Debates of 10 Feb 2022

MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 2:57 p.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 2:57 p.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:57 p.m.
Hon Members, we will begin with the Correction of Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 9th February, 2022.
Page 1…8
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa 2:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with regard to the item numbered 10 on page 7, the Hon Mrs Angela Oforiwa Alorwu-Tay was here yesterday but she has been captured as being absent. She drew my attention earlier that we should correct it on her behalf. She is at Committee meeting.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:57 p.m.
Very well.
Page 8 —
Mr Bismark Tetteh Nyarko 2:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the item numbered 39 on page 8, I was absent with permission.
21
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:57 p.m.
Very well, the Table Office will effect the correction. — [Pause] — Hon Member, the Table Office is advising me that they have not received your permission. Kindly follow it up through and make sure that it gets to the Table Office to enable them make the correction.
Page 9 …12
Mr Vincent Ekow Assafuah 2:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the item numbered 685, the third line; Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture. ‘Aquaculture' was misspelt.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:57 p.m.
Very well, the Table Office will take note.
Page 13 —
Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh 2:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Financing Agreement advertised was laid by the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr John Kumah on behalf of the Minister for Finance. The statement of fact is that it was rather the other Deputy Minister for Finance, the Hon Abena Osei-Asare who did the laying. The Table Office could correct that.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:57 p.m.
Thank you. The Table Office will take note.
Page 14 —
Mr Ablakwa 2:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the item numbered 11 on page 14; the Constituency for the Hon Emmanuel

Armah-Kofi Buah, I am sure that if he were here, he would have corrected it, the second “ll” should be “l” the first group is correct.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:57 p.m.
Hon Members, the name is in Nzema yet you are spelling it in English — [Laughter]
—
Mr Ablakwa 2:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, if you check from the records of the House against how it has been captured at page 3, the item numbered 95, you would realise that that is how it has been spelt.
Mr Adamu Ramadan 2:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, just by way of clarity; on page 14, it is stated that Mr First Deputy Speaker took the Chair at 1.58 p.m, but if my memory serves me right, I think it was the Second Deputy Speaker who adjourned the House but it is captured here as though it were the First Deputy Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:57 p.m.
The item numbered 11:
“The Hon Second Deputy Speaker withdrew from the Chair at 1.58 p.m”.
Mr Ramadan 2:57 p.m.
Yes, and it goes on to say:
“The Hon First Deputy Speaker took the Chair.
The Hon First Deputy Speaker having regard to the state of the business…”
But if my memory serves me right, I think it was the Second Deputy Speaker who ended the Sitting.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 2:57 p.m.
No, your memory is wrong, I took over from him the last one hour before proceedings closed.
Hon Members, in the absence of any f u r t h er c o r r ec t i o n s, t h e Votes and P r o c ee d i n g s of Wednesday, 9 th February, 2022 is hereby adopted as the true record of proceedings.
Hon Members, we have one edition of the Official Report. The Official Report of Wednesday, 2nd February, 2022, any corrections please?
Mr Ablakwa 2:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I made this correction the last time in the Votes and Proceedings. On the cover page, the title should be: “The Disturbing Resurgence of Coup d'états in the African Region”, not “African sub- region”.
Mr Speaker, if we could do the same correction at column 31 in the Content?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:07 p.m.
Very well. Any further corrections, please?

In the absence of any further corrections, the Official Report of Wednesday, 2nd February, 2022 as corrected is hereby adopted as the true record of proceedings.

Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh 3:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as was discussed, originally, we should take item numbered 5, Questions. I would seek your leave for the order of business to be varied. I have communicated with the Minister who is due to appear before the House and he is almost at the precincts of Parliament. So, with your leave, if we may, as was agreed, go on to Statements? The Rt Hon Speaker has admitted a number of Statements. When the Minister appears, we can revert and take the Questions.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 3:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with respect to the Hon Majority Chief Whip, where is the Minister for Trade and Industry? He has deputies, and so even if he is not here, one or two of them should be available to respond to the Questions.
For how long does the Hon Majority Chief Whip want Mr Speaker to vary the order of business? We just need to know. If he is available to answer the Questions, we would tolerate him and if he is unavailable, he must provide better explanations as to why he is not here to answer the Questions. To just say that we should vary the order of business and take Statements is not good route. Where is the Minister for Trade and Industry?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 3:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I do not intend to drag this matter and in this House, we have always disagreed
to agree. Hon Ablakwa who stood in the Hon Minority Leader's absence would confirm that at the conclave, it was one of the options we looked at, that in the event of the Minister's absence at the time we had agreed upon, we would go on to Statements.
I can tell the Hon Minority Leader with confidence, that I spoke to the Hon Minister and in a maximum of 30 minutes, I am sure that he would be in Parliament. So, if the Hon Minority Leader would accede, we could go ahead and take Statements, after which we can go on to take the Questions. I can assure him that the Minister is on his way.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 3:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker, what assurance is the Hon Majority Chief Whip giving me? Is he for Alan or for Bawumia? Who did he speak to? [Laughter]
Mr Annoh-Dompreh — rose —
Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:07 p.m.
Hon Minority Leader, that is out of order. [Laughter]
We would start with Statements. Looking at the number of Statements that have been admitted, I see only two of them immediately available. We agreed that we would wait for the Minister to take one so that he could respond. So, I would call on the Hon Member for Kwadaso to read the Statement on

“Ghana's presence on the United Nations Security Council; Its Prospects in Promoting Peace and Security within the Sub-region”.
STATEMENTS 3:07 p.m.
Dr Kingsley Nyarko (NPP — Kwadaso) 3:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, on January 4, 2022, Ghana was admitted to the UN Security Council, confirming the West African country's return to the group after 15 years. Ghana's membership was marked with a flag installation ceremony alongside new members, including Albania, Brazil, Gabon, and the UAE.
Mr Speaker, Ghana will serve a two- year term on the Council from January 2022 to December 2023, having served on the Council for the terms 1962-1963, 1986-1987, and 2006-2007. Hence this will be the fourth time Ghana will hold a non-permanent seat on the Council which leads the UN's peace agenda for the security of member countries.
Mr Speaker, being a member of the Security Council comes with the responsibility of actively promoting conflict prevention, reconstruction, multilateralism and international peace which is the core tenet of the United Nations peace and security agenda as
well as the modern international order and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Ghana's presence must translate into deepening our peacekeeping for international peace and security, particularly in the sub-region.
Mr Speaker, Ghana has been in the process of cultivating the culture of internal peace and promoting the practice of peace with the rest of Africa and the world since colonial rule. Indeed, Ghana has been involved in developing and supporting early warning systems to support peace and security protocols at the regional and continental levels. Today, Ghana ranks among the top 10 contributors to UN peacekeeping, with nearly 3,000 personnel serving on eight different missions across the world (UN News, 2019). This enviable relevance and superiority of influence requires our direction in promoting constructive dialogue in West Africa, Africa, and the world.
Mr Speaker, this privilege must afford us preventive measures to enforce the rule of law, respect for economic and human rights and end the impunity of political leaders who seek to amend their national constitutions or manipulate electoral laws for their political and parochial gains. Mr Speaker, it is fair to suggest that the failure of ECOWAS leadership to take proactive measures in handling errant

Mr Speaker, the spate of political upheavals, intra-state conflicts, civil wars and military coups and take-overs in West Africa continue to bring many of its economies on its knees, creating humanitarian casualties, crises and concerns (Annan, 2014; Okafor 2017). Ghana's contribution to transition countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, la Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau from war to democratic and consti- tutional rule is a testament to her overwhelming endorsement for peace and security.

Mr Speaker, there is a rapid growth of armed groups and cross-border syndicates as well as human and drug trafficking and small arms proliferation, particularly the alarming convergence of terrorists and violent borderless extremist groups. These hybrids and evolving groups continue to exploit the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of fragile states and conflict zones to perpetuate violence and seize control of territories to challenge the legitimacy

of states. The consequences of these activities are clear in a cocktail of humanitarian crises that continues to worsen the fragility of states and human security on our continent (Eze & Frimpong, 2021).

Mr Speaker, Ghana's presence on the Security Council is in recognition of our capacity to help address the challenges facing our world today and the prospects involved in working closely with all the new and existing members of the Council to address such issues relating to extremism, terrorism, cyber threats, arms trafficking, climate change, among others.

It is an attestation of our strong democratic credentials which comes at a challenging period when our sister nations are battling military coups and insurgencies. While we preserve our stability, we must work harder to return these affected nations to a democratic path and to quell oscillatory large-scale and intra-state conflicts and insurgencies in the sub-region. With the country's experience in conflict mediation, prevention and recon- struction, the recognition should afford us the leverage for stronger ties, complementary and sustainable actions between the United Nations continental and other regional bodies.

Mr Speaker, at the last extra-ordinary virtual ECOWAS summit, held on January 28, 2022, to discuss the political situation in Burkina Faso, our

President and Chairman of the bloc, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, noted the deteriorating political situation in the region and underscored that no country in the community is insulated from the occurrence hence the need to swiftly arrest the disturbance. The President indicated that the recent wave of coups in the region indicates some detest in democracy as a mode of governance, hence the need for the bloc to “… work to convince those people that we are all safer under democracies”.

Mr Speaker, being at the Security Council suggests that Ghana becomes the arrowhead for peace in the sub-region and must promote collective obli- gations for peace and stability relative to the aspirations and expectations of our citizens in the region and beyond.

Mr Speaker, situations in Africa dominate the agenda of the Security Council hence the opportunity demands our lead in efforts to address the conflicts on the continent and to sustain peace and security of our people. This success repositions our high standing in the comity of nations as shown in securing the highest number of votes i.e. 185 votes out of 190 votes cast compared to the other four Member States elected.

Mr Speaker, although forceful conflicts seemed to be declining in the sub-region, but recent insurgencies in

the Sahel region affected Mali, Niger, Mauritania and Burkina Faso and there are low-intensity conflicts surging in stable countries such as Nigeria and Senegal which present fearsome signals of the possible re-surfacing of internal and regional destructive conflicts. Mr Speaker, these conflicts are often hinged on several interlinked factors including poverty and diseases, poor governance and corruption, human rights violations, ethnic marginalisation and small arms proliferation (Aning & Bah, 2009; Annan 2014; Ewalefoh 2020, Walker

2012).

Mr Speaker, the literature points to poor understanding of the fundamental sources of violent conflicts in West Africa, hence civil strife would probably continue to promote the experience and suffering of destructive wars in West Africa. However, some of these contemporary destructive threats are essentially old issues with new labels involving the challenges of exclusion, marginalisation, corruption, clientelism, etc., rendering erstwhile military dictators susceptible to internal contestations over their legitimacy (Darkwa and Attuquayefio, 2014). Mr Speaker, actors including the ECOWAS, civil society and the international community continue to make significant efforts, but destructive conflicts remain a problem in the sub- region with their resolution most often than not protracted.

Mr Speaker, situations are fragile as ECOWAS appears to be disjointed in its own institutions struggling in her quest to implement its moratorium on the importation, exportation and manufacturing of small arms into a binding convention as nation-states are unable to ensure compliance with existing arms restrictions (Annan, 2014; Danwanka, 2021). We all need to put our shoulders to the wheel and support the government to build capacities of national and cross-border institutions to consolidate peace in the areas of political and economic governance and establish the rule of law across Africa and within the sub-region.

In conclusion, Mr Speaker, as we celebrate Ghana's election onto the United Nations Security Council, and the moral and political obligations it places on us, we should also see it as a call to curb the alarming resurgence of emerging coup d'états on our continent which intend to compromise our collective existence, survival and progress. These multiple coup d'états are recently described by Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General as “an epidemic of coup d'états” which must be nibbed in the bud with all the strength and might needed. Ghana must lead this charge; her shining example must lead the way as we ourselves continue to put in the rightful interventions and safeguards to further

deepen and fortify our democratic gains. Our election onto the Security Council in these trying times is a clear testament to our peaceful coexistence and time- tested democratic credentials of about three decades.

Thank you for the space granted me. I am eternally grateful.
Dr Augustine Tawiah (NDC — Bia West) 3:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is gratifying that our dear nation has been counted among the 15 nations in the Comity of Nations that constitute the United Nations Security Council. So, it is delightful that in this year and the next, Ghana would be at the table where decisions are made in such important and powerful situations. Indeed, when we hear the likes of Russia, China, United States of America and others and Ghana being counted among them, it is really gratifying that our nation has been involved in that and at the table where those important decisions would be made.
Mr Speaker, when we consider the scenes of international security and issues on peace, generally, the focus is more on peace keeping missions and as a result probably, developing countries are interested in this because at least, they get some resources which are critical for their upkeep. However, we want to go in terms of human

security and the rule of law and all of that which makes it possible for nations to live together and live along even as soldiers are marshalled at the borders of Russia and Ukraine, it is a cause for concern. So, it is important that a nation as small and under resourced like Ghana, could be at the table where these decisions would be made.

Mr Speaker, when we consider broadly their mission and the mandate alongside what we have experienced with the Kofi Annan Centre for Peacekeeping, it is important that we are counted among these nations. The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre has significant programmes that Hon Members in this House have subscribed to. Issues with technology, small arms, gender d i sp l acem en t , c r i si s m an ag em en t et cetera, constitute the significant part of what it takes to really equip a country. However, it appears that in our beef for peace keeping, all the time, our efforts are ad hoc. As a result, a systematic consistent process in these developing countries are not really presented. We only jump to the situation to the occasion when we have crisis as we mentioned the politic issues in Mali and the other neighbouring countries.

Mr Speaker, we would like to see the stability of the developing countries around so that the peace we seek for

would not be something that we jump to but there are processes and those processes are both civil and not only in terms of arms struggle and preserving the peace through peace keeping. We have significant cross border issues within the African continent like the Nigeria and Cameroon crisis and for many other countries, we know that various ethnic groups have been split into two or several by different countries.

When I cross the border to La Cote d'Ivoire from my constituency, I basically speak their Agni language which is the same as the Anyin language in Ghana. The only difference is the spelling by the French and the British. The bottom line is, do we see ourselves as brothers together? The answer is no. We have an orientation towards an European power of French and English and as a result of that the cohesiveness that would exist among us is often broken. So, our opportunity to be at the United Nations Security Council should give Ghana some sense of clout to contribute to continental peace, unity and the ability to marshal resources that are critical for our own wellbeing.

Mr Speaker, I would want to join the Hon Member who made the Statement to say that we are excited about Ghana's place to sit at the table with the “big boys” but what we need to do beyond

Statements

this is to make a mark that is significant, systematic and enduring as our nation thrives and as human security issues continue to be a concern in our continent.

Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings (NDC — Klottey Korle) 3:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement made by the Hon Member for Kwadaso.
Mr Speaker, it is quite refreshing to see the level of objectivity in the Statement, giving the obvious position we all have with regard to coup d'états in the sub-region. Indeed, the Statement has pointed out a lot of the underlined and remote causes for what we see as a new trend in the sub-region.

Mr Speaker, in addition to all the factors mentioned, the clear injustice with regard to the inequitable distribution of resources in various nation-states is a big contributor to what we are witnessing across the sub-region and, perhaps, in many other countries across the world. It almost looks as though there is a certain dimension of democracy that is under threat and it is under threat because the very pillars that are holding it up are being undermined by various regimes across the world.

Mr Speaker, the scramble for resources across our sub-region in particular seems to be driving such levels of conflict which appears to be threatening to redefine some of the territorial borders of the countries across the sub-region and the Sahel. Indeed, if one is to go back a little further than where we are now, the attack in Libya and the subsequent killing of Ghaddafi was one of the dominos that fell in this cascade that we are now witnessing as far to the West as we are now in a whole trend that is becoming difficult for nation- states to actually get a grip on.

Mr Speaker, one of the things that our national security strategy identified as a threat is the high youth unemployment in the sub-region and in our country as well. This is clearly related to the inability of our various states to absorb these young people who are out of school but do not have either the resources or the capacity to be employed by the various sectors that exist. This shows a big divide between the training institutions and the job market.

Mr Speaker, giving the fact that we have such a young population on the continent, Ghana's role on the United Nations Security Council is so crucial because that input with regard to what the dangers that we see on our horizon

Statements

are and suggestions on how to resolve these have never been more important.

Mr Speaker, the United Nations (UN) as we know was formed after the League of Nations failed to prevent another world war and as far as global governance is concerned, the UN is as close as one gets to a body that oversees what is happening globally.

Nonetheless, a lot of countries still go about doing what they do regardless of certain resolutions and treaties that they have signed on to and ratified. This is a worrying trend but amongst other things is the importance of moving a step away from only monitoring elections to monitoring what happens in between elections because a lot of countries have elections and do not actually make it to the next round of elections because of what happens in between.

So, at this point, Ghana's role is so crucial by setting an example and also providing suggestions on how other countries could ensure that they succeed from one election to the other, not just as a superficial event but as an event that is supported by the people and would make sure that there is sustainable development in their various nation-states to decrease the vacuum that is created which makes room for what we are seeing as the violent extremism as well as the coup d'états across this continent.

Mr Speaker, this position that Ghana holds is one that is of great importance and it would be important that we show by example in our very own territory how we uphold the rule of law, and maintain security and our territorial integrity. This is the chance for Ghana to indeed shine and prove that the democracy that we celebrate here is one that is not just superficial but one that is enduring.

Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for the opportunity.

Some Hon Members — rose —
Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:27 p.m.
Hon Okudzeto Ablakwa first — [Interruption] — O, I did not see you earlier. I will come back to you.
Mr Samuel O. Ablakwa (NDC — North Tongu) 3:37 p.m.
I am grateful, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement which has been very well rendered by my respected Colleague, Hon Dr Kingsley Nyarko, the MP for Kwadaso.
Mr Speaker, the Statement celebrates Ghana's election to the UN Security Council. I must put on record that the maker of the Statement has been very modest in celebrating Ghana's emergence. The record must reflect that Ghana emerged first in the elections. Indeed, out of the 190 member states who voted at the General Assembly on
Statements

the 11th of June, 2021, Ghana secured 185 out of the 190 votes. [Hear! Hear!] It is one of the highest electoral outcomes the Security Council recorded at the United Nations. This is a feat that as Ghanaians and as nationalists and patriots, we all have to be proud of. It shows that we are well regarded in the comity of nations. It is also an attestation that the previous times we served on the UN Security Council in the years 1962, 1986 and 2000, we excelled, and so, the international community is always happy to see us return to the UN Security Council. We must commend all our successive governments since the first government under the leadership of the Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah for brazing the trail and maintaining very high standards at the UN. No wonder that we are one of the very few countries in Africa that has produced a UN Secretary General in the person of Bosumuru himself, the Late Kofi Annan; may his soul rest in peace. We have produced great diplomats like H.E. Quaison-Sackey who continues to be a role model for a lot of African diplomats in New York at the UN.

Mr Speaker, we are going to occupy this position at a time that there are so many challenges. The maker of the Statement has elucidated on some of these challenges, particularly, the

emergence of coup d'états in the sub- region. There are a lot of intractable global challenges as well. The conflict in Haiti continues; in Myanmar; the Talibans in Afghanistan are back in power and gender rights of our women, education and other opportunities are now threatened again. It is back in the spotlight. The conflict in Yemen continues; the conflict in Libya which has spilled over and created all the challenges we have in the Sahel with the increasing number of violent extremists — Only this week, we saw international reports about how a number of young Islamic State members in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) fighters who have been arrested were mostly from West Africa including rather troubling our own country.

Mr Speaker, this is a time that the world is confronted with enormous challenges. I would be remiss if I do not highlight climate change and the pandemic which we have not defeated. Many of the wealthy nations have attained herd immunity. They have laid hands on vaccines and have even excess vaccines that they donate to countries that they are friendly with. But many countries that are in the vulnerable and poor categorisation still do not have vaccines, and so vaccine apartheid continues. This is a time of enormous global challenge. The Israeli- Palestinian conflict continues to rage

Statements

and many women and children are being slaughtered in that intractable conflict.

We ascend this position at a time of enormous challenges but as the Hon Member who made the Statement said, we have what it takes. Even during the era of the Cold War, we have shown that we can be a country that offers hope for peace, unity, and for reconciliation. So when others were looking east or west, we said, we would look only forward and not be caught up in the Cold War conflict of that era.

Mr Speaker, so, our history is there to guide us and I am really confident that our tenure from January 2022 to December 2023 is one that we can use to make a difference. I hope that the vex issue of UN reforms will also be pursued. We cannot continue to have a Cold War era under UN where five member-states will hold the sway and just one of them hold the entire UN hostage. We really need reforms and I hope that as the current UN Secretary General; Antonio Guterres has made it one of his priority areas to reform the UN, I pray he succeeds. I hope that this team of UN Security Council members will support him in that regard so we can have a more democratised union. So that what happened for example last month on the 12th of January when the UNSC was supposed to take a vote on

the coups in the sub-region, and there was a stalemate because Russia and China vetoed the statement.

So, as we speak, the UN has not been able to endorse the efforts of ECOWAS so far and we are seeing that all kinds of geo-political manoeuvrings are taking place with Russia and China in the region, and France is also having its own challenges. In the process, the violent extremists are having a field day because the global community cannot unite by putting differences aside and combat violent extremism, terrorism, poverty, conflicts, the pandemic and all of these issues including climate change which we all agree are urgent matters that must be resolved as quickly as we can.

As I conclude, I would also want to pay glowing tribute to our troops who have helped us to maintain the high reputation that we have. It is our troops who serve in all of these theatres of conflicts as UN peacekeepers and it is they who have excelled and have been professional when other countries have run away. For instance, the cases of Rwanda and Liberia are well known such that when many other peace- keepers have virtually fled, our gallant men and women of the Ghana Armed Forces have stayed the course and that is why consistently, we have been amongst the top 10 UN troop- contributing nations.

Mr Speaker, we can only urge our men and women in uniform to continue to make us proud by flying high the flag of Ghana and offer that hope that they offer to the world. May we maintain our high regard and esteem in the comity of nations? We wish our representatives at the UN well — our permanent representatives and the team that will be serving and supporting the Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs at the UNSC. They should know that Ghana is rallying behind them and we expect nothing but excellence.

Mr Speaker, thank you very much and I commend the Hon Member who made the Statement.

Mr Dominic Nitiwul — rose —
Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:37 p.m.
Hon Minister, I intended that you would have the last word.
Mr Peter Lanchene Toobu (NDC — Wa West) 3:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement that was ably made by my Friend and Hon Colleague Member of Parliament for Kwadaso: Dr Kingsley Nyarko.
Mr Speaker, the UNSC is a body of the UN responsible for international peace and security. It is an important body that regulates whatever we do in the area of peace and security across the world. The UNSC has 15 members;
five permanent and 10 non-permanent that rotates periodically.
The five permanent members include the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Russia, China and France. Ghana is going back to the UNSC for the third time. In the year 1960 when Ghana got to the UNSC, Congo was in flames and Africa had conflicts. In the year 2006 when Ghana returned to the UNSC for the second time, Darfur was in flames and South Sudan was in conflict.
Mr Speaker, today, in the year 2022, Ghana is going back to the UNSC again and coup d'états are re-emerging threating the peace and security of the sub-region and Africa as a whole.
I would like to commend the Hon Member who made the Statement and to say that for the third time that we are going back to the UNSC, it is very appropriate if Africa could also fight for a permanent seat in the UNSC. It is not magic that the five permanent members have remained permanent up to date. It is possible for Africa to have a representation in the UNSC as a permanent member.
Mr Speaker, the Statement contains a paragraph that quite excites me and which talks about small arms and light weapons that threatens peace and security around the world. The UNSC

Resolution 2117 tried as much as possible to address this issue and as a member of the UN, it is only appropriate that we would look at this UNSC Resolution and try as much as possible to curb the tide in our own sub-region. This is because the many conflicts we suffered over the period have really brought the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and is gradually resulting in the increase of armed robberies, banditry activities and pride among many who have these weapons without legal cover.

To conclude very briefly, it is important for us to note that UNSC honours Ghana so much because of what we have done over the years in the peace and security industry, especially, in peacekeeping operations. If we go out there, Ghana is held in high esteem in the area of peacekeeping and that is why I was not surprised as the Hon Member stated clearly in his Statement that Ghana is being considered as the arrowhead in Africa.

Mr Speaker, that is why many a time, when Ghana is deemed the most peaceful country in the sub-region, it is not surprising to many of us. This is because anytime our men and women in uniform are out there, their performance is always exemplary. I can attest that the professionalism of Ghana is always brought to bear anytime we

find the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Immigration Service in the international arena.

The UN has three core values; integrity, professionalism, respect for diversity and gender. Ghana as a nation ought to learn and imbibe these core values to ensure that our democracy is maintained and sustained going forward.
Mr James Agalga (NDC — Builsa North) 3:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement ably made by the Hon Member for Kwadaso Constituency.
Mr Speaker, the Statement is an invitation thrown at this House to celebrate Ghana's membership of the UNSC. The Hon Member who made the Statement rightly indicated that this is the fourth time Ghana has become a member of the UNSC. However, what is the role of the UNSC such that having now become a member, we should celebrate?

One of the Hon Members who contributed to this Statement has indicated that the role of the UNSC is to maintain international security, peace

Statements

Mr Speaker, Hon Ablakwa gave us quite a number of examples of worrying international developments that ought to have engaged the attention of the UNSC, and he for instance referred to issues that have to do with terrorist insurgency and what the response of the UNSC has been.

Mr Speaker, I would like to observe that one of the main achievements of the UNSC has been that, following its establishment it has been able to at least prevent the world from experiencing a third World War. This is its main achievement but beyond this I do not think that UN Security Council has achieved a lot. I say so because this is a body that is largely undemocratic in the sense that there are five-member countries that wield the veto power.

Mr Speaker, we are part of the non- permanent membership and this means that our vote does not count when it matters most. When the five permanent members decide that a decision would not inure to their national interest, then our vote does not count.

Mr Speaker, at the moment, Russia is amassing troops along the Ukrainian

border in preparation to invade that country which is a violation of the sovereignty of Ukraine. Mr Speaker, what has been the response of the UNSC? Its response is nothing to write home about because Russia is part of the countries that wield the veto power and so any decision to prevent Russia or to even critique it would attract the exercise of the veto.

Mr Speaker, so just as Hon Ablakwa rightly pointed out, if we do not reform the UN then our membership of the UNSC would not yield a lot of dividends. So, I would rather wish that we focus our strengths on bodies such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) where Ghana can also claim a lot of power and influence, and when we do so then I am sure that some of the nagging issues that have developed and continue to evolve within our sub-region such as the emergence of coup d'états could be dealt with.

Mr Speaker, the Hon Member who made the Statement actually made reference to ECOWAS and its role in resolving the emergence of coups in our sub-region in recent times. What has been the response of the ECOWAS? Mr Speaker, the response of ECOWAS has not been pre-emptive or preventive at all; rather, ECOWAS prefers to

Statements constitute itself into a reactionary body where they wait for coups to occur before the Authority of Heads of States and Governments would convene a meeting in Accra under the Chairmanship of our President, President Akufo-Addo, to impose sanctions. Mr Speaker, sanctions affect the ordinary citizens of the country and most of the times do not affect the political elite.

Mr Speaker, the point I seek to make is that the ECOWAS should fill the gap that the UNSC has failed to fill over the period, and when they do then I am confident that we would be able to deal with the emergence of coups in our sub- region. For instance, we all sat back and watched helplessly when former President Alpha Conde was manipulating the Constitution of Guinea, but ECOWAS said nothing. When innocent civilians thronged the streets to demonstrate against this manipulation and the attempt to amend the Constitution to give President Alpha Conde the right to contest for a third time, the ECOWAS said nothing and the military finally decided to intervene. After the military intervention, ECOWAS then suddenly discovered its voice. Mr Speaker, this cannot be the way to go. ECOWAS must be pre- emptive and must seek to prevent the occurrence of coups and ensure that in the sub-region, good governance and

compliance with democratic values and norms are respected by all without fear or favour.

Mr Speaker, what happened in Burkina Faso recently is a wakeup call for the rest of us who still have democratic governments in place. Mr Speaker, terrorism had been staring at Burkina Faso in the face for a very long time and one would ask what has been the response of the ECOWAS?

In times past, when there was a civil war in Liberia and Sierra Leone, ECOWAS through Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) intervened militarily even at a time when they said ECOWAS did not have the mandate to intervene because Liberia and Sierra Leone were sovereign States, yet ECOWAS intervened. Today, our neighbour, Burkina Faso, is boiling and what is our response? The Hon Minister for Defence is here and may be —
Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:47 p.m.
Hon Ranking Member, you have veered off for too long. The Statement is on Ghana's membership of the UNSC so please come home.
Mr Agalga 3:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in contributing to this Statement I would like to say that Ghana has distinguished itself as a member of the UN and Ghana is one of the largest peacekeeping

Statements contributing countries in the whole world. Ghana is the third largest troop contributing country so as a Govern- ment, maybe we should continue to retool the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service to position them in such a way that we could even contribute more to international peacekeeping. Mr Speaker, this is because these days, beyond restoring peace and order in conflict-stricken countries, our role in international peace support operations also improves and supports our economy in one way or the other because of the earned-dollar- syndrome. At least the livelihoods of the troops who are deployed to international peacekeeping operations improve because while serving there, they earn dollars, so as a country we can take full advantage and deploy more troops.

Mr Speaker, I know — and the Hon Minister for Defence would confirm, that the UN is very happy to engage Ghana to deploy more troops.

Mr Speaker, with these few words, I commend the Hon Member who made the Statement.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:47 p.m.
Hon Minority Leader, do you wish to contribute to the Statement?
Minority Leader (Mr Haruna Iddrisu) 3:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to comment on the
Statement ably made by the Hon Member for Kwadaso, Dr Kingsley Nyarko. I wish to commend him for bringing to the fore and the floor of the House, the need to commend Ghana and its leadership, particularly, the Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and all those workers at the UN who have worked in quiet diplomacy, or to borrow from the words of article 99 of the UN Constitution, used their good offices for Ghana to be recognised as a non- permanent member of the UNSC.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Member who made the Statement challenges us on what we want to achieve and what Ghana would do to promote global peace and security. Mr Speaker, again, the truth must be told that following the post-Cold War of 1990 and following the charm of Mikhail Gorbachev, the former President of the then Soviet Union, and what heralded the end of the Cold War, we are still not out of the woods yet. As observed by earlier Hon Members, even as we speak today, there is a threat to global peace and security with the worrying develop- ments in Ukraine.

It has taken the leader of France to engage in the last 48 hours, both Russia and the rest of the world to have some understanding that the threat of war

Mr Speaker, the UNSC has a primary obligation to promote peace. Is there peace in the world? If we take Libya today and we look back at a Muammar Gaddafi's Libya and the state of Libya today and we look back to Iraq, a Saddam Hussein's Iraq and the developments in Iraq, what has the UN done, if we recall what happened in the 1980s following the invasion of Kuwait by them?

Mr Speaker, what we have seen is a near collapse of those States following the abysmal performance of the UNSC. This is because as is quoted by one writer, the only area where the UN has made significant progress beyond the declaration of human rights and beyond decolonisation is in the establishment of those other important institutions such as the one responsible for economic and social rights. We also have UNICEF, which has made significant achieve- ments in that enterprise and then we have the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and then the UN agency responsible for population affairs and even more importantly, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) which has facilitated the growth of emerging democracies.

Mr Speaker, let me refer to a paragraph in Dr Kingsley Nyarko's Statement where he expressed concern about Africa and particularly, the emergence of coup d'états. The second paragraph of page 3 reads:

“Although forceful conflicts seem to be declining in the sub- region, recent insurgences in the Sahel region affecting Mali, Niger, Mauritania and Burkina Faso”.

Mr Speaker, what is the state of democracy in Burkina Faso today? They are undemocratic; the military has taken over and suspended the consti- tution. I pray that that never happens to Ghana, but that means that we must build strong and viable institutions — not just political ones but institutions that are accountable and would be accountable to this Parliament.

Mr Speaker, we chair ECOWAS. What is ECOWAS doing about those worrying undemocratic developments in those countries? They go for their meetings and what we hear is ineffective sanctions. The sanctions are just not working so there is a problem probably with our governance model and as many have argued, the “winner- takes-all”. We have to re-look at it and re-examine it as a country as we go forward.

Mr Speaker, poverty remains a problem which affects global peace and

global security and the super powers — we should have no hesitation. We may not be able to say it — they serve their interests, not our interests. America serves its interests; France serves its interests; Russia serves its interests, and China serves its interests. Currently, even with what is going on in Ukraine, we see the strong partnership between China and Russia — meaning that they are standing against all others.

Mr Speaker, while we commit to the pursuit of this, even in Ghana, the pursuit of our foreign policy — we have a relationship with China. I am hearing some worrying developments about some persons having to deal with Taiwan. That is against the pursuit of Ghana's foreign policy. We know one China so when we begin to relate to Taiwan, in what capacity and in what standing do we do so?

Mr Speaker, I conclude that in the pursuit of foreign policy, partisanship ends at the water's edge. That is why significantly, in many of these matters, there is no significant departure in the pursuit of foreign policy by President Nana Akufo-Addo than what his predecessor Presidents did.

Mr Speaker, one of the beautiful things of this country today is Foreign Service officials — apart from the Ghana Armed Forces, they behave in a

manner that they are neutral and do not wear partisan caps. We have to encourage them to begin to serve the State and that is important. I see that the Whip is worried about my citing of China. I have documentary evidence; when we are done, I would share something with him about somebody travelling to Taiwan and signing something. Whether the President is aware or the Hon Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration is aware or not, I am just saying that Ghana must be weary of what we do which can anger China. This is because like it or not, they are a stalwart of an international partner we need.

So, Mr Speaker, once again, I want to commend the Hon Member who made the Statement. But reforms as Hon Ablakwa said, the UN must reform itself. Even the super power status — why? They should give some of the poor countries the super power position. But we have no muscle. We do not have the dollar, euro or pounds. We cannot bite and they say our governance is not good enough but we have good land. Our land area in Africa is good enough and I think that when we say reforms, my primary concern about reforms of the UN is that — and as Dr Kingsley Nyarko has observed about the Sustainable Development Goals, given the COVID-19, we cannot achieve the targets we set for ourselves

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into 2063. So, I hope that with Ghana taking this permanent position, we would support democratisation and its sustenance not just in Africa but globally. We would also contribute to the maintenance of global peace not just by sending peacekeeping operations abroad but ensuring that as is observed by one international expert, the absence of war is not peace. We must avoid things that would endanger the peace of the world.

Mr Speaker, I am not particularly happy with the UNSC. They show too much bias openly in serving their interests and their allies in the pursuit of global peace and sometimes in search of resources in those other countries not because they love them — and I have given good examples. Is it not better if we look at Libya today and Iraq yesterday and ten years back, what was it?

Mr Speaker, with these few words, I thank you for the opportunity.
Minister for Defence (Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul) (MP) 4:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I want to thank the Hon Member for this well-researched Statement. It is very short, crisp and straight to the point and making the very points that any good researcher would make on a very interesting and sensitive topic like this particular one.
Mr Speaker, Ghana must be proud of itself that four times, the countries around the world felt Ghana was worthy enough to serve as a member of the fifteen-member body of the United Nations Security Council. Of course, five members are permanent and ten are non-permanent. One has to go through an election to get elected. Ghana has done that on four occasions and that is commendable. This is the highest and most important body within the UN. It is supposed to guide the UN in ensuring the security and safety of its members and if Ghana has got the opportunity again to serve for two years — from January, 2022 and end in December, 2023, Ghana has made it its policy to focus on things that would promote peace and security around the world, particularly, that of Africa and West Africa. But even before I delve into the Statement to thank Hon Members for all the good contributions, I would want to state on record that Ghana has a foreign policy of ensuring that we do not interfere with matters of Taiwan and China. We recognised China and we would continue to recognise China. Whatever an individual has done in China or in Taiwan is not the position of the Government of Ghana.

It is like saying that business men who are citizens of the United States of America (USA), and who would go to

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North Korea to do business or sign agreements — It is not binding on Government, and it would never be binding on Government. We have our clear-cut policy. Of course this has come to the attention of Government before. We would make it clear, that the Government has never and would not charge its position on what it has always stood for in the relationship between Taiwan and China.

Mr Speaker, it is important that Hon Members begin from Home; we should take advantage of the position we have today to ensure that Ghana continuous to remain a peaceful country, that is a trump card. This is what makes Ghana, and that is what makes us attractive.

Mr Speaker, it behoves Members of both sides of the House to put themselves in a way that would ensure that Ghana remains peaceful. What we say; what we do; our actions and inactions would either contribute to the explosion of Ghana or Ghana to remain peaceful. Government is focused to ensure that Ghana continuous to remain peaceful as far as we continue to be in Government. But I would want to plead that all of us have a great responsibility to leave Ghana as peaceful as our forefathers left it.

Mr Speaker, today, Ghana has become the toast of the world, not just in peacekeeping and business, but even

in democracy. It was just for you to be at the event hosted by the President yesterday and listen to the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps make a statement about their view of Ghana. I would urge the Minister for Information to play that statement to the people of Ghana, so that Ghanaians would hear what the view of the international community of Ghana as a State is. We would be proud of ourselves. We may do the internal politics, but we should be careful not to do that partisan politicking and paint a picture as if Ghana is breaking up. It is not; and it will not. The people around the world are proud of what we do here and we should be proud of ourselves.
Mr Speaker, as I said earlier, some countries in West Africa are burning around us 4:17 p.m.
There are problems in Mali, Guinea, Togo, Niger, Burkina Faso, northern Ivory Coast, northern Benin and Nigeria. Ghana is not immune, but as we sit today, Ghana is not at the level of these countries. That is why we have a lot of visitors who troop into Ghana because they believe Ghana is safe.
As I said, Ghana will continue to be safe. We are doing everything on our part to ensure that Ghana continues to be safe. We are putting up fifteen (15) operation bases for the military up north to safeguard us. It is not just the military; we are doing same for the Ghana Immigration Service. We would give
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them 15 permanent posts across the northern belt to save us. We are also investing in the southern part of this nation by putting facilities for the Ghana Navy along the coast to ensure that both our offshore and onshore facilities are safe.

Mr Speaker, very soon, we would bring funds to secure our exclusive economic zone and procure two (2) OPVs and ten (10) patrol boats for the Ghana Navy to ensure that Ghana is safe. Why am I dwelling on the fact that Ghana needs to be safe? We cannot transport peace when our nation is burning. Ghana cannot lead at the level of the world if our country is burning. That is the reason it behoves all of us to give the Government our maximum support to ensure that Ghana continuous to remain peaceful and export peace around the world.

Mr Speaker, Ghana has been invited again to take up two extra peacekeeping missions around the world by the United Nations (UN), in Sudan and Central Africa Republic. We will go there; we have accepted the challenge, we mobilised resources and we have bought the equipment. I can assure the Ranking Member that Ghana will continue to send people around the world to bring peace to the world. It is not to earn dollar, no! We are exporting our values to the rest of the world. We

are exporting what we know best, and that is to ensure that we are peaceful, welcoming and we will continue to make Ghana proud.

Mr Speaker, the UNSC has a huge responsibility to keep the world together. With the effect of COVID-19, prices of goods and services around the world have ballooned. In Belgium, United Kingdom and the USA, fuel prices are going up; prices of goods and services are going up. For the first time, some countries have their goods and services rise up to more than 40 per cent which they have never seen in their lives before, but in this country we are managing well. It may not be easy. Of course, people say the prices of good are going up. Ghana is really a heaven to many countries. If we check what is said about Ghana around West Africa and what they come to Ghana to see for themselves, they would exchange anything and everything to become Ghanaians at this particular time. That is why I am proud that Ghana has been given this opportunity again, by becoming the country with the highest votes of 185 out of 190 to sit on the UNSC seat. It tells us the confidence that the rest of the world have in Ghana; and the confidence that the rest of the world have in the leadership that Ghana brings. That is why I get worried when people, especially Members of Parliament put up a behaviour that the

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people of Ghana begin to talk negatively about us. We all get worried.

Mr Speaker, I always tell the soldiers that when they wear the uniform, they should know the people of Ghana expect them to behave in a certain way. It is the same thing I will tell Members of Parliament. The moment a person gets elected as a Member of Parliament, the people of Ghana expect him or her to behave in a certain way, and these are the only things that would ensure that Ghana is peaceful. In fact, almost all of us had people queuing from mid-morning, mid- afternoon and midnight to vote for us. They believed that we would represent them because all of them cannot be in this room; 31 million Ghanaians cannot come to this Chamber, so they have chosen us to represent them. It is for us to ensure that Ghana remains peaceful. What we do here is the only thing that can guarantee our safety.

Mr Speaker, if Members of Parlia- ment decide that Ghana will be a peaceful and quiet country, so will it be; and if they decide that they would create mayhem in this country, so will it be. I would want to urge Hon Members to put whatever differences we have amongst ourselves behind and agree that over the next 10 to 20 years, we want to chart a path that will make Ghana that eye of the world; the Switzerland of Europe and the Dubai

of the Middle East, Ghana should be in that form. We may not build it overnight, but we can achieve it.

Mr Speaker, I would want to thank the Minority Leader and the Majority Leadership for all that we have been doing together and the support that they have given us. I would want to let the people of Ghana know that over the last one year, when it comes to security matters, especially retooling of the security services, the Parliament of Ghana has been one. I need to praise the Parliament of Ghana for that singular act. We realised the diffi- culties, and so when it comes to the retooling of the GAF and the other security services, Parliament has put their differences aside, and it has always supported us to ensure that it continues.

As I said, we will continue to bring whatever the security services need to guide us. We cannot let this nation down; and we should not let this nation down. As for the Hon Member who made this Statement, I would want to thank him for bringing this Statement up.

Mr Speaker, we should celebrate as Ghanaians. The world believes that in this COVID-19 times, Ghana is one country that can lead the world. We may not know what we stand for because we are who we are.

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But I say that the world believes in us. I have sat in a meeting in Brussels and the permanent ambassadors prepared speeches, and I had goose pimples on my face and my whole body because of what they said about Ghana. I am so proud to be a Ghanaian, and I think we should all be proud to be Ghanaians.

Mr Speaker, the Hon Member who made the Statement has elucidated whatever I would have said beyond what I have said. I think that every Hon Member should get a piece of what he has said and read that Statement carefully so that tomorrow, we can use it as the benchmark in trying to judge what we, the people of Ghana, would stand for at the United Nations Security Council.

Mr Seaker, I would like to thank all Hon Members and assure all of us that Ghana would be made proud from the 1st of January, 2022, to the 31st of December, 2023, when we would serve on the UN Security Council. If Hon Members have any suggestions, please bring them; the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration would be willing to discuss with them to ensure that we make Ghana proud.

I thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:17 p.m.
Very well. That is the end of this particular Statement.
Hon Majority Chief Whip, what is your suggestion now? I have seen that the Hon Minister for Trade and Industry has now come in.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 4:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as was agreed, we would take the Questions, but before then, with your leave, if we could quickly go on to page 4 — Presentation of Papers and quickly take the item numbered 8. Mr Speaker, I would seek your leave for the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance to do that on behalf of the Hon Minister for Finance, after which we could take the Questions.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 4:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, understandably, the Hon Majority Chief Whip assured us that the Hon Minister for Trade and Industry would be here to answer Questions. I see him abandon some presidential campaign for the time being to be in the Chamber to respond to Members' Questions. I wish him well, but not all the people here wish him well; he should know that, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, while I am at — I seek your leave —
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:17 p.m.
You are once again out of order.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 4:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, once the Hon Majority Chief Whip is asking
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for your leave to vary the order of Business, he and I, together with the Deputy Minority Leader and the Deputy Clerk, received a petition from concerned Ghanaians about their protest against the senior nuisance tax called the “E-Levy” which they presented to us. Mr Speaker, I do not know what your guidance would be; whether I should be seeking to invoke Order 76 of our Standing Orders to table the petition or you want it to go to the Rt. Hon Speaker for it to be referred so that its content would be looked into much more thoroughly?

Mr Speaker, because the public is watching us, we need to be responsive. A petition by a section of the Ghanaian public demonstrating and protesting against the senior nuisance tax called the “E-Levy” was received on your behalf by the Leadership of the House. So, I want your guidance on the matter whether I have your leave to lay the Paper or you want it to walk through the Rt. Hon Speaker for the needed guidance, or I come under Order 76 of our Standing Orders for it to be looked into as a petition worth looking at? They always say that they are ready for a debate on these matters.

When they have the economy tottering at the precipice of bankruptcy and they still say all is well, I believe Dr Bawumia thinks that arresting the

depreciation of the Cedi is like stopping a trotro between Wulugu Junction and Jama Junction; he would understand that it is not just —

Mr Speaker, back to the serious matter of the petition.

I thank you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:17 p.m.
Well, on the petition, I requested the Hon Leaders to receive it on behalf of the Rt Hon Speaker. I have looked at the petition and it is addressed to the Rt. Hon Speaker, so I think the appropriate location is to hand it over to the person to whom it is intended; then, he would give direction as to how to deal with it.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 4:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would yield to you on any day, and as I listened to my respected Hon Minority Leader — [Interruption] Except to add that he was represented by the Hon Avedzi and I represented the Hon Majority Leader. But I saw a significant leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); I saw the National Chairman, the National Organiser —
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:17 p.m.
Can we move forward to your request?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 4:17 p.m.
I would like to find out if it was the decision by the Minority for the demonstrators to be led by the leadership of the NDC? I was a bit surprised that it was just the national
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leadership of the NDC who were leading them.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:17 p.m.
Hon Member, thank you; let us move on. You said we should vary the order of Business and take the item numbered 8(a).
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 4:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, if you would indulge me a second; with the greatest of respect, in this House, we always defer to you. I heard my good Friend make a very strange comment that those of us here do not wish the respected Hon Minister for Trade and Industry well. I think that should be expunged from the records. I know, maybe, he said it out of amusement, but we take a strong exception to that.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:17 p.m.
I ruled that that was out of order.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 4:17 p.m.
So, is it expunged from the records?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:17 p.m.
Yes.
The item numbered 8(a), the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance?
Deputy Minister for Finance (Mrs A b en a O sei -A sa r e) on behalf of (the
Minister for Finance) 4:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I come under Order 32 to seek your leave and the indulgence of the House to withdraw the Exemptions Bill, 2021, which was laid before this august House on 16th November, 2021. And
with your liberty, to relay at the appropriate time or as determined by your good self in accordance with the law.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:17 p.m.
Before I consider leave, does anybody have an objection to granting the leave to withdraw?
Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka 4:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank you. Our Hon Colleague, the Deputy Minister, did not say why she was withdrawing and whether there is any intention for replacement? We need to have clarity why she is trying to withdraw this Bill.
Mr Speaker, as you may know, this is one of the Bills that we have been canvassing that we should try to work on as quickly as possible because it would help save a lot of resources for the Minister of Finance to be able to run Government projects. So, if she is withdrawing it, it would only be fair that she gives us some more explanation as to why she wants to withdraw. Would she relay it; what has caused for this Bill to be withdrawn?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:17 p.m.
Yes, Majority Bench, do you have any comment on the application?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 4:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I know that my able Deputy Minister for Finance is capable of handling this, so if you may invite her to —
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Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:17 p.m.
Do you not have a comment yourself?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 4:17 p.m.
Not necessarily.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:17 p.m.
Yes, Hon Deputy Minister for Finance?
Mrs Osei-Asare 4:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I said, with your indulgence, I would like to relay it but we made some substantial amendments to certain clauses and we thought it was better for us to relay. That is why I seek your indulgence to do exactly so.
Alhaji Muntaka 4:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am very sorry, I did not hear the part that she would relay; I thought she was just withdrawing.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:17 p.m.
Very well. Leave is granted to withdraw the Exemptions Bill, 2021. The referral to the Finance Committee is conse- quentially withdrawn.
Yes, Hon Deputy Minister?
Mrs Osei-Asare 4:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with your indulgence, I would like to amend the Exemption Bills, 2021, to read “Exemptions Bill, 2022”.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:27 p.m.
Very well.

BILLS — FIRST READING

Exemptions Bill, 2022

An ACT to regulate the application of tax exemptions and other exemptions and to provide for related matters.

Presented by the Deputy Minister for Finance (Mrs Abena Osei-Asare) on behalf of (the Minister for Finance). Read the First time; referred to the Finance Committee.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 4:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with your leave, we may now go on to Questions.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:27 p.m.
Very well. Hon Minister for Trade and Industry, you may now take your seat. The first Question is in the name of the Hon Member for Tamale Central, Question 407.
Alhaji Suhuyini Alhassan Sayibu 4:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I wish to seek your leave to carry out the request of my Hon Colleague from the Tamale Central constituency.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:27 p.m.
Please proceed.
ORAL ANSWERS TO 4:27 p.m.
QUESTIONS 4:27 p.m.
MINISTRY OF TRADE AND 4:27 p.m.
INDUSTRY 4:27 p.m.
Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Alan K. Kyerematen) 4:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, over the last four years, the Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has facilitated the setting up of a total of 278 companies and projects across the 16 regions of Ghana. Out of this number, 106 companies are currently in operation; 148 are under construction, and 24 are at the mobilisation stage.
Mr Speaker, it is important to note that the 1D1F initiative is private sector-led but facilitated by Govern- ment. The role of the Government includes payment of interest subsidy on loans granted to 1D1F companies and projects by Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs); granting of incentives such as waiver of import duties on capital goods and raw materials and facilitation of access to infrastructure such as electricity, water, and roads.
Mr Speaker, since the start of the Programme, Government has success- fully mobilised loans for 1D1F companies from the Participating Financial Institutions totalling an amount of GH¢2.69 billion. This amount has been leveraged through the disbursement of an amount of
GH¢260.9 million by Government as subsidy to de-risk loans and support interest payment for beneficiary 1D1F companies and projects.
Alhaji Sayibu 4:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister explained that the initiative is private sector-led but facilitated by Government and that the role of the Government includes payment of interest subsidy on loans granted to 1D1F companies and projects by Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs); granting of incentives such as waiver of import duties on capital goods and raw materials and facilitation of access to infrastructure such as electricity, water, and roads.
Which private companies enjoyed under the Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF) before its conversion to Ghana EXIM Bank?
Mr Kyerematen 4:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, under the EDIF programme which is now operating as the Ghana EXIM Bank, loans were essentially granted to companies at a subsidised rate, but as the Hon Member has read and re- echoed my Answer, the support given by Government to 1D1F companies goes beyond the granting of subsidised loans.
As indicated in my Answer, the Government also grants incentives such as Waiver of Import Duties on capital

goods and raw materials and facilitation of access to infrastructure such as electricity, water, and roads. So, this is in addition to what EDIF provides ordinarily to 1D1F companies.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Alhaji Sayibu 4:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with the Hon Minister's vast experience in the development of the private sector in this country, I would like to find out from him which he thinks is more impactful as far as the growth of the private sector is concerned — granting subsidised loans or paying interest on loans that are acquired at higher interests by the private sector?
Mr Kyerematen 4:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, respectfully, the Question is confusing. If I heard the Hon Member right, he wants to know whether granting subsidies for loans granted to companies as against higher interest rates paid by companies — which of the two would be more impactful? Is that correct?
My understanding is that, obviously, subsidised loans would be more impactful because the cost of capital in Ghana makes companies in Ghana uncompetitive. If you compare interest rates in Ghana to even our neigh- bouring countries, it is clear that the element of cost of capital is not favourable for Ghanaian companies in terms of productivity and competitiveness.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:27 p.m.
Yes, your last supplementary question?
Alhaji Sayibu 4:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I appreciate the very honest response of the Hon Minister when he states that what EDIF used to do is more impactful even though at the time, 1D1F signboards were not erected in front of the companies they supported.
Thank you very much.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:27 p.m.
Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 4:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the thrust of the sponsor of this Question is on 1D1F. I wish to commend the Hon Minister. I have been a witness to a number of achievements and Nsawam's Nano Foods is an example. My concern, which is a question, has to do with whether the concept of 1D1F has a component of market access inherent.

One of the issues that have come up is whether with the product that is being produced, we would assist the producers to have market access. I do not know if it is part of the concept.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:37 p.m.
Hon Majority Chief Whip, for this one, I think you have to file your own Question.
Dr Pelpuo 4:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I want to find out from the Hon Minister if he
Oral Answers to Questions

could provide the list of the 106 companies which he said are currently in operation. I ask this because as the Hon Ranking Member for the Com- mittee on Government Assurances, I recall we went to the Greater Accra and Central Regions to find out whether the Government's assurance that these factories would be established are in reality. Apart from one fruit factory in the Central Region, all of them were set up before the 1D1F policy and many of them said that the Government has supported them, but they had not facilitated their setting up. However, in the Hon Minister's Answer, he stated that the Government facilitated the setting up, but many of them were set up and the Government supported them. That is why I want the Hon Minister to provide us the list of the 106 companies so that we could verify whether the Government really set them up because we do not believe that the Government really did.
Mr Kyerematen 4:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I have with me a list of not only the 106 companies that are currently in operation, but the 240 that are also under construction, so I could make that list available to the Hon Member. However, I want to explain to the Hon Member that the programme concept does not only include facilitating the establishment of new companies, but it also facilitates the revamping and restructuring of existing companies.
The interest of Government in the introduction of this programme is first, to be able to create jobs, particularly in the rural and peri-urban communities. It is sensible for us, where there is evidence of companies that are already in existence but require support for them to become competitive, to provide the same kind of support rather than leave those existing companies to collapse and then insist on setting up or supporting the private sector to set up new ones in the same district. So, both existing companies that are in distress and green field or new companies qualify.
Mr Edwin Nii L. Vanderpuye 4:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as a follow-up question to the Hon Minister's Answer, I would want to know if the essence of the 1D1F is only job creation and not comparative advantage in the market or the industry.
Mr Kyerematen 4:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, enhancing the creation of jobs is only one of the strategic objectives of the programme. It also stimulates economic development in our rural communities and that helps to stem the drift of people from the rural communities to the urban centres.
In addition to that, we are also seeking through this programme to add value to the natural resource endow- ment of each district. By doing so, we could achieve two additional
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objectives: first, to promote import substitution which is the production of goods locally that we currently import.

As the Hon Member is aware, if we reduce our import bills by the production of goods that we import locally, it helps us to save scarce foreign exchange and by doing that, we also support our local currency.

In addition to that, it also helps us to promote export. When we export more and earn more foreign exchange, we strengthen our own currency. Again, it is a source to attract innovation and technology into our companies.

Mr Speaker, the Hon Member is right, but it is just that employment creation happens to be one of the most important strategies but there are other objectives.
Mr Y. Sulemana 4:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, from the Hon Minister's Answer to the Hon Member for Wa Central, Dr Pelpuo, he said that they would support existing companies under the 1D1F, but if we visit their website under their 10-point agenda for industrialisation, the stimulus package stands alone and the 1D1F also stands alone. So, why do they want to put the two together? Is it that they want to run away from treating them separately as they intended?
Mr Kyerematen 4:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am pleased that the Hon Member pays very
close attention to the work that we do in the Ministry. The 10-point plan for industrial transformation includes supporting existing companies that are in distress and that is what is referred to as the “stimulus package”; there is also the 1D1F initiative.
We have not merged the two; they are not mutually exclusive. As and when funds are made available through our budget appropriation, we would deploy resources to either of the two projects.
Mr Benito 4:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister has alluded to the fact that the 1D1F is a private sector-led initiative, but it would be realised that in our rural communities, especially districts that are predominantly rural, there are no incentives for the private sector to come up with this initiative. So, I want to find out from him what deliberate policy he has in place to ensure that districts that are pre-dominantly rural would also benefit from this initiative.
Mr Kyerematen 4:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in rural communities where no interest is shown by a business promoter, the Government has decided to take a proactive stance and provide seed funding, depending on the resources that are available to the Ministry. We intend to provide seed funding to establish initially a company for such a distressed district and hopefully after a period of incubation, then it may be
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attractive for a private sector promoter to take up the shares in the company. That is part of the programme concept and principle.
Dr Kwabena Donkor 4:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in the Hon Minister's Answer, he said that one of the benefits is import substitution.

I would want to ask the Hon Minister whether import substitution thrives in a policy void and whether local production competing with cheap imports would thrive without the use of non-tariff barriers to support local industry.

Is it clear?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:47 p.m.
Hon Member, it is not quite clear. Could you repeat it?
Dr Kwabena Donkor 4:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister in his Answer said that one of the objectives of the 1D1F was import substitution. I would want to know whether import substitution thrives in a policy void. The policy void is amplified by the cheap imports we have and the absence of any attempt to use non-tariff barriers to protect the local industry.
Will it thrive in a policy void?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:47 p.m.
Hon Minister, I hope you got the question.
Dr Kwabena Donkor 4:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, he understands it; he knows the language we are speaking.
Mr Kyerematen 4:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, if I understand the Hon Member well, he would want to know whether the policy of import substitution would thrive in a policy void.
In the first place, I am not sure there is a case of policy void because there is a comprehensive policy framework that underpins the industrial trans- formation agenda. Now, the issue of cheap imports is dealt with inde- pendently of the policy of import substitution. If, for example, we are currently importing mosquito coils and, through 1D1F, we support a particular local entrepreneur to produce mosquito coils that otherwise would be imported, if there is evidence that there is dumping, in which case, cheap imports that would cost the company that is producing locally in terms of non- competitiveness, there is the Ghana International Trade Commission (GITC) that hears petitions from companies that are facing, say, cases of dumping. That is dealt with separately. But if we do import substitution, we still have to be able to compete and that is why the 1D1F is providing incentives such as subsidised loans, waiver of taxes, duties, and levies to make that import substitution company more competitive against
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foreign imports. That is the essence of the package of services that supports

1D1F.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:47 p.m.
Is there a question at the Leadership bench? [Pause]
Very well. Hon Minister, we would move on to the next Question which stands in the name of the Hon Member for Ho Central, the Question numbered
409.
Hon Member, you may ask your Question, please.
Mr Benjamin K. Kpodo 4:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I had risen to ask a question on the Answer provided to the 1D1F.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:47 p.m.
Hon Member, unfortunately, so many Hon Members have been up and down. You did not get up for almost 30 minutes thereafter.
Mr Kpodo 4:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I got up before you called the Hon Member —
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:47 p.m.
Yes, I saw that but he had been up and down on so many occasions when you were sitting. You came in at the very last minute and I had decided that you would be the last one. So, kindly ask your Question. [Uproar.]
Mr Kpodo 4:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, no, that one too is important.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:47 p.m.
Hon Kpodo, kindly ask your Question.
Rental charges realised from 2017 - 2020
Mr Benjamin K. Kpodo (NDC — Ho Central) 4:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to ask the Minister for Trade and Industry how much the Ministry has realised from rental charges from 2017 to 2020 in respect of the following: (i) Start-up garment factory at GH¢3.00 per square metre (ii) Existing garment factory at GH¢5.00 per square metre (iii) Warehouse at GH¢20.00 per square metre (iv) Tema Ministerial Building (Long Room).
Mr Kyerematen 4:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, between 2017 and 2020, the Ministry realised an amount of GH¢540,734.47 from Start-Up and Existing Garment Factories; an amount of GH¢675,067.22 from Warehouse, and an amount of GH¢131,822.56 from Tema Ministerial Building (Long Room)?
Mr Kpodo 4:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out from the Hon Minister the legal basis for charging these rents.
Mr Kyerematen 4:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, these charges had been in place for many years. When the attention of the Ministry was drawn to the fact that they were not covered under the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2018 (Act 983), an application has
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been made to the Ministry of Finance with proposals to be considered for the inclusion of the fees that have been prescribed to be reflected in the Act

983.

Initially, my understanding before my term of office was that these revenue sources were considered as not part of the core mandate of the Ministry. For example, the sale of import declaration forms (IDFs) constitutes a major part of the function of the Ministry so, properly speaking, the Fees and Charges for IDF are approved under the Act. The Ministry, ordinarily, is not in the business of renting factory spaces, so that was the understanding. But we have made representations to the Ministry of Finance to consider even these non-core revenue sources to be reflected in the Act 983.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Kpodo 4:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, from the Hon Minister's response, it is quite clear that the fees were illegal but, under his watch, they were being collected. Would he agree with me because L.I. 2240 prescribed fees to be charged, but these fees were not captured in that Legislative Instrument — He admits that he has now made proposals for the fees to be legalised.
Would he agree with me that, under his watch, illegal fees were charged by his Ministry?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:47 p.m.
Hon Member, fees for what service? I did not get that part.
Mr Kpodo 4:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, for the rent being charged for industrial properties of the Ministry of Trade and Industry
—
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:57 p.m.
Rent?
Mr Kpodo 4:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, yes.
Mr Kyerematen 4:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, respectfully, I am unable to understand and appreciate the basis for the illegality. If there is no express provision in that particular Act that makes reference to charges of fees that are collected, it does not make it illegal. Particularly, if payments from those transactions have been properly accounted for.
So, I am not sure I agree with you about the illegality of the fees that have been collected. It just means that they were not considered as fees or charges and so they do not come under the bracket of illegality.
Mr Kpodo 4:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am not satisfied with that answer because the Hon Minister is saying that he has now made proposals to the Ministry of Finance for such charges to be captured under the Fees and Charges Act.
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So, I do not see why he cannot appreciate that those charges being collected were illegal and they did not come under the Fees and Charges Act. The Hon Minister is now making proposals — If he knew that they were not illegal, why is he now bringing it for consideration?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:57 p.m.
Hon Kpodo, I thought you had exhausted your three supplementary questions and were commenting that is why I was — but let us proceed.
Yes, Hon Nii Lante Vanderpuye?
Mr Vanderpuye 4:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to ask the Hon Minister whether the facilities at the former GNTC building in my constituency and also the one at the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue, that is, the former GNTC, the bottling company and all those facilities and those that were turned into Presidential Special Initiatives for garments and so on, are they still paying rent to the Ministry of Trade and Industry?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:57 p.m.
Hon Minister, if you wish to answer, you may proceed though it does not come out of this Question. Otherwise, the Hon Member may file his own Question because the Hon Minister was asked to provide answers for specific premises and not —

Hon Minister, I said that if you wish to answer the question, I would give the — otherwise, I would proceed to the next Question, please.
Mr Kyerematen 4:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, you may proceed.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:57 p.m.
Hon Members, the Question numbered 412 which stands in the name of the Hon Member for Kwadaso — Dr Kingsley Nyarko.
Prospects of African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)
Agreement
Dr Kingsley Nyarko (NPP — Kwadaso) 4:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Hon Minister for Trade and Industry, the prospects of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement and how the Ministry is leveraging on it to boost the Ghanaian economy.
Mr Kyerematen 4:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) creates a single market for Africa comprising over 1.3 billion people with a combined estimated GDP of US$3.0 trillion, aimed at increasing trade between African countries.
Mr Speaker, the prospects of the AfCFTA include establishing economies of scale for enterprises operating in Africa; adding value to Africa's abundant natural resources and
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promoting economic diversification and industrialisation; developing Africa's regional value chains and facilitating cross border investments as well as free movement of goods and services; attracting investments into Africa with strong regional and local content; and last but not the least, enhancing access to an expanded market for SMEs in Africa on preferential trade terms.

Mr Speaker, trading under the AfCFTA commenced on the 1st of January, 2021, and Ghana was the first country in Africa to export under AfCFTA.

Mr Speaker, a national AfCFTA coordination office was established in 2021. In addition, a comprehensive national policy and action plan for AfCFTA has been completed aimed at assisting medium to large scale companies in Ghana to export to the AfCFTA market. To this end, 180 companies were identified and are currently being programmed to export to markets under the AfCFTA.

Mr Speaker, the AfCFTA will enhance Government's current Industrial Transformation Agenda and contribute to the diversification of the Ghanaian economy in line with the Government development agenda — Ghana Beyond Aid. Ghana will support the successful implementation of the AfCFTA for accelerated inclusive growth and the development of our

continent. Ghana will also enjoy many other collateral benefits which would enhance income levels of many Ghanaians.
Dr Nyarko 4:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am grateful to the Hon Minister for attending upon and responding to my Question. I have two supplementary questions.
The first question is whether the identified companies have the capacity to meet both domestic and international demands and if not, are there steps in place to achieve that?
Mr Kyerematen 4:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the national programme of action to support companies is intended to provide capacity building and support to selected Ghanaian companies to meet, not only the quality standards but also to identify strategic markets for these companies. So this is precisely why we have a national plan of action to support companies in taking advantage of the AfCFTA.
Dr Nyarko 4:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would also like to find out from the respected Hon Minister if he knows the estimated projected percentage or number of potential jobs to be created to meet our unemployment challenges?
Mr Kyerematen 4:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we have made projections but I would not like to place this on record because the
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process and procedure is, first, to identify the requirements of these companies and then based on that we would determine the volumes that can be produced and exported. By extension, that would give us an idea of how many jobs they can create out of the support that is provided to the companies.
Dr Nyarko 4:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am grateful. I am done.
Mr Vincent E. Assafuah 5:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker, last year the President of the African Development Bank hinted a partnership between the African Development Bank Group and AfCFTA. I would want to ask the Hon Minister for Trade how would the Hon Minister leverage on this partnership to stimulate the Ghanaian economy?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:07 p.m.
Hon Member, is that related to this Question?
I suggest that you file a separate Question on this because we are currently talking about the AfCFTA and not a general Ministry of Trade and Industry business. The African Development Bank may be under his sector but on this occasion, it does not flow from this Question.
Mr Assafuah 5:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it was a partnership between the AfCFTA and the African Development Bank Group
so I want to know how Ghana would leverage on this partnership to build our economy.
Mr Kyerematen 5:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the African Development Bank as a development finance institution is currently providing support to the Secretariat of the AfCFTA in terms of helping them to finalise the negotiations and Ghana being one of the State parties to the agreement, is benefitting from the support that the African Development Bank is providing to AfCFTA. However, at the national level, we are currently finalising negotiations with the African Development Bank to provide funding support for our own national programme, which would support and assist Ghanaian enterprises to be able to take advantage of.
Mr Speaker, so it is at two levels; the African Development Bank's support to the AfCFTA as well as our national action plan and programmes.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:07 p.m.
Hon Member for Cape Coast South?
Mr George K. Ricketts-Hagan 5:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you, and I also thank Dr Nyarko for asking this very important Question.
Mr Speaker, in furtherance to leveraging on the AfCFTA to boost the economy of Ghana, in January this year, the AfCFTA launched a pan-African
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payment and settlement system to enhance intra-Africa trade so that we would be able to settle cross border transactions with a country's own local currency without changing into the dollar or the currency of the supplier. I know that a pilot of this was done last year and Ghana participated in it, and the Hon Minister has mentioned 180 companies that would be participating in the intra-Africa trade transactions.

Mr Speaker, I want to know if any of these companies are using this system at the moment; in terms of settling transactions that are being done across border. If yes, how many of them?

Mr Speaker, however, if the Hon Minister does not have it in full, could he tell us how many Ghanaian companies participated in the pilot?
Mr Kyerematen 5:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the pan-African payment and settlement mechanism was piloted in the West African Economic Monetary Zone but that is different from the national programme that we are currently implementing. The companies that are being identified now to benefit from our national programme are all in the process of being supported to be able to export specifically under the AfCFTA. So, it is only when they are at the point of actually exporting that they would take advantage of the pan- African payment and settlement mechanism.
Mr Speaker, the pilot was done independently of our own national programme, but I am fully convinced that at the point that our companies are ready to export under AfCFTA, they would have significant benefits from utilising the pan-African payment and settlement mechanism. Mr Speaker, because it means that one can now use a local currency to be able to pay for goods that are imported from another State-party of the AfCFTA without requiring a foreign currency and this is why the whole settlement platform is backed by the central banks of the State- parties involved in the AfCFTA.
Mr Ablakwa 5:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker, from the fourth paragraph of the Hon Minister's Answer, the Hon Minister indicates that a comprehensive national policy and action plan for AfCFTA has been completed so I want to find out from the Hon Minister if Hon Members of Parliament could be given copies so that we can all be brought up to speed.
Mr Speaker, related to this is the first paragraph on page 19 where the Hon Minister also says that he is facilitating cross border investments but we know that there are challenges with border closures, so how is the Hon Minister able to do this since the borders remain closed? For example, our land borders with Togo remained closed as well as other challenges with our borders so how is AfCFTA surviving in the midst
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of these? How is the Hon Minister facilitating cross border investments in the face of these border closures?
Mr Kyerematen 5:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in actual fact, the reference here was to cross-border investments and not necessarily trade because part of the strategic objectives of the AfCFTA is to support investments from one country to the other, and an example is what is being done by Dangote and other Ghanaian entrepreneurs in other African countries.

Mr Speaker, but be that as it may, it is still important that the issue of facilitating cross-border trade, move- ment of goods between countries, is critical if AfCFTA should succeed. So, one of the operational instruments to facilitate cross-border trade between the countries is a non-tariff barrier online platform that allows any trader that is confronted with a very specific cross-border trade challenge to file a complaint on the non-tariff barrier platform. There is a requirement for the offending State-party to respond and address the challenge or difficulty that is being faced.

In the event that this is not resolved, then the Protocol on Dispute Settlement which is part of what has been negotiated allows a party that is still aggrieved in respect of a particular

crossborder challenge that has not been addressed to file a complaint with the dispute settlement body. So this is really one of the major differences between the existing ECOWAS Protocol and AfCFTA.

Now, there is an instrument that allows a party to be able to at least, make a complaint about issues relating to crossborder trade, and additionally, file a claim in the dispute settlement body.

Mr Speaker, I would be very pleased to make copies of this national action plan available to Hon Members. In fact, I would encourage Hon Members who are interested in supporting companies in their constituencies that may not necessarily have been identified as part of this group of 180 companies that are currently being assessed to show interest and we would be pleased to work with them.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:17 p.m.
The next Question stands in the name of the Hon Member for Cape Coast North, Dr Kwamena Minta Nyarku.
Revamping of Ameen Sangari Industry — Cape Coast
Dr Minta Kwamena Nyarku (NDC — Cape Coast North) 5:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Trade and Industry when Ameen Sangari Industry
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in Cape Coast, which has been registered under the 1D1F programme, would be duly revamped and reopened to provide employment to the people of Cape Coast and neighbouring communities.
Mr Kyerematen 5:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, Ameen Sangari Company is one of the existing distressed companies operating under the 1D1F Programme and is currently being revamped to create employment, add value to available raw materials, and boost the Govern- ment's import substitution agenda.
Mr Speaker, Ameen Sangari on 30th
December, 2021, received a loan facility of about GH¢6.1 million from one of the participating financial institutions (PFIs) under the 1D1F initiative to revamp its operations. The facility covers the procurement of equipment and machinery as well as working capital. In line with this and to ensure that the company starts operation as soon as practicable, the following urgent decisions have been initiated by the Management of the company with the support of the Ministry:
i. Retooling of the kernel oil section to take advantage of the palm fruits harvesting season which starts in February; and
ii. Importation of sterilizer and other equipment for retooling of the crude palm oil section expected to commence by the end of March 2022.
Dr K. M. Nyarku 5:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want the Hon Minister to assure the House of exactly when the company would open.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:17 p.m.
He wants you to assure the House of the exact date the company would open.
Mr Kyerematen 5:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we are working towards a benchmark date before the end of February. That is for the kernel oil section to start operating and then for the crude palm oil section, also by the end of March, 2022.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Ricketts-Hagan 5:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, a follow up question about the GH¢6.1 million which was given to Ameen Sangari. I want to find out whether it is a loan facility or it is an equity and what are we to expect from Ameen Sangari
—
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:17 p.m.
Hon Member, read the Answer. It is stated there, “loan facility of”.
Mr Ricketts-Hagan 5:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am building up the question. What I want to know is what we are asking in return from Ameen Sangari in terms of
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job creation. Have they given us indication as to how much jobs they would be able to create from this loan facility if they are able to get the equipment and all the machinery and the things the Hon Minister has talked about here?

Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Kyerematen 5:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I do not have the exact figures in terms of the employment to be created but as I have explained earlier this is part of the package of support to distressed companies and once the installation is completed, the test runs and commission is done, we would be in a better position to make that estimation.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:17 p.m.
Very well. I would move on to the next Question in the name of the Hon Member for Bole/Bamboi, Mr Yusif Sulemana.
Support for companies under 1D1F
Mr Yusif Sulemana (NDC — Bole/ Bamboi) 5:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Trade and Industry what specific support the following companies received under the 1D1F Programme: (i) Empire Cement Company Ltd. (ii) CH Group Ltd.
Mr Kyerematen 5:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, Empire Cement Company Limited has
not yet benefitted from any specific support under the 1D1F Initiative because the company is undergoing the process of registering under the programme.
Mr Speaker, CH Group is one of the 1D1F companies that has benefited from a credit facility from the Ghana Exim Bank, one of the Participating Financial Intuitions (PFIs) under the Programme to the tune of GH10 million for the construction of the factory as well as procurement of equipment and machinery. In addition, the company has applied for exemption on import duties and levies on machinery and equipment which is currently pending at the Ministry of Finance.
The Ministry has also held discussions with the Mohihani Group (KFC Local Representative) to encourage them to locally source processed and freshly packed yam produced by the CH Group as a replacement for the potato chips that is currently being sold at the KFC restaurants. Both the company and the KFC local representative will under- take a site visit to assess if the processing lines of the company meet the standards required by a global company such as KFC.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Yusif Sulemana 5:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I have just one follow up question, which
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has to do with the second company — CH Global Limited. From the Answer, it seems this company is yet to start operations.

Mr Speaker, if that is the case, in the 2020 Budget, you stated that some jobs were created, and under this company, 254 jobs were created. How were they created when the company has not started operations?
Mr Kyerematen 5:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am not sure where the Hon Member got his facts from but the company had already done some production, and the estimates that were provided was based on their current productions. Now, the additional equipment that is being indicated here is additional to the existing equipment of the company. And I would encourage the Hon Member to make sure that his facts are correct.
Mr Yusif Sulemana 5:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I had said that I would not have any but from what he has just said, there is the need for me to put on record that when we were discussing the Budget, the Minister said 153,783 jobs were created by 106 1D1F under this CH Global. The Minister said and it is here in Appendix 1B that was submitted to us, where he said that 54 direct jobs and 200 indirect jobs were created. The President commissioned this project on 9 th of September, 2021. Mr Speaker, is
the Hon Minister suggesting to us that between 9 th September, 2021, to November 2021 when the Budget was presented, 254 jobs have been created? Can the Minister confirm this?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 5:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, my good friend is copiously referencing a document and I am curious. I would like to know if he could give better particulars of the document he is referencing. Is it the Budget Statement? Let us know what he is referencing.
Mr Yusif Sulemana 5:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it seems my Leader was not listening; I said when we were discussing the 2022 Budget, the Minister had stated in the Budget that 153,782 jobs were created. And Mr Speaker's Committee asked him to give us details and he submitted this document labelled 1B. This is the document I am referring to, and I can submit same to the Table Office for verification.
Mr Kyerematen 5:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, that document is not available to me now and so, I am unable to speak to it but when we talk about 106 companies currently in operation and a certain number of jobs have been created, it does not mean that all the companies have created the same number of jobs so, they would vary. And this company, even though it was commissioned, was not built at the time of commissioning so, if you want to know further and better
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particulars of how much the company had produced before the commissioning, that amount of work can be done and provided to you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:27 p.m.
Hon Member for Bole/Bamboi, you also have the question numbered 728 standing in your name.
Komenda Sugar Factory Project (49.9Ha of Sugarcane Nursed)
Mr Yusif Sulemana (Bole/ Bamboi) 5:27 p.m.
I would like to ask the Minister for Trade and Industry what happened to the 49.9ha of sugarcane nursed as part of the Komenda Sugar Factory Project.
Mr Kyerematen 5:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, a contract for the development of a sugarcane nursery on a 50-ha piece of land at Komenda was signed between the GoG and Seltech India Pvt in 2016.
Mr Speaker, Seftech India Pvt. Ltd. claims that the Government of Ghana had refused to pay for the development of the 50Ha sugarcane nursery estimated at US$2.75 million. The company is therefore claiming damages estimated at US$3,900,635.00 with interest.
Mr Speaker, Government, on the other hand, has stated that the nursery contract was not fully executed and handed over to the Ministry. In fact, the technical audit that was conducted could
not verify the existence of the 49.9Ha that the Hon Member is referring to. Furthermore, the contract was not approved by Parliament as required by the Constitution of Ghana. The Government is, therefore, seeking reimbursement as a counter claim from Seftech of an amount of US$5,400,000 with interest, being the cost of items paid for but never supplied by the said company. Against the foregoing background, Selftech India Pvt filed for arbitration which they were entitled to under the terms of the contract. And in May 2020, this was filed against the Government of Ghana at the Ghana Arbitration Centre.
Mr Speaker, all hearings on the matter have been concluded since 10th October, 2021, and both Parties are currently waiting for the final award from the arbitration proceedings. Ghana has made payment for the arbitration fees; the claimant has not made payment for the fees that are due them and that is why the award from the arbitration proceedings has been delayed. If they make payment, the award and determination would be made available to both parties.
Mr Yusif Sulemana 5:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am happy with the Minister's response. I am uncertain having listened to him, especially reading his first paragraph that some provision was made for a
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nursery and for that matter, for the cultivation of sugarcane for the Komenda Sugar Factory. I think this has been established, and it is also known to us here in this House that an amount of US$24.5 million was approved in November 2016 —
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:27 p.m.
Hon Member, are you asking a follow up question or you are making a statement?
Mr Yusif Sulemana 5:27 p.m.
It is a preamble to launch in my question. Just establishing that in November 2016, an amount of US$24.5 million was also approved for raw material for Komenda Sugar Factory. Having said this, I would like to find out from the Minister whether he has received any equipment from Selftech as part of the contract.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:27 p.m.
Whether he has received any equipment from who?
Mr Yusif Sulemana 5:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, from Selftech, the very company that the Minister mentioned, as part of the contract.
Mr Kyerematen 5:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to respectfully refer the Hon Member to the text of my response. And for the benefit of the House, I would like to read as follows:
“Mr Speaker, Government on the other hand has stated that the
nursery contract was not fully executed and handed over to the Ministry”

In fact, the counterclaim that Government is making is in respect of equipment and other materials that were supposed to have been supplied by the Indian company which they did not comply with. I am not sure whether the Hon Member is representing the company in this matter but if he could get further details from them, they did not fully execute the terms of the contract, so they are in breach of the contract.
Mr Yusif Sulemana 5:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, let me put on record that I do not know the company and I am not representing them. I am representing the interest of Ghanaians, especially the people of Komenda. [Hear! Hear!]
Mr Speaker, I hold in my hand, a document on an audit that the Hon Minister's Ministry commissioned Pricewaterhouse Coopers to do. It is dated 10th October, 2017, and the second item in that document is “Nursery Development”. Paragraph 28 says and with your permission, I read:
“All farm equipment have been provided, however, there was no irrigation system in place as required by the contract document”.
Oral Answers to Questions

The Hon Minister has just said that no equipment was provided. Could he reconcile it with this please?
Mr Kyerematen 5:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I hope that I was heard right. I said that not all the equipment was provided and on that basis, we were making a counterclaim for the lack of specific performance. The Hon Member himself indicated that the irrigation system which is absolutely critical for any nursery operation had not been supplied. So, I am wondering on what basis the Hon Member is making that request for clarification. This is because he indicated that the irrigation equipment was not supplied and that is exactly the basis of our counterclaim.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:37 p.m.
We would move on to your next question which is the Question numbered 729.
Mr Yusif Sulemana 5:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I had wanted to clarify something but I would go to the last Question.
1D1F support for Ferro Fabrik Ltd., Everpure Holdings Ltd. and Micro
Forestry GH Ltd.
Mr Yusif Sulemana (NDC — Bole/ Bamboi) 5:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Trade and Industry what specific support the following companies received under the 1D1F Programme: (i) Ferro Fabrik Ltd. (ii) Everpure Holdings Ltd. (iii) Miro Forestry GH. Ltd.
Mr Kyerematen 5:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, Ferro Fabrik Limited is one of the existing companies captured under the 1D1F Initiative. The company has applied for tax exemption on import duties and levies on machinery and equipment which has been pending in this august House since June 2021.
Mr Speaker, Everpure Holdings Limited is among the 37 companies that have enjoyed import duty waiver on machinery and equipment for the first phase of the company's operations. The company has also received a credit facility to the tune of GH¢11.17 million from ECOBANK Ghana, one of the PFIs under the 1D1F initiative, and has therefore benefited from the interest subsidy covering the facility.
Mr Speaker, the company has also been supported with the extension of electricity and has applied for another tax exemption on machinery, equipment, and parts which is also pending before this August House since June 2021.
Mr Speaker, Miro Forestry Ghana Limited has applied for tax exemption on import duties and levies on machinery and equipment which has also been pending before this House since June
2021.
In addition, Miro Forestry has benefited from the provision of a transformer and extension of electri- city to the company's site in the Sekyere
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Afram Plains District in the Ashanti Region.
Mr Yusif Sulemana 5:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, my first follow-up question is on Miro Forestry Ghana Limited. In the last paragraph, the Hon Minister stated that the company benefited from the provision of a transformer and extension of electricity to the company's site.
Mr Speaker, I still want to make reference to the document the Hon Minister gave us with respect to job creation. Under Miro Forestry Limited, the Hon Minister stated that direct jobs created were 300 and indirect jobs created were 800. I would want to find out from the Hon Minister whether the extension of electricity to the company and the provision of a transformer, resulted in the creation of 1100 jobs?
Mr Kyerematen 5:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am trying to understand the substance of the Hon Member's question because if there is a statement indicating that a transformer has been provided for the company and electricity has also been extended to the company, then it stands to reason that it has supported the company in creating the jobs. So, I am wondering if the challenge is whether it is the electricity that was extended that created the jobs or the support that was given to the company generally that has led to the creation of the jobs.
This is because the transformer and extension of electricity to the company is part of the package of the support that is given to the company through that support, it enhanced their capacity to operate efficiently and by extension, created jobs. I am finding it difficult to understand whether the Hon Member is attributing the extension of the electricity to the specific number of jobs, but obviously, that would be an exercise that is impossible to conclude here on this Floor.
Mr Yusif Sulemana 5:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would not want to go into any debate with the Hon Minister. I am happy that he is here to answer the questions.
My concern has to do with job creation vis-à-vis 1D1F and it is very important. Now, on Everpure Holdings Limited, he said that they received a credit facility from Ecobank to the tune of GH¢11.17 million. They have also been given some extension of electricity and tax exemptions. That company alone is getting this package. Is there any particular reason other companies have applied and have not been given any support and this one has applied and has been given the support to get a loan, given the extension of electricity and the Hon Minister is asking for exemptions for it?
Oral Answers to Questions

Mr Speaker, is there any special reason why the Hon Minister thinks that we should treat this company this way?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:47 p.m.
Hon Member, is this in relation to a specific company or it is just a general realm?
Mr Yusif Sulemana 5:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I was specific. I said “Everpure”.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:47 p.m.
Yes, you said why has Everpure been given these but not others. Who are the others who have not been given? Do you want to be specific about any company?

Well, Hon Minister, I do not know whether you know of any and why some of them have not been granted —
Mr Kyerematen 5:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thought that your enquiry was properly put. The Hon Member wonders why a particular company has benefited from these incentives. The Rt Hon Speaker has requested you to provide and identify companies that have not been — but be that as it may, I just want to clarify that companies that benefit from loans have to be appraised by the participating financial institutions.
What 1D1F does is to facilitate access to the loan and also provide an interest subsidy. So, if other companies are unable to get their loan applications
Oral Answers to Questions approved by a particular participating financial institution, it would be difficult for me to know why they have not benefitted and others have. The basis for this is that the company would have to apply and then we would facilitate access to the loan and if the company goes through their credit appraisal process and they approve it then we give the interest subsidy.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:47 p.m.
Hon Member, are you done with your supplementary questions?
Mr Yusif Sulemana 5:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, my last question still has to do with job creation. Everpure Holdings Limited as listed in this document has created 1,500 jobs of which direct jobs are 500 and indirect jobs are 1,000 as part of the 106 1D1F. This is a company which existed before their support so I would want to find out from the Hon Minister if the 1,500 he stated in his answer is an addition to the already existing staff strength or that is the total number of staff for Everpure Holdings Limited.
Mr Kyerematen 5:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in my earlier response, I tried to understand whether the Hon Member wanted to know the direct attribution of the support in terms of the number of jobs that have been created and I said that would be a difficult exercise. We have indicated the number of jobs that have been created as a result of the support

that the company has received under the 1D1F Programme and my under- standing is that that would be part of the reason they have been able to create those jobs that have reflected in the document.
Mr Yusif Sulemana 5:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister did not understand my question, so if you could allow me to ask the question again because it is very important.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:47 p.m.
The Hon Minister provided an answer and that is sufficient.
Mr Edward A. Bawa 5:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister indicated that these companies are normally appraised by the participating financial institutions to be able to access the loans. So, I would want to verify from him if the Ministry of Trade and Industry do provide some capacity building for these companies to be able to present themselves properly to access these loans because from all indications, the companies need to pass some check-list on the participating financial institutions.
Mr Kyerematen 5:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, one of the requirements for companies to participate in the 1D1F programme is for them to present a business proposal which is evaluated on the basis of a defined criteria. Once a company is able to fulfil the conditions in respect of the defined criteria, then the process
is escalated to the bank and because the bank takes the risk on any facility that is extended to the particular company, there is a limit to which we could determine whether the bank should provide the credit facility or not. However, we do our normal appraisal to screen and assist the companies to present their case to the bank but the decision is that of the particular bank whether to provide the facility or not. We provide support to the companies to apply and that is what the facilitation is about.
Mr Kwame D. Gakpey 5:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in the Hon Minister's answer, he said that the appraisal was done by financial institutions, so I would want to find out from him whether those financial institutions are private or public and if he could also provide us with their names.
Mr Kyerematen 5:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is a mixture of private and public sector banks.
Mr Emmanuel K. Bedzrah 5:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in the Hon Minister's answer, he said that Miro Forestry Ghana Limited has applied for tax exemption since June 2021 but they have not been given. I would want to find out from him whether equipment have arrived and they have been installed or they are still there because of the tax exemption they have not been given.
Oral Answers to Questions
Mr Kyerematen 5:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am unable to confirm the specific details in respect of Miro Forestry Ghana Limited but generally speaking, when companies make an application for tax exemption, they indicate the period within which they expect the machinery and equipment to arrive. It is a matter of great concern when the application for exemption is not granted early enough.
Mr Issifu Seidu 5:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, if you would permit me, I would want to make a small correction on an Answer that the Hon Minister gave before I follow up with my question.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:47 p.m.
You would want to correct the Hon Minister's Answer?
Mr Issifu Seidu 5:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, there is a problem with the name of a company and because this is a House of record, we could give the Hon Minister the opportunity to correct it so that it would reflect in the record.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:57 p.m.
So, kindly put the proper name to him. If he agrees with you then the record would be corrected.
Mr Issifu Seidu 5:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in the response of the Hon Minister to the Question numbered 729, he stated that he gave GH¢10 million subsidy to CH
Group but in the list of companies that are working currently, we do not find this company in the list provided. We only find CH Global Limited.
Is CH Global Limited the same as the CH Group? That is the first one.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:57 p.m.
You are entitled to only one question.
Yes, Hon Minister?
Mr Kyerematen 5:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is the same company.
Mr Issifu Seidu 5:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, now to my question.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:57 p.m.
So, you used the correction to ask a question? Very well, just proceed.
Mr Issifu Seidu 5:57 p.m.
All right. Mr Speaker, the issue of Everpure Holdings Limited has been on the table as far as the employment numbers are concerned.
Everpure Holdings Limited has been in the system for a very long time. The Minister is saying that an aggregate employment numbers, both direct and indirect, is 1500.
How many employees did Everpure Holdings Limited have before the intervention was given?
Mr Kyerematen 5:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I do not have the specific details. We can provide that in due course.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Oral Answers to Questions
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:57 p.m.
Hon Members, that is the end of Question time. Hon Minister, I thank you for attending upon the House to answer Questions.
You are discharged.
The Hon Second Deputy Speaker to take the Chair.
Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader
Mr Afenyo-Markin 5:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we have an indication that we are likely to have an Order Paper Addendum to consider the e-levy so I am just — [Uproar].
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:57 p.m.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader, you are in charge of Government Business. When you bring it here, we would consider it. Now, there is nothing before us.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 5:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we are bringing it today.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 5:57 p.m.
Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader, shall we return to the Statements?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 5:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, as was agreed earlier, there was a condition with respect to the Statement in the name of Hon Ablakwa. If you recall, originally, the plan was for it to be taken yesterday and it had to be deferred in anticipation of the presence of the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations. So, I think we should
still put it on hold since the conclusion was that we should have the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations in the House before that Statement is presented.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 5:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we had to come to Questions and Commencement of Public Business. I do not intend to respond to the Hon Deputy Majority Leader about when e- levy would be introduced or re- introduced or when he would walk out on a budget or on e-levy. The dance that survives the next day, the thigh is not in a haste to dance it.
6.03 p.m. — [MR SECOND DEPUTY
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:57 p.m.
Come again — [Laughter] —
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 5:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, a dance which ensues midnight into the next day, the thigh is always not in a haste to start it. So, this dance on e- levy, we are ready to dance if he thinks he has the thigh which would continue till tomorrow morning.
Mr Speaker, there is one Statement which is more of a tribute to one of our MPs who passed on, the former Member for Techiman. Maybe, I should persuade my Hon Colleagues —
I agree with him that the Hon Ablakwa's Statement can be taken tomorrow when the Minister for
Oral Answers to Questions

Employment and Labour Relations is available. I am sure it is on growing youth unemployment in the country but the Hon Ofosu-Adjare has a Statement which is just to pay tribute. [Interruption] — I am told that you agreed to take it next week.

Mr Speaker, it is a short Statement, so, let her read. Apart from her, I am the only one to contribute and then one from the Majority Side then we adjourn.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:57 p.m.
Is it time bound?
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 5:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, yes, it is just a eulogy of a former MP and just one contribution from each Side. After that we can adjourn.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 5:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minority Leader should not get into the local politics of Techiman. We are wide awake to the local politics. The two Members have Statements. We understand she has her Statement and the Hon Adjei Mensah-Korsah also has his Statement on the same subject matter. So, we would want to defer — [Interruption]
Wait, this is not an NDC-NPP matter. [Laughter] This is systems and policies. So, we have agreed that since the funeral is in two weeks' time, we look at it next week. There is no problem. So that both of them —
It is in the national interest that the two of them make their Statements
jointly. We do not wait so that when the other Hon Member is temporarily absent then he would do it and take the glory. It would not happen.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 5:57 p.m.
Yes, let me hear the Hon Deputy Minority Leader.
Mr James K. Avedzi 5:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is becoming the strategy of the other Side of the House that when we prepare Statements, they think that by allowing the Statement to be read, we are taking the glory. So, they would want the Statement to be delayed for them to also prepare the same Statement. This is a colonial strategy; they should stop using it.
The Hon Member knows that the funeral is in two weeks but she prepared the Statement. And the Member whose Statement is to be read was in the first Parliament of the Republic when he was not even in Parliament then.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 5:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we are just updating you on the fact that at conclave, the consensus was that it would be taken next week, all other matters are on the lighter note.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:07 p.m.
Hon Members, in actual fact, I have two Statements, one by my sister, Elizabeth and the other one by my brother, Martin. [Interruption] — Yes, she is my sister. [Laughter] And one by my brother.
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They are all in respect of the same person. So, I think if the funeral is coming off in two weeks' time, we can actually take them and their contri- butions together next week when the other Hon Member is around. I think that we can settle it that way.

Hon Member, we would move to —
Mr Afenyo-Markin 6:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker, there being no further competent parliamentary Business for the day, I beg to move that this House adjourns till tomorrow — [Interruption] — No, we started after 2 p.m. and so, we are still within the four hours.
Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House adjourns till tomorrow —
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:07 p.m.
Hon Majority Leader, let me hear you.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 6:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker, at 10 a.m.
Mr Avedzi 6:07 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion. However, we can debate it before the Question is put.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 6:07 p.m.
Hon Members, there would be no debate on this. [Interruption]
Hon Members, are you not tired?
Some Hon Members 6:07 p.m.
No.
ADJOURNMENT 6:07 p.m.