GRi In Parliament 12-03-99

Accra (Greater Accra) 12 March

 Members of Parliament from both the majority and minority sides on Thursday commended President Jerry John Rawlings on his recent state visit to America.

 The five-day visit, from Tuesday, February 23, to Saturday, February 27, at the invitation of President Bill Clinton, was reciprocal to the one he made to Ghana last year as part of a six-nation African tour.

 In a statement to Parliament on the visit, Mr Kofi Attor, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Ho Central, said the President, his wife, and the 14-member delegation were treated to a memorable welcome ceremony on the lawns of the White House. 

This type of welcome is reserved for treasured visitors to the United States, and President Rawlings is the second, African head of state after President Nelson Mandela of South Africa, to be accorded it in the past 10 years. 

Mr Attor recounted the series of important meetings held in President Rawlings' honour and said at those forums, the President was consistent with his message to the American establishments and people.

 The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee said it is gratifying to note that President Rawlings chose not to speak for Ghana, but to play the role of a spokesman for Africa.

 "One thing that has come out clearly from this visit is that Africa has a credible, sincere and acceptable spokesman in the person of the President of the Republic of Ghana."

 Mr Attor stated that not only did President Rawlings voice out the frustrations of Africa and the feeling of abandonment by the Western World, but he also called on the U.S. to do more to alleviate poverty, hunger and starvation on the continent. 

He said the President delivered his messages with such passion and conviction that he made a lot of positive impressions on the various groups of people who listened to him at various times during the tour.

 Mr Attor described the visit as "an overwhelming success in all respects". He pointed out that "this success cannot be determined by the quantum of dollars signed in bilateral agreements, but in the opportunities that this visit has created for Ghana both in the state and private sectors of our economy".

 He urged the President to continue with "this arduous task of advocacy for Africa", and was optimistic that with the support of other credible African leaders, the continent's case would be made and "Africa's time will come sooner than later."

The committee chairman charged officials tasked to do follow-ups to the various meetings and agreements, to take their assignments seriously. 

Mr Attor thanked the American President, the American Embassy in Ghana, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ghana and all others whose "immense contributions  made the visit possible and highly successful".

 Dr Kwabena Adjei, Majority Leader, urged Ghanaians to present Ghana in a positive light and appealed to them to refrain from putting negative information about Ghana on the Internet. 

Nana Akufo-Addo, NPP-Abuakwa, stressed the need for Ghanaians to guard against their hard-won independence, see to the entrenchment of the rule of law, and defend the fundamental human rights of the ordinary citizens of this country.

 Mr George Buadi, NDC-Amenfi East, compared President Rawlings to Ghana's first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah of blessed memory. 

He said the two leaders conceived the idea that Ghana's problems could not be solved in isolation from those of the entire African continent. 

Mr Thomas Kwame Yeboah, NDC-Dormaa West, urged African nations engaged in conflicts to re-consider their stance and strive to bring peace into their respective countries to merit such invitations. 

Mr Fuzzy Dapaah Torbay, NDC-Okere, stated that the invitation to the President re-affirms America's "tremendous" trust and confidence in Ghana. 

Mrs Grace Coleman, NPP-Effiduase Asokore, stressed the need to ensure that the nation's economy is well structured to remove all barriers that hinder"our development and progress". 

Mrs Coleman reminded Ghanaians that we could only nurture Ghana's young democracy if we tolerate divergent shades of views and opinions. 

Other members who supported the statement included Mr Kosi Kedem, NDC-Hohoe South, Mr Kwame Osei-Prempeh, NPP-Nsuta Kwamang, Mr Evans Kodjo Ahorsey, NDC-Ayensuano and Mr Charles Omar Nyanor, NPP-Upper Denkyira.

Accra (Greater Accra) 12 March 

Parliament on Thursday approved 85.05 billion cedis for the Ministry of Foreign affairs as its annual estimates for 1999, to enable the ministry to implement the country's foreign policy objectives.

 Personnel emoluments take up 37.39 billion cedis of the allocation, administration, 37.94 billion cedis, service expenses, 4.1 billion cedis and investment, 5.58 billion cedis.

 In a motion calling on the House to approve the estimates, Mr James Victor Gbeho, the sector minister, stressed the need for the ministry to be adequately resourced to discharge its constitutional obligations efficiently.

 He said among its functions, the ministry promotes and protects the interest of Ghana and its citizens abroad and provides efficient consular services within and outside the country.

 It is also to promote Ghanaian exports, foreign investment and tourism, and to seek scientific, technological and cultural links with other countries and  institutions.

 Mr Gbeho told the House that in the medium-term, the ministry intends to advise the government on the formulation of policies on international development likely to adversely affect the enhancement of the country's security and prosperity.

 The ministry also promotes a policy of good relations with neighbouring countries in the interest of stability, cultural exchange and economic  integration, as well as play a positive role as a member of the United Nations,  the Commonwealth, OAU, ECOWAS and other international organisations.

 Mr Gbeho told the House that economic diplomacy now constitutes the ministry's main foreign policy. 

Two hundred officers will be sponsored  to undertake various training programmes to acquire skills in economics,  accounting and financial management.

 He expressed the hope that the training will equip the officers with the knowledge and orientation necessary to pursue Ghana's investment drive and consular services. 

The minister announced that to complement the training of officers, the ministry would hold a special meeting in Accra during the year to bring together all heads of missions abroad to exchange views on the direction of Ghana's foreign policy in the next millennium.

 The ministry also plans to negotiate with the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), to take over the International Students' Hostel in Accra.

 In its report, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs commended the ministry for its "undaunting efforts and achievements" for the nation in the face of the numerous economic constraints. 

The committee therefore urged the Ministry of Finance to release all the approved estimates to the ministry "in order not to sacrifice the glorious image of the country on the altar of need".

 Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Minority Spokesman on Foreign Affairs, urged the ministry to ensure that the funds are used judiciously. 

He said it is expensive for the ministry to maintain 30 ambassadors on contract, while there are 25 serving "A1" officers who have ambassadorial status. 

He asked the Ministry of Trade and allied ministries to provide data base information to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enhance its economic diplomacy efforts. 

Mr John Tia, NDC-Talensi, said he would have wished that the ministry's  budget was released because of its important role. 

The ministry had submitted a request for 102.48 billion cedis, but this was cut by 15 per cent to 85.05 billion cedis.

 Papa Owusu-Ankomah, NPP-Sekondi, said action should be expedited on the divestiture of the International Students Hostel, so that the proceeds could be used to rehabilitate some of the ministry's landed property abroad.

 Mr J.H. Mensah, Minority Leader, called for a foreign policy that will promote friendly relations with Ghana's neighbours. 

He described the Ghana-Togo border at Aflao, as a "border between hostile neighbours", saying security agents of both countries are seen fully armed with assault rifles. 

"The only test of the success of the ministry's foreign policy is when we have peace, so that we can afford to relax.

 "If our relationship with our immediate neighbour is uneasy, then our foreign policy is a failure". 

The Minority Leader urged the Foreign Ministry to ensure that Ghana's ambassadors and other foreign service officers discharge their duties in a non-partisan spirit, so that Ghanaians of all persuasions would feel free to avail themselves of the services provided by "our foreign missions".

 Winding up, Mr Gbeho said the work of the ministry is crucial to national development and therefore assured the House that the approved estimates will be used judiciously. 

Mr Gbeho said the government has taken positive steps to improve Ghana-Togo relations. 

"We have come to an era where we should be our brother's keeper", he said  in response to the concerns of the Minority Leader. 

Accra (Greater Accra) 12 March

The national oversight committee for the sale and distribution of premixed fuel has collected over one billion cedis as levy from the sale of premix fuel.

 This will be disbursed among the various community-based fishing management  committees to help fishermen to acquire inputs to further improve their capacities.

 Mr J. H. Owusu-Acheampong, Minister of Food and Agriculture, said this in an answer to a question in parliament on Thursday.

 He said the whole programme will undergo periodic assessment to ensure that fuel is neither diverted nor smuggled out of the country.

 In this regard, the sale is being limited to certain service centres, for example. 

The country's annual fish requirement is about 700,000 metric tonnes, out of which 400,000 tonnes are produced locally, with canoe fishermen accounting for about 75 per cent. 

In an answer to another question on the payment of tax by Ghanaians owning vessels fishing outside Ghana's territorial waters, Mr Owusu-Acheampong reiterated that so long as they fished outside Ghana, it is regarded as imported fish and therefore subject to VAT. 

''All fish produced in Ghana are tax-free, but those brought from other countries, as the law stands now, are subject to tax until the law is changed''. 

He said the ministry is liasing with the navy to patrol Ghana's waters to check illegal fishing by foreign vessels in a bid control the fast depleting stock of fish in Ghanaian waters. 

At this point, Dr Richard Anane, NPP-Bantama, drew the minister's attention to the need for the ministry to finance such patrols as the navy could patrol Ghana's waters only five times in 1997 and just once in 1998. 

Mr Owusu-Acheampong assured the member that anytime the navy worked on behalf of MOFA, they are adequately reimbursed. Mr Owusu-Acheampong said the government seeks to build the capacity of fisher folks through community-based fisheries management committees. 

He was answering a question on MOFA's policy for the development of the  fisheries sector, with particular reference to the role of canoe fishermen by Ms  Christine Churcher, NPP-Cape Coast The minister said the fishermen are being assisted to responsibly manage the fisheries resource to ensure stock sustainability, environmental soundness, creditor confidence and sustained income for fishermen and women to improve their standards of living. 

He said the Fisheries Directorate, through its committees, educate fishermen on responsible fishing, credit sourcing and management, environmental hygiene and other ancillary activities that affect artisanal fishing. 

Mr Owusu-Acheampong said the Western regional minister has set up a committee to come out with the quantum of and modalities for payment for both workers and landowners when the plantation is divested. 

This was in response to a question by Mr Samuel K. Kwofie, NPP-Ahanta West, on measures to ensure the payment of adequate compensation to landowners and workers of the National Oil Palm (NOP) due for divestiture.

  The minister added that the final report is being discussed among the regional minister, chiefs and stakeholders, and as soon as an agreement is  reached, it will be communicated to his ministry. 

Mr Owusu-Acheampong told Mr James Adusei-Sarkodie, that the 4.5 billion cedis project at Nkawie has not been abandoned and that work is still going on. He said 87 per cent of work at the operational Control Complex has been completed. 

Mr Adusei-Sarkodie had asked the minister why the development of the ''Agriculture Fair Site'' at Nkawie in the Atwima District has been abandoned. 

Mr Owusu Acehampong said about 825.6 million cedis has been spent so far on the fish farming complex, fencing and entrance lodge. The durbar grounds roads, among other things, have also been completed, while water and electricity have also been extended to the site. 

Mr Adusei-Sarkodie disagreed with the minister, saying that it is not  possible that only about 13 per cent of work is left, with less than a billion cedis, out of the estimated 4.5 billion cedis cost of the project, spent. 

"When I visited the site, I saw 'frog ponds instead of fish ponds,'' Mr Adusie-Sarkodie added. 

But the minister explained that the project is yet to be operational, and the fishponds are yet to be stocked with fish.

Accra (Greater Accra) 12 March 

Mr Justice Daniel Francis Annan, Speaker, virtually walked into an empty chamber when he entered at 10.45 hours this morning as less than a fourth of the 200-member parliament was present.

He had to wait for some time for members to come before starting proceedings.

Punctuality of members, therefore, became the subject of debate again today after the business statement was presented to the house by Dr Kwabena Adjei, leader of the house.

The leadership of both sides, though were present in the house, were not in the chamber when Mr Speaker walked in.

Proceedings in the chamber are supposed to start at 10.00 hours every morning.

After the presentation of the business statement, Mr Ken Dzirasah, first deputy speaker, urged the business committee to consider re-scheduling question time with ministers to the next meeting after the Easter break.

He said that although questions' time is important, they should give way to the approval of budget estimates of the various ministries and departments.

At the beginning of this meeting, there were more than 150 outstanding questions for ministers to answer so the business committee came out with a rota to clear the backlog and this has been strictly adhered to.

Mr Dzirasah expressed fears that the house may not complete giving approval to the various estimates since question time lasts for more thanan hour, thus delaying the work of the house.

Parliament has been holding two sessions daily for the past two weeks due to the heavy workload to be completed before the house rises at the end of the month.

Dr Kwabena Adjei, while presenting the business statement for the coming week, reiterated the committee's decision to adhere to the implementationof the rota to clear the backlog.

In the ensuing debate, members who spoke, said the issue was more of late attendance at meetings by members rather than question time taking too much of the house's time.

They stressed the importance of question time and the need for members to set a good example to the populace by being punctual.

''We need to set a good example to the electorate, we as MPs are always calling for an increase in productivity and at the same time start our work late, by so doing we are faltering in our responsibility to the electorate'', Mr Evans Ahorsey, NDC-Ayensuano said.

Papa Ankomah, NPP-Sekondi, said members who enter the chamber after the Speaker had entered should be deemed absent.

He noted that the house has not been able to pass resolutions on two agreements for tax exemptions for the past two weeks because the house lacked the required minimum of 100 anytime it is put on the agenda.

''We are full-time employees of state and should be seen to be doing our work,'' Papa Ankomah said.

Mr Justice Annan said he would come to the chamber on time everyday if members also keep to their time.

''The entry of Mr Speaker should be with some dignity; I would have to wait for the house to have at least a quorum before I enter. I cannot walk into an empty chamber'', he added.