GRi In Parliament 24-03-99

Accra (Greater Accra) 24 March 

Parliament on Tuesday discontinued debate on the approval of estimates for the Ministry of Finance when it was realised that a deputy minister who had moved the motion for the approval had left the chamber.

Mr J.H. Mensah, Minority Leader, who noticed the absence from the chamber of Mr Moses Asaga, told the House that there would be a procedural problem if the debate was concluded, since neither the Minister nor any of his two deputies was around to properly wind up.

It was not good for Parliament to approve the estimate in the absence of the Minister and his deputies, adding that under such a situation, it is not appropriate to continue the debate.

The Chairman of the Finance Committee, Commodore Steve Obimpeh, agreed with the Minority Leader's observation, but said the Deputy Minister, who had been in the House the whole day, had to leave to attend to an equally important assignment.

Mr Doe Adjaho, Majority Chief Whip, said even though it would have been desirable for the Deputy Minister to have sat through the debate to listen to members' contributions, "he is not bound to either wind up the debate or respond to some of the issues raised".

The First Deputy Speaker, Mr Kenneth Dzirasah, suspended the debate without indicating when it would be continued.

Accra (Greater Accra) 23 March 

Nii Okaija Adamafio, Minister of Interior, told Parliament on Tuesday that his ministry's strategic objective is to ensure public peace and security and to create a stable environment, which will ultimately promote and enhance development.

Nii Okaija, who was moving for the approval of this year's budget estimates for his ministry, said this year's estimates totalling 193,198 billion cedis represents an increase of about 56 per cent over last year's estimates.

Nii Okaija (NDC-Odododiodioo) expressed the hope that the increase would help improve facilities for institutions under his ministry, particularly the Ghana Police Service.

Mr Joseph Emmanuel Ackah, NDC-Jomoro and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committtee on Defence and the Interior, stressed the need for the environment to be protected from the ravages of fire.

This cannot be effectively done without the provision of adequate fire tenders to the Ghana National Fire Service, Mr Ackah said.

For example, he said, out of the service's 75 fire tenders, 33 are broken down, while 64 out of the 110 districts in the country are without tenders.

The committee chairman stressed the need to provide members of the security agencies with decent accommodation and urged district assemblies to assist in the maintenance of facilities at the barracks.

Supporting the motion, Mr Kwabena Adusa Okerchiri, (NPP-Nkawkaw) urged the ministry to provide the police with adequate logistics to help salvage its sinking image.

Major Samuel Kwame Amponsah (rtd) (NDC-Mpohor-Wassa East) pleaded with the ministry to provide the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) with adequate resources to enable it live up to expectations.

Mr Mumuni Abudu Seidu, Deputy Majority Chief Whip (NDC- Wa Central) urged the security agencies not to divulge information given to them by informants.

Nana Akufo-Addo (NPP-Abuakwa) stressed the need to accord norms and practices of democratic governance the dignity they deserve by respecting the fundamental human rights of the ordinary citizen and the Rule of Law.

Mr Akwasi Afrifa, NPP-Fomena, suggested that the ministry give the various regions quotas in the enlistment and recruitment into the Police service to ensure equity.

Winding up, the minister thanked members for their observations, suggestions and criticisms and assured them that they will be seriously considered in the formulation of new policies.

Accra (Greater Accra) 23 March 

A Parliamentary Finance Committee report has attributed delays in the payment of pensions within the ministries, departments and agencies to administrative bottlenecks.

The report said administrative bottlenecks hamper the decentralisation of pension procedures and that even though the Controller and Accountant-General's Department has decentralised the payment of pension, "delays are caused mostly by the fact that personnel records of pensioners suffer from administrative bottlenecks within these sectors".

The committee was presenting to the House its report on the 1999 annual estimates of the Ministry of Finance, moved by the Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Moses Asaga.

The motion requested for parliamentary approval for 120.79 billion cedis to be provided by the government and 7.787 billion cedis from donor funding to enable the ministry meet its obligations.

According to the Controller and Accountant-General's Department, it takes less than a week to process pension files that get to them, the Committee said.

The committee noted that this year's turnover from the VAT is projected to be 700 billion cedis - from both domestic and import revenue.

It said the performance of the VAT since its inception indicates that as of March, this year, 12,500 business concerns had been issued with certificates as against the projected figure of 6,000.

Besides, more than 80 per cent had filed their tax returns, since January, the report said, adding that "this is a positive indication of the high patronage VAT is receiving".

The VAT Service, it said, has programmed to increase its staff strength to 650 from 500, during the year to intensify efforts at revenue mobilisation.

The committee urged the ministry of finance to liaise with the National Development Planning Commission to produce and update the master manpower plan for the economy, to ensure better and efficient allocation of resources to the various sectors.

In his motion for the approval of the estimates for the ministry, Mr Moses Asaga told the House that the allocation would cover personnel emoluments, administration, service, and investment expenditures for the Ministry of Finance headquarters and agencies under it. These include the National Revenue Secretariat, Controller and Accountant-General's Department, Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, Internal Revenue Service, Value Added Tax Service and the Statistical Services.

Contributing to the debate, Dr Kofi Apraku, Minority spokesman on Finance, called for an effective monitoring mechanism to ensure that monies allocated to the various sectors are effectively and efficiently utilised.

There is no effective monitoring instrument, neither is there reliable and credible data to help set national economic priorities.

Dr Apraku noted that the Ministry of Finance has not been able to produce research results to support its own activities.

"There are no economic indicators to indicate how the economy is performing. There is no composite index to assess whether or not the economy is heading for a recession", he said

Dr Apraku, therefore, urged the sector ministry to strengthen its research department to enhance its work.

He lamented over the lack of machinery to ensure that internally-generated revenues are properly appropriated into the consolidated fund as required under the constitution.

Dr Apraku said the Statistical Service should be encouraged to provide data that Ghanaians can be confident about.

It is appropriate for the Service to make available the results of the national population census before the next general election to enable Ghanaians to have a clear sense of how many people are in the country. The Minority ranking member noted that the last quarter of the district assemblies' common fund has not been transferred to the various assemblies and urged that a mechanism should be devised to address this problem.

He commended the Internal Revenue Service for doing a good work but said there is still room for improvement.

Mr John Ackah, NDC-Aowin Suaman, said the IRS should be commended for its achievement in revenue mobilisation under very difficult conditions. He urged the sector minister to introduce a bill in Parliament to enable revenue organisations to have access to an agreed percentage of revenue they collect to motivate them.

Accra (Greater Accra), 24 March

Mrs Margaret Clarke-Kwesie, Minister at the office of the President and chairperson of the Ghana-France Friendship Association (GFFA), on Tuesday commended France for extending economic and cultural ties to non-Francophone countries, including Ghana.

Mrs Clarke-Kwesie, who made the commendation in a statement to Parliament on this year's on-going Francophone Week celebrations, observed that Ghana-France co-operation covers almost all sectors of the economy.

The celebrations, which started last Saturday, March 20, will end on Friday, March 26.She said areas of co-operation range from scholarships, donations of equipment to multi-million dollar aid programmes. The Minister of State said in 1996, France's exports to Africa totalled 82.4 billion French francs or about 13.7 billion dollars. She said during that same period, France's imports from Africa stood at 60.8 billion French francs or about 10 billion dollars, showing a positive balance in favour of the continent. Mrs Clarke-Kwesie, NDC-Ga South, said close to 50 per cent of France's official aid comes to sub-Saharan Africa.

She said French aid policy not only encourages democratisation, good governance and respect for the Rule of Law but also seeks to avoid interference in the internal affairs of its partners. The Minister of State disclosed that by December 31, 1997, French total commitment to Ghana amounted to 1,838 million French francs. This was made up of grants totalling 596 million French francs, and 1,242 million French francs in loans.

The figure, she said, includes a 144 French francs loan, written off by the French Government.

Mrs Clarke-Kwesie pointed out that the relationship has not been one-sided, because between 1993 and last year, Ghana's export to France averaged 110 million dollars annually, while France's export to Ghana averaged 95 million dollars annually.

Ghana, she added, also exports musicians, footballers and other expertise to France.

The Minister of State hoped such visits between Ghana and France would not only foster greater understanding but also strengthen the economic and cultural ties between the two countries, as well as facilitate regional integration and trade in West Africa.

Supporting the statement, Nana Akufo-Addo, NPP-Abuakwa, lauded France for her "stable and effective political structures".

He stressed the need for Ghana to create and nurture systems that are peculiar to her circumstances in order to break the yoke of poverty amongthe broad masses of Ghanaians.

While calling for the development and modernisation of the country's languages to help promote its culture and civilisation, Nana Akufo-Addo stressed the need for increased dialogue with the Francophone world.

Squadron Leader Clend Sowu (rtd), NDC-Anlo, called for the establishment of an ECOWAS Parliament, and hoped the visits of Heads of States will benefit their people.

Ms Theresa Ameley Tagoe, NPP-Ablekuma South, commended French NGOs in the country for their financial assistance to women entrepreneurs. Mr Justice Daniel Francis Annan, Speaker of Parliament, assured members that the sentiments expressed will be communicated to the appropriate quarters.

Accra (Greater Accra) 23 March 

Nana Akufo-Addo, NPP-Abuakwa, formally informed Parliament about the death of Osagyefuo Kuntunkunku the third, Okyenhene, and President of the National House of Chiefs.

Nana Akufo-Addo said as soon as the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council comes out with the funeral arrangements, the house will be duly informed. At the opportune time, a tribute will be paid in the house to the memory of the Okyenhene.

Known in private life as Dr Alex Fredua Agyeman, Osagyefuo Kuntunkununku was born on February 22, 1942, at Kyebi to Mr Samuel Joseph Okoampa Agyeman of Asiakwa and Madam Juliana Abena Akoto of Kyebi He was installed Paramount Chief of the Abuakwa Traditional Area on August two, 1976, after the death of his uncle, Osagyefuo Kuntunkununku the second, who died the previous year.

The late Okyenhene died in the early hours of Wednesday, March 17. He was 57.

Accra (Greater Accra), 23rd March 

Members of Parliament on Tuesday were unanimous that public confidence in the judiciary is waning and expressed the need for judges to win public support and understanding in the administration of justice.

The members were of the view that the judiciary can continue to enjoy public confidence if it asserts its independence as enshrined in the constitution and insulates itself from corruptible influences.

They expressed these sentiments during the debate on a motion for the approval of 21.35 billion cedis as financial estimates for the Judicial Service for 1999. They urged that the Service should be adequately funded to enhance the administration of justice.

Nana Akufo Addo, Minority Spokesman on Constitutional and Legal Matters, noted that the less than one per cent of national budget allocation to the Judiciary Service is inadequate and expressed the need to ensure the financial autonomy of the judiciary.

He said to retain public confidence, the judiciary should be well-resourced to discharge its duties efficiently, adding, the system should also be seen to protect individual freedoms and human rights, as well as show fairness in the administration of justice.

He called for a review of the tribunal system to enhance the development of the judicial system, saying there is a wide adverse public perception of the operations of the tribunals.

Mr Thomas Kweku Aubyn, NDC-Gomoa East, acknowledged the important role of the judiciary in ensuring democratic governance and urged the executive to provide more resources to that institution than it is doing now.

He said the tribunals should be provided with the necessary facilities and structures to enhance their work and win public confidence.

Mr George Buadi, NDC-Amenfi East, observed that there is a general feeling that the budgetary allocations to the various sectors are not adequate enough to enable them to operate effectively.

But said the government can only satisfy the budgetary demands of the sectors if the public helped to raise more revenue through the various taxes, including the VAT.

Mr Buadi urged the judiciary to control the huge expenditure on utility, so that what is saved as a result can be used in other areas to improve the system. Mr Kojo Armah, PCP-Evalue Gwira, said in view of the country's quest to woo foreign investors through its "Gateway Project", there is the need to build confidence in the judiciary in an effort to achieve this objective.Mr Charles Omar Nyanor, NPP-Upper Denkyira, said the judiciary should be

seen to be independent and urged that appointments to the tribunals should not be based on the recommendations of the district chief executives to the Judicial Council.

The judiciary should be given the opportunity to investigate the background and suitability of people who have been so recommended to be on the tribunals in order to retain public confidence of the institution.

Mr Alban Bagbin, NDC-Nadowli North, said there is more room for the improvement of facilities, such as court premises, furniture and computerisation of the Judicial Service, to minimise delays in cases and enhance the work of the judiciary.

He explained that it is the district assemblies, and not the district chief executives, who recommend appointments to the tribunals, adding that the judiciary goes beyond the recommendations and study the backgrounds of people recommended.

He suggested that judges should be given book allowances to order relevant books to enable them to keep abreast with the times.

Dr Kwabena Adjei, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, moved the motion on behalf of the Minister of Finance.

He said the broad mission of the Judicial Service is to promote smooth, efficient and effective administration of justice without fear or favour, affection or ill-will, so as to create an environment to support good governance and sustain democracy.

Dr Adjei said even though the Judicial Service requested for 21.35 billion cedis, the Ministry of Finance, conscious of its financial limitations, had marked a ceiling of 20.866 billion cedis.

He said the President, in compliance with constitutional provision that no revision of the estimates of the Judiciary should be made, in a letter to Parliament ordered that the original amount of 21.35 billion cedis be allocated to the Judicial Service.

Personnel emoluments take up 10.085 billion cedis; 5.94 billion cedis is allocated to administrative expenses, while service and investment expenditures take 3.67 billion cedis and 1.647 million cedis respectively.

Dr Adjei, also the Majority Leader, expressed the hope that as the economy expands, more money will be allocated to the Service to enable it to fully complement the efforts of the executive and the legislature to promote and sustain good governance.

In its report, the Select Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs noted that the expansion of the Bench to include panellists in the regional, circuit and community tribunals has obviously stretched the resources that are available to the Judicial Service.

The report said mindful of the financial constraints and limitations of the national economy, the Service has taken steps to cut down on waste and non-essentials.

Winding up, Dr Adjei said the financial needs of the Service should be beefed up to help lubricate the judicial machinery to insulate the system from corruption and ensure the independence of the judiciary.

The House unanimously approved the estimates for the Judicial Service.

Accra (Greater Accra), 24 March 

Parliament today approved 768.890 billion cedis for the services of the Ministry of Education for the 1999 financial year, the highest allocation to a single ministry.

This is an increase of 146.759 billion cedis or 23.6 per cent over last year's figure of 622.131 billion cedis. It is made up of 678.550 billion cedis from government sources and 90.340 billion cedis from external sources. Though, this is the highest or about 35 per cent of total government budget, 90 per cent or 473.811 billion cedis will go into personal emoluments, with only 10 per cent slated for development.

Mr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, sector minister, noted that the increase in development budget from last year's 23.90 billion cedis to 149.615 billion cedis would enable the ministry to improve physical facilities for a number of educational institutions, particularly at the secondary and tertiary levels.

Emphasis will be on improving classrooms, laboratories and workshops of schools in the rural areas.

''It is hoped that with the increase in the vote for the service and investment activities for 1999, the ministry will be able to move forward the expansion and improvement of programmes for the educational institutions.=94These include completion of on-going projects in the old universities and the provision of additional facilities for new institutions like the University of Development Studies and the polytechnics. Mr Spio-Garbrah said the ministry is also in the process of reviewing the Educational Act of 1961 to conform with the reforms in the sector.

''The ministry has also initiated action on the establishment of an Educational Trust Fund, which was announced by President Rawlings in his sessional address to provide additional funds for the universities and the polytechnics''.

Mr Kosi Kedem, deputy chairman of the Committee on Education, reported that though there has been an improvement in quality and access to science education at the pre-tertiary level, intake at the tertiary level is inadequate.

The committee recommended that serious efforts be made to expand science facilities in tertiary institutions to absorb the increasing number of qualified applicants.

''The committee has noted with concern the serious financial predicament of the University of Development Studies and strongly urges the government to intervene to save the university from collapse''.

Ms Christine Churcher, ranking member for the sector, said despitegains in the educational sector reform programme and the increase in government allocation to the sector, "the standard of education leaves much to be desired".

She said the sector is unable to produce positive results to justify the huge government investment, due to a number of factors including inefficient management, poor remuneration for teachers and poor infrastructure, particularly in the rural areas.

Ms Churcher called for proper implementation of the ministry's language policy, which requires pupils to be instructed in their mother tongue in the lower primary, and English, to be gradually introduced in the upper primary.

She said researchers, both locally and internationally, have concluded that this is the best way for a child to learn, but noted that it is poorly implemented in Ghana.

She called for a change in the shift system, as well as a review ofthe continuous assessment programme.

Mr M. A. Seidu, deputy majority leader, said more should be done to make rural schools more attractive to reduce the pressure on the few endowed schools in the urban areas.

He noted that it is unfortunate that 90 per cent of the ministry's budget is for personal emoluments and said this trend should change.

''This means we have employed a lot of people but are unable to provide them with teaching and learning aids for quality education''.

Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, NPP-Sunyani West, called for the abolition of the University Entrance Examination since the university authorities have said SSS graduates are living up to expectation and that, in most cases, perform better than their counterparts.

He noted that almost 10 years after the introduction of the functional literacy programme, the rate of illiteracy has not changed.

The member said when the programme started, the number of illiterates was estimated at 5.2 million of the population, but a recent review by consultants also estimated the number of illiterates to be at 5.6 million.

Mr Adjei-Darko suggested that the programme be decentralised and managed by district assemblies and communities for it to be effective.

Squadron Leader Clend Sowu, NDC-Anlo, called for the strengthening of the monitoring and evaluation unit of the ministry to ensure that the huge budget is utilised judiciously.

Winding up, Mr Spio-Garbrah said a national forum on education involving all stakeholders will be held during the year to review the performance of the sector.

Parliament today paid a glowing tribute in memory of Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second, Asantehene, who died on Thursday, February 25, at the age of 80.

Otumfuo, the 18th Asantehene and 15th to ascend the Golden Stool, has been lying in state since midnight Sunday, March 21, at the executive lounge of the Manhyia Palace.

He will be buried tomorrow at the Royal Mausoleum at Bantama, after burial service at the Cathedral Church of St Cyprian the Martyr.

Mr Joseph Henry Mensah, Minority Leader, described Otumfuo as a true embodiment of peace and development.

He said it was these sterling qualities and the wish to see development throughout the Asante Kingdom that made Otumfuo to create the title Chief of Development or "Nkosoohene".

The Minority Leader hoped that by the death of the Asantehene, there would be renewed efforts for new avenues of co-operation and unity between Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo Regions.

Dr Kwabena Adjei, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Majority Leader, stated that as someone who promoted "unity in diversity", Otumfuo blended modern and traditional leadership.

He therefore urged Ghanaians to emulate the late Asantehene and what he stood for, by eschewing negative cultural practices that impede the development and progress of the nation.

Several members on both sides of the house associated themselves with the Tribute and expressed similar sentiments. They included Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, NPP-Manhyia, Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Minority Chief Whip, Mrs Theresa Joyce Baffoe, NDC-New Edubiase, Squadron Leader Clend Sowu (rtd), NDC-Anlo, and Nana Akufo-Addo, NPP-Abuakwa.

The rest were Mr Fuzzy Dapaah Torbay, NDC-Okere, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, NPP-Afigya Sekyere West, Alhaji Ahmed Musah, NDC-Asokwa East, Mr Kojo Armah, PCP-Evalue-Gwira and Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, NPP-New Juaben North.

Winding up, Mr Justice D. F. Annan, Speaker, said the late Asantehene had a gentle personality, true humility, quiet dignity that enhanced the authority and influence of the Golden Stool.

Mr Justice Annan said he was struck by Otumfuo's sense of fairness, objectivity and realistic appreciation of public affairs - both at national and local levels.

The Speaker recalled their friendship which, he said, was nurtured in the Kumasi High Court, where he served as a Judge and where the late Asantehene practised law "with such remarkable grace, dignity and distinction."

Mr Justice Annan said the late Otumfuo's distinguished service to the nation in various capacities - an eminent lawyer, Minister of State, Diplomat benevolent King and a revered statesman - will be treasured and long remembered.

"His passing away is indeed a great loss to the whole nation", he lamented.