"We're not hypocrites" - Parliamentarians

Parliament wants review of timber law 

Accra (Greater Accra), 13^th January 2000

Members of Parliament on Wednesday debunked the notion of a section of the public that they are hypocrites who have entered politics to deceive Ghanaians for their personal gains.

"I am glad that someone is saying we co-operate. When there is division in society, it is Parliament, which must hold it together. We should not sow seeds of discord," Dr. Kwabena Adjei, the Majority Leader said.

He was reacting to a statement by a contributor at the seventh annual public forum organised by Parliament at the National Theatre in Accra.

The annual event was instituted at the instance of Mr. Justice Daniel Annan, Speaker, as one of the legislature's outreach programmes to give the public an insight into its activities.

The contributor had received huge applause from the audience after asserting, "Politicians are fooling us, they insult each other in public and wine and dine together in private"

Mr. Joseph Henry Mensah, the Minority Leader said, " Without differences in opinions and positions, Parliament is about nothing."

He said the fact that politicians argue and show clear differences in opinion on national matters and later socialise does not mean that they are betraying their followers.

Mr. Mensah asked the public to volunteer information to their various representatives in Parliament to strengthen the nation's democracy.

On the recent unresolved murders of women in Accra, the Member of Parliament for Yendi, Alhaji Alhassan Yakubu said, the low human and capital resource base of the Police Service has rendered it weak and slow to attend to matters as swift as expected.

He said Parliament has endeavoured to see to it that the Police was well equipped.

Nii Okaiji Adamafio, Minister of the Interior, countered that the Ministry does not wait for parliamentary prodding to do its work. He assured the public that the Police are working tirelessly to unravel the mystery behind the serial killing which had led to the death of 12 women in the past year.

Two opposing responses were given when a questioner wanted to know about the periodic change in the ex-pump price of petroleum products.

"Parliament will soon find a way to work its way into the fixing of these prices because it is the people who suffer and not the market, which suffer as a result of these increases," was the reply from Mr. Mensah.

The Deputy Minister for Mines and Energy, Simon Abingya, explained that market forces over which the government has no control dictates prices.

He said, " that does not mean the government is not sensitive to the plight of the people".

A disabled questioner, who wanted to take the Minister of Employment and Social Welfare to task for being insensitive to her plight, had her day messed up, when the Minister, Alhaji Mohammad Mumuni cast doubts about her credibility.

She had petitioned Parliament for help to establish a vocational institute but after investigations, Alhaji Mumuni found that her "antecedence were in no way honourable."

The Volta regional Parliament Caucus was also taken to task for not doing enough to lessen the plight of their constituents.

Squadron leader retired Clend Sowu, blamed the perceived retrogression of the region on inadequate publicity.

GRi

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Accra (Greater Accra), 13^th January 2000

Concerns expressed by members of Parliament on the scarcity of lumber as a result of the Timber Resource Management Act,(Act 547) may result in the review of the law.

" Issues that we did not anticipate have come up in the implementation of the instrument. I think the Minister of Lands and Forestry would have to come and explain certain things to the House" Mr. Justice Daniel Francis Annan, Speaker of the House said on Wednesday.

The law, which regulates the exploitation and use of timber, came up for discussion when Mr. Kosi Kedem, NDC-Hohoe South, issued a statement on the scarcity of lumber in his constituency.

He said the implementation of the law has led to several problems which if not addressed would send strong dissent and opposition against it.

" Thousands of chainsaw operators have been rendered jobless and have become social liabilities."

The member said the inadequate supply of lumber and other timber products have led to high prices of the commodity.

Mr. Kedem called for the establishment of lumber depots in all district capitals to ease the current shortage.

"I appeal to the government to institute effective measures to supply lumber and other timber products at affordable price to the people"

Papa Owusu-Ankomah, NPP-Sekondi, said the sentiments expressed by Mr. Kedem have vindicated those who opposed the law right from the beginning and asked that the law should be reviewed.

Mr Appiah-Kubi, NDC-Jaman, called for the setting up of mills in remote areas to help locals to make the best use of their timber resources.

Sqdr. Leader Clend Sowu (rtd), NDC, countered that it is not possible to have mills all over the place saying that would not make for good financial and engineering practice.

Instead, players in the timber industry should improve on their marketing strategies and lessen the frustrations of the local people, he said.

Mr Freddie Blay, Second Deputy Speaker, called for the review of the Law and said its implementation has brought about bureaucracy and a "kind of tyranny that has brought suffering to rural communities".

Mr. Yaw Osafo Marfo, NPP-Oda, said that the implementation of the law has encouraged corruption in the industry.

He said task forces set to enforce the law have been exploiting the system for their personal financial gains.

Ms. Christie Churcher, NPP-Cape Coast, said the shortage and high prices of lumber and timber products has had a bad affect on the fishing industry.

She said the fisher folk in her area go through a lot of frustrations before getting timber for the construction of canoes.

GRi

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