement amongst the
    Government of the
    Republic of Ghana
    (represented by the
    Ministry of Finance as
    Borrower) and ING
    Bank (a Branch of ING-
    DIBA AG) [as Original
    Lender, Arranger, ECA
    Agent, Coordinator, and
    Social Loan
    Coordinator], BNP
    Paribas Fortis SA/NV
    (as Original Lender,
    Arranger, and Social
    Loan Coordinator), and
    ING Bank N.V. (as
    Agent) for an amount of
    one hundred and
    seventy-six million, five
    hundred and thirty-six
    thousand, nine hundred
    and fifty-two Euros
    (€176,536,952.00
  • [including Swiss Export Risk Insurance Agency (SERV) Insurance Premium]) for the Construction of Nine (9) State-of-the-Art Technical and Vocational Training Institutes in Ghana - Phase I.
    • Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:29 p.m.
    Hon Members, we would move
    on to the item numbered 10,
    Presentation and First Reading
    of Bills.
    Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 4:29 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister
    responsible for Employment
    and Labour Relations has
    indicated that he is not ready
    with the Bill. He said he may
    want to take it tomorrow or the
    day after.
    Mr Speaker, I rise to draw
    attention to a matter that has
    arisen, and in that regard, I come
    under Standing Order 50(1),

    Papers

    which provides, and with your

    indulgence, I read:

    “At the time appointed for

    the purpose under Order 53

    (Order of Business) any

    Member may with the prior

    approval of Mr Speaker

    move a motion on a specific

    matter of urgent public

    importance.”

    Mr Speaker, you may

    recollect that when we came to

    the correction of the Votes and

    Proceedings, I drew attention to

    the item numbered 8 on pages 9

    and 10 of today's Votes and

    Proceedings. I drew attention to

    the fact that the Budget

    Statement, arguably, the most

    important document that the

    Government produces in a year,

    was presented to this House by

    the Hon Minister responsible for

    Finance on behalf of the

    President on Wednesday, 17th of

    November, 2021, by a Motion.

    Mr Speaker, the Votes and

    Proceedings has captured that at

    the time of the approval or

    disapproval of the Budget

    Statement, the number in this

    Chamber as recorded in the

    Votes and Proceedings was

    exactly 137 Hon Members. Mr

    Speaker, our Standing Orders

    provide under Order 109(1), and

    with your indulgence, I quote:

    “No Question for decision in the House shall be proposed

    for determination unless

    there are present in the House

    not less than one-half of all

    the Members of the House,

    and, except otherwise

    provided in the Constitution,

    the Question proposed shall

    be determined by the

    majority of the votes of the

    Members present and

    voting.”

    Mr Speaker, this provision is

    fortified by article 104 of the

    Constitution, which provides,

    and with your indulgence, I

    read:

    “Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution,

    matters in Parliament shall be

    determined by the votes of

    the majority of members

    present and voting, with at

    least half of all the members

    of Parliament present.”

    Papers

    Mr Speaker, evidently, the

    number 137 that was relied on

    by this House to reject the

    Budget did not meet the acid test

    established by the Constitution

    under article 104(1). You would

    recollect that the Rt. Hon

    Speaker, before proposing the

    Question, clothed himself with

    article 102 which relates to the

    quorate number for the

    transaction of ordinary

    Business, apart from decision-

    making. That, in itself was most

    irregular, and I believe the day

    after the event is the most

    appropriate time to deal with

    this matter.
    MOTIONS 4:29 p.m.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 4:29 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, accordingly, I
    come under Standing Order
    50(1) to move that you, the Hon
    First Deputy Speaker, properly
    propose for determination the
    Question on the Motion moved
    by the Hon Minister for Finance
    on behalf of H.E. the President
    on Wednesday, November 17,
    2021, in respect of the Budget
    Statement and Economic Policy
    of Government for the year
    ending 31st December, 2022. It
    is clear, as I have already said,
    that the article that was invoked
    was insufficient to cover the
    determination of the Question
    that was proposed for the
    support or rejection of the
    Budget. So, Mr Speaker, I invite
    you to uphold the Motion and,
    indeed, by inference, set aside
    the impropriety. As I have
    argued, what happened that day
    is a nullity because it does not
    meet the test established under
    article 104 (1) of the
    Constitution.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move.
    Mr Alexander K. Afenyo-
    Markin - rose -
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:29 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Deputy Majority
    Leader?
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 4:39 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, I humbly rise to second
    the Motion ably moved by the
    Hon Majority Leader and the
    Leader of the House.

    Determination of the Motion moved by the Minister for Finance

    In seconding the Motion, I

    beg to raise the following issues

    to further fortify the prayer of

    the applicant.

    Mr Speaker, the first issue

    has to do with whether or not

    you have the capacity to

    determine this matter, and on

    that score, I shall rely on

    Standing Order 13(2) of the

    rules of the House to say that

    you are so well-fortified to

    consider this matter.

    Mr Speaker, for the

    avoidance of doubt, I shall read

    Standing Order 13(2) which

    provides, and with your

    indulgence, I read:

    “Whenever the House is informed by the Clerk-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, rightly so, the

    Clerk-at-the-Table has informed

    us that Rt Hon Speaker is

    unavoidably absent, and that by

    that imperative, you are well-

    fortified to assume the full

    duties, mandate, power, and

    responsibilities as though you

    were the Rt. Hon Speaker of the

    House. So, you are fortified to

    consider this application.

    Mr Speaker, in this Chamber,

    for the purposes of taking

    decision in Parliament, one-half

    of Hon Members of Parliament

    is 138. For the avoidance of

    doubt, the record in our Votes

    and Proceedings clearly states

    that Rt Hon Speaker in the Chair

    had indicated that there were

    137 Hon Members with zero

    saying “Ayes”. This means that at that moment in time, we did

    not have 138 Hon Members

    Mr Speaker, article 104(1) of

    the 1992 Constitution is also

    very clear that when that

    minimum number is present, the

    decision must be based on the

    majority of those present. For

    Determination of the Motion moved by the Minister for Finance

    the avoidance of doubt, I shall

    read that aloud.

    “Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution,

    matters in Parliament shall be

    determined by the votes of

    the majority of members

    present and voting, with at

    least half of all the members

    of Parliament present.”

    Mr Speaker, the net effect is

    that the threshold of 138 must be

    met, and that in that 138,

    majority of them would now be

    required to take a decision. Mr

    Speaker, having made these

    contentions, I beg to say that this

    constitutional imperative clearly

    vitiates that which took place,

    and on all fours, the applicant's Motion is well rooted, and the

    invitation made to you on all

    fours is right. I, therefore,

    without any hesitation, implore

    you to give favourable

    consideration to this application.

    Mr Speaker, I so submit and I
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:39 p.m.
    It is very regrettable that there is
    nobody on the Minority Side.
    Indeed, we engaged the
    Leadership of the House from
    9.00 a.m. We closed at 2.30 p.m.
    to give ourselves one hour to
    have lunch and to resume at 3.30
    p.m. I have no information why
    nobody on the other Side is here,
    but we clearly agreed that
    Parliament will sit at 3.30 p.m.
    It was a meeting at which the
    Leadership of the Minority was
    present, and we have had
    discussions from morning up till
    this time. Therefore, it is a pity
    there is nobody here so I could
    hear their views on the Motion
    before me. As has been pointed
    out, Standing Order 109(1) is
    clear and, I will read for
    emphasis:
    “No Question for a decision
    in the House shall be
    proposed for determination
    unless there are present in the
    House not less than one-half
    of all Members of the House,
    and, except otherwise
    provided in the Constitution,
    the Question proposed shall
    be determined by the
    majority of the votes of the

    Determination of the Motion moved by the Minister for Finance

    Members present and

    voting.”

    Therefore, before I take any

    decision, I would want to

    confirm that I have a majority of

    Hon Members in the Chamber

    [Hear! Hear!]. May the Clerks-

    at-the-Table assist me? How

    would you do it? Would you call

    out the names of Hon Members

    or you go round and count

    Hon Members, the

    Clerks-at-the-Table say they do

    not know all Ministers who are

    non-MPs. Thus, in order to

    avoid the situation where a non-

    MP may be counted, may I

    please request the non-MP

    Ministers to move to the gallery

    so that they are not confused

    with those who are MPs? With

    the exception of the Hpn

    Minister for Finance who cannot

    be missed from where he is

    seated, would the rest please

    4. 49 p.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:39 p.m.
    Hon Members, the Clerks-at-
    the-Table complain that
    movements in the Chamber is
    making it difficult for them to
    confirm the numbers. May I ask
    Hon Members to please remain
    seated so it is easy for them to
    confirm the numbers?
    -[Pause]-
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:39 p.m.
    Hon Members, the number
    presented to me by Clerks-at-
    the-Table is 137 of you plus me,
    the Hon Member of Parliament
    for Bekwai making 138 - [Hear!
    Hear!]-
    Hon Members, for the
    avoidance of doubt, let me read
    out the constitutional
    requirement so that there is no
    confusion as to who can vote
    and what numbers are required
    to take a decision. Article 104
    (1) of the 1992 Constitution
    reads:
    “Except as otherwise
    provided in this Constitution,
    matters in Parliament shall be
    determined by the votes of
    the majority of members
    present and voting with at
    least half of all the members
    of Parliament present”

    Determination of the Motion moved by the Minister for Finance

    What it means is that before

    you take a decision, there must

    be a majority of all Members

    present. With me, we have 138

    Members, that is a majority. It

    does not mean that all the 138

    Members must vote ‘Aye' or

    ‘Noe'. The decision of the 138

    majority would carry the day. -

    [Hear! Hear!]- I will go ahead

    and put the Question on the

    Motion proposed before us.

    Question put and Motion

    agreed to.

    Hon Members, the Motion

    having been carried, it is our

    practice that after the Hon

    Leaders have concluded their

    debate the Hon Finance Minister

    is called to wind up; that did not

    happen the last Friday. Rather,

    he made an application to be

    allowed some time to make

    some statements but that

    application was denied, but that

    did not take away his right to

    make concluding remarks if so

    wished. So, Hon Minister for

    Finance, if - [Pause] -

    Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 4:39 p.m.
    Mr speaker, I believe the result
    of the Motion that we have
    declared, clearly establishes the
    fact that, the purported rejection
    of the Motion on the Budget on
    Friday has been ousted, indeed it
    is a nullity. The important thing
    to be done now is to reinstate the
    Motion as it existed. Mr
    Speaker, I think it comes
    automatically, but for the
    avoidance of doubt and because
    this is a new day, it is important
    to make a bold pronouncement
    on it so that we can proceed
    further.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:59 a.m.
    Very well, like you said, I
    thought it was automatic but for
    the record, let me formalise it
    my ruling on your application
    after the vote. The application
    before me is to declare that the
    purported Question on the

    Budget Statement presented by

    the Hon Finance Minister, did

    not follow the 1992 Constitution

    or the Standing Orders of

    Parliament. My attention has

    been drawn to the record; page

    10 of the Votes and Proceedings

    of Friday, 26th November, 2021.

    This shows that the

    confirmed numbers of the

    Members of Parliament (MP) at

    the time the Question was put

    was less than half of the number

    of the Members of Parliament.

    Clearly, the records show that

    137 Members were present and

    that number is less than 50 per

    cent or half of all the MPs.

    As stated already, article

    104(1) of the 1992 Constitution

    and Standing Order 109(1)

    regulate the process of decision-

    making in the House. The

    combined effect of this

    provision and the Standing

    Orders is that a Question shall

    not be put on any matter for a

    decision to be made unless at

    least half of all the Members are

    present in the Chamber.

    The Hon Speaker presiding at

    the time the Question was put

    appeared not to have adverted

    his mind to this constitutional

    and procedural requirement. I

    am certain in my mind that

    given his very varied and wide

    experience and expertise in

    Parliament, he would not have

    fallen into this error if his

    attention had been drawn to this

    constitutional requirement.

    The consequence though of

    the unfortunate error is that the

    putting of the Question on the

    Budget Statement and

    Economic Policy of

    Government was done in

    violation of article 104 (1) of the

    1992 Constitution and is

    therefore void and

    inconsequential, as the record

    shows that 137 Members were

    in the Chamber. Subsequently,

    the vote and declaration that the

    Budget Statement was rejected

    are also hereby declared to be of

    Now that we have the

    sufficient numbers to take a

    decision in the Chamber, I

    would put the Question again

    but before that, I would offer the

    opportunity to the Minister for

    Finance if he so wishes, to make

    his concluding remarks, as is the

    practice. Does the Minister for

    Finance wish to make the
    MOTIONS 4:59 a.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:09 p.m.
    Hon Members, before we proceed, I have just received Communication from the Presidency.
    ANNOUNCEMENTS 5:09 p.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:09 p.m.
    Hon Members, we would move
    to the Order Paper Addendum - Motion.
    MOTIONS 5:09 p.m.
  • [Continuation of debate from Col. 77; Question to be put.]
    • Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:09 p.m.
    Hon Members, the Motion that
    was moved by the Hon Minister
    and had been debated, is now
    ready for a decision to be taken.
    We have already determined
    that the appropriate numbers are
    in the Chamber and therefore,
    the House stands ready to take a
    decision.
    Question put and Motion
    agreed to.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:09 p.m.
    Hon Members, Order! Order!
    Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 5:09 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, for the avoidance
    of doubt, I am not too sure of
    what I heard. What is before us
    is a Motion that this honourable
    House approves the Budget
    Statement and Economic Policy
    of Government for the year
    ending 31st December 2022. If
    my ears did not deceive me, I
    think I heard ‘Resolution' - it is a Motion.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:09 p.m.
    Hon Members, for the record, let
    me repeat what I said. This
    House has approved the Budget
    Statement and Economic Policy
    of the Government for the year
    ending 31st December, 2022
    subject to the concessions given
    by the Hon Minister for Finance
    a couple of minutes ago. That
    was consequent of the Motion
    that was moved by the Hon
    Minister for Finance earlier in
    the month.
    [Pause] - [Uproar] - [Singing] -
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:09 p.m.
    Hon Members, Order! Order!
    Hon Majority Leader, are we
    ready to do the Motions listed?

    Government's Financial Policy, 2021
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 5:09 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, respectfully, we
    have been engaging with the
    purpose to carry this House and
    indeed, the entire nation along
    since early morning at ,8
    o'clock, and the time is a quarter after 5.00 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we have done
    enough for the day and I would
    pray that we adjourn the House,
    in order for us to have some
    good rest until tomorrow, at 10
    o'clock in the forenoon. I so submit.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:09 p.m.
    Any seconder of the Motion?
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 5:09 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, I beg to second the
    Motion.
    ADJOURMENT 5:09 p.m.