GRi Parliament 26-02-99

Accra, (Greater Accra) 25 Feb.  

Parliament on Thursday took the National Road Safety Commission Bill through a second reading. The bill seeks to establish a National Road Safety Commission in place of the existing National Road Safety Committee to enable it effectively co-ordinate road safety work throughout the country. In a motion for the second reading, Mr Edward Salia, Minister of Roads and Transport, said it has become necessary to improve safety on Ghana's roads and that the government has decided to establish permanent body which is autonomous to help to reduce the carnage on "our roads" The Minister explained that the existing National Road Safety Committee, is an ad-hoc body operating without any legal backing. Besides, it does not have the capacity to perform as a Commission.

A memorandum accompanying the bill said statistics indicate that Ghana has a poor road safety record.

A recent World Bank study of road accidents in the ECOWAS sub-region listed Ghana as the fourth country after Nigeria, Togo and Benin, with bad accident records.

The memorandum to the bill said the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has recommended that African countries should establish statutory national road safety commissions as an institutional measure to combat road accidents in their respective countries.

It said in the National Road Safety Committee, which has played an active role in road safety education and the co-ordination of the work of other related agencies for the improvement of road safety, was set up in 1994 However, the memorandum said, the Committee was established administratively and has neither statutory powers nor effective organisational structure.

"In view of this, it has become necessary to establish a National Road Safety Commission as recommended by the ECA, to give it clearly defined responsibilities with the objective of reducing the high rate of accidents and deaths on our roads".

In its report, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Roads and Transport, recommended that research, among other functions, must be added to the Commission's duties.

The Committee was of the view that a sustained, in-depth and targeted research will enrich the quality, as well as determine the effectiveness of specific road safety interventions.

Contributing to the ensuing debate, Mr Kobina Fosu, NDC-Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, noted that it was not the first time that the House was discussing issues relating to road safety. It is refreshing to establish such a body to help reduce the high rate of accidents and deaths on Ghana's roads.

He cautioned, however, that establishing the Commission per se, would not result in the reduction of road accidents. He asked the ministry to ensure its effectiveness to enable the new body to be firm on its functions and work hard to achieve the objectives for which it was established.

He urged the Commission, when established, to review the Ghana Highway Code and give it a wide coverage in the local languages to serve as proper guidance to road users.

Mr Felix Owusu-Adjepong, NPP-Akim Swedru, said regularising the existing committee into a commission, is a step in the right direction in the effort to combat the high incidence of accidents and deaths on the roads.

Mr E.S. Zumakpeh, NDC-Nadowli South, stressed the need for public education on the proper use of the roads and the fact that road accidents have a negative impact on the country's socio-economic development.

He cautioned that if the Commission is to function well, then, it must not be limited by funding. Every effort should be made to make the body truly autonomous to be able to discharge its functions efficiently.

Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, NPP-Sunyani West, suggested that the National Commission for Civic Education should assist in road safety education.

Nana Akomea, NPP-Okaikoi South, said in order not to allow a leeway for insurers to pass on to consumers the levy they will have to pay, the Commission should insist on itemised insurance premiums.

Winding up, Mr Salia assured the House that the establishment of the Commission will not let the sector ministry "to go to sleep" as far as road safety is concerned. He said the ministry would continue to work with the Commission to improve the country's road safety record. The Minister announced that there is a Road Safety Ordinance which is at the Attorney General's Office and which will be submitted to Parliament after Cabinet approval.

Accra, (Greater Accra) 25 Feb.

 Parliament today approved an 11.88 million- dollar Swedish concessional loan for the procurement of off-shore electrical materials and equipment for phase three of the government's Self -Help Electrification Project (SHEP-3).

The approval is subject to a resolution by the House in accordance with the Constitution and the Loans Act 1970.

Commodore Steve Obimpeh (rtd), chairman of the finance committee, moved for the approval of the loan agreement between the government of Ghana and the Nordbanken of Sweden.

The SHEP is a complementary activity of the National Electrification Scheme (NES), under which communities within 20 kilometres radius of an existing 33 kilovolt/ 11 kilovolt national network, will be connected to the national grid.

The beneficiary communities are required to purchase and erect their own low voltage distribution poles to qualify for the scheme. A report by a joint Committee on Finance and Mines and Energy on the loan agreement, said the loan would be used to benefit 1,.400 communities which have satisfied the requirements for connection to the national grid under SHEP-3 between 1996 and 2000.

The report said as part of the National Electrification Programme (NEP), the government set up the NES to provide electricity to all communities in the country over a 30-year period beginning from 1990 and ending in 2020.

It is to be executed over a six, five-year phase plan.

Under the first phase of NES, electricity was extended to all 110 district capitals, the report said, adding that still in progress, is the electrification of towns along the route to district capitals under the NEP being funded by the World Bank and other donors. The project is to be completed by mid-1999. The report said under SHEP-2, 250 communities were connected to the national grid between 1993 and 1995.

The interest free loan is to be repaid in eight years with a three-year grace period and an agency fee of 0.25 per cent. Repayment is to be made in 17 semi-annual installments.

Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, NPP-Asante Akim North, who seconded the motion, urged that the materials and equipment should be properly stored to prevent any destruction as happened to some electrical cables and other materials at Tema last year. He suggested that communities through which electricity transmission lines pass should be automatically connected to the national grid, if they satisfy SHEP-3 conditions.

Mr Baah-Wiredu complained that a number of towns have purchased and erected their own low tension poles for more than four years now but have been denied connection to the national grid. He said if for any reason, it is not possible for those towns to enjoy electricity now, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, should inform them accordingly.

This would enable MPs to answer questions from their constituents about the provision of power to communities expected to benefit from the facility.

Mr Emmanuel Baah-Danquah, NDC-Asutifi North,said compensation should be paid to all those, whose lands are used as a result of the project.

Mr J. K. Kumah, NDC-Twifo-Hemang-Lower Denkyira, said the loan is a testimony of the government's commitment to the provision of electricity to all communities by 2020.

Mr Kwame Dwamena-Aboagye, NDC-Asuogyaman,said he regretted that in Asuogyaman District, the centre for the generation of electricity, a number of communities within 20 kilometres of the source,"do not have electricity".

Nana Asante-Frempong, NPP-Kwabre, urged the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to provide stand-by transformers to the communities so that burnt out ones can easily be replaced. He said in some communities, the people are either made to wait for a very long time before their burnt out transformers are replaced, or they are asked to make contributions for the purchase of a new transformer, which they can not afford.

Mr Stephen Balado Manu, NPP-Ahafo Ano South, called for a reversion of the policy under which the impoverished rural communities are asked to buy and erect their own low tension poles while urban dwellers enjoy power without any preconditions.

Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, NPP-Akim Oda, suggested that towns between transmission lines and which satisfy SHEP-3 conditions, should be connected to the national grid alongside areas earmarked for the facility in order to reduce cost.

Mr Simon Abingya, Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, said the NES is on course and as expected, every community will enjoy electricity by 2020. He said the SHEP is a complementary programme to help communities, which cannot wait until 2020 and which satisfy the requirements to be connected to the national electricity grid. He said the programme is being undertaken in a scientific manner and urged the members to study it well and educate their constituents that the government is committed to extending electricity to all parts of the country.

Mr Abingya, the Member for Bolgatanga, explained that the Northern Region Electrification Project (NREP) had been delayed due to the northern conflict. He gave the assurance that every effort is being made to reactivate the programme to extend electricity to the region.

Accra, (Greater Accra) 25 Feb.

 The Minority in Parliament Thursday moved a motion calling on the government to withdraw this year's budget proposal and economic policy and bring another one that reflects the objectives of the Vision 2020 document.

The budget, the motion said, did not address some important undertakings by the National Economic Forum as well as critical problems facing the nation in education and unemployment.

The government should, therefore, withdraw the budget after which Parliament should pass a resolution for the release of funds to run the government until June this year.

Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, the minority spokesman on Trade and Industry moved the motion which was immediately objected to by the majority side.

Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, Majority Chief Whip, immediately objected to the second part of the motion arguing that it was unconstitutional and that the minority should re-phrase the motion and bring it back.

The issue was over whether Parliament has the constitutional right to extend the period of appropriation beyond the end of March as the motion sought to do.

''We are prepared to debate their motion, however, in respect of Article 180, the motion is unconstitutional, we can not be party to any unconstitutionality, put your house in order and come back for the debate'', Mr Adjaho said.

The motion read : ''that this house, having considered the Financial Policy of the Government for the Financial Year ending 31st December, 1999, and noting that:

''Some important undertakings at the National Economic Forum and critical problems facing the nation such as unemployment, education and measures to transform the economy and accelerate its rate of growth were not seriously addressed and:

''Noting further that targets in the budget do not support the targets as set out in Ghana Vision 2020:

''Request the Minister of Finance to withdraw the current budget proposal and submit fresh proposals to address the issues raised above and:

''Further request that the House approves, by Resolution, the withdrawal of adequate sums of monies from the Consolidated Fund for the purpose of meeting the expenditure necessary to carry on the services of the Government until end of June, 1999 when it is expected that the Appropriation Act in respect of the 1999 Financial Year will come into operation.''

Both sides quoted Article 108, 179, and 180 of the Constitution to support their arguments.

A heated debate followed with some minority back benchers saying to the majority, ''walk out!, walk out!'' .

''It is not our tradition!, it is not our tradition!'', some majority back benchers shouted back.

Nana Akufo Addo, the Minority spokesman on legal matters said: "We are impressed that the majority side is in the forefront of upholding the Constitution but we are satisfied about the propriety of our motion. ''In so far as Article 180 is concerned, there is no constitutional lacuna''.

He said their proposed motion was in order and that Parliament had the right to order funds from the consolidated fund to run the government beyond the end of March.

The Majority side led by Mr Albin S. K. Bagbin, chairman of the House's Committee on Legal and Constitutional Matters, argued that power lies with the executive.

He said it is the executive, who will initiate action for the Parliament to approve.

Mr Justice Daniel Francis Annan, ruled that since the issue was on the interpretation of the Constitution, it was not in his power to give a ruling on it.

The interpretation of the constitution is the preserve of the Supreme Court.

He, therefore, allowed the debate to proceed. He said the question of interpretation, should be disposed off by the appropriate body or that the two sides meet later to reach a consensus on it.

In considering their differences, Mr Justice Annan asked them to consider what happens if the budget is withdrawn, who authorises release of funds from the consolidated fund in the absence of an Appropriations Act?

Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo then proceeded to conclude moving the motion and the House adjourned after its secondment by Mr Charles Omar Nyanor, NPP-Upper Denkyira.

Accra, (Greater Accra) 25 Feb.  

Parliament Thursday passed the Customs and Excise (Duties and Other Taxes) (Amendment) Bill for the presidential assent to become law.

The bill seeks legal backing to the tariff changes announced in the government's budget.

A memorandum accompanying the bill said, ''The bill also seeks to abolish the Special Tax that is imposed on some selected commodities.

"This is to harmonise our tariffs in line with the ECOWAS tariffs applied in the sub-region''.

It also seeks to support local industry by imposing higher tariffs on some imported consumable commodities that have local substitutes.

Accra (Greater Accra), 26 Feb.  

This year's budget statement and economic policy are at variance with key indicators of the government's Vision 2020, consequently, Ghana cannot become a middle income country by 2020.

Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, who said this while moving a motion for the withdrawal of the budget, claimed that the budget ignored very important recommendations of the National Economic Forum (NEF).

The member based his arguments on among other things Vision 2020 targets, recommendations of the NEF on VAT, government expenditure, excessive government borrowings and comments by the Private Enterprises Foundation (PEF) on the budget.

''Do we halt and set aside the government's Vision 2020 or do we halt the budget in its present state, revise it and put it on track?

"We are anxious to be a middle-income country and our budgets should reflect that developmental direction."

Mr Osafo-Maafo said NEF recommended, among other things, measures to protect government revenue, which have not been implemented after the introduction of VAT as promised by the government.

''We cannot as a Parliament on one hand push the public to assist with the mobilisation of increased revenue under VAT and at the same time refuse to take definitive steps to protect the revenue''.

He said for the past years 80 per cent of Ghana's export has been accounted for by gold, cocoa and timber.

There is nothing in the budget to change this state of affairs as recommended by Vision 2020.

The document said exports should grow from 1995 level of 1.5 billion dollars to 16.7 billion dollars by 2020. Current total export revenue is 1.8 billion dollars.

The member said the gap is too big and the budget must have measures to address them.

Mr Osafo-Maafo quoted a report of the PEF, which was critical of the budget, saying, "the minority are not alone in asking for a review".

The report said in part: It is hoped the usual public and private sector co-operation would facilitate the emergence of a serious review of the 1999 budget to make it more feasible, very realistic and supportive of the objective of achieving a better economic performance''.

Accra (Greater Accra), 26 Feb.

 The government is to explore new initiatives through the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and seek the involvement of district assemblies and regional administrations in the construction and maintenance of police stations and barracks.

Nii Okaija Adamafio, Minister of the Interior, told Parliament during "Question Time" that most police stations are in rented premises, a situation which does not promote effective policing. "We aspire to correct the situation and build permanent police stations in all areas where stations are in rented premises, but the major constraint has been finance", he said.

Mr Adu-Gyamfi Poku, NPP-Bosomtwe, had sought to find out what plans the Ministry of the Interior has to construct a police station and quarters at Kuntanase and Jachie.

Nii Okaija gave the assurance that when the implementation of the new initiatives begins, the situation will significantly improve.

Asked whether it will not be difficult for the district assemblies and the regional administrations to handle such a responsibility when the government has not been able to address the problem, Nii Okaija said he did not think so.

He denied that this has been a case of government's inability to provide the facilities.

"The initiatives are in consonance with the government's policy of devolution of powers to enable the district assemblies and the regional administrations to have a measure of control over such facilities and direct part of their attention to their provision", Nii Okaija said.

Nii Okaija agreed with a suggestion that police stations should be coterminous with district assemblies so that the stations can benefit from the assemblies' resources and said the sector ministry will consider it.

On the provision of fire tenders and appliances to the Kuntanase Fire station, the Minister said it is a long-standing policy of the government to provide fire tenders to all fire stations.

"We have programmed to supply to some 64 district capitals, including Kuntanase as soon as we can. Our handicap is insufficient budgetary funding to procure more tenders".

Asked to supply the list of the districts to be provided with fire tenders, Nii Okaija gave the assurance that he would furnish the House with the list later, since he could not tell off-hand.

Nii Okaija told the House that currently, the ministry is actively seeking for foreign assistance to enable more fire engines to be ordered for allocation to fire stations across the country.

He said he has had a meeting with the Italian Ambassador to seek a request for assistance in this direction, adding that previous attempts have been made to get enough fire tenders for the stations. "This afternoon, I am meeting a corporate body, which will look at the issue with the United States as to what assistance can be offered in this regard. We are relentless in this effort".

He told a questioner, who wanted to know the status of the Fire Council, that the body has been established and it will be inaugurated soon.

Asked how much of the one per cent deducted from water bills as fire fighting fund has been collected and to what use the money has been put, the Minister said he requires notice to be able to answer the question.

Accra (Greater Accra), 26 Feb.

 Four Ministers will appear before Parliament to answer questions pertaining to their sector ministries. They are the Ministers of Works and Housing, Education, the Interior and Finance.

This was announced today by Dr Kwabena Adjei, Leader of the House when he presented the business statement for the eighth week, from March two to March five.

During the week, there will be motions for the adoption of a number of reports from the various committees.

They include two reports from the Finance Committee on Tax and Duty Exemptions for the construction of Sekondi Harbour and the rehabilitation of phase four of the Kumasi-Yeji (Gyato Zongo-Yeji) road, respectively.

Also expected to be adopted are two reports of the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation on the Domestic Electricity (Exemption) Instrument 1999 L.I. 1650, and the Public Utilities (Termination of Service) Regulation 1999 L.I. 1651.

The Committee of Health will lay before Parliament a report on an agreement between the Free Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Germany and Ghana for the establishment and operation of the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research into Tropical Medicine (KCCR). The "Institute of Professional Studies" and the National Road Safety Commission Bills will be read for the third time.

The debate on the motion for the approval of the financial policy of the government, for the year ending 31st December 1999 will run through the week and would be conclude on Friday, March five.