GRi In Parliament 04-02-99

Mr Kwame Peprah Minister of Finance will present the government's budget statement and financial policy for the year on Friday, Dr Kwabena Adjei, Leader of the House announced today.

The announcement came as a surprise to the Minority who were unhappy about the short notice and the fact that debate to thank the President for his sessional address is expected to be concluded tomorrow.

Earlier, Mrs Gladys Asmah expressed the Minority's disappointment with the fact that they were not notified about the visit by Dr John Evans Atta Mills, to the house on Wednesday.

She said it was sad that the leadership was not allowed to give him a befitting welcome and the fact that the Vice President was also not allowed to make any comment.

''His comments would have greatly encouraged us in our work'', she said.

Mr Justice Daniel Francis Annan, explained that the Vice President came to the house under the provisions of Article 111 of the Constitution, which allows him to come to the house at any time like any other Minister of state.

'' He is not supposed to come and advise but can take part in proceedings like any other minister who is not an MP. However,

your points are well noted and will be directed to the appropriate destination'', the Speaker added.

Accra (Greater Accra) 4 Feb. 

A Minority member in Parliament today called for the rehabilitation and capacity development of the country=92s rail system to enable it respond to the current economic dispensation.

"We need to develop the rail as an institution capable of assuming leadership in the transport system to provide safe transportation at affordable rates to meet growing demands".

Mr Gabriel Yaw Amoah, NPP-Bosome-Freho, made these comments while contributing to the debate to thank the President for the sessional address with which he opened Parliament.

The member said he was disappointed with the address in so far as the rail system is concern because the President only mentioned that the Ghana Railway Corporation is to be turned into a limited liability company.

"What we need is a comprehensive programme to change the rail system into the 'blue train era' of the sixties, merely changing it from a public institution into a private one does not necessarily bring about efficiency, a case in point is the SCC", he said.

The establishment of an inland port and the trend for containerisation will bring about an increase in volume of goods hauled across the country and this calls for realignment of existing lines, improvement of signals and communications system of the railways.

He suggested further that the rail line from Tema to Shai-Hills be extended to Akosombo to facilitate movement of goods from Tema Habour to the Akosombo Port for onward movement to the North and Burkina Faso.

Mr Kwadwo Maama Adam, Deputy Minister for Brong Ahafo Region said the address was a master piece that took into consideration all aspects of national life.

"In fact from the address, I call the President a visionary and a prophet because his predictions have always come to pass," he said.

He said the President predicted a very difficult year and truly gold price continued to plunge, we experienced bad weather, energy crises among other things.

"In spite of all these, the economy recorded remarkable achievement, inflation rate came down to 15.2 per cent with corresponding decline in interest rates".

He said Ghanaians should be commended for showing understanding throughout all these crises.

Mr Adam, who is the member for Techiman South said the President call for ministers and heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to put in extra efforts to explain government policies and programmes is commendable.

Mr M. A. Seidu, Deputy Majority Leader, who spoke on education said it is worthy to note that the educational reform programme has brought about improvement in the educational system.

In particular, it has led to the increase in the number of school infrastructure and improvement in enrolment at all levels.

He said it is not true that the ministry has "entrenched its position" as far as reviewing of the programme is concerned.

He said soon after the results of the first batch was released a review committee made up of all stake holders was put in place and all but one of its recommendations was accepted and implemented.

The Deputy Majority Leader said any further review in the educational system should look at the high level of fees being paid by parents and examine the mode of admission into the SSS.

"Special attention and incentive should also be given to the teachers in deprived areas," he said.

On reconciliation mentioned by Mr J. H. Mensah, the Minority Leader, he said this should start from the independence era since people have suffered from governments since that time.

Accra (Greater Accra) 4 Feb.

 The government has been called upon to establish more courts as soon as possible and properly equip existing ones to enable them cope with both the load of work and complex cases.

Mr Abraham Ossei Aidoo, NPP-Tema West, said the courts are overloaded leading to delays, citing the case of six courts in Tema, which handle an average of 168 cases a day with over 2,000 cases pending before them.The courts have part-heard 508 cases, with over 1,500 cases not started at all. ''My research shows that this is the pattern throughout the country. Is it any wonder that cases drag? The need for reforms in procedures, strict compliance with court rules and provision of more courts and equipment can hardly be over-emphasised''.

Mr Aidoo who was contributing to the President's sessional address welcomed the comments made by the President on delays in the courts, saying they were long overdue.He said it may also be useful to set up an Investment Court to speedily trial cases involving investors and suggested the increasing use of alternative dispute resolution.

Mr Aidoo expressed satisfaction with the promotional strategy for made-in-Ghana goods mentioned by the President in his address.He said the liberalisation policy has led to massive inflow of goods of all sorts into the country leading to the collapse of some local industries citing the Union Carbide as an example.

''I, therefore, support the programme to direct MDAs to make purchases from local industries.''

However, he said when the policy becomes operational, choice of beneficiary producers should be based solely on quality and cost efficiency and not on political party lines.

On the issue of labour disputes and exploitation of workers by some investors, the member said ''we should no longer tolerate the arrogance of any investor, local or foreign ... we now have a situation where people work for between two to eight years as casuals without leave or any benefits''.

He called on the Minister of Employment and Social Welfare to look into the issue.

Accra (Greater Accra) 4 Feb 

Mr Akuamoah Ofosu-Boateng, Minister of State today stated that government is determined to institute a sustainable tourism programme to attract genuine investors into the country.

He said when this happens, the sector will be a major foreign exchange earner for the country.

Mr Ofosu-Boateng made the remark when he contributed to the debate on the President's sessional address in Parliament.