Deputy Finance Minister to brief House on state of economy

House urges UN to address problems of member-nations

Accra (Greater Accra), 27^th October 99

Mr. Victor Selormey, Deputy Minister of Finance, will on Wednesday brief Parliament on the state of the national economy.

Dr. Kwabena Adjei, Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, told members on Tuesday that "this is in fulfilment of the business statement for the week which he presented last Friday".

Dr Adjei told the House that the Minister of Finance would appear before members to brief them on the state of the Ashanti Goldfields Company as well as the purchase of the presidential jet.

Dr Adjei made it clear that the presence of the Deputy Minister is not to imply that the Minister himself will not be in the House.

According to the Majority Leader, the Finance Minister, Mr. Kwame Peprah left for London on Sunday as a member of the government delegation that is currently negotiating on behalf of Ashanti Goldfields Company.

He assured the House that as soon as the Minister returns he will be summoned to appear before the House to answer members questions.

In the case of the Minister of Education expected to brief the House on the current crisis in tertiary education, Dr Adjei said although the Minister has returned from his trip, he should be given some few days to prepare.

Mr. Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Minority Chief Whip, wanted directions from the chair as to whether members could debate the subject after the Deputy Minister had briefed the House.

Some members on the other side heckled the Minority Chief Whip as he resumed his seat and which compelled him to say "Let us have proper order in this House".

Mr. Justice Daniel Francis Annan, the Speaker, replied that since the Deputy Minister's statement "is on the state of the economy, it is an official one".

He said no debate would ensue because the operational rules governing the House will have to be applied in this particular instance.

Mr. Justice Annan, however, pointed out that if after the statement, some members were not satisfied, they could put in motions in due course, and "this will have to subsequently generate debate on the subject".

The Speaker had announced the withdrawal of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, which was put before the House last week, saying the bill was laid at a time when it has not been published in line with constitutional requirement of three months and 10 days.

GRi

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Accra (Greater Accra), 27^th October 99

Parliament on Tuesday called on the United Nations (UN) to adopt pragmatic steps that will help address the problems of member-nations, especially those in the developing world.

Making the call in commemoration of this year's UN day celebration, which fell on Sunday, October 24, members commended the world body for its achievements over the years.

They were of the conviction, however, that the "activities of the UN in third world countries needs much to be desired".

Members praised the world body in its role in peacekeeping activities in conflict spots in the world, but regretted that when "it comes to member-countries on the African continent, UN is found wanting".

Mr. Kwakye Addo, NDC-Afram Plains, said this year's international theme for the celebration "The international year of the aged" and that for the local celebration "The aged, partners in development", highlight the necessity to adequately support "the aged and encourage their involvement in all spheres of national development".

Mr. Addo said the rapidity of change in technology and the lifestyle of people the world over have presented the UN with challenges that need to be addressed to ensure its continuing relevance and viability as the centre-piece of the international community.

He pointed out that even though the world body has to its credit a number of successes a lot remain to be accomplished with regards to international terrorism, drug trafficking, population explosion, poverty and wars.

The member said the role of the UN in conflicts and wars needs to be critically examined, especially in situations where a lot of people are killed brutally and the world body is unable "to weigh in with the necessary moral authority to protect life and property".

On the relationship between rich and poor nations, Mr. Addo urged UN to take measures that will help bridge the gap, since the disparity is such that developing nations almost always tend to be at the mercy of their counterparts in the developed world for even basic necessities of life.

He charged the UN to prevail on world leaders to choose peace over war in all their dealings with their neighbours, by putting a break on the manufacturing of nuclear armaments and their testing, which threaten life on our planet.

Members who associated themselves with the statement included Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, NPP-New Juaben North, Mr Samba Zumakpeh, NDC-Nadowli South, Nana Asante-Frempong, NPP-Kwabre, Dr Kwabena Adjei, Majority Leader, Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Minority Chief Whip and Mr Samuel Oppong, NDC-Agona West.

They expressed grave concern about the debt problem facing member-nations in the third world, and urged the world body to help address it.

They further urged the UN to help eliminate poverty, disease, and famine among other problems from the developing nations to improve their various economies.

Five papers were laid before the House.

They were made up of two loan agreements, one for the purchase of 51 Mercedes Benz Neoplan buses for the Ghana Private Road Transport Union and the Ghana Association of Travel and Tour Agents, and the other on electrification within the Greater-Accra and Volta regions.

The rest were on the Ghana Free Zones Board - Annual Report - 1998, the Wetland Management (Remsar Sites) Regulations, 1999 Legislative Instrument 1659 and the Road Tolls Regulations, 1999 Legislative Instrument 1660.

GRi

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