Debates of 18 Feb 2022

MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:37 a.m.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:37 a.m.
Hon
Members, may I invite you to the item
numbered 4 on today's Order Paper which is the Correction of Votes and
Proceedings and the Official Report.
We shall begin with the Votes and
Proceedings of Thursday, 17th February,
2022.
Page 1-8 -
Dr Isaac Yaw Opoku 10:37 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
on page 7, the items numbered 5 and 6, I
was conspicuously present here
yesterday. The same applies to Hon
Obeng Takyi. He even made a
contribution to my Statement, but we
have been both marked absent.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:37 a.m.
Very well. At least, I can testify that yesterday he read a Statement, so Table Office should please take note.
Page 8 - 12
Mr Rockson-Nelson Etse K.
Dafeamekpor: Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity. On page 12, item numbered 3 (v), the name is Mr Kwesi Amo-Hinson. There appears to be a “b” in there, so if the Table Office could take note of the spelling of “Hinson” which is spelt “H-I-N-S-O-N”?
Mr Speaker, then, the item numbered 3 (xv), Mrs Jemima Oware is actually the Registrar at the Registrar-General Department but not the Registrar at Births and Deaths Registry. So, if that too could be corrected?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:37 a.m.
Table Office, please take note of that.
Hon Members, let us turn to pages 13
- 19.
Hon Members, in the absence of any further corrections, the Votes and Proceedings of the 15th Sitting held yesterday, Thursday, 17th February, 2022, is adopted as the true record of proceedings.
Hon Members, we have the Official Report of 8th February, 2022.
Hon Member, do you have any concern?
Mr Issifu Seidu 10:37 a.m.
I thank you, Mr Speaker. I just want to draw your attention to the numbers in the House. It looks like we are not up to 20 Members, so Order 48 applies. I am not sure we should continue with this number. We are far less than 20.
I thank you very much.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:37 a.m.
Yes, let
me hear you, the Hon Majority Chief
Whip?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 10:47 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I
was trying to catch your attention to seek
your leave to vary the Order of Business
while we take the item numbered 6.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:47 a.m.
I have
not finished with the correction of the
Official Report.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 10:47 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I
am sorry.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:47 a.m.
Hon
Member for Navrongo, I hope you do not
mean your intervention?
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 10:47 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I
heard the Hon Majority Chief Whip
mention the item numbered 6. Guided by
Standing Order 53 of our normal
Business, you cannot skip the Business
Statement and take Questions. That is not
appropriate within our Standing Orders.
Today is Friday and the most important
item should be the Business Statement for
the Fifth Week before we can move to the
item numbered 6.
Mr Speaker, I have no problem with
the item numbered 6; the Hon Minister
for Roads is punctual as I see him ready
to respond to his Questions. However, the
Hon Majority Chief Whip should propose
what is right within our Standing Orders
and he must be interested in watching his
back because I see the Hon Member for
Navrongo also drawing our attention to a
quorum.
In the age where numbers have
become important, and we hear Hon
Members boast that they are the Majority
with the numbers - they should bring up any matter now and let us put it to a vote
because the 1992 Constitution says that;
‘matters before the House, Members present and voting'. Therefore, people in Government must be interested in the
work of Government on the Floor here.
We cannot have four or five Hon
Members and only the Hon Minister for
Roads and Highways here - Where are their Hon Members that they are tasking
us -?
Votes and Proceedings andthe Official Report

Mr Speaker, thank you.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:47 a.m.
Hon
Minority Leader, I share your concerns,
but as I have said, I believe that the Hon
Member for Navrongo did not mean his
intervention and I believe he has
withdrawn it.
Hon Members, we would proceed with
the correction of the Official Report of 8th
February, 2022.
In the absence of any corrections, the
Official Report of 8th February, 2022, is
hereby adopted as the true record of
proceedings.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:47 a.m.
Yes,
Hon Majority Chief Whip, let me hear
you.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 10:47 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I
had early on sought your leave to vary the
order of Business to enable us move to the
item numbered 6. So, if you may permit?
Mr Speaker, I say this, fully aware of
the importance this House attaches to the
Business Statement. I have had invitation
from the Hon Majority Leader who wants
to present the Business Statement himself
and he is almost here. I am sure we may
not even be through with the Questions
before he arrives to deliver the Business
Statement as he usually does.
I do not think this is an issue we need
to drag. We should just move on and take
Questions so that when he comes in, he
would duly present the Business
Statement.
Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka 10:47 a.m.
Mr Speaker, my Hon Colleague knows that he is a
member of the Business Committee and has
several times represented the Hon Majority
Leader in doing this.
Mr Speaker, this is faster to do than to
start with Questions - if we look at the Order Paper, we have close to 12 or so
Questions. I do not think it would be fair
for the Hon Minister to start and then we
take a break for the Hon Majority Leader
to present the Business Statement. We all
have copies of the Business Statement, so
I think that it is only fair that the Hon
Majority Chief Whip presents it. If there
are questions he cannot answer, he could
note them down to be shown to the Hon
Majority Leader when he arrives so that
we can start with Questions without
taking a break for the presentation of the
Business Statement.
Mr Speaker, other than that, I do not
foresee us finishing these Questions
within the next hour and a half. It is just
fair to everybody for the Hon Majority
Chief Whip to read the Business
Statement and defer the comments which
he cannot respond to to the Hon Majority
Leader.
Votes and Proceedings andthe Official Report
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 10:47 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
we work to complement each other and
that is a fact. We are dragging this issue,
but my Hon Colleague has told me
several times in the face that I have to
always clear issues with my Hon Leader
when situations arise.
Mr Speaker, I would want to respect
the authority of the Hon Majority Leader.
He has given me the directive to hold on
till he arrives to present the Business
Statement. So, it is not a matter that we
should drag. My Hon Colleague knows
that it is a convention in this House that,
more often than not, we vary the Order of
Business. So, he should just accede to the
varying of the Order of Business to
enable us take Questions. When the Hon
Majority Leader comes and we find it
appropriate either truncate the answering
of the Questions or wait for the entire
Questions to be answered before the
Business Statement is presented -So, we should just go ahead and take Questions
and then when he comes, he would do the
needful.
Alhaji Muntaka 10:47 a.m.
Mr Speaker, if my
Hon Colleague is insisting on the Hon
Majority Leader arriving later on, to
present the Business Statement, then the
only suitable option by me is to call for a
suspension of Sitting while we wait for
the Hon Leader and then proceed with the
Questions after that.
Mr Speaker, it is not for nothing that
we take the Business Statement on
Fridays which always happen to be the
first item. It is to enable us prepare very
well because some Hon Members may
have to leave for their constituencies,
while others have flights to catch, so they
would need to know the Business for the
ensuing week. When we start these
Questions, I am sure that even if they are
constituency-specific Questions, it would
not take us less than one and a half hours
to finish.
Mr Speaker, so let us suspend Sitting
and if Hon Majority Leader is watching
and he knows that the House is being
suspended because we are waiting for
him, maybe, that would ensure his swift
arrival to present the Business Statement
so that that we can proceed since my Hon
Colleague cannot stand in for him.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:47 a.m.
Hon
Majority Chief Whip, I believe you are a
member of the Business Committee?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 10:47 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
yes, I am. Unfortunately, I was not
present at our last sitting and this is
reflected in the Votes and Proceedings. I
am totally surprised that my Hon
Colleague - we do this always and today is not the first time. The Hon Majority
Leader is unavoidably absent; we can
vary the Order of Business to take other
Businesses, and then we come back to it.
Votes and Proceedings andthe Official Report

Mr Speaker, we are clearly in your

hands in this matter. I implore your

wisdom to rule on this matter because I

cannot simply understand why my

respected Hon Colleague is dragging this

matter. The Hon Minister for Roads and

Highways is one of our own who is

always in the House.

I urge you to rule on this matter and

then we move ahead.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:47 a.m.
Let me
hear from the Hon Minister for Roads and
Highways on this matter.
Mr Kwasi Amoako-Attah 10:57 a.m.
Mr
Speaker, thank you for this opportunity.
I think that on the face of the point
being made by the Hon Minority Chief
Whip, it is in order. However, the Hon
Majority Chief Whip made a statement
that he was not even present at the
previous Business Committee meeting
and, based on that, I would want to appeal
with my Hon Leader on the other Side
that even in normal meeting
transactions, once a member was absent,
that person is not clothed with the
authority to even move for the acceptance
of the minutes that arose from the
meeting. Mr Speaker, based on this fact, I
would want to plead with him that
because the Hon Majority Chief Whip
was not present at that meeting, he may
not be privy to all the issues and
discussions that took place, so he may not
be in a proper and competent position to
even defend the follow-up questions that
may arise after the presentation of the
Business Statement.
Mr Speaker, so I want to plead with the
Hon Minority Chief Whip to oblige and
agree with his Hon Colleague on this
issue.
Mr Speaker, thank you.
Alhaji Muntaka 10:57 a.m.
Mr Speaker, all that
I wanted to say is that the rules of the
House are very clear, so if the excuse
being given by Hon Colleague is that he
was not at the meeting, then I was there.
Mr Speaker, when it comes to presenting
a Report of a Committee, any Hon
Member who is available can read the
Report, so I am ready to read the Business
Statement on their behalf because I was at
the Business Committee meeting. So,
once the Hon Chairman is not available,
any Hon Member of the Committee can
present the Report. So, if his worry is that
he was not at the meeting, then I was at
the meeting, so I am ready to present the
Business Statement on behalf of the Hon
Majority Leader so that we can make
progress.
Mr Speaker, this may sound proving
difficult, but the challenge is that we
Votes and Proceedings andthe Official Report

cannot have a Majority Side who knows

that we have to start Sitting at 10.00 a.m.

- Yesterday, they adjourned this House to 10.00 a.m. today, but just look at the Hon

Members on their Side. Yet, we are here

and they want to vary the Business and do

it their way. Mr Speaker, this is the real

difficulty because they want to do

Business at their own time and

convenience, and that leaves the rest of us

to sit and wait for them. Mr Speaker, if we

check the records of this House, the

Business Statement is invariably the first

item we take, and I stand to be corrected

that any time the Hon Majority Leader is

not available, the Hon Deputy Majority

Leader or the Hon Whips can present on

behalf of the Hon Leader.

Mr Speaker, so if the Majority Chief

Whip's worry is that he was not at the meeting, then I was present so I am ready

to read the Business Statement on behalf

of the Hon Majority Leader.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 10:57 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I
think my Hon Colleague has made a
comment that I find in bad taste and he
knows I respect him. I do not think that it
is always the case that the Leadership
have always absented themselves. Mr
Speaker, there have been several times
that he has also not been able to show up
and Hon Agbodza and other Hon
Colleagues have stood in his stead. So, let
us not take it out of context and create the

Mr Speaker, if he creates the

impression that the Leadership on this

Side do not show up and that it is only the

Hon Chief Whip that shows up, I think it

is an unfair comment to make. The Hon

Majority Leader is unavoidably absent

and this is not the first time we are making

this appeal.

Mr Speaker, not to belabour the point,

he has been called upon to understand so

we would implore your wisdom in this

matter because I do not think we have to

drag this. Mr Speaker, if Hon Colleagues

can allow the Hon Minister to answer the

Questions, we can move to the next item.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:57 a.m.
Hon
Minority Chief Whip, I side with you
personally, but under the circumstances, I
would want to plead with you to give
some time to our Hon Members to ask
their Questions directed to the Hon
Minister for Roads and Highways. At the
appropriate time, I know that even if the
Hon Majority Leader would not be here,
the Hon Deputy Majority Leader would
be here to present the Business Statement
because he was also present at the
Business Committee meeting.
On your suggestion that you were
present at the Business Committee
meeting, so you could read on their behalf
that is all right, but you may not be able
to answer the follow-up questions
perfectly because you would not know
Votes and Proceedings andthe Official Report

how Government Business would be in

the ensuing week in terms of specific

issues. So, I would plead with you to

allow us take the item numbered 6 and I

know that in the course of time, the Hon

Majority Leader or the Hon Deputy

Majority Leader would be here to present

the Business Statement.

Hon Minority Chief Whip, this is just

a plea.
Alhaji Muntaka 10:57 a.m.
Mr Speaker, you are
in the Chair and if you are pleading, then
I have to oblige but I must say that we are
not happy with the turn of events. Mr
Speaker, with the greatest of respect, they
should take us more seriously.
The Hon Majority Chief Whip made
reference to Hon Agbodza, but any time
Hon Agbodza sits here, he has my full
mandate and does not wait for me. Mr
Speaker, he knows this because any time
I say I am not available so an Hon
Colleague should stand in, that Hon
Colleague has my mandate. Mr Speaker,
one cannot be unavailable and still hold
us back, but once you have pleaded, we
would have to oblige you.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:57 a.m.
I am
very grateful.
Hon Members, on this note, we would
move to the item numbered 6 on the
Order Paper - Questions.
The Hon Minister for Roads and
Highways is here to answer the
Questions.
Hon Minister, you may take the
appropriate seat.
Hon Members, we would start with the
Question numbered 487 which stands in
the name of the Hon Member for Buem,
Mr Kofi I. Adams.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 10:57 a.m.
MINISTRY OF ROADS AND 10:57 a.m.
HIGHWAYS 10:57 a.m.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:07 a.m.
Hon
Members, before I invite the Hon
Minister to answer the Question, I would
like to draw your attention that if a
Question is specific to a constituency, we
would limit the follow-up questions to the
owner of the Question. However, if it is a
general Question, then we may allow
other Hon Members to ask supplementary
questions.
Hon Minister, you may answer the
Question now.

Minister for Roads and Highways

(Mr Kwasi Amoako-Attah) (MP): Mr

Speaker,

(i) Bodada -Dzolu

Background

The Bodada - Kute - Dzolu road (34.0km) is an engineered inter district

feeder road linking communities in the

Jasikan Municipality in the Oti region to

communities in the Hohoe Municipality

in the Volta region. The first 17km of the

road from Bodada is primer sealed and in

good condition whilst the remaining

section from km 17.0 to km 34.0 is gravel

in fair condition.

Current Programme

Contract for the upgrading of the first

28.5km of the road was awarded under

the contract titled “Bituminous Surfacing

of Bodada -Kute-Dzolu Feeder Road

(28.5Km)” in 2015 under COCOBOD

funding.

The works progressed steadily but due

to the erratic payment for certified works,

the contractor vacated site in May 2020

after 75 per cent physical completion.

Work executed before vacation of site

includes:

-28km of clearing and formation

-34,532m3 of excavation in

cutting and 7,984m3 of excavation

in rock

-23Nos. of 1/900mm diameter

pipe culverts

-32Nos. of 1/1200mm diameter

pipe culverts

-19km of sub base,

-17km of base and primer seal and

-2.0km of final seal

Oral Answers to Questions

Future Programme

The contractor has stockpiled

materials at site and has indicated the

reactivation and continuation of the

works by the end of February 2022. The

contractor's performance will be monitored when work resumes to enable

the future of the contract to be

determined.

(ii) Bodada - Baika

Background

The Bodada - Baika road is an 18km feeder road located in the Jasikan

Municipality of the Oti Region. It is a

gravel road in poor condition.

Current Programme

Contract for the upgrading of the road

was awarded under the title “Bituminous Surfacing of Bodada - Baika Feeder Road

(18.0km)” under COCOBOD funding. Works commenced on 24th June, 2016

and was expected to be completed on

27th February, 2018.

A COCOBOD Audit team in July

2019 recommended the contract activities

to be re-scoped in order to end the works

at the sub-base level. The contractor

failed to execute the works and

subsequently, due to the long delay in

completion, the project was terminated in

2020 by COCOBOD at 21 per cent

physical completion.

Work executed at termination of contract

includes;

-18km of clearing and formation,

-18,289m3 of cutting,

-951m of 600mm x 600mm

concrete U-drains,

-8No. of 1/900mm diameter pipe

culverts

-6No. of 2/900mm diameter pipe

culverts

-1No. of 1/1200mm diameter pipe

culvert

Mr Speaker, the contract has been

repackaged for consideration under the

2022 budget.

(iii) Jasikan Town Roads

Background

Jasikan is the capital of the Jasikan

District of the Oti Region.

Current Programme

The contract for the “Upgrading of selected roads in Jasikan (4.8KM)” was awarded on contract on 2nd July, 2020.

The contract is yet to be signed. The

contract would be signed for the

contractor to mobilise to site.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Adams 11:07 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I want to
thank the Hon Minister for the information
Oral Answers to Questions

provided. We would follow up on the Bodada-

Kute-Dzolu section, but I want to find out

the stage of the repackaged contract that

is to be considered in 2022 Budget for

Bodada to Baika. We are in February of

2022 and if it is to be considered under

this Budget, I want to know the stage that

the Ministry has reached as far as the

Bodada to Baika road, which he admits is

in a very bad state, is. The best district

farmer for 2021 who hails from Tetteman

when she was interviewed, one of her

biggest concern was the bad nature of that

road. I want to find out the stage that the

Ministry has reached as far as that section

is concerned since it is just repackaging

to be re-awarded.
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:07 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I
have made a firm and concrete statement
about the repackaging. I did not say that
we are planning repackaging or it is going
to be repackaged. I was emphatic and I
said that it has been repackaged. It means
that we have picked up all the inventories;
we are certain and we have agreed on the
new scope of works. So, it is ready now
and we are in 2022, which has just begun
and we are capturing it under the current
Budget. So I want to assure my Hon
Colleague that this would be taken up as
quickly as possible.
Mr Speaker, I must put on record that
he is one Hon Member of Parliament who
keeps on following up on his roads and he
knows that we have been talking about
these roads. So whatever information I
have shared with him on his roads still
stands.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Adams 11:07 a.m.
Mr Speaker, he is right.
We have been speaking on our roads and
recently, he promised something and has
delivered, and work is ongoing as we
speak. So he is right. However, my next
concern is the Jasikan town roads. The
Jasikan District has just been raised to a
Municipality. It qualified just yesterday.
But truly, we do not have any good road
and we have the major Eastern Corridor
road that passes through which is in good
condition, but the town roads are in a very
terrible condition. The contract, in his
own words, was awarded on 2nd July,
2020. The contract is yet to be signed and
that is my worry. It would be signed for
the contractor to mobilise to site. It is
difficult for me to explain to my people
how a contract that has been awarded in
2020 is yet to be signed.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:07 a.m.
Hon
Member, you have already established
the fact that you are in good terms with
him, so, iron this out with him in his
office. I think there is no need for any
question on this. Let us move on.
Oral Answers to Questions
Mr K. I. Adams 11:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I
appreciate your intervention. I will see
him in chambers for us to deal with it.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:17 p.m.
Very
well. We would now move to Question
numbered 489. It stands in the name of
the Hon Member for Madina.
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:17 p.m.
Hon
Member, I know you to be the Member of
Parliament for New Edubiase.
Mr Abdul-Salam Adams 11:17 p.m.
Yes, Mr
Speaker. I have the permission of the Hon
Member to ask the Question on his
behalf.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:17 p.m.
Hon
Member advert your mind to Standing
Order 68 (3). If the owner of the Question
is not here, at least the prior notice of the
Speaker is critical. You do not just come
to the Chamber and rise up - I observed something. When you rose, the Hon
Member for Wa West also wanted to get
up. It means even among yourselves, you
do not know who would ask the Question
on behalf of the Hon Member.
Hon Members, let us note this. We
forget ourselves. If a Member asks a
Question and the Question is advertised
and the Hon Member for whatever reason
is not able to come, and another Member
wants to read the Question on behalf of
the Member who is absent, please, let the
Speaker get to know prior to Sittings -
Yes, that is my understanding - prior permission. Read Standing Order 68 (3).
So, let us advice ourselves. Hon Member
for New Edubiase, you may go on?
Measures to fix the Damfa-Amrahia
Road
Mr Abdul-Salam Adams (on behalf
of (Mr Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu (NDC
- Madina): Mr Speaker, I rise to ask the
Minister for Roads and Highways the
measures being taken to fix the Damfa - Amrahia road to ease the stress of citizens
who use the road.
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the
Ayi Mensah-Damfa-Amrahia feeder road
is 10.5kms long and located in the La-
Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality of
the Greater Accra Region. It is an
engineered road with distressed
bituminous surface and thus in poor
condition.
Current Programme
Contract for the upgrading of the road
was awarded together with another road
under the title “Upgrading of Ayi Mensah - Damfa - Amrahia feeder road (10.5kms)” and Otinibi Junction-Otinibi (3.3kms) under Road Fund on 13th
August, 2020. Works commenced on 21st
Oral Answers to Questions

September, 2020 and was expected to be

completed on 20th September, 2021.

The contractor abandoned site shortly

after commencement at a progress of 3

per cent. A final warning letter was issued

to the contractor to return to site by 25th

February, 2022 failure of which the

contract will be recommended for

termination.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:17 p.m.
Hon
Member, do you have any supplementary
question?
Mr Abdul-Salam Adams 11:17 p.m.
Mr
Speaker, the Minister in his Answer said
that the contractor abandoned site, and
they would give him a final warning letter
to come to site. If he does not, the contract
will be terminated.
Mr Speaker, I would want to find out
what would be the time frame to re-award
the contract in case the contractor fails to
come to site?
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I
indicated in the Answer that we have
given the contractor up to 25th of
February, 2022 and today is 18th
February, 2022, so we have seven days
to go. So, if he fails to return to site to
reactivate the project, then we shall
invoke the termination clause. It is a route
that we are always reluctant to walk on,
because once a contract is terminated, it
means that we are compelled to go
through the procurement processes again,
and that will take a minimum of about six
weeks. So, if we should terminate it after
25th February, 2022, it will take a
minimum of six weeks to get a more
competent contractor to undertake the
job.
Mr Speaker, in most cases, in order to
shorten the time, if you look around and
there is a more competent contractor
within the vicinity, we can do variation
order to appeal to that contractor to
speed-up the work, so that we do not go
through the procurement process again.
So, we shall look at that option. I admit
that it is of great concern to the Hon
Member and to his constituents, if we
have to go through all the processes
again, so we would chose the shortest
route.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:17 p.m.
Hon
Member, are you not satisfied?
Mr Abdul-Salam Adams 11:17 p.m.
Mr
Speaker, I am, but I have the last question
for the Minister.
Mr Speaker, the Minister has
acknowledged the fact that the road is of
great concern to the constituents of
Madina. As it stands now, the road is a
death trap. Would the
Minister consider getting his mobile
maintenance team to reshape it before the
rains come down? I know it would be
more terrible when the rains come.
Oral Answers to Questions
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is
a fair question. All such roads must
necessarily come under the maintenance
programme. So, until we get a more
competent contractor to go back on that
road, I can assure the Hon Member what
should be done. We should always work
together to ensure that it is done. My
Ministry will do exactly that.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:17 p.m.
Hon
Members, we will move to Question
numbered 492, which stands in the name
of the Hon Member for Ekumfi.
Completion of Construction on
Adansi-Immuna-Srafua-Owuya
Q. 492. Mr Abeiku Crentsil
(NDC - Ekumfi): Mr Speaker, I rise to
ask the Minister for Roads and Highways
when the 21kms Adansi - Immuna - Srafua - Owuya - Otuam road, construction of which started in 2016,
would be completed.
11. 27 a. m.
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
Background
The Adansi Immuna-Srafua-Owuya-
Otuam road is a 15 km feeder road
located in the Ekumfi District of the
Central region. It is a gravel road and in
poor condition.
Current Programme
The Adansi Immua-Srafua-Owuya-
Otuam feeder road has an actual length of
15 kms but is connected to the Owuya Jn
- Egyankwaa (6.1 kms) road at Owuya. The total length of the two roads is 21.1
kms.
Contracts for the upgrading of the two
roads were awarded together in two
separate lots under the Road Fund in 2016
as follows:
1. Bitumen Surfacing of Ekumfi - Adansi - Imuna - Owuya - Srafa - Otuam (POROG) Feeder Road, PH I (Km 0.00 -
10.00)
2. Bitumen Surfacing of Ekumfi - Adansi - Imuna - Owuya - Srafa - Otuam (POROG) Feeder Road, PH II (Km
10.00 - 21.10).
Both contracts commenced on 15th August, 2016 with an Intended Completion Date of 6th February, 2018. The contractors performed abysmally and achieved only 11.4 per cent and five per cent respectively.
Due to the excessive delay and the extremely low progress the contracts were terminated on 13th August, 2020 for non-performance.
The terminated contracts were repackaged as follows:
Oral Answers to Questions

1. Upgrading of Ekumfi Adansi - Immuna - Otuam Feeder Road, PHI (km 0.00 - 5.00)

16/12/2021.

2. Upgrading of Ekumfi Adansi - Immuna - Otuam Feeder Road, PH II (km 5.00 - 10.00)

16/12/2021.

3. Upgrading of Ekumfi Adansi - Immuna - Otuam Feeder Road, PH III (km 10.00 -

15.00).

4. Upgrading of Owuya Jn. - Egyankwa Feeder Road, PH

IV (6.10 km).

Future Programme

The phases I and II contracts were

awarded on 16th December, 2021 for

commencement. The remaining phases

III and IV are soon to be procured.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:17 p.m.
Hon
Member for Ekumfi, any supplementary
question?
Mr Crentsil 11:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like
to know from the Hon Minister if he
would supply me with the names of the
contractors so that I can do a follow
up?With the one that they have awarded,
he made mention that the first road has
been divided into two lots; lots one and
two.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:17 p.m.
So, you
would want the Hon Minster to supply
you with the names of the contractors so
that you can do your own follow up?
Mr Crentsil 11:17 p.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:17 p.m.
Very
well, Hon Minister, the Hon Member is
requesting that you -
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the
name of the first contractor is Messrs
Maps Estimates Limited, and the contract
sum is an amount of GH₵13.867 million. The name of the second contractor is the
same because this contract is in phase I
and phase II. If my Hon Colleague needs
further information about the contract,
then he can contact me after this and I
would furnish him with the needed
information.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:17 p.m.
Very
well.
Therefore, Hon Member, it is better
that you contact the Hon Minister.
Mr Crentsil 11:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would
also want to know this. Apparently, those
contractors that he made mention of were
not on site. Therefore, may I know from
the Hon Minister when they would be on
site?
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:17 p.m.
If I got
you right, you said that the Hon Minister
should provide you with the names of the
contractors so that you do the follow up
yourself.
Oral Answers to Questions
Mr Crentsil 11:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I am aware
of that but when are they coming on site?
This is because the contractors for the
ones that have been awarded have not
been on site for the past few years.
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the
wish of my Ministry, my good self and
Government is for the contractors to have
been on site even yesterday, but they are
not on site, and I cannot say exactly when
they are prepared to come. However,
there is a limit to which those contractors
can go, and we are giving them a
maximum of about two weeks. If they do
not come on site, we shall do the needful.
This is because they cannot hold the good
people of the Hon Member's constituency to ransom, and the interest
of the people is always supreme.
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:17 p.m.
Hon Members,
we would move on to - Hon Member, you have exhausted your supplementary
questions. You have asked three
supplementary questions.
Mr Crentsil 11:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, you gave
me two opportunities, but I think I was
supposed to have three.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:17 p.m.
You
have had three supplementary questions.
Mr Crentsil 11:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, but you
gave me two.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:17 p.m.
All
right, go ahead.
Mr Crentsil 11:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon
Minister has given me an assurance that
in the next two weeks, definitely I would
see the contractors, if not, then they
would do the needful. With all due
respect, I believe this is an assurance that
he can give to me through this House, and
I am very glad about that.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:17 p.m.
Hon
Minister, this is an assurance that you
have already given.
Very well.
Hon Members, we would move on to
the Question numbered 495, which stands
in the name of the Hon Member for Pru
East, the Hon Dr Kwabena Donkor.
Hon Member, you may ask your
Question.
The Rehabilitation of Certain
Highways
Dr Kwabena Donkor (NDC - Pru East) 11:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Hon
Minister for Roads and Highways when
the following feeder roads will be
rehabilitated: (i) Yeji - Abrumase road (ii) Yeji - Konkoma - Kajai road (iii) Yeji - Bomodin - Nchamba road.
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:17 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
i. Yeji - Abrumase (56.0kms)
ii. Yeji - Konkoma - Kajai road (9.0kms)
Oral Answers to Questions

iii. Yeji - Bomodan - Nchamba road (25.0kms)

Background

The above roads are identified feeder

roads located in the Pru East District of

the Bono East Region. They are

engineered roads in poor conditions.

Current Programme

There are no rehabilitation

programmes on these roads.

Future Programme

Engineering design studies will be

conducted on these roads by the end of

the first quarter of 2022 to assess and

determine the appropriate intervention for

rehabilitating the roads. The execution of

the works will be considered under the

2023 budget.
Dr Donkor 11:37 a.m.
Mr Speaker, can the Hon
Minister assist in the interim with some
remedial works to enable farmers bring
their produce to the market as we are
about to enter into the rainy reason? This
particular area is a major food basket, and
I would humbly beseech the Hon Minister
to consider some remedial works even as
they wait for 2023.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:37 a.m.
The
Hon Minister is smiling so I can see that
he is going to —
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:37 a.m.
Mr Speaker, this
is a legitimate request, and I would urge
the Hon Member that we have to work
together. These are feeder roads and they
end up at food gates. I know the area
being discussed; it is a food basket. It is
important we give access roads to all farm
gates, and these three roads are part of
that. Mr Speaker, I would want to rather
urge my Hon Colleague that we should
team up and do exactly as he has
requested. The Government will do that
because when we promise, we do.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:37 a.m.
We
would move to Question 614 which
stands in the name of the Hon Member for
Garu, Mr Albert Akuka Alalzuuga.
Hon Member, you may ask your
Question?
Completion of Garu Township
Roads
Mr Albert Akuka Alalzuuga (NDC
- Garu): Mr Speaker, I rise to ask the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways
when the roads in the Garu Township will
be completed.
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:37 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
Garu is a district capital in the Upper East
Region. The town is located on the
Missiga - Garu - Sissie road which forms part of the National Road (N2), also
referred to as the eastern corridor road.
Oral Answers to Questions

Current Programme

The trunk road through Garu

Township including some selected roads

within the township has been awarded on

contract titled “Resealing/Upgrading of Missiga - Garu - Sissie Road (km 24.3 - 28.3), Garu Town Roads (1.2kms) and

Garu District Assembly Road (450ms)”.

The contract commenced on 7th

November, 2019 and the intended

completion date was 5th May, 2021. The

scope of works involves resealing of the

existing bituminous surface, and

upgrading of the gravel section to

bituminous surface. The total length of

roads covered under the contract is 5.65

km made up of 4.0 kms of trunk road

through the town and 1.65 kms of town

roads in Garu.

To date, the contractor has executed

the following works:

• 3,300 m of concrete u-drains

• 4No. 1/900 mm diameter pipe culverts

The physical progress of work is

estimated at 28 per cent.

The contractor has vacated site for

some time due to delay in the payment for

work done. Warning letters have been

issued to the contractor to return to site

and reactivate the contract. The

contractor is expected to submit a revised

programme of works. The Ghana

Highway Authority (GHA) shall monitor

his response to the various letters written

and shall take the necessary action to

terminate the contract if need be.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:37 a.m.
Hon
Member, any supplementary question?
Mr Alalzuuga 11:37 a.m.
Mr Speaker, as
indicated in the Answer by the Hon
Minister, this contract was awarded in
November 2019, and we are in 2022. It
has been three years and the Hon Minister
has told us that only 28 per cent of the
work has been done, and the contractor
has vacated site and he has been given
written warning letters. We do not even
know when the contractor would come to
site. Can the Hon Minister -
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:37 a.m.
Hon
Member, ask the question.
Mr Alalzuuga 11:37 a.m.
Can the Hon Minister
tell us when the contractor would get
back to site?
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:47 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I
always share the worries of my Hon
Colleagues whenever projects in their
constituencies are held up like this. I
understand that every Hon Member of
Parliament would be anxious to see a new
contractor if need be on the road.
However, from our point of view, we are
Oral Answers to Questions

always a little cautious in terminating

contracts because I have said here a

number of times and I even said it a short

while ago that once we terminate a

contract, we are compelled to restart the

procurement process.

In almost all cases, it takes a longer

time to get the contractor on site than

perhaps trying to engage the contractor

who is already on site and addressing the

problems if need be.

In this case, part of it was delay in

payment. So, in such circumstances, if

you engage the contractor and you are

convinced that he has the capacity to

work, and you are able to sort the

financial issue out with him, it is always

simpler and faster. That is why at times,

it causes some of these delays. But if we

look at the percentage completion, 28 per

cent completion, anybody who

understands project execution, if you do

28 per cent of it, and you are unable to

continue, then, there is a problem with the

contractor's capacity.

Mr Speaker, to cut a long story short,

once we have written to him, every

warning letter would carry a date for

response, and it would not be an open-

ended letter but I do not have those dates

here. We are monitoring and that is why

the last sentence of my Answer indicated

that ‘Ghana Highways Authority, the Agency under whose jurisdiction this

project falls, is keenly following it up and

monitoring it so that at the right time, if it

has to be terminated, it would be

terminated and we would make sure we

bring back a contractor as soon as

practicable.

Mr Alalzuuga —rose —
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:47 a.m.
Hon
Member, are you not satisfied?
Mr Alalzuuga 11:47 a.m.
Mr Speaker, with your
permission, I still have two more follow
up questions.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:47 a.m.
Very
well.
Mr Alalzuuga 11:47 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the first
part of the road in question, according to
the Hon Minister's Answer, the road stretches from Missiga in the Bawku
District to Garu, and passes through to
link up the Gambaga Scarp. But the first
part of the contract was awarded
sometime before 2018 but I asked a
Question of the Hon Minister in 2018 and
he assured me that they were going to
ensure that the contractor comes back.
That contractor is different from the
current contractor who is working on
township roads.
Mr Speaker, and if you are travelling
from Bawku to Garu and see the road —
Oral Answers to Questions
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:47 a.m.
My
brother, the question?
Mr Alalzuuga 11:47 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the
question is that I need some assurance as
to how quick the Minister would fix the
road for the people of Garu? This is
because this road causes a lot of
accidents. People are dying; there are lot
of broken limbs because our main means
of transportation around the area is
motorbikes. And there are a lot of
potholes especially from Garu to Sissi,
there is a place there I can say it is even a
pond, not a pothole.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:47 a.m.
Hon
Member, you said you need some
assurance?
Mr Alalzuuga 11:47 a.m.
Yes. Mr Speaker.
When can the Hon Minister fix the road
for the people of Garu? Mr Speaker, I am
very concerned.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:47 a.m.
Hon
Minister, give him some comfort; he
wants assurance.
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:47 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
perhaps, fortunately for my Hon
Colleague, I know that area in Garu-
Tempane Constituency very well. And I
know this particular road because I have
travelled on it a number of times
particularly, when the major bridge there
got broken - an articulated truck came on
it and it got broken. I do not think you
were in Parliament then but I think your
predecessor, my Hon Friend and my Hon
Chairman was in Parliament; so, I know
that road very well.
Mr Speaker, that road is so important
that has to work be done on it, we would
bring it under our Mobile Maintenance
Unit, and you have been following up on
it.
Mr Speaker, he has even vindicated
me; he has asked a Question on this road
before. He has reminded me, it is true, I
can confirm that I think 2018 or 2019.
There was a contractor on that road but
because of his lackadaisical attitude work
was not going on well, we gave him the
assurance that we shall monitor work on
that road. The contractor was not working
well; we replaced him but even the
second contractor also did not
work to our expectation,
regrettably and unfortunately.
Mr Speaker, so, that is a vindication
that we keep close eyes on that road. And
I would like to assure him that we would
continue to do that but I would also call
on him so that we have a dialogue from
time to time as a reminder for the work to
be done.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Oral Answers to Questions
Mr Alalzuuga 11:47 a.m.
Mr Speaker, this one
is an appeal. Just like the Hon Minister
said, I would like to appeal to him that in
fact, the only route in the area, that is the
main route linking up the North and the
South is that road. So I would like to
appeal the Hon Minister to really act on
this road because anytime it rains - I
would like to appeal to the Hon Minister
that he should pass on that road and see
because it was about two years ago that
he passed on that road. I would like to
appeal to him to have compassion on the
people of Garu and fix that road for us.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:47 a.m.
Hon
Member, the compassion is given.
Hon Members, we now move to the
Question numbered 616 which stands in
the name of the Hon Member for
Nalerigu/Gambaga.
Hon Members, you may ask your
Question?
Plans for Selected Roads in
Nalerigu/Gambaga Consitituency.
Mr Seidu Issifu (Nalerigu/Gambaga) 11:47 a.m.
Mr
Speaker, I beg to ask the Hon Minister for Roads
and Highways what plans the Ministry has
for the following road networks: (i)
Kulgona - Sumnibomah - Kulinvai road
(ii) Zarantinga - Zambulugu -
Yunyoranyiri - Jerigitinga -
Tichirigitaaba road (iii) Kulgona -
Laafurim - Takoratinga road.
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:47 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
Background
The Kulgona - Sumibomah - Kulinvai
(8.0 km), Zaratinga - Zambulugu -
Yunyoranyiri - Jerigitinga -
Tichirigitaaba (15.0 kms) and Kulgona
- Laafurim - Takorantinga roads are
feeder roads located in the East Mamprusi
District of the North East region. They are
poor roads with gravel and earth sections.
Current Programme
There are no programmes on these
roads.
Oral Answers to Questions

Future Programme

Engineering design studies and

condition survey have been carried out on

the roads and cost estimates prepared for

Spot Improvement and Rehabilitation

interventions. The implementation of

these interventions will however be

considered under the 2023 budget.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:17 p.m.
Yes,
Hon Issifu?
I am the Vice Chairman and I have his
permission to proceed with your leave.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:17 p.m.
Very
Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:17 p.m.
Hon Member,
you were not there; I was. Hon Ahmed
was there and the Hon Minority Leader
was there; you left.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 12:17 p.m.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:17 p.m.
Yes, let
me come to you, Hon Member -
Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh 12:17 p.m.
Mr
Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity
- 12:17 p.m.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:17 p.m.
Hon
Member, you did not even allow me to
invite you. [Laughter] - Anyway, go on.
Mr Akandoh 12:17 p.m.
I am most grateful.
Mr Speaker, going through the
Business Statement, the almighty E-Levy
Bill did not get space in the Business
Statement.
Mr Speaker, may I know when the E-
Levy Bill would be brought back to the
floor of the House for us to consider
because some Hon Members on the other
Side are going round in the country
telling Ghanaians that some of us at this
Side of the House are secretly supporting
the E-Levy Bill. Whether or not we
support the E-Levy Bill, it must be
brought to the floor of the House so that
the numbers would indicate so.
Mr Speaker, some of their leaders have
also had the cause to blame the Rt Hon
Speaker for not being in the Chair for the
Business of the House

E-Levy Bill to be taken. The Rt Hon

Speaker has been in the country for one

week. He has been sitting. Today, we are

reading the Business Statement and there

is no indication to that effect. When Mr

Speaker travels, they would come and

blame him again. They must be serious

and he must react to that.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:17 p.m.
Yes, we
are on the road to Sefwi, so, let me come
to Bodi.
Mr Sampson Ahi 12:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, yes, I
thank you very much for recognising that
we are talking about Sefwi roads because
some of the roads are bad. Last week, I
complained about the bad nature of Bodi-
Ahibenso Road.
Mr Speaker, the Standing Order is
specific. I filed an Urgent Question about
three months ago. I am aware that the Hon
Speaker has admitted it and I have been
trying for the past three weeks to find out
from the Business Committee.

Mr Speaker, I would want the Hon

Deputy Majority Leader, who has been

reading the Business Statement for the

last three weeks to tell the people of Bodi

and Ahibenso when that stretch of road

would be constructed. I am struggling to

get answers to this simple Question.

Again, can the Hon Deputy Majority

Leader tell me and for that matter, the

people of Bodi and Ahibenso, when - last week, he tried to explain that for the road

to be worked on, it depends on the E-

Levy? I just would want him to know that

I filed that Urgent Question before the E-

levy Bill was tabled - [Laughter].

Mr Speaker, so, there is no

relationship between the Bodi-Ahibenso

Road and the E-Levy [Laughter] - Can he tell us when the Bodi-Ahibenso Road

would be constructed?

Thank you.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:27 p.m.
Yes,
Hon Member for New Adubiase?
Mr Adams Abdul-Salam 12:27 p.m.
Mr
Speaker, prior to recess, a lot of
Questions were advertised and were due
to be asked including my own Question
to the Hon Minister for Energy. I thought
that upon resumption, it would
automatically follow that the Questions
that were not answered before recess
would be some of the first Questions to be
asked. We are in the Fifth Week already
and yet, they cannot find expression in the
Business Statement. I am wondering what
has become of those Questions?
Business of the House

Mr Alhassan Suhuyini Sayibu; Mr

Speaker, I wish to commend the Business

Committee for the work done by giving

us an indication of what work awaits us

next week. However, last week, I raised a

matter of national concern and I expected

the Business Committee to take on board

that issue and make space for it this week.

However, going through the Business

Statement, it seems the Business

Committee does not find it necessary to

put it on the Business for next week. I

would like to find out from the Business

Committee if that impression is right or it

is being considered for another day.

Mr Speaker, I recall requesting the

Business Committee to make space for

the House to be briefed on the ongoing

media harassment in the country by the

National Media Commission (NMC)

through the Hon Minister for

Information. This is very crucial,

especially given the ranking of Ghana

internationally as far as press freedom is

concerned and the growing concern of

lovers and watchers of democracy when

it comes to whether we are promoting or

stifling free speech in this country.

A democracy is as good as its free

media and so, I would reiterate my call

and hope that the Business Committee

would find it important for this House to

be briefed on the state of media in Ghana

by the NMC and the role they are playing

to promote media growth and free speech

in this country.

Mr Speaker, also related to this, is a

call that the Hon Minority Leader made

for the Business Committee to invite the

National Identification Authority (NIA)

to brief this House on the status of the

programme so far. Going through, I miss

any provision for that and if it is in the

Business Statement for the day, I would

submit myself to guidance.

However, the very important issue of

free press and media independence in this

country needs to be taken seriously by the

Business Committee for the House to

engage with the NMC on the way

forward.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:27 p.m.
Hon
Member, alternatively, can you not file a
Question to invite the Hon Minister? Is
that not possible?
Mr Sayibu 12:27 p.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you
for your guidance. Indeed, I have written
a Statement on this matter which is before
your Office and I hope that when that is
also finally called, it would reiterate this
call I am making. I feel that the House
Business of the House

needs to be briefed appropriately. Beyond

just filing a Question, I think it would be

more useful if the Statement is admitted

and made, and followed by a briefing of

this House by the NMC.

Mr Speaker, however, I thank you for

your suggestion and I would discuss that

further with Leadership.
Some Hon Members 12:27 p.m.
- rose -
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:27 p.m.
Hon
Members, let me ask the Hon Deputy
Leader to respond to the concerns raised.
Afterwards, we would come back to you.
Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 12:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I
know for a fact that the Hon Sayibu filed
a Statement and he knows that he has to
wait for same to be admitted. I was there
when his Leader made the
recommendation.
I believe that the Hon Member should
rather wait for the opportunity to make
the Statement. I, however, disagree with
the contention made by him to the effect
that there is State harassment of the
media. It is never correct, and I do not
think that we should give that impression
to our country. That in this country, the
Government is harassing media
personalities and the Hon Member knows
it is not correct and I do not want it to
come from him as an Hon Member of
Parliament.
Secondly, Hon Sampson Ahi also
raised an issue about his Question. He
being a very Senior Hon Member who
has been in Leadership before, I would
not want to litigate his issue. However, if
indeed, it is his case that the Rt Hon
Speaker has admitted his Question - I do not know whether it was a slip of tongue
but admissibility is the sole mandate of
the Rt Hon Speaker. When the Rt Hon
Speaker admits it, he would channel it
through the Table Office.
I do not want the Hon Member to
create the impression that it is the
responsibility of the Business Committee
- [Interruption] -
Hon Member, that is what you said - [Interruption] - So, all I would want to say is that he should work through his
Whip so that they would liaise with the
Table Office. If it comes up, we would
deal with it, but I do not think that the
Table Office brought your Question and
we refused to consider it. This is just for
the records.
That notwithstanding, I reiterate my
earlier answer to the Hon Member that it
Business of the House

would take money to fix the road. I want

the people of Bodi to know that when the

Question is finally admitted and there are

steps to be taken, it would require money

and Government is saying that the

situation is such that we need another

source of funding and to generate

revenue. That is why the E-Levy Bill was

introduced and the Hon Member should

tell his people that they are against the E-

Levy Bill.

Mr Speaker, Hon Akandoh, whose

constituency shares border with, Bodi and

Juaboso, Mr Speaker, when they decided

to divide it, they did kokofu and gave it to
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:37 p.m.
Hon
Akandoh, take some of these things
lightly.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Member wants to
know about the status of the E-Levy. The
E-Levy would come up, so if he knows he
has some unavoidable commitments, he
should proceed and pursue same. Just as
Hon Jinapor said, if anyone has any
medical appointments and emergencies
outside the country, the person should
attend to that.
Mr Speaker, as they remain in Accra,
people are staging coups against them in
their constituencies and the constituency
and branch executives are looking for
them. Mr Speaker, people are digging
holes in their backyards and reorganising
behind them, so they if they stay in Accra,
it would be up to them. The fetish priest
is suffering and the sick person is also
suffering. [Laughter.] Mr Speaker, both
of them are political leaders, so they
should build consensus for us to pass the
E-Levy.
Mr Speaker, we considered the
Sputnik-V Report by consensus
yesterday, so why do we not do same
consensus for the E-Levy? Mr Speaker,
thank you.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:37 p.m.
Hon
Buah?
Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah 12:37 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Majority
Leader has been making reference to the
E-Levy in all the answers that he has been
giving, meanwhile, nothing has been said
about the E-Levy in the Business
Statement. This is a very important
Government policy that the Hon Minister
for Finance and the whole Government
Machinery are on a tour of the country,
visiting every region, and explaining to
people the importance of this policy. Mr
Speaker, except for where it matters most,
Parliament, where voting on it would be
Business of the House

done, it is not even present in the

Business Statement for the ensuing week.

Mr Speaker, we want to know the

direction of Government on this E-Levy

policy because it is not in the Business

Statement for the ensuing week. They

should let us know whether it is no longer

a priority?

Secondly, the Hon Deputy Majority

Leader talked about the State of the

Nation Address, which is also a very

important occasion under the 1992

Constitution. Hopefully, the President

would have been back from his tour of the

world. But more importantly, how are we

preparing for the State of the Nation

Address? It is a very solemn occasion that

this august House would receive many

important guests. For example, I visited

the rest room recently and I saw a lot of

buckets with the water not flowing, so the

Hon Deputy Majority Leader must

address how we are preparing for this

event and how we are using the

opportunity to fix some things which are

not working well in this Chamber?

Mr Speaker, thank you.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:37 p.m.
Hon
Member for Ho Central?
Mr Benjamin K. Kpodo 12:37 p.m.
Mr
Speaker, thank you for the opportunity.
I rise on Standing Order 168(4) to find
out from the Hon Deputy Majority Leader
when the House Committee would brief
this House about the facilities we are
working in, particularly, the Job 600
building. Mr Speaker, so many things
have deteriorated in that building, but I do
not know if any attention is being paid to
these facilities.
Mr Speaker, inside the Job 600
building, only one elevator at the West
Wing has been functioning for a long
time. Also, there are two elevators at the
back of the middle section of the building
for the haulage of goods, but only one has
been functioning for about two years
now. At the East Wing of the building,
one of the elevators stops intermittently
when we try to get into it. Mr Speaker, I
think it is the responsibility of the House
Committee to brief us on the status of
these facilities. Moving round the
corridors, one can even hear the noise that
comes from the tiles that have removed.
Mr Speaker, I think the Business
Committee should schedule the House
Committee to brief us on the facilities we
are working in.
Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:37 p.m.
Hon
Member for Sawla-Tuna-Kalba?
Business of the House
Mr Andrew D. Chiwitey 12:37 p.m.
Mr
Speaker, my question relates to the issue
raised by Hon Sampson Ahi on
Questions. Mr Speaker, it is as though the
Hon Majority Leader and Hon Deputy
Majority Leader have a style. Any time
we raise an issue on Questions, they
simply direct us to our Hon Whips,
however, my concern is that Urgent
Questions are supposed to be urgent, yet
when we file an Urgent Question, it takes
about three months for it to be answered
and it loses its value by the time it is
approved.
Mr Speaker, I filed an Urgent Question
in May, the Question was finally
advertised in the Order Paper somewhere
in August or September. As we speak, I
have filed an Urgent Question and this is
the third week, so by the time the
Question is advertised, it would have lost
its value. Mr Speaker, we file Urgent
Questions concerning urgent issues, so I
would be happy if clarity is given about
this? Let us be committed to our Standing
Orders because if Urgent Questions are
supposed to take 10 days, then it must be
so and not go beyond it.
Mr Speaker, my kind request is that the
Hon Leaders should not keep referring us
to the Hon Whips with regard to
Questions because we do follow-ups and
we are certain that the Questions are
admitted and that is why we raise issues
on the Floor.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:37 p.m.
Hon
Members, let us clear this issue. Hon
Ablakwa, I will come to you.
When an Urgent Question is filed, is it
a matter that the Speaker must also see the
Question as an Urgent Question? The
owner of the Question may consider the
Question as urgent, but the Speaker may
not see that Question as urgent.
Incidentally, I admit most of the
Questions and we admit some of your
Urgent Questions, but some of them
actually do not appear as Urgent
Questions. Hon Members, so we may
admit such Questions as normal
Questions.
I want Hon Members to understand
this clearly that the mere fact that you
have asked a Question and indicated that
it is of an urgent nature does not
necessarily mean that the Speaker may
admit it as an Urgent Question. It depends
on the nature of the Question and, if it
calls for that, then it would be admitted as
such, but if it does not call for the process
to be done urgently, then we would
process it as a normal Question.
I want this to be clear to Hon
Members.
Business of the House
Alhaji Muntaka 12:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I just
want to add to what you said. If you look
at our Order 64 of our Standing Orders,
it is with prior approval of Mr Speaker.
This means that it is Mr Speaker who
determines the urgency. Maybe, what we
should do to improve the communication
is that when I file an Urgent Question and
the Speaker does not see that it is urgent,
I should be communicated to, so that I
know that Mr Speaker has rejected the
urgency and therefore, it has to take the
full length. But if I do not get to know, I
would continue to complain that I have
filed an Urgent Question and I have not
heard anything. I think if we do that, it
would help. But obviously, the Speaker's discretion determines the urgency.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Eric Opoku 12:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I think
Order 66 of the Standing Orders is clear
on this matter. Under Order 66(3), the
Clerk to Parliament is supposed to keep
Questions Record Book from which the
status of all Questions can be ascertained.
So, in respect of the concern of Mr Ahi, it
appears the Hon Leader was unable to
indicate exactly the status of the
Question. So, Mr Ahi just whispered that
he is going to inspect the Questions
Record Book to know the status of that
Question. So, Mr Speaker, I think that all
the Questions that have been asked and
have not been answered for months and
weeks, Hon Members can inspect the
Questions Record Book to ascertain the
status of their Questions.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:47 p.m.
Yes,
that can be done.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:47 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
this is just to support my Hon Colleague,
the Hon Minority Whip. We also have to
be fair to the Table Office. If we look at
the current Question form, there has been
some subtle improvements. There is a
provision which has been added, where
Hon Members' contact slot has been provided and some other features. What it
means is that - and I have experienced it - if a Question is filed and it goes to Mr Speaker and he decides that the Question
asked is not of urgent nature, the Table
Office would now be able to
communicate with the Hon Member to
amend it. [Interruption] - They do it; I have experienced it. Probably, they
should improve upon it. I am saying that
they have taken conscious effort to
improve it and we must recognise it. We
must also improve this communication
with the Table Office.
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:47 p.m.
Let me
now go to the Hon Member for North
Tongu.
Business of the House
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa 12:47 p.m.
Mr
Speaker, thank you very much for finally
calling me.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Majority
Leader gives indication on page 1, item
numbered 3, that there would be a
Committee of the Whole on Wednesday,
23rd February, 2022 to engage the
National Identification Authority (NIA)
on the ongoing registration of the
citizenry towards the acquisition of the
ECOWAS identity card.
Mr Speaker, I would want to suggest
to the Business Committee and, for that
matter, the Deputy Majority Leader that
the scope is too narrow. When they come,
we would also be interested in whether
the Ghana card has become an e-passport
or not and that whole brouhaha with the
International Civil Aviation Organisation
(ICAO) and matters that are related to it.
So, I think that notice should go to the
NIA that when they come to the House,
they should not have this rather narrow
agenda as the only matter that Hon
Members would be interested in. We
would be interested in whether the Ghana
card has become an e-passport or whether
we can fly to other jurisdictions without a
passport.
Mr Speaker, I also want to use this
opportunity to ask the Hon Deputy
Majority Leader to kindly draw the
attention of the Executive that under the
Presidential Office Act, 1993 (Act 463),
they are obliged to present to this House
an annual report on the status of staffing
as section 11 provides under Act 463. The
Executive has within three months - we are approaching March, which would be
the last month. My checks indicate that it
has not yet been provided, so if the Hon
Deputy Majority Leader could keep that
on the agenda so that the Executive would
be duly reminded to carry out their legal
mandate under the Presidential Office
Act,1993 (Act 463).
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Rockson-Nelson E. K.
Dafeamekpor: Mr Speaker, I thank you
for the opportunity to comment on the
Business Statement.
Mr Speaker, I would make my
submission pursuant to article 106(4)(5)
and (6) of the 1992 Constitution and
submit that on or about 15th December,
the Hon Minister for Finance brought the
Electronic Transfer Levy Bill to
Parliament. It was appropriately laid and
referred to the appropriate Committee to
consider. Mr Speaker, the Committee had
prepared its Report and it was distributed
to Hon Members. What is outstanding is
for the Report to be properly laid and
debated.
Mr Speaker, I reference those
constitutional provisions because it
Business of the House

appears there is no urgency on the part of

Government, that is sponsoring the Bill,

to pursue the appropriate consideration

and passage of the Bill in this House and

we are running against time. The

particular provision under article 106

says that a Bill submitted to a Committee

must not be delayed for more than three

months. Today is the 18th of February.

The Bill was brought here as far back as

15th December, 2021. We are running

against time and in today's Business Statement before the House, there is no

indication that any work would be done

on the Bill next week. We were told last

week that they may come back

considering the circumstances, to either

withdraw the Bill and relay same or

whatever. There is no indication this time.

Mr Speaker, I am particularly worried

because this House prayed to consider the

Bill under a certificate of urgency, and it

was agreed to and appropriately

considered. So, why is the Government

running away from us debating this

report?

Mr Speaker, with all due respect, this

House has the capacity to effect any

amendment to the Bill that is presently

before us. It is not anybody's business to amend the Bill that is before us. It is our

business; we have the power, and there

should be no basis to withdrawing the Bill

if indeed, the philosophy and the terms

would not change. Parliament has the

power to even amend the rate that has

been proposed in the Bill. So, I would

want to urge the Government that because

they came to the House under a certificate

of urgency, they should be urgent in

pursuing the business in respect of this

Bill. Statements have been made to the

effect that it is the Rt. Hon Speaker who

is frustrating the House from pursuing the

Bill. Statements have been made out

there. So, it is important that we know

that it is not the Chair that is frustrating

the business of this Bill. Even when the

Speaker is absent, the House is not

incapacitated from pursuing this matter.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:47 p.m.
Hon
Member, you have made your point.
Mr Dafeamekpor 12:47 p.m.
So, Mr Speaker, I
want to urge Government to help us to lay
the E-levy Bill for us to consider and
whether we reject it or approve it, let us
pursue it.
I thank you for the opportunity.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:47 p.m.
Very
well. Let me hear from the Hon Member
for Wa West?
Mr Isaac Ashai Odamtten 12:57 p.m.
Mr
Speaker, I am Hon Member for Tema
East.
Mr Speaker, during the discussion of
last week's Business Statement, I recalled
Business of the House

that an Hon Member asked about the

UTAG impasse. I recalled that Speaker

directed that the Minister be brought on

the Floor to brief us on what Government

is doing. There is no indication that the

Hon Minister will come to brief the

House on the UTAG impasse given the

fact that it is in the sixth week.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:57 p.m.
Hon
Member, I think yesterday, the Hon
Minister for Employment and Labour
Relations was here and he spoke to this
particular issue. So, even the Hon
Minister for Education had indicated to
speak, but based on what the Hon
Minister for Employment and Labour
Relations said, he declined to speak. So, I
believe the discussion is coming to a
close. The Ranking Member for the
Committee on Education also
corroborated with that. Probably, that is
why it is not part of the Business
Statement.
Yes, Hon Deputy Minority Whip?
Mr Ibrahim Ahmed 12:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
thank you for the opportunity. I would
want to know from the Hon Deputy
Majority Leader and the Acting
Chairman of the Business Committee
when the statutory funds will be
programmed for consideration in this
House?
Mr Speaker, this is because the
Business Committee programmes what
comes to them from the Rt Hon Speaker's Office, yesterday, none of the three
Funds: District Assemblies' Common Fund, Ghana Education Trust Fund and
National Health Insurance Authority
Service Fund came. After three months of
the passage of the Budget, these formulae
must be brought to this House for
approval.
Mr Speaker, you know that last year,
we approved the formula for the
disbursement of these Funds after the
2021 Budget. It is not for nothing that
these Funds are called Statutory Funds.
That is why I would want to know from
the Deputy Majority Leader when the
2022 formulae will be programmed for
the House. On 3rd Mach, 2022 the
President will deliver a Message on the
State of the Nation, which will be
debated. By the end of March, this House
will be preparing from adjournment. So,
it is worrying that we are still within the
three months and there is no indication on
when those formulae will programmed
for the House to consider.
Mr Speaker, for those that we
approved last year, they have not been
disbursed. For the whole of 2021, the
GHȻ2.4 billion that we approved for the DACF, there was no transfer from the
Ministry of Finance to the account of the
Administrator of DACF. We are in
Business of the House

another year preparing for another

formula to be brought. So, it will not be

enough for the Business Committee to

only programme the 2022 Formulae for

approval in this House.

Mr Speaker, it is either you authorise

the Chairman of the Business Committee

to have a programme for the Hon

Minister for Finance to meet us so that we

know the status of the formulae that was

approved in 2021 --
rose
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:57 p.m.
Hon
Member, hold on. You are talking about
the release of funds. The Deputy Finance
Minister is here, and she would like to
respond.
Mrs Aba Osei-Asare 12:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I
would want to know if the Hon Member
said that for the whole of last year, the
Statutory Funds were not released.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:57 p.m.
Hon
Deputy Minority Whip, did you say that?
Mr Ibrahim Ahmed 12:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I
would want to ask the Deputy Minister
for Finance, how much was transferred -
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:57 p.m.
Hon
Member?
Mr Ibrahim Ahmed 12:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I
said that the 2021 DACF of GHȻ2.4 billion that was approved in this House,
not a pesewas was transferred from the
Ministry of Finance to the Office of the
Administrator of DACF. If there was, the
Hon Deputy Minister for Finance should
give us the figures.
Mr Speaker, do you remember that on
the 17th of November, 2021 when the Hon
Minister for Finance came to present the
Budget Statement, we held him in
conclave and told him that if there was no
transfer, we would not Sit. The GHȻ200 million that they took from Access Bank
was for the fourth quarter of 2020. So, the
whole of 2021, they have not transferred
a pesewa out of the GHȻ2.4 billion. If the Hon Minister wants us to debate this -
That is why I would like to suggest that
we meet the Ministry of Finance, so that
they present to us how much was
approved and how much was disbursed.
Mr Speaker, this is not the first time I
am raising this. It has been raised before,
and there was a directive from the Chair
that the Committee on Local Government
and Rural Development and the Finance
Committee must meet with the Ministry
of Finance and the Administrator of the
DACF to reconcile the difference, but
that meeting never saw the light of day. It
would therefore be enough to debate it
here.
Mr Speaker, if you will give a directive
that before the formula for 2022 comes,
the meeting which never saw the light of
Business of the House

day must be reconvened. The leadership

of the Committees of Local Government

and Rural Development and Finance, and

the Ministry of Finance and the

Administrator of the DACF we need to

reconvene the meeting before the

Formula comes. The Hon Deputy

Minister for Finance is a Member of

Parliament. How much was paid into her

MPs Common Fund Account and her

DACF account?

Mr Speaker, in the Banda District

Assembly, only 50 per cent - The situation is bad, and they do not want us

to say it.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:57 p.m.
Hon
Member, it is all right. You have spoken
a lot.
Mrs Osei-Asare 12:57 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
initially, the Hon Member said nothing
has been paid. Now, he said something
has been paid. This is a House of records.
We have paid some of the DACF. We
paid some last year, and we will continue
to pay what is due. This is a House of
records; there are difference between not
paying and now, changing it to ‘we have paid something'. Inasmuch as things are not the way they used to be, we would
have to tell the truth in this House.
Mr Speaker, we have paid first and
second quarters of 2021 DACF. The
outstanding is 2021 third quarter. The
fourth quarter would be due at the end of
the March 2022. Let us put out the truth.
This is becoming unbecoming; we would
have to stop this. They go around saying
all kinds of things and then we do not get
the opportunity to comment on these
things. There is a difference between not
paying at all and now saying that ‘we have paid something'. The Hon Member should ask his DACF Administrator, his
MCE whether in the whole of 2021,
Government did not release some moneys
- 12:57 p.m.
  • [An Hon Mrs Osei-Asre Member: Thank you! Thank you!]. Let us stop this.
    • Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:57 p.m.
    Hon
    Members, just be mindful of the fact that
    we are dealing with Business Statement;
    we are not dealing with Common Fund.
    Mr Ibrahim Ahmed 12:57 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    how much of the GHȻ200 million Access Bank facility did they transfer to the
    DACF?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:57 p.m.
    Hon
    Leader, I have not invited you.
    Some Hon Member — rose —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:07 p.m.
    No, you
    have all spoken. Let us give the
    opportunity to the Minority Chief Whip.
    Business of the House
    Alhaji Muntaka 1:07 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the
    Business Statement ending next week has
    clearly not made provision for the e-levy
    to be taken. At the Business Committee
    meeting, I emphasised and asked the Hon
    Majority Leader whether we are taking
    him for his word that he is not ready to do
    the E-levy for next week, and he said that
    it can only come after next week. I then
    reminded him that about two to three
    weeks ago, the same thing happened, and
    around Thursday or Friday, the e-levy
    was scheduled on an Order Paper
    Addendum for us to take it. He explained
    that some other things happened, and that
    was why that happened.
    Mr Speaker, we would want to state on
    record that the Business Statement for
    next week, is clearly indicating that we
    are not taking the E-levy Bill. We do not
    want a situation where during the week
    attempts would be made to introduce it
    because any attempt to do that would be
    ambushing. I would not want to say that
    we would resist, but that would not be
    acceptable because the Standing Orders
    are very clear. It is this Business
    Statement that determines what we would
    do in the subsequent week so, if the
    Business Statement does not indicate that
    we would take the E-levy Bill, then
    obviously that would help this House to
    schedule other things.
    However, if it would be introduced
    unplanned, then we would not accept that,
    and I just thought that we needed to serve
    this notice. It would only be taken after
    we have all seen that it has been placed in

    Mr Speaker, we must have clarity

    because any attempt to ambush us would

    not be accepted.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:07 p.m.
    Hon
    Eric Opoku, you have spoken. Is that not
    it?
    Mr Eric Opoku 1:07 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, not on
    this matter.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:07 p.m.
    Very
    well. I would give you the final take, then
    the Hon Majority Leader would come and
    respond to it.
    Mr Eric Opoku 1:07 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon
    Deputy Minority Whip raised an issue
    about the non-payment of the Common
    Fund. The Hon Deputy Minister of
    Finance then raised an objection to
    indicate to this House that some moneys
    have been released to the district
    assemblies. This is a serious matter, and
    its seriousness stems from the
    Constitution. It is a constitutional
    provision that not less than five per cent
    of the Common Fund should be released
    to the district assemblies for the
    development of the assemblies on a
    quarterly basis.
    An Hon Member is alleging that this
    Government is denying the assemblies
    Business of the House

    the resources to develop their assemblies

    and the rural communities and the Hon

    Deputy Minister is also raising an

    objection that it is not correct. This House

    must bring finality to this matter.

    Mr Speaker, I therefore urge you to ask

    the Committee responsible for Local

    Government and Rural Development to

    investigate and report to this House

    within next week, so that we would know

    whether the money has been paid or not.

    If the money has not been paid and the

    Government is in breach of the

    Constitution, and the Hon Deputy

    Minister is here to tell us that the money

    has been paid, then it is a serious matter.

    Mr Speaker, we need to make sure that

    article 252(2) of the 1992 Constitution

    has been complied with. The Hon Napo

    standing there knows very well whether

    the money has been paid or not, but we

    are not privy that. So, we would want to

    make sure that the truth in this matter is

    ascertained. We cannot allow this matter

    to go without a solution. There must be an

    answer to all the questions that have been

    raised here.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:07 p.m.
    Very
    well.
    Hon Dr Prempeh, the Hon Member
    mentioned your name, so you may
    respond to it.
    Dr Matthew O. Prempeh 1:07 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, I thank you for allowing me to
    speak.
    Mr Speaker, in the first place, the Hon
    Member said “Hon Napo”, but for the purposes of the records, I am “Hon Dr Prempeh”, and legitimately in the House, the Hon Member of Parliament for
    Manhyia South.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member for
    Banda in his speech made two
    allegations, and those allegations cannot
    stand. One, he said that nothing has been
    paid, and in continuing, he said 50 per
    cent has been paid. The Hon Member
    who started this allegation later said 50
    per cent has been paid. Again, the Hon
    Member for Atiwa East, in speaking,
    acknowledges that two quarters have
    been paid. [Interruption.] The consultant
    for the District Assemblies Common
    Fund (DACF), my Hon Colleague, Nii
    Lantey Vanderpuye, the Hon Member of
    Parliament for Odododiodio -
    Mr Speaker, it is instructive that the
    consultant for DACF, a member of the
    Local Government and Rural
    Development Committee, and a key
    watcher with his fellow brother is saying
    that it is not even two quarters as the Hon
    Deputy Minister has probably forgotten
    to say, but it is rather three quarters.
    Therefore, if it is three quarters and the
    Hon Deputy Minister for Finance has
    Business of the House

    conceded that the fourth quarter has not

    been paid, then it is worthy for us to also

    note that the fourth quarter is not due till

    the end of March. Therefore, Hon

    Member for Goaso, where are these

    Mr Speaker, I just want us to calm

    down. We are not speaking at different

    purposes. It is in our collective interest to

    have our DACF paid. It is not the

    intention of any government to

    undermine the district assembly process.

    We are all supporting it. The Hon

    Member for Odododiodio tells me that

    three quarters have been paid and nobody

    can argue with that Hon Member because

    he is a consultant to the DACF, a member

    of the Local Government and Rural

    Development Committee, a key sports

    analyst, and a member of the Atta Mills

    Memorial Foundation. We should

    therefore listen to him.
    Mr Edwin L. Vanderpuye 1:17 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, I would want the House to take
    note that I am not a consultant to the
    DACF. I am the Hon Member of
    Parliament for the people of Odododiodio
    and the Hon Ranking Member for the
    Local Government and Rural
    Development Committee. I have so much
    interest in the development of the
    districts, so I would always argue - [Interruption] -
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member is not
    interested in the districts because if he
    were, then he would have made sure that
    the districts get the moneys due them
    under the Constitution to be able to
    develop themselves.
    Mr Speaker, this House asked us to
    have a meeting with the Finance
    Committee and the Ministry of Finance to
    iron out the issues that pertain to the
    outstanding balances in the DACF
    allocations. Up till today, they have
    refused to honour that invitation to meet
    with us; meanwhile, the Hon Speaker's
    desk directed them to meet us.
    There are so many issues that pertain
    to the release of the Common Fund. With
    respect to the differences in amounts, we
    have argued and have severally said that
    the so called five (5) per cent that they are
    giving us does not relate to what is on
    paper. So, all these things need to be
    ironed out. One cannot just get up one day
    and tell us of a five per cent when we do
    not know the total revenue that came to
    the Government that month. Meanwhile,
    they just got up and told us about the five
    percent. We would want to know what
    really constituted the five per cent, the
    total revenue, and the amount that
    Business of the House

    constituted the five per cent.

    The Hon Leader would have to direct

    and make sure that that directive from the

    Rt Hon Speaker is carried out because

    this is in the interest of all of us in this

    House.

    Majority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei-

    Mensah-Bonsu): Mr Speaker, all of us

    are interested in the proper functioning of

    the assemblies and the development of

    the districts in the country. I overhead the

    Hon Eric Opoku talk so much about the

    release of the amounts for the

    development of the assemblies. He is

    nodding his head so, it means that I got

    him right that he called for the release of

    the amounts for the development of the

    assemblies.

    Mr Speaker, the Constitution does not

    talk about the development of the

    assemblies; it talks about the

    development of the districts. The moneys

    we are talking about are not meant for the

    development of the assemblies; they are

    meant for the development of the districts

    - [Interruption] Mr Speaker, there is a world of difference. Those amounts are

    not meant for the assemblies. The Hon

    Member has been a Regional Minister

    before.

    Mr Speaker, while we are at that, it is

    important for us to also ensure that the

    district assemblies live up to their billing

    because it has been made to appear as if
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:17 p.m.
    Hon
    Leader, do not listen to them.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:17 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, may I read article 245 of the
    1992 Constitution for the elucidation of
    the Hon Eric Opoku. It provides:
    “Parliament shall, by law, prescribe the functions of District
    Assemblies which shall include -
    (a) the formulation and execution of
    plans, programmes and strategies
    for the effective mobilization of the
    resources necessary for the overall
    development of the district;”
    An Hon Member 1:17 p.m.
    Assemblies.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:17 p.m.
    Please,
    why are you adding “assemblies”? The word “assemblies” is not in article 245(a). Mr Speaker, the Hon Member
    said for the “development of the district assemblies”.
    Mr Eric Opoku 1:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I refer
    you to article 252(3).
    Business of the House
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:17 p.m.
    I am on
    my feet. It is article 245(a). It is for the
    development of the districts, not the
    district assemblies.
    Mr Speaker, I was making the point
    that the development of the district does
    not depend entirely on the DACF. We
    should stress that the district assemblies
    are charged with the responsibility of
    An Hon Member 1:17 p.m.
    Read sub-clause
    (3).
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:17 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, I am reading article 245, and
    there is no sub-clause (3) to it. -
    Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo 1:17 p.m.
    Hon
    Leader, read article 252(3).
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:17 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, article 252(3) provides:
    “The moneys accruing to the
    District Assemblies in the
    Common Fund shall be
    distributed among all the District
    Assemblies on the basis of a
    formula approved by Parliament.”
    Mr Kpodo 1:17 p.m.
    Exactly!
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:17 p.m.
    Hon
    Member, you talked about the
    development; that is a completely
    different provision. We are to distribute it
    among the district assemblies for the
    development of the districts, not the
    district assemblies - [Interruption].
    Mr Speaker, I am surprised Hon
    Members do not understand this simple
    thing. We distribute the amounts among
    the district assemblies for the
    development of the districts, not the
    development of the district assemblies.
    This is something that they should
    understand.
    Mr Speaker, the entire House should
    be concerned. I understand the meeting
    that is to be called involving the Minister
    for Finance and the DACF plus the
    Committee on Local Government and
    Rural Development has not yet taken
    place. We should facilitate that meeting.
    For next week is intended for us to have
    a Joint Caucus. One of the issues we
    would discuss would certainly relate to
    this. I guess before then, that meeting
    should happen.
    If the meeting has to happen on
    Monday, 21st February, 2022, or
    Tuesday, 22nd February, 2022, before we
    are able to meet as a Joint Caucus on
    Business of the House

    Wednesday, 23rd February, 2022, or

    Thursday, 24th February, 2022, what we

    should stress is that that meeting should

    be facilitated between now and Tuesday,

    22nd February, 2022, such that the

    outcome then would influence the

    information that is transmitted to House

    during the Joint Caucus either on

    Wednesday, 23rd February, 2022, or

    Thursday, 24th February, 2022. For me,

    that is the take away. Mr Speaker, we

    should be supportive of this to ensure that

    the right thing is done.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:17 p.m.
    Hon
    Afenyo-Markin, would you respond to
    some of the issues raised?
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    until you call me, I would not know
    whether they are done.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:17 p.m.
    Before
    we came to the matter of the DACF, there
    were some issues raised by Hon Members
    so if you could address them.
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    Hon Suhuyini Sayibu did not pay
    attention to the Business Statement
    because the National Insurance Authority
    (NIA) has been programmed to meet with
    us. Therefore, his case that we have not
    programmed them is not correct.
    Also, the Hon Ablakwa wanted to
    know about the meeting with the
    Committee on Foreign Affairs. Mr
    Speaker, the Committee on Foreign
    Affairs wrote to the Ministry of Foreign
    Affairs and Regional Integration and
    rescheduled the meeting. Hence, I believe
    the Hon Member would have to wait on
    his own Committee to do their
    engagement with the Ministry for that
    additional update he needs.
    For Hon Members who wanted to
    know about the Electronic Transfers Bill,
    2021, we have provided for Bills and
    Motions to be considered. An Hon
    Member asked why the Finance
    Committee had done its work and the
    Motion has not been considered. Mr
    Speaker, if you look at the item numbered
    2(d) of the Business Statement, it reads:
    “Mr Speaker, Motions may be debated and their consequential
    Resolutions, if any, taken during
    the week.”
    It includes the E-Levy so, Hon
    Members should not create the
    impression with mischievous intent that
    Government does not intend to pursue its
    own policy. We provided for it in the
    Report; we do not need to mention E-
    Levy. It is in the Business Statement that
    Bills and Motions would be considered.
    The Report would be considered as a
    Motion. Hon Members would have to pay
    attention when we are -
    Business of the House
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:17 p.m.
    Hon
    Leader, so, it may include the E-Levy.
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we
    have provided for Bills and Motions to be
    considered. Committees have a number
    of Reports, which includes the E-Levy,
    that they are considering.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:17 p.m.
    Does it
    “include” or “may include”?
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is
    not about “may”; it includes it because
    the E-Levy is a matter before Parliament.
    The Report is before us, and the Finance
    Committee has considered it.
    Mr Speaker, when we say “Motions
    may be debated”, it includes the Report
    on the E-Levy. Thus, I do not want that
    impression to be created. If Hon
    Members want us to have a debate, they
    should say so.
    rose
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:17 p.m.
    Please, let me
    proceed. May you sit down? Just sit down
    and let me finish.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:17 p.m.
    Hon
    Leader, we will come to you.
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, he would have to sit down for me to proceed
    1. 27 p. m.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:17 p.m.
    Leader, he is responding to some issues, he would come to you if you are not—
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:17 p.m.
    Tso, nukae
    dzor? You are a senior Member of the House, sit down let me finish.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:17 p.m.
    Yes,
    Leader, go on; I just wanted to get that clarification well. So, if it may, then, it could be that we may or may not take it next week but if - I just want that clarification from you.
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    grammar is always a problem. That provision includes the E-Levy, and it may include it as well. [Laughter] [Interruption]--
    Mr Speaker, I am on the floor and
    responding to them.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:17 p.m.
    Hon
    Leader, I have not invited you, please. I would come to you —
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    signal him by your hand so that he would
    sit down.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:17 p.m.
    Leader,
    I would come to you - [Laughter] - Yes, let us hear you.
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    have already moved for the House to
    adopt the Report. We have heard all the
    issues that have been raised.
    Business of the House

    Mr Speaker, to conclude, today, I am

    surprised that they themselves are

    complaining about Statutory Funds. You

    need funds in your constituencies; I am

    happy the pressure is coming from your

    constituencies. Assist Government to

    pass the E-Levy! I am happy the heat is

    on you. Ayarefor be bre, Okonfor nsu re

    bre to wit, we would all suffer equally.

    That is why it is here; it is going to be

    considered. Even when they are sick, they

    do not want to go for medical treatment.

    They should go for medical treatment;

    go! They cannot visit their constituencies;

    there is pressure mounting in their

    backyards. They should go to the

    constituencies; their constituency

    Executives are staging coup against them.

    They should not go but stay in Accra and

    they would see. They should stay in

    Accra because of E-Levy; they want to

    frustrate Government business.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:17 p.m.
    Hon
    Leader—
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    am telling them the reality. Some of them
    have not visited their constituencies for
    several weeks; they know. If they are due
    for medical review and they do not go,
    they are worsening their situation.
    Mr Speaker, the Right Hon Speaker
    has been attending to his medical needs,
    why are the other Members not doing the
    same? Why are they sitting here all
    because of E-Levy—
    Mr Avedzi — rose —
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    am on my feet, please; My Hon Colleague
    would have his turn - [Laughter] - Mr Speaker, I am on my feet. Hon Dr
    Prempeh went for review and he is back.
    He went for review and he is back, they
    should also go. The Hon Member does
    not even want to shave his beard because
    of E-Levy.
    Mr Speaker, as for the E-Levy - Mr Speaker, the heat in town is not only on
    Government, they are also under
    pressure. They should support the E-
    Levy, let us finish it and move on. We
    take the political risk; no problem, just
    support and let us finish it. They are
    suffering! They know they are suffering;
    they should tell their own problem
    individually. Are they not suffering? Mr
    Speaker, the Hon Member for Agona East
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:17 p.m.
    Hon
    Member, it is all right.
    Mr Avedzi 1:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, my Hon
    Colleague is completely out of order.
    There are two main issues I would talk
    Business of the House

    about: the E-Levy issue, whether it is part

    of the Business Statement? Mr Speaker,

    yesterday, the Hon Member was late to

    the Business Committee meeting so, by

    the time he came, we had agreed

    [Interruption]-- Mr Speaker, I am saying

    that he came late to the meeting, and that

    is a fact. And by the time he came, we had

    discussed the E-Levy issue that it would

    not feature next week. So, if he says that

    it is part of the Business Statement, it is

    not true. It is because he was not there

    when we had that discussion so, I would

    like to give him that information.

    Mr Speaker, second; he says we

    should pass the E-Levy so that we can get

    the Common Fund. We are not asking for

    Common Fund that includes the E-Levy,

    give us the one without the E-Levy. That

    is what the law says so how can he say we

    should pass the E-Levy before they would

    give the revenue that they have collected

    which does not include E-Levy? That the

    E-Levy should come and bail them. That

    is not the fact.

    Mr Speaker, the Government should

    just release the Common Fund. It is by

    law that they should pay 5 per cent of total

    revenue collected. It is in the

    Constitution. -[Interruption]- No, the one

    they collected in 2021, does it include E-

    Levy? Then, they do not even know what

    they are doing. The Government should

    release what they have collected in 2021

    without E-Levy to the Common Fund so

    that District Assemblies can also get their

    shares. That is what the law says so they

    should not link the release of the

    Common Fund to the E-Levy. If the E-

    Levy is eventually passed, which I do not

    know whether it would pass anyway, the

    revenue that would be collected which

    would include E-Levy, would be released

    in future, not now. So, please, the Hon

    Member should not throw dust into the

    eyes of the public that they are not

    releasing the Common Fund because the

    E-Levy has not been approved. That is

    not true; the revenue that was collected in

    2021 does not include E-Levy, release 5

    per cent of that to the Common Fund

    Administrator.

    Mr Speaker, I thank you, very much.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:17 p.m.
    Hon
    Members, we have brought the discussion
    on the Business Statement to a close, and
    it is hereby, adopted.
    Business of the House

    We now move to -[Pause] Hon Leader, any indications?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:17 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, if we could go to the Order
    Paper Addendum and take the item
    numbered 2 on page 2 - At Commencement of Public Business.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:17 p.m.
    Very
    well, Hon Members, let us turn to the
    Order Paper Addendum, page 2 - At the Commencement of Public Business.
    Dr Dominic A. Ayine 1:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    rise to lay the Report of your Committee
    on Subsidiary Legislation on the
    Petroleum (Local Content and Local
    Participation) (Amendment) Regulations,
    2021.
    Mr Speaker, before I do so, I would
    like to seek leave of the House to amend
    paragraph 7.4 of the Report to read as
    follows:
    “The Committee recommends
    that the Minister submits to
    Parliament, the administrative
    guidelines prepared by the
    Petroleum Commission to address
    the concerns raised by the
    Committee in this Report”.
    Mr Speaker, I also would like to come
    under Order 75 (2) which says that:
    “If so desired by the person presenting a Paper, a short
    explanatory statement may be
    made by him upon its
    presentation”
    Mr Speaker, in this Report, as noted
    earlier, the Committee on Subsidiary
    Legislation—
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:17 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, with respect, I would like the
    Hon Member to lay the Paper first then,
    we could talk to it. He has not laid the
    Paper so he cannot talk to it the way he
    wants to do.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:17 p.m.
    Very
    well.
    Dr Ayine 1:17 p.m.
    Thank you Mr Speaker.
    May I humbly now lay the Paper?
    PAPERS 1:37 p.m.
    Dr Ayine 1:37 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, in laying this
    Paper, I want to come under Standing
    Order 75 (2) which reads:
    “(2) If so desired by the person presenting a Paper, a short
    explanatory statement may be
    made by him upon its
    presentation”
    Mr Speaker, your Committee raised a
    number of concerns in the Report that has
    been laid, basically concerning the
    purpose —
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:37 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, just to inform my Hon
    Colleague, the comment that he made on
    the Paper that he was about to present has
    not come to us, so the content would not
    be known to us rocedurally, now that he
    has laid it, I want him to go back and do
    that amendment and then talk to it the
    way he has begun now. I am talking about
    the amendment that he made to it. He
    made some amendments and I am saying
    that it can only come after he has laid it.
    He spoke to it before laying it but that was
    not known to the House, so could he start
    afresh.
    Dr Ayine 1:37 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the
    amendment requested by the Committee
    is in respect of paragraph 7.4 which reads:
    “The Committee recommends that the Minister submits to
    Parliament, administrative
    guidelines prepared by the
    Petroleum Commission to address
    the concerns raised by the
    Committee.”
    Mr Speaker, the concerns raised by the
    Committee were basically three. The first
    one deals with a discretionary power
    which has been granted the Petroleum
    Commission by the regulations to direct
    that channel partnerships and strategic
    alliances may be formed for purposes of
    complying with the local content and
    local participation requirements.The
    Committee took the view that there is the
    need for detailed rules and guidelines to
    ring-fence the discretionary power of the
    Commission, so that it is not abused in
    accordance with Article 296 of the 1992
    Constitution.
    Secondly, the Committee was of the
    view that there is a likelihood of some
    regulatory liability arising as a result of
    the Petroleum Commission's directive that channel partnerships or strategic
    alliances be formed for purposes of local
    content compliance. Then also, we
    wanted the protection of existing
    businesses formed in the nature of joint
    venture companies.
    The Hon Minister has given us the
    assurance, through a letter that was
    written to the Committee and dated the
    Paper

    15th day of February, 2022. In that letter,

    the Hon Minister assured the Committee

    that the guidelines prepared by the

    Petroleum Commission would be made

    available to Parliament for us to scrutinise

    them to see the extent to which if any,

    they have addressed the concerns of the

    Committee.

    So Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister is

    here and we have had long deliberations

    with his teams on this matter and I would

    wish that he would assure this House that

    the guidelines would be presented to

    Parliament through the Committee on

    Subsidiary Legislation for vetting to

    ensure that the concerns raised by the

    Committee have been adequately

    addressed.

    Thank you Mr Speaker.
    Mr Samuel A. Akyea 1:37 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    by necessary implication, that bit about
    the annulment of the Legislative
    Instrument (L. I.) is not part of the Report.
    I want that to be on record as it is of
    necessity expunged.
    Mr Emmanuel A. Buah 1:37 p.m.
    Thank you,
    Mr Speaker.
    If you would recall, L. I. 2204 that was
    passed as Hon Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and
    others were aware, faced stiff opposition
    in its passage by a lot of foreign
    companies. Thankfully, we got the
    support and we finally passed it. In the
    last 10 years, it has proven to be
    beneficial to Ghanaians in a lot of
    different ways. Obviously, after 10 years
    or so, there is the need to look at how it
    has performed. So, the need to basically
    do these amendments is important. I think
    that it is all geared towards strengthening
    local capacity building, strengthening
    Ghanaians, especially to give them access
    to the upstream petroleum industry so that
    we can be at the forefront of this industry.
    Mr Speaker, the concerns that have
    been raised are very important,
    especially, the role that the Petroleum
    Commission is going to have and the
    discretionary power that the Petroleum
    Mr Akyea 1:37 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon
    Member is debating the Report. If we
    listen to the Chairman of the Committee,
    everything now is moot. All that he wants
    to urge upon this House is moot because
    it has transitioned into law. Now, the
    assurances are going to come from the
    Minister and then the needful would be
    done. Therefore, I am craving the Hon
    Member's indulgence that there is no need to run commentary on what has been
    concluded.
    I know these concerns are matters that
    were raised but as at now, we have a law
    staring us in the face and we cannot do
    anything about it. The necessity is for the
    Minister to bring the guidelines so that it
    would assuage the fears of the
    Committee. So, please.
    Paper
    Mr Buah 1:37 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, let me
    conclude. The point I was making is that
    thankfully, I have engaged the Minister
    and he listened to me. However, it is
    important that because the Minister is
    going to comment on this Report, these
    issues are brought to his attention, so that
    in his conclusion, comments and
    assurances, we would all know. These are
    things that we raised and they can come
    up. The Hon Minister must give us the
    assurance that there would be the
    flexibility for him to come back if there
    are any unforeseen circumstances. It is
    important.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:37 p.m.
    Hon
    Member, it is well noted.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:37 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, I think that you have been
    indulging because at this stage, you are
    assuming your authority to have us relate
    to some of the issues that the Chairman of
    the Committee has raised because we are
    masters of our own rules. Other than that,
    at the presentation of a Paper, these
    comments would not be required.
    Mr Speaker, the Report ought to have
    come earlier than yesterday because the
    instrument has become operational, and
    the Hon Member allowed the Chairman
    to make some observations because of the
    discussions that had gone on. The Hon
    Minister has agreed as you are aware, to
    come by some administrative measures to
    attend to the issues that have been raised.
    So, at this stage, we cannot open the door
    for comments and commentaries.
    I think that was what the Hon Member
    for Abuakwa South was relating to. So,
    the Hon Minister would respond because
    this is not the time. We are not at the
    consideration of the Report but it is just
    the Paper that has been laid. It is moot if
    we are to be technical because it has been
    in operation since midnight, yesterday.
    However, there are some critical issues
    that the Minister has agreed to do upon
    the insistence of the Committee which is
    what the Chairman has related to.
    So, we now have to listen to the
    Minister and then close the door. Thank
    you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:37 p.m.
    Thank
    you very much.
    Hon Minister, let us hear your
    comments, especially your assurance to
    the House.
    Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh 1:47 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, the Ministry and its agent, the
    Petroleum Commission, have had long
    varied conversations and
    communications with the Subsidiary
    Legislation Committee as far as L.I.
    2204's amendment is concerned.
    Mr Speaker, before anything else, I
    am an Hon Member of Parliament and I
    Paper

    must respect Parliament's authority to do certain things. I stand in this House

    to give the assurance which I have

    already communicated to the

    Committee that they should allow the

    L.I. to pass which was passed yesterday

    and that based upon that we would come

    to the House with the guidelines that

    they have drafted.

    Mr Speaker, I would want to put on

    record that this is a matter that would

    come to the Subsidiary Legislation

    Committee to demonstrate that the issues

    that the Hon Member raised are

    unnecessarily not even germane to the

    amendments that we have, but it goes to

    affect other parts of L.I. 2204 itself

    because we do not seek to do anything

    against what already prevails. The

    Constitution of the Republic of Ghana

    does not allow us in a law to go back and

    claim things that we do not even have

    power to do and we would never do that.

    I could assure this House that I would do

    the needful.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:47 p.m.
    Hon
    Members, the adopted Report is duly
    presented and it is for distribution to Hon
    Members.
    Dr Ayine 1:47 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, respectfully, I
    would want to find out from the Hon
    Minister whether he could give us some
    timelines on the administrative guidelines
    he said are almost ready for presentation?
    Dr Prempeh 1:47 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, operation
    drift has really affected us. As the Hon
    Deputy Majority Leader said and as has
    been said on various platforms, our
    inability to pass the E-Levy has paralysed
    us. We are too much concentrated - we
    do not want to go to our constituencies so
    we want to use the floor of the House in
    matters as mundane as assurance of
    timelines. When that question is put, I
    would duly answer it.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:47 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, I thought the concern of the
    Committee really should relate to the
    Committee behind the curtain being
    served with copies of the guidelines so
    that they would satisfy themselves that
    the issues that they have raised have been
    addressed but not the timelines? As for
    the timelines it could come tomorrow, at
    least, if we pass the E-Levy this night.
    The important thing is for them to have a
    look at it to see if they address the
    concerns that the Committee has raised
    but not really the timelines.
    Mr Buah 1:47 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have listened
    to the Hon Minister for Energy and I am
    a little worried because the request from
    the Hon Member was a noble one. All the
    Paper

    Hon Minister had to do was to give an

    assurance and for example say, within a

    month the guidelines would be available

    but he just took us to the issue on E-Levy.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:47 p.m.
    Hon
    Majority Chief Whip, any indication?
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 1:47 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    there is a commemorative Statement and
    two other Statements but I would want to
    plead with my Hon Colleagues if they
    could accede so that we could go back to
    Questions on item numbered 5 on the
    original Order Paper. The Hon Minister
    for Youth and Sports has been in the
    House for a long time so if we could deal
    with his Questions after which we could
    take the Statements.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:47 p.m.
    Very
    well.
    Hon Members, let us get back to the
    original Order Paper and take item
    numbered 5 - Questions.
    I would want to emphasise that if the
    Question is constituency specific, only
    the owner of the Question who would
    have the chance to ask supplementary
    questions but if it is a general Question,
    other Hon Members would be allowed to
    ask supplementary questions.
    Question 512, which stands in the
    name of the Hon Member for Offinso
    South, Dr Isaac Yaw Opoku.
    ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 1:47 p.m.
    MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS 1:47 p.m.
    Dr Opoku 1:47 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, as the Hon
    Minister has rightly indicated, the
    construction of the astro turf would be in
    remembrance of the nine juvenile football
    players who lost their lives. The people of
    Offinso are so expectant and I would be
    glad if the Hon Minister could kindly give
    us some indication as to when the
    construction would start because his
    response did not give any indication as
    the Question requested.
    Mr Ussif 1:47 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Ministry
    has started the process of engaging a
    contractor to go on site to start but
    because the process is not completed, I
    cannot give exact timelines. However, I
    could assure the Hon Member that
    Government is committed to make sure
    that we fulfil the promise and name the
    facility in honour of the nine juvenile
    footballers who lost their lives in the
    accident.
    Dr Opoku 1:47 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am most
    grateful. Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:47 p.m.
    We
    would move to Question 513.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:47 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, please, I have a supplementary
    question to Question 512.
    Mr Speaker, the land that has been -
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:47 p.m.
    Hon
    Majority Leader, this is a constituency
    specific question.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 1:47 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, I have an adjoining interest. The
    29.5 acres of land which has been made
    available is huge. A construction of the
    astro turf itself, would not take more than
    4 acres plus if they want to construct a
    stand all together, it would not take more
    than 8 acres which would leave about 20
    acres as fallow land. Could we have a
    promise from the Hon Minister that those
    other lands may be converted for some
    other sporting activities or to develop
    some small sports facilities for the
    Offinso Municipality?
    Mr Ussif 1:57 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want
    to assure the Hon Majority Leader that
    yes, the land given by the chiefs of
    Oral Answers to Questions

    Offinso is 29.5 acres of land and as and

    when Government gets funds, we would

    convert the portion that would be left into

    other sporting facilities. These days, we

    add a multi-purpose halls to the AstroTurf

    pitches for other sporting disciplines like

    tennis, badminton and boxing. So, as and

    when we get funds, the other portion of

    the land would be considered.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:57 p.m.
    Hon
    Members, let us turn to Question
    numbered 513 which stands in the name
    of the Hon Isaac Ashai Odamtten,
    Member of Parliament for Tema East.
    Mr Toobu — rose —
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 1:57 p.m.
    Hon
    Member, are you a Member for Tema
    East or Wa West?
    Mr Peter Lanchene Toobu 1:57 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, he is my twin brother. A lot of
    people have confused the two of us, so,
    today, we are standing for you to see the
    difference.
    Completion and Management
    Arrangement for the
    Tema Manhean Sports Stadium
    Q. 513. Mr Isaac Ashai Odamtten
    (NDC - Tema East): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Youth and Sports
    the proposed date of completion and the
    management arrangement for the
    Manhean Sports Stadium in the Tema
    East Constituency.
    Mr Mustapha Ussif 1:57 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the
    project was originally earmarked for
    usage by the end of December, 2019.
    However, due to unforeseen
    circumstances, the scheduled date was
    not met. Plans are however in place to
    successfully complete the project.
    The facility will among others have a
    children's playground, multi-purpose side court, floodlights, spectator's stand with seating capacity of 1,000 and a
    recreational centre. The Contractors for
    the project are Wembley Sports
    Construction Company Limited.
    Mr Speaker, with respect to the
    Financiers, The Stadium Complex is a
    Corporate Social Responsibility gesture
    by the Ghana Ports and Harbours
    Authority (GPHA) which was initiated by
    the Tema Traditional Council and
    facilitated by the then Member of
    Parliament for Tema East and former
    Deputy Minister for Transportation, Hon
    Daniel Titus-Glover.
    Mr Speaker, with the Project
    Management Arrangement, the Ministry
    in consultation with the project
    stakeholders will come out with an
    appropriate Project Management
    Arrangement upon completion.
    On the Total Project Cost, due to the
    initial project delays, the total project cost
    Oral Answers to Questions

    is currently under review and would be

    provided when completed.

    I thank you so much, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Odamtten 1:57 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it would
    be very appropriate for us to know the
    nature of the unforeseen circumstances
    the Hon Minister is alluding to. In his
    response in paragraph 3, he refers to the
    fact that the project is a corporate social
    responsibility gesture from the GPHA out
    of the effort of the Tema Traditional
    Council. So, this is a long-standing
    project and we would need to know what
    is occasioning the delay or non-
    completion on time because when I was
    the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of
    Tema, we cleared the land as far back as
    2016. I led the Tema Traditional Council
    to solicit for this support during that time
    as MCE of Tema. So, everything to do
    with the land was ready and we also do
    know that GPHA was the project
    financier. So, we would want to know
    what the nature of the unforeseen
    circumstances in question here is?
    Mr Mustapha Ussif 1:57 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    have indicated that this project is financed
    by the GPHA. The Ministry is just an
    overseeing one. I do not work at the
    GPHA but this is the Answer they have
    provided that there are unforeseen
    challenges. I could further ask the
    Authority for further and better
    particulars.
    Mr Odamtten 1:57 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, from
    what the Hon Minister just said, I would
    want to find out if you are admitting that
    he would be coming back with further
    and better particulars.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:57 p.m.
    Well,
    Hon Minister, are you coming back to
    give the Hon Member the information as
    to whether —?
    Mr Mustapha Ussif 1:57 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    yes, upon enquiry, I would come back.
    Mr Odamtten 1:57 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, my
    second follow up on that. Such a project
    should obviously have a project manager
    or a project management team.
    May I find out from the Minister
    whether there is a project management
    team for the Manhean Sports Stadium?
    Mr Mustapha Ussif 1:57 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    have indicated in my Answer that the
    Ministry would consult all key
    stakeholders in this project and would
    come out with the appropriate project
    management arrangement when the
    project is completed. So there would be a
    project management team in place as and
    when all the issues are resolved. And the
    key stakeholders I have indicated as
    GPHA, the Tema Traditional Authority,
    his good self as the Member of
    Parliament, the Municipal Assembly and
    Oral Answers to Questions

    the then MP who facilitated this project,

    Hon Titus-Glover.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:57 p.m.
    This is
    Constituency specific.
    Mr Odamtten 1:57 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, no; I
    would want to ask my third
    supplementary Question.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:57 p.m.
    Very
    well, your last one.
    Mr Odamtten 1:57 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, this is a
    project that has a lot of community
    interest and it appears that the Minister is
    now contemplating putting together a
    project management team for a project
    that has started as far back as 2019.
    Mr Speaker, with your permission, I
    read paragraph 4:
    “…the Ministry in consultation with the project stakeholders will
    come -”
    I think that it does not address the
    Question because this project has been in
    existence since 2019. I recalled on the
    22nd of July, 2019, the GPHA issued the
    approval letter and they indicated that
    their engineers would be in charge in
    consultation with the traditional council.
    This has not happened and I am not
    surprised that there is this constant
    attempt to rope in others outside the
    traditional council.
    My third and final submission on this
    is that the Minister did not state a specific
    date during which the project would be
    completed and he has also not given us
    what is frustrating the project. I hope
    when he comes back he would address
    this.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:57 p.m.
    Very
    well —
    Mr Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye 1:57 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to give a
    suggestion in this particular instance
    because this is something that pertains to
    all of us, sports. Many a time, because this
    project is being financed by an
    organisation outside of the Ministry, the
    Ministry really needed to force them to
    compose the project management team
    which is different from the facility
    management team that we put in place
    after the project is completed. This
    project management team is made up of a
    representative from the Minister's office who would be briefing the Minister
    constantly on the development, so that
    when a Question is asked this way the
    Minister would be equipped with the
    information available to deal with it. But
    many a time, because they are building
    for us and it is their corporate social
    responsibility project, they do their own
    thing and do not involve the Ministry.
    Oral Answers to Questions

    I think this should be a lesson to all of

    us, and from today, the Minister must

    insist that somebody from the Ministry

    forms part of the project management

    team so that he would always get a brief

    on the progress of the project.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 1:57 p.m.
    Hon
    Member, you are just giving advice. This
    is not a question.
    Mr Edwin Vanderpuye 1:57 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    yes, I am helping my brother.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:07 p.m.
    Very
    well.
    Hon Members, we now move to
    Question numbered 514. Hon Member,
    you may ask your next substantive
    Question.
    Contractors, Financiers, Project
    Management Arrangement and Total
    Project Cost for the Manhean Sports
    Stadium
    Mr Isaac Ashai Odamtten (NDC - Tema East) 2:07 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the
    Hon Minister for Youth and Sports, the
    contractors, financiers and project
    management arrangement, including the
    total project cost for the Manhean Sports
    Stadium.
    Mr Mustapha Ussif 2:07 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the
    project was originally earmarked for
    completion and usage by the end of
    December, 2019. However, due to
    unforeseen circumstances, the scheduled
    date has not been met. However, plans
    are in place to successfully complete the
    project. The facility would among others,
    have children's playground, multi- purpose side court, floodlights,
    spectators' stand with seating capacity of 1,000 and a recreational centre. The
    Contractor for the project is Wembley
    Sports Construction Company Limited.
    The stadium complex is a Corporate
    Social Responsibility gesture by the
    Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority
    which was initiated by the Tema
    Traditional Council and facilitated by the
    then Member of Parliament for Tema
    East and former Deputy Minister for
    Transportation, Hon Daniel Titus Glover.
    The Ministry in consultation with the
    project stakeholders will come out with
    appropriate Project Management
    Arrangement upon completion. Due to
    the initial project delay, the total project
    cost is under review and would be
    provided when completed.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:07 p.m.
    Hon
    Member, before you ask any
    supplementary Question, let me indulge
    Oral Answers to Questions

    Hon Members that Sitting is extended

    beyond the usual 2 p.m.
    Mr Odamtten 2:07 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do have
    some supplementary questions for the
    Hon Minister. I would want the Hon
    Minister to reconcile his response in
    today's Order Paper against the response he gave on Wednesday, 8th December,
    2021 during the 25th Sitting.
    Mr Speaker, I would make reference to
    that. On page 44 of the 25th Sitting, in his
    response, the Hon Minister categorised
    the Manhean Sports Stadium under
    Ghana National Petroleum Corporation
    projects and indicated the cost of the
    project to be US$1,599,065. Is the Hon
    Minister able to reconcile these two
    positions for us?
    Mr Ussif 2:07 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, as I said, the
    project cost - because the project at that time was awarded in the year 2019, and
    now due to unforeseen circumstances, the
    project got stalled, there is a review that
    is currently ongoing and it would change
    the cost. That is why I do not want to
    repeat the Answer I gave the last time.
    As I said, there is a review that is
    currently ongoing because of the delay in
    execution but the financier of the project
    is the Ghana Ports and Harbours
    Authority. If it was the GNPC which was
    stated in the previous Answer then it was
    an error.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:07 p.m.
    Very
    well.
    We would move to item numbered —
    Mr Odamtten 2:07 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I still
    have a supplementary question. This is a
    very sensitive project in my constituency
    and I think that I would want to find out
    from the Hon Minister, in the fifth
    paragraph of his Answer, he indicates the
    plans to put in place a management
    regime after completion.
    However, I would want to submit to
    him and get his response that given the
    fact that it is the Tema Traditional
    Council that pursued this project, it is
    only fair to recognise that effort of the
    Traditional Council led by the late
    paramount chief; Nii Adjei Kraku.
    Mr Speaker, so, the cry of the people
    is that this edifice must be named after the
    late paramount chief who led the
    initiation of this project especially given
    that this is a corporate social
    responsibility, the financier cannot
    undertake this project and still hold on it
    if it is meant to be a corporate social
    responsibility. My expectation is that
    when completed, it must go to the people
    for the people to manage and must be
    named after the late paramount chief; the
    late Nii Adjei Kraku II.
    Oral Answers to Questions
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:07 p.m.
    Hon
    Member, have you privately discussed
    that with the Hon Minister?
    Anyway, let us hear you, Hon
    Minister.
    Mr Ussif 2:07 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is because
    the sponsors of the project is the Ghana
    Port and Harbours Authority, I would
    have to do broader consultation with the
    sponsors so that together, we could all
    agree who to name the project after. Also
    to find out if the management would cede
    to the traditional authorities because they
    are the sponsors of the project.
    Mr Odamtten 2:07 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, my third
    and final —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:07 p.m.
    Hon
    Member, you have exhausted your time.
    Mr Odamtten 2:07 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am
    entitled to three supplementary questions.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:07 p.m.
    No.
    Mr Odamtten 2:07 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, on this
    Question, I have asked two
    supplementary questions. I humbly plead
    with you.
    Mr Speaker, thank you for the
    opportunity to ask my third and final
    supplementary question which is very
    core to the astro turf project in Tema. The
    first astro turf in Ghana was built in the
    year 2008 which is the Tema Sports
    Stadium. As we speak, that astro turf is
    dead as it no longer serve its purpose.
    I hope that as we build more astro
    turfs, the Tema Sports Stadium situated in
    Community 1 which had the first astro
    turf which is non-existent, we cannot
    abandon it while we build new ones when
    that one has not been revived.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to put on
    record that sporting facilities in Tema
    have been taken away. This project's delay is affecting sports in Tema and so
    —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:07 p.m.
    Hon
    Member, what is your question? You are
    passing too much commentary, just ask
    your question.
    Mr Odamtten 2:07 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank
    you.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:07 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, having listened to my Hon
    Colleague, I realise that the Hon Member
    wants to argue his case before asking his
    questions. Our Standing Orders are clear
    on this that; ‘a question shall not contain any arguments, expression of opinion,
    inferences, imputations, epithets or
    controversial, ironical or offensive
    expressions or hypothetical cases”.
    Oral Answers to Questions

    So, when an Hon Member rises to ask

    a question, he or she should go straight to

    it. If maybe, the Hon Member wants to

    borrow from the Answer given by the

    Hon Minister, he could so do. However,

    to start an argument or debate before

    asking the question, is not how questions

    are asked on the Floor.

    Mr Speaker, I would want to inform

    the Hon Member that the issue — [An Hon Member: Level 100] - Level 100? [Laughter] Okay; I thank you very much.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:07 p.m.
    Hon
    Minister, if you got the Hon Member's question, you can respond.
    Mr Odamtten 2:07 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would
    want to thank the Hon Majority Leader
    for the education. My question is, how
    would the Hon Minister protect the many
    sporting infrastructure in Tema going
    forward?
    Mr Ussif 2:07 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the question
    the Hon Member filed, is specific to the
    Manhean Sports Complex and not Tema
    Sports Complex. So, if he wants to ask a
    question on Tema Sports Complex, he
    should file a new question because this is
    specific to a particular sports
    infrastructure.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:07 p.m.
    Hon
    Minister, you are right.
    Mr Odamtten 2:07 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, that is
    why I was building a preamble.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:07 p.m.
    Hon
    Member, you have exhausted - your Question was not in respect of Tema
    Sports Complex.
    Mr Avedzi 2:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon
    Majority Leader has been referring to the
    Standing Orders that so and so is not
    allowed. And that when an Hon Member
    wants to ask a question, he or she should
    go straight to the point, but he is always
    coaching and giving answers to the Hon
    Minister.
    I would want to know where in the
    Standing Orders gives him that authority
    to coach the Hon Minister.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:17 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, I am not too sure that my Hon
    Colleague can lead any hard evidence to
    suggest that any coaching is going on in
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:17 p.m.
    Hon
    Members, we would move to Question
    numbered 716 which stands in the name
    of the Hon Member for South Tongu, Mr
    Kobena M. Woyome.
    Oral Answers to Questions

    NYA's utilisation of the 5 per cent from the District Assemblies Common

    Fund (DACF) from 2017 to 2020

    Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome (NDC

    - South Tongu): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask

    the Minister for Youth and Sports how

    much the National Youth Authority has

    received from the 5 per cent allocation

    from the District Assemblies' Common Fund from 2017 to 2020, and how it has

    been utilised to advance youth

    development.
    Mr Ussif 2:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Authority
    received an amount of two hundred and
    sixty-two million, five hundred and
    ninety-three, five hundred and seventy-
    two Ghana cedis, eleven Ghana pesewas
    (GH₵262,593,572.11) from the District Assemblies' Common Fund from the period of 2017 to 2020. Details are stated
    as follows:
    GRANDTOTAL 2:17 p.m.
    Mr Woyome 2:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thank the
    Hon Minister for his Answer.
    Mr Speaker, in the NYA, would the
    Hon Minister tell us how the priorities are
    set in spending the funds allocated from
    the DACF.
    Mr Ussif 2:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the National
    Youth Authority has its programme of
    activities every year and they would
    normally do an assessment of the needs of
    the youth across the country. Also, the
    Authority conducts a skills-gap analysis
    to identify the skills-needs of the youth in
    the country and then determines the
    programmes to be captured as activities
    for the year.
    Mr Speaker, this is how the National
    Youth Authority determines its
    programmes.
    Oral Answers to Questions
    Mr Woyome 2:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon
    Minister indicated in the last paragraph of
    his Answer that two per cent of the
    allocated resource was spent on goods
    and services. Mr Speaker, however, when
    we approved the annual budget for the
    MDAs, we gave the NYA allocations for
    goods and services, compensations and
    other essentials so why another 2 per cent
    expenditure on goods and services?
    Could he help us appreciate that.
    Mr Ussif 2:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the NYA
    would not spend without coming to
    Parliament because the Formula for the
    allocation from the DACF would be
    brought with their programmes and
    activities attached. So, before it is brought
    here, the goods and services is attached
    for approval before they can spend.
    Mr Woyome 2:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I perused
    all these programmes and activities any
    time we approve the DACF, and I can tell
    you that these are geared towards
    programmes that are specific to the youth
    and not for goods and services.
    Mr Speaker, also the Hon Minister has
    made a statement which indicates that 70
    per cent was spent on some youth centres,
    so we would be interested in a breakdown
    on how the allocations were made to
    them. In fact, I would want to put on
    record that I would demand a further
    breakdown of this 70 per cent.
    Mr Speaker, thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:17 p.m.
    Very
    well.
    Hon Member, Question numbered 717
    also stands in your name. You may ask
    the Question.
    Establishment of District and
    Regional Youth Committees
    Mr Kobena M. Woyome (NDC-
    South Tongu): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask
    the Minister for Youth and Sports the
    steps that have been taken to establish
    District and Regional Youth committees
    as provided for in the National Youth
    Authority Act, 2016.
    Mr Ussif 2:17 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, pursuant to the
    obligation of the National Youth
    Authority (NYA) under sections 21(1)
    and 23(1) of the National Youth
    Authority Act, 2016 (Act 939), to
    establish Regional and District Youth
    committees to oversee and assist in the
    implementation of the policies of the
    Authority at the Regional and District
    levels respectively, the Authority has:
    • Engaged youth groups and community leaders, including
    Traditional Authorities at both the
    Regional and District levels to
    sensitise them on the functions of
    the Committees for effective
    Oral Answers to Questions

    implementation of youth

    development interventions.

    • Consulted with some Regional Ministers and District Chief

    Executives on the role of the

    Committees in youth

    development programmes in the

    relevant jurisdiction.

    The above consultations and

    engagements have culminated in the

    establishment of District and Regional

    Youth Committees in the following

    Municipalities and Districts in the

    Ashanti Region:

    i. Juaben Municipal Area ii. Old Tafo Municipal Area

    iii. Akrofuom District iv. Bosome-Freho District v. Sekyere Central District.

    These Committees will be officially

    inaugurated and operationalised by the

    Governing Board of the Authority before

    the end of 2022. The Governing Board of

    the Authority takes the duties under

    sections 21(1) and 23(1) of Act 939

    seriously and will work assiduously to

    ensure a significant number of District

    and Regional Youth Committees are

    established and inaugurated across the

    country in the coming year, 2023.
    Mr Woyome 2:27 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, what is
    baffling my imagination on this occasion
    is that this law was passed in 2016 and
    came into force in 2017 and we needed to
    put all these structures in place. Mr
    Speaker, for six years, the entity has not
    been able to - with all these allocation of resources to it.
    Why have they not been able to get all
    these as indicated by law established?
    Mr Ussif 2:27 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I must admit
    that there have been challenges in implementing the Act to the fullest but the good news is that the Authority has started the process of ensuring that both at the Regional levels and the district levels, the committees are put in place. So it is refreshing that the Authority is taking steps but I must admit that there have been delays.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Woyome 2:27 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, clearly, even those that have been named here are those that are being actually inaugurated by the end of this year from Ashanti Region. Can the Minister tell us why this choice when we have 16 regions now? [Interruption] - Mr Speaker, he should explain to us what went into the planning and the choice of the region to start this particular inauguration and programme.
    Mr Ussif 2:27 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Authority wanted to do a pilot programme and as a
    Oral Answers to Questions

    pilot programme, we were very mindful of cost. If we are going to start a pilot across the country, the cost implication was going to be too high for the Authority. That is why one region was selected and some districts within the region were selected for the pilot programme. But the rollout is the entire country and I assure him that the egional and district committees are going to be established in all the 261 districts in Ghana.

    Thank you, Mr Speaker.

    Mr Woyome — rose —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:27 p.m.
    Mr
    Woyome, we move to Question
    numbered 718, which stands in your
    name, so ask your substantive Question.
    Mr Woyome 2:27 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thought I
    am entitled to -
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:27 p.m.
    Mr
    Woyome, turn to Question 718.
    Mr Woyome 2:27 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thought
    you have always been my good friend and
    brother and that you would allow me to

    Establishment of the Ghana Youth

    Federation
    Mr Woyome 2:27 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to
    ask the Minister for Youth and Sports
    what steps have been taken to establish
    the Ghana Youth Federation, and how
    youth representatives are appointed to the
    Board of the National Youth Authority in
    the absence of the Ghana Youth
    Federation.
    Mr Ussif 2:27 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Ghana
    Youth Federation (GYF) shall be an
    association of registered youth
    organisations. In order to facilitate the
    formation of GYF by the youth
    themselves, National Youth Authority
    has taken steps to re-register youth groups
    and organisations across the country.
    Currently, about 1,150 youth groups and
    organisations have applied for
    registration at the District, Regional and
    National Offices of NYA. Out of the
    stated applicants, 320 have been cleared
    by the Compliance Audit Unit of NYA
    pending certification at the District,
    Regional and National Levels. The
    outstanding number shall be vetted and
    cleared by the end of December 2021. An
    interim committee shall be put in place
    with the task of coming out with a legal
    framework leading to the establishment
    of GYA by the end of 2022.
    The Authority, before the passage of
    the National Youth Authority Act, 2016
    (Act 939), had a Federation of Youth
    Association in Ghana (FEDYAG). In the
    absence of GYA, FEDTAG was
    consulted for the three nominees to serve
    on the Governing Board in 2017.
    At the formation of this current
    Governing Board, the Ghana Youth
    Federation had not been established, so
    the Authority maintained the three
    nominees for the reason of institutional
    Oral Answers to Questions

    memory and their respective service for

    youth work over the years. This has

    proved useful, since all the 15-member

    governing body was replaced by their

    respective institutions but the three of the

    representatives of the Ghana Youth

    Federation.

    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Woyome 2:27 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the law
    establishing the National Youth
    Authority is explicit in terms of how and
    what the entity ought to do and upon
    coming into effect, the law expects all
    other arrangements and groups before
    that should not come to play at all.
    So, Mr Speaker, I would want to ask
    where in the second leg of the Answer
    which says:
    “The Authority before the passage of the National Youth Authority
    Act, 2016 (Act 939), had a
    Federation of Youth Association in
    Ghana (FEDYAG) it is stated.”
    Mr Speaker, I ask this because he said
    that was what existed. Immediately the
    law came into being, that ought to stop. Is
    it not that they should rush in getting the
    youth groups in place in order to get the
    federation and then nominate from there
    to the Board? Is that not the way it should
    be?
    Mr Ussif 2:27 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, exactly so.
    Now that the Act is in place - that is why in my Answer I indicated that the
    registration, in order to be able to carry
    out that exercise - We need to register all the youth groups and associations within
    the districts, at the regional level and the
    national level.
    Currently, that exercise is ongoing. Mr
    Speaker, 1,150 youth groups have put in
    their application and we have cleared
    320. So the vetting process is ongoing.
    Once that is concluded, the Federation
    would then formally be formed. That is
    why those who were selected to be on the
    Board are the same people who are still
    on the Board because we do not have the
    Federation again once we have the law
    now. So, the Federation is represented on
    the Board.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Woyome 2:27 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, clearly, the
    delay in getting all these in place with all
    the resources that was given is what is
    creating this problem but we must know.
    Would he not consider that act of using
    somebody from the Federation of Youth
    Association of Ghana being the
    representative of the youth in Ghana on
    the Board of the National Youth
    Authority illegal in this case? Would he
    not consider that as an illegality?
    [Interruption] What is the position of the
    law?
    Mr Speaker, the question is 2:27 p.m.
    would the
    Hon Minister not consider the nomination
    or invitation to serve on the Board from
    the Federation of the Youth of Ghana that
    Oral Answers to Questions

    existed before the law an illegality in this

    case?
    Mr Ussif 2:37 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is not illegal
    because in the spirit of the law and the
    composition of the Board, the youth of
    this country have to have a position. Then
    once before the law came into being they
    had representatives on the Board, we
    decided to keep them on the Board until
    we get the Youth Federation formed.
    When that is done, they would then be
    replaced by new members. So, it is not
    illegal at all.
    Mr Woyome 2:37 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, this is my
    last supplementary question. I would
    want to find out from the Hon Minister
    whether he has the full complement of
    youth coordinators in all the districts as
    expected. They would help him get all
    these done within the shortest time. -- [Interruption] -- Yes, that is part of it.
    Mr Speaker, the last question is, does
    the Minister have the full complement of
    those who would have to assist to get him
    the associations at the district and
    regional levels? If they are not there, how
    does he expect to form a federation and
    get somebody from there to serve on the
    Board?
    Mr Ussif 2:37 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we have the
    full complement of the coordinators
    across all the 261 districts. The Authority
    took advantage of the NABCO
    Programme and appointed a youth
    coordinator in each district.
    rose
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:37 p.m.
    Hon
    Gidisu, you have a substantive Question,
    so I will come to you later.
    Hon Members, let us turn to the
    Question numbered 842, which stands in
    the name of the Member for New
    Edubiase - Hon Abdul-Salam Adams.
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:37 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, I believe that whereas Question
    842 does not have an advertised Answer,
    there is an advertised Answer for
    Question 511, so I believe we can take
    that one.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:37 p.m.
    Hon
    Leader, I do not know whether he
    indicated to the Minister that he wants his
    Answer to be written - Is his Answer there? - Very well. So, let us hold on and get to Hon Gidisu.
    Hon Wisdom Gidisu, let us turn to the
    Order Paper Addendum, Question
    numbered 511.
    Plans to Build a Sports Stadium at
    Dambai
    Q. 511. Mr Wisdom Gidisu
    (NDC - Krachi East): Mr Speaker, I rise
    to ask the Minister for Youth and Sports
    whether the Ministry has any plans to
    Oral Answers to Questions

    build a sports stadium at Dambai, the Oti

    regional capital.

    Minister for Youth and Sports (Mr

    Mustapha Ussif): Mr Speaker,

    Government's policy is to provide for the development, promotion and

    management of sports, and to ensure the

    establishment and management of public

    sporting facilities in the country. The aim

    is to ensure access and inclusiveness to

    the usage of these facilities to unearth and

    develop talents in our communities.

    With regard to whether the Ministry

    has any plan for the construction of sports

    stadium at Dambai, the answer is

    affirmative.

    To that effect, his Excellency the

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-

    Addo on the 22nd of November, 2020,

    cut sod on a twenty (20) acres land which

    has been earmarked for the construction

    of the Oti Regional Sports Stadium at

    Dambai. The project financiers (Jospong

    Group of Companies) and the project

    contractors (Budox Construction

    Limited) have been consulting to have the

    project executed as planned.
    Mr Gidisu 2:37 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, on behalf of
    all the Members of Parliament in the Oti
    Region, and also as the Chairman of the
    Caucus, I would want to thank the Hon
    Minister for this initiative to have a
    stadium in the Oti Region. All the
    Members of Parliament will benefit.
    Mr Speaker, we would want to know
    from him when the actual construction
    works will commence?
    Mr Ussif 2:37 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the contractors
    and the financiers have some challenges,
    so once the challenges are resolved, the
    contractor will go on site. I can assure the
    Hon Member that the project is a priority
    project at the Ministry.
    Mr Gidisu 2:37 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, taking a cue
    from what the Minister has said, we are
    hopeful that construction works will
    commence this year. Can he assure the
    people of the Oti Region?
    Mr Ussif 2:37 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, as soon as the
    financial issues are resolved, the project
    will commence this year.
    Hon Minister, on behalf of the House,
    I would like to thank you for attending
    upon the House to Answer seven (7)
    separate Questions. The House is grateful
    to you. You are hereby discharged.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:37 p.m.
    Hon
    Majority Leader, may I respectfully come
    to you for indications?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 2:37 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, I have been told that there is a
    commemorative Statement in respect to a
    former Minister of State, so if we could
    listen to that?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:37 p.m.
    Very
    well.
    Paper
    STATESMENTS 2:37 p.m.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 2:57 p.m.
    Thank
    you very much.
    Hon Members, I would invite few
    comments.
    Yes, Hon Woyome?
    Statements

    Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome

    (South Tongu): Mr Speaker, I rise to

    contribute to the tribute read by the Hon

    Deputy Minority Leader, eulogising the

    life of the Hon Dzifa Aku Attivor, the

    former Hon Deputy Minister for

    Transport under the administration of H.

    E. former President Mills, and eventually,

    the Hon Minister for Transport under H.

    E. John Dramani Mahama.

    Mr Speaker, some of us have had very

    close relationship with her, and we can

    attest to many of the write-ups, tributes,

    and comments from various Hon

    Colleagues and compatriots. I associate

    myself with this Statement attributed to

    her, and with your permission, I quote: “I believe people come first, so I provide the

    type of leadership that brings everyone on

    board to achieve a common goal.”

    Here is one lady who would, in most

    cases, call to find out how one was doing.

    She always wanted to associate herself

    with families, thereby, wanting to be part

    of solutions in homes. Her presence, in

    most times, brought some joys to the

    faces of many who, in one way or the

    other, may be confronted with issues. In

    her own unique smile, proffered solutions

    to many of such, and would easily and

    readily pick up phones to call people who

    would be able to assist in solving

    problems. Such was the woman. She was

    down to earth, approachable, and that

    unique experience I had, being a younger

    brother, more or else, will forever remain

    on my mind and would create a big

    vacuum around me.

    Mr Speaker, she was ready to see the

    youth blossom in their chosen

    endeavours, and was interested in

    admonishing, always wanting to know

    what one was doing to add value to

    himself or herself, because at her age, she

    never stopped learning. She always said

    that learning ends when death does one

    apart. With those motivating words, she

    would not see any lazing around and

    throwing hands in the air in despair

    because she always helped to identify the

    uniqueness in people to launch on it and

    move forward.

    We have lost a gem. May her soul rest

    in peace. I have lost words to describe

    how unique the woman was. Tomorrow,

    we would move to Abutia-Teti to support

    the family and to give her a befitting

    farewell. May her soul rest in peace.

    Amen.
    Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso (NDC - Krachi West) 3:07 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker,
    for the opportunity given me to contribute
    to the Statement ably made by the Hon
    Deputy Minority Leader to eulogise the
    late Hon Dzifa Aku Attivor.
    Mr Speaker, it is very sad to rise today
    to contribute to this Statement about our
    friend, mother, and sister whom the Lord
    has called. Mr Speaker, before she came
    into politics, Hon Attivor worked with the
    Statements

    Bank of Ghana. She was a researcher and

    an assistant to three successive governors.

    She worked so hard and later got

    interested to join politics for which she

    became a Deputy Minister and later a

    Minister.

    Mr Speaker, the name “Dzifa” means “one at peace”. She was a very peaceful woman, and she was good at fundraising.

    She, at a number of times, raised funds to

    help in organising programmes, including

    campaigns. I remember on one occasion

    where she invited us to her hometown to

    raise funds for her church. The people in

    her community and the leaders were so

    happy, so I am not surprised that the

    church has decided to honour her by

    asking that they bury her. She worked so

    hard.

    Since she was a woman of peace, when

    there was this controversial bus branding

    in 2015, which of course was as a result

    of the contract that she awarded for the

    branding of 116 Metro Mass Transit

    (MMT) buses, she humbly resigned

    because she did not want this controversy

    to continue in the country. The amount

    was just GH₵3.6 million. I hope by what she did, politicians would emulate her

    good example that when this meagre sum

    became a controversy in this country, she

    resigned.

    She has done her work, left a good

    legacy, and she would forever be

    remembered for the good works she did.

    Since she was a woman of peace, I pray

    that the good Lord would receive her in

    his bosom and for her to rest in perfect

    peace. We also pray that the good Lord

    would take care of the children that she

    has left behind, and guard and protect the

    people who would travel to mourn with

    the bereaved family in her constituency

    so that they would attend this funeral

    celebration and get back to their various

    places peacefully. At the end, everybody

    would know that after the funeral, there

    has been peace in the family, and those

    who attended have returned to their

    various places.

    May her soul rest in perfect peace.

    Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo (NDC

    - Ho Central): Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to make a very brief

    contribution to the Statement read in

    memory of Hon Dzifa Aku Attivor whose

    remains we would gather around

    tomorrow for internment.

    Mr Speaker, I got to work closely with

    Hon Attivor when she was the Hon

    Minister for Transport. At that time, I was

    a member of the Board of the Ghana

    Airport Company Limited (GACL), and

    she was the supervising Minister. We

    worked pretty closely together, and I

    admired her passion about managing the

    ground for effective air travel.

    Mr Speaker, yesterday, I heard a lady

    was appointed as a new Managing

    Director for the GACL, and there were

    some commentaries that she was the first

    Statements

    woman. However, I just want to put on

    record that she may be the third woman to

    become Managing Director of the Ghana

    Airport Company Limited (GACL).

    At the time that our Board appointed

    Madam Dorine Fianku as the Managing

    Director, Dorine was then the second lady

    to serve as the Managing Director of

    GACL. Well, I would not say that

    because she was a woman, the

    relationships were very cordial, but we

    worked very well, and sought to move the

    performance of GACL to higher levels.

    Mr Speaker, politically, she was a

    household name in our circles. My

    Constituency borders hers, the Ho West

    Constituency, so we used to interact very

    frequently and many people know her,

    even down to my very village where I

    come from.

    Mr Speaker, I would like to say

    something about her, and that can be

    representative of the Church in which she

    was, which would be conducting the

    funeral service tomorrow; that is, the

    Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana.

    Both us were, and I still am, Presbyters of

    the Church, and we worked closely

    together as Elders of our Church. During

    the period, from 2006 to 2011, many of

    the congregations of the EP Church were

    100 years, so at different communities,

    they were celebrating the Centenary

    Anniversary of the congregations.

    Mr Speaker, when she was invited to a

    particular anniversary, either I would

    partner her or I would be her deputy or

    vice versa. We did this at places like

    Dzolo Gborgame, Ho, Adaklu, and

    several other places, so we had a

    nickname as Professional Cente

    Chairperson. We were generally in

    charge of almost all the celebrations in

    other areas. So, I can say that the Church

    owes her great gratitude for her

    generosity and her willingness to come to

    the fore when Church activities were

    being held. I would say that I say so on

    behalf of the EP Church hierarchy in Ho.

    Mr Speaker, I can see that you are

    asking me to round up -[Laughter] -

    Mr Speaker, thanking you for the

    opportunity, I would say that she requires

    very deep rest in peace. And to harp on

    my former Regional Minister's Statement, we wish the family of the

    departed, progress and peace in their

    lives.

    Mr Speaker, I thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 3:07 a.m.
    Hon
    Leader, the Hon Member would like to
    say a word.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Statements
    Mr Joseph Cudjoe (NPP - Effia) 3:07 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you for the
    opportunity to say a few words to
    eulogise the life of the Hon Dzifa Aku
    Attivor.
    Mr Speaker, I did not have a personal
    opportunity working, maybe, in any
    capacity with this woman, but in the
    political space, I followed her keenly on
    radio and television on responses she
    gave to issues when it came to the
    Transport sector. That reason gave me the
    opportunity to dig behind her to find out
    why she was able to respond to the issues
    the way she did. I was pleasantly
    surprised to find out that she was one of
    the women whose lives we could have
    highlighted on to make sure that other
    women would follow how she lived her
    life.
    Mr Speaker, this was a woman who,
    when I found out studying about her
    background, had been a research clerk in
    the Central Bank, and had been a personal
    assistant to three successive Deputy
    Governors, smacking of a sense of high-
    performing woman. And also, becoming
    the personal assistant to the Head of
    Treasury in charge of General
    Administration in the Central Bank.
    Mr Speaker, you would dig behind her
    life and discover that born 1956, she
    obtained her first degree at the age of 51,
    and moved on to obtain a Master's Degree in Human Resource Management
    at the age of 56 within which same period,
    she was a Deputy Minister and a Minister.
    This is to give signal to all us, male or
    female, pursuing a career that continuous
    learning is a thing we must always not
    leave behind us as we pursue our
    professional careers.
    Mr Speaker, this woman also left us a
    certain principle. In the heat of the
    controversial bus branding, we saw her
    quietly resigning, not to leave room for
    her being fired by the appointer. This tells
    us in the face that when we are pursuing
    professional careers and something
    appears to taint our image, we should
    honourably give way to prevent that
    tainting of character. She has left that
    signal to us in her life and I think her life
    deserves to be eulogised in this sense.
    Mr Speaker, I thank you for the
    opportunity to contribute to the
    Statement.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 3:17 p.m.
    Thank
    you very much. Finally, we would listen
    to the Hon Majority Leader.
    Majority Laeder (Mr Osei Kyei-
    Mensah-Bonsu): Thank you very much
    for the opportunity to also associate
    myself with the eulogy in respect of the
    Hon Dzifa Aku Ativor, the former
    Minister for Transport between 2013 and
    2015.
    Mr Speaker, I first heard of the name
    of Dzifa Ativor in 2006 and we were told
    Statements

    of the emergence of a certain lady who

    had contested in the Ho West

    Constituency, one of the four contestants

    at the time, and that people, indeed,

    rallied for her and she almost emerged

    victorious amongst three other

    contestants, all of them males.

    Mr Speaker, the primaries got a bit

    acrimonious, but that notwithstanding,

    when she lost and one of the three male

    contestants won, she immediately went to

    the side of the winner and supported his

    campaign in the Ho West constituency.

    Mr Speaker, in the lead up to the 2008

    presidential elections, she joined ranks

    with the running mate at the time, Mr

    John Dramani Mahama, one of our own

    who had been plucked by Prof Mills to be

    his running mate and she was all over the

    country with the running mate. No

    wonder when Prof Mills got coronated as

    President, he nominated her as the

    Deputy Minister for Transport.

    Mr Speaker, in 2013, she was elevated

    to the substantive Minister's position by the then President John Dramani Mahama

    and she endeavoured to revamp some of

    the units under the Ministry, including the

    State Transport and Metro Mass Transit

    which were experiencing some

    plummeting in their fortunes of those

    enterprises. In the process, an unfortunate

    saga entangled the bus branding at the

    Metro Mass Unit. As the Minority Leader

    at the time, I raised that particular matter

    when we were interrogating the Budget of

    the Ministry. The rest is history.

    Mr Speaker, soon after that, a woman

    who I was not closely associated with,

    signalled to meet me to explain her side

    of the story and indeed, we met and she

    explained what really happened just after

    she had resigned as the Minister.

    Thereafter, we did not have the

    opportunity to meet until the funeral of

    the former Minister for Volta Region,

    himself also a former Member of

    Parliament, Hon Henry Ford Kamel.

    Mr Speaker, when we met at the

    funeral, she came, sat by me and we got

    really intimate by the conversation that

    she introduced. I think that the second

    time we met after that was at the funeral

    of Dr Kwabena Adjei and we continued

    our conversations. We got quite close and

    thereafter, she could call me on phone and

    I would respond and I could also call her

    and she would respond. That was how

    close we became.

    Mr Speaker, the lady who we mourn

    today, asked for a wish to be fulfilled for

    her. Unfortunately, when she made the

    request, I was not in a position to assist at

    the time and I told her that I would

    respond appropriately in the fullness of

    time. Unfortunately, I could not do that.

    Indeed, some six months or so back, I

    called back and she said she was still

    anticipating the fulfilment of that wish.

    Statements

    As I said, I could not and it has been to

    my regret that I could not do that.

    Yesterday, I endeavoured to be at the

    funeral, again unfortunately, just

    approaching the funeral grounds, I felt

    some pangs in my tummy and was

    experiencing some tummy upset, so I

    could not be there. I came up to my office,

    thinking that I would have some respite

    and go back but I had to go back home

    because I was not feeling very stable in

    my tummy. So, I could not even pay my

    last respect to Hon Dzifa Attivor, which

    is why I pledged to myself that I would be

    here to stay and contribute when I heard

    that a commemorative Statement was

    going to be made in her name.

    Mr Speaker, by and large, I think she

    was a woman of strong character and

    perseverance and in her later years, when

    I really got close to here, I could see that

    she meant well, even though it did not end

    in the particular instance that I have

    related to, in the way that she had wanted

    things to go. We are all human and all of

    us are fallible. None of us could say to

    themselves that they have angelic

    qualities which is why on the occasion of

    her transition, my prayer to God, her

    Creator, is to look upon her with mercy

    and grant her eternal rest. May her soul

    rest in perfect peace.

    Mr Speaker, I thank you very much.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 3:17 p.m.
    Hon
    Members, I am not also coming up with
    any tribute but I just want to announce to
    the House that the first Member of
    Parliament (MP) for Fomena, Hon
    Odame Kusi has also passed on and is
    being buried tomorrow. He was MP for
    Fomena between 1993 and 1997. So I am
    also just bringing this officially to the
    attention of the House. On that note, I
    respectfully ask that we rise and give a
    minute's silence to the two Hon Members.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 3:17 p.m.
    May
    the souls of Hon Dzifa Aku Attivor and
    Hon Odame Kusi and all the departed
    faithful, rest in perfect peace. Amen.
    Yes, Hon Majority Leader?
    Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 3:17 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, I believe we can take a well-
    earned adjournment at this time.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 3:17 p.m.
    Very
    well. Hon Members, the time is 3.25 p.m.
    so we would move on to adjourn the
    House to Tuesday, 22nd February, 2022 at
    10 o'clock in the forenoon.
    I thank all of you, the House stands
    adjourned.
    ADJOURNMENT 3:17 p.m.