Debates of 9 Jun 2022

MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:48 a.m.
Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:48 a.m.
Hon
Members, shall we turn to item numbered 4,
Corrections of Votes and Proceedings and
the Official Report.
Shall we start with the corrections of
Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 8th
June, 2022?
  • [No correction was made to the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 8th June, 2022]
    • Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:48 a.m.
    Hon
    Members, we have two Official Reports
    which are dated Tuesday, 29th March,

    Hon Members, in reviewing these

    Official Reports, I have observed that

    there are some mistakes in the Official

    Report for 29th March, 2022. As such, we

    are not going to review that particular

    Official Report. We would ask the

    Clerks-at-the-Table to look into it and

    address it before we accordingly address

    it next week.

    So, we would review the 31st March,

    2022 Official Report.
    Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka 10:48 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, unfortunately, that Official
    Report is not in circulation. I do not know
    if it is in the pigeonhole by now - but we do not have it with us. So, if you would
    kindly defer that to the next - so that we would do them together.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:48 a.m.
    We do not
    have the 31st March Official Report?
    Alhaji Muntaka 10:48 a.m.
    No, Mr Speaker, I
    do not have it. My Usher brought the 29th
    March Official Report without that of the
    31st March. Most of my Hon Colleagues
    also do not have it.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:48 a.m.
    Hon
    Members, do you not have the Official
    Report for 31st March?
    Some Hon Members 10:48 a.m.
    No, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:48 a.m.
    Very
    well, if Hon Members say they do not
    have that Official Report, then we would
    defer that also. However, I want to repeat
    that there are mistakes in the Official
    Report for 29th March which is why we are
    putting it aside. While Hon Members say
    they do not have copies of the Official
    Report for 31st March which is why we are
    deferring it.
    Leadership, is the Business Statement
    ready?
    VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:48 a.m.
    Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh 10:48 a.m.
    Mr Speak,
    I would with respect, seek your leave for us
    to vary the Order of Business.
    I come under Standing Order 132 to
    withdraw the Ghana Standards Authority
    Bill, 2021, which was laid on 12th November,
    2021. I so withdraw.
    Mr Speaker, the reasons are that there are
    some technical defects that have been
    detected which have necessitated the
    withdrawal.
    Mr Alexander K. Afenyo-Markin 10:48 a.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, pursuant to the leave application by
    the Hon Majority Chief Whip, the actual
    Motion for the withdrawal would be taken by
    the Minister for Health, with your leave. The
    Hon Majority Chief Chip made an
    application for leave for withdrawal. He did
    not intend to withdraw it himself. Our rules
    are clear; withdrawals can only be made by
    an Hon Minister and there are experts in this
    House who would not compromise on it.
    So, Mr Speaker, that is the case.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:48 a.m.
    Very well.
    So, can we now listen to the Hon Minister?
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 10:48 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, as it
    pleases you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:58 a.m.
    All right.
    Let us listen to the Hon Minister.

    Minister for Health (Mr Kwaku

    Agyeman-Manu): Mr Speaker, I come

    under Standing Order 132 to withdraw

    the Ghana Standards Authority Bill,

    2021, which was laid on the floor of the

    House on 12th November, 2021.

    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:58 a.m.
    Very
    well. Leave granted and the Bill is
    accordingly withdrawn. The referral that
    was made to the Committee is equally
    withdrawn.
  • [Bill withdrawn by leave of the House.]
    • Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:58 a.m.
    Leadership, let us hear you. Should we go
    to Questions?
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 10:58 a.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    with your leave, we would continue to lay
    the new Bill by the Hon Minister for
    Health.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:58 a.m.
    Hon
    Members, shall we now turn to item
    numbered 9 on page 6 — Presentation
    and First Reading of Bills.
    Is the Hon Minister for Trade and
    Industry in the House? Let me be clear as
    to who is actually —
    VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:58 a.m.
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 10:58 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the
    leave application that was made early on,
    which you granted was consequential. It
    was an all-inclusive application but for
    the avoidance of doubt and for our
    records, I rise to apply again, for leave for
    the Hon Minister for Health to proceed to
    do the needful on behalf of the Hon
    Minister for Trade and Industry.
    Mr Speaker, if it so pleases you?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:58 a.m.
    Leave
    is granted once again. The Hon Minister
    may take the Floor.
    BILLS - FIRST READING 10:58 a.m.
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 10:58 a.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    based on the earlier discussion we had,
    we would seek your leave again for the
    order of Questions to be varied for us to
    begin with the Hon Minister for Health
    and that would start from Question
    numbered 174 on page 4 of the —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:58 a.m.
    Hon
    Members, let us turn to page 4, item
    numbered 174, which is a Question from
    the Hon Member for Bongo, Mr Edward
    Abambire Bawa to the Hon Minster for
    Health.
    Hon Minister, you may take your seat?
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 10:58 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the
    Hon Minister is coming forward to do the
    needful, if you may indulge him for some
    few minutes.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 10:58 a.m.
    Hon
    Minister, are you ready? Should we start
    with Question numbered 449?
    Hon Members, let us turn to page 4,
    Question 449, which stands in the name
    of the Hon Member for Madina, Mr
    Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu. Again, we
    would adhere to what we did yesterday: if
    the owner of the Question is not
    available, another Hon Member would
    ask the Question, the Hon Minster would
    respond, but we would not allow any
    supplementary questions. Is that all right
    with all of us?

    Very well, Hon Member for Keta, you may ask the Question on behalf of our Brother.
    ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 11:08 a.m.
    MINISTRY OF HEALTH 11:08 a.m.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:08 a.m.
    Very
    well.
    We would move to the Question
    numbered 567, which stands in the name of the Hon Member for Sissala West, Mr Adam Mohammed Sukparu.
    Mr Peter Lanchene Toobu — rose —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:08 a.m.
    Hon
    Member, I know you to be the Hon
    Member for Wa West. Is that correct?
    Mr Peter Lanchene Toobu 11:08 a.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, yes, that is correct. My Hon
    Colleague has asked me to seek your
    leave to ask the Question on his behalf.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:08 a.m.
    Very
    well. Let us hear you.
    Timelines for Upgrading Fialimou,
    Zini, Jefisi and Jawia Health Centres
    to Polyclinic Status
    Mr Peter Lanchene Toobu on behalf
    of (Mr Adams Mohammed Sukparu)
    (NDC — Sissala West): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Hon Minister for Health
    when the health centres in the following
    communities will be upgraded to
    polyclinic status: (i) Fialimou, (ii) Zini,
    (iii) Jefisi, and (iv) Jawia.
    Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:08 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    wish to state that currently, the areas
    listed in the Question have not been
    captured in our 2022 plans and budgets
    for an upgrade to polyclinic status. We
    will however, do an assessment based on
    the request and evaluate them
    individually for consideration and
    budgeting in the ensuing years' budget. Our ability to implement this will largely
    depend on the quantum of budgetary
    allocation to the Ministry in subsequent
    years.

    Oral Answers to Questions
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:08 a.m.
    We
    would move to the Question numbered
    569, which stands in the name of the Hon
    Member for Atebubu Amantin, Mr Sanja
    Nanja.
    Plans to Upgrade Amantin Health
    Centre to Polyclinic Status
    Mr Sanja Nanja (NDC — Atebubu Amantin) 11:08 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the
    Hon Minister for Health if the Ministry
    has any plans of upgrading Amantin
    Health Centre to a polyclinic.
    Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:08 a.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    due to the proximity of Amantin to Ejura,
    Kasei and Atebubu which have standard
    health facilities, the Amantin polyclinic
    has not been earmarked for upgrading in
    our 2023 Capital Investment plan and our
    current budget for an upgrade. We will,
    however, liaise with the Ghana Health
    Service to carry out an assessment based
    on this request and evaluate the facility
    for consideration and budgeting in the
    ensuing years' budgets. Our ability to implement this will largely depend on the
    quantum of budgetary allocation to the
    Ministry in subsequent years' budgets.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:08 a.m.
    Hon
    Member, do you have any supplementary
    questions?
    Mr Nanja 11:08 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like
    to correct this for the records. Amantin is
    currently a health centre and not a
    polyclinic as stated in the Answer read by
    the Hon Minister.
    I would like to find out from the Hon
    Minister, which one of these three
    variables: availability of funds,
    population size, and proximity, is a major
    determining factor for upgrading a health
    facility?
    Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:08 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    would like to thank my Hon Colleague
    for correcting the polyclinic issue to a
    health centre. I believe my Hon
    Colleague is aware that I have paid a visit
    to the health centre since I became the
    Minister for Health, and I know exactly
    what is there.
    Upgrading a health centre to a
    polyclinic takes some parameters into
    consideration, just as he mentioned—
    population of the area, distance from a
    bigger facility, either a polyclinic or a
    health centre. Then, we look at Out
    Patient Department (OPD) attendance in
    that facility. If the numbers are very large
    and the health centre cannot contain
    them, then we would begin to find plans
    to seek allocation from the budget to
    begin to upgrade the facility. That is why
    I indicated in my Answer that we would
    request the Ghana Health Service to do an
    assessment, and if they recommend that
    the facility is due for an upgrade, we
    would seriously begin to look for funding
    to see how best to do that.

    Oral Answers to Questions
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:08 a.m.
    Hon
    Member, are you satisfied with the
    answer?
    Mr Nanja 11:08 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, how soon
    would this assessment be conducted
    because there is so much pressure on the
    facility?
    Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:08 a.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    “how soon” has two elements in it. The
    Ministry's request to the Ghana Health
    Service is within the Hon Minister's
    control, and I can easily predict when that
    can be done. That would be as soon as
    possible, and I am quoting from my Hon
    Colleague who has whispered it into my
    ears. [Laughter] Therefore, we would do
    that as early as next week. The other
    activity would be the availability of the
    Ghana Health Service to do the
    assessment, and that would be difficult
    for me to respond to in the Chamber.
    However, I would talk to the Hon
    Member on the corridors and see how
    best we could get it done in good time.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:08 a.m.
    Very
    well.
    Hon Members, let us turn to the
    Question numbered 737, which stands in
    the name of the Hon Member for
    Nabdam, Dr Mark Kurt Nawaane.
    [Pause]. He is not here -
    Mr Yussif Sulemana 11:08 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    seek your leave to ask the Question on
    behalf of the Hon Member.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:08 a.m.
    Leave
    granted.
    Status of Construction of Nabdam District
    Hospital in Line with Agenda 111
    Mr Yussif Sulemana (on behalf of Dr
    Mark Kurt Nawaane) (NDC — Nabdam): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the
    Hon Minister for Health the status of the
    construction of the District Hospital in
    the Nabdam District in line with Agenda
    111.
    Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:18 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, to
    herald the commencement of works on
    the Agenda 111 project, the sod was cut
    on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at the
    Atwima Kwanwoma District of the
    Ashanti Region, for works to commence
    on all district hospitals including Nabdam
    District under the Agenda 111.

    All preparatory works towards

    commencement of the works have been

    completed and the contractor has moved

    to site since November 2021. However,

    the Nangodi (Nabdam District) site had

    challenges with the land such as high

    voltage pylons running through the site

    and the terrain of the land. In view of this,

    the site had to be changed together with

    the site layout, survey topography data,

    grading plan, among others. These data

    Oral Answers to Questions

    were made available to the contractor to

    enable him to commence work on the

    site.

    The contractor is currently on site and

    has started setting up site office, hoarding

    and foundation. The excavation works for

    the Administration block, Out Patient

    Department, Pharmacy, laboratories and

    diagnostics, et cetera, have been

    completed.

    Mr Speaker, there have been delays

    and the contractor is behind schedule;

    however, steps are being taken by the

    Site Supervising Consultants to

    redeem the situation.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
    Hon
    Members, shall we turn to Question
    numbered 739, which stands in the name
    of Hon Member for Sawla/Tuna/Kalba,
    Mr Andrew Dari Chiwitey. My
    namesake, you may now ask your
    Question.
    Mr Andrew Dari Chiwitey 11:18 a.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, I am most grateful for the
    opportunity. I seek your permission to
    make you aware that I filed two
    Questions to the Hon Minister on the
    same day. The Agenda captured both
    Questions; this one numbered 739 and
    the second, 734. My concern is that the
    second Question asking the Hon
    Minister to give an Answer on the
    progress of work on a CHPS
    compound that was 90 per cent
    complete in the year 2016 is missing.
    So, I would plead with you to direct
    the office -
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
    Hon
    Member, your Question that has been
    advertised is what you should ask, so
    if you are not interested in asking the
    advertised Question, then -
    Plans to Rehabilitate the Gindabo
    Health Centre
    Mr Andrew Dari Chiwitey (NDC
    — Sawla/Tuna/Kalba): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Hon Minister for
    Health if there are plans by the
    Government to rehabilitate the
    Gindabo Health Centre, which is
    currently in a very deplorable state.
    Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin — rose —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
    Hon
    Deputy Majority Leader, let us move
    on. All right. Let us hear you.
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:18 a.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    I humbly beg of you - the earlier
    statement the Hon Member made,
    which he knows is not part of his
    Question, was made into the records. I
    would humbly request my Hon
    Colleague to withdraw that aspect of
    the earlier submission so that it is
    completely out of our records.
    Mr Speaker, it is only you who can
    direct him; I can only apply. That is what
    must be done and that is the truth.

    Oral Answers to Questions
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
    Hon
    Deputy Majority Leader, was it
    offensive? I thought his original Question
    has not been - he was just raising - so I do not think that it is something that
    should be taken -
    Hon Member, you may repeat your
    Question.
    Mr Chiwitey 11:18 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to
    ask the Hon Minister for Health if there
    are plans by the Government to
    rehabilitate the Gindabo Health Centre,
    which is currently in a very deplorable
    state.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
    Hon
    Minister for Health, respectfully, you
    may now answer the Question.
    Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu 11:18 a.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, I wish to state that currently the
    Gindabo Health Centre has not been
    captured in our 2022 plans and budget for
    any rehabilitation works. However, our
    checks with the District Assembly
    indicated that the facility has been
    captured in their plans for renovation
    works to be carried out.
    The Ministry, together with the Ghana
    Health Service (GHS), will also do an
    assessment based on this information and
    evaluate the facility for consideration and
    also liaise with the District Assembly for
    possible completion.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
    Hon Member for Sawla/Tuna/Kalba, do you have any supplementary question?
    Mr Chiwitey 11:18 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, yes, I do. My checks with the Assembly this morning indicate that the Gindabo Health Centre has not been captured in their plans. So, my question is what kind of assurance can the Hon Minister give me because the District Assembly has not captured it? I spoke with the Distirct Coordinating Director (DCD) and the Assembly Member for the area and it is clear that Sawa/Tuna/Kalba District Assembly has not captured the Gindabo Health Centre in their plans. So, the Hon Minister should kindly give me some assurance.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
    Hon Member, what is your question?
    Mr Chiwitey 11:18 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want the Hon Minister to give me an assurance that he is going to liaise with the District Assembly because the statement here says that he has checked with the District Assembly and the District Assembly also says they have not captured it. So, how would the Hon Minister assure me that the Government is going to attend to the Health Centre in Gindabo?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
    Hon Minister, give him an assurance.
    Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:18 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the assurance is in the second paragraph as has been published in the Answer. The Ministry and GHS would liaise with the District Assembly; so whether it has been captured or not, when we go to do the assessment, it would give us guidance.

    Oral Answers to Questions
    Mr Chiwitey 11:18 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon
    Minister's Answer just tells me that he did not do any consultation with the
    District Assembly so -
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
    Hon
    Member, no. You cannot just jump into
    that conclusion. Your previous question
    was for him to give you an assurance. He
    has assured you; so if you do not have any
    further questions, then we would move to
    - hold on. Yes, Hon Second Deputy Majority Whip, do you have something to
    say?
    Ms Lydia Alhassan 11:18 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    am surprised at my Hon Colleague. He is
    supposed to be a member of the District
    Assembly and he, together with the
    Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), is to
    decide on the projects for the
    constituency. I am surprised that he is - [Interruption] - he is supposed to do that with the District Assembly. He is a
    member. Is he not a member? Well, that
    is what I do.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
    Hon
    Members, the issues have already been

    Hon Member, did you ask another

    question?
    Mr Chiwitey 11:18 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have
    another question.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
    Hon
    Member, your final question.
    Mr Chiwitey 11:18 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the Hon
    Minister's view, does he not think that some of the COVID-19 funds could have
    been used to rehabilitate some of these
    health centres?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:18 a.m.
    Hon
    Member, the question is not admissible. I
    would not admit this particular question.
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    when you announced the Hon Member's name and gave him that privilege to ask
    his Question, you said “my brother, my namesake”. I am tempted to believe that he is taking advantage of that esprit de
    corps between you and him to do his own
    thing.

    Mr Speaker, kindly bring him to order,

    else, I would also add “Andrew” to my name to have this unfettered access.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    Hon
    Leader, my Hon Brother has been
    brought to book, so do not worry.
    We will move to Question numbered
    886. The Question stands in the name of
    the Hon Member for Sekondi, Mr
    Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer. Is he here?
    Mr Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah
    Korsah — rose —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    Hon
    Member, are you asking the Question on
    his behalf?

    Oral Answers to Questions

    Mr Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah

    Korsah: Mr Speaker, I rise on Standing

    Order 68(3) to seek your leave to ask the

    Question on behalf of my Hon Colleague

    who is also attending to an important

    issue.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    Hon
    Members, he is also my namesake; he is
    also Andrew.
    Re-development of Effia Nkwanta and
    the Construction of an Additional
    Regional Hospital in Western Region
    Mr Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah
    Korsah (on behalf of Mr Andrew Kofi
    Egyapa Mercer) (NPP-Sekondi): Mr
    Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for
    Health the step taken to implement the
    Agenda 111 Policy initiated by H.E. the
    President towards the re-development of
    Effia-Nkwanta and the construction of an
    additional regional hospital to serve as a
    referral facility for major health
    emergencies, in view of the recent
    explosion that occurred at Appiatse in the
    Western Region.
    Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    the Ministry has concluded all contractual
    arrangements for the construction of the
    Agona Nkwanta Hospital as well as the
    redevelopment of the Effia Nkwanta
    Hospital. The contractor is mobilising to
    site and works are expected to commence
    by the end of the second quarter of the
    year.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    We will
    move to Question — Hon Minister, the Hon Member for Okaikwei Central was
    speaking to someone else while you were
    speaking so he says he did not hear your
    Answer.
    Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    am afraid that might be the case. I have
    sat there before. Our system is such that
    anyone who sits there cannot properly
    hear the one who stands here to speak. I
    was there sometime back so his comment
    is quite right, and I am ready to repeat the
    Answer - [Interruption] He does not want to read; he wants to listen to my
    voice. [Interruption] A very shrill voice.

    Mr Speaker, the Ministry has

    concluded all contractual arrangements

    for the construction of the Agona

    Nkwanta Hospital as well as the

    redevelopment of the Effia Nkwanta

    Hospital. The contractor is mobilising to

    site, and works are expected to

    commence by the end of the second

    quarter of the year.

    Mr Korsah — rose —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    You do
    not have the opportunity to ask any
    supplementary question. No.
    We will move to Question numbered
    1025 which stands in the name of the Hon Member for Yilo Krobo, Mr Albert Tetteh Nyakotey. Hon Member, you have the Floor now.

    Oral Answers to Questions
    Mr Albert Tetteh Nyakotey 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, this Question was filed —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    Order!
    Mr Nyakotey 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, this Question was filed on 11th February this year. There have been some developments, but I would go ahead to ask the Minister for Health —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    Hon Member, you filed the Question on 11th February, and this is the time that the Answer is available. I do not see the need for going back to tell us when you asked the Question.
    Operationalisation of Somanya District Hospital
    Mr Albert Tetteh Nyakotey (NDC — Yilo Krobo) 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Health when the completed Somanya District Hospital in the Yilo Krobo Constituency will be operationalised.
    Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I very much remember that this Question has been answered in the Chamber, and my Hon Colleague is aware. The good news is that the hospital has started operating as I speak now. The District Chief Executive (DCE) has been very helpful, and we have got all the
    challenges resolved. The facility is in operation now.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Nyakotey 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would
    like to ask the Minister for Health when
    support staff would be provided for the
    hospital to enable it operate smoothly.
    Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we
    have a skeleton staff that is supporting
    them now. The full complement of
    staffing would be made in the future.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    Hon
    Member, are you alright?
    Mr Nyakotey 11:38 a.m.
    Thank you very much,
    Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    Very
    well, we will now move to Question
    numbered 1026 which stands in the name
    of the Hon Member for Manhyia North,
    Mr Akwasi Konadu.
    Mr Collins Adomako-Mensah (NPP
    — Afigya Kwabre North): Mr Speaker,
    with your leave, I would ask the Question
    on behalf of the Hon Member of
    Parliament for Manhyia North.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    Very well,
    let us hear you.

    Oral Answers to Questions

    Benefits Realised from the Hospital

    Construction Agreement with Euroget

    De Invest Group and Expected Time

    for all Projects to Fully Materialise

    Mr Collins Adomako-Mensah (on

    behalf of Mr Akwasi Konadu) (NPP — Manhyia North): Mr Speaker, I beg to

    ask the Minister for Health what benefits

    have been realised from the hospital

    construction agreement with Euroget De

    Invest Group and when all projects would

    be expected to fully materialise.
    Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    some of the benefits accrued from the
    Euroget De Invest projects include:
    serving the people of Ghana with
    improved quality healthcare, signify-
    cantly providing employment in the
    various regions, and also offering easy
    access to healthcare facilities within the
    jurisdictions.
    Mr Speaker, the Ga East Hospital
    served as the major management centre
    for COVID-19 during the early stages of
    the COVID-19 breakout. Similarly, the
    Wa Hospital supported with the critically
    ill patients in the Upper West Region and
    its surrounding regions. Additionally, the
    Nsawkaw, Twifo Praso, and Tepa
    hospitals are completed and are providing
    quality healthe care to the people within
    their immediate environs.
    Mr Speaker, the projects comprised
    the construction of eight hospitals,
    comprising two regional hospitals and six
    district hospitals. One regional hospital in
    Wa and one district hospital in Ga East
    have been completed and in use since
    2019, and are serving the people in the
    various regions. Three (3) district
    hospitals in Nsawkaw, Twifo Praso and
    Tepa have also been completed and
    operationalised since the end of 2020 to
    serve the catchment populations of the
    sites. A regional hospital in Kumasi and
    one (1) district hospital in Konongo have
    been completed, and are awaiting testing
    and inauguration for use. As it stands, the
    remaining hospital at Salaga is scheduled
    to be completed by the first quarter of
    2023.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    We will
    now move to Question numbered 1027
    which stands in the name of Mr Michael
    Okyere Baafi, the Hon Member for New
    Juaben South.
    Mr Paul Apreku Twum-Barimah 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, with your leave, I wish to ask
    the Question on behalf of the Hon
    Member.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    Are
    you the Hon Member for Dormaa East?
    Mr Twum-Barimah 11:38 a.m.
    Yes, Mr
    Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    All
    right, let us hear you.

    Oral Answers to Questions

    Progress on the Construction of the

    600-Bed Regional Hospital in New

    Juaben

    Mr Paul Apreku Twum-Barimah

    (on behalf of Mr Michael Okyere

    Baafi): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the

    Minister for Health the extent of progress

    on the construction of the 600-bed

    regional hospital in the New Juaben area.
    Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    currently, the substructure works and
    mechanical/ electrical/plumbing first
    fixings are ongoing steadily and are 91
    per cent and 60 per cent complete
    respectively. The overall progress of
    works stand at 35 per cent, which is
    consistent with the programme of work as
    agreed. The entire project is on schedule.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    Hon
    Minister, do you have the Answer to the
    Question numbered 174?
    Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:38 a.m.
    No, Mr
    Speaker. I notified the Table Office that the Question was answered some time back, but if it comes out and is published, I would come and answer it again.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    Hon
    Minister, but the owner of the Question says—
    Mr Agyeman-Manu 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, is the owner here?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    Yes.
    Mr Edward Abambire Bawa — rose
    —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    Hon
    Member, hold on. We would have to reschedule your Question because the Answer is not available, unless you are prepared to take —
    Mr Edward Abambire Bawa 11:38 a.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, I would want to register some protest on this issue. In our last Sitting, I was called by the Clerks-at-the-Table that the Ministry brought a response to my Question, and indicated that the response they brought for my Question was not the right one, so even though it had been scheduled, the Ministry withdrew it.
    Mr Speaker, the Clerks-at-the-Table
    called me the second time and told me that the Hon Minister would not be around. Indeed, that day, the Hon Minister sat in the Chamber for the entire proceeding, meanwhile I was told he would not be around. Today, the Question has been scheduled and no written Answer is advertised in the Order Paper, and the Hon Minister is telling us that the Question was answered some time back. I do not know whether it is a deliberate action from the Ministry or wherever to refuse this particular Question from being answered.

    Oral Answers to Questions
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    Hon Member, we would address the issue. Now that it has come to the fore, we will look at it and reschedule your Question. Clerks-at-the-Table, please take note of it.
    Hon Minister, on behalf of the House, I would like to thank you for attending upon the House to answer nine separate Questions. You have done well, and we wish you well. You are hereby discharged.
    Hon Members, I will now invite the Hon Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development. The first Question posed to her stands in the name of the Hon Member for Krachi East, Mr Wisdom Gidisu.
    MINISTRY OF FISHERIES AND 11:38 a.m.
    AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Wisdom Gidisu (NDC — Krachi East) 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Hon Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development the steps the Ministry is taking to ensure the regular supply of premix fuel to fisherfolks in the Krachi East Constituency to avoid long queues at the selling points.
    Minister for Fisheries and Aquacul-
    ture Development (Mrs Mavis Hawa
    Koomson) MP: Mr Speaker, before I
    respond, I would like to plead that there
    has been a slight change in the Answer,
    so I would like to draw your attention to
    it.
    Mr Speaker, the Landing Beach
    Committee at Krachi East serves several
    adjoining communities from where
    fishermen access premix fuel for their
    operations. It has been observed that the
    rush for the product by fishermen,
    especially on market days, results in long
    queues which may not be due to
    shortages.
    It is important to note that since March
    2022, premix fuel supply has been
    irregular. The Ministry is working closely
    with the relevant stakeholders to ensure
    that available quantities of premix fuel
    are equitably distributed to landing
    beaches to mitigate the impact of the
    shortages experienced.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    Hon
    Wisdom Gidisu, do you have any
    supplementary questions?
    Mr Gidisu 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like
    to thank the Hon Minister for this
    Answer. However, since this is a House
    of records, I would also want to put on
    record that the impression that the long

    Oral Answers to Questions

    queues and rushes for premix fuel come

    only on market days is not correct. As I

    speak now, if a tanker gets to the

    Constituency, there would be a rush for it,

    but today is not a market day. Thus, I

    would want to put it on record that the

    impression that it is only on market days

    is not correct.

    Mr Speaker, I would also want to find

    out from the Hon Minister whether, in her

    own view, there would be queues and

    shortages with regard to the sales of the

    product if the supply is constant.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    Hon
    Minister, did you get the supplementary
    question? Should I ask him to repeat it?
    Hon Member, that is the issue when
    we prefix our supplementary questions
    with a lot of drama, so just go straight to
    the question.
    Mr Gidisu 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, she stated
    clearly that in her view, the shortages and
    long queues or rushes do not have to do
    with the shortage of the product, and I am
    asking whether there would be queues
    and rush for the product if the supply
    were constant and regular.
    Mrs Koomson 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my Hon
    Colleague says that it is not because of the
    queue or rush from other fishermen who
    also benefit, but that is what our
    investigation has given us. However, I
    would also want to assure him that
    indeed, since March, the fuel has not been
    regular, but when it becomes regular,
    there would not be any shortages. That is
    the assurance that I gave him.
    Mr Gidisu 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would also
    like to put on record and inform the Hon
    Minister that the last time that premix fuel
    got to the constituency was on 18th May,
    2022, which was barely a month ago, and
    the one that came before that was over
    one month before May. Hence, when I
    say it was not regular, that is what I mean,
    and she also attested to the fact that before
    March —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    Hon
    Member, the supplementary question?
    Mr Gidisu 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want
    to find out from the Hon Minister whether
    she is aware that people whose work are
    not related to fishing and probably
    farming buy the product in large
    quantities when it arrives to cause
    shortages and resell it at 400 per cent of
    the original price. Some even buy it at the
    standard price of GH₵60.00 and resell it between GH₵200.00 and GH₵250.00. Mr Speaker, if she is aware of this, then I
    would like to know the measures she is
    putting in place to curb the situation.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:38 a.m.
    Hon Member, so, your supplementary question is to find out whether she is aware —

    Oral Answers to Questions
    Mr Gidisu 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, whether she
    is aware, and the measures she is putting
    in place to stop this practice.
    Mrs Koomson 11:38 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I must be
    honest with my Hon Colleague that
    indeed, I am aware of this situation, and
    because of that Government is making
    everything possible to stop it.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
    Yes,
    Hon Member, your last Question?
    Mr Gidisu 11:48 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon
    Minister said the Ministry of Fisheries
    and Aquaculture Development is
    working with the Tema Oil Refinery
    (TOR) to ensure regular supplies of
    premix fuel. I would like to find out from
    the Minister when the Ministry would
    finalise these discussions with TOR to
    ensure the regular supply of the premix
    fuel, because it is an issue we have to deal
    with.
    It cuts across Krachi West, Krachi
    Nchumuru, Krachi East, and along the
    Volta Lake. It is serious, and the Hon
    Minister is aware. I am happy the Hon
    Minister said she is even aware of this
    situation, so I would like to know when
    the Ministry would finalise the discussion
    with TOR to ensure the regular supply of
    the product.
    Mr Speaker, I thank you.
    Mrs Koomson 11:48 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    confirmed that the Ministry is aware of
    the irregularities. We are also holding
    discussions with stakeholders, of which
    TOR is part, and I believe that very soon,
    we would come to a conclusion and the
    product would be available for every
    fisherman to carry out his or her fishing
    activity.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
    Thank
    you very much, Hon Minister.

    Mr Edward Bawa, your constituency

    is Bongo and you are - [Laughter] - We move to Question numbered 749 - Hon Member for Upper Manya Krobo, Mr

    Bismark Tetteh Nyarko, you may ask

    your Question now.

    Steps to Ensure Adequate Supply of

    Premix Fuel in Upper Manya Krobo

    Mr Bismark Tetteh Nyarko (NDC -

    Upper Manya Krobo): Mr Speaker, I

    beg to ask the Minister for Fisheries and

    Aquaculture Development what steps are

    being taken to supply adequate premix

    fuel to forestall smuggling and hoarding

    of the product at Akateng and by other

    users in the Upper Manya Krobo Con-

    stituency.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
    Yes,
    Hon Minister? The same premix issue.

    Oral Answers to Questions
    Mrs Koomson 11:48 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I wish to
    inform this august House that plans are
    far advanced to install automated premix
    fuel dispensing units across landing
    beaches as part of measures to enhance
    service delivery and safety. Operators at
    the automated facilities would sell to
    fishers who have smart cards to access the
    pumps. This will weed out smugglers and
    hoarding activities and enhance fishers' access to the fuel.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
    Thank
    you very much.
    Hon Member, any further supple-
    mentary question?
    Mr Nyarko 11:48 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like
    to ask my Hon Colleague that as part of
    the plans that are far advanced, would the
    Ministry mind increasing the selling point
    from five to the original 11 as of 2018?
    Originally, we had 11 selling points as of
    2019. They have been reduced to five,
    and my checks indicate that that also
    contributed to the smuggling and the
    shortage at the points. The Question,
    again, is whether the Hon Minister would
    be minded to increase the selling point
    from five to 11.
    Mrs Koomson 11:48 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, as we speak now, the Ministry does not even know the number of fishers who draw this fuel, and so when it is automated, it would
    inform the Ministry, and when the Ministry gets this information and realises that the five delivering points are not enough, the Ministry and the Agency would not hesitate to increase the numbers.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
    Very
    well. So we move to —
    Yes, Hon Afenyo-Markin?
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:48 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the
    Hon Minister has addressed an important Question regarding this premix fuel matter. Is the Hon Minister able to tell the House the policies the Ministry has put in place so far to reduce the smuggling? Because so far, we have heard a lot of the reduction in the smuggling of fuel; what — [Uproar] —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
    Hon
    Members, you do not ask me to stop the Leader. Hon Members, you cannot force me to stop the Leader. Even yesterday, the Leaders were given the opportunity to ask supplementary questions.
    Some Hon Members — rose —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
    I am not going to give you the opportunity to speak. Leader, are you done asking your Question? Hon Minister, let us hear you.
    Some Hon Members — rose —

    Oral Answers to Questions
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:48 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the
    Hon Minister, in her Answer, gave a clear
    impression of an efficiency in the
    delivery of premix. I would like to know
    from the Minister the steps the Ministry
    is taking to reduce the smuggling,
    because it is obvious that it has really
    gone down. The House would like to find
    out from the Hon Minister what has been
    done so far in ensuring that this is
    achieved.
    Thank you.
    Mrs Koomson 11:48 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon
    Colleague, in his Question, asked of what
    the Ministry is doing about people
    smuggling and hoarding the premix fuel
    - I made mention of the fact that the Ministry is doing an installation, and one
    would ask whether the Ministry is
    implying that all this while it has not been
    monitoring the supply of the premix fuel?
    Yes, but it is not efficient, and so now, the
    Ministry is coming in with a more
    efficient one, that when I am even in the
    office, I can read the truck that is loading
    from TOR to the landing beach, and I
    would know the quantity that will be in
    the drum or the tank. Whenever a
    fisherman draws a premix fuel from the
    dispensary, I would be informed. And so
    we are going to do the automation which
    would be the magic for the eradication of
    the smuggling and hoarding of premix
    fuel.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
    Very
    well. Hon Member, why? Come again?
    rose
    Dr Godfred Seidu Jasaw 11:48 a.m.
    I have a
    follow-up question.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
    No, you
    do not have that — Do you have fishing waters in the Upper West Region?
    Dr Godfred S. Jasaw 11:48 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    am the Deputy Ranking Member to the
    Committee, and I have a follow-up
    question, respectfully.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
    No
    problem. You do not have that mandate.
    We move to Question numbered 909, and
    it stands in the name of the Hon Member
    for South Dayi - Hon Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwame Dafeamekpor.
    Mr Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwame
    Dafeamekpor: Mr Speaker, may you
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:48 a.m.
    Hon
    Member, you may ask your Question.
    Please, let us have order in the House.
    Mr Dafeamekpor 11:58 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, may
    I seek your leave to amend a portion of
    the name of the town in the Question.

    Oral Answers to Questions

    It is actually spelt as Tango, Sierra,

    Alpha, November, Alpha, Kilo, Papa,

    Echo; and that is “TSANAKPE”, not “Bavekpe”.

    Steps to Establish an Aquaculture and

    Fish Farm in Tongor-Tsanakpe

    Mr Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwame

    Dafeamekpor (NDC — South Dayi): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for

    Fisheries and Aquaculture Development

    what steps the Ministry is taking to

    establish an aquaculture and fish farm in

    Tongor-Tsanakpe in the South Dayi

    District.
    Mrs Koomson 11:58 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, since my
    Hon Colleague has corrected the name of
    the town, when I get there, I would not
    want to repeat the wrong name that has
    been inserted here.
    Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Fisheries
    and Aquaculture Development is
    implementing the Aquaculture for Food
    and Jobs Programme under which
    educational and security institutions,
    distressed fish farmers, and youth groups
    are supported to establish and operate
    aquaculture farms.
    The Ministry would advise that any
    interested youth group in Tongor-
    Tsanakpe should contact the Regional
    Fisheries Office in Ho for the application
    procedure and other formalities. On
    approval, officers would conduct an
    inspection of the proposed site to
    determine the appropriate holding
    facility, fishing input support (fingerlings
    and fish feed) and extension services.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:58 a.m.
    Yes? I
    should not allow him to ask any further
    question?
    Mr Dafeamekpor 11:58 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    would like to ask a very friendly follow-
    up question. The Hon Minister informed
    the House that youth groups — I would like to find out if individuals who are
    interested and are capable of maintaining
    some of these farms could also be
    beneficiaries of the programme?
    [Interjection]. So, I would want to ask
    whether an individual could apply and
    benefit under the programme?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:58 a.m.
    Yes,
    Hon Minister?
    Mrs Koomson 11:58 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr
    Speaker.
    Yes, we said institutions and youth
    groups but individuals are also
    encouraged to do it because the thought is
    that, if individuals join, they would also
    have a way of employing other people; so
    individuals are encouraged to join.

    Oral Answers to Questions
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:58 a.m.
    I
    thought your Friend has asked you —
    Mr Dafeamekpor 11:58 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am
    done. I just would want to commend the
    Hon Minister; we had premix fuel issues
    recently but her intervention has
    encouraged the regular supply of premix
    fuel to my area so I would like to thank
    her. We are grateful.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:58 a.m.
    She is a
    practical Hon Minister.
    Mr Dafeamekpor 11:58 a.m.
    We are grateful
    for the outboard motors, but we need
    more for our people in Jemeni and
    Agonakpe and Tsanakpe.
    Mr Afenyo-Markin — rose —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:58 a.m.
    Hon
    Leader?
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:58 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we
    have to compliment each other and I am
    happy that my good Friend has said right
    here in this House that this Government
    is not discriminatory; that the outboard
    motors came and it was not shared in NPP
    strongholds. He got such a quantity and
    he did not hide them but showed them
    openly, and today, I am happy that he is
    commending the Hon Minister for
    ensuring that the people of the Volta
    Region, the people of his constituency,
    the fishermen in the Volta Region, have
    benefited from the outboard motors that
    the Government imported. This testimony
    must reflect in the records properly. I
    thank him for doing that.
    Hon Minister, you have proven that
    this Government is a government for all.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:58 a.m.
    Yes,
    Hon Leader?
    Mrs Della A. Sowah 11:58 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, as
    Mr Afenyo-Markin has compleminted
    the Hon Minister, we thank the Hon
    Minister for doing that but at the same
    time, Mrs Sherry Ayittey did the same for
    him in his constituency; she sent plenty of
    outboard motors to his constituency to
    convince the people to vote for him so
    both the Former President, John Mahama,
    and His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa
    Akufo-Addo have done well.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:58 a.m.
    This is
    good governance. Let us move on.
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:58 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    need to respond to her.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:58 a.m.
    No
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:58 a.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    that is true. I am confirming what she said
    as true. I said it right here in this
    Parliament, that Mrs Sherry Ayittey, in
    distributing the outboard motors, brought
    some to Effutu. I got it and said it for the
    records; Mr Speaker, that was done and

    Oral Answers to Questions

    there is no doubt. I am also saying that the

    Akufo-Addo Government has not

    abandoned the people of the Volta

    Region; the fishermen are benefiting, so

    there is no problem.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:58 a.m.
    No
    problem. Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo?
    Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo 11:58 a.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, the Deputy Majority Leader —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:58 a.m.
    Hon
    Member, are you a Leader? I was giving
    the opportunity to only Leaders. You are
    not a Leader. Mr Kpodo, Senior,
    respectfully, let us move on.
    So, we move to Question numbered
    968 and the Question stands in the name
    of the Hon Member for Pru East, Dr
    Kwabena Donkor.
    Mr Thomas Apem 11:58 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr
    Speaker.
    I have the permission of my senior
    Colleague, Dr Kwabena Donkor to ask
    this particular Question on his behalf.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 11:58 a.m.
    The
    leave is granted.
    Policy Initiatives to Develop and
    Modernise Fishing Practices on the
    Volta Lake
    Mr Thomas Apem on behalf of (Dr
    Kwabena Donkor) (NDC — Pru East): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for
    Fisheries and Aquaculture Development
    what policy initiatives are in place to
    develop and modernise fishing practices
    on the Volta Lake.
    Mrs Koomson 11:58 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the
    Ministry, through the Fisheries
    Commission, is currently undertaking a
    Canoe Frame Survey to register
    operational canoes and issue Canoe
    Identification Cards. The Co-
    management Policy for the fisheries
    sector would also be implemented across
    inland fishing communities around the
    Volta Lake as part of measures to
    enhance fisheries management among
    resource users. The Fisheries Scientific
    Survey Division is leading activities for
    inland fisheries data collection for policy
    decisions. The Ministry will soon
    establish a Monitoring Control and
    Surveillance Centre (MCS) at Kpando
    Torkor to enforce compliance with
    fisheries regulations.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:08 p.m.
    Thank
    you very much.

    Oral Answers to Questions

    Let us now take the last Question from

    the Hon Member for Krachi East, Mr

    Wisdom Gidisu. Hon Member, let us

    listen to you.

    Yes, Hon Member, let us hear you.

    Steps the Ministry is taking to Supply

    Fishing Nets and Outboard Motors to

    Fisherfolks
    Mr Gidisu Wisdom (NDC — Krachi East) 12:08 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the
    Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture
    Development what steps the Ministry is
    taking to supply fishing nets and outboard
    motors to fisherfolks in the Krachi-East
    Constituency at subsidised prices.
    Mrs Koomson 12:08 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank
    you. Fishers from the Krachi-East
    Constituency would benefit from the net
    sharing under the Fishing Input Support
    Scheme to provide access to authorised
    input for sustainable fisheries. It is noted
    that fishers in the Krachi-East
    Constituency applied and received 20
    units of 40 horsepower outboard motors
    through the office of the Hon Member of
    Parliament in 2020.
    Thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:08 p.m.
    Yes,
    Hon Member for Krachi-East?
    Mr Gidisu 12:08 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you. I
    would want to thank the Hon Minister for
    this assurance. I would also want to find
    out from the Hon Minister when
    specifically should the people of Krachi-
    East Constituency be expecting the things
    she just spoke about whether it would be
    this year or next year, or whether it has
    already been captured in the Budget?
    This is because whenever one speaks to
    them, they show very dire need of these
    inputs. So I would want to know from the
    Hon Minister when they should expect
    these things?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:08 p.m.
    Yes,
    Hon Minister?
    Mrs Koomson 12:08 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank
    you. The assurance I would want to give
    to my Hon Colleague is that we would be
    observing the closed season next month.
    So we are going to start sensitisation and
    as we start it, we would roll-out the
    distribution of all these inputs which are
    already in the Ministry's possession?
    Thank you.
    Mr Gidisu 12:08 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you.
    Please this is the last Question. We would
    want to thank the Hon Minister for this
    role, but we would also like to know the
    criteria the Ministry is using for the
    supply; whether the groups should apply
    , the intervals that they should apply, the
    number of people that should be in the
    group, and how often these things are
    released. I would want to know the
    criteria.

    Oral Answers to Questions

    Mr Speaker, thank you.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:08 p.m.
    Yes,
    Hon Minister?
    Mrs Koomson 12:08 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank
    you. Every fishing community or landing
    beach has a Chief fisherman and so we as
    a Ministry are working closely with the
    Chief fishermen to get us the lists of
    members of the community and it is
    based on is that we are going to do the
    distribution since we do not know the
    fisherfolks directly.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:08 p.m.
    Very
    well, Hon Minister, on behalf of the
    House, I would like to thank you. You
    have attended upon the House to answer
    five separate Questions from Hon
    Members. We wish you well in your
    Ministry.
    You are hereby discharged.
    Yes, Hon Member?
    Mr Yusif Sulemana 12:08 p.m.
    — rose -
    Mr Sulemana 12:08 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank
    you. The first three Questions on today's Order Paper stand in my name and the
    Hon Minister responsible for Trade and
    Industry was expected to be here to
    answer those Questions. I would want to
    make reference to our Standing Order 60
    (3) and with your permission, I would
    like to read it;
    “A Minister shall not take more than three weeks to respond to a
    question from the House”.
    Mr Speaker, these Questions appeared at the last Meeting and at the beginning of this Meeting, this is the second time that these Questions have appeared again. Yet, the Hon Minister is not here to respond to the Questions. I would want to draw the attention of Mr Speaker to this important issue because if we as Hon Members do not respect our Standing Orders, this is the kind of situation that we would find ourselves in.
    I would therefore want to find out why the Hon Minister failed to appear to answer these very important Questions, the Hon Minister for Trade and Industry in particular. I would also want to find out if provisions would be made for these Questions to be answered in the ensuing week.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:08 p.m.
    Very well, Hon Member I believe our Standing Order 60 (3) which is enjoining the Hon Minister not to take more than three weeks to respond to a Question from an Hon Member would be in reference to a situation whereby you do not hear anything from the Hon Minister. But if the Hon Minister for whatever reason has written to the House that due to unforeseen circumstances, he may not be able to respond to it, then I think this particular Standing Order you are raising may not suffice.
    In any case, my understanding is that the Hon Minister has written to the House, to both Caucuses, as well as the Clerks-at-the-Table that he is unavoidably engaged somewhere and as such, may not be able to come to the House to respond

    to those Questions. I believe that Leadership and the Clerks-at-the-Table would re-arrange an appropriate time for the Hon Minister to come and respond to the Questions.

    At this time, we may turn back to our Order Paper, the item numbered 5 — As we announced here yesterday that tomorrow we may not be Sitting, we are therefore taking the Business of the House for the ensuing week, that is next week today. So, may I respectfully invite the Hon Deputy Majority Leader who is now the acting as the Hon Majority Leader to present the Business of the House for the ensuing week.
    BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 12:08 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 12:08 p.m.
    Arrangement of Business
    Formal Communications by the Speaker
    Mr Speaker, you may read any available communication to the House,
    Question(s)
    Mr Speaker, the Business Committee has scheduled the following Ministers to respond to Questions asked of them during the week:

    Business of the House

    No of Question(s)

    i. Minister for Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration 6

    ii. Minister for Employment & Labour Relations 5

    iii. Minister for Energy 10

    iv. Minister for Finance 16

    v. Minister for Roads & Highways 8

    vi. Minister for Gender, Children & Social Protection 6

    Total Number of Questions 51

    Mr Speaker, in all, six (6) Ministers

    are expected to attend upon the House to

    respond to Fifty-one (51) Questions

    during the week. The questions are of the

    following types:

    i. Urgent - 7;

    ii. Oral - 44

    Statements

    Mr Speaker, your good self may admit

    Statements to be made in the House by

    Hon Members, in accordance with

    Standing Order 72.

    Papers and Report

    Mr Speaker, papers may be laid during

    the week and reports from Committees

    may also be presented to the House.

    Motions and Resolutions

    Mr Speaker, Motions may be debated

    and their consequential Resolutions, if

    any, taken during the week.

    Referral at Committees

    Mr Speaker, the Business Committee,

    again, urges Committees with referrals to

    expedite work on the same for the

    Consideration of the House.

    Green Ghana Day Tree Planting

    Exercise

    Mr Speaker, as Hon Members may be

    aware, that the Hon Minister for Lands

    and Natural Resources yesterday 8 June,

    2022, made a statement on the 2022

    Edition of Green Ghana Day, which is

    scheduled to take place on Friday, 10

    June, 2022, as part of government efforts

    Business of the House

    towards aggressive afforestation and

    reforestation programme, to restore our

    lost forest cover, and contribute to global

    climate action.

    In this regard, Hon Members are being

    encouraged to fully participate in this

    important national tree planting exercise

    on Friday, 10 June, 2022, by leading their

    constituents to make this initiative of

    government a success.

    Briefing by the Finance Minister

    Mr Speaker the Hon Minister is

    expected to attend upon the House on

    Thursday, 16, June, 2022, to brief

    Parliament on the expenditure incurred

    by the government since the outbreak of

    the COVID-19 pandemic in the country

    in 2020.

    Briefing by the Minister for National

    Security

    Mr Speaker, Leadership is in

    consultation with the Minister for

    National Security to brief Parliament at a

    close Sitting on matters about the security

    of the State, particularly having regard to

    the recent spate of incipient terrorist

    attacks within the West African sub-

    region. The day the briefing is to be made

    would be communicated to Hon

    Members during the ensuing week.

    Conclusion

    Mr Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 160 (2) and subject to Standing Order 53, the Committee submits to this honourable House the order in which the Business of the House shall be taken during the week.

    Urgent Questions

    i. (a) Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (North Tongu): To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration about the circumstances leading to the demolition of the Bulgarian Embassy in Accra in flagrant violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, the ongoing construction at the embassy premises by a private developer and measures being taken to punish the culprit, ensure the culprit bears any financial liability and forestall a recurrence, particularly after the Nigerian incident and this instant case.

    (b) Mr Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu (Madina): To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration about the measures being put in place to evacuate Ghanaian citizens still trapped in Ukraine following the invasion of that country by Russia.

    ii. Questions

    Q.972. Ms Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah (NDC — Salaga South): To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration whether the Ghana

    Business of the House

    Card represents an E-passport and what exactly is the meaning of an E-passport.

    Q.973. Ms Zuwera Mohammed

    Ibrahimah (NDC — Salaga South): To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and

    Regional Integration whether Ghanaians

    no longer need passports and whether the

    Ghana Card now represents a passport.

    Q. 1094. Ms Zuwera Mohammed

    Ibrahimah (NDC — Salaga South): To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and

    Regional Integration about the

    involvement of the Ministry in the usage

    of the Ghana Card as an E-passport about

    the ICAO, IATA, and GCAA positions

    on its usage.

    Q.1108. Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh

    (NPP — Nsawam-Adoagyiri): To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and

    Regional Integration what is the progress

    of work done on the US$50 million

    Societe Generale Loan facility and which

    Ghanaian Missions have benefitted from

    this facility.

    Q.978. Mr Kwadjo Asante ( NPP — Suhum): To ask the Minister for

    Employment and Labour Relations

    regarding plans to be put in place to

    reinstate Ghanaians who lost their jobs as

    a result of the cessation of the road tolls.

    Q. 979. Ms Dakoa Newman (NPP — Okaikwei South): To ask the Minister

    for Employment and Labour Relations

    what activities the Ministry has carried

    out to support the implementation of the

    Right to Information Act 2019 (Act

    9891).

    Q.1213. Mr Ibrahim Murtala

    Muhammed (NDC — Tamale Central): To ask the Minister for

    Employment and Labour Relations about

    the source of funding for the youth who

    are engaged under the National Youth

    Employment Programme since 2017

    Q.1214. Mr Ibrahim Murtala

    Muhammed (NDC — Tamale Central): To ask the Minister for

    Employment and labour Relations how

    many models under the Youth

    Employment Programme are still

    functional.

    Q.1215. Mr Ibrahim Murtala

    Muhammed (NDC — Tamale Central): To ask the Minister for

    Employment and Labour Relations the

    number of people the National Youth

    Employment Agency has engaged under

    the programme since 2017.

    Statements

    Presentation of Papers

    a. Annual Statement by the Audit Committee of the Pharmacy

    Council for the Year 2021

    b. Report of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PAC)

    on the Management and Use of

    Petroleum Revenues for the

    Period January to December,

    2021.

    Business of the House

    c. Report of the Finance Committee on the Credendo Covered Buyer's Credit Facility Agreement among the Government of the Republic of Ghana (acting through the Ministry of Finance), KBC Bank NV and COMMERZBANK AG (as Arrangers and original lenders), and KBC Bank NV (as Agent) for a total sum of seventy- four million, one hundred and forty-five thousand, and five hundred euros (674,145,500.00) (made up of sixty-five million Euros (E65,000,000.00) and the associated Credendo premium of nine million, one hundred and forty-five thousand and five hundred Euros (E9.145,500.00)] for the Tarkwa Water Supply Project.

    d. Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of Import Duties, Import VAT, GETFund Levy, NHIL, and EXIM Levy. Special Import Levy, COVID-19 Levy, ECOWAS, and AU Levies amounting to the Ghana Cedi equi- valent of one million. eight hundred and seventy thousand, seven hundred and four United States dollars (US$1,870,704.00), comprising three hundred and fifty-two thousand, four hundred and ninety-nine United States dollars (US$352,499.00) and one million, five hundred and eighteen thousand, two hundred and five United States Dollars (US$1.518.205) on materials and equipment to be imported for the 3No. Island Mini-Grid Electrifi-

    cation construction in the Ada East District of the Greater-Accra Region and Upgrade of Distribution Networks (Grid Intensification) in the Upper East and Upper West Regions, respectively, under the Swiss Confederation State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Funded Ghana Electricity Sector Support Project (GESSP) under the Ghana Energy Development and Access Project (GEDAP).

    Motions

    • Second Reading of Bills Ghana Hydrological Authority Bill, 2021

    Committee sittings

    Urgent Questions
    Mr Richard Gyan-Mensah (Gomoa West) 12:18 p.m.
    To ask the Minister for Energy about the cause(s) of the incessant hikes in the prices of petroleum products in the domestic market and what immediate steps government has in place to mitigate the effects of this price surge on the Ghanaian citizen.
    Questions
    Q.307. Mr Edward Abambire Bawa (NDC — Bongo): To ask the Minister for Energy when the Rural Electrification Projects in the following communities would be completed (1) Awaa - Akalisum (ii) Nayorigo - Asasiboko (iii) Amanga - Kulbenko (iv) Asabgo - Tua (v) Zorika - Goo (vi) Atung - Tua (vii) Lungo

    Business of the House

    Q.309. Mr Wisdom Gidisu (NDC — Krachi East): To ask steps the Ministry is taking to replace the wooden electricity poles, which carry high tension wires to the Krachi East Municipality, with metal poles to prevent perennial burning of the wooden poles during the dry season.

    Q.311. Mr Abukari Dawuni (NDC

    — Wulensi): To ask the Minister for Energy when the electrification projects in the following communities in the Wulensi Constituency would resume and be completed: (1) Sakpe (ii) Gunguni (ii) Kapugu (iv) Bangdiyili (v) Asurfoche

    Q.312. Mr Adams Abdul-Salam

    (NDC — New Edubiase): To ask the Minister for Energy when the following communities in the New Edubiase Constituency would be connected to the national grid: (1) Suminam (ii) Aboabo No. 3 (ii) Aminaso (iv) Mawoekpor (v) Mornyorkrom (vi)) Dakodzi (vii) Atsukrom (viii) Zoryiku (ix) Aboye Obussi.

    Q.314. Mr Suhuyini Alhassan

    Sayibu (NDC — Tamale North): To ask the Minister for Energy how much kilowatt/megawatt of power was generated by each of the following entities in the last four (4) years for which the Government of Ghana could not utilise and therefore was billed and paid US$937.5 million: (i) AKSA (11) Karpower (ii) Cenpower.

    Q.605. Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh

    (NPP — Nsawam Adoagyiri): To ask the Minister for Energy how the Government, through the Ministry,

    settled the debt of Nigeria Gas Company through the Energy Sector Levies Act

    (ESLA)

    Q.814. Mr Daniel Ohene Darko

    (NDC —Upper Denkyira West): To ask the Minister for Energy when the Self Help Electrification Project (SHEP) in the following communities will be completed: (i) Agyenpage (ii) Akrofrom (iii) Ananekrom (iv) Aboaboso (v) Nipanikro

    Q.820. Mr Abdulai Abanga (NPP —

    Binduri): To ask the Minister for Energy when the electrification projects under the SHEP-4 programme in the following communities in the Binduri District of the Upper East Region will be completed: 0) Sakpari-Natinga (1) Sakpari-Bakango (i) Sakpuri-Paoyamire

    858. Mr Vincent Ekow Assafuah

    (NPP — Old-Tafo): To ask the Minister for Energy when the Ameri Plant is scheduled to be transferred to Kumasi.

    Statements

    Presentation of Papers

    (a) Report of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on the Ghana Standards Authority Bill, 2022

    (b) Annual Statement by the Audit Committee of the National Road Safety Authority for the Year

    2021.

    Business of the House

    (c) Report of the Committee on

    Works and Housing on the

    Commercial Contract between

    the Government of the Republic

    of Ghana (represented by the

    Ministry of Sanitation and Water

    Resources/Ghana Water Company

    Limited) and IV Besix-Denys for

    an amount of sixty-five million

    euros (€65,000,000.00) to finance the Tarkwa Water Supply Project

    Motions

    1. Second Reading of Bills

    • Ghana Standards Authority Bill 2022

    (b) Third Reading of Bills

    • Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) (Amendment)

    Bill, 2021

    • Ghana Standards Authority Bill, 2022

    (C)That this honourable House adopts

    the Report of the Finance Committee on

    the Annual Public Debt Management

    Report for the 2020 Financial Year

    Moved on Thursday, 4 November 2021

    by the Hon. Chairman of the Finance

    Committee, Mr Kwaku Agyeman

    Kwanteng, and seconded by the Hon.

    Member for Ajumako Enyan Essiam, Dr.

    Cassiel Ato Bash Forson)

    Debate to Conclude

    Consideration Stage of Bills

    • Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) (Amendment) BUL,

    2021.

    • Ghana Standards Authority Bill,

    2022

    Committee sittings

    Urgent Questions

    • Mr Godfred Seidu Jasaw (NDC — Wa East): To ask the Minister for Finance when the Ministry

    will issue financial clearance to

    the Ministry of Food and

    Agriculture to clear the large debt

    owed partners and suppliers to

    ensure the availability of

    subsidised fertilizer in this

    farming season

    • Ms. Sheila Bartels (NPP — Ablekuma North): To ask the

    Minister for Finance about the

    current status of funding for the

    construction of Phase Two of the

    Tema Motorway, which has been

    highlighted as a major issue for

    commuters

    • Mr Sylvester Tetteh (NPP — Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro):

    To ask the Minister for Finance

    about the interventions the

    Business of the House

    Ministry is employing to clamp

    the sustained increments in fuel

    prices as witnessed in the recent

    pricing windows

    • Mr Edward Abambire Bawa (NDC — Bongo): To ask the Minister for Finance what the

    Ministry is doing concerning

    imposed taxes and levies on

    petroleum products and the

    depreciation of the Cedi to slow

    down the increases in prices of

    petroleum products prices at

    pumps

    Questions

    Q.236. Mr Vincent Oppong

    Asamoah (NDC — Dormaa West): To ask the Minister for Finance whether the

    Ministry would consider sourcing

    additional funding for infrastructural

    development at the University of Energy

    and Natural Resources (UENR) in

    Sunyani just as it was done in respect of

    the University of Health and Allied

    Sciences (UHAS) in Ho, the University

    of Environment and Sustainable

    Development at Somanya, and recently

    for the proposed university at Bunso.

    Q.383. Mr George Kweku Ricketts-

    Hagan (NDC — Cape Coast South): To ask the Minister for Finance which

    companies were used as Local

    Transaction Advisors and Local Legal

    Advisors for the 2021 Eurobond and how

    much were they paid in fees as individual

    companies.

    Q.384. Mr George Kweku Ricketts-

    Hagan (NDC — Cape Coast South): To ask the Minister for Finance how much

    the Government has realised (net

    proceeds) from the Eurobond issued in

    2021, and how much it has spent on fees

    and related roadshow expenses.

    Q.385 Mr Murtala Muhammed

    Ibrahim (NDC —Tamale Central): To ask the Minister for Finance how much

    revenue the State generated from the sale

    of power to neighbouring countries.

    Q.386. Ms. Theresa Lardi Awuni

    (NDC —Okaikwei North): To ask the Minister for Finance how much was

    raised in total from Government Bonds

    since 2017, who the transaction advisors

    and book runners were since 2017, and

    how was paid to each of the transaction

    advisors and book runners since 2017

    Q.675. Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh

    (NPP — Nsawam-Adoagyiri): To ask the Minister for Finance how the 2022

    budget will ensure that all the major

    issues of increased taxes, increased fuel

    prices and unmaintained roads which

    were raised during the course of 2021 will

    be tackled efficiently.

    Q.676. Dr. Stephen Amoah (NPP — Nhyiaeso): To ask the Minister for Finance about the plans the Government

    Business of the House

    has established through the Ministry of Finance to reduce the debt stock which stood at 76.1 per cent in the first half of this year.

    Q.677. Mr Kwadjo Asante (NPP —

    Suhum): To ask the Minister for Finance if the Government, through the Ministry's work plan, intends to return to the International Monetary Fund for financial assistance.

    Q.678. Mr Collins Adomako-

    Mensah (NPP — Afigya Kwabre North): To ask the Minister for Finance what assurance the Ministry can give in response to the widely held concern that Government has abandoned projects started by previous administrations.

    Q.679. Ms. Dakoa Newman (NPP —

    Okaikwei South): To ask the Minister for Finance about the progress and impact of Ghana CARES programme as well as the plans to raise a US$100 billion fund through a Government-Private collaboration, all aimed at revitalising the economy, post COVID-19.

    Q.680. Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh

    (NPP — Nsawam-Adoagyiri): To ask the Minister for Finance how much has been invested in fighting COVID-19 and what gains are attributable to the investments made so far in respect of economic recovery.

    Q.681. Mr Paul Apreku Twum-

    Barimah (NPP — Dormaa East): To ask the Minister for Finance what measures the Ministry has in place to

    ensure the creation of one (1) million jobs stated in the mid-year budget is achieved, in light of the current indication that the Government payroll is full.

    Statements

    Minister for Finance to brief the House on COVID-19 Expenditure by Government.

    Presentation of Papers

    2022 Work Programme of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation.

    Presentation and First Reading of Bills

    • Intestate Succession Bill, 2022

    Motions (a) Second Reading of Bills

    • Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 2022

    (b) That this honourable House constitutes a bi-partisan committee chaired by a Member of the Minority Caucus to:

    (i) investigate the conduct of the confirmation or approval process by the various Assemblies of the President's nominees for the position of Chief Executive for the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the following Assemblies (1) Sekyere Kumawu (ii) Assin South (iii) Cape Coast (v) Awut Senya

    Business of the House

    West (v) Sefwi-Bekwai-Anhwiaso (vi) Juaboso (vii) Shams, and any other Assembly where violence or disruption occurred:

    i. enquire into the circum- stances leading to the

    deployment of huge numbers

    of police and other security

    personnel who obstructed or

    prevented some honourable

    Assembly Members from

    participating in the voting

    process, and Members of

    Parliament from witnessing

    the exercise as ex-officio

    members.

    ii. determine whether laid down procedures were followed or

    abuses occurred during the

    process; and

    iii. make consequential recom- menddations for the consi-

    deration of the House.

    (Mr Edwin Ni Lantey Vanderpuye,

    Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo, Mr James

    Agalga)

    (c) That this .onourable House adopts the

    Report of the Finance Committee on the

    Credendo Covered Buyer's Credit

    Facility Agreement among the Govern-

    ment of the Republic of Ghana (acting

    through the Ministry of Finance), KBC

    Bank NV and COMMERZBANK AG (as

    Arrangers and original lenders), and KBC

    Bank NV (as Agent) for a total sum of

    seventy-four million, one hundred and

    forty-five thousand and five hundred

    Euros (74,145,500.00) [made up of sixty-

    five million Euros 1665,000,000.00) and

    the associated Credendo premium of nine

    million, one hundred and forty-five

    thousand and five hundred Euros

    (69,145,500.00)] for the Tarkwa Water

    Supply Project

    - Consequential Resolution

    (d) That this honourable House adopts the

    Report of the Finance Committee on the

    Request for waiver of Import Duties,

    Import VAT. GETFund Levy, NHIL, and

    EXIM Levy. Special Import

    Levy, COVID-19 Levy, ECOWAS and

    AU Levies amounting to the Ghana Cedi

    equivalent of one million, eight hundred

    and seventy thousand, seven hundred and

    four United States Dollars

    (US$1.870,704.00), comprising three

    hundred and fifty-two thousand, four

    hundred and ninety-nine United States

    Dollars (US$352,499.00) and one

    million, five hundred and eighteen

    thousand, two hundred and five United

    States Dollars (US$1,518.205) on

    materials and equipment to be imported

    for the 3No. Island Mini-Grid

    Electrification construction in the Ada

    East District of the Greater-Accra Region

    and Upgrade of Distribution Networks

    (Grid) intensification) in the Upper East

    and Upper West Regions, respectively,

    under the Swiss Confederation-State

    Business of the House

    Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

    Funded Ghana Electricity Sector Support

    Project (GESSP) under the Ghana Energy

    Development and Access Project

    (GEDAP)

    Consequential Resolution

    (e) That this honourable House adopts the

    Report of the Committee on Works and

    Housing on the Commercial Contract

    between the Government of the Republic

    of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of

    Sanitation and Water Resources/Ghana

    Water Company Limited) and JV Besix-

    Denys for an amount of sixty-five million

    Euros (E65,000,000.00) to finance the

    Tarkwa Water Supply Project Conse-

    quential Resolution

    Committee sittings

    Question

    Q.484. Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo

    (NDC — Ho Central: To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when

    the dual carriage road from Sokode

    Gbogame to Ho City Centre will be

    completed.

    Q.497. Ms. Abla Dzifa Gomashie

    (NDC — Ketu South): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when

    the Denu to Swansea Beach road and the

    Viepe to the Beach road will have a

    bitumen surface.

    Q.501. Ms. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey

    (NDC — Krowor): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when

    construction of the following roads will

    be completed: (1) Alemawor road (1)

    Gafer road (ii) Klosai - Ataa Odametey Road.

    Q.606. Mr Alexander Roosevelt

    Hottordze (NDC — Central Tongu: To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways

    regarding the Ministry's plans for the

    construction of the Mafi - Kumase - Kwaodadekope road.

    Q.609. Mr Peter Nortsu Kotoe

    (NDC — Akatsi North): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways what

    plans the Ministry has to resume works

    on the Ave Dakpa-Akatsi Avenorpeme

    Road, which was started in 2016 and

    abandoned since 2017, as the road has

    become a death trap to commuters

    between the districts

    Q.1089. Mr JaBaah John Bennam

    (NPP — Zabzugu): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways why the

    contractor on the Gor-Kukani Daghaani

    through Gor-Tanei to Hinyimkumde road

    construction projects has abandoned the

    site since November 2020 and when the

    contractor will return to the site.

    Q.1181. Mr Akwasi Owusu Afrifa-

    Mensah ( NPP — Amasaman): To ask the Minister of Roads and Highways

    about the total cost of the 5-tier Pokuase

    interchange.

    Business of the House

    Q.1269, Mr Abdul-Razak Tabidu

    (NPP — Chereponi): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways why contractors

    of the following roads have abandoned

    the site after the 2020 elections and in

    July 202, respectively (in Chereponi-

    Yendi Road (1) Chereponi Township

    Road (ii) Yorgu-Konkombu Road.

    Q.256. Mr Kwame Dzdzorli Gakpey

    (NDC — Keta): To ask the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection

    what steps the Ministry is taking to

    engage all stakeholders and groups in the

    country to find solutions to the rising

    incidence of child labour.

    Q.930. Dr Clement A. Apaak ((NDC

    — Builsa South): To ask the Minister for Gender. Children and Social Protection

    the number of schools benefitting from

    the School Feeding Programme in the

    Builsa South District, the names of the

    schools, and the caterers assigned to each

    school.

    Q.1059. Mr Francis-Xavier Kojo

    Sosu (NDC — Madina): To ask the Minister for Gender and Social Protection

    about the measures being put in place to

    ensure increased employment of Persons

    with Disabilities in line with SDG & and

    10.

    Q.1060. Mr Francis-Xavier Kojo

    Sosu (NDC — Madina): To ask the Minister for Gender, and Social

    Protection about the measures being

    taken to provide medical assistance to

    victims of sexual abuse.

    Q.1106. Mr Nicholas Amankwah

    (NDC — Amenfi East): To ask the Minister for Gender, Children and Social

    Protection when the school feeding

    programme would be extended to the

    under-listed schools in the Amenfi East

    Municipality: (i) Tamaklo Basic School

    (ii) Nsuaem Basic School (iii) Susenso

    Basic School (iv) Junction Base School

    (v) Buraso (vi) Kumasi.

    Q.1189. Mr Wisdom Gidisu (NDC

    — Krachi East): To ask the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection

    when the School Feeding Programme

    would be extended to schools in the

    Krachi-East Constituency.

    Statements

    Motions

    a. That this honourable House constitutes, as a matter of urgency,

    a bi-partisan Committee to

    investigate allegations of irregular-

    rities, leakages of examination

    papers, and related malpractices

    in examinations conducted by

    the West African Examinations

    Council (WAEC) for candidates

    of the West African Senior

    School Certificate Examination

    (WASSCE) from 2011 to 2021

    and submit a report to this House

    for consideration.

    (Dr. Clement Abas Apaak; Mr Peter

    Nortsu-Kotoe)

    Business of the House

    b. That this Honorable House Constitutes a bi-partisan commi-

    ttee to publicly probe the

    circumstances leading to the

    death of Albert Akwasi Donkor,

    a native of Nkoranza, who was

    arrested by the police on 25th

    April, 2022 and strangely died

    while in police custody. (Mr

    Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum:

    Mr James Agalga

    Committee sittings

    Suffice to state that this is one of the

    Motions where there are no such

    requirements under our rules for an Hon

    Member to second. I so move.

    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:18 p.m.
    Hon
    Members, our Hon Deputy Majority
    Leader has presented the Business of the
    House to all of us. As he said, he believes
    that everybody has read and, therefore, if
    any Hon Member has any concerns, he
    could raise them for our hearing.
    Mr Governs Kwame Agbodza — rose —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:18 p.m.
    Yes,
    Hon Member for Adaklu?
    Mr Agbodza 12:18 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you
    for the opportunity and I thank my very
    good Hon Friend, the respected Deputy Majority Leader for a very brief presen- tation of the Business of the House.
    Mr Speaker, on the second page of the
    Business of the House, I am happy to see that the Business Committee has scheduled the Hon Minister for Finance to appear before the House to talk about expenditures incurred by Government in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak.
    Mr Speaker, I would implore the
    Business Committee and your venerable self to direct the Hon Minister for Finance to brief us, when he is here, on the very sensitive issue about circumstances leading to Government's expenditure on the National Cathedral which has been in the public domain, and the payments which have been made from the public coffers. I believe it would be in the interest of this country, partly because, it is believed that the expenditure, perhaps, may be out of what the Public Procurement and the Public Financial Management Act require. For instance, as we know, the consultant just got inducted into the Ghana Institute of Architects last month, yet he was paid in 2020 for being the consultant to the National Cathedral.
    Mr Speaker, this House passed the
    Public Financial Management Act and the Public Procurement Act, so if public funds are being doled out to an entity —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:18 p.m.
    Hon
    Member for Adaklu?

    Business of the House
    Mr Agbodza 12:18 p.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:18 p.m.
    Then
    why would you not put a Question for the
    Hon Minister of Finance to address all
    these areas? This is because he would be
    here next week and from what I have seen
    from the Business of the House, he would
    be answering 16 Questions. So if those 16
    Questions do not cover this area, I do not
    think that it would be fair for him to jump
    into that area. If you think you need the
    Hon Minister for Finance to answer that
    particular question, you could file a
    question to that effect, so that he would
    address the nation.
    Mr Agbodza 12:18 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you
    very much.
    It is on record that the Hon Minister
    with the least potential to answer
    Questions of Hon Members of Parliament
    is the Hon Minister for Finance —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:18 p.m.
    No.
    Mr Agbodza 12:18 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I agree
    with you, he is not answering — with this one, he is being scheduled to appear in the
    House to brief Hon Members; it is not a
    Question. So, while he is here dealing
    with that, he should add that aspect, and
    prepare before coming.
    Mr Speaker, another thing we could do
    is to file a Motion for Hon Members of
    the House to set up a bi-partisan committee
    to do a full-scale investigation. So, he
    could choose between voluntarily coming
    to the House to provide information or we
    would file a Motion inviting him for
    investigation; the choice is his. I think
    that once he would be coming, it is up to
    him to do that.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:18 p.m.
    Very
    well.
    The Hon Deputy Majority Leader is
    here, if —
    Mr Edward Abambire Bawa — rose —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:18 p.m.
    Yes,
    Hon Member for Bongo?
    Mr Bawa 12:18 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I was even
    looking at the procurement processes,
    and we know that there was supposed to
    be a Question today on how the Personal
    Protective Equipments (PPEs) and other
    things were procured by the Ministry of
    Finance. Since next week is for COVID-
    19 related issues and the Hon Minister for
    Finance would be briefing us on how the
    COVID-19 funds were expended, would
    the Business Committee consider resche-
    duling that Question also, so that we
    could at least discuss it as a whole? This
    is because we would be looking at the
    expenditure and how the various entities
    used the various laws in expending those
    moneys.

    Business of the House

    So, is it possible that the Question

    numbered 174 could be rescheduled to

    next week, so that we could deal with all

    the COVID-19 related issues together?

    Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo — rose

    —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:18 p.m.
    Yes,
    senior Hon Member for Ho Central?
    Mr Kpodo 12:18 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker
    for your compliment.
    Mr Speaker, originally, there was a
    plan for certain Questions to be
    Answered tomorrow which includes, one
    which I filed in connection with some
    road projects in my constituency.
    However, we are not Sitting tomorrow, so
    I was thinking that all those set of
    Questions would have been programmed
    for next week, but I have looked through
    the Business of the House for next week
    and no such arrangement has been made,
    that is the first issue.
    The second issue, has to do with the
    Question that I filed long ago with regard
    to the District Assemblies' Common Fund (DACF), for the Hon Minister for
    Finance to Answer on this Floor, but I
    have seen that he would be coming to the
    House on next week Thursday, and that
    Question is not included in those that he
    would be addressing on that day. I want
    to find out why, and if they could
    reprogramme it so that it is added to the
    set of Questions that he would be
    responding to on next week Thursday?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:18 p.m.
    Very
    well.
    Hon Deputy Majority Leader, I hope
    you are taking note of them? All right, let
    me take two more questions then you
    could respond to the issues raised.
    Some Hon Members — rose —
    Mr Speaker 12:18 p.m.
    Let me give the Hon
    lady the opportunity to ask her question.
    Ms Zuweira Mohammed Ibrahimah 12:18 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank you.
    Mr Speaker, I hold two copies of the
    Business of the House - which is the copy
    of this week and that of next week. On the
    Business of the House for this week, on
    the page numbered 8, I have a very
    important Question listed for the Hon
    Minister for Roads and Highways. This
    Question about the nature of the roads in
    my constituency, touches the very lives of
    the people there, and it has been in this
    state for God knows how long. All
    attempts to get some Answers to why the
    roads are in the state that they are, have
    proved futile. I have been informed that
    we are not Sitting tomorrow, otherwise,
    this Question was supposed to have been
    Answered tomorrow.

    Business of the House

    Now, it is curious that I cannot find it

    in next week's Business of the House, although, the Hon Minister for Roads and

    Highways is billed to come here to

    Answer eight Questions. Once these

    things happen, we lose track of where the

    Question is and when next it would

    appear on the Order Paper.

    I want to find out whether there is any

    particular reason why, although the Hon

    Minister is coming next week to Answer

    Questions, my Question did not make it

    to the Order Paper for next week?
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:18 p.m.
    So,
    your issue is almost the same as that of
    the Hon Member for Ho Central?
    Mr Yusif Sulemana — rose —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:18 p.m.
    So, let
    us hear the Hon Member for Bole Bamboi
    then the Hon Deputy Majority Leader
    would answer.
    Yes, Hon Member for Bole Bamboi?
    Mr Yusif Sulemana 12:18 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    just spoke about my three Questions that
    were supposed to be Answered by the
    Minister for Trade and Industry today,
    and he could not come; you have given
    reasons why he could not come. I am told
    there is a letter of which I am yet to see.
    However, one would have thought that
    at least these Questions would have been
    programmed for next week in order for
    me to engage him, however, they are not
    found in the Business of the House for
    next week. I want to appeal to the Hon
    Leadership if they could find space in the
    Business of the House for next week, so
    that we could get some Answers from the
    hardworking Minister of Trade and
    Industry —[Interruption] —
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:18 p.m.
    Hon
    Deputy Majority Leader, respectfully,
    may you respond to the them?
    Mr Afenyo-Markins 12:28 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    normally, when one goes to court and he
    wants to prove that he is a good lawyer,
    the judges make it difficult for him to get
    a bail for his client, but when he is on bent
    knees and responding “my Lord, my Lord”, he would not even finish and a bail is granted.
    Mr Speaker, on that score, let me
    assure my respected Colleague from
    Bole/Bamboi that the mode of application
    and tone in itself is compelling enough
    for the Business Committee to go the
    extra mile to ensure that the Hon Minister
    for Trade and Industry comes here next
    week. So, arrangement would be made.
    I believe that the issue raised by my
    Hon Colleague from Salaga South that
    those Questions that have been
    programmed for tomorrow have been
    omitted for next week is a genuine
    omission. So, we would liaise with the

    Business of the House

    Clerks-at-the-Table and ensure that all

    those Questions that were to come

    tomorrow, of which the Ministers would

    appear, at least, they should add them. So,

    she should be assured that this would be

    done.

    With respect to the Hon Member for

    Ho Central, Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo,

    I need not emphasise this one more time.

    If he says he filed the Question long time

    ago, again, I would invoke the Okudjeto

    Ablakwa Rule. He should follow up and

    check the records book whether the Rt

    Hon Speaker has admitted his Question at

    all. This is because this creates a certain

    impression about the Table Office and I

    would want us to end it. So, please, let us

    deal with it.

    Now on the matter raised by the Hon

    Member for Adaklu, Mr Kwame Governs

    Agbodza; we all know that on Thursday,

    the Hon Minister is coming here to

    answer 16 Questions - Questions that are coming from Hon Members; Questions

    that bother on national issues. In my

    opinion, if Mr Agbodza is of the strong

    view that a matter has come up in the

    media and it needs the attention of the

    House, he should file a Question and go

    through the process. But I think that the

    approach he adopted was inappropriate,

    because he creates a certain impression of

    the Hon Minister and let us bear in mind

    that as public officers, all we have is our

    image. The Hon Minister did not go

    somewhere or hide some payment

    somewhere — and the issue of National

    Cathedral is a matter of national policy,

    no matter how some of us may disagree.

    We have to be fair in how we approach it,

    so that we do not create a certain

    impression about the Hon Minister for

    Finance. That is all I would want to say.

    My respected Colleague, Mr Edward

    Abambire Bawa, raised a concern and I

    believe it is a matter for corridor solution

    so next week, it is dealt with. So, he

    should be rest assured. We would deal

    with it on the corridors and get it reflected

    for his comfort and pleasure.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:28 p.m.
    On
    that note, the Business Statement for the
    Fourth Week which would end on 17th
    June, 2022, is hereby adopted.
    We have some Statements.
    Mr Afenyo-Markins 12:28 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    the day is young but old enough for Hon
    Members to leave the quarry and engage
    in some other parliamentary commi-
    tments. It is therefore our prayer, that you
    exercise your mandate to adjourn procee-
    dings for today —
    [Interruption] — No, it is a prayer; I am making an application and you would
    second it. That is why I am not saying it
    is at his discretion. I am saying that it is
    my prayer and you would second it for me
    - you know you would second it. So, Mr Speaker, it is our prayer that you would
    grant us this dispensation for an
    adjournment until we come back on
    Tuesday.

    Mr Speaker, I so pray.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:28 p.m.
    Very
    well.
    Hon Minority Chief Whip?
    Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka 12:28 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we only hope that Com-
    mittees that have outstanding businesses
    before them would take advantage of the
    early adjournment to go and continue
    work on the referrals. I also want to draw
    Leadership's attention to the fact that as we start — Mr Speaker, you could see that we do not seem to have too many
    Business. We hope that the intention is
    not to wait for the last two weeks; then,
    they come and heap everything on us and
    be telling us that there are deadlines and
    the Government may lose it and Ghana
    may lose it, so we should do everything
    to finish them. Sometimes, it takes up to
    midnight for us to finish, they should
    think about our health.
    Now that there is space, I encourage
    them to get Government Business done.
    However, Mr Speaker, I agree with him
    that we should adjourn so that those who
    may have to travel far would be able to
    get to the constituencies in good time
    before tomorrow and Committees that
    have referrals should do well to work on
    them.
    Mr Speaker, with this, I second the
    Motion for adjournment until Tuesday,
    10 o'clock in the forenoon.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 12:28 p.m.
    Hon
    Members, before I put the Question, I just
    want to take this opportunity to remind all
    of you that as we said yesterday,
    tomorrow is a special day assigned for
    tree planting, and that is why we are not
    Sitting tomorrow. Please, we are going to
    our constituencies to lead this all-
    important national assignment. So,
    adjourning early enough would afford
    Hon Members the opportunity to also
    travel to our various constituencies. On
    that note, the motion has already been
    moved and it has been seconded. I
    therefore have the singular pleasure to put
    the Question.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    ADJOURNMENT 12:28 p.m.