ghananlpcommunity/ghana-gov-speeches-sentences huggingface dataset:
Speaker, the stagnation in the economy caused a huge backlog of unemployment which the recovery of the economy is gradually resolving.
In the formal sector, there is a steady growth in employment generation.
In 2006, 120,000 jobs were created, while 200,000 jobs were created in 2007.
Some youth take up jobs in the informal sector which go unrecorded because of lack of appropriate data.
Speaker, on this score, I am happy to say that the national identification programme is about to take off.
The equipment is in; the offices are almost ready; training of personnel is about to start.
By the end of this year, all residents of 16 years and above will have photo identification cards.
By middle of next year, both Ghanaians and legally resident foreigners will have their photo identification cards.
Speaker, the Youth Employment Programme is one key strategic intervention to engage the otherwise unemployed youth to prepare for more permanent job positions.
Since the inauguration of the programme, in October 2006, it has provided placements for over 108,000 young people.
Given the transient nature of the placement and funding arrangement for them, the programme tends to suffer delayed payment of wages.
I have directed the Ministers for Finance, and Manpower, Youth and Employment to ensure that funding for this programme is streamlined and sustained, to ensure regular and timely payment of allowances.
I am happy to note however that the programme has attracted attention of sister African countries, the international development community as well as Ghana ’s private sector, which is proving to be a reliable partner in supporting the youth.
The SECTOR Mr.
Speaker, in the past, the public sector tended to stand aloof from the private sector.
Government is reforming it to be very professional and very supportive of the private sector.
The new concept for development is public/private partnership.
Government has initiated the establishment of the citizens’ charter on all institutions to enhance responsiveness to the private sector and to lock into place the partnership between the two.
The first phase of the charter involves the land and revenue sectors.
Public Sector Pay Reform Mr.
Speaker, as part of the reform government is developing a comprehensive objective job evaluation as the basis for establishing equity in public sector wage administration.
Fair Wages and Salaries Commission In the same way, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has been constituted to ensure that public sector pay is administered with equity, fairness, and transparency, so as to minimize labour disputes over pay administration.
NATIONAL LABOUR COMMISSION In the face of the growth in the economy, the National Labour Commission should be even more up and coming in settling labour and industrial disputes using negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, as against confrontation.
I would like to take this opportunity to commend government’s main social partners – organized labour and employers, for displaying good faith in our relationship over the past seven years.
GOOD GOVERNANCE Mr.
Speaker, Ghana prides herself as a beacon of good governance.
But as self assessment is ever so suspect, we should be happy with the African Peer Review Mechanism which provides external monitoring.
Ghana was first to sign up to the APRM.
APRM When any country has been reviewed, the APRM requires periodic reports to focus on action plans to remedy defects brought to light by the review.
Accordingly, the latest report made to the Eighth Summit of the APR Forum on January 30, 2008 at Addis Ababa , highlighted action plans for better governance, including the following: Stemming conflict arising from land disputes Strengthening the oversight role of Parliament Establishment of trade desks in MDAs and capacity building for analyzing multilateral trade issues Strengthening of tax administration The report was well received by the APR forum.
Mr Speaker, we remain persuaded that the Africa Peer Review Mechanism provides us with a mirror to undertake a reality check on good governance and on our collective well‐being.
Implementation of the action plans reported to APR Forum has already commenced.
Law and Order: Mr.
Speaker, I am happy to report that the fight against corruption, which is an affront to good governance, has found a new ally in Parliament.
Last year saw the public hearings of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament for the first time.
Some of the revelations were mind‐ boggling.
I congratulate Parliament on the excellent job done.
The Committee’s proactive stance demonstrates appreciation that concerns about corruption are more helpful when they go beyond mere complaints.
The Attorney‐General’s Department has set up an Anti‐Corruption Unit to study the recommendations, to prosecute cases that need to be prosecuted.
Law Enforcement: Mr.
Speaker, law and order also require enforcers in the right numbers proportional to the population.
In 2001, the Police S ervice stood at 15,983.
It has since gained by an additional 10,132.
But compared to the UN ratio of Police to citizen at 1:500, Ghana currently reports a ratio of 1:994.
While beefing up the numbers is receiving attention, resources lately provided to the police include vehicles, communication equipments, ammunition and uniforms.
Mr Speaker, in the past, communities could form volunteer units for community protection.
It is an idea worth revisiting.
This, however, is no recommendation for instant justice which must be condemned in no uncertain terms.
Gender: Mr Speaker, Ghana is making great strides towards a more inclusive society.
Last year, government appointed the first female Chief Justice in the nation’s history.
We should be proud that the male stranglehold on the headship of the Judiciary has at long last been broken.
In all units of the Public Service, both genders are represented at the top.
There is representation also in all branches of the security services.
Both Parliament and the Executive also have their share of gender mix, though balance is yet to be achieved.
Mr Speaker, it is for paying prompt attention to such under‐representation that the Ministry of Women and Children has been established.
The Ministry is doing a good job already.
Foreign Relations Mr.
Speaker, if I may now turn briefly to foreign relations, respect for our country shows in the number of international conferences attracted here in recent times.
In the next few days, we expect to host the President of the US , Mr.
Speaker, Ghana was in the Chair in July last year when the AU engaged in the Great Debate on Africa ’s future.
Subject to details still being worked out, the consensus was for a Continental African Union Government in the foreseeable future.
Sadly, there are still conflicts and tensions that do not make anybody happy.
But no effort is being spared by the AU to provide remedies.
Relations with our immediate neighbours were never better.
It is a matter of national pride that in the last seven years, Ghana was elected twice as chair of the sub‐regional body of ECOWAS.
Late last year when the European Union and Africa engaged each other to devise strategies for mutual survival in the global market, Ghana as chair of A.U.
was co‐chair with Portugal as chair of the E.U.
Speaker, I have been personally privileged to travel extensively representing Ghana , Ecowas or the AU as chair.
It has been a good experience for me, and I dare say it has earned good public relations around the globe for the country, for which we should all be proud.
Parliament: Mr.
Speaker, the Legislature plays no small part in the drive for good governance.
How well equipped is the House for its critical role must be of concern to all of us.
It is, indeed, a shame that our MPs do not have adequate office room or staff to assist their work.
I recall that in my very first Sessional Address, I made a promise that the House would be provided adequate resources for its work.
Speaker, I was aware at the time of a loan facility of USD 25 million waiting to be utilized.
It was only later that I learnt that the loan had been diverted to an apparently more urgent purpose by those who secured it.
But I am happy to report that fresh resources are in hand for the refurbishment of Job 600 for use by MPs.
The Speaker is aware of what the Executive is doing for the Legislature.
Speaker, in future, the House might consider preparing a comprehensive budget of its needs for funding in the same way as the Judiciary does.
In offering this advice to the House, I am tempted to say it is because “I care for you”.
The reason should be obvious, because I was twice elected to the House.
Indeed, Parliament is where I cut my political teeth some forty years ago.
National Heritage: Mr.
Speaker, it is an open secret that as President of the nation that attained independence 50 years ago ahead of the pack in Black Africa, I commute to work from my own self‐built home.
Of course, my home is not going to be available to the next President.
On the other hand, the Castle, a former slave post, is so unsuitable for residence that it should surprise no one that none of our Prime Ministers and Presidents of the past chose to live there full time.
So, where will my successor live, if he has no suitable accommodation of his own?
Mr Speaker, Flagstaff House is being rebuilt to accommodate the next President in dignity.
Additionally, Peduase, Akomsombo and Akuse which were built in the First republic as Presidential retreats have all been refurbished.
Not for the vanity of the Presidency, these are national assets that deserve better than the neglect to which they have been consigned in the past.
Mr Speaker, not from the budget, and certainly not at the expense of anyone’s pet project, the money for Flagstaff House has been sourced from soft loans repayable over a 25‐year period, with a 5‐year moratorium.
Good things do not come better than that.
Parliament should be proud that at long last there is going to be an official residence for the President of our Republic.
Similarly, Mr.
Speaker, in the wake of Ghana 2008, the country now has four state of the art stadiums in four regions.
It should be possible over time for each region to have one of its own.
Human resource development is better for such facilities which can also be exploited to economic advantage.
We must make use of them while enjoying ourselves.
The point is that, Mr.
Speaker, we do not have to solve all personal problems before we give ourselves the occasional treat.
Election 2008 Finally, Mr Speaker, under the Constitution of the Fourth Republic , it is to be noted that no office, appointive or elective, may be encumbered forever by any one person.
Ever so often, as regulated by law, holders of elective office, as President or Member of Parliament, must seek fresh mandate by submitting to election.
Mr Speaker, in canvassing for any elective office, political parties have the machinery for marketing their favorite candidates for a choice to be made by the electorate.
But it is increasingly becoming evident that some prefer the marketing strategy of presenting their opponents in the worst possible light.
I dare say they might do better, if they focused more on what they would do different, if they received the people’s mandate.
Still, within the limits of the law, political parties may run their campaign in any manner that they choose.
Mr Speaker, the electoral arrangements currently in place have been put to test four times already since 1992, with outcomes that have been endorsed as reflecting the true wishes of the people.
Each election has thrown light on areas that need attention.
Thus, we have progressed from opaque to transparent ballot boxes; and from Voter ID Cards with no pictures to ones that have pictures.
Polling Agents have acquired experience from each round of elections, and with training could get better still.
On‐going work on National ID Cards has so progressed that issuance of the Cards should be possible this year.
Mr Speaker, the independent Electoral Commissioner appointed since 1993 remains at post.
Staff at the Commission include some who have also been at post since 1993.
The Commission has received international commendation over the years for its neutrality and professionalism.
Indeed, It is much sought after in other countries to provide technical assistance.
The Commission can perform better still, with constructive criticism.
Above all, Mr Speaker, there is the judiciary, another independent entity, whose intervention can be petitioned by any one who feels aggrieved.
When there is so much going for our electoral process, there is no reason to contemplate extra measures for resolving imaginary scenarios in the coming elections.
Far from being at war, we are only going into elections, and not the first time, Mr Speaker.
Speaker, in coming to the end of this address, I should remind the House that there is still a long list of unfinished business.
But I do not want to begin a culture where a long catalogue of things yet be done becomes the basis for an extended term.
In the period since 2001, government has focused on providing the platform for accelerated growth.
I believe that this has been largely achieved through macro‐economic stability.
The next phase of development should take us into industrialization, with attendant employment opportunities and value addition to our raw materials, especially agricultural produce.
Acquisition of Valco is also going to be especially critical to the industrialization phase of our development.
World class prospective investors give us hope that an integrated bauxite/alumina to aluminium industry is possible, after all.
This was the dream which inspired Dr.
Kwame Nkrumah, the nation’s first President to source money to build the Akosombo dam.
That dream is within reach, Mr Speaker.
Through this august House, Mr Speaker, I want to thank all our compatriots for the opportunity given me to serve as the country’s President for two terms.
I want to thank especially my favourite political party, the New Patriotic Party, on whose ticket I stood, whose vision has been the source of my inspiration.
I have no doubt that the party’s motto, “Development in Freedom”, remains relevant.
I dare say that because they know a good thing when they see it, the people of this great nation will return the NPP to power.
Mr Speaker, I thank you and the House for receiving me.
STATEMENT BY THE HON.
MINISTFR FOR HEALTH ON THE fllRRENT SITUATION ON CSM AND COVID-19 IN GHANA.
Speaker, I come before this honorable house to present the current situation on the CSM and COVID- 19 in our beloved country, Ghana.
Speaker, few weeks ago, 1 presented to this house the situation with CSM and COVID-19 as at we had recorded 273 cases of CSM in the Upper West Region with 43 deaths unfortunately being recorded.
As I stated then, majority of the cases had been caused by Neiserria Meningitidisfl^l sero X of which there is no vaccine.
In fact approximately 60% of the samples analyzed were NM( SeroX) a strain with no vaccine globally as at now due to its rarity at causing epidemics.
Week 20 ended yesterday, the 17th of May, 2020,with 42 new cases,bringing the total case count to 315 cases.
STATEMENT ON THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND A CALL ON PARLIAMENT TO SET UP AN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON THE SDGS TO ADVOCATE GREATER ACTION BY HON.
HARUNA IDDRISU, MP Minority Leader Mr.
Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to make a Statement on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the need for the 7^^ Parliament to constitute an Ad Hoc Committee to oversight and monitor the implementation of the programmes aimed at attaining the SDGs.
Speaker, in the year 2015, all the 93 Members of the United Nations (UN) unanimously adopted 17 goals towards attaining sustainable development in the World.
The SDGs is the UN's agenda to'tackle global challenges such as poverty, climate change, environmental degradation, inequality, prosperity, peace and justice.
The 17 Goals, represents a call to action by all countries, poor, rich and middle-income to promote prosperity and protect the environment by 2030.
As noted by the then Secretary-General of the UN, Mr.
Ban Ki-Moon, "The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are our shared vision of humanity and a social contract between the world's leaders and the people...They are a to-do list for people and planet and a blueprint for success."
Speaker, former President John Dramani Mahama was appointed by the Secretary-General of the UN as co-chair of the Group of Eminent Advocates / for the 2030 Agenda and was succeeded in September 2017 by the current President, H.E.
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Our President co-chairs the \ Group with the Prime Minister of Norway, H.E.
Erno Solberg.
The appointment \ 1
HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN EVANS ATTA MILLS, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA 2009 Madam Speaker, Thank you for receiving me in this august House to present my first State of the Nation address to Parliament as President of the Republic of Ghana.
Madam Speaker, As the first Lady Speaker of Parliament, you occupy a unique position in our Nation‟s history.
It is a position of which you and indeed all women of Ghana should be justifiably proud.
You exemplify the fulfillment of my wish to see Ghanaian women rise to assume even more prominent positions in our land.
I wish you well Madam.
I greet you Honourable Members of both sides of the House, new members as well as returning members.
Together you constitute a blend of experience and new perspectives that should inure to the benefit of this House.
The measure of the accomplishments of this House must be the degree to which its results benefit the Nation.
Ghana expects that you will work in the National Interest.
In a real sense your work meets expectations only to the extent that it helps us build A Better Ghana.
Madam Speaker, Last December, the People of Ghana sat in judgment and ruled in favour of the NDC and our agenda for A Better Ghana.
And so I remind my Brothers and Sisters of the Majority in this House of our obligation to keep faith with the people at all times.
We should never forget the men and women whose worries stretch from pay day to pay day.
I extend a hand of friendship to our brothers and sisters of the Minority.
We must work together to fashion the requisite legislation that will help this country face and overcome her many challenges in these times of domestic and global uncertainty.
In this quest consensus-building is vital and time is very precious.
True collaboration in this House must produce solutions that address Ghana‟s challenges in a qualitative and timely manner.
Madam Speaker, Permit me to acknowledge my predecessors; President Jerry John Rawlings and President John Agyekum Kufuor.
Ghana is indeed grateful to them for their service to our Nation.
We are also grateful to them for moving our democracy further along the path to maturation.
As the third President in Ghana‟s Fourth Republic I will play my part to add to their legacy.
We will learn as a Nation to add to what is working, and to change course only when it is in the National Interest to do so.
We will depart from the practice of undoing the valuable contributions of our predecessors.
A house that is constantly rebuilding its foundation is doomed to remain stuck to the foundation level, never to reach completion and decoration, let alone occupation.
Ghana deserves better.
Madam Speaker, Let me also acknowledge our first President, Osagyefo Dr.
Kwame Nkrumah, that illustrious Founder of our nation.
His selfless leadership serves as a point of reference in our determination to build a better Ghana.
Incidentally, this year marks the 100th anniversary of Dr.
Nkrumah‟s birth and as a Country we should commemorate the event in an appropriate and befitting manner.
Among others, we intend to honour Dr.
Nkrumah‟s memory with a National holiday to be known as Founder‟s Day and we will be presenting legislation to Parliament to this effect.
GOVERNANCE Madam Speaker, All too often, we celebrate successful elections and cherish the growth and maturity of our democracy.
However, we tend to invest far less in the development of our democratic governance than we reap from it.
Under my administration, we will take seriously into account the needs of our governance institutions.
Our 1992 Constitution established a number of institutions to foster effective balance of powers, provide ample expression for the representatives of people, guarantee access to Justice, Human Rights, Independence of the media and the right of the citizens to be empowered with knowledge about civic education.
While these institutions have performed relatively well, they are under resourced, their leaders and staff poorly motivated and their institutions thinly spread, such that ordinary citizens in remote areas are unable to access many of their services.
We will engage these independent governance institutions in a peer review of their conditions and together with them define the solutions that will propel them to fulfill their Constitutional mandates, within reasonable limits of our national resource endowments.
Madam Speaker, Transparency in government and the fight against corruption are cardinal for sustainable development.
During this administration, we will address transparency through a three dimensional approach  Ensuring the passage of the Freedom of Information Act  Expediting the passing of a National Broadcasting Law  Elaboration of a Code of Conduct in Government that includes key information disclosure, ethics and anti-corruption measures.
Together these measures will enable both citizens and statutory Constitutional bodies to access the needed information to demand accountability from office-holders in the public and private sectors.
Madam Speaker, We promised many things in our Governance Reform Agenda in our Manifesto and we shall systematically work to fulfil these.
For this year, we have already delivered on our promise to establish a lean but effective government by realigning and reducing the number of Ministries.
For the rest of the year, we plan for the following areas of our Governance agenda most of which will actually be commenced next year when we would have known the true state of the nation that we have inherited.
Regarding Parliament and Parliamentarians, we will embark on the following: * The establishment of a Member of Parliament Constituency Development Fund separate and apart from the District Assemblies Common Fund in order to release the District Assemblies Common Fund for the exclusive use of the District Assemblies and to remove one of the sources of tensions between the District Chief Executives and the Members of Parliament ; * The assignment of National Service graduates to Members of Parliament as Research Assistants.
Madam Speaker, Several areas of our governance agenda require legislative intervention.
Fortunately, The IEA-sponsored „Ghana Political Parties Programme‟whichis made up of all the political parties with representation in Parliament has agreed on several draft Bills that will respond to this need.
Consequently, the Government will consider these draft Bills for possible Parliamentary enactment in order to fill the void.
The Bills are: * Public Financing of Political Parties Bill, including the creation of an Election Fund for political parties and guaranteed funding for the Electoral Commission; * A new Political Parties Bill; and * A Presidential Transition Bill.
As promised in our Manifesto, we shall also introduce a Bill to amend the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, 1998, Act 550, in order to make it more functional and effective in ensuring probity and accountability.
In our desire to safeguard the guaranteed constitutional independence of these institutions, I would urge this august House, through an appropriate amendment of its Standing Orders, to consider permitting the leadership of these important national institutions to appear in person on the floor of the House at least to defend their own Budgets.
That way, the criticism of the Executive starving them of funds will be a thing of the past.