Debates of 5 Jul 2022

MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 11:11 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:11 a.m.
Hon
Members, correction of the Votes and
Proceedings of Friday, 1st July, 2022.
Page 1…10 —
Mr Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah 11:11 a.m.
Mr
Speaker, on page 7, I see Mr Teddy Safori
Addi marked as absent, but he was here
on Friday.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:11 a.m.
Hon
Member, kindly guide us properly. What
is the number on page 7?
Mr Ackah 11:11 a.m.
Mr Speaker, page 7, item
numbered 4(2).
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:11 a.m.
Hon
Member, is that you? You are from
Amenfi Central. The Hon Member is
“Addi, Teddy Safori.” What do you say of him?
Mr Ackah 11:11 a.m.
Mr Speaker, Mr Teddy
Safori Addi was on my Committee, and
he was present on Friday.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:11 a.m.
Very well.
I was at page 10.
Mr Rockson-Nelson E. K.
Dafeamekpor: Mr Speaker, item
numbered 9 on page 10, Question
numbered 873, my middle name is spelt
with an “i” — “Kwami”. It should be in consonant with the item numbered 2(92).
If Clerks-at-the-Table could take note.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:11 a.m.
Very well.
Page 11…43.
Hon Members, the Votes and
Proceedings of Friday, 1st July, 2022 as
corrected is hereby adopted as the true
record of proceedings.
Hon Members, we have the Official
Report of Thursday, 9th June, 2022.
Any corrections?
Dr Kingsley Nyarko 11:11 a.m.
Mr Speaker, in column 62, Question numbered 386, paragraph 3, the sixth line, “… who the transaction advisors and book runners were since 2017 and how was…”, “much” is omitted, which makes it

Votes and Proceedings and Official Report

unclear. So, “much” could be inserted between “how” and “was” so that it becomes more meaningful. Then it would read “how much was paid”. Thank you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:11 a.m.
Very well. The Hansard Department would take note and effect the correction.
Any more corrections?
Hon Members, in the absence of any further corrections, the Official Report of Thursday, 9th June, 2022, as corrected, is hereby adopted as the true record of proceedings.
Hon Members, we would move to item numbered 5 on the Order Paper, which is Questions. The Hon Minister for Energy is to answer Questions —
Majority Chief Whip (Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh) 11:21 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the sector Minister is unavoidably absent, and we have an Hon Deputy Minister here to do business in his stead. Mr Speaker, I seek your leave for the Hon Deputy Minister to take the Questions instead of the Minister.

Minority Leader (Mr Haruna

Iddrisu): Mr Speaker, there should be no

difficulty with the Hon Deputy Minister

standing in the Hon Minister's stead, so, as it pleases you, we may proceed with

the Questions.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:21 a.m.
Very well.
Hon Deputy Minister, you may take your
seat. We now move to Question num-
bered 200, which stands in the name of
the Hon Member for Nalerigu/Gambaga.
Mr Dafeamekpor 11:21 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I
have the authority of the owner of the
Question to seek your permission to ask
on his behalf.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:21 a.m.
Very well.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 11:21 a.m.
Mr Dafeamekpor 11:21 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we are glad to hear that the survey work based upon which the project will be awarded for the electrification to be done has been carried out. We are in July, 2022; would the Hon Deputy Minister be kind enough to assure the people that by the end of the year, they will see electri- city in their communities?
Mr Aidoo 11:21 a.m.
Mr Speaker, unfortu- nately, I am not able to confirm that the good people of the communities stated will have electricity by the end of the year We took the initiative on our own to do the survey, which means that we are really interested in connecting them to the grid. They would be connected as and when funds are available.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Dafeamekpor 11:21 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I
gather that the survey work could also be
accepted if it is properly done. If for
instance, the Hon Member of Parliament
(MP) sponsors a survey work for those
two outstanding communities, Kalboyiri
and Bantambara, and presents it to the
Ministry, would they be added to those
that have been done so that all the
communities would be taken at once
under the expected project?
Mr Aidoo 11:21 a.m.
Mr Speaker, as a Ministry,
we really like to do these surveys by
ourselves due to potential mistakes that
could ensue. We have given the assurance
that now that it has come to our notice, we
would endeavour to have the survey done
so that all the communities would be
connected to the Grid at the same time,
more or less.
Mr Dafeamekpor 11:21 a.m.
Mr Speaker, that
would be all. We are grateful.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:21 a.m.
We would
move to Question numbered 311 which
stands in the name of the Hon Member for
Wulensi, Mr Abukari Dawuni.
Mr Joseph Nikpe Bukari 11:21 a.m.
Mr
Speaker, I have the authority to ask the
Question on behalf of Mr Dawuni.

Oral Answers to Questions

Resumption and Completion of

Electrification Projects in Sakpe,

Gunguni, et cetera Communities in

the Wulensi Constituency

Mr Joseph N. Bukari (on behalf of
Mr Abukari Dawuni) (NDC — Wulensi) 11:21 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for
Energy when the electrification projects
in the following communities in the
Wulensi Constituency would resume and
be completed: (i) Sakpe (ii) Gunguni (iii)
Kapugu (iv) Bangdiyili (v) Asarfoche.
Mr Aidoo 11:21 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Sakpe,
Gunguni, Kapugu, Bangdiyili and
Asarfoche communities are part of the
Ministry of Energy's ongoing Self-Help
Electrification Programme (SHEP)-5
Rural Electrification Project in the
Nanumba South District of the Northern
Region. A total of 324 High Voltage
(HV) poles required for the communities
have been supplied. Most of the required
pole-top materials have been supplied,
with 258 of the supplied poles planted
and strung with conductors at Sakpe,
Gunguni and Bangdiyili.
30 no. HV poles have been planted at
Kapugu with stringing and dressing
ongoing. Poles supplied to the Asarfoche
community are yet to be planted.
470 no. Low Voltage (LV) poles
required for the project have also been
supplied and planted. The requisite pole-
top accessories have also been supplied to
site. Conductor stringing at Sakpe, Gunguni,
Kapugu and Bangdiyili has been completed.
Additionally, transformers have been
released to the contractor for installation.
The transformers were released to site in
January 2022.
The delays in the execution of the
electrification project in the above
communities are a result of the shortage
of some key materials/equipment including
stay wooden blocks, conductors, customer
service accessories, et cetera. The
Ministry is expecting deliveries of some
materials/equipment, and will arrange for
the release of same for installation works
to resume at site.
The Ministry of Energy expects to
complete the installation works in the
above-mentioned communities by first
quarter, 2023.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Bukari 11:21 a.m.
Mr Speaker, this is
always the excuse the Ministry gives us,
but for a project that has seen that level of
completion, and up till today, the trans-
formers to get the people electricity are
not forthcoming, I would like the Hon
Deputy Minister to give me his assurance
that within the third quarter of this year,

Oral Answers to Questions

those communities will be connected to

the National Grid.
Mr Aidoo 11:21 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Ministry
admits that the contract has been
outstanding for quite some time, and
indeed, when it came to our notice, we
were a little bit disappointed, to be honest
with you. Hence, the assurance that has
been given will be confirmed. We will do
it by the end of the first quarter of 2023.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:21 a.m.
Hon
Member, any more questions?
Mr Bukari 11:21 a.m.
No, Mr Speaker. Thank
you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:21 a.m.
Very well.
Hon Members, we will take the
Question numbered 433 which stands in
the name of the Hon Member for Wa
East, Dr Godfred Seidu Jasaw.
Mr Dafeamekpor 11:21 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I
have the permission of the Hon Member
to —
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:21 a.m.
Go ahead.

Plans to Connect Sawobe, Chawulifali,

et cetera in the Wa East District to the

National Grid

Mr Rockson-Nelson E. K.

Dafeamekpor (on behalf of Dr Godfred

Seidu Jasaw) (NDC — Wa East): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for

Energy what arrangements are in place to

connect the following communities in the

Wa East District to the National Grid: (i)

Sawobe (ii) Chawulifali (iii) Yanguoyiri

(iv) Halimbojikpe (v) Motigu (vi) Duccie

(vii) Grumbelle.
Mr Aidoo 11:31 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Sawobe,
Chawulifali, Yanguoyiri, Halimbojikpe,
Motigu, Duccie and Grumbelle commu-
nities do not form part of any of the
Ministry's ongoing electrification pro- gramme. Engineering survey has been
carried out in the aforementioned commu-
nities as part of the Ministry's Last Mile Electrification Survey for consideration
for connection to the National Grid in
future electrification programmes.

The above-listed communities would

be connected to the Grid when funds are

available, and in line with the electrify-

cation programme.
Mr Dafeamekpor 11:31 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am
aware that the Ministry had some
programmes to extend electrification to
some communities this year, and consi-
dering the Hon Deputy Minister's Answer to the Question, would he assure
the House that he would add some of
these communities as part of what he

Oral Answers to Questions

would do this year so that maybe next

year, he could tackle the rest?
Mr Aidoo 11:31 a.m.
Mr Speaker, these commu-
nities were surveyed on our own volition
which goes to show that the Ministry is
really serious in connecting them to the
National Grid. All that we are waiting for
is the requisite funds in order to embark
on the programme.
Mr Dafeamekpor 11:31 a.m.
Mr Speaker, that
would be all. Thank you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:31 a.m.
Very well.
The next Question stands in the name
of the Hon Member for Domeabra/Obom,
Ms Sophia Karen Edem Ackuaku.
Communities in Domeabra/Obom Not
Benefitting from the Grid Project
Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso (on behalf of
Ms Sophia Karen Edem Ackuaku)
(NDC — Domeabra/Obom): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Energy,
whether the Ministry is aware that since
the Rural Electrification Project was
changed to Grid, 653 communities in the
Domeabra/Obom Constituency have not
benefitted from the Grid Project?
Mr Aidoo 11:31 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Ministry
of Energy's record reveals that engi- neering survey has been carried out in
106 communities and not 653 commu-
nities, as part of the Ministry's Last Mile Electrification Survey for consideration
for connection to the National Grid under
the future electrification programme.
The Ministry is unaware of the 653
specific communities under reference,
and would, therefore, be appreciative if
the Hon MP for the Domeabra/Obom
Constituency could make them available
for the necessary action to be taken by the
Ministry.
Ms Ntoso 11:31 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon
Deputy Minister says that the commu-
nities are 106 instead of 653. Even if that
is so, these communities are a lot in
number. Apart from asking the Hon
Member to submit a list of the other
communities, which she would, could the
Hon Deputy Minister assure this House
that the 106 communities that have not
benefited from the Grid Project would
also benefit?
Mr Aidoo 11:31 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I can give that
assurance, but again, these 106 commu-
nities that had been surveyed were not as
a result of any request from the Hon
Member; it was the Ministry itself which
did it, which presupposes that we are
indeed in the process of connecting them
to the National Grid.
I would really like the Hon Member to
give us the remaining communities
because 653 is a lot. The number of

Oral Answers to Questions

communities that we are connecting in

the year for the whole country is not even

up to 653. For the Hon Member to say

that there are 653 communities in only

her constituency kind of boggles the mind

a little bit. We would really like to meet

her in order to ascertain what exactly she

meant by the 653 communities.
Ms Ntoso 11:31 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon
Member says that it is 653, and the Hon
Deputy Minister is in doubt and says that
it is 106 communities. Whether it is the
Ministry that has done a wrecky work to
come out with 106, the fact is that in the
Ministry's records, they have 106. The Hon Member would submit a list to the
Hon Deputy Minister's office, but the 106 that he has —
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:31 a.m.
Hon
Member, kindly ask your question.
Ms Ntoso 11:31 a.m.
Mr Speaker, is the Hon
Deputy Minister assuring us that they
would work on the 106 communities for
them to benefit from the Grid Project?
Mr Aidoo 11:31 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I actually
answered that question and it is yes. Our
assurance is being given to the honour-
able House that those 106 communities
would be connected when funds are
available.
Ms Ntoso 11:31 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for
the opportunity.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:31 a.m.
We would
move on to the Question numbered 446
which stands in the name of the Hon
Member for North Tongu, Mr Samuel
Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Mr Dafeamekpor — rose —
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:31 a.m.
Hon
Member, did Hon Ablakwa also give you
permission to ask the Question on his
behalf?
Mr Dafeamekpor 11:31 a.m.
Mr Speaker, that
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:31 a.m.
Very well.
Detailed List of Beneficiaries of
GNPC Foundation's Activities and Cost from 2017 to 2020
Mr Rockson-Nelson E. K.
Dafeamekpor (on behalf of Mr Samuel
Okudzeto Ablakwa) (NDC — North Tongu): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the
Minister for Energy to provide the
detailed list of beneficiaries of the Ghana
National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC)
Foundation's activities and interventions with breakdown of the cost of each item
from the period of 2017 to 2020.
Mr Aidoo 11:31 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the activities
undertaken by the GNPC Foundation
from 2017 to 2020 covered 341 infra-
structure projects and scholarship awards.

Oral Answers to Questions

The breakdown is summarised in the

table below while the details are attached

as Appendix I for ease of reference.

I would like to take this opportunity to

amend the attachment which I believe has

been has been inserted in the various Hon

Members' pigeon holes. The Question number on the attachment is written

Question numbered 466 which, indeed, is

a mistake; the Question is numbered 446,

so that could be amended.
Mr Speaker, the project, the years and the amounts involved are as follows 11:31 a.m.
ITEM 11:31 a.m.
PROJECT 11:31 a.m.
PERIOD 11:31 a.m.
ACTIVITIES 11:31 a.m.
GHS 11:31 a.m.
PROJECTS 11:31 a.m.
FUNDED IN 11:31 a.m.
USD 11:31 a.m.
Mr Dafeamekpor 11:41 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I
carefully perused the attachment labelled
as Appendix I which was attached to the
Hon Deputy Minister's Answer to Parlia-
ment and it is quite comprehensive.

My only comment is that the font size

is such that it is difficult to read so the

Hon Deputy Minister should be kind

enough to make it bold the next time.

Mr Speaker, secondly, I see that we

have listed close to 250 projects totalling

in excess of about GH₵274 million if we

do the conversion and addition. However,

the Hon Deputy Minister is not able to tell

the House whether any of these projects

have been completed. I see the names,

locations and amount spent on the

projects, but we are not told the stages of

completion. Could he be kind enough to

do that? I know it may be difficult, but he

could brief the House later on as to the

completion stages. It is very important

since it is a lot of money that would be

locked up if the projects are not

completed at all.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:41 a.m.
Hon
Member, I think that is another Question.
The Ministry would only get the records.
If you would want to verify, that should
be asked specifically so the Ministry
would go and verify.
Mr Dafeamekpor 11:41 a.m.
Mr Speaker, my
other question is that how is the Ministry
able to audit some of these projects when
the Foundation decides to implement
them?
Mr Aidoo 11:41 a.m.
The Ministry is not really
responsible for auditing its Agencies.
They have their own means of auditing
themselves, so I believe that the GNPC
and its offshoots are accordingly audited
and overseen by the Auditor-General.
That is not the Ministry's job.
Mr Dafeamekpor 11:41 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
perhaps, I used the word “audit” advisedly. Maybe, I should have used
“value for money”. I am guided, so I would file another Question regarding
their stages of completion and value for
money.
Mr Speaker, thank you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:41 a.m.
Very well.
Question numbered 581 stands in the
name of the Hon Member for Sene West,
Mr Twumasi Kwame Ampofo.
Extension of Electricity to
Communities in Sene West
Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso on behalf of
(Mr Twumasi Kwame Ampofo) (NDC

Oral Answers to Questions

— Sene West): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Energy when electricity

would be extended to the following

communities in the Sene West

Constituency: (i) Fosu Kura (ii) Horme

(iii) Balasu (iv) Mahama Kura (v)

Ramadan Congo (vi) Asaman Congo (vii)

Jinji Congo (viii) Kpakra (ix) Kprabaso

(x) Chimigu (xi) Lobi Kura (xii)

Dogondage (xiii) Tendam (xiv)

Kulungugu.
Mr Aidoo 11:41 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Fosu
Kura, Horme, Balasu, Mahama Kura,
Ramadan Congo, Asaman Congo, Jinji
Congo, Kpakra, Kprabaso, Chimigu,
Lobi Kura, Dogondage, Tendam,
Kulungugu communities do not form part
of any of the ongoing projects currently
being executed by the Ministry of
Energy. The communities have been
noted, and would be considered in the
subsequent phase of electrification
projects.
Ms Ntoso 11:41 a.m.
Mr Speaker, may I know
from the Hon Deputy Minister when the
next phase of the project would take
place?
Mr Aidoo 11:41 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the next phase
of the electrification project is always
dependent on the availability of funds, so
as and when funds come to the Ministry,
we would extend the number of
communities that would be connected to
the National Grid. Therefore, I cannot
give the Hon Member a specific time
since it is work in progress.
Ms Ntoso 11:41 a.m.
Mr Speaker, most of these
communities supply us fish to eat so
would the Hon Deputy Minister assure
this House that they would be considered
in the next phase?
Mr Aidoo 11:41 a.m.
Mr Speaker, indeed, those
communities would be considered in the
next phase.
Ms Ntoso 11:41 a.m.
Mr Speaker, thank you for
the opportunity.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:41 a.m.
Very well.
Hon Members, we would take Question
numbered 585 from the Hon Member for
Kpandai.
Extension of Electricity to
Communities in the Kpandai
Constituency
Mr Daniel Nsala Wakpal (NDC — Kpandai) 11:41 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the
Minister for Energy when electricity will
be extended to the following places: (i)
Kpandai township extension (ii)
Kokonaji (iii) Allahsuna (iv) St Kizito
Primary (v) Kpandai New Town (vi)
Dubun road (vii) Polyclinic area.
Mr Aidoo 11:41 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the commu-
nities, namely Kpandai township extension
(Kokomba Chief Palace, KPANSEC
Camp and Baduli), Allahsuna (behind the
lorry station), Kokonaji, Kpandai New
Town (Zongo) and Polyclinic area form
part of the Ministry of Energy's ongoing

Oral Answers to Questions

SHEP-4 Rural Electrification Project in

the Kpandai District of the Northern

Region. A total of 60 HV poles required

for the communities have been supplied

to sites. Most of the required pole-top

materials have been supplied, with 34 of

the supplied poles planted and dressed.

Transformers have been installed and

energised at Kpandai township extension

(Baduli) and Polyclinic area.

Three hundred and forty-nine (349)

out of the 610 LV poles required for the

project have been supplied and planted at

the Kpandai township extension

(Kokomba Chief Palace, KPANSEC

Camp and Baduli), Kokonaji, Kpandai

New Town (Zongo) and polyclinic area.

Pole-top accessories required for the

communities have been supplied to site.

Stringing is ongoing at Kpandai township

extension.

The delays in the execution of the

electrification project in the above

communities are as a result of the

shortage of some key materials/

equipment, including stay wooden block,

metres, conductors, et cetera. The

Ministry is expecting deliveries of some

materials/equipment, and would arrange

for the release of same for installation

works to resume at site.

The remaining communities, namely

St Kizito Primary and Dubun Road, do

not form part of any of the Ministry's ongoing electrification projects. The

communities have been noted, and would

be considered for connection to the

National Electricity Grid in subsequent

phases of the electrification programme.

The Ministry of Energy expects to

complete the ongoing installation works

in the above-mentioned communities by

first quarter, 2023.
Mr Wakpal 11:41 a.m.
Mr Speaker, these
projects have been abandoned for a very
long time. I would like to ask the Hon
Deputy Minister how soon the deliveries
of these equipment would be ready for the
installation work to resume.
Mr Aidoo 11:41 a.m.
Mr Speaker, indeed, the
Ministry is aware of the delays in the
electrification projects in these particular
communities. Now, they are on our
screen, and we would endeavour to have
them connected by the end of the first
quarter of 2023.
Mr Wakpal 11:51 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like
the Hon Deputy Minister to assure this
honourable House that the abandoned
poles lying around in some of the
aforementioned areas would be erected to
avoid the wastage. I have some of the
pictures showing that for about a year
now, these poles have been rotting away
and today, a pole would cost the nation
about GH₵800 to GH₵1,000. Can the Hon Deputy Minister assure this
honourable House that as soon as
possible, these poles would be erected to
avoid the wastage?

Oral Answers to Questions
Mr Aidoo 11:51 a.m.
Mr Speaker, now that this
information has been made available to
us, I would make note, and when I return
to the Ministry, I will cause the consultant
to go on site and ensure that this is
corrected.
Mr Wakpal 11:51 a.m.
Mr Speaker, per the
Answer the Hon Deputy Minister has
given, in the last but one paragraph, I
noticed that St Kizito Primary and Dubun
Road are not part of the ongoing
electrification projects, but there are poles
in the Dubun township rotting away.
Would the Hon Deputy Minister be
minded to add it to the current
electrification project?
Mr Aidoo 11:51 a.m.
Mr Speaker, unfortunately
these things happen. Sometimes the
delivery trucks deliver poles and other
accessories to the wrong areas. Like I said
earlier, I would consult the consultant to
ensure that the poles go to the right places
for erection and subsequent connection to
the Grid.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:51 a.m.
Very well,
we would take the Question numbered
589 which stands in the name of the Hon
Member for Nkoranza North, Mr Joseph
Kwasi Mensah.
Connection of Communities in
Nkoranza North to the National Grid
Mr Joseph Kwasi Mensah (NDC — Nkoranza North) 11:51 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to
ask the Minister for Energy when the
following communities in the Nkoranza
North Constituency will be connected to
the national grid: (i) Nipahiamoa (ii)
Medina (iii) Asuoti (iv) Betoda (v)
Dinkra (vi) Kuuso (vii) Ameyawkrom
(viii) Pienyina (ix) Junction/Mangoase
(x) Abirekyirekrom (xi) Anafour.
Mr Aidoo 11:51 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Pienyina
and Junction/Mangoase communities
form part of the ongoing SHEP projects
in the Bono East Region. Works have not
yet started due to the unavailability of
some key materials. A total of 52 no. and
160 no. LV poles respectively, required
for the communities, are being arranged
for release by the Ministry following
which the pole-top accessories will be
issued to commence installation works.
Mr Speaker, the Nipahiamoa, Medina,
Asuoti, Betoda, Dinkra, Kuuso,
Ameyawkrom, Abirekyirekrom and
Anafour communities do not form part of
any of the ongoing projects currently
being executed by the Ministry of
Energy. The communities have been
noted, and would be considered in the
subsequent phase of the electrification
projects.

Oral Answers to Questions
Mr J. K. Mensah 11:51 a.m.
Mr Speaker, could
the Hon Deptuy Minister assure this
honourable House and the remaining
communities — Nipahiamoa, Asuoti,
Betoda, Kuuso, Ameyawkrom,
Abirekyirekrom, and Anafour — that
they would be connected to the national
grid? As the name suggests, the people of
Nipahiamoa truly need help. The high
tension poles from Dwenewoho to Manso
pass through Nipahiamoa, and those from
Asakyire to Busua pass through Medina.
Could the Hon Deputy Minister assure
the remaning communities that they
would be connected to the national grid?
Mr Aidoo 11:51 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the good
people of Nipahiamoa and other
communities that have been mentioned
can be assured that now that their names
have come before the Ministry, we would
do the survey and the necessary processes
to connect them to the National Grid as
and when fund become available.
Surveys are ongoing. We are
surveying a lot of communities in the
country in preparation for connecting
them to the National Grid, and once these
communities have come to our notice, the
other processes would continue, so they
can be assured.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:51 a.m.
We would
move on to the Question numbered 593
which stands in the name of the Hon
Member for Afram Plains North, Ms
Betty Nana Efua Krosbi Mensah.
Connection of Communities in Afram
Plains North to the National Grid
Mrs Angela Alorwu-Tay (on behalf
of Ms Betty Nana Efua Krosbi
Mensah) (NDC — Afram Plains
North): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the
Minister for Energy when the following
communities in the Afram Plains North
Constituency will be connected to the
national grid: (i) Abotanso (ii) Atiwulame
(iii) Kamalo (iv) Agordeke (v)
Caterpillartornu (vi) Anidze (vii)
Fasobattor (viii) Avatime (ix) Adukrom
(x) Sawua.
Mr Aidoo 11:51 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Ministry
of Energy has approved a feasibility study
on islands and lakeside communities in
the Afram Plains North Constituency.
The study is expected to start in August
2022 and be completed by September
2022.
Following this undertaking, funding
will be sourced for the communities to be
electrified through renewable energy
mini-grids. Communities that do not
qualify for mini-grid electrification
would be considered for grid electrifi-
cation and solar home systems.

Oral Answers to Questions
Mrs Alorwu-Tay 11:51 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I
would like to know from the Hon Deputy
Minister whether the processes for the
funding would start after September 2022
or it is already in progress.
Mr Aidoo 11:51 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the sourcing
of funds for the project naturally follows
the survey so it would be after September
2022. When the survey is completed,
then, we would source the fund.
Mrs Alorwu-Tay 11:51 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I
would like to appeal, in the form of a
question, to the Hon Deputy Minister that
these communities have suffered enough.
They produce a lot of fish. It is my prayer
that answers given to this honourable
House would be followed up with results.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:51 a.m.
Hon
Deputy Minister, what do you say to her
appeal? We would like to hear your
response to her appeal in the microphone.
Mr Aidoo 11:51 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Ministry
is very interested in getting the people of
this country who live on island
communities connected to the mini-grids
wherever possible, and indeed, we have
earmarked 55 island communities that we
intend to connect with mini-grids within
the next 12 months or so. Yesterday, there
was a big meeting on it where we were
trying to nominate which ones would be
connected first. Hence, the Hon Member
should let our Hon Friend who is not here,
Ms Betty Krosbi Mensah, know that her
constituents are very much on our mind
as far as connecting them to the mini-grid
is concerned.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:01 p.m.
Very well,
I proceed to Question 600, which is in the
name of the Hon Member for Amenfi
Central, Mr Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah.
Resumption and Completion
of Electrification Projects in
Amenfi Central
Mr Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah (NDC
— Amenfi Central): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Energy when
contractors will resume work and
complete the electrification projects in
the following communities in the Amenfi
Central Constituency: (i) Anobil (ii)
Dwirigom (iii) Foleso (iv) Ashyiam (v)
Dankwawora (vi) Agyedom (vii)
Asasetere (viii) Kojo Yaw (ix) Suponso
(x) Nyame Dome (xi) Nso Nyame Ye.
Mr Aidoo 12:01 p.m.
Mr Speaker, Anobil,
Dwirigom, Foleso, Ashyiam,
Dankwawora, Agyedom, Asasetere and
Kojo Yaw communities formed part of
the Ministry's electrification project earmarked for execution by M/S Weldy
Lamont & Associates Inc. in the Amenfi
Central Constituency of the Western
Region. The project originally targeted to
connect 1,200 communities in all three
(3) beneficiary regions, namely; Central,

Oral Answers to Questions

Western and Brong Ahafo Regions, to the

national electricity grid. During the

implementation of the project, however,

more communities were added for

connection to the Grid which increased

the targeted communities to 2,251.

The electrification project was

completed in May 2022, having connected a

total of 2,127 communities to the

National Grid. Unfortunately, installation

works in some 124 communities,

including the mentioned ones, could not

be completed as the project fund could

not cover them. M/S Weldy Lamont &

Associates Inc. has submitted the project

completion report, and a reconciliation

exercise is being done to determine the

scope of works outstanding in the

remaining communities.

Following the take-over of the

outstanding works, the Ministry will re-

package them for completion as part of

the on-going SHEP. Suponso, Nyame

Dome and Nso Nyame Ye communities,

however, do not form part of any of the

Ministry's ongoing electrification programmes. The communities have,

therefore, been noted for consideration in

future electrification programmes.
Mr Ackah 12:01 p.m.
Mr Speaker, Dwirigom,
Anobil, Foleso, Ashyiam, Dankwawora,
Agyedom, Asasetere and Kojo Yaw
formed part of about 70 communities that
were earmarked for connection to the
National Grid by the erstwhile Mahama
Administration when I was the District
Chief Executive for the area. Sixty of
them were completed, remaining these
ones. According to the Answer given by
the Hon Deputy Minister, 1,200 commu-
nities in three beneficiary Regions have
been connected in addition to 1,015.
In the end, the Hon Deputy Minister
said that most of these projects were
completed, yet the ones which were
started in 2015 were never completed.
Could the Hon Deputy Minister please
explain why some of these projects were
not completed, although they were almost
60 or 80 per cent completed, yet he added
1,000 more communities? According to
his Answer, only 124 communities are
left. I would like to know if the Hon
Deputy Minister intentionally left these
communities which were almost
completed out and completed new ones.
Mr Aidoo 12:01 p.m.
Mr Speaker, this was a
huge project with a contract value of
US$350 million, and it was signed in
2006. By virtue of the size of the project,
they encountered a lot of problems. Since
I have been at the Ministry, I have had the
occasion to engage with M/S Weldy
Lamont & Associates Inc., and the
answer they gave is similar to the
concerns the Hon Member has raised.
They encounter difficulty in reaching
some places when it rains, and the

Oral Answers to Questions

contractors failed to do their jobs, so a lot

of these communities, about 124 of them,

were not completed.

The Ministry is aware of the challenge,

and as I said in the Answer, we would

take over the remaining materials,

repackage them, and sort out

communities like his which were left out,

so I can assure him that it would be done.
Mr Ackah 12:01 p.m.
Mr Speaker, in the Hon
Deputy Minister's Answer, he said “Suponso, Nyame Dome and Nso Nyame Ye communities, however, do not form
part of the Ministry's ongoing electrification programme”. I would like to know if the Hon Deputy Minister is
aware that Suponso was part of the
project, and it was even test ran. I
supplied street lights to them, and the
project was tested, yet after that, because
of the lack of metres, the project was
abandoned, and six years on, all the grids
have fallen down, and no work has been
started on it again. Could the Hon Deputy
Minister explain if he is aware?
According to his Answer, it was not part,
but it was part and the project has now
gone very bad.
Mr Aidoo 12:01 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I really
appreciate the difficulty the Hon Member
has. I would suggest that he comes to the
Ministry to meet me and the technical
team, so that we see what we can do to
rectify some of these problems. As I said,
it was an unwieldy project which was a
very big one and huge challenges were
encountered between 2006 and May 2021
when they handed over and completed the
certificate. I urge the Hon Member to
come to the Ministry
because this is not the right forum to go
into the nitty-gritty of solving the
problems that he is encountering in his
Constituency.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:01 p.m.
Very well.
We proceed with Question 822, which
stands in the name of the Hon Member for
Binduri, Mr Abdulai Abanga — [Pause]— I would move on to Question 1,248, which stands in the name of the
Hon Member for Chereponi, Mr Abdul-
Razak Tahidu.
Connection of Communities in
Chereponi to the National Grid
Mr Abdul-Razak Tahidu (NPP — Chereponi) 12:01 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I beg to ask
the Minister for Energy when the
following communities in the Chereponi
Constituency will be connected to the
National Grid under SHEP 4/5: (i) Ando
Tombu (ii) Famisah (iii) Bukasu, (iv)
Bulasu (v) Akromabilla No.1 & 2 (vi)
Kpenchi (vii) Angor (viii) Nyandiri (ix)
Magbani (x) Konari (xi) Yetili.
Mr Aidoo 12:01 p.m.
The Ando Tombu,
Famisah, Bukasu, Bulasu, Akromabilla

Magbani, Konari and Yetili communities

do not form part of any of the Ministry's

Oral Answers to Questions

ongoing electrification programme.

However, engineering survey has been

carried out at Famisah, Akromabilla No.

1 & 2, Kpenchi, Angor, Magbani and

Yetili as part of the Ministry's Last Mile Electrification Survey for consideration

for connection to the National Grid.

The remaining five communities

namely, Ando Tombu, Bukasu, Bulasu,

Nyandiri and Konari, have been noted

and will be considered for connection to

the National Electricity Grid in sub-

sequent phases of the electrification

programme.
Mr Tahidu 12:11 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like
the Hon Minister to note the following
communities: Famisah, Bukasu, Bulasu,
Magbani and Konari. They were awarded
in 2016 before the contractor left site.
When I was the District Chief Executive
in 2017, I made the follow-up to the
Ministry of Energy. The Hon Deputy
Minister could check the records.
Lastly, I would like to acknowledge
and appreciate the effort of the Ministry
of Energy, and to draw the Hon Deputy
Minister's attention to the fact that the contractors reported to site last week in
the following communities: Akromabilla

pray that the other communities left in the

Constituency would also be considered.

We have 182 communities in the

Chereponi Constituency, and about 95 of

them are still not connected to the

National Electricity Grid. Therefore, I

would like to plead with the Hon Deputy

Minister to see how to get these

communities connected so they could

also benefit from the National Grid.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:11 p.m.
Hon
Member, this is not a question; it is an
appeal.
Hon Deputy Minister, would you like
to say something to the appeal?
Mr Aidoo 12:11 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I know
Chereponi very well, and I do appreciate
the challenge they have as far as the
connection to the Grid is concerned. The
Ministry of Energy would do its utmost to
connect as many communities as possible
within the shortest possible time.
Therefore, the Hon Member should take
the message to his people.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:11 p.m.
Hon
Deputy Minister, I would like to thank
you for attending upon the House to
answer Questions. You are discharged.
Hon Members, that brings us to the
end of Question time.
May I be guided by the Leadership?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:11 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I
was only reminding the Hon Deputy

Oral Answers to Questions

Minister for Energy of the discussions we

have had on other equally important

matters.

Mr Speaker, shall we take the item

numbered 8 on page 8 of today's Order

Paper? I seek your leave for the Hon

Minister for Works and Housing to do

that on behalf of the Hon Minister for

Finance.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:11 p.m.
Very well,
at the commencement of Public Business,
Presentation of Papers, the item
numbered 8, Tax Exemptions Bill, 2022,
by the Hon Minister for Works and
Housing.
BILLS — FIRST READING
Tax Exemptions Bill, 2022
An ACT to regulate the application of
tax exemptions and other exemptions and
to provide for related matters.
Presented by the Minister for Works
and Housing (Mr Francis Asenso-
Boakye) on behalf of the Minister for
Finance. Read the First time; referred to
the Finance Committee.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:11 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
we can now take the item numbered
7(a)(i) to (xix) by the Hon Minister for
Energy.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 12:11 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I
can see the Hon Minister for Energy is
warming up to his seat as he has just
arrived. Since it is an Instrument under
article 11 of the 1992 Constitution, I
reckon the Hon Majority Chief Whip
wants to excuse him from behaving like a
lizard bowing to every Instrument. Mr
Speaker, we are in your hands. If you
would want him to lay them at a go, it is
under your guidance, but if you would
want him to behave, per the rules, like the
lizard in each Bill, you may so direct him.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:11 p.m.
I would
look forward to your guidance as Hon
Leaders as to what would be most
appropriate in the circumstance. There
are 19 of them. Would you want them to
be laid one after the other or to be laid
together? What is your suggestion?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:11 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
the Hon Minister is very strong and
energetic so, we should go by the rules
and lay the Papers, one after the other.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu 12:11 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I
did not know that the Hon Minister would
like to add this to his physiotherapy of his
leg. Since he is a medical doctor, perhaps,
he would want to exercise his neck while
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:11 p.m.
Very well.
We would take them one after the
other. The item numbered 7(a),
Presentation of Papers by the Hon
Minister for Energy.
PAPERS 12:11 p.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:21 p.m.
Yes, Hon
Majority Chief Whip?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:21 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
the Leadership has consulted and under
the circumstances, I beg to move that the
House adjourns till tomorrow at 10.00
a.m.
Minority Leader (Mr Haruna
Iddrisu): Mr Speaker, I beg to second the
Motion.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
ADJOURNMENT 12:21 p.m.