Sahara contract must be abrogated - Minority
Stadiums to be provided in all regional capitals
Appropriate solutions made towards protecting Coastline
Ayawaso to be hooked to the Weija water system
Locals to dominate Black Stars - Joe Aggrey
We need to make female boxing safe before licensing it-Joe Aggrey
Accra (Greater Accra) 28 June 2001
A heavy down pour on Wednesday morning forced Parliament to suspend sitting to allow members to assess flooding in parts of Accra.
The House called the attention of the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Kwamena Bartels to the fact that it had been raining since dawn and expressed the fear that with the drainage system in Accra some people might be marooned.
Mr Bartels leapt to his feet and said with experience and reports reaching him indicated that there would be a likely disaster and that the people needed immediate assistance.
He said it is during rainfall that one could actually ascertain the disaster areas and asked members to help in assessing the situation.
Supporting this view Mr Isaac Adjei-Mensah, the Deputy Minority Leader, said being the predecessor to the Minister he guessed what the situation might be and that it was necessary for members to help in that direction.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah, the Deputy Majority Leader, supported the stand and asked that sitting in the House should be adjourned.
Earlier Mr Kwakye Addo, NDC-Afram Plains South, drew the Minister's attention to a severe leakage at the Press Gallery where bowls have to be used to collect the dripping water from the ceiling while the journalists covering Parliament clustered in safe corners of the gallery.
Mr Bartels accompanied by Sheikh I. C. Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister, told the Ghana News Agency that they would contact the Chief of Staff and other security agencies and if possible use a helicopter for an aerial survey.
He said rescue operations would be initiated to assist people who would be marooned.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 June 2001
The Minority on Tuesday called on the Minister of Energy, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah to resign for deceiving Ghanaians and signing an oil supply contract with Sahara Energy Resource Limited that was inimical to the national economy.
At a press conference in Parliament House, Mr Abraham Kofi Asante, the Minority spokesman on Energy, criticised the assertion by Mr Kan-Dapaah that the Sahara contract was a better deal and makes savings of some 7.5 million dollars for the state.
He said the Vitol and Sahara contracts were incomparable because the contractual obligations were very different, adding that after detailed analysis it comes to light that the Sahara contract would rather cause serious financial loss to the state.
Mr Asante said, "the country-to-country agreement between Ghana and Nigeria for the supply of 30,000 barrels of crude oil per day was signed on March 16, this year while the first lifting was on April 1, the same year".
Mr Alban Bagbin, Mr Moses Asaga, Mr Doe Adjaho and a host of NDC members of Parliament flanked Mr Asante and lent him their support and assisted with explanations.
Mr Asante said on May 10, Parliament submitted a question on the Sahara contract and the Minister appeared before the House on May 30 to answer questions on the contract.
He said the contract between Sahara and the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) was signed on May 25.
He said, "what this means is that either there was no contract covering the initial Sahara lifting between first April to May 25 or that there was a contract to which the people of Ghana have not been made privy.
Mr Asante said it was believed that because of a provision in the agreement to the effect that "this management services contract constitutes the entire agreement between both parties and supersedes any previous contracts, agreement or understandings between the parties" gives credence to the fact that there was a secret deal somewhere.
He said total annual windfall accruing to Sahara for lifting oil in a year would be 2,862,000 dollars while it would earn bonus 360,000 dollars which adds up to 3,222,000 dollars.
Mr Asante criticised a clause in the contract which says that "all parties agreed to maintain a strict code of secrecy concerning the terms, existence and/or contents".
Mr Asante said, "This clearly undermine the sovereignty of the Ghanaian people and Ghana's Parliament.
"It suggest that even as representatives of the people, Ghana's Parliament does not have the right to see the contract and this could explain why the Minister for Energy has been so reluctant to lay the Sahara contract before Parliament so that its merits and demerits can be examined".
Mr Asante said the Sahara scandal came to light "because it was alleged that it was a group of NPP gurus and their relations who had gotten together to form the Sahara Energy Resources (Ghana) Limited to clinch the deal.
"The internal pressure generated within the NPP itself must have compelled a reconfiguration of the arrangements which has culminated in the present contract featuring an Isle of Man incorporated and registered and Nigeria represented Sahara Company."
Mr Bagbin said the agreement was not even ratified by Parliament and called for its abrogation for it to be put on tender.
He requested for an independent investigation team to do a thorough work and expose the deal "for this to be done the Minister should either resign or proceed on leave as has been the policy of the NPP".
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 June 2001
The Ministry of Youth and Sports has initiated a policy to provide up-to-date stadiums in all regional capitals as well as community playing fields throughout the country.
The policy also provides for the construction of 10,000-seater stadiums a for all districts and a fully equipped Olympic sized complex to host all international sporting activities.
Mr Joe Aggrey, Deputy Minister of Sports told Parliament in reacting to a question posed by Ms Akua Sena Dansua, NDC-North Dayi as to what plans he has to rehabilitate and ensure the effective utilisation of the Kpando Sports Stadium, which was the only alternative to the Ho Sports Stadium for the whole of the Volta Region.
He said in line with the policy, the Ministry makes budgetary provision and solicits funding from various sources to undertake the projects but due to limited resources and low response for sponsorship it was not possible to carry through the plans.
Mr Aggrey said under the circumstances, therefore, attention was being focused on district and regional sports stadiums that were Premier League Centres and on stadiums which have been slated for the hosting of national and regional sports competitions.
He said the Kpando Sports Stadium has been selected to be the venue for a National Handball competition in September and accordingly the National Sports Council was liaising with the Volta Region Sports Council and the Handball Association to seek sponsorship for the construction of two additional courts.
"Our efforts at wooing private and public sector sponsorship into the sporting field have not yielded the desired results for several reasons, including lack of motivation for potential investors and sponsors".
Mr Aggrey said in this connection, the Ministry was taking a second look at tax relief packages provided under the Income Tax (Amendment) Regulations, 1999 (L. I. 1511).
He said the law makes all monies declared as spent on sports promotion and developments as tax exempt to make it more meaningful and attractive to investors in sports.
The Deputy Minister reminded the House of the government's decentralisation programme in which sports administration has been decentralised to the local authorities, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies that are expected to provide and maintain sports facilities in their areas.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 June 2001
The Majority on Tuesday technically deserted Parliament to stall voting on the escalating prices of foodstuffs in the country, which the Minority was calling on the government to address.
The Speaker, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey could not put the question to a vote, as the less than 100 members in the House did not form a quorum.
The vote would have been taken on whether the government should take immediate steps to arrest the current escalation of food prices or that the government should stabilise food prices at a future date when the economy improves.
The original motion which stands in the name of NDC members, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, (Avenor), Mr John Akologu Tia (Talensi) and Dr Alfred Tia (Nalerigu) reads: "that this House views with serious concern the current escalating prices of foodstuffs and urges the government to take immediate steps to arrest the situation".
Four NPP members introduced an amendment motion that: “conscious of the strenuous efforts currently being made by (the) government to improve the economy, urges (the) government to remain steadfast in this pursuit in order to revamp the agricultural sector and stabilise food prices”.
This motion was co-sponsored by Mr Abraham Ossei-Aidooh, Tema West, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Old Tafo-Suame, Mr Kwame Osei Prempeh, Nsuta-Kwamang and Mr Samuel Balado Manu, Ahafo Ano South.
Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Afigya-Sekyere West, Mr Paul Appiah-Ofori, Asikuma/Odoben/Brakwa, Nana Akomea, Okaikwei South and Mr Reginald Ayi-Bonte, Odododiodoo all NPP members who contributed to the amendment motion like the previous speakers on their side condemned the NDC, the immediate past government for being responsible for the current food situation.
They said the NPP was only five months old in office and could, therefore, not be held liable for the current escalation of food prices since it was the NDC, which did not provide food security through sound agricultural practices.
Mr Isaac K. N. Ofori, NDC-Sefwi Wiawso brought a finger of lean plantain, which he said now cost 1,000 cedis and a small sized "kenkey" which sells at 500 cedis and asked the Speaker, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey of how much of those food items could a man with a family buy to feed his household.
Amidst laughter, the Speaker said the member was behaving like Mr Kwaku Baah, a former MP, who also sent "koobi and kenkey" to Parliament to drive home his point.
Mr Alban Bagbin, the Minority Leader, who was making his contribution while members of the Majority side were streaming from the chamber, taunted them that they were running away from a harmless motion, which only sought to solve the hunger problem of those who voted them to Parliament to think about their welfare.
"I thought the NPP are sensitive to the plight of the people and that when they took the June 4 motion under a certificate of urgency and brought their ministers from Spain to vote for the motion they are rather not taking the food situation seriously".
He said the NPP amendment motion was for a long-term solution to the stabilisation of food prices, which would take a long time to be realised, but the NDC's motion was only seeking to address the short-term solution to enable the people to survive before they enjoy any future benefits.
Mr Bagbin called for the rejection of the amendment motion and asked for support for the original motion.
The Speaker said the issue would be put to a vote on Wednesday whether a quorum was formed or not saying "the problem is still there even when it is delayed. You cannot run away from the problem".
Earlier the Attorney General and Minister for Justice Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo laid the Criminal Code (Repeal of Criminal Libel and Seditious Laws)
(Amendment) Bill.
Captain Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development also laid an 11 million Deutsch Mark loan agreement between Ghana and Germany to support the implementation of the District Capital (III) Project.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 June 2001
Mr Kwamena Bartels, Minister for Works and Housing on Tuesday said the Hydrology Department of the Ministry has been monitoring the coastline with special emphasis on areas of social and economic concern and providing appropriate solutions where required.
The Ministry was very much concerned about the coastal erosion problem facing the country, which of late appears to have intensified in certain coastal communities, Mr Bartels said in an answer to a question by Mr Samuel Johnfiah, NPP-Ahanta West, as to what plans his Ministry has to embark on sea defence works at Dixcove, New Amanful, Funkoe, Butre, Busua, Asemko, Adjoa, Egyambra and Princess Akatakyi all fishing communities in the Ahanta West Constituency in the Western Region.
He said with regard to the communities referred to by the Member, the Ministry has initiated sea defence projects at Butre and Princess Akatakyi where a system of groynes were being constructed and were almost completed.
He said contracts were awarded last year for the construction of amour rock revetment (large rock boulders) at the communities of New Amanful, Funkoe and Dixcove but this could not be executed because Certificate for Commencement of works could not be obtained.
A budgetary provision of 100 million cedis has been made for the project for the work to take off in the course of the year.
Mr Bartels said the construction of groynes have been very effective resulting in sand build-ups and thereby checking erosion, saying in 1996 when the Busua Pleasure Beach Resort was threatened with destruction by sea waves, the Hydrology Department stepped in to save the situation by constructing a series of groynes along the beach.
He said for the communities of Adjoa, Egyambra and Asemko, which were new situations, a report indicates that the three fishing communities were in serious problem and that there was the need to build a system of groynes to check the erosion.
The Minister gave the assurance that the ministry would critically examine the situation and come up with appropriate solution to save the fishing communities from the effects of the waves.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 June 2001
Communities in parts of the Ayawaso East constituency now receiving water from the Kpong water supply system would be hooked to the Weija Headworks rehabilitation and expansion works on its completion to ensure reliable water supply.
The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWLC) has already started laying some pipelines to link Alajo, Pig Farm and Kotobabi while the newly constructed GRP overhead tank at Accra Girls Secondary School has been tested and would be used to improve water supply within the constituency.
Mr Kwamena Bartels, Minister for Works and Housing said short and long-term remedial measures were been taken to address the causes of the poor water supply to the area.
The Minister was answering a question in Parliament posed by Major Dr Mustapha Ahmed (rtd), as to why the chronic water problem in the Ayawaso East constituency has persisted for so long and what his plans were to solve the problem.
Mr Bartels said as a short-term measure, consumers in the Ayawaso area would be served with water at least twice in a week until the situation improves.
He said as a water management practice the GWLC is embarking on water rationing to areas along the Accra-Tema Motorway and Spintex Road to allow more water to flow into the Accra Terminal reservoir to improve the pumping of more water to the medium pressure zone.
Under the long- term measures, it is proposed to link the Accra Terminal Reservoir to the Weija Supply system to enable water to be transferred from Weija Head Works to Okponglo and vice versa.
The Minister attributed the causes of the poor water supply to huge supply deficit in the Metropolis due to inadequate production at the Head Works, the increasing volume of water used up along the Spintex Road and the Tema Motorway by industries and developers.
Others were the poor reservoir levels at Okponglo where the reduction in hours of operations do not allow sufficient quantity of water to flow to high rise areas while the distribution network in the area was poor with some areas such as Nima not being accessible for pipe laying.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 June 2001
Mr Joe Aggrey, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, on Tuesday said henceforth local players would dominate the Senior National Team.
"The policy on Premier and Division one Leagues would be reviewed and made more rewarding and lucrative to be able to retain our football stars who would serve as the core of the Black Stars."
Mr Aggrey, who was answering Parliamentary questions said: "Ghana has young and skilful players, who when given the necessary technical direction and training would in future be among the best in the World."
He said a coach to be engaged for the National Team would be required to tour all league centres and make his own selection for the predominately local squad to be put together for a considerable length of time to enhance co-ordination and understanding.
"It must be stated that as much as possible we shall not rely heavily on foreign based players, most of whom are unable to train with the team before playing crucial matches."
He said management and technical personnel of the National Teams would be given the free hand to handle all disciplinary issues concerning the team to ensure that players remain dedicated to national goals and aspirations.
The Deputy Minister said the ministry's policy direction of football is now youth oriented and that youth programmes would be vigorously pursued.
"It is our intention to place more emphasis on the selection process of the youth teams. No short cuts would be tolerated. Participation in youth teams should be the means to an end and not the other way round as has been the case in the past."
Mr Aggrey said the National Sports College would be upgraded and made the hub for the camping of all national football teams.
On the monitoring of players, he said Ghana Football Association (GFA) technical directorate would be revamped to monitor the performance of players of the National Teams for the form guide.
"Website for all our National Teams would be developed at the Directorate to promote our performance internationally and provide a cheaper and easier but reliable way of contacting our foreign based players".
The Deputy Minister said a "think tank" made up of renowned technical brains in football would be formed to offer technical advice and other forms of assistance to the coaches of the national teams.
He said the Marketing Department of the National Sports Council would be strengthened to make it more purposeful in their quest to solicit funds for the teams.
"Once the national teams are well catered for, through other sources, government could augment the winning bonus and other incentive packages."
Mr Aggrey announced that the ministry intends to institute adequate individual and group insurance cover in respect of injuries sustained while playing for any of the national teams.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 28 June 2001
Female boxers would not be licensed until sufficient education and preparation have been done to ensure their safety in the ring, Mr Joe Aggrey, Deputy Minister of Sports said on Tuesday.
"We are cautious about licensing female boxers because we want to avoid any tragedy".
Mr Kwakye Addo, NDC-Afram Plains South, had asked about the steps being taken by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to license female boxers.
Mr Aggrey said improved and properly designed chest protectors and medical examinations and the drawing up of special rules and regulations should be in place before female boxing is taken any further.
"Under the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) professional rules (2.28), contestants are not expected to wear head gears, vest, and even breast protectors. It is extremely difficult to imagine how female boxers can successfully practise the sport as professionals in Ghana where people abhor the exposure of certain parts of the body of our women in public."
He said as provided by the regulations, one must have passed through amateur ranks to learn the very rudiments of the sports and gain sufficient experience for one's personal protection in the ring.
"Low blows and their effects on the menstrual cycle as well as the effects of hefty punches on the breasts of female boxers needed to be scientifically analysed and addressed."
Mr Aggrey said, notwithstanding these considerations, the GBA was making the necessary contacts and efforts to introduce female boxing.
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