Gri Parliament News 15-1-99

Accra, 15 Jan. 

Parliament today took the Export Development and Investment Fund Bill and the Institute of Professional Studies Bill, through their first stages of passage.

The bill on the Export Development and Investment Fund seeks to establish by statute, a fund to provide credit guarantees to small, medium and large-scale enterprises, specifically, in the non-traditional export sector. A memorandum on the bill says the establishment of the fund is an innovation in the export sector, explaining that currently, the commercial banks are unable to meet the demand for credit facilities and where able, the cost had been high.

It says under the fund, the necessary financial support will be provided for enterprises in the non-traditional export sector. The object of the draft legislative proposal on the Institute of Professional Studies is to re-enact the Institute of Professional Studies Decree, 1978 (SMCD 200), to upgrade the institute to a tertiary level.

The accompanying memorandum says the institute was founded in 1967 by a private proprietor to provide tuition for external accountancy examinations including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Association of International Accountants and Institute of Chartered Secretaries.

The memorandum explains that the government in 1977, took over the management of the institute and placed it directly under the Ministry of Education as a result of ineffective administration leading to incessant student unrest.

Earlier, Dr Kwabena Adjei, Leader of the House presented to members the business statement for the week ending January 22, 1999.

Dr Adjei said due to the national holiday on Tuesday, January 21, to mark the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, the House will resume sitting on Wednesday, January 22. When the House reconvenes, a motion will be moved to thank the President for his address with which he opened the third session of Parliament.

The subsequent days of the week will be devoted to debating the sessional address, the business statement said.

Accra (Greater Accra) 15 Jan.

Parliament today sent a message of felicitation and goodwill to all Muslims in the country and expressed the hope that they would allow the meaning of Islam - peace - be part and parcel of their daily life in the new year.

Members also stressed the need for Muslims to learn to be tolerant of the religions, law-abiding, respect dissenting views and live together as brothers and sisters serving one true God albeit in different ways.

''On behalf of parliament, I extend our warmest felicitations to the Muslim community on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Fitr,'' Mr Justice Daniel Francis Annan, Speaker, said after a statement to commemorate the end of the Ramadan fast by Alhaji Babilami Abu-Sadat, NDC-Awutu-Senya.

Members further stressed the need for Muslims to educate their children, particularly the girl child, to ensure that Muslim communities do not remain marginalised.

In the statement, Alhaji Abu-Sadat said Ramadan fasting emboldens Muslims to get closer to God and remind them to offer service and renew relationships with their fellow human beings.

''I call on fellow Muslims not to end our service to mankind with the Ramadan fasting...Friends need our love and care, let us remember them both in prayers and in deeds''.

The member said Muslims will never forget the things that the government has done and is still doing for them, adding: ''may the Ramadan fast bring Ghanaians closer to one another, irrespective of one's political persuasion to help us build a better Ghana''.

Alhaji M. A Seidu, deputy majority leader, said one main purpose of self-denial during the fast is for spiritual development and for sacrifice.

He urged Muslims not to get carried away by the merry-making at the end of the fast but continue to direct their resources to help the poor and the needy.

Sheikh I. C Quaye, deputy minority chief whip, said the Eid-ul-Fitr is a celebration of the remarkable achievement of individual Muslims in attaining righteousness, piety and peace among men.

Muslims and everybody alike should do away with self-seeking, self-preservation and give way to self-giving and self-sacrifice to enable Ghana to move forward.

Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, a deputy minister of Education, said Muslims and Christians should be guided by the commonalties between their religion, that is, faith, omnipotence and omnipresence of God.

He noted that both religions are founded on compassion for the poor and disadvantaged and adherents should, therefore, work towards inter-faith dialogue and understanding.

Muslims should strive to avoid violence among themselves and between them and other religions.

Mr Kojo Yankah, Ashanti Regional Minister, today called on parliament to commend the Tijanniya and Al-Sunna Muslim groups in Kumasi for signing a memorandum of understanding last week to end hostilities between them.

He further urged parliament to encourage the Moshie community to emulate them and smoke the peace pipe to allow the Eid-ul-Fitr to be celebrated in=peace and harmony on Tuesday.

Mr Yankah was contributing to a statement by Alhaji Babalami Abu-Sadat, NDC-Awutu Senya, to commemorate the end of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Mr Yankah said the regional administration has met the two factions and impressed upon them that only one chief is recognised by the Asantehene and by court judgement, and, therefore, urged other factions to do the same.

''Let this year's Ramadan be one of peace, love, charity and tolerance,'' he added.

Alhaji Ahmed Musah, NDC-Asokwa East, in whose constituency the two groups live, also commended the Tijanniya and Al-Sunna groups and urged others to emulate them.

He commended them for attending Koranic Commentary Sessions together and urged their leaders to see to it that this gain is sustained.