Debates of 12 Jul 2022

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 1:04 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENTS 1:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker 1:04 p.m.
Hon Members, my
office received a message from His
Excellency the President on Thursday,
7th July, 2022. You would recall that
Parliament did not sit on Friday, 8th
July, 2022. Even though belated, the
statement has to be put on record. The
statement containing the message is
dated 26th June, 2022, and it reads:
Mr Speaker 1:24 p.m.
Hon Members, it is
important that I inform the public
before I read a formal communication
to you. This morning, both the
Majority and Minority Caucuses held
some marathon meetings to discuss a
few issues. After that, the pre-Sitting
meeting, which is usually referred to
as “Conclave of Leaders”, took place in my lobby. This explains why today,
Parliament is starting Business at this
time. I hope Hon Members would have
the time to sit through. We have agreed
on a number of Businesses we would
have to transact today, both Public and
Private Members', so I urge you all to stay till 4.00 p.m. or 5.00 p.m.
I would now proceed to the formal
communication, which is a commu-
nication on the National Food Buffer
Stock Company and the Ghana School
Feeding Programme. I personally
undertook surprise visits to both
entities.
Formal Communication by the
Speaker
Official Communication from the
Rt Hon Speaker on the National
Food Buffer Stock Company and
the Ghana School Feeding
Programme Secretariat
Hon Members, a matter of concern and of public interest has been brought to my attention in the aftermath of the caterers of the Ghana School Feeding Programme's recent protest and strike action. This necessitates some light
shedding on the issues raised by the
caterers in order to ensure that food, an essential requirement for life itself, is made readily available to the vulnerable school-going children in our country.
The caterers, who ceased operations
in May of this year, are requesting that their grants be increased from GH₵0.97 to GH₵3.00 per child per meal. A number of them have also threatened to terminate their contracts entirely due to months of non-payment of arrears by the Government. I am aware of the extent to which the non- payment of these arrears is affecting school enrolment and attendance, particularly in rural communities.
We, as Members of Parliament
(MPs), have all accepted the truism
that children and youth are the wealth of a nation. The situation we are in now affects the vulnerable school children and future leaders of this country. As political leaders, we seem to be prioritising political develop- ment over economic growth. We are neglecting a significant resource of development, that is the people. As MPs, we cannot fold our arms or follow partisan lines and positions while Rome burns. As you are all aware, Parliament is the primary democratic institution which represents the people of this country. Parliament is the only constitutionally mandated and legitimate authority to call Government to order and to put things right. We must resolve, here and now, to act quickly and decisively on this matter.

It is for this reason that, on the 23rd

of June, 2022, as part of Parliament's oversight responsibility, specifically, post legislative scrutiny function, I paid a surprise visit to the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) and the School Feeding Programme Secretariat to understand and obtain first-hand information on the state of affairs, as well as assess the situation on the ground.

I needed empirical prima facie

evidence in order to guide the House on a proper response to this challenge. My first stop was NAFCO where I met the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alhaji Hannan Abdul Wahab; manage- ment, and staff of the Company. The

CEO gave a detailed brief of the operations, and highlighted the company's challenges in areas such as stocking for Government's use; recent price increases in food items which have stalled the Government's initiative to roll out plans for price stabilisation of goods and services; and the inability of the Company to stock at the peak of harvest, to name a few. He was not happy that the viability and efficacy of such laudable programmes are being affected by lack of funding, thus compelling management to assess funding from commercial sources such as the Agricultural Development Bank Limited (ADB).

Hon Members, the story was

similar at the Ghana School Feeding

Programme Secretariat (GFSP). During

my interaction with the National Coordinator, Mrs Gertrude Quashigah, in the presence of her management team, she bemoaned the Ministry of Finance's inability to pay the caterers on time, but forcefully insisted that the information in the public domain about the non-payment of caterers for a period of time was not accurate.

Indeed, in 2021, Social Enterprise

Development Foundation-Ghana (SEND Ghana) monitored the GSFP, focusing on the tendering and procurement process of services and caterers. According to the survey, when it comes to challenges faced by caterers, the overwhelming majority cited persistent payment delays and inadequate grant value as major

factors undermining the delivery of quality service to school children. The evidence of the presence and domi- nation of party apparatchiks getting favours as caterers is overwhelming. It was quite unfortunate to learn that some of these caterers who belong to the Islamic faith could not embark on this year's holy pilgrimage to Mecca because of the apparent undue delay in the payment of outstanding arrears for services rendered. This information contradicts the information given by the National Coordinator of the GSFP. I think this is unfortunate and unacceptable.

Let me also state that there exist

obvious gaps between what NAFCO claims to supply and the realities that are unfolding in the education sector,

particularly in relation to Senior High

Schools (SHS). A July 7, 2022 publication by the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) in the Upper West Region complained about NAFCO's refusal to supply food items to SHSs. I am aware that other regions face similar, if not worse, challenges.

Hon Members, this is a “no-no” for a country that claims to prioritise

human capacity development. Let me

emphasise that the lives and proper

development of these vulnerable and

defenceless children are critical to the

future of this country, and we cannot

stand by and do nothing as things

deteriorate. We must be able to

oversee Government to set the

priorities of this country right. I am

deeply concerned about the well-being

and competence of these future

leaders. We need to work in concert

with Government to educate, train and

develop smart and intelligent human

resource for Ghana's future. We should always keep uppermost in our

minds the wise saying that, ‘intelligence rules the world; ignorance carries the

burden'.

Hon Members, according to a

2019 report by the Global Develop-

ment Commons, child malnutrition

accounts for approximately 45 per

cent of mortality among children

under five years in low and middle-

income countries. Micronutrient

deficiencies are responsible for one-

third of child deaths in Africa. Hunger

also has had immediate and long-term

negative effects on children's physical,

emotional and intellectual develop-

ment, their life experiences, and a

country's economic performance.

The aforementioned are unfortunately

exacerbated by leaders' lack of

courage and political commitment to

take bold and realistic decisions to

enhance the welfare of the child. Let it

not be said that we are part of the

generation of leaders who supported

this indecisiveness in standing for the

protection and development of the

child. If we are committed to

dispelling this notion, the counter-

narrative to this must begin with us.

Consequently, I am directing

leaders of the following five

Committees to constitute an ad-hoc

Committee to investigate the activities

or these two organisations and report

to Parliament on the feasibility,

sustainability, and state of affairs of

the two programmes. In view of the

fact that I had earlier referred some

matters to these Committees, I direct

that the Ad-hoc Committee reports to

the House before the end of October

this year. The Committees are:

Education; Gender and Children;

Health; Food, Agriculture and Cocoa

Affairs, and the “almighty” Finance.

Let me, once more, reiterate that

GSFP provides great potential to

accelerate the nation's progress towards the attainment of the United

Nations Sustainable Development

Goals (SDGs) on hunger, poverty and

malnutrition. It is, therefore, critical

that we address issues affecting the

efficient implementation of the

programme as a matter of national

priority, while instituting realistic and

sustainable measures to avert a

possible recurrence in the future as we

experience today.

May I also remind Hon Members,

particularly the leadership of Commi-

ttees — Hon Members, I take this one seriously, therefore, I would repeat it

for your attention. May I also remind

Hon Members, particularly the

leadership of Committees, of the

guidance of article 106, clause 14 of

the 1992 Constitution. Article 106(14)

states:

"A bill introduced in Parliament

by or on behalf of the President

shall not be delayed for more

than three months in any

committee of Parliament."

Hon Members may further advert

their minds to Standing Order 136

which is a reproduction of article

106(14) on this matter. Even though

these provisions deal specifically with

public Bills, they nevertheless give an

indication of how long Ghanaians

expect a matter referred to a Commi-

ttee of Parliament for investigation

and enquiry to take before a Report is

submitted to the House for necessary

actions. The reason for these provisions

is obvious: to prevent deliberate

sabotage, obstruction or undue delay

of Government or parliamentary

Business by any Committee or some

Members of a Committee.

I am emphasising this issue

because of a number of referrals that

have been with Committees, some for

over six months. Some are getting to a

year and we have not had any Report

from the Committees. Hon Members,

you know there are sanctions against

breach of these rules. I have resisted

the temptation to apply these

sanctions. This is the third and last

time I will refer to these and defer

applying and enforcing the sanctions.

I did so because Members were going

through the learning process. I will no

longer hesitate in applying these

sanctions. Members are now conver-

sant with how Parliament works and I

will proceed to apply the full rigors of

the law. A word to the wise, is enough.

Thank you for your attention.

Hon Members, we would now take

item numbered 4; Correction of Votes

and Proceedings.

Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh — rose —
Mr Speaker 1:24 p.m.
Yes, Hon Majority
Chief Whip?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 1:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
if you may indulge me, before we
proceed on to the Correction of Votes

and Proceedings and the Official

Report, I would like to make some

observations in respect of the

Communication from your outfit that

just came, and if you would permit me.
Mr Speaker 1:24 p.m.
What would happen
if I permit you?
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 1:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I
would like to make some observations.
Mr Speaker 1:24 p.m.
Observations are not
made by Hon Members on Messages
from the President and Formal
Communications from the Rt Hon
Speaker.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 1:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
I would defer to you on that —
Mr Speaker 1:24 p.m.
Hon Member, you
may resume your seat.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 1:24 p.m.
Mr
Speaker, if you may, in this House —
Mr Speaker 1:24 p.m.
Hon Majority Chief
Whip, you may resume your seat.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 1:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
I thank you.
Mr Speaker 1:24 p.m.
I referred a matter
back to the House to take up and work
on and report to the whole House then
you would be formally seized to make
your comments or debate or whatever
you would like to do. Hon Member,
this is not the time for you to make
comments on just the Formal
Communication.
Votes and Proceedings and the
Official Report
Mr Speaker 1:24 p.m.
We would now go
to Correction of Votes and Procee-
dings and the Official Report. We
would commence with the Votes and
Proceedings of Thursday, July 7,
2022.
Page 1…24 —
Dr Kingsley Nyarko 1:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
page 23, items numbered (xxxi) and
(xxxii), “Headmaster, Nyankumasi Senior School”, first, “High” is omitted between “Senior” and “School” and the school is called “Nyankumasi Ahenkro Senior High School”. I plead that these two corrections would be
effected.
Mr Speaker 1:24 p.m.
Hon Member, thank
you. Clerks-at-the-Table, kindly take
note.
Page 24…26 —
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
— rose —
Mr Speaker 1:24 p.m.
Hon Member, is it
page 26?
Mr Ablakwa 1:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, there
are a number of corrections on page
26. Item numbered 3(i), the position
for Mr Ebenezer Monney is “District Chief Executive” and not “District Chief Executive Officer”. He is the District Chief Executive for Ekumfi
District Assembly so “officer” should be deleted.
The same correction should be
effected for item numbered 3(iv). Mr
Ike Lord Ennie is also the “Chief Executive Officer” for Mfantseman Municipal Assembly, but “Municipal Chief Executive Officer”. It is the same correction for items numbered 3
(vi) and 3 (x).
Mr Speaker 1:24 p.m.
Clerks-at-the Table,
kindly take note.
Page 27 —
Mr Ablakwa 1:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, same
corrections should be effected for
items numbered 3 (xvi) and 3 (xxiv);
“District Chief Executive” and not “District Chief Executive Officer”.
Mr Speaker 1:24 p.m.
Clerks-at-the Table,
consequential amendment throughout
the Votes and Proceedings of Thursday,
July 7th, 2022. Please, it runs through
other pages too so take note and make
the necessary corrections.
Page 28 - 29
Mr Ablakwa 1:24 p.m.
Mr Speaker, page 29, item numbered 3 (xlii), “Mr Alhasssan Mohammmed, Municipal Internal Auditor”, “Municipal” has been spelt wrongly. The letter “l” has been omitted at the end so instead of “Municipal”, there is “Municipa” so the correction should be effected accordingly.
Mr Speaker 1:24 p.m.
Clerks-at-the Table,
kindly take note.
Page 30 - 33
Mr Ablakwa — rose —
Mr Speaker 1:24 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member?
Mr Ablakwa 1:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the last
item on page 33, item numbered (xxxi), Ms Agnes Kyeremaa, I noticed in that cluster that everybody identified is from the Western North Region from item numbered (xxvi) all the way down but Ms Agnes Kyeremaa has been presented as “Assistant Director from the Western Region”.

I believe strongly that it should be

Western North Region, so, the “North” should be inserted, but the Table Office could crosscheck that.
Mr Speaker 1:34 p.m.
Table Office, kindly crosscheck and give her the proper position.
Page 34…36 —
Mr Ablakwa 1:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the
rendition here of what transpired,
“following the presentation by the Hon Minister for Finance, that is, the
meeting of the Joint Committee on
Health and Finance is that the
Committee met on Wednesday, 6th
July, 2022 at 9.53 a.m. and commenced
investigations into the COVID-19
expenditure by Government, following
the Statement made by the Hon
Minister for Finance”.
Mr Speaker, I thought that it
should rather state: “following a referral or directive from the Rt Hon
Speaker after the presentation by the
Hon Minister for Finance”. It has been captured here as though the Hon
Minister for Finance recommended or
asked for that, for which reason the
Joint Committee was tasked after his
presentation to then look into the
COVID-19 accounts. I do not think
this is an accurate rendition of what
happened; there should be reference to
the Rt Hon Speaker's directive after the presentation by the Hon Minister
for Finance because it was a directive
that came from you, and not from the
Hon Minister for Finance.
Mr Speaker 1:34 p.m.
Yes, Table Office, it
did not emanate from the Statement. It
came from a directive from the Rt Hon
Speaker. Please capture it properly.
Page 37…41.
Hon Members, in the absence of
any further corrections, the Votes and
Proceedings of Thursday, 7th July,
2022 is adopted as the true record of
proceedings.
I have two copies of the Official
Report, one dated 7th June, 2022, and
the other, 16th June, 2022. Any
corrections? Let us start with the one
of 7th June, 2022.
Mr Ablakwa 1:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I just
wanted to indicate that I only have the
Official Report of 7th June. I do not
know if Hon Colleagues have the
second one, but I did not see it in my
pigeon hole. It is only that of 7th June.
Mr Speaker 1:34 p.m.
Yes, Hon Members,
what do you say? Do you have the
second one dated 16th June, 2022?
Mr Ablakwa 1:34 p.m.
No, we have only
one, that of 7th June.
Mr Speaker 1:34 p.m.
All right. So, let us
do the corrections on the Official
Report of 7th June, 2022. Any
corrections?
Mr Ablakwa 1:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I
wish to make a historical correction in
column 109, the second paragraph. I
think it was the Minister for Lands and
Natural Resources speaking. He was
in the Chamber earlier; he seems to
have left, but concerning the Berlin
Conference, the second paragraph
states that “13 European States, the United States of America, and the
Ottoman Empire divided Africa

among themselves”. For the record, as we all know, in that meeting, the

United States did not leave Berlin with

any African country. That is a

historical fact. The United States of

America did not colonise any African

country out of that Berlin Conference.

So, the records should be corrected.

Mr Speaker, also, in the first

paragraph of column 110, there is the

use of the word “bondages” within this context:

“The result was that the conti- nent was divided and borders

were created without regard to

traditional boundaries, cultural

heritage and…”

Mr Speaker, I believe the word is

“bonds”, and not “bondages” that existed between the people. “Bondages” connotes a different meaning,

probably slavery or some other matter.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 1:34 p.m.
Yes, Department of
Official Report, the Hon Member is
right. Kindly do the appropriate
corrections.
Hon Members, any more
corrections?
Hon Members, in the absence of
further corrections, the Official Report
of Tuesday, 7th June, 2022 is hereby
adopted as the true record of
proceedings.
Does the guidance I got from Leadership still hold? Yes, Hon Deputy Majority Leader?
Deputy Majority Leader (Mr
Alexander K. Afenyo-Markin): Mr Speaker, rightly so. Accordingly, I humbly apply for your leave for the order of Business to be varied, and in so doing, I pray that in granting the application, allow us to proceed with item numbered 10.
Mr Speaker 1:34 p.m.
Yes, Hon Minority
Chief Whip?
Minority Chief Whip (Alhaji
Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka): Mr Speaker, as agreed at the pre- Sitting discussions, we would like to take some Motions, namely items numbered 8, 10, and 11 to 19, before we come to Questions. That is what was agreed on.
Mr Speaker 1:34 p.m.
Very well, but you
have added to the number we discussed. We ended at item numbered 13. I did not hear of 15, 16 and the rest.
Alhaji Muntaka 1:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we
came a little late, but this was what I met during the discussion about the numbers that we would take. So, these were the numbers that they gave us as having been raised and agreed even though we were there when we concluded.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
we did not intend to surprise you. We would like to apologise to you if Leader-

ship did not communicate the subsequent agreement reached. It has always been your positions that when we change position, we communicate same to you. We apologise for that. We did not intend to spring a surprise on you, except that we noticed that these —
Mr Speaker 1:44 p.m.
Well, once it is the
agreement of Leadership, we will go
on. The proposal is for me to grant leave, which I hereby grant, and we will start at item numbered 10.
Hon Members, item numbered 10
on page 9 of the Order Paper: Motion. This is a matter that has been debated, pending the putting of the Question.

The Motion was to adopt the

Report of the Finance Committee on the financing agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Finance) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) for an amount of seventy- five million euros (€75,000,000.00) for the COVID-19 Health Response Ghana Project.
MOTIONS 1:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker 1:44 p.m.
We would now
move to the item numbered 11, which is a consequential resolution on the adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
the Hon Finance Minister is unavoidably absent but the Hon Deputy Finance

Minister, Dr John Kumah, is present. In the absence of the Hon Minister for Finance, the Hon Deputy Minister who is also an Hon Member of this House is available to do so in his stead.

Mr speaker, I do humbly pray that

this application would be granted.
Dr Forson 1:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I thought
the Hon Deputy Leader would tell us
where the Hon Minister for Finance is.
I know the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) team is in town but what I
do not know is whether he is engaging
them now or he is rather engaged
somewhere else. It would only be right
if the Hon Deputy Majority Leader
states where the Hon Minister for
Finance is and why he cannot attend
upon the House.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
the Hon Member for Ajumako/Enyan/
Essiam, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has
rightly predicted where the Hon
Minister for Finance could be. Even at
2.00 p.m., the IMF officials would
meet the Finance Committee of
Parliament in this House.
Mr Speaker, these are engagements
that Parliament is part of, and that is
why upon discussions, the Hon
Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr John
Kumah, is here. It is our case that you
grant leave for the Hon Deputy
Minister of Finance, Dr John Kumah,
to move the application.
Mr Speaker 1:44 p.m.
Yes.
Hon Leaders, I think that it is
proper that when an Hon Minister is
absent, reasons be given for why he or
she is absent. The term “unavoidably absent” is only used in respect of the Rt Hon Speaker, which you can see in
the Standing Orders - that is the Standing Orders of the House, but in
the case of the Hon Ministers, reasons
are to be given as to why Hon
Ministers are absent. “Unavoidably absent” is a hidden reason applicable to the Rt Hon Speaker. Since we
command them to appear before the
House, definitely, the House should be
told why the person has not appeared,
and that should be a reasonable
excuse.
I would grant the leave and permit
the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance
to represent the Hon Minster for
Finance on this occasion.
Hon Deputy Minister, you may
kindly move the resolution.
RESOLUTIONS 1:44 p.m.
Minister for Finance) 1:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I
beg to move, that
WHEREAS by the provisions of
article 181 of the Constitution
and Sections 55 and 56 of the

Public Financial Management

Act, 2016 (Act 921), the terms

and conditions of all govern-

ment borrowings shall be laid

before Parliament and shall not

come into operation unless the

terms and conditions are

approved by a resolution of

Parliament in accordance with

article 181 of the Constitution;

PURSUANT to the provisions

of the said article 181 of the

Constitution and Sections 55

and 56 of the Public Financial

Management Act, 2016 (Act

921), at the request of the Govern-

ment of the Republic Ghana

acting through the Minister

responsible for Finance, there

has been laid before Parliament

the terms and conditions of a

Financing Agreement between

the Government of the Republic

of Ghana (represented by the

Ministry of Finance) and the

European Investment Bank

(EIB) for an amount of seventy-

five million euros (€75,000,000.00) for the COVID-19 Health

Response Ghana Project.
THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE 1:44 p.m.
HEREBY RESOLVES AS 1:44 p.m.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I
beg to second the motion.
Question put and Motion agreed
to.
Resolved accordingly.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
with your leave again, I humbly
request that we proceed to the item
numbered eight.
Mr Speaker 1:44 p.m.
Hon Members, item
numbered 8. It is at the page numbered
8 of the Order Paper — A Motion that this honourable House adopts the
Report of the Finance Committee on
the Annual Public Debt Management
Report for the 2020 Financial year.
The debate is to be concluded.
Hon Leadership, which Hon
Members are available to conclude on
the debate?
MOTIONS 1:44 p.m.
Mr Muntaka 1:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, the
Hon Ranking Member for the Finance
Committee, Dr Ato Forson, tells me
that he spoke at length that day and
there is no further useful thing to add.
So, if there is no other comment from
the Side of the Majority, the Question
could be put.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
there is nothing more to add from the
Side of the Majority. You may put the
Question.
Mr Speaker 1:44 p.m.
Hon Members, we
are told that you have nothing more
useful to add to what has already been
presented by those who contributed to
the debate.
Question put and Motion agreed
to.
Resolved:
That this honourable House
adopts the Report of the Finance
Committee on the Annual
Public Debt Management
Report for the 2020 Financial
Year.
Mr Speaker 1:44 p.m.
We would move to
the consequential resolution which is
the item numbered 9 at the page
numbered 8 of the Order Paper.
An Hon Member 1:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it
is a different thing.
Mr Speaker 1:44 p.m.
Is it a different
thing?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
with respect, there is no —
Mr Speaker 1:44 p.m.
The item numbered
9 is on a different subject matter.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
it is so.
Mr Speaker 1:44 p.m.
So, we would not
take it.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
not at all.
Mr Speaker, we may proceed —
An Hon Member 1:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
would we then not take the item
numbered 9?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:44 p.m.
Mr Speaker, we would take the item numbered 9, but we would want to proceed to the item numbered 14. We would later come back to the item numbered 9.
Mr Speaker 1:44 p.m.
The item numbered 14
Mr Afenyo-Markin 1:44 p.m.
Mr speaker,
yes, please. It is at the page numbered
12.
Mr Speaker 1:44 p.m.
Hon Members, the
item numbered 14 at page 12 of the Order Paper — Motion.
Chairman of the Committee
(Mr Kwaku A. Kwarteng): Mr Speaker, before I move the Motion, I would like to move resolutions 14, 16, 18, and 20 together, and in the process, submit the Committee's Reports. They are all captured in one Report in accordance with the advice of this honourable House that we take these Reports together when we have a number of these Reports.
Mr Speaker 1:54 p.m.
The items numbered
14, 16, 18, and 20 — four Motions. Hon Members, are you ready to lump the four Motions together and debate? Well, let us go on.
MOTIONS 1:54 p.m.
Mr Speaker 1:54 p.m.
Hon Members, four
Motions have been moved — any seconder?
Ranking Member of the
Committee (Dr Cassiel Ato Baah
Forson): Mr Speaker, I beg to second
the Motion.
In doing so, let me draw the
House's attention to the fact that this House approved a guideline about two
weeks ago to guide the approval of
1D1F tax exemptions. Mr Speaker,
you would recall that the issues of tax
exemptions, particularly relating to
1D1F, have become very topical to the
extent that Hon Members have a
number of reservations against it and
believe that the policy seems abused,
so there was the need for us to get a
guideline before we could continue
approving this.
Mr Speaker, these four Motions
requesting the House to give some
form of tax exemptions have been
with the Finance Committee for over
eight months. Some of them have been
with us for over one year. We believe
that the tax exemptions that they were
requesting were a bit too much, and
the giveaways were a bit too much.
Mr Speaker, the Finance
Committee subsequently slashed or
reduced the amount that the Ministry
of Finance was requesting. In some of
them, the amount was reduced by over
50 per cent; some of them were
reduced by 70 per cent. Some of them,
we believe, did not even qualify to get
the tax exemptions.
Mr Speaker, I can only say that, as
part of the guidelines, the Finance
Committee has done a diligent work in
reducing this tax exemption that the
Ministry of Finance and the Ministry
of Health have asked us to approve.
We believe that Parliament should not
necessarily be a rubber stamp where
we approve whatever the Government
asks us to do. In doing so, we strongly
believe that, yes, it is a government

policy and we need to support it, but it

is in our right to question government

policy when we believe that those tax

exemptions are too much and are

eroding the tax base of the country.

Mr Speaker, let me say that I

would support this tax exemption as

we have before the House on principle

that we approve the guidelines and

ensure that these guidelines are in line

with what we have approved earlier.

With these few words, I can recom-

mend to the House that let us approve

this, but going forward, again, we

would have to ensure that this guide-

line is implemented appropriately.

Thank you.

Some Hon Members — rose —
Mr Speaker 1:54 p.m.
Hon Members,
Motion moved and seconded. It is now
for the consideration of the House.
Hon Kwame Agbodza?
Mr Governs Kwame Agbodza
(NDC — Adaklu): Mr Speaker, the first thing I noticed about this Report
is the absence of the breakdown on the
items on which we are granting tax
waivers. Normally, the Finance
Committee attaches the items on
which we are granting the waivers, but
these four Reports put together do not
have anything we are granting - we are just granting tax waivers as a lump
sum. I think it is not the normal
practice in this House. Indeed, even if
that was supplied to the Finance
Committee, Hon Members in the
plenary are not Members of the
Finance Committee, so we necessarily
need to do that. I keep saying this
because in this House, we have seen a
Self Help Electrification Project
(SHEP) where we were granting tax
waivers on a quarry machine under
that project, so we need it.
Mr Speaker, secondly, I noticed
that all the figures are in United States
dollars. All these companies are
Ghanaian companies, so why are these
figures not in Ghana cedis? Why are
the figures in dollars? I still do not
understand this, so I would have
wished that the figures were quoted in
Ghana cedis and not in dollars. While
I consider these four companies as
relatively doing well in this country — because none of these companies were
established yesterday. We are ready to
grant tax waivers of millions of dollars
to these companies that are already not
collapsing; they are doing well, but
this same House is happy to impose
the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-levy)
on poor people because the country
does not have enough money — that if somebody sends GH₵100 to their relative to buy medicine, we are ready
to charge E-levy on it, but
Government is ready to grant millions
of dollars of tax waivers to companies
that are relatively doing well. Where is
our sense of judgement or fairness in
this?
Mr Speaker, I would have wished
to wholeheartedly throw my support
behind this, but I am saying that while

this is not the first time we are granting

tax waivers, this one did not come

with the breakdown of the items, and I

do not understand why the figures are

in dollars, because these companies

are Ghanaian registered companies.

As a Member of Parliament who

comes from one of the deprived areas,

I do not know how I would explain to

my people why they should pay E-

levy on GH₵100 while we are granting huge millions of dollars of

tax waivers to companies that are

relatively doing well. I do not think

this is fair. For this reason, I cannot

support this particular tax waiver to

Some Hon Members — rose —
Mr Speaker 2:04 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member?
Mr Patrick Yaw Boamah (NPP
— Okaikwei Central): Mr Speaker, as a House, we should be mindful of
what we say because we would always
want to attract the best companies to
come and invest here. The Chairman
would wind up and speak about the
dollar issue that the Hon Member
raised.

Mr Speaker, these four companies

summing up alone are going to create

about 3,000 jobs. If you look at B5

Plus Limited on paragraph 3.1 — the workforce of 968 would be created

and over 1600 indirect workers.

Secondly, on paragraph 3.2, Ferro Fabrik Ltd would create over 600 direct jobs. On paragraph 3.3, Everpure Holdings would also create over 700 direct jobs and Miro Forestry Ghana Ltd.

Hon Alex Adomako-Mensah's

constituency in Drobonso would benefit from over 700 direct jobs.

Mr Speaker, how do we raise

revenue? It is through some of these consensus that we give to these companies and the payee that emanates from them. This is how to encourage companies to set up and create jobs. So, there is no country in this world that does not give incentives but, as a House, we must ask ourselves whether we are able to put in place the right strategies to track

the incentives that we grant. That should be the business of the Parliament of this country.

Mr Speaker, I would always

support Government to give incentives to companies because that is the only way we can create jobs and opportunities for our youth.

Mr Speaker, I thank you very

much.
Mr Speaker 2:04 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member for Bole/Bamboi?
Mr Yusif Sulemana (NDC —
Bole/Bamboi): Mr Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this Report. I am a bit sad that —
Mr Speaker 2:04 p.m.
Hon Member, just a
minute.
Hon Members, in view of the
nature of Business before the House, I
direct that Sitting be held outside the
normal Sitting hours.
Yes, Hon Member, you may
continue.
Mr Yusif Sulemana 2:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
I am a bit sad with respect to this
particular Report where the House is
called upon to exempt over US$11
million to these companies. I serve as
a Member of the Trade Committee,
your Committee; we were not part of
this process but I have put my eyes on
the ground on what exactly is
happening when it comes to One
District One Factory (1D1F). I heard
my Hon Colleague, the Vice Chairman
of the Finance Committee, talk about
figures in terms of employment. I have
not seen that in this Report. I have not
seen that in this Report, where he said
that some companies would create 200
to 700 jobs. I have not seen it. In any
case, the essence of 1D1F is to support
companies to create jobs, it is to
support companies that would
produce —
Mr Boamah — rose —
Mr Yusif Sulemana 2:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
I am not yielding the Floor to him so
he should sit down. Thank you, sit
down. [Laughter].
Mr Speaker, it is sad that we come to the House and exempt taxes —
Mr Speaker 2:04 p.m.
Hon Member, just a minute.
Hon Vice Chairman, I thought you
said that there would be responses from your Leaders and particularly the Chairman who moved the Motion.
Mr Boamah 2:04 p.m.
Rightly so, Mr Speaker, but my good Friend, Mr Yusif Sulemana, who is the Hon Member for Bole/Bamboi made a specific referral to me. He said that I did not refer to where the jobs were going to be created in the Report. I did so by mentioning the particular paragraphs and the specific number of jobs that each entity was going to create. I am sure Mr Yusif Sulemana has not read the Report well so if he looks at it well, he would see that — he should look at the paragraphs and he would see them.
Thank you.
Mr Yusif Sulemana 2:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, when he says I should look at the paragraph, would my Hon Colleague be humble enough to specifically mention those paragraphs to me? We would like to see the number of jobs that these huge sums of money that we would give out is going to create.
Mr Boamah 2:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker, with your permission, I beg to quote paragraph 3.1 on page 3 of the Report which says:

“The company was established in 2002 and has its head office at

Kpone barrier on the Aflao road

with a workforce of 968 direct jobs

and 1600 indirect workers”.

In the other components, we would

see the jobs that are being created by

these companies. On paragraph 3.2,

Ferro Fabrik Ltd — they are all there so the Hon Member should take his

time and relax.
Mr Yusif Sulemana 2:04 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
I think my Hon Colleague is
misleading the House. We are talking
about creating jobs and he is talking
about existing jobs. The Finance
Committee should tell us the number
of jobs those existing companies have
created and the number of jobs they
would be creating as a result of these
exemptions that we would give to
them; that is missing in this Report. I
do not think that we should sit here
and approve these kind of exemptions
for these companies. I am calling on
my Hon Colleagues that, collectively,
we should reject the exemptions that
would be given to these companies.

Some Hon Members — rose —
Mr Speaker 2:14 p.m.
Hon Member for
Asunafo South, Mr Eric Opoku?
Mr Eric Opoku (NDC —
Asunafo South): Mr Speaker, thank you very much. I have read through the Report, specifically, the point
numbered 3.4, about a company called Miro Forestry Limited. We are told that this company is owned by another company in the United Kingdom; it is a timber company and they would like to expand their timber business and because they are expanding, they applied to the Ministry of Finance for a waiver and the House is being called upon to approve this waiver just because a timber company in Ghana would like to expand its business.
Mr Speaker, what about the
numerous timber companies around? Is it the case that if they would like to expand, they should come to the House of Parliament for waiver? Is that the precedent that we would like to set in this country, that an existing company decides to expand and just because it is expanding, it applies to the Ministry of Finance and a waiver is granted? What happens to the existing companies? How would they survive in the industry? Are we not kicking them out of business?
Mr Speaker, this is absolutely
incorrect and the House must not support this. We are just throwing away dollars for nothing because we are talking of an industry. We have several companies in the industry doing almost the same thing and now they select one of the companies in the industry and grant this waiver to the company. How are the other companies, specifically those owned by Ghanaians, going to compete with these companies? We cannot understand this.

Mr Speaker, there is another one here; a company that is into the production of sachet and bottle water. How many companies are into this business in this country? So, if a company that is into sachet and bottle water applies for a waiver, that is granted and millions of dollars are thrown away. How are the other companies going to compete? If the intention is to create jobs, why are they not protecting the existing jobs?

Mr Speaker, these issues must be

properly investigated. We have to go deeply into this matter because the way the exemption is being handled, if we are not careful, we would end up collapsing our own businesses. How can we grant an exemption to a sachet and bottle water company while there are several of them also expanding without this facility? In effect, what they are saying is that because they are getting the exemptions, they could price low and then kick all the others out of business. So, if the idea is to create more job avenues, they would end up creating unemployment and a situation that would lead to a rising unemployment in this country. This is something that the House must not associate itself with; it is a bad precedent and we must not allow this pass.

Mr Speaker, furthermore, there is

another company. It is so interesting, Ferro Fabrik Ltd.

“This is a Limited Liability Company which produces iron and steel products. This company is one of

the leading manufacturers of iron and steel reinforced bars in Ghana with a production capacity of 150,000 metric tons for finished steel annually. The current share- holders and management in 2013 injected a total amount of

US$10,000,000.00”.

Mr Speaker, it says “one of the

leading manufacturers”, what about the others? So, they are giving this facility a huge concession like this to one company. So, after the production, how are they going to price their commodities? They are going to price low because Government is giving them waiver which other companies are not enjoying and at the end of the day, what would happen to the other companies?

Mr Speaker, we must know as a

House, the criteria that was used for these companies to benefit from this waiver. Is it just because they applied to be considered as one of the factories under 1D1F? In any case, the whole concept of 1D1F, is it for existing companies that are expanding? Is that the meaning of the 1D1F that existing companies decide to expand and the next day, they are called 1D1F and they are given waivers? This one is not in the interest of Ghanaians; it is not a facility that would lead to job creation. It is going to collapse our businesses. We are throwing away dollars for nothing and Government must come out publicly to explain them.

Mr Speaker, there is another

interesting paragraph I would want to

refer to and with your permission, I

beg to quote the last paragraph on page

5 which says:

“The company intends to expand its production. This will involve

the importation of machinery and

equipment. In order to assist the

company import the items and

enhance its production, the Ministry

of Finance has submitted the

company's request for the waiver of taxes and duties as an incentive

under the 1D1F Programme to the

House for approval”.

Mr Speaker, the company has

intention to expand and to be able to

expand, they have decided to import

machinery into this country and the

Ministry of Finance is saying that they

have requested for waiver so

Parliament should approve of it. What

are they buying? What are the prices?

We have no idea about this waiver and

we are granting this bunching just

because they would want to grant

waiver to companies that we already

know — or what is it?

Mr Speaker, this House has been

seen as doing the best for this nation

under your watch and I believe that it

would be suicidal that you allow this

Motion to pass without due diligence;

without Parliament being satisfied that

what we are doing would not collapse

the businesses that we have in this

country.

Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity.
Mr Speaker 2:14 p.m.
Hon Chairman of the Finance Committee?
Mr Kwarteng 2:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I
admire the passion with which some our Hon Colleagues want to ensure that everybody pays the required taxes. I totally identify with that passion but it is important that when a Committee of Parliament has done its work and produced a Report, we read the Report carefully and not make allegations that are just not true; things that would have been corrected if we took our time to read the Report.
First, in respect of B5 Plus Ltd, on
page 3 that my Hon Colleague quoted, it is true that B5 Plus Ltd is an existing company that is currently operating with its head office at Kpone Barrier on the Aflao road with the workforce of 968 direct and 1,600 indirect workers. That is in one part of the country.
Mr Speaker, the second part of the
paragraph says that:
“The company planned to expand and enhance its production by undertaking a project. Given its limited finances, it applied for and was granted a 1D1F status. The Company under the 1D1F programme has since acquired 642 acres of land and has constructed a state-of-the-art steel manufacturing plant at...”

Mr Speaker, it is not the old location. They are moving into a new district and we took our time to scrutinise them. It is completely disappointing when one's own Hon Colleagues make it look as if one does not know what he or she is doing. — [Uproar] —

Mr Speaker, it is because it is in

accordance with the Guidelines that this House passed. We said if a company is moving into a new District in accordance with the Guidelines, then they may be able to benefit from the 1D1F policy. Clearly, it is misleading to suggest that the company is merely expanding. If they were, they would not have qualified for some of the tax lines because of the Guidelines. That is the first point.

Mr Speaker, again, with Ferro

Fabrik Ltd the second paragraph under paragraph 3.2 says that:

“The company applied and has been granted a 1D1F status. The company is undertaking a new project to expand its production. In order to acquire and install these equipment and materials to enable the company expand its produc- tion, there is the need to waive the taxes and duties applicable as incentive under 1D1F Programme…”

Mr Speaker, for all these four

companies, they are fresh factories —
Mr Speaker 2:14 p.m.
Hon Chairman, just a minute. I see the Hon Ranking
Member for the Education Committee just itching to make a point.
Yes, Hon Member?
Mr Peter K. Nortsu-Kotoe 2:14 p.m.
Mr
Speaker, I saw the Hon Member for
Adansi Asokwa, Mr K.T Hammond,
sitting in the Hon Majority Leader's chair and I would want to know if he
is the new Hon Majority Leader. — [Laughter] —
Mr Hammond 2:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I did
not quite get the interruption. Did he
ask why am I sitting in this chair? — [Laughter] It is because — let me answer.
Mr Speaker, we have not been
sitting in this chair because we have
not been having “Class Prefects” for a very long time — [Laughter] — so let the Hon Member learn the
conventions of this House. We
introduced the position of “Class Prefect” and he has the privilege to do anything Mr Speaker asks him to do.
[Laughter] —
Mr Kwarteng 2:14 p.m.
Mr Speaker, it is
just to make the point. As I said, I am
an advocate for reducing exemptions
in the system and it is something to
which I am so committed. I would
want to assure my Hon Colleagues
that all these are fresh companies; they
are consistent with the Guidelines that
we debated and passed in this House
and therefore, the House should
approve them and not give the

impression that, somehow, we just

brought these waivers.

Mr Speaker, the second point I

would like to speak briefly to is in

respect of the United States dollars;

that the requests are quoted in dollars.

The point is that all these factories,

even though this House approved

corporate income tax and other

domestic taxes, in practice, we have

only been granting custom taxes. The

custom taxes, because they relate to

the imports and the prices of the

imports are in foreign denominations,

it is so for all the import exemptions

that come to this House. It is at the

time of the importation that they

would use the exchange rate to convert

it into Ghana Cedis. So, there is no

harm, so I would plead with my Hon

Colleagues that we approve these

exemptions that have been here for

more than a year so that the companies

can benefit.

Mr Speaker, thank you.
Mr Speaker 2:24 p.m.
Hon Members, I
would want to guide the House. Even
though the Report has not actually
stated that there was consensus, I
gathered from the Hon Members who
moved and seconded the Motion that
there was some consensus at the
committee level. However, that does
not prevent Hon Members of the
House from taking issues with the
Report of the Committee.
It might be that the Committee has
not captured some essential infor-
mation at the disposal of the
Committee which the Hon Members
found wanting and therefore, would
like some further explanation, so Hon
Chairman, do not be carried away by
the concerns that have been raised by
the Hon Members; they are not
indicting the competence or otherwise
of the Committee or its Members, that
is not the point.
The second issue is that this House
approved the guidelines for the
approval of the 1D1F tax waiver
request. Also, we have some laws
guiding the House, including the
Finance Committee in such matters; as
the concerns are raised, could you look
at those laws and the guidelines to see
whether what they have stated is in
line with the guidelines we have
approved? If they are not, then you can
take them on.
Now, when general concerns are
raised about the companies without
linking them to, for example, issues of
the economy or other things, it is very
difficult to convince, particularly, a
Speaker like me to agree with you, so
please, refer to the Guidelines that you
have approved in your debates. Do the
Guidelines say that the 1D1F benefits
should not be extended to existing
companies, and that it should be only
given to new companies? Does it say
that they should not be for expansion,
and so on? Let us look at those

Guidelines that we have approved and

then from there, one would be in a

better position to disagree or agree

with the Report of the Committee. As

it is, none of you have referred to that.

I sympathise with the issues raised

concerning taxation and the fact that

we really need more revenue. We

should not look for revenue by

bringing E-Levy, while granting huge

tax waivers to rather very good and

profitable companies, but is that

sufficient? I do not take decisions; I

only guide and then put the Question.

However, I read the Report and

saw that the companies are not only in

competition in Ghana; there is an

international competition, particularly,

if you are dealing with steel and iron.

Can we look at the countries that are

covered, not only in West Africa, but

other countries? How do we support

our companies to expand to the

international world, global compe-

tition, employ more people, create

more wealth, and grow the economy?

We have to go through all this and

ensure that at the end of the day, we

are able to do what is right and in the

interest of the people.

So, please, there is still more room

for debate and I would still grant more

Hon Members the opportunity to

contribute, but we have to finish this

work today.

Hon Alhaji Mohammed

Muntaka — rose —

Some Hon Members — rose —
Mr Speaker 2:34 p.m.
I saw the Hon
Minority Chief Whip on his feet, so I
would give him the opportunity. I
would come to the back benchers; so
do not worry. I would definitely give
you the opportunity.
Yes, Hon Minority Chief Whip?
Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak
Muntaka (NDC-Asawase): Mr
Speaker, like you rightly said, I would
like to say that the most worrying
thing is that most of our Hon
Colleagues who are not on the Finance
Committee may be justified in raising
their concerns, but for those of us who
have been involved with this for some
time, we would tell you that this
Report has been on the Order Paper for
eight months now, and during this
period, we have insisted that one thing
be done before we take it. That first
thing was to get the Guidelines.
Mr Speaker, if Hon Members
could remember, the day we took the
Guidelines, I was vehemently opposed
to allowing existing companies to
benefit, to the extent that if the Hon
Chairman would remember, I called
for a lesser incentive for existing
companies as compared to new
companies. Also, we were of the
concern that the concentration of these
industries were all just around the very

areas that we were already familiar

with and therefore, they should rather

move to new areas in order to give true

meaning to the One District One

Factory (1D1F) initiative.

Mr Speaker, if we look at the

Committee's Report, particularly, page 9, and we look at the amount of

moneys that were supposed to be

waived originally, and after the

Guidelines, these numbers were cut to

meet the Guideline that we approved.

I find it very difficult to use any other

means to say that we cannot grant it,

when we have given a guideline which

has been followed. When they

suggested that we should take it, I

asked the Hon Ranking Member on

the Finance Committee, Dr Cassiel

Ato Forson, if he is sure that the

Guidelines have been followed to the

letter in his Committee, and the

answer was, yes. I am not a member of

the Finance Committee.

I would, therefore, like to plead

with Hon Colleagues that in principle

- not today, even when we were in Government, we were vehemently

opposed to the method of waiver that

we grant. I believe that many countries

in the world have stopped giving

waivers; what they give is tax credit,

so that after one has paid the taxes,

when they show evidence that jobs are

being created, and how the jobs would

benefit citizens, then they would file

for them to use the taxes to reduce

those benefits that they are supposed

to get, but we are stuck with this.

Now, the Tax Exemption Bill has

been laid in this House, and it has gone

to the Finance Committee. I see that

we are likely to lay the Report today. I

would like to urge Hon Colleagues

that when we get to the Tax

Exemption Bill, that is where we need

to tighten whatever we need to do. But

if we all pass the Guidelines, and then

task the Committee to go and follow

them, and give us a report, when they

bring a report following those

Guidelines, we must approve the

Report.

Unless an Hon Member can

specifically say, for example, that a

particular company does not meet the

standards of the approved Guidelines,

yet they have been recommended for

approval, then it becomes difficult,

because it will look like we are just

trying to obstruct the process. I would

like to urge my Hon Colleagues, that

once we are given assurance from our

Leadership and Hon Members of the

Finance Committee that these have

met the Guidelines, they should look

at it.

My other worry is that anytime we

are looking at some of these

guidelines, we see very few people

showing interest; but when an issue

comes to the Floor, people who were

not there when we looked at the

Guidelines and made a lot of argument

to improve it, will all of a sudden have

genuine concerns that could have been

addressed in the Guidelines to help

improve what we are doing today.

Mr Speaker, I can tell you that B5 Plus Limited was around Tema, but because of the provisions in the Guidelines, they had to move outside the Tema enclave into a village called — I am told Dawa. I saw it somewhere in the Report, and this was because the Guidelines had to be followed. Reluctantly, I would have to say that if this has met the standards in the Guidelines, then as a House, we would have to be honourable enough to approve the Report, unless any Hon Member has reason to point out a requirement that any of these companies have not met, then we could look at those issues and ensure that each and every one of them meets the requirement.

However, once they meet the

Guidelines, it would be very difficult not to grant their request. It is just like when we recently fought the Ghana School of Law, where they have their pass mark and the students passed, but they said that yes, even though some students had the pass mark they could not obtain admission into the school. It becomes difficult to say that we met the Guideline, yet it cannot be approved.

I would like to urge Hon

Colleagues that if these companies, have met the Guidelines, let us just approve it.

If we would like to improve the

Guidelines, let us call for the document and add many things so that

we ensure that any company who does not meet the minimum requirement cannot be granted the waiver that they may be requesting for.

Mr Speaker, with this, I would

want to urge my Hon Colleagues that,

unless there is something strongly in

the Guideline that has not been met,

we consider our position to approve

these companies' requests to enable them expand their work and do the

things that they have to do.

Mr Speaker, I would thank you for

the opportunity to speak on this

Motion.
Mr Speaker 2:34 p.m.
Hon Members, I
definitely have an imperative to attend
to, so I would suspend Sitting for five
minutes — Did you hear my first sentence? Then, why ‘oh'?
2.35 p.m. — Sitting suspended.
2.44 p.m. — Sitting resumed.
Mr Speaker 2:34 p.m.
Hon Members,
debate to continue.
Mr Isaac Adongo (NDC — Bolgatanga Central) 2:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
thank you.
Mr Speaker, the main reason this
should not go through is precisely the
issues that we have raised. If we look
at paragraph 2.0. — Documents Referred to, and this is the Report the

Committee has filed in this House.

The Report is very clear that the

documents we referred to in our work

is the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the

Public Financial Management Act,

2016 (Act 921), and the Standing

Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.

There is no mention of Guidelines and

as a matter of fact, after the Guidelines

was passed, this document did not

come back to the Committee for

consideration. So, if we had

considered it with the Guidelines, we

would have had no problem. At worst,

this Report should go back to the

Committee for us to test it against the

Guidelines and make the appropriate

recommendation to the House. As it is

now, I have been seriously ambushed

by this Report. That I am a member of

the Finance Committee and I can attest

to it that we have not had the

opportunity to look at this document

—
Mr Speaker 2:34 p.m.
Hon Member, you
have made an excellent and valid
point.
Hon Chairman, what do you say to
the Guidelines that we approved?
Mr Kwarteng 2:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, what
Mr Adongo said is accurate. However,
it is because the Guidelines that we
approved here made changes to
companies that were expanding. The
Guidelines made no changes to the
incentives for companies that were

— But we have the Guidelines. That is

why because these four - had already

been laid and it was the treatment

of —
Mr Speaker 2:34 p.m.
Hon Members, he
has raised a fundamental issue that the
Committee did not even have the
opportunity to refer to the Guidelines
that we approved. Now, you are
talking about the guidelines that apply
to this. That is your individual
understanding of the Guidelines not
the Committee. I would not want us to
belabour this point but rather refer the
matter back to the Committee. Take
the Guidelines; go through your
Report; and then resubmit your Report
as early as possible. I think the
Committee can do this within two
days. We would go through it and
make sure that the proper thing is
done.
Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah
— rose —
Mr Speaker 2:34 p.m.
Yes, Hon Member,
do you still want to continue with the
Mr Buah 2:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I would
like to make a submission that while
you refer this matter back to the
Finance Committee, we say it strongly
that it was wrong for the Committee
on Trade, Industry and Tourism,
which frankly has more information or
authority on the issue of the 1D1F, not
to be involved in this very important
matter. Therefore, Mr Speaker, while
you are referring it back to the

Committee, I humbly submit that you

include the Committee on Trade,

Industry and Tourism to be part of the

discussion so we could give a perspec-

tive on this issue of tax exemptions.

Quite frankly, as we have commu-

nicated on this Floor, we have spent so

much already on 1D1F and that if we

are able to engage the Finance

Committee, we believe there would be

a perspective that would be very

helpful to this discussion.

Mr Speaker, thank you.
Mr Speaker 2:34 p.m.
Hon Member, it is
too late in the day. However, what I
can do is to encourage the Hon
Members on the Committee on Trade,
Industry and Tourism to attend the
meeting, but to now try to amend the
earlier order and make it a Joint
Committee would not be regular. So, I
would want to encourage you to attend
the meetings of the Finance Committee
and make inputs.
Definitely, this is a matter that is
being handled by the Ministry of
Trade and Industry, which comes
under the purview of the Committee
on Trade, Industry and Tourism. So,
that should have been the initial order
but a lot of work has been done by the
Finance Committee because it deals
with tax waiver and I think that was
what misled the one who was
presiding to make that order. But in
any case, it is before the House so any
Hon Member of the House can attend
any Committee meeting. It is only
when it comes to voting that an Hon
Member does not have the right but he
or she can make inputs.
Also, when you come to the Floor
and see that your inputs have not been
captured by the Committee and you
disagree with the Report of the
Committee, you are at liberty to
convince the whole House to go with
you on these matters. So, that is what
I can say. However, I stand by my
earlier directive that the matter be
referred back to the Committee. The
Committee should go through the
Report in tandem with the Guidelines
that we have approved as a House and
then resubmit it within two days.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh 2:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker,
first of all, we thank you for your
guidelines. We are totally in support of
that.
Mr Speaker, under the circum-
stance, shall we now move on to Page
10 on the Order Paper and take the
item numbered 12.
Mr Speaker 2:34 p.m.
Hon Members,
before we do that —
Mr Murtala Muhammed Ibrahim 2:34 p.m.
Mr Speaker, I understand your ruling
but there is an aspect of it, of which a
concern was raised before this work
was done by the Committee on Trade
Industry and Tourism. We insisted
that the Committee on Trade, Industry
and Tourism should participate in the
work that the Finance Committee did.

More so, when it has to do with the

serious policy that has everything do

with the Committee on Trade,

Industry and Tourism. So, I do

understand that, yes, it is too late but if

we attend the meeting as just

observers, there is not much that we

can do. More so, when about 60 per

cent of the work that we are supposed

to do on this document is done at the

Committee level, which is described

as the workshop of Parliament — Therefore, I humbly suggest and

appeal to your vast experience that

when you are in extreme realities, you

need extreme resolutions. I think this

particular issue is an extreme reality.

If we want to do a work that

everybody would be satisfied, I think

that if you can take a second look at

your ruling, it would help all of us and

help the work that is supposed to be

done by these two Committees.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker 2:54 p.m.
Hon Member, if you
are interested in getting my ruling or
directive revised, you know what to
do. From what you stated, nobody
prevented Hon Members of the
Committee on Trade, Industry and
Tourism from participating in the
meetings and sessions of the Finance
Committee. You were discouraged to
participate because the referral was to
the Finance Committee, but our
Standing Orders are very clear. If you
read Standing Order 197, particularly
the paragraph at page 125, it says:
“…Any Member of the House who is not a Member of a
Committee may, unless the
House or the Committee con-
cerned otherwise orders, take
part in the public proceedings of
the Committee, but he may not
vote or move any motion, nor
shall he be part of any quorum.
Such a Member may attend
private sittings subject to the
approval of the Committee”
So, you are not an observer; you
are entitled to participate in the
proceedings of the Committee unless
it is a private meeting, where usually
they want to exclude people including
strangers. So, as I stated, you are
entitled now to attend and participate
but to go back and amend the earlier
ruling or directive is what I said is not
regular.

You know the reason; it is from the

Standing Orders. Again, as to how a

ruling or decision of a Speaker is

revised, I go by the rules. When the

new Standing Orders come and you

want to change it, you may do so and

I will be guided. As of now, there is a

process that I would have to pass

through before that is done because

that becomes a decision of the House.

It deals with the House, not me as an

individual so I cannot sit here and just

throw it overboard.

It must be the House that will consider it and either agree with your position or mine. When they agree with the position of the Rt Hon Speaker, the directive stands. When they disagree with it, it is revised accordingly. It is not for the Rt Hon Speaker to suo motu, as an individual, take that decision. That is not proper parliamentary practice.

So, please, I so refer the matter and

I would direct that Motions listed as 14, 16, 18 and 20 on today's Order Paper be — [Pause]. The proper thing is to defer those Motions for reconsideration by the Finance Committee and other Hon Members who are interested in the matter. I so direct. [Pause]

Hon Members, the guide given to

me is for us to take the item numbered 12, subject to your convenience. After that, we would grant opportunity for the Tax Exemption Bill to be laid and Hon Members would have the opportunity to go through the provisions of the Bill. So, we would move on to the item numbered 12 on page 10 of the Order Paper — Motions.

Hon Chairman of the Finance

Committee?
MOTIONS 2:54 p.m.
  • [Government Agency for the Economic Development Cooperation Fund {EDCF}]) for an amount in Korean Won not exceeding the equivalent of one hundred and forty-seven million, one hundred thousand United States dollars (US$147,100,000.00) to finance the implementation of the Improvement of Volta Lake Transport System Project was presented to the House on 22nd June, 2022, in accordance
    • EDCF 2:54 p.m.
    Mr Speaker 2:54 p.m.
    Hon Members, the
    Motion has been moved.
    Any seconder?
    Deputy Ranking Member (Mr
    Isaac Adongo): Mr Speaker, I beg to
    second the Motion for the approval of the Finance Committee Report of an amount of US$147.1 million to finance the implementation of the Improvement of Volta Lake Transport System Project.
    Mr Speaker, as indicated by the
    Hon Chairman of the Committee, this is an extremely concessionary facility. Inclusive of the grace period, it has a
    repayment period of about 40 years. The interest is less than 1 per cent and that makes it very concessionary. About 66 per cent of that money is a grant. It is, therefore, important that we approve this transaction so that the Volta Lake Transport has the opportunity to improve its services and develop the inland port services of our country.
    Question proposed.
    Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem —
    rose —
    Mr Speaker 2:54 p.m.
    Yes, let me listen to
    the Hon Member for Ashaiman, right?
    Mr Thomas N. Ampem (NDC — Asuogyaman) 2:54 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, Asuogyaman. I am not from Ashaiman.
    Mr Speaker 2:54 p.m.
    You cannot refer to Ashaiman city like that. [Laughter] It is a very important city.
    Mr Ampem 2:54 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, Ashaiman is a very important city; I agree but I am not the hatchet man from Ashaiman. It is Mr Norgbey. [Laughter]
    Mr Speaker, I rise also to support
    the approval of this facility for a number of reasons. Mr Adongo has already stated and it is also stated in the Report that it is 66 per cent concessional, which makes it very cheap for us.
    Mr Speaker, we all know the
    importance of the Volta Lake Transport Limited and the fact that it has been bedeviled with a lot of challenges. It has a very huge potential to promote water transport in this country, but because of the lack of availability of a lot of vessels and other equipment that will help them improve on their services, they are being seriously underutilised.

    This Volta Lake Transport Limited

    is actually connecting about five

    regions in this country. So, if we are

    able to approve this facility and they

    are well-equipped, we will ease a lot

    of pressure on our roads as a lot of

    people will shift to water transport

    because these new vessels will be

    efficient, and all the other facilities

    that have been stated in this Report

    will enhance the appetite for people to

    use water transport. Additionally, all

    the goods and services, especially

    goods that would be required to be

    transported via water will also move

    faster, and it will enhance the

    transportation of these goods.

    So, I want to encourage all of us

    that this particular facility is very

    important for mother Ghana. We

    know that the Volta Lake has a very

    — The biggest facility is in Akosombo, my Constituency, and that

    also informs why I am passionate

    about this. So, I urge all of us to

    support this particular facility.

    Thank you, Mr Speaker.

    Some Hon Members — rose —
    Mr Speaker 2:54 p.m.
    Hon Members, this
    is very obvious but let me allow more
    Hon Members. Let us listen to the lady
    first, then Mr Kwame Governs
    Agbodza will take over.
    Ms Zuweira Ibrahimah (NDC — Salaga South) 3:04 p.m.
    Thank you, Mr
    Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, I have looked at the
    Report in connection to the Finance
    Committee on the Loan Agreement
    between the Government of Ghana
    and the Republic of Korea.

    I speak on behalf of the people of

    the Salaga South Constituency who

    border the Volta Lake at Makango and

    Yeji. I would want the House to

    facilitate the passage of this

    Agreement so that the loan could be

    accessed for the new vessels to be

    deployed on the lake in order to

    facilitate travel and movement of

    goods and passengers on the Volta

    Lake.

    Mr Speaker, currently, there is just

    one ferry that serves the Makango-

    Yeji end of the Volta Lake, and this

    vessel is docked at Yeji. The ferry first

    moves at 9.00 a.m. from Yeji and does

    not get to Makango until between

    10.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. so,

    commuters travelling from the north

    through Yeji to Kumasi, which is a

    shorter route than going to Kintampo,

    have to wait at Makango and only get

    to depart between 12.00 p.m. and 1.00

    p.m. This means that there is a lot of

    time wasted waiting for the ferry to

    arrive from Yeji to move people from

    Makango to Yeji in order for them to

    continue their journey.

    I would want to believe that once

    this loan is accessed, the Ministry of

    Transport and the VLTC would be

    able to add vessels on that stretch of

    the Volta Lake so that the vessels and

    people could move concurrently to

    where they are travelling and attend to

    business on a timely basis.

    Mr Speaker, the other issue of

    concern is that the current vessel that

    we have carries both humans and

    cargo. Cargo from that side includes

    livestock — cattle, goats and sheep — and they all mix on the ferry. This does

    not make travelling across the river

    very conducive. We, therefore, hope

    that at least, when the new ferries are

    being acquired, the Ministry would

    take cognisance of this difficulty and

    make sure that there would be

    compartments each for cargo and

    human passengers.

    The third issue is that when we

    have two ferries on the lake, it would

    reduce the incidence of boat accidents

    that leads to the loss of lives on the

    river. I would, therefore, want to

    encourage this House to support this

    Agreement to facilitate movement and

    travel on the Volta Lake.

    Mr Speaker, thank you for the

    opportunity.
    Mr Speaker 3:04 p.m.
    Hon Member, I
    experienced what you just described. As far back as the year 1977, I went through the ferry and really know what it means to go through that corridor. However, it is important that as a country, we are now realising the fact that the Volta River and Volta
    Lake form a very important growth pole for us. It has been neglected and I would want to recommend Prof Ayensu's book, a well-researched documentary, for all Hon Members to read and see what we have neglected — the resources that are available for us there to tap and yet we go to poor countries to get loans to develop our country. That cannot happen.
    I am happy that it is from South
    Korea which has advanced a lot in river transport. Those of you who have had the opportunity to go there — I would be prepared to support a team to go there to see for yourselves what river transport and rivers can do to a country, if we focus on it. I would be prepared to support you to go there.
    Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza
    (NDC — Adaklu): Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to speak in full support of this Motion. The terms of this loan, as the finance people have said, is very generous and, as you said, it is a concessionary loan coming from South Korea. We also know the experiences we have had on the Volta Lake; ever so often, we hear tragic stories, especially of school children and traders trying to go to school or do their business who drown because of the conditions under which they traverse the river. I believe that if we do the necessary investments on the Volta River, we might be able to create jobs; tourism and a lot of things could happen. That is why I believe that this Agreement is very useful.

    Indeed, in the past, governments

    procured some ferries. If we cast our

    minds back to not too long ago, when

    the Adomi Bridge was being

    refurbished, two brand-new ferries

    were constructed, and when the bridge

    was completed, they were relocated to

    the other side of the river. We still

    need more crossing points which is the

    reason for this loan.

    Mr Speaker, if you read page 7 of

    the Report, under “Observations”, it states that these vessels would be

    bought and given to VLTC, this loan

    is in the name of the Ministries of

    Finance and Transport, but VLTC is

    under the Volta River Authority

    (VRA).

    I think that the Government would have to take a decision. If these vessels are bought and given to the VLTC, how would the Ministry of Transport oversee or monitor and ensure that they are used in the way that we would want them to? This is something that we cannot solve today, but we need to consider in the future whether VLTC should continue to be just an entity under VRA or we should just say that it should come under the Ministry of Transport because currently, it is the Ministry that is doing the investment. Mr Speaker, at page 9 as well, while we are told that this is a budget of US$147,100,000.00, I am seriously concerned if I look at the distribution of the money. Normally, when one is putting up a project, contingency should be around 10 per cent. If we see

    the real cost of the project, it is just about US$120 million. If we were to add the contingency, which is US$26 million, it is above 20 per cent. At the Committee, it was said that it is just contingency. If we are going to borrow money, we should do so equitably — to borrow just enough to do the things — I would encourage the Ministry to pay attention to the utilisation of the contingency because as far as I am concerned, it is way above what the normal contingency of 10 per cent should be.

    Also, we see that for a project

    worth US$120 million, there is a consultancy of US$10 million extra. I am told that this one may go through competitive tendering. The reason I am a bit comfortable with the competitive tendering is that the anti- corruption agencies — and the way South Koreans audit their projects is quite meticulous. It is not very likely for them to leave it out for anybody to do whatever they like. I take consolation in the fact that these figures might actually change when it comes to the implementation of the project.

    I would want to encourage my Hon

    Colleagues to fully support this. However, the Government should consider in the future, whether VLTC should remain just an entity under VRA, yet the Ministry of Transport is investing US$147,100,000.00 to retool that organisation. I think that it is something of a mis-match that we need to correct in the future.
    Mr Speaker 3:14 p.m.
    Hon Member, thank you so much.
    It is important to emphasise the
    point of vigilance. South Korea really has very good systems in place, but our Committee and the Ministry should be vigilant. It is a South Korean company that constructed the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa, in Dubai.

    They have really good construction

    companies, but if we decide not to be diligent, everybody would definitely take advantage. It is quite a good project, and I think that we should take it on board.

    Question put and Motion agreed

    to.
    Mr Speaker 3:14 p.m.
    Hon Members, the
    item numbered 13 — Resolution.
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 3:14 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    I would seek your kind leave for the Resolution to be moved by the Hon Deputy Minister for Finance.
    Mr Speaker 3:14 p.m.
    Granted.
    RESOLUTIONS 3:14 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that 3:14 p.m.
    WHEREAS by the provisions of
    article 181 of the Constitution and
    Sections 55 and 56 of the Public
    Financial Management Act, 2016
    (Act 921), the terms and condi-
    tions of all government borrowings
    shall be laid before Parliament and
    shall not come into operation
    unless the terms and conditions are
    approved by a resolution of
    Parliament in accordance with
    article 181 of the Constitution;
    PURSUANT to the provisions of
    the said article 181 of the
    Constitution and Sections 55 and
    56 of the Public Financial Manage-
    ment Act, 2016 (Act 921), at the
    request of the Government of the
    Republic Ghana acting through the
    Minister responsible for Finance,
    there has been laid before Parlia-
    ment a Loan Agreement between
    the Government of the Republic of
    Ghana (represented by the Ministry
    of Finance) and the Government of
    the Republic of Korea (acting
    through the Export-Import Bank of
    Korea [Government Agency for
    the Economic Development
    Cooperation Fund {EDCF}]) for
    an amount in Korean Won not
    exceeding the equivalent of one
    hundred and forty-seven million,
    one hundred thousand United States
    dollars (US$147,100,000.00) to
    finance the implementation of the

    Improvement of Volta Lake

    Transport System Project.
    THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE 3:14 p.m.
    HEREBY RESOLVES AS 3:14 p.m.
    Mr Agbodza 3:14 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg
    to second the Motion.
    Question put and Motion agreed
    to.
    Resolved accordingly.
    Mr Speaker 3:14 p.m.
    Hon Members, may
    we now look at the Order Paper
    Addendum before we move to
    Questions?
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 3:14 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    with respect, it is exactly so. We are
    due to take Questions, and the Hon
    Minister has been in the House for
    some time. However, with respect,
    before then, we would move to the
    Order Paper Addendum, and take the
    item numbered 1, after which we
    would take the Questions. The items
    numbered 2 and 3 would be deferred
    to tomorrow.
    Mr Speaker 3:14 p.m.
    Hon Members,
    Order Paper Addendum, page 1 — Presentation of Papers.
    PAPERS 3:14 p.m.
    Mr Speaker 3:14 p.m.
    Hon Members, item
    numbered 5 — Questions. We have 10 Questions that stand in the names of
    various Hon Members of Parliament
    for the attention of the Hon Minister
    for Roads and Highways, who has
    been with us since morning.
    Hon Minister, we thank you for
    your patience. It is good that you are
    here; you are always here. Hon
    Minister, we have many Questions for

    you. I would like to urge the Business

    Committee to try and programme the

    Questions for the attention of the Hon

    Minister.

    We would start with the Question

    numbered 484, which stands in the

    name of the Hon Member for Ho

    Central, Mr Benjamin Komla Kpodo.

    Hon Member, you may now ask your

    Question.
    ORAL ANSWERS TO 3:14 p.m.
    QUESTIONS 3:14 p.m.
    MINISTRY OF ROADS AND 3:14 p.m.
    HIGHWAYS 3:14 p.m.
    Mr Speaker 3:14 p.m.
    Hon Minister,
    Sokode is my village so you would
    have to take it seriously. You may
    answer the Question.
    Minister for Roads and Highways
    (Mr Kwasi Amoako-Attah) (MP):
    Mr Speaker, Ho is the capital city of
    the Ho Municipality in the Volta
    Region of Ghana. The road is a
    10.5km road, and starts from Sokode
    Gbogame to Ho Civic Centre. The
    project, when completed, would
    increase the road capacity and
    improve traffic mobility and road
    safety.
    Currently, the contract, titled
    “Dualisation of the Ho Main Road from Civic Centre to Sokode
    Gbogame (10.5km)”, was awarded on 8th August, 2016, for completion by 8th
    February, 2018, which was later
    revised to 31st December, 2022. The
    project is at 60 per cent physical
    completion and works are currently
    ongoing.
    Mr Speaker, work done to date
    include approximately 7.75km of the
    road (km 2+450 - km 10+200 RHS) of the carriageway constructed up to
    binder course:
    Binder course laid between
    km7+600 - km10+200 LHS;
    Crush rock base laid between km
    6+580 - 10+200 LHS;
    Subbase from km2+450 - 10+200
    LHS;
    Kerbs, lay-bys, drains and other
    ancillary works are all ongoing.
    Mr Speaker 3:14 p.m.
    Hon Member, any
    supplementary question?
    3.23 p.m. —
    MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
    Mr Kpodo 3:14 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, given
    that this road project was started in the
    year 2016, that adds up to seven years
    till date for a short road of 10.5
    kilometres. This means that averagely,
    1.5 kilometres is constructed per year,
    and we have not even covered the
    entire stretch of the road. It is just up
    to the outside perimeters of Sokode
    Gbogame. It has not entered the Ho
    township. At this rate, when does the
    Hon Minister think the project could
    be truly completed? If the average is
    1.5 kilometres per year and we are in
    July 2022, how sure is the Hon
    Minister that the project could be
    completed by December, 2022?
    Mr Amoako-Attah 3:24 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    this is a dual carriage road so if we talk
    about 10.5 kilometres, we are only
    considering one side of it. It means
    that we are talking about 21 kilometres
    of road works to be done, so it should
    not be limited to only 10.5 kilometres.
    Mr Speaker, a lot of work has been
    done on this road since 2016, and
    almost two years ago, the left side of
    the road, that is the Ho town side, was
    fully completed and opened to traffic.
    The Hon Member would bear witness
    that it was fully completed and opened
    to traffic. The right side is now being
    worked on and the dual carriageway
    starts from Sokode up to the
    University Junction — that side is almost part of Ho itself. And to answer
    my Hon Colleague directly, the work
    would be completed before this year
    ends, for sure.
    Mr Kpodo 3:24 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, to my
    knowledge, the problem on this road
    has been that of financing because the
    contractor comes to do some work
    then backs out for lack of payment of
    his certificate. So can the Hon
    Minister tell this House that the
    financial challenges which have
    bedeviled progress on the road have
    now been overcome or full provisions
    have been made for work to be
    completed, so that we would not see
    the contractor packing his equipment
    and leaving site before December
    2022, with the job uncompleted?
    Mr Amoako-Attah 3:24 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    this road has had a checkered history,
    there is no doubt about that. Talking
    about difficulties in financing, the
    road was awarded on 31st May, 2016,
    and by the close of 2016, the road had
    suffered its first problem; the
    contractor had abandoned site due to
    delay in payment. Between that time
    and now, it is on record that GH₵50 million has been paid; that is why the
    project has been ongoing almost quite
    consistently.
    Mr Speaker, I have indicated that
    the project is scheduled for com-
    pletion before the close of this year
    and because we pay, if not regularly,
    intermittently, payment is effected.
    That is the contractor is currently on
    site.

    So, Mr Speaker, we are on course so far as this project is concerned.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:24 p.m.
    I
    proceed to the Question numbered 491 which stands in the name of the Hon Member for Madina, Mr Francis- Xavier Kojo Sosu.
    Steps to Fix Drainages within the
    Madina Municipality
    Mr Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu
    (NDC — Madina): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways what steps the Ministry is taking to fix drainages within the Madina Municipality.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 3:24 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    the La Nkwantanang Madina is one of the Municipal Assemblies of the Greater Accra Region, with Madina as its capital. The network of drains within the Municipality consists of primary (storm drains), secondary and tertiary.
    The planning, construction and
    maintenance of primary drainage
    structures is part of the mandate of the
    Hydrological Services Department of
    the Ministry of Works and Housing.
    The Department of Urban Roads' mandate includes the construction and
    maintenance of secondary and tertiary
    drainage structures as part of road
    infrastructure developments.
    Currently, Mr Speaker, the Depart-
    ment of Urban Roads is undertaking
    rehabilitation and upgrading of selected
    roads within the La Nkwatanang
    Municipality. The works include the
    construction of tertiary and secondary
    drains as appropriate. This is necessary
    to protect the roads and reduce
    flooding in the community.
    The following are the project
    locations and statuses.
    No. Project Drainage Component Drainage Component
    Completed
    Status
    1. Rehabilitation of selected roads in Oyarifa (9.4km)
    • 4.2km of 0.6m concrete u-drains,
    • 0.5km of 0.9m concrete u-drains,
    • 0.08km of outfall drains
    • 1No. 0.9m diameter pipe culvert
    • 7.41km of drains Ongoing (53%). Contractor is not
    on site
    2. Rehabilitation of Selected Roads in
    Kweiman Area - Danfa
    (4.10km)
    • 4.1km of 0.6m concrete u-drains,
    • 1.5km of 0.9m concrete u-drains,
    • 2No. 0.9m diameter pipe culvert
    • 7.23km of drains Ongoing (73%). Contractor is not
    on site

    3. Upgrading of Oyarifa Special Ice Area Roads,

    Phase 2 (3.10km)

    • 7.8km of 0.6m concrete u-drains,

    • 2.3km of 0.9m concrete u-drains,

    • 1.4km of outfall drains

    • 10km of 600mm u- drains,

    • 1.2km of 900mm u- drains and

    • 0.04km of 1200mm u drains.

    Ongoing (60%).

    Contractor is on

    site

    4. Upgrading of Madina Estate Tatana and

    Nkwantanang Area

    Roads (7km)

    • 13.0km of 0.6m concrete u-drains,

    • 0.8km of 0.9m concrete u-drains,

    • 0.4km of outfall drains

    • 2No. 1.2m diameter pipe culvert

    • Ongoing (5%). Contractor is not

    on site

    5. Minor Rehabilitation of Madina Melcom Road

    • 5.0km of 0.6m concrete u-drains,

    • 0.8km of 0.9m concrete u-drains,

    • 2.5km of 600mm u- drains,

    • 0.68km of 900mm u-drains

    • 0.036km of 1200mm U drains.

    • 1No. 1200mm pipe culvert

    Ongoing (48%).

    Contractor is on

    site

    6. Rehabilitation of Selected Roads in

    Teiman Area Roads

    (6.00km)

    • 10.0km of 0.6m concrete u-drains,

    • 1.0km of 0.9m concrete u-drains

    • 1.05km of 600mm U- drains,

    • 0.398km of 900mm U- drains

    Ongoing (4%).

    Contractor is not

    on site

    7. Upgrading of Police Quarters Chicago Area

    Roads and Madina

    Zongo

    • 6.0km of 0.6m concrete u-drains,

    • 0.4km of 0.9m concrete u-drains,

    • 0.1km of outfall drains

    • 1.8km and 0.03km of 600mm and 900mm

    of U- drains

    respectively

    Ongoing (25%).

    Contractor is not

    on site

    8. Upgrading of Pantang Village Roads., Phase 2

    (1.10km)

    • 0.6km of 0.6m concrete u-drains,

    • 0.65km of 0.9m concrete u-drains

    • 1.02km of drainage works completed

    Ongoing (60%).

    Contractor is not

    on site

    9. Rehabilitation of Adentan New Site Area

    Roads, Phase 2 (4.50km)

    • 8.0km of 0.6m concrete u-drains,

    • 2.0km of 0.9m concrete u-drains,

    • 0.5km of outfall drains

    • 1,459.70 of concrete U- drains

    Ongoing (24%).

    Contractor is on

    site

    10. Rehabilitation of Adentan New Site Area

    Roads, Phase 1 (5.00km)

    • 10.0km of 0.6m concrete u-drains,

    • 1.0km of 0.9m concrete u-drains,

    • 3.0m X 2.0m Box Culvert

    • 2.0m X 1.5m Box Culvert

    • 7,624.95m of 600mm u- drains,

    666.20m of 900mm U-

    drains

    Ongoing (44%).

    Contractor is on

    site

    11. Upgrading of Madina La Nkwantanang Chief

    palace Road (0.88km)

    • 1.76km of 0.9m concrete u-drains,

    • Site Possession meeting done.

    Project is yet to

    commence

    12. Rehabilitation of Oyarifa High Tension Area

    Roads, Accra (3.20Km)

    • 5.0km of 0.6m concrete u-drains,

    • 1.4km of 0.9m concrete u-drains

    • Site Possession meeting done.

    Project is yet to

    commence

    Mr Speaker, the future programme is that the Department of Urban Roads has also planned to implement other road projects within the La Nkwantanang Municipality to complement the ongoing roads.

    In addition to these projects, we

    will liaise with the Hydrological Services Division for the construction and maintenance of primary drains which have direct impact on our roads.

    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Sosu 3:34 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, from the
    Answer provided by the Hon Minister, a number of the road projects he mentioned, together with their drainage components have stalled within the Madina Constituency. From his Answer, the projects numbered 1, 2, 4,6, 7 and 9 in the table are below 50 per cent complete; yet, the contractors are not on site.
    Mr Speaker, could the Hon
    Minister tell the people of Madina and for that matter, the people of Ghana, when these contractors would be back on site to ensure that these projects are done?
    Mr Amoako-Attah 3:34 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    it is true that the contractors of about
    five out of the 12 contracts awarded
    are not on site. Some of the contractors
    are also on site working while some
    are yet to take possession of the sites
    of three of the projects to commence
    work.
    Mr Speaker, we have a procedure
    that we go through — so, if we award a contract and we realise that the
    contractors do not have the capacity to
    work, we go through that legal process
    to terminate, repackage and re-award
    the contract. So, that procedure would
    be followed. The roads we are talking
    about are not an exception; therefore,
    they shall be treated as such.
    Mr Sosu 3:34 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the
    Answer provided by the Hon Minister
    on page 33, particularly the item
    numbered 7 on the table, which has to
    deal with the “Upgrading of Police Quarters Chicago Area Roads and
    Madina Zongo”, the Hon Minister said that the project is ongoing. However,
    my checks this morning show that
    work is actually not ongoing; nothing
    is happening on that site.

    Mr Speaker, concerning the

    second project on the table, that is

    “Rehabilitation of Selected Roads in Kweiman Area - Danfa (4.10km)”, if the Hon Minister would recall, that

    road was one of the reasons I lead my

    constituents in a demonstration in

    October last year to demand for it to

    be fixed. The contractor came to site

    briefly but has not been to the site

    since then. Therefore, the information

    provided by the Hon Minister that

    work is ongoing and that it is 73 per

    cent complete is not accurate.

    Mr Speaker, would the Hon

    Minister consider a visit to the site? I

    am willing to lead him to all these sites

    to ascertain that the road contractors

    are not available on site and are not

    working, and that the information they

    provided to the Hon Minister is

    completely misleading.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 3:34 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    this is the technical information
    provided and I do not have any reason
    not to rely on it. However, if my Hon
    Colleague is saying otherwise, I would
    also not doubt him since he is the Hon
    Member of Parliament for that
    Constituency. So, I would verify these
    projects.
    Mr Speaker, he also made a
    statement that he led his constituents
    on a demonstration, and he has now
    thrown an invitation to me for us to
    pay a visit to the site. I think it is a
    better alternative and he should have
    done that in the first place instead of
    leading his constituents on demon-
    stration which would not yield any
    useful results.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:34 p.m.
    Hon
    Minister, that is not part of the
    supplementary question.
    Mr Sosu 3:34 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I thank you
    very much. I am done with my
    supplementary questions, and I hope
    that the Hon Minister and I would be
    able to pay the visit to the site to
    ascertain that very soon.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:34 p.m.
    Hon
    Members, we would now move on to
    the Question numbered 496, which
    stands in the name of the Hon Member
    for Ketu South, Ms Abla Dzifa
    Gomashie.
    Construction of Diamond Cement
    Road and Komla Dumor Road in
    Ketu South
    Ms Abla Dzifa Gomashie (NDC
    — Ketu South): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Hon Minister for Roads and
    Highways when the Diamond Cement
    road and the Komla Dumor road in the
    Ketu South Constituency would be
    considered for works to begin.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 3:34 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    Background
    The Diamond Cement Road is a
    4km collector off the N1 Highway in the Ketu South Municipality. This

    road forms a section of a bypass that connects the Ho-Denu Highway at Wudoaba Junction to the Aflao Police Station on the N1 Highway. It provides access to the District and Circuit Courts in the area, as well as to the Diamond Cement Factory.

    The Komla Dumor Road is an

    11.2km collector off the N1 Highway at Aflao. It connects the R10 at Denu in the Ketu South Municipality and provides accessibility to several communities along the corridor.

    Current Programme

    Road inventory has been conducted

    on the Diamond Cement Road and the Komla Dumor Road. Inventory Reports and Bill of Quantities have been submitted to the Department of Urban Roads Head Office for review and submission to the Ministry of Roads and Highways.

    Future Programme

    Upon approval of the proposal, the

    works would be considered in the 2023 Government's Financial Policy.
    Ms Gomashie 3:34 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    would like to ask my Hon Senior Colleague and Minister for Roads for Highways whether he has any information on when the inventory was done.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 3:34 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    we have had the inventory since the first quarter of this year.
    Ms Gomashie 3:34 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, with
    your permission, I would like to have
    a copy of the inventory.
    Mr Speaker, I would now ask my
    second supplementary question. I
    would like to find out from the Hon
    Minister the information available on
    when the road inventory was taken;
    when it would appear in the
    Government's Financial Policy; and when we can hope to see some work
    done on that particular stretch of road.
    Mr Speaker, I ask this question
    because as the Hon Minister has
    indicated in his Answer, the Diamond
    Cement is on that road, and I have had
    cause to receive a letter from the
    cement company, which I attached a
    copy together with a letter to the office
    of the Hon Minister. We would like to
    see something done on that road, and
    it would please me greatly if the Hon
    Minister could indicate when we
    could see him and have further
    discussions on this matter.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 3:44 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    regarding the information of my Hon
    Colleague that discussion on this road
    has been going on, perhaps, if I had
    contacted her a bit earlier, she might
    not have even submitted the Question
    to be asked on the floor of the House.
    This is because what she is saying is
    true.

    I even received a letter from

    Togbui Amenya Fiti V, the Chief of

    the Aflao Traditional Area. I travelled

    out of the jurisdiction some days after

    I received the letter, but I had a

    discussion with some officials from

    Diamond Cement Limited, where I

    indicated that upon my return, I would

    invite them, together with the Hon

    Member of Parliament, to the office to

    have discussions on the road and let

    them know the inventory that had been

    taken, but I could not meet the Hon

    Member before she filed this

    Question.

    Mr Speaker, work on this project is

    ongoing, and I would hold a

    discussion with the Hon Minister so

    we could meet the chief for further

    discussions.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:44 p.m.
    Hon
    Member, do you have any other
    supplementary question?
    Ms Gomashie 3:44 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    would like to know if the Hon Minister
    said that work is ongoing. He just
    indicated that the work is ongoing, and
    that gave me a jolt.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:44 p.m.
    Hon
    Minister, did you say that work is
    ongoing?
    Mr Amoako-Attah 3:44 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    I did say that we have collected inventory on this road, and it is a
    process, so we are working on it in the office. That is why I was kindly sending an invitation to the Hon Member that when I invite the representatives of the Chief, she as an MP for the area must be part, and we would hold a common discussion on the project. So, it is going on in the Ministry of Roads and Highways. I did not say that work is ongoing on site, but we would have to work together to push it.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:44 p.m.
    The
    next Question stands in the name of the Hon Member for Ketu South.
    Bitumen Surface on the Denu to
    Swansea Beach Road and Viepe to Beach Road
    Ms Gomashie 3:44 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, thank
    you once again for the opportunity. I rise to ask the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways when the Denu to Swansea Beach road and the Viepe to the Beach road will have bitumen surface.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 3:44 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    (i) Swansea Beach Road
    Background
    The Swansea Beach Road is a
    1.1km Collector off the N1 Highway from Denu to the Swansea Beach.
    Current Programme
    The Denu to the Swansea Beach
    Road is captured under the contract

    “Upgrading of Selected Roads in Ketu South Municipality (5.2km) project.” The project commenced on 28th December, 2020, for completion on 28th June, 2022. The work is ongoing with 19 per cent physical completion achieved including 300m of 0.6m U- drain.

    (ii) Viepe to Beach Road

    Background

    Viepe is a fishing community

    located in the Ketu South Munici-

    pality. The Viepe Beach road is a

    1.2km collector off the N1 highway

    and 2.5km from the Denu Junction.

    Current Programme

    There is no programme on the

    Viepe to Beach Road.

    Future Programme

    Engineering design studies and

    estimates for the upgrading of the

    Viepe to Beach Road have been

    completed. The intervention will be

    considered in the 2023 Budget.
    Ms Gomashie 3:44 p.m.
    The Hon Minister said in his Answer that: “The project commenced on 28th December, 2020, for completion on 28th June, 2022.” I came back from the Ketu South Constituency yesterday, and that 19 per cent, as stated, is even questionable. Now that the date has elapsed, I would like to find out from
    the Hon Minister when the projected period within which this road will be completed is.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 3:44 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I agree with my Hon Colleague that this project should have taken about a year and a half to complete from the original commencement date of 28th December, 2020, and the completion percentage of 19 is quite low. It seems as though the project has not gone too far, so now that the completion date has elapsed, when the project is revived, at least, it should take between 12 to 15 months for it to be completed, so we could project June 2023 and we shall try to work towards that.
    Ms Gomashie 3:44 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to cut the Hon Minister some slack, but it would be based on his agreeing to come and visit us in the Ketu South Constituency so that we could see the town roads together. Would the Hon Minister consider that?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:44 p.m.
    Hon Minister, would you like the slack or the visit?
    Mr Amoako-Attah 3:44 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it would be a great joy and honour to go together with my Hon Colleague, so it is accepted. Let us meet and agree on a date.
    Ms Gomashie 3:44 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have no further question. I would take the Hon Minister up on his word.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:44 p.m.
    Very well. The next Question stands in the name of the Hon Member for Krowor, Ms Agnes Naa Momo Lartey.
    Completion of Roads in the
    Krowor Constituency
    Ms Agnes Naa Momo Lartey
    (NDC — Krowor): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways when construction of the following roads will be completed:
    (i) Alemawor road (ii) Gaizer
    road
    (ii) Klosai - Ataa Odametey Road.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 3:54 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    Background
    The Krowor Municipality is one of
    the Municipal Assemblies of the Greater Accra Region, with Nungua as its capital.
    (i) Alemawor Road (ii) Gaizer
    Road
    Current Programme
    The aforementioned roads are part
    of the project titled: “Design and Construction of 85km of Arterial Roads and Critical Local Road Development in Teshie-Nungua, Accra”.
    The commercial agreement was
    approved by Parliament on 7th November, 2020. The works will commence as
    soon as all the conditions precedent in the commercial agreement are met.
    (iii) Klosai - Ataa Odametey Road
    Background
    The Klosai - Ataa Odametey Road
    is located within the Nungua Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.
    Current Programme
    There is no programme for the
    above road.
    Future Programme
    Engineering design studies and
    condition survey will be conducted on the road to determine the appropriate upgrading intervention for consideration in the 2023 Budget.

    I thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Ms Lartey 3:54 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, may I confirm from the Hon Minister if he is saying that there is no current plan for the Klosai-Ataa Odametey Road?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:54 p.m.
    Hon Member, was your question about what the Hon Minister meant by saying there was no planning? Kindly repeat your question.
    Ms Lartey 3:54 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I was asking if the Hon Minister could

    confirm whether there is no plan for the construction of the Klosai-Ataa Odametey Road.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 3:54 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    from my Answer, I did not say that
    there are no plans. I gave the future
    programme on the road by indicating
    that the engineering design studies and
    condition survey will be conducted on
    the road to determine the appropriate
    upgrading intervention for conside-
    ration in the 2023 Budget. It means
    there is a programme for it, and we shall
    pursue this as the future programme
    for it.
    Ms Lartey 3:54 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I was
    only trying to confirm whether there
    was an immediate programme or not.
    I thank the Hon Minister for the
    response.
    Mr Speaker, under the circumstance,
    the construction of the interchange at
    Nungua, especially around the Barrier
    area, poses great danger in the wake of
    an almost fatal accident where a 40-
    footer container fell off the road,
    coupled with the dangers of pedestrians
    commuting in-between vehicles on
    swampy and bumpy roads. The most
    devastating situation is that, at the
    onset of the rains, school children have
    to walk through the mud to and from
    school. Would the Hon Minister
    consider my appeal to his office for a
    field visit to find an urgent solution to
    the current challenge we are faced
    with?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:54 p.m.
    Hon
    Minister, today, you are getting too
    many invitations, and I do not like it
    that they are all coming from our Hon
    Women. [Laughter].
    Mr Amoako-Attah 3:54 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    my Hon Colleague has made a fair
    comment and I share in her anxiety to
    make the construction site safe for
    pedestrians, particularly school children.
    I have had the occasion to visit the
    ongoing three-tier interchange at
    Barrier, and I have, on each occasion,
    cautioned the contractors to ensure
    that they maintained very high safety
    standards on site. However, the site
    was naturally a bit messy because of
    the torrential rainfall we experienced
    in the past one month or so. Therefore,
    I share in the concern she has
    expressed. We would continue to
    make sure that we impress upon the
    contractor to make the site safe for the
    safety of our people. We shall work
    together on that.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:54 p.m.
    Very
    well. Thank you —
    Ms Lartey 3:54 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, please,
    this is just another urgent appeal. I
    have written to the Hon Minister's office and I have shown him pictures
    that depict the danger around the site
    with no alternative routes. Therefore, I
    would once again appeal, if the Rt Hon
    Speaker would grant us a field visit, so
    that together with the Hon Minister
    and the contractors, we can find a solution
    to the challenges. Any Hon Member in

    this House who has used the Accra-

    Nungua-Tema Road can attest to what

    I am talking about. It takes more than

    an hour, sometimes, to cross to the

    other side. Mr Speaker, this is,

    therefore, an urgent and humble

    appeal.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:54 p.m.
    I
    wonder whether my powers extend to
    granting field trips but I am sure the
    Hon Minister has heard you.
    [Laughter]. Consult with the Hon
    Minister for a visit. Hon Minister,
    kindly assure the Hon Member that
    you would visit the site.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 3:54 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    this is a great challenge to me. Since
    the Hon Member has made the appeal
    through your good self, the Rt Hon
    Speaker, I would like to assure the
    Hon Member that it would be another
    privilege to visit the site with her as
    my Hon Colleague.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 3:54 p.m.
    Very
    well. We would move to the Question
    numbered 606, which stands in the
    name of the Hon Member for Central
    Tongu, Mr Alexander Roosevelt
    Hottordze.
    Plans for the Construction of the
    Mafi-Kumase-Kwaodadekope
    Road
    Mr Alexander Roosevelt Hottordze
    (NDC — Central Tongu): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Roads and
    Highways the Ministry's plans for the
    construction of Mafi-Kumase-
    Kwaodadekope road.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 3:54 p.m.
    The Mafi-
    Kumase- Kwaodadekope road is an 11-
    kilometre (km), partially-engineered
    feeder road with fair surface condition
    and located in Central Tongu District
    of the Volta Region. Currently, there
    is no rehabilitation programme on the
    road. The future programme is that
    engineering design studies will be
    conducted during the third quarter of
    2022 for cost estimate to be prepared.
    Thereafter, implementation will be
    considered under the 2023 Budget.
    Mr Hottordze 3:54 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, as we
    speak, the road is highly unmotorable.
    Would the Ministry of Roads and
    Highways consider, perhaps, some
    reshaping works to make the road
    motorable for users within the short
    term?
    Mr Amoako-Attah 3:54 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    it is a very fair demand which falls
    within the confines of the work of my
    Ministry, in the sense that until any
    road anywhere in Ghana is worked on,
    we carry out routine maintenance to
    make the road motorable, particularly
    where it is found that the road poses
    danger to pedestrians and vehicle
    owners. Therefore, that would be
    considered. I would always invite my
    Hon Colleagues that we should not
    end making such requests from the
    day we ask Questions. Let us work
    together and make sure that some
    work is done on the road.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:04 p.m.
    Hon Member, are you done asking your questions? [Pause].
    Very well. The next Question
    numbered 606 is in the name of the Hon Member for Central Tongu.

    Completion of Juapong-Adidome

    Road

    Mr Alexander Roosevelt Hottordze

    (NDC—Central Tongu): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Juapong- Adidome Road, which was awarded on contract as far back as 2016, will be completed.

    Background

    Mr Speaker, The Juapong-Adidome

    road is 54.4km and is located in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region.

    Current Programme

    Mr Speaker, currently, the contract

    for the upgrading of the Juapong- Adidome trunk road commenced on 28th July, 2016, for completion on 27th June, 2019. The completion date was extended to 31st December, 2020.

    The contractor has executed the following activities:

    Clearing - 100 %

    Earthworks - 95 %

    Concrete Works - 95%

    Subbase - 100%

    Base - 97%

    Surfacing - 72%

    The overall progress of work is

    projected at 90 per cent physical

    completion. The delay in completion

    of the projects is due to delayed

    payment for work done.

    Future Programme

    Mr Speaker, the future programmes

    of this road is that the contractor

    awaits payment to be able to complete

    the outstanding works.
    Mr Hottordze 4:04 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    before I ask my first supplementary
    question, I would like to correct
    something that has been written in the
    Answer. The road is located between
    - it is a road project that is for the two districts; both North Tongu and
    Central Tongu. It is not only for
    Central Tongu. It is for both North and
    Central Tongo Districts.
    I would like to ask the Hon
    Minister what measures the Ministry
    of Roads and Highways is putting in
    place to pay the contractor in time so
    as to allow him finish the rest of the
    stretch that is left undone.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 4:04 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    I am grateful to my Hon Colleague for

    the correction. I have taken note of it.

    From my Answer, we can see that a

    substantial work has been done on this

    project and if we look at the scope of

    work, 100 per cent completion has

    been achieved on, at least, two of the

    activities. The rest are in very high

    percentage of 97 and 95 and the

    overall completion percentage is at 90.

    We are working very fast on this road

    because it has come to a point where

    with little money, the contractor

    would apply bitumen on this road

    because he has been able to develop it

    up to base level. At that high level of

    completion, there is no way we would

    allow it to deteriorate, particularly,

    with the ongoing rainfall. We have to

    save the road so everything possible is

    being done to make sure that we

    arrange some funds for the road to be

    sealed as quickly as practicable.
    Mr Hottordze 4:04 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    would like to find out from the Hon
    Minister if he is aware that the
    surfacing that is at 72 per cent
    completion is getting bad now because
    the rest of the places have not been
    tarred and vehicles continue to ply
    those places that have been tarred and
    they are equally getting bad as they
    were before they were tarred.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 4:04 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    what the Hon Member said is not
    unknown to me and that is what I
    alluded to in my supplementary
    answer. It is because the road is still at
    the earth gravel stage, that is the base
    stage and until the road is primer
    sealed, it is still at the earth stage so if
    it rains, the surface would quickly
    deteriorate. That is why I said that in
    order to save the road — because the contractor has worked up to a
    substantial level of the base, we shall
    do everything possible to save the road
    and I would like to give the Hon
    Member the assurance of the Ministry
    of Roads and Highways and the
    Government's assurances on it.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:04 p.m.
    Very
    well.
    We would move to the Question
    numbered 609.
    Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
    — rose —
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:04 p.m.
    This is
    Central Tongu, not North Tongu.
    Mr Ablakwa 4:04 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am
    grateful for your magnanimity. I would like to find out from the hardworking Hon Minister for Roads and Highways if the Ministry is considering some negotiations with the contractor seeing that he is almost 90 per cent done so that he would just complete it while the Hon Minister works with the Ministry of Finance to pay him later. This is because we have extended the completion period from 2019 to 2020 and now the contractor has done 90 per cent. If we continue to delay, the road would deteriorate and then we may have to spend more to return to site and finish up. Is the Hon Minister considering negotiating with

    the contractor to just finish up — by all means, when the Government owes, it would pay — so that he could finish up the work.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 4:04 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    my Ministry takes advantage of that option all the time. However, at times, it is also necessary that between the contractor and the employer, and the employer is the Government, if the contractor works to such a very high level — Of course, we must be very honest, the employer must also complement that effort so we always hold that discussion, and if the contractor has the resources and the capacity to complete it fully, why not? We would urge the contractor to do that but that notwithstanding, from the employer's point of view, we are also trying to meet the contractor halfway, at least, to complete the road. So, that option is always being taken. I am grateful to the Hon Member for that suggestion.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:14 p.m.
    Very
    well.
    We would move on to the
    Question numbered 609 which stands in the name of the Hon Member for Akatsi North, Mr Peter Nortsu-Kotoe.

    Resumption of Works on the Ave Dakpa-Akatsi-Avenorpeme Road

    Mr Peter Nortsu-Kotoe (NDC —

    Akatsi North): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Minister for Roads and

    Highways what plans the Ministry has to resume work 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 two districts.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 4:14 p.m.
    Background
    Mr Speaker, the Ave Dakpa-
    Akatsi- Avenorpeme road is 28km
    long and is located in the Akatsi North
    District of the Volta Region.
    Current Programme
    Mr Speaker, currently, the road
    was awarded on contract together with
    another road under the contract titled
    “Bitumen Surfacing of Agbozume- Kpoglu Feeder Road (10.5km),
    Akatsi-Korve-Ave Dakpa Feeder
    Road (28.0km), Akatsi-Dagbamate-
    Avenorpeme (11.85km), and Akatsi-
    Xavi-Suipe (20.70km) feeder road” in 2016. The total contract package was
    rationalised in 2017, after which the
    contractor was supposed to have
    continued with the works.
    This is being negotiated and the
    necessary approvals will be sought. It
    is expected that works will commence
    as soon as the approvals are given.
    Mr Nortsu-Kotoe 4:14 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    would like to thank the Hon Minister
    for his Answer. His Answer has

    explained today that the information

    by some political commentators that

    the road was never awarded on

    contract has been clarified.

    Mr Speaker, in any case, the Hon

    Minister said in his Answer that the

    contract package was rationalised. I

    would like to find out what

    rationalisation of the contract package

    means. I do not understand that.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 4:14 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    if we talk about rationalisation of the
    road, what we mean is that if we detect
    the fact that the road as it is put
    together vis-à-vis the capacity of the
    contractor could attract some problems
    during implementation, we have to
    negotiate with the contractor and
    rearrange the scope of the road. This is
    a road which was quite long - over 70km of road, and the amount, which
    is the contract sum, was also a little
    over GH₵86 million. Even though the contractor involved Messrs Ghacos
    Ltd. could undertake it, if one looks at
    the period that it would take to
    complete this project and where it was
    put, the funding source, as far back as
    2016, the Road Fund at the time, we
    could not carry that quantum of
    contract sum and the length of road.
    So, we had to rationalise it and hold
    discussions with the contractor to
    make it manageable for the implement-
    tation to be smooth and it has been
    going on for some time now, forward
    and backwards. That is what we are on
    now. I hope that pretty soon, we would
    come to a firm conclusion on this
    matter for the road work to start and
    we will follow the way the road is
    phased because we have about four
    different roads, all put together,
    totalling a little over 71km.
    That is what we meant by
    rationalising the project and making it
    more affordable for the contractor.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Nortsu-Kotoe 4:14 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, in
    the Hon Minister's Answer, he said negotiations were being made for
    approval before the contractor can go
    back to site. This is a contract that was
    awarded and work commenced, and
    then rationally packaged. Who is to
    give the approval for the contractor to
    return to site, and how soon?
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:14 p.m.
    Hon
    Member, if I understand the Hon
    Minister's explanation, he says that they decided that it was too long, so
    they would break it up, and once they
    break it up, it becomes a new contract.
    Is that right? So, the answer is already
    given. You can ask another question.
    Mr Nortsu-Kotoe 4:14 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    could the Hon Minister assure the
    people of Akatsi North and Akatsi
    South that within the shortest possible
    time, work on the road would
    recommence and how soon?

    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 4:14 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, yes, it is the wish of the Ministry, Government and everybody, including my Hon Colleague, that work is started as soon as practicable. However, there are a number of Condition Precedents (CPs) that would have to be certified. I have indicated that we are negotiating with the contractor, and the negotiation must have mutual agreement and acceptance by both the contractor and the employer. A few things have to be done; the scope would have to be agreed on and if we are able to do that, of course, subject to the availability of funds to speed up the work — It is very important; these are very important roads in the district and we are working towards that. So, just like any other road anywhere that is being worked on, we shall give it the necessary push as much as possible.
    I thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:14 p.m.
    Very well.
    We will move on to the Question
    numbered 1181, which stands in the name of the Hon Member for Amasaman.
    Ms Alhassan 4:14 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member for Amasaman, Mr Afrifa-Mensa, is held up in a Committee meeting. With your leave, the Hon Member for Manso-Nkwanta, Mr George Kwabena Obeng Takyi, would ask the Question on his behalf.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:14 p.m.
    If the
    Hon Member for Manso-Nkwanta, Mr
    Obeng Takyi, asks of me, I will grant
    him leave.
    Mr George K. O. Takyi 4:14 p.m.
    Thank
    you, Mr Speaker, for giving me the
    opportunity to ask this Question on
    behalf of —
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:14 p.m.
    Hon
    Member, I have not given you the
    opportunity. I said if you ask for the
    opportunity, I would give it to you.
    Mr Takyi 4:14 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, yes, to ask
    the Hon Minister for Roads and
    Highways — [Laughter] —
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:14 p.m.
    Very
    well, proceed. Leave granted.
    Total Cost of the 4-Tier Pokuase
    Interchange
    Mr George K. O. Takyi on behalf
    of Mr Akwasi O. Afrifa-Mensa
    (NPP — Amasaman): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Hon Minister for Roads
    and Highways the total cost of the 4-
    tier Pokuase interchange.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 4:24 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    Pokuase Interchange
    The ACP Junction at Pokuase is a
    key intersection along the Accra-
    Kumasi Highway (N6) which, until the
    completion of the interchange, was
    characterised by traffic congestion

    during morning and evening peak

    hours.

    In line with the transport sector

    objective of Government and to ease

    the congestion and delay at the

    intersection, the Pokuase Interchange

    project was commissioned.

    Mr Speaker, the following are the

    components of the project:

    • 2km of Bridge (including ramps)

    • Accra-Kumasi - 2.2km (2-lane dual carriageway);

    • Awoshie-Kwabenya - 5.7km (2- lane dual carriageway);

    • Pokuase-Kwabenya - 1.0km (2- lane single carriageway);

    • Local Roads - 12km;

    • Storm Drain - 7km;

    • Footbridges (ACP Jnc. & Pokuase) - 2 No.;

    • Pelican Crossings - 4 No.;

    • 20km of walkways; and

    • 1200 Streetlights.

    Mr Speaker, the project commenced

    in April, 2018, and was substantially

    completed in July, 2021. The final cost

    of the project was US $73,572,624.32

    and GH¢1,682,357.88.

    The combined cost of the project,

    using Bank of Ghana rates of 17th

    April, 2018, of US$1 = GH₵4.4043, is estimated at US$73,954,605.08.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 4:24 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, do you have any
    follow-up questions?
    Mr Afrifa-Mensa 4:24 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    am alright with the Answer.
    Mr Haruna Iddrisu 4:24 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I
    thank you for tolerating me. I followed
    the Answer provided by the Hon
    Minister, and he said in his very last
    paragraph, that using the exchange
    rate of GH₵4.4043 for the cost of the project — the Hon Minister still repeated US$73,954,605.08. If you
    are giving us the amount at an
    exchange rate, the presumption is that
    you want to share the cedi equivalent
    of US$73,954,605.08. That is not the
    Answer he finally gave. The records
    can bear me out. The Hon Minister
    said GH₵4.4043 yet, he still ended up at US$73,954,605.08. So, what is the
    cedi equivalent cost of the
    US$73,954,605.08?
    Mr Amoako-Attah 4:24 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    I am quoting the dollar component of
    the cost of the project but I have given
    an indication of the exchange rate as at
    that time. So, if anybody wants to know
    the cedi equivalent of the cost, that

    would be a straight multiplication of

    the amount quoted and the prevailing

    exchange rate as at that time. The

    project as was funded by the African

    Development Bank was captured in

    dollars, so I am merely giving the

    exchange rate as at that time. So, the

    Answer is still correct and appropriate.
    Mr Second Deputy Speaker 4:24 p.m.
    Very well.
    We would take the last Question
    for the day. Hon Member for
    Chereponi, Mr Abdul-Razak Tahidu.
    Abandonment of Site by
    Contractors on Chereponi Roads
    Mr Abdul-Razak Tahidu (NPP
    — Chereponi): Mr Speaker, I beg to ask the Hon Minister for Roads and
    Highways why contractors of the
    following roads have abandoned site
    after the 2020 elections and in July
    2021, respectively:
    (i) Chereponi-Yendi Road;
    (ii) Chereponi Township Road; and
    (iii) Yorgu-Konkombu Road.
    Mr Amoako-Attah 4:34 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    the Chereponi - Yendi road connects the district capitals of the Chereponi
    District of the North East Region and
    Yendi District of the Northern Region.
    The total road length is 112km from
    Chereponi towards Yendi with the last
    12km forming part of the Eastern
    Corridor Road (Sakpiegu to Yendi
    under the Damanko - Gbintiri road, Lot 5 & 6 contract).
    Mr Speaker, the Sakpiegu to
    Chereponi road (100km) has been
    awarded in two lots of 50km each to
    two contractors under funding by the
    Road Fund. The Sakpiegu - Chereponi Road has been upgraded
    from 0.0 km - 50.0 km.
    Mr Speaker, currently, the captioned
    project commenced on the 15th August,
    2016, for completion on 15th August,
    2019, for thirty-six (36) calendar months.
    The project included construction of
    roadside drains, culverts, earthworks,
    and double bituminous surface treatment.
    The contractor has suspended works
    because of delayed payment for work
    done. The progresses of activities so
    far are as follows:
    Site Clearing and Demolition 50%
    Earthworks 95.98%
    Concrete Works 0%
    Roads and Pavings 1%
    Mr Speaker, the future programme
    is that the contractor is awaiting
    payment for work done to enable him
    to resume work. The next phase is
    upgrading of Sakpiegu - Chereponi Road from 50 km - 100 km.
    Mr Speaker, currently, the above
    captioned project commenced on the

    24th November, 2016 for completion

    on 23th November, 2019 for thirty-six

    calendar months. The project included

    construction of roadside drains, culverts,

    earthworks, and double bituminous

    surface treatment.

    The contractor suspended works

    because of non-payment of IPCs but

    has informed the engineer of his

    intention to resume work.

    Mr Speaker, the progress of

    activities so far is as follows:

    Site Clearing and Demolition -76.6%

    Earthworks - 3.72%

    Concrete Works - 4.03%

    Roads and Pavings - 16.0%

    Mr Speaker, the future programme

    is that the Contractor is expected to

    resume work by the end of July, 2022.

    Mr Speaker, the second road is the

    Chereponi Township Road. Chereponi

    is the district capital of Chereponi

    District of the North East Region. The

    township has a road network of

    7.27km which is mainly gravel with

    poor surface condition.

    Mr Speaker, currently, the contract

    for the upgrading of Chereponi Township

    roads was awarded in two (2) lots of

    phase 1 and 2.

    Phase 1: Upgrading of Chereponi - Saboba Road (km0.0 - km4.7)

    Phase 1 was awarded for upgrading

    on 14th April, 2020. The works were

    expected to commence on 30th June,

    2020 and be completed by 29th

    December, 2021. The contractor

    mobilised to site but failed to

    commence works.

    Warning letters for failure to

    commence works were issued to the

    contractor but no response was received

    nor was any activity seen at the site.

    The Department of Feeder Roads is

    initiating the necessary contractual

    processes to terminate the contract for

    re-award.

    Phase 2: Upgrading of Chereponi

    Town Roads:

    The contract for the phase 2 of the

    Chereponi Town roads includes the

    following road links in Chereponi

    town;

    Namalgu Road - km 0.0 - km 0.45

    Jakpa Road - km 0.0 - km 0.40

    Sec Tech Road - km0.0 - km 1.475

    Wenchiki Road - km 0.0 - km 0.25

    The contract was awarded on 20th

    March, 2020 and works commenced

    on 8th May, 2020 with expected

    completion date of 7th November,

    2021. The Contractor stopped work

    and abandoned site since 21st

    December, 2020 after constructing

    concrete roadside drains, culverts,

    earthworks (filling), subbase and base

    and raising IPC no. 1 at achieved

    progress of 55 per cent physical

    completion.

    Mr Speaker, warning letters issued

    to instruct the contractor to return to

    site have yielded no response from the

    contractor. The Department of Feeder

    Roads has initiated the necessary

    contractual processes to terminate this

    contract.

    Future Programme

    In the event of termination of the

    two contracts, assessment will be

    carried out on the outstanding works

    and repackaged as one contract for re-

    award.

    (iii) Yorgu - Konkombu

    Background

    The Yorku- Konkombu road falls

    under the Chereponi District in the

    North East Region. It is located on the

    Ghana/Togo boarder. It is a non-

    engineered road and in a bad

    condition.

    Current Programme

    There is no program on the road.

    Future Programme

    Engineering studies shall be carried

    out for further consideration.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:34 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, do you have any follow-up question?
    Mr Tahidu 4:34 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not have a question but I have an appeal. I seek your leave to establish this background before I make the appeal to the Hon Minister. There was a Joy News documentary shown on the 28th and 29th of May, 2022, particularly about Chereponi roads. Mr Speaker, when the Hon Minister, watches the documentary it is very bad. In recent times, armed robbers have been attacking passengers or vehicles, to the extent that ambulance service vans are also being attacked — they were robbed about two times on this Chereponi/Yendi road.
    Mr Speaker, economically, Chereponi
    is one of the hubs when it comes to soya beans, local rice, other grains, and materials that we need or supply to the nation. The Chereponi road is also another road that serves about three constituencies; Chereponi, Saboba, and Yendi. So, it is a very important road, and I am pleading with the Hon Minister to pay attention to it. On the Konkombu issue and the township road that the Hon Minister said the Ministry of Roads and Highways is looking at the processes to terminate or re-award, I would be glad for him to do it as early as possible. Thank you.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:34 p.m.
    Very
    well. Hon Minister, try to be prompt
    on that matter. On that note —
    Mr Haruna Iddrisu — rose —
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:34 p.m.
    Are
    you interested in Chereponi? Very
    well. Hon Minority Leader?
    Mr Haruna Iddrisu 4:34 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    just to support my Hon Colleague, the
    Member of Parliament for Chereponi
    and to urge the Minister for Roads and
    Highways. Sometimes, I appreciate
    his dilemma and difficulty with
    funding, but as is rightly pointed out,
    in fact, he is even economical when he
    says it is only Yendi and Saboba; he
    must add Mion because the late Lt Gen
    Joshua Hamidu's father's village, is it — Gbungbanlaga — where you turn on the road to Chereponi, is also
    affecting another constituency; so four
    constituencies are affected.
    Mr Speaker, as he said, the
    incidents of crime for the first time in
    the history of the North, has become
    so rampant, and they are taking
    advantage of the road not being
    motorable. This is because one needs
    to slow down in potholes, so the
    robbers hide around, then ask
    passengers to lie down and they seize
    travelers' money and iPhones. I just thought that I should add weight to
    what our Hon Colleague has said. The
    road has been in that state in the last
    decade. I have used Chereponi/
    Saboba — In fact, the major farming
    community as he said — the State farms land was around that particular
    area, I thank you for tolerating me. I
    just thought I should give moral
    support to the Hon Member of
    Parliament for Chereponi, so that the
    Hon Minister would give the
    Chereponi/Yendi, Chereponi/Saboba,
    and Chereponi/Bunkpurugu/Nalerigu
    roads some attention.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:34 p.m.
    Very
    well. Hon Minister, kindly take note.
    Would you like to speak into the
    microphone?
    Mr Amoako-Attah 4:34 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    I share 100 per cent of the concerns of
    my Hon Colleague. You all know
    Chereponi is a very important district
    capital, and it is even heartwarming
    that the Hon Member has even been
    supported by the Hon Minority
    Leader. That is very encouraging and
    it puts even a greater burden on me
    and my Ministry, and I would want to
    assure everybody that we shall give
    due attention to Chereponi. I thank the
    Minority Leader for supporting his
    Hon Colleague. It is a good sign from
    Leadership, and I would plead with the
    Minority Leader that in a lot of
    instances, he should show that support
    to the other Side.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:34 p.m.
    On
    that note, we bring the curtains down
    on Question time for today. We thank
    you for attending upon the House to
    answer Questions. Hon Minister, you
    are discharged.

    Yes, Majority Chief Whip?
    Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh 4:34 p.m.
    Mr
    Speaker, we can now move on to the
    presentation of Papers, after which
    myself and the Minority Leader would
    confer — we have an outstanding Statement to be taken, but before the
    Statement, if we could —
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:34 p.m.
    Hon
    Members, it is almost 5 p.m. — are you going to admit a Statement to be
    read and discussed? Let us finish with
    the laying of the Papers.
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 4:34 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    we would then defer the Statement to
    tomorrow. I am sure my Leader is in
    agreement; if we could defer that to
    tomorrow, and then we just take the
    items numbered 7(b) and (c).
    Mr Speaker, I would further seek
    your leave for the Minster of Roads
    and Highways to take the item
    numbered 7(b) on behalf of the
    Minister for Finance and my humble
    self would take the item numbered
    7(c) on behalf of the Majority Leader.
    Mr Speaker, with your leave.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:34 p.m.
    Yes.
    Hon Minority Leader?
    Mr Haruna Iddrisu 4:44 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    I can understand your stress with the
    Statement of the Hon Member's advocacy for anti-corruption and the
    African Network against Corruption.
    However, we may have to dissuade Mr
    Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah. I thought I
    could make a case for him to make the
    Statement without comment but
    because it bothers on an important
    issue like graft and economic crime, I
    think comments from Hon Members
    may have —
    Mr Speaker, I understand you are —
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:44 p.m.
    I am
    actually an active Member of the
    Committee; in fact, I am the Leader of
    the Committee but let us bring it at a
    time when we could get traction. At
    this time, I am not sure that anybody
    would be well prepared. We could do
    it tomorrow.
    Thank you.
    Mr Haruna Iddrisu 4:44 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    we may commence Public Business
    and lay those two important docu-
    ments. Firstly, he wants the Minister
    for Roads and Highways to do that on
    behalf of the Minister for Finance and
    the other one, the Minister for Roads
    and Highways would attempt to walk
    in the shoes of his Leader. I always ask
    if he has the actual powers when the
    authority is delegated to him.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:44 p.m.
    Very
    well, we would continue with Public
    Business; Presentation of Papers, the
    item numbered 7(a).
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 4:44 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    sorry, it is the item numbered 7(b) and
    7(c).
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:44 p.m.
    Very
    well, the item numbered 7(b) by the Hon
    Minister for Roads and Highways.
    PAPERS 4:44 p.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:44 p.m.
    The
    item numbered 7(c)
    By Minister for Roads and
    Highways (Mr Kwasi Amoako-Attah)
    (on behalf of the Majority Leader)
    Report of the Auditor-General
    on the Public Accounts of Ghana
    (Public Boards, Corpora-tions
    and Other Statutory Institutions)
    for the period ended 31st
    December, 2021.
    Referred to the Public Accounts
    Committee.
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 4:44 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    looking at the time, we have had
    enough of the day so we are in your
    hands.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 4:44 p.m.
    Very
    well.
    ADJOURNMENT 4:44 p.m.