ghananlpcommunity/ghana-gov-speeches-sentences huggingface dataset:
The electrification works in about 50 communities in the Upper East Region under a Spanish Credit Facility which started in late 1999 will continue this year at an estimated cost of US$10 million.
On-going electrification projects in about 480 communities nationwide under Phase 2 of the SHEP-3 project will be completed during the first quarter of this year.
In the course of the year, 570 towns and communities under the SHEP 3 Programme throughout Ghana will be connected to the grid.
Fresh surveys will also be conducted during the year to ascertain the requirements of those communities that have applied to be considered for electrification under the SHEP-4 Project.
============================ Page break =========================== * Mr.
Speaker, * During the year 2000 the programme for reforming the energy sector will continue with the divestiture of the distribution utilities, Electricity Company of Ghana and the Northern Electricity Department of the Volta River Authority.
The West Africa Gas project remains a critical component of government’s energy programme.
As the project enters its final phase it is expected that funding countries and their commercial partners will work together to deliver gas in the year 2002.
Activities preparatory to the construction of the Bui Dam will also continue.
Speaker, * As I stated in the 1999 Sessional Address the justice delivery system has a vital role to play in the realization of our national development.
It must therefore be re-invigorated and properly focused to cope with the dictates of a modern and dynamic society where issues must be resolved in the simplest, speediest and most just manner possible.
I also made critical observations about the delays that have characterized our system of justice.
I am glad to note that there has been some improvement since I last addressed this House.
For instance, in the area of Legal Aid, more than 2,500 cases were handled by the Legal Aid Board.
This compares significantly with the total of 2000 cases handled by the Board in 1998.
Proposals are under consideration for newly qualified lawyers to be assigned to the Attorney-General’s Department for a limited period as is the case with other professions and their sector Ministries.
Speaker, * In our fight against corruption and protection of public and private property and lawful investment, the Serious Fraud Office in 1999 extended its extended its search light to a number of institutions in the country.
37 cases of serious fraud investigated by the SFO in the areas of contract fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion and misappropriation involved an amount of about ø9.5 billion out of which about ø2.2 billion has so far been recovered.
We expect that the Serious Fraud Office will intensify =========================== Page break ========================== its prosecution of the cases where they have recommended prosecution of alleged culprits.
Government on its part has extended an invitation to the World Bank to collaborate in conducting a diagnostic study on corruption in Ghana and how this can be mitigated, if not eradicated.
Speaker, * As I have had the occasion to point out before, one of the critical barriers to our rapid economic development has been the unequal terms of trade between our developing countries especially those in Africa and the advanced economies of the developed world.
We in Ghana have been recently reminded of the extent to which out economic fortunes can be affected by the unilateral pricing mechanisms of this relationship, when we saw our gold and cocoa prices drop to unprecedented low levels.
At the same time, we are acutely reminded of the reality that no African country, by itself, can change these centuries-old economic relationship in its favour without presenting a common front with other countries in similar situations.
Speaker, * It is for this reason that we have decided to step-up our efforts in this direction by the appointment of a Minister in charge of Regional Economic Co-operation and Integration to infuse a new dynamism into our Regional Integration efforts.
We will therefore closely work with other brotherly countries in West Africa to ensure that ECOWAS becomes the effective sub-regional economic grouping that the founding fathers envisaged for it, by enhancing its capacity to hold its own against the other regional and sub-regional blocs of the world.
In addition, the ECOWAS should become one of the propelling forces in the new momentum to revive the idea of African Unity as was decided at the recent Extraordinary OAU Summit held in Libya.
Having decided that the pursuit of our long standing Pan African Agenda should now be stepped-up, Ghana owes it to itself and to the rest of the continent to be in the forefront of the struggle for its attainment.
After all, it was our own illustrious First President, Osagyefo Dr.
Kwame Nkrumah, who lived and died for the unity of the continent.
We owe it to his memory to assume that leadership role in the new quest for African Unity and economic Integration.
======================== Page break ============================== We will also continue to work together with other nations of the world to enhance South-South and trade arrangements and the promotion of sustainable development with action to tackle the global environmental threat.
Speaker * The military establishment has continued to demonstrate its ability to safeguard and defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation.
Political conflicts in neighbouring countries that threaten spill-over effects in Ghana vindicate the Government's policy enshrined in the NDC manifesto to promote co-operation and integration of the Ghana Armed Forces into the nation's development processes in a manner that enhances their role to maintain peace and stability.
The prompt reaction and vital roles played by the Airforce and ground troops in support o f the National Disaster Management Organisation during the recent devastating floods in the North bear testimony to the important role of the Armed Forces in national development.
The Armed Forces have also been effective partners of the Police Service in the maintenance of internal security and in the fight against crime.
Externally, our Armed Forces continue to bring honour to the nation through their participation in peacekeeping missions even in the face of manpower limitation and logistic constraints.
Speaker, * The first phase of the Ghana Armed Forces Housing project which commenced in 1998 in four of the Garrisons namely Accra, Takoradi, Tamale, and Ho is near completion.
These houses will be commissioned by the end of the first quarter of this year.
Even though the 22 housing projects involved do not resolve the problem, they should provide some relief to the troops, whilst Government seeks a permanent resolution of the accommodation problem.
Aware of the transportation problems of the Armed Forces, Government last year set in motion a process for procuring vehicles for the Forces in a phased programme that is expected to show positive results this year.
======================= Page break =============================== Government will seek to improve the state of combat readiness of the forces by improving equipment availability by 30% by the end of the year and by increasing manpower strength.
Government will further seek to improve the human resource capacity and utilisation by expanding training infrastructure and through joint military - civilian seminars, workshops and courses as well as assistance to civil authorities.
Speaker, * We have all witnessed the spate of criminal attacks on some police stations and on several occasions the murder of our policemen in the course of carrying out their statutory responsibility of maintaining law and order.
At the same time, the apparent increase in armed robberies and unexplained murders among other crimes, during the early part of the last year created the impression that some criminal elements were determined to undermine social peace and political stability as well as the reputation of our Police Service.
Our working people, women and children are the biggest victims of crime and as a concerned government we will continue to demonstrate solidarity with them by making a concerted attack on crime and drugs.
Fortunately, the period towards the end of the year saw the security agencies responding to the challenge with the arrest and prosecution of a number of criminals.
The breakthroughs in investigations of a number of high-profile criminal cases is most re-assuring and on your behalf I commend the Police for their efforts despite the severe logistics constraints.
I wish to seize this opportunity to call on the public to be alert and vigilant at all times and co-operate fully with the Police in tracking down criminals and ensuring a secure environment for all.
As part of the strategy to fight crime, the Government will ensure that the Police Service is provided with an effective communications system within the context of our planned integration of the Communications System of the Security Services.
Amendments to the Police Service Act and Regulations to give effect to the Government Statement on the Justice Archer Report will be submitted to Parliament.
A new draft Scheme of Service for the Police to replace the current one will also be put in place in 2000.
====================== Page break ============================= * Mr.
Speaker, * In my address to the parade of security agencies and the progressive voluntary organisations last week.
I appealed to the nation to unite in order to build a better nation.
Unfortunately, however, t he leading institution which should lead in this national effort, is itself fraught with divisions and conflicts.
We have, in recent times, witnessed too many bloody conflicts in chieftaincy matters, resulting in loss of lives and property.
Speaker, * This situation is unacceptable and has to be arrested immediately.
Chieftaincy matters are largely out of the hands of Central Government, but we cannot allow it to degenerate to a complete breakdown of law and order with its resultant destruction of our cherished chieftaincy tradition.
I have therefore directed the newly-appointed Minister responsible for Chieftaincy Affairs to move quickly to facilitate the resolution of disputes in chieftaincy matters in collaboration with the Regional and District Security Committees.
Let me assure this House that while respecting the provisions of the constitution in respect of the sanctity of our chieftaincy institution, Government will not hesitate to do what is necessary to ensure law and order in the country.
Our security agencies will remain vigilant and move quickly to forestall any person or group which will transgress the law in pursuit of their chieftaincy ambitions.
Similarly, the law enforcement agencies will act against any person or group of persons whose actions or utterances are calculated to whip up ethnic tensions or provoke conflict and ill-feeling among religious groups.
We will not tolerate abuse of religious freedom nor will we tolerate irresponsibility towards others and society as a whole.
Speaker, * As promised in my Sessional Address last year the Government statement on the Justice Archer Report on the Police Service was released in January 1999.
=========================== Page break) ========================= Some decisions in the Government statement including the introduction of 9-months instead of 6 months Cadet Officer training at the Police College and the establishment of an Intelligence Unit within the Criminal Investigation Department have been implemented.
Agreements have been reached to procure from Spain and the USA fire tenders and other accessories worth 23 million US Dollars to beef up the equipment holding of the Ghana National Fire Service.
Apart from provision in the national budget to alleviate accommodation difficulties, efforts are being made to secure funding to meet set targets for housing units for the Police, Prisons, Immigration and Fire Services.
Speaker, * The Prisons Service Bill which could not be submitted to Parliament will be done this year.
The Fire Precaution Regulations to ensure compliance with fire safety requirements in building plans will also hopefully be passed by Parliament.
It is expected that the Immigration Service will be computerized in the course of this year to enhance its capacity to meet the obvious challenges posed by the new Citizenship and Immigration Acts.
A Civil Registry and Population Database system will be established to support efforts at implementing the provisions of the Citizenship Act.
The scourge of drug abuse and illicit trafficking are still prevalent.
Consequently, preventive drug education in the District Assemblies by the Narcotics Control Board will be intensified, as will efforts to counter drug dealers.
Speaker, * Our policies in the telecommunications industry continue to be justified by the rapid developments in the sector.
Over two hundred per cent increase in telephone line availability over the last three years has increased access of our people to telecom services.
The deployment of payphones in both urban and rural areas has assured that access to telecom services are not restricted to a privileged few, but are available to the mass of our people.
=========================== Page break =========================== However, the programme to expand telecom services has not been without its problems.
Increased access to telephone and increased access to Internet use have resulted I an increase in telephone traffic of nearly 500%.
Traffic has shot ahead of systems expansion resulting in congestion.
We expect the measures being put in place by the Ministry about a marked improvement.
The second netwok operator WESTEL, last year, successfully commence deployment of its telephone system.
It is set to expand its nextwork to Kumasi and Takoradi this year and subsequently to all the regional capitals.
A feasibility study for rural telephone network in Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East, and West Region has been completed and presented to the Ministry of Communications for consideration.
Under the project which will continue this year, rural communities in the four regions will be connected to the national telecommunications networks using wireless technology.
Speaker, * Private participation in broadcasting continue to prove of extreme benefit in attracting investments into the industry.
Only recently, World Space Digital Broadcasting Service was launched in the country making high quality news, information and entertainment available to our people.
All these developments are encouraging.
Unfortunately, the prerogatives of the market and thereby profit is increasing becoming a defining factor in the broadcast industry to the extent that there is very little circumspectio in what is broadcast to the listen to the voice of reason and measure up to their responsibility to well as our cultural values.
Above all they owe a responsibility to use the medium to promote unity, stability and social cohesion and of gratuitous insult to other Ghanaians.
===================== Page break ================================= It is expected that these and other concerns of the public will reflect in the guidelines to regulate the industry which will be placed before this House.
Speaker, * Government remains committed to modernizing the facilities of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to enable it fulfil its mission not only as a public service broadcaster but also as a standard-bearer in our world of broadcasting.
Measures will be put in place to improve GBC's management and service delivery and revenue generation and utilisation.
Government will support GBC with resources to undertake economical and competitive rehabilitation of its facilities.
Speaker, * Legislation to operationalise the new National Youth Policy will be submitted to the House in the course of the year.
The programme to convert the abandoned administration block complex at Nalerigu into the Northern Regional Yough Leadership Training Centre will commence this year.
This will bring to 8 the number of these regional centres.
Two more Youth Leadership Training Centres at Wassa Amenfi in the Western Region, and in the Central Region in the year 2001, will enable each Rgion to have a Regional Training Centre, fulfilling the 1996 Manifesto promise of the NDC.
Speaker, * In the course of the year, the National Youth Council in collaboration with the National Board for Small Scale Industries, will begin a programme to offer enterprising young men and women a package of entrepreneurship training supportd with credit facilities to equip the Youth with basic skills and cede money to set up their own business.
Speaker, * In a previous Sessional Address to Parliament, I underscored Government's determination to accelerate Sports infrastructure development to upgrade sports as a major factor in our national development effort.
============================== page break ======================= A 30-room Hostel Block for the Centre for Excellence in Sports and training pitches will be completed this year and will be used as the camping sites for the training of our National Teams preparing for international assignments.
The facility will also be available on rental basis.
The rehabilitation of Accra and Kumasi Sports Stadia, which began in preparation for hosting of the Africa Under-20 Youth Championship is proceeding to bring the stadia to the required FIFA standard for co-hosting the African Cup of Nations Tournament (CAN 2000) scheduled for January-February 2000.
Six Training Pitches are also being renovated to ensure a successful hosting of the impending tournament.
I wish our National Football Team, the Black Stars all the best in their bid to recapture the continental diadem.
Work on the National Youth Centre Complex, formerly known as Kaneshie Sports Complex will be completed this year to provide the youth with recreation and counselling facilities, among others.
About 75% of work has been completed on the Cape Coast Stadium project, which can now be classified as the third best in the country.
Speaker, * My Sessional Address last year promised amendments to the Local Government Act, operationalisation of the Institute of Local Government Studies, preparation of a Local Government Service Bill, fiscal decentralisation and improvement of management of the District Assemblies Common Fund.
All but one of the promised Bills have been finalised and are already in Parliament for your attention.
Fiscal decentralisation, which is a process, is in progress.
New Guidelines have been issued to the District Assemblies which will improve budgeting and accounting for the use of the Common Fund.
The Institute of Local Government Studies was commissioned in May last year.
Legislation to transfer some functions to the District Assemblies in the spirit of Article 254 of the Constitution will be placed before Parliament.
The integration of the decentralised Departments into the organisations of the Regional Co-ordinating Councils and District Assemblies as part of the Local Government Service shall be pursued.
========================== page break ========================== We shall expand training for local government capacity building at the Institute of Local Government Studies to include programmes of training to promote public-private partnerships in district economic development and the enhance women's participation in local government and economic development.
Government shall increase the financial resources allocation through the District Assemblies Common Fund for development and add operation and maintenance resources.
Speaker, * Implementation of urban infrastructure rehabilitation projects which I also promised is in progress.
In Accra, work has just commenced on the reconstruction of the Odaw Drainage Channel, Mukose secondary drain and four others all of which empty into the Odaw drain.
We have, in collaboration with the World Bank, completed the planning of an Urban V project in 25 urban centres in 23 Districts for investment of a loan of US$100 million to be financed by the World Bank, the Nordic Fund and the French Agency for Development.
Parliament shall be called upon during the year to ratify the Credit Agreements when they are negotiated.
We have also commenced the planning of an Urban VI project for the Accra-Tema-Ga conurbation to enhance the capacity of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) as the development, administrative, financial and diplomatic centre of Ghana.
The Urban VI project credit, will be submitted to Parliament for approval.
Speaker, * I am happy to share with Parliament my satisfaction that our democratisation of government through the decentralisation policy and programme of Local Government reforms has become a model not only in Africa but in other regions of the world.
Indeed, the UNCHS HABITAT decorated Ghana for democratisation of governance and promotion of integrative and participatory development for reduction of poverty in 1999.
The Consultative Group Meeting held in Accra in 1999 also recognized the quality of the decentralisation policy and local government programme and is considering premising the next Donors' Conference to be held in the year 2002, on "Poverty Reduction through Decentralisation."
==================== page break =============================== * Mr.
Speaker, * The National Population and Housing Census to be undertaken this year is an important national exercise to which we must all be committed.
All of us must be involved in the public education exercise to ensure that every person in Ghana on census night is counted.
Let me emphasize that the census is aimed at counting every person in Ghana on census night, not Ghanaians only.
To get our planning right, we must get our census right.
As the census logo states: "*Get Involved, Get Counted*".
For once let us depoliticise an important national exercise and let us all work to make it successful.
Speaker, * At the end of this year we shall be going for elections.
This year's elections will be the real test of transition, as it marks the end of my second term of office.
We should approach this exercise also in a spirit of unity and nationhood.
We must all work to ensure, free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections, devoid of violence, devoid of insults and devoid of acrimony.
Speaker, * By virtue of the constitutional provisions, this will be my last Sessional Address to the Second Parliament of the Fourth Republic after our successful transition to constitutional rule from the PNDC era in 1993.
It has been eighteen long years for my colleagues and I and also my wife, Nana.
It has been a difficult but rewarding eighteen years.
We have overcome many attempts to destabilize the process we initiated to bring about the political stability that has made Ghana what it is today.
We have succeeded thus far because we have been vigilant, pragmatic and level-headed in our relations and dealings with the ordinary people of this country.
Vigilance, level-headedness and pragmatic economic policies are the legacy that I leave for the Honourable Professor Atta Mills or whoever my successor may be.
=========================== page break ========================== * Mr.
Speaker, * We entered the Ghanaian political scene at a time when we were least prepared for it.
Indeed, Indeed, it had never been part of any plan of mine to enter politics.
But my baptism of fire into the political realm was a product of the anger and frustration of the people and the times.
We should never forget those times, because, if we do, we shall be caught unawares.
Too many of us are taking the people for granted.
We are almost lapsing into the old delusions of election equals democracy, equals security.
But this is wrong.
Beyond elections are the aspirations of the people and the quality of life they are able to live.
Speaker, * Our people are complaining that whilst they are making sacrifices in the face of the difficult economic realities, those of us who are elected to political office seem to think of ourselves first.
In complaining, they do not just complain about "Government".
They complain about minority Members of Parliament as well.