1

STATEOFTHENATIONADDRESSPRESENTEDTOPARLIAMENTBYHEJOHNDRAMANIMAHAMA

PRESIDENTOFTHEREPUBLICOFGHANAThursdayFebruary25,2016

RightHonourableSpeakerYourExcellency,theVicePresidentYourLadyship,theChiefJusticeHonourableMembersofParliamentHonourableMembersoftheJudiciaryDistinguishedLeadersofOurSecurityForcesExcellences,MembersoftheDiplomaticCorps;OurreveredNiimei,Naamei,Chiefs,TraditionalRulersandReligiousLeadersFellowGhanaiansGoodMorning.Mr.Speaker,Overtheyears,Ihaveoftenspokenabout,andmadereferenceto,thetremendouspowerthat existswithin every singleGhanaian - thepower to create change and influence thecourseofevents-thepowertoshapethefutureofthisgreatnationofours.We areGhana’s greatestwealth. The individual skills, talents, passion, personality, ideasandingenuitywebringcanmakeaworldofdifference.When we lose someone, especially someone who is in the prime of his or her life, wemournmuchmorethanwhatthatpersonwastous,ormeanttous.Wealsomournthepossibilityofwhatthatpersonmighthavebeenorcouldhaveaccomplished.Mr.Speaker,EveryyearsincethegoodpeopleofGhanaelectedmetoserveasPresident,IhavecometothisaugustHouseinfulfilmentofArticle67oftheConstitutionoftheRepublicofGhanatoaddressthestateofournation.Inmanyways,becauseIbeganasaMemberofParliament,thisHouseismypoliticalhomeanditshonourablemembersaremybrothersandsisters.Westoodondifferentsidesandheldourpositions.Wearguedpoints,andwepointedoutwhatwefeltwastheerroroftheother side’s ways. But, as I recall, at the end of the day, we were more than worthyopponents. We recognised ourselves as family, as a microcosm of the larger Ghanaianfamily.Mr.Speaker,It pains me today to see the vacant seat of our brother, my friend, Honourable J.B.Danquah-Adu,MPforAbuakwaNorth.J.B.,aged50,whenhewasbrutallymurdered,wasagentlemanwhowalkedawayfromeveryconversationwithasmile.

2

HegenuinelylovedGhanaandthatdevotionshonethroughineverythinghedid,especiallyin his constituency,where hewas quite popular andwell regarded. JB’s absence in thisHouseandinhisconstituencyisbothseenandfelt.Wehavelostamemberofourfamily.AndGhanahaslostatrueson,onewhowouldnodoubthavegoneontocontributegreatlytothebettermentofournation.Iwouldlike,onbehalfofthegoodpeopleofGhanaandofallthosepresenttoday,toofferour deepest condolences to his wife and family; and toMr. Frank Adu andMr. GeorgeTwum-Barimah-Adu,brothersofHonourableJBDanquah-Adu,whoarehereinParliamenttoday.Iwouldalsoliketorespectfullyrequestthatwetakeafullminuteofsilencetohonourhim.Let us also honour our compatriots who passed away during last week’s Metro MassTransitBusaccident.Maytheirsoulsrestinperfectpeace.Thankyou.

***

PUTTINGPEOPLEFIRSTMr.Speaker,MyGovernmentiscommittedtoputtingpeoplefirst.Ihavesaidthatagainandagainoverthe last several years,butwhatdoes that reallymean?How is thatdeclarationaffectingthelivesofpeopleinBawku,Aflao,orAxim?We politicians are known for talking a lot, yet the irony of such a stereotype is that inactualfact,wordsoftenfailus.Theyfailtoconveythenumerouswaysinwhichwhatwearedoing isdirectly impacting the livesof thoseweare serving.And that isbecausewespeak inwaysthatsometimestaketheverysubjectsofourconcernsandturnthemintoobjects,orplacethemindemographics,orspeakofthemasstatistics.Wedetailprojectsandproposals,wecitebudgetsanddata,figuresandbottomlinesthatcanfeelveryfarremovedfromthefleshandbloodrealitiesofthepeoplewhoselivesweseektoimprove.Mr.Speaker,In this address on the state of the nation, Iwould like to show the direct line betweenpolicyandpeople.Iwouldliketoshowhowtheseedswehavebeenplantingforthelastthreeyearshavetakenrootandgrown.Somehavenowbecometreesbearingfruitsthatare ripe for picking. Andmanymore are fast approachingmaturity, preparing to displaytheirgifts.

3

EDUCATIONMr.Speaker,Iwouldliketoshowhowwearechanginglives.Andwhatabetterplacetostartthanwitheducation,whichhasbeenproventobethesinglemosteffectivewaynotonlytochangeasinglelife,butotherlivesthatsurroundit.Educationcanbreakcyclesofpovertyandabuse.Educationisthekeythatcanunlock,forchildren,worlds intowhich their parents could not enter;worlds they never even knewexisted.Duringthisterm,myfirsttermasPresident,wehaveconsciouslydevelopedstrategiesandmade interventions to raise the quality of education by emphasising its relevance,improvingaccess,andworkingtoeliminategenderdiscriminationandinequality.Wehavealsoworkedtobettertrainandequipourteachers.

BASICEDUCATIONMr.Speaker,Ghana has been commended by the United Nations for meeting the target of theMillennium Development Goal (MDG) on achieving universal primary education withgenderparity.Despitethatachievement,therearestillasignificantnumberofschool-agechildrenthatarenotenrolled.These children are now being targeted under the Compulsory Basic Education (CBE)programmeof theMinistryofEducation. In the lastyear,a totalof54,800outof schoolchildren in four regions havebeenenrolled into schools. These are 54,800 childrenwhowould not have received an education. These are 54,800 children whose lives will nowhavemuchdifferentoutcomesasaresultofthisprogramme.Otherimportantsocialinterventionsthatarebeingimplementedintheeducationalsectorincludetheissuanceoffreesuppliessuchasuniforms,sandalsandtextbooks.In June 2015, I launched the free school sandals programmewhich saw the start of thedistribution of 10,000 Kumasi Shoe Factory Made-in-Ghana leather sandals to schoolchildreninneedacrossthenation.A number of studentswould have struggledwithout the basic necessitieswithwhich toattendschool-studentslikeMohammedAwabuofMoglaaJHSintheSaveluguDistrictofthe Northern Region who received free sandals; or David Aminayire of Nayagenia JHS,Kassena-Nankana Municipal in the Upper East Region who received free uniform, freeexercisebooksandtextbooks.Last year, I insisted that the Ministry of Education must ensure that all textbooks areprintedinGhana.This isoncourse. Infact, IwouldliketoacknowledgethestatementofgratitudereceivedfromtheGhanaPrintersandPaperConvertersAssociation, ledbyMr.JamesAppiah-Berko.

4

Iwouldespeciallyliketotakenoteoftheirindicationthatthisinterventionwillhelpcreate1,400newdirectjobs.Betterstill,thatis1,400newdirectjobsinGhanaianbusinesses.Mr.Speaker,In our determination to improve quality education, we have also introduced two newprogrammes - the Teacher Professional Development Initiative and the Provision ofTeachingandLearningMaterialsprogramme.TheTeacherProfessionalDevelopment initiativeaims toachievea targetof95% trainedteachers at the basic level by 2020 as set out in the Education Strategic Plan (ESP). TheProvision of Teaching and Learning Materials (TLMs) programme has seen to thedistributionofteachingandlearningmaterialsto10,924basicschools.In addition, 30,000 teacherswere trained in ICTunder theBasic SchoolComputerisationProgramme, bringing the total number of teachers trained under the programme to50,000.

SECONDARYEDUCATIONMr.Speaker,Secondary education was plagued with a number of challenges, notably lack of access,leading to a poor transition rate from JHS to SHS.We are vigorously confronting thesechallenges.Underourprogrammetoestablish200SeniorHighSchools, I canreport that123 are currently being constructed. But permit me to place this project in a broaderperspective.ThefirstsecondaryschoolwasestablishedinGhana140yearsago,in1876.Betweenthatdate and 2012, the number of public secondary schools established was 526. The 123schoolsthatarebeingimplementedrightnowwillcreatemorethan200,000newplacesinthe system, thus making the Community Day Schools Intervention the biggest everexpansionprogrammeintheentirehistoryofsecondaryeducationinGhana.It is because of this programme that 16-year-old Apim Shulamite is now the AssistantSchool Prefect of theAttaMills CommunityDay School inOtuam.After completing JHS,Apim,whooncedreamtofbecominganurse,hadtostayhomeforayeardueto lackofaccesstoasecondaryschool.Apim’sparentsaresettlersfromSomanya.Herfatherisataxidriverandhermothersellssecond-handclothing.During the year that she stayed at home, Apim soldwaakye andworked in a chop bar.Because of the Community Day Schools intervention, students like Apim are able to gofrom limited prospects to the fulfilment of personal dreams that ultimately benefit theentirenation.Additionally, under the Secondary Education Improvement Programme (SEIP), 10,400students benefitted from scholarships. 60% of the beneficiaries are young women, likeGertrudeAhyiaYeboah,whoiscurrentlyastudentatSt.Augustine’sSHSinBogosointheWesternRegion.

5

TERTIARYEDUCATION

Mr.Speaker,Enrolment in tertiary institutions increased by 6.3% for Universities and 8.9% forPolytechnics.InNovemberoflastyear,IinauguratedthemaincampusoftheUniversityforHealthandAlliedSciences(UHAS)atHo,which,injustthreeyearsofitsestablishment,hasachievedmany remarkable success stories. So farmore than 2,300 students have been enrolled.Associatedwiththeenrolmentisalsothecreationof816directjobsforteachingandnon-teachingstaffofUHAS.Butthosearejustnumbers.Letmetellyouaboutoneofthose2,300students:DzidzorKwamuarfromFodome-Helu.Shelosthermumwhenshewas10yearsold.Whenshecountedherselfalongwithher13siblings, thosebeingher father’s children, theredidn’t seem tobeanyhopeof standingout.Thankfully,anuncletookcareofherthroughJHSandSHS.ShewasadmittedtoAburiGirlsandcompletedherstudiestherein2014onlytofindthatdespitebeingqualified,shecouldnotattendmedicalschoolduetoinadequateaccess.Now,withtheopeningoftheUniversity forHealthandAlliedSciences,Dzidzor is indeedstanding out. This access hasmade a tremendous difference in her life, and it will alsomakeadifferenceinthelivesofDzidzor’sfuturepatients.Mr.Speaker,ProgresshasbeenmadeattheUniversityofEnergyandNaturalResources,whichhassofaradmitted2,685studentsandcreated315teachingandnon-teachingjobs.The bill for the establishment of the University of Environment and SustainableDevelopmenthasbeenpassedandIhaveappointedanimplementationteamtoassisttheMinistryofEducationinrealisingthisvision.InfulfilmentofourpledgetoensurethateachregioninGhanahasatleastonepublicuniversity,weareoncoursetobeginconstructionthisyearatDonkokromintheAframPlainsandSomanya,allintheEasternRegion.Mr.Speaker,In furtheranceofourpolicy toconvertpolytechnics to technicaluniversities, six (6)havemetthe16-pointcriteriaandhavebeenrecommendedforimmediateconversion.TheyaretheKumasi,Accra,Koforidua,Ho,Sunyani,andTakoradiPolytechnics.Theremainingfourpolytechnicswillbeassistedbyaspecialarrangementtosupportthemwith infrastructure, equipment and the strengthening of their governance structure toenablethemmeettheconversioncriteriaintheshortestpossibletime.Mr.Speaker,The abolition of the quota system for enrolment in colleges of education has increasedadmissionsby63percent.

6

This has created access for many students who otherwise would not have had theopportunity. To assist teacher trainees and finance their education, following thecancellationof the teacher traineeallowances, Ihaveasked theMinistryofEducation todirecttheStudentLoanTrusttoregistertraineesontheircampusesanddisbursestudentloanstothem.Thisnewsystemallowsustoreinvestintheeducationofthenextgenerationofteachersandstudents.TofulfilthepolicyofprovidingCollegesofEducationinunder-servedareasandtoexpandaccess to teacher training,Government isabsorbing into thepublic streamthe followingcolleges-

! SaintAmbroseCollegeofEducation,DormaaDistrict! Al-Farak College of Education, Wenchi District - this will become our first ever

IslamicCollegeofEducation! GambagaCollegeofEducation,EastMamprusiDistrict! St.VincentCollegeofEducation,YendiMunicipality! BiaLamplighterCollegeofEducation,BiaDistrict.

TwootherprivatecollegeswillbeabsorbedintheBrongAhafoandAshantiRegionstofulfilthe initiativeofprovidingacollegeofeducation inunder-servedareas. Inaddition,workwillbeginonthreenewCollegesintheGreaterAccra,CentralandNorthernRegions.Mr.Speaker,Lastyear,weworkedtoimprovetheskillsofin-serviceteachers.In2016,wearegoingonestep furtherbyenhancing theeducationofpre-service teachersbygiving themtheskillsand tools theyneed toexcel in theclassroom,andprepareourchildren forabrightandprosperousfuture.We are doing this through the Transforming Teacher Education and Learning (T-TEL)Programme,which aims to impact 35,000 teachers over four years. Central to achievingthisarethe38CollegesofEducation.

7

HEALTHMr.Speaker,AtIndependence,lifeexpectancywas47years.Today,lifeexpectancyhasincreasedby14years.Thisincreaseisduetoadvancesinmedicine,improvementsinhealthinfrastructureand increased numbers of health personnel. Not only are we living longer in our adultyears,moreinfantsarelivingtoseethoseyears.AccordingtotheGhanaDemographicandHealthSurvey,therehasbeenadrasticdecreaseintheratesof infantmortalityandunder-fivemortality.Overthe lastdecade,under-fivemortalityhasdecreasedfrom111to60per1,000livebirths.Infantmortalitydroppedbyalmost30%from64to41per1,000livebirthsduringthesameperiod.The mothers of these children are also surviving during pregnancy and after childbirthbecauseantenatalandintrapartumandpostnatalcarehaveimproved.

EFFICIENTHEALTHFINANCINGMr.Speaker,Wearepoisedtoinvestheavilyinthecomingyearsineducationandpreventivehealthcarefor the treatment of chronic diseases due to lifestyle choices- diseases such asHypertension,Diabetes,HighBloodCholesterol,andObesity.Theinvestmentinpreventivehealthisevenmoreprudentasournutritionalhabitscontinuetochange.Mr.Speaker,Thedoubleburdenofcommunicableandnon-communicablediseasesraisesanevenmorefundamental question about sustainable healthcare financing. This is precisely why Iconstituted a Technical Committee to make proposals that will lead to a fundamentalredesignoftheNationalHealthInsuranceScheme.2015sawanactiveNHISmembershipof11.2million(41%ofthepopulation).OutpatientUtilisation of the National Health Insurance Scheme rose to 29.6million in 2014 from597,000 in 2005. For us, this undeniable pattern of increased utilisation of healthcareinsurancebearsampletestimonytotheconfidencethatourpopulationcontinuestohavebothintheSchemeandinthehealthsystem.Itisalsothereasonwhyquestionsabouttheadequacyofthefundingmechanismscannotbeignored.Tothisend,GovernmentexpectstheteamoftechnicalexpertstoproposeforGovernment’sconsideration,fundamentalreformsthatwilltouchonareassuchasequity,premiums,andexpansionoftherevenuebase,fraud,benefitpackagesandprocurementofmedications.Mr.Speaker,I want to make medication affordable for all Ghanaians. That is why I want our localPharmaceuticalCompaniestoproduceasmuchmedicationaspossiblerighthereinGhana.Tothatend,wehavedisbursedmorethanGH¢50millioncedistoassistthemindoingso.

8

Throughthis,wehopetoachieveanuninterruptedsupplyofanti-retroviraldrugsforHIVandAIDSpatients.Therearealso innumerableotherassociatedbenefits to this strategy,notleastofwhichisthecreationofmorejobsinGhanaiancompanies.Wehaveherewithustoday,SamuelAmoTobbin,theExecutiveChairmanoftheTobincoGroup,whichwasoneofthecompaniesthatbenefittedfromGovernment’ssupporttothepharmaceuticalindustry.ThefundsweredisbursedthroughtheExportDevelopmentandAgricultureIndustrialFund(EDAIF).Withthesupportreceived,Tobincohasalsoincreaseditsproductionportfolioby150%.Thecompanyproducesanalgesics,antibiotics,antiretroviralandvarioussyrupsforthelocalmarketandalsoforexporttoNiger,Gambia,SierraLeoneandLiberia.Mr.Speaker,Onecannotspeakofhealthwithoutspeakingofphysicalexercise.ThereisaneedtoreturnPhysicalEducationorSportstotheschoolcurriculum.ThecurrentsituationwherePEandSportshasbeende-emphasised intheacademiccurriculumis, inthe longrun,extremelycostly.Itdirectlyimpactsthehealthoutcomesofstudentsintheareaofobesityandothersuchillnessesthatarisefromasedentarylifestyle.Itisveryeasytoseethatthebenefitsfaroutweighthecosts.IhaveaskedtheMinistersofEducation, Health and Sports to initiate stakeholder discussions to ensure the adequatereintegrationofSportsbackintotheschoolsystem.Mr.Speaker,InOctoberoflastyear,12peopleintheWestGonjaDistrictintheNorthernRegionwereaffectedbyYellowFever.InDecemberoflastyear,therewasanoutbreakofPneumococcalmeningitis that started in the Brong Ahafo region. These remind us that public healthemergenciesarenottobetakenlightly.Theyareanever-presentpossibility.GhanahasbeencommendednumeroustimesbytheinternationalcommunityforbeingonthefrontlinesduringtheEbolacrisis.Asotherswerestandingstillor,worse,steppingbackbecauseoffear,westeppedforwardandtookcontrolofthesituation,helpingtomobiliseeffortsthatultimatelyhelpedcontainthevirus.TheWorldHealthOrganisationhasdeclared theZika virusaPublicHealthEmergencyofInternational Concern. Numerous cases of the virus have been reported in Brazil, theUnitedStatesandothercountriesintheAmericas,aswellasinpartsofEuropeandAfrica.The Ministry of Health, acting through its agencies has started coordinating publiceducationprogrammesonthepreventionoftheZikavirus.TheMinistryisalsokeepinghealthfacilitiesonalertwithtimelymessagesontransmissionpatterns, associated signs and symptoms, methods of prevention and emergencypreparednessplanning.

9

IassurethepeopleofGhanathatGovernmentisfullypreparedandequippedtodealwiththisandanyotherpublichealthissuethatmightarise.

HEALTHINFRASTRUCTUREFORBETTERHEALTHCARE

Mr.Speaker,Ourhealthcaresystemhas improved tremendously.Wecontinue to investheavily in thesector toensureanevenbetter systembecauseas a social democraticGovernment,webelievethatahealthypeoplemakeawealthynation.ItisforthiscorereasonthatoverthepastfewyearswehaveinvestedoverUS$2billioninhealthinfrastructure,equipmentandhumanresource.Weprojecttoadd6,000morebedstoGhana’sexistingstockbytheendof2018whentheprogrammeiscompleted.Presently, there are two Teaching Hospitals, three Institutional Hospitals, four RegionalHospitals, fourteenDistrictHospitals,dozensofPolyclinicsandHealthCentres,aswellashundredsofCHPScompoundprojectsallatvariousstagesofcompletion.Mr.Speaker,ConstructionoftheUniversityHospitalatLegon,upgradingandrehabilitationoftheRidgeHospital, and the second phase of the Tamale Teaching Hospital expansion project areprogressingsteadily.TheWaRegionalHospitalwhichcommencedinOctober2012ispresently70%complete.ItispartoftheUS$339million,8-hospitalsproject.Workonthefollowinghospitalsisalsoprogressing:

! 250-bedRegionalHospitalinKumasi-Sewua! 60-bedDistrictHospitalinSalaga! 60-bedDistrictHospitalinTepa! 60-bedDistrictHospitalinNsawkaw! 60-bedDistrictHospitalinKonongo-Odumasi! 100-bedMunicipalHospitalinAtomic-Accra.

Rehabilitationof the295-bedBolgatangaHospital isprogressingsatisfactorily.WorkonanewmodernEmergencyDepartmentfortheKorle-buTeachingHospitalis90%completed.A12-bedintensivecareunit(ICU)forthedepartmentofsurgeryhasbeenrefurbishedandequipped.Sixdistricthospitalswith integrated ITsystemsarecurrentlybeingdesigned,constructedand equipped at an estimated cost of US$175million. The beneficiary communities areSekondi-Takoradi, Abetifi District, Garu District, Kumawu District, Fomena District andDodowaDistrict.Mr.Speaker,

10

I have requested the Minister for Health to convert the Volta Regional Hospital into amodern Teaching Hospital befitting the status of a University hospital for use by theUniversityofHealthandAlliedSciencesintheVoltaRegion.The continuation of the US$264million National Medical Equipment ReplacementProgrammewhichhas,sofar,provideddiagnosticandtreatmentequipmentforover150hospitalsnationwidewillensureadequateprovisionforthemuch-neededretoolingoftheRegionalHospitalintheVoltaRegion.Mr.Speaker,We are trainingmore health care professionals.We are improving on the conditions oftheir service so that we may retain them to work in Ghana. Umar Mahmoud Mogtarworkedasafarmhand,buthehadalwaysdreamtofbecomingahealthprofessional.Hisopportunitycamewhenahealth-traininginstitutewasopenedinLawraintheUpperWestRegionandnowheisoncoursetorealisehisdream.Weareprovidingandbuildingabetterhealth infrastructureandprovidingmoremodernequipmenttomeetthecurrentandfutureneedsofourpopulationandpeople,likeMercyPomaa, who gave birth at the Nkrankwanta Polyclinic in January of this year, becauseMercy’spreviouspregnancywentthroughCaesareansection.Her condition with this pregnancy was delicate, one that could ordinarily only beundertaken by a higher-level healthcare facility. Having access to a capable and well-equipped polyclinic nearby decreased the travel time necessary for Mercy to accessmedicalattentionthroughoutthepregnancyand,also,whenitcametotimetodeliver,theestablishmentofanewpolyclinicinNkrankwantaensuredthatshedeliveredsafely.Todayshe isaproudmotherofa safeandsoundbabybecauseamodernpolyclinicwasbuiltinhercommunity.Storieslikethisshouldbeordinaryandexpected,notexemplary,andweareworkinghardtomakeitso.IfirmlybelievethatGhana’shealthsystemhasbeenplacedpermanentlyonthe right trajectory, and that it will be the healthcare system that other nations on theAfricancontinentwillemulateandstrivetoduplicate.Mr.Speaker,TheGhanaAIDSCommissionhassuccessfullycoordinatedimplementationoftheNationalHIVandAIDSStrategicPlan2011-2015.AdultHIVprevalencehasstabilisedoverthepast3years. The current prevalenceof 1.4% reflects decliningnewHIV infections and reducedmorbidityandmortalityamongPersonsLivingwithHIV.Throughtargetedpreventionstrategies,newHIVinfectionshavedeclined.Wehaveseenaconsistent reduction in new HIV infections from a baseline of 16,200 new infections to11,356in2014.A30%declineoverthepast5years.

11

Wehave been successful in reducing annual AIDS deaths by 43%. Through collaborativeeffortstoeliminateMother-to-ChildTransmissionofHIVwithadvocacyatthehighestlevel,wehaveachievedover50%reductionoftransmissionofHIVfrommother-to-child.81%ofpregnant women receive PMTCT services. 66% of infected pregnant women receivetreatmenttopreventmother-to-childtransmissionofHIV.TheprevalenceofHIVamongexposedbabieshas reduceddrastically to8%atbirthand21%afterbreastfeeding;downfrom32%.TheGhanaAIDS Commission and its stakeholders have agreed on priorities for the newNational Strategic Plan 2016-2020 towards achieving the 90-90-90 fast-track targets forGhana(90%ofPLHIVknowtheirstatus,90%ofPLHIVonAntiretroviraltreatmentand90%achieveimmunesuppression).Theseprioritiesincludestrengtheningofstrategicinformationandhealthsystems,aswellas community empowerment to scale upHIV testing, treatment and targeted behaviourchange.Wewillstrivetoeliminatemother-to-childtransmissionofHIVby2017andmeettheneedsofadolescentsandyouth.

12

SOCIALPROTECTIONMr.Speaker,We recognise thatwhile carrying out structural reforms to achieve fiscal stability,manyvulnerable families and households that are below the poverty line, could suffer furtherdeteriorationintheirqualityoflife.Forthisreason,Governmenttakesitssocialprotectionpoliciesveryseriously.Wehavemade remarkablegains in theGender,ChildrenandSocialProtectionsectorbystrengtheningthelegalandpolicyframework,effectivelymainstreaminggenderconcerns,andincreasingchildrightsprotection.CabinethasapprovedfiveimportantpoliciestostrengthenourGender,ChildrenandSocialProtectionprogrammes-theChildandFamilyWelfarePolicy;theNationalGenderPolicy;theSocialProtectionPolicy;theJusticeforChildrenPolicyandtheSchoolFeedingPolicy.Other critical pieces of legislation designed to strengthen our social protectionprogrammes, such as the Affirmative Action Bill, the Ageing Bill, the Domestic ViolenceRegulations,AdoptionandFosterCareRegulations,haveallbeen finalisedandvalidated.TheseBillsandtheRegulationswillbepresentedtothisHousethisyear,tobeenactedintolaw.Inaddition,wearealso implementingprogrammestoprotecttheelderly.ThenewEBANcardintroducedbytheMinistryhasgainedacceptanceinmanyinstitutions,andtheelderlywhopresent thecardsatbusstations,banks,hospitalsandotherpublicplacesaregivenpriorityinorderofservice.Sofar,over14,000cardshavebeenissuedin7regions,withtheMinistry of Gender, Children and Social Protection set to issue an additional 9,000 toconcludethefirstphase.Mr.Speaker,Wealsocontinuetoworktoimprovetheopportunitiesavailabletopersonswithdisability.It hasbeenprovenoverandoveragain that “disability isnot inability.”OurMinister forChieftaincyandTraditionalAffairs,Dr.SeiduDanaa,isalivingtestimonyoftheveracityofthis statement. He performs his duties just as effectively as the other members of myCabinet.Mr. IvorGreenstreet, formanyyearsGeneralSecretaryof theCPP,andnowPresidentialCandidateoftheparty,isalsoatestamenttothefactthatdisabilityshouldnotbeallowedtobeabartoachievement.Itisestimatedthatpersonswithoneformofdisabilityorotherconstituteroughly10%ofourpopulation,meaningthatabout2.6millionofourcompatriotsfallintothiscategory.Iamoftheopinionthatmarginalisationofsuchahugesegmentofthepopulationisnotonlyunconscionableandimpractical,butalsounwise.Many governmental and charity institutions areproviding skills training for personswithdisabilitytoimprovetheiropportunitiesintheworldofwork.

13

UndertheSkillsDevelopmentFund(SDF),supporthasbeenprovidedtotheGhanaSocietyforthePhysicallyDisabledtoprocureamodernautomatedchalkmouldingplantinordertoenhancetheproductionofchalkattheirfactory.ThissupportwillallowtheorganisationtomeetthestandardrequiredbytheGhanaEducationService.TrainingwasalsoprovidedfortheLakesideCrossDisabilitySelf-HelpGroupbytheAnimalResearchDivisionofCSIRinanimalhusbandry,withtheaimofenhancingtheirlivelihoods.To create further opportunities for persons with disability, I have requested that theAdministratoroftheDistrictAssembliesCommonFund(DACF)increasethedisabilitygrantfrom 2% to 3%; a 50% increase for the current fiscal year. This formula is soon to bepresentedtothemembersofthisHouseforyourapproval.The moratorium for disabled access to public buildings pursuant to the Persons withDisability Act of 2006 expires this year. The National Council on Persons with Disability(NCPD)hasdeveloped theGhanaStandardsonAccessibilityDesigns for implementation.Thiswillenableownersofpublicbuildingstoprovideaccessibilitytobuildingsfordisabledpersons.Mr.Speaker,Lastyear,onJuly23,IbecamethefirstsittingpresidenttopayaformalvisittoaGhanaianprison.JoiningthePrisonCouncil,officersandinmatesofNsawamforthelaunchofProjectEfiase,openedmyeyestothedeplorableconditionsthatexistinourprisons.Asafollow-up to my visit, the Prisons Council is working on a new block at Nsawam specificallydesignedtodecongesttheprison,forwhichconstructionwillbeginthisyear.Mr.Speaker,Inordertoempowerheadporters–kayayei-andreducetheirvulnerability,wehavesetupcoordinatedgender-basedresponsecentresatMallamAttaandAgbogbloshiemarketsasapilottoprovidehumanitariansupport,counsellingservices,andpsycho-socialsupporttokayayeiandmarketwomen.Wehavealsoregistereda1,000of thekayayei freeontotheNHIS in order to enable themaccess quality healthcare. In addition, amicro-financecreditprogrammeforalternativelivelihoodsformarketporterswillalsobelaunched.Mr.Speaker,GovernmentprogressivelyexpandedtheLivelihoodEmpowermentAgainstPoverty(LEAP)programmefrom1,640beneficiaryhouseholdsin2008,to71,000inJanuary2013.As atNovember2015, LEAPhadbeenexpanded to144,980beneficiaryhouseholds. Thecashgrantshavealsobeen increased this year. Thishashelpedbeneficiaries tonotonlyaddress their critical needs, but also to invest in income-generating ventures thatsupplementfamilyfinances.Iwillsharewithyoutwosuchexamplesofthis.42-year old LEAP beneficiary Zenabu Sumaila, fromNinkogo in the Pusiga district of theUpper East region, has invested her grant into pig farming. Before that, she had nomeaningfulsourceof livelihood.Zenabuusedtohelpherhusbandtendasmall farmbutwhenhedied,itthrewherandhertwochildrenintoabjectpoverty.

14

Shehad to relyon thekindnessof thepeople inher community forvirtuallyeverything.EventheChiefassistedherinfeedingherhousehold.Thelackofanincomesourcealsomeantthatherchildrencouldnotattendschoolregularlyandthefamilycouldnotaffordhealthcare.Afterreceivinghercashgrantsonanumberofoccasions,Zenabustartedsavingandsheinvestedinanimalrearing.Shestartedwithonepigletandshenowhasmorethanten.Shehasbeenabletosupplementhercashgrantswithincomegeneratedfromsellingthepiglets.Sheisnowabletobuyenoughfoodforherhousehold.HerchildrenareattendingschoolregularlyandbyvirtueofbeingaLEAPbeneficiary,ZenabuwasalsoabletoregisterontheNationalhealthInsuranceSchemefreeofcharge.AnotherLEAPbeneficiary,AwenemiApogyanga,fromSumbrunguKulbiaintheBolgatangaMunicipality, proved tobe just as enterprising. Awidow,Awenemiused to try tomakeendsmeetbyusingtheloomthatsheownedtoweavekente.Themoneythisbroughtinwasnotenoughtosustainherhouseholdsoherchildrenwouldskipschooltodopart-timeworktomakeenoughmoneytobuymaterialsoshecouldsewandsellmorekente.With theassistanceof theLEAPProgramme,Awenemiprocuredaweavingmachineandshe is now able to afford thematerial in order tomake kente, which she then sells tosmockmakersatBolga.Herchildrennolongerhavetoabandonschooltohelpearnmoneyforthehousehold.Mr.Speaker,Thesearelivingtestimoniesofhowpeople’slivesarechanged.

15

YOUTHMr.Speaker,To ensure the smooth implementation of the National Youth Policy, in January 2015, IlaunchedtheNationalYouthPolicyImplementationPlan.ThePlanprovidesanacceleratedframework with specific timelines for the adoption of programmes and activities in thepolicydocument.Thecountry’sYouthLeadershipandSkillsTrainingInstitutestrainedatotalof1,646youthunderaVocationalandSkillsTrainingprogramme.Mr.Speaker,TheYouthEmploymentAct2015hasbeenpassedtocreateasolidfoundationuponwhichtheYouthEmploymentAgency canbe structuredand run.Recruitmentunder theYouthEmployment Agency (YEA) has also started, and it is targeted to recruit 100,000 youngpeopleoverthenext12monthsin5differentmodules.ThenewYouthEmploymentAgencyisimplementingapurelycashlessorganisationwhereallfinancialtransactionswillbeelectronicorbycheque.Mr.Speaker,TheYouthEnterpriseSupport (YES) initiativemadesignificantprogress in theyearunderreview. A total of 2,048 applicationswere received in response to its first call, and 107individualswereselectedforfinancialandtechnicalsupport.Outofthe107beneficiaries,81wereearmarkedtoreceivefinancialsupportand26toreceivetechnicalsupport.TheprogressofallbeneficiariesiscloselymonitoredbytheYESbusinesssupportteamandtheYESmonitoringandevaluationdeskthroughmandatoryreportingandregularbusinesssitevisitsandaudits.ThatfirstcallunderYEShascreatedover800directandindirectjobsforGhanaianyouths.The second call for applications was made in January this year and so far about 4,000applicationshavebeenreceived.Iurgeouryouthtotakeadvantageofthisinitiative.Mr.Speaker,OnegrowingareaofopportunityforouryouthisinICTservicesandapplications.Inthelastfew years we have made significant progress in entrepreneurship support and theincubationofprogrammes.TheseserveasfoundationsforastrongdigitalICTmarket.A number of interventions are being implemented, including mLabs, iHubs, Accra BPOCenter,KumasiBusinessIncubator,RegionalInnovationCentersandtheICTParkinTemato boost the innovation ecosystem and enhance digital opportunities andentrepreneurship.

16

SPORTSMr.Speaker,In addition to the construction of the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, which has beencompleted and which I shall have the privilege of commissioning soon, we have alsocompleted thedrawingsandbillsofquantities for theconstructionof theNewEdubiaseSportsStadium.LastSeptember,Ghanaparticipatedinthe2015AllAfricaGamesheldinCongoBrazzavilleandwonatotalof19medals.Ourwomen’sfootballteammustbeparticularlycommendedforwinningthefootballtrophy.The SeniorNational Football Team, theBlack Stars placed second in theAfricanNationsCuptournamentheldinEquatorialGuineainJanuary2015,andtheBlackSatellitesplacedthirdintheOrangeAfricanU-20CupofNationsTournamentthatwasheldinSenegalthisyear.Mr.Speaker,GovernmentcommitstotheimplementationofthefindingsandrecommendationsoftheWorldCupCommissionevenasweconfrontthelegalhurdlesahead.AnewboxinggymandsportscomplexbeingbuiltbySSNITneartheKorleLagoon,willbecommissionedthisyear.ThiswillgiveopportunitytotheyoungpeopleinBukomandothersurroundingareaswhohaveatalentforboxingtorealisetheirdreams.

***

17

BUILDINGASTRONGANDRESILIENTECONOMYMr.Speaker,WhenItookofficeasPresidentoureconomywasfacedwithseverechallengesfrombothdomesticpolicymisalignmentandexternalshocks.Theresultingeffectwasabudgetdeficitof11.5%ofGDPanda currentaccountdeficitof11.7%ofGDP. Expenditurepressuresemanatinglargelyfromthecompensationofpublicsectoremployees,budgetaryoverruns,shortfallsincorporateincometaxandlowDevelopmentPartners’inflowaccountedforthehighfiscaldeficit.On the other hand, developments in commodity prices and a tightening of financing formiddleincomecountriesjointlycontributedtothehighcurrentaccountdeficit.AtthetimeofourIndependence,theAgriculturesectoraccountedforabout50%ofGDP.Itcurrentlyaccountsforabout21.5%ofGDP.TheServicessectoris,rightnow,thelargestsector with slightly over 50% share of GDP. Following it is the industrial sector, whichaccountsforabout26.6%ofGDP.Despite,thissignificantshiftinthestructureoftheeconomy,thenatureofourexportshasvirtually remained the same.Wehave a narrowbase of export commodities and a highdependenceonimports.Thissituationhassubjectedoureconomytoshocksinthefaceofglobalpricevolatilities.Infact,wehavewitnessedasimultaneousfallincrudeoil,cocoaandgoldprices.Thepriceofabarrelofcrudeoilhasfallenbymorethan70%sinceJune2014,andasitstandstoday,BrentcrudeoilissellingataroundUS$33perbarrelfromahighofUS$100perbarrel.Thisisthelowestsince2004.Eventhoughcocoaandgoldpriceshavehadasignificanteffectonthebalanceofpaymentsand tax revenue, theoil decline is amixedbag that favourablysupports crude oil import bill but affects negatively the Annual Budget Funding Amount(ABFA)ofthebudget.This explains the revisionof the2015original budgetby the supplementarybudget thatwaspresentedtothisaugustHouseon21stJuly2015.Overthe lastfewyears,wehavetakensignificantmeasurestoaddresstherealsectorofthe economy.As a first step,we started to diversify our economyby intensifying value-additiontoourexports.Forexample, inAugust2015,theMinister forLandsandNaturalResourcesinauguratedaUS$7milliongoldrefineryatAdjiriganorinAccra,thesecondofitskindinGhana.Sahara Royal Gold Refinery Limited has the capacity to refine between 200-300 kilos ofgold daily, and the expectation is that the growing number of licensed gold buyerswhohave traditionallypurchased rawminerals fromGhanaandhaveexported themtoothercountrieswillseektorefinethegoldrighthereinGhana,creatingjobsandthereforeaidinginclusivegrowth.AssistancetotheKNUSTJewellerySchoolisalsoaimedattrainingacoreofcraftsmentokick-startthejewelleryindustryinGhana.

18

Additionallyaspartofouragendatoachieveavalue-addedandexport-ledeconomy,theGhana Export and Import Bank (EXIM)Bill has been laid before Parliament. The primarypurposeistofinanceexports(notablylightindustrialandagriculturalproducts);guaranteeloans;provideexport insurance;supportSMEsandotherbusinesses;and,strengthenouraccesstomarketsundereconomiccooperationprogrammessuchastheAfricaGrowthandOpportunityAct(AGOA)andEconomicPartnershipAgreements(EPAs).TheoperationsoftheBankwillsupportthenurturingandgrowthoftheprivatesectorinGhanaandaddressthelongstandingproblemofaccesstocreditforexpandingvalue-addedexports.IintendtosignthisbillintolawassoonasthisHousepassesitbecauseIbelieveitwillunderscoreGhana’sstoryoftransformation.Oursecondstrategyhasbeentoinvestheavilyinbuildingatransformativeinfrastructure.As an emerging middle-income country, with a growing middle-class, this will form thebasisofanewgrowthtrajectoryintheeconomy,generatingjobsandincreasingincomes.In furtherance to this, it was decided to create strong institutions that would help usachieveourgoal.AswiththeEximBank,theGhanaInfrastructureInvestmentFund(GIIF)wasestablishedforsimilarpurpose.Theseinstitutionswillserveasbuffersformanagingtheeconomy,whilstprovidingthespaceforspendingonsocio-economic infrastructure.TheGhanaEximBankand the Ghana Infrastructure Fund are some of the more enduring and independentmechanismsforaddressingtherootcausesofourparticularmacro-economicchallenges.Government has additionally deployed a new debt management strategy that includesmakingcommercialprojectspayfortheloansthatareprocuredtocompletesuchprojects.Government benefited tremendously from the outcome of the ‘Senchi Consensus’;suggestions fromenthusiastic stakeholders led to the validationof aHomeGrownFiscalConsolidationPlanwhichwaseventuallypresentedtothisaugustHouseforconsideration.Specificinterventionsincludedmajorpublicfinancialmanagementreformsintheareasofbudgeting,accounting,revenueadministration,wagemanagement,debtmanagementandotherstructuralreforms.The primary goals of this coordinated policy were to stabilise the economy, facilitateinclusivegrowth,protectsocialspendingandcreatedecentjobs.Onthebasisofthisplan,Itookthedecisiontoenter intothe IMFExtendedCreditFacility (ECF)Programmetogivecredibilitytoourpolicies.OurcommitmenttotheimplementationoftheprogrammehasledtotwosuccessfulreviewsundertheIMFProgrammein2015,andathirdreviewdueinAprilofthisyear.This year, Ghana is expected to achieve a budget deficit of 5.3% of GDP under the IMFExtended Credit Facility (ECF) programme, which provides a tighter fiscal space thananticipated in theoriginal programme. It iswithin this context thatwemustpractice anevengreaterdegreeoffiscalprudencein2016.

19

Thebaneofoureconomicmanagementhasbeen the cyclicalhugeelectionyearbudgetdeficits. It is an unfavourable narrative for which Ghana has become famous. I haveassured the nation and our partners that my administration will exercise strict fiscaldiscipline even in this election year in order that we can also transform this negativenarrativeofourcountry.Thishasnotbeenaneasyroadtotravel.AsPresident, Isworeanoathtoact inthebestinterestofournation.Actinginanation’sbestinterestisnotsynonymouswithtakingonlydecisionsthatmakeonepopular.IthankthegoodpeopleofGhanaforyourunderstandingandpatienceduringthesechallengingtimesthatwehaveendured.Thesacrificeswehavemade,placeoureconomybackonapathofgrowth,andmakeitmoreresilienteveninavolatileglobalfinancialenvironment.Working together we have chalked major achievements in our economic managementjourneysofar.We have contained the unsustainable utility and fuel subsidy overruns by implementingtheautomaticpriceadjustmentsofpetroleumandutilitypricesthattookeffectinJulyandDecember 2015, respectively. The implication has been a minimal budgeted amount ofabout GH¢50million for the 2015 budget and provisional outturn relatively lower thanprovidedfor.Consideringthat inthepast,GovernmenthashadcausetospendoverGH¢1.0billionforoverruns insubsidies, itmakesthisanuneasyfeatforanyGovernmenttoachieveatthistime.For the first time in many years, negotiation with our Trade Unions within budgetconstraint before the 2016 budget has been achieved. We acknowledge the enormoussupport from Organized Labour and our Trade Union Partners who have shownunderstandingontheneedtoachievefiscalconsolidation.In the samevein,wehavehadhuman resourceandpayroll systemupgrades andauditswithamajorpolicyofanetfreezeonemploymentinsomepublicsectorsexcludinghealthand education. The effect has been a reduction in thewage toGDP ratio from8.9% in2012to7.9%in2015;andasapercentageoftaxrevenue,areductionfrom53.3%in2012to 43.6 % in 2015 as well as success in migrating staff onto the Single Spine SalaryStructure.ItisexpectedthatwiththestabilityachievednegotiationsforbasepayfornextyearwillcommenceinAprilthisyear.Our investment in the energy sector has started bearing fruit. With the support ofHonourable Members of Parliament, we have amended the Petroleum RevenueManagementActtoreflectourcurrentpolicystance.WearewitnessingincreasedinwardinvestmentintoGhana’soilandgassectordespitethecurrentlowpriceonglobalmarkets.WeintendtocleanupthefinancialchallengesthathaveaffectedtheviabilityoftheSOEsintheenergysector.

20

MICROFINANCECOMPANIESMr.Speaker,Over the past 5 years there has been a proliferation ofmicrofinance companies. ThesecompaniescomeunderthedirectsupervisionoftheBankofGhana.Unfortunately,lackofeffectivesupervisionhasresultedinmanycasesinwhichmicrofinancecompanieslicensedbyBankofGhanahavebreached the rules and created supposedpyramid schemes thathaveeventuallycomecrashingdown.One such case isDKM.DKM,with the super high interest rates of between50 and55%promised,isbelievedtohavecausedalosstoitsclientsinexcessofGH¢77million.Manydepositorshavelosttheir livelihood.WhileourlawsplacethismattersquarelyinBankofGhana’sambit,GovernmenthasaconcernforthepoorunsuspectingGhanaianclientswhodeservetohavebeenprotectedbyamorerobustinspectionandsupervisoryregimebytheCentralBank.IamawarethattheBankofGhanahascommencedliquidationproceedingsinrespectofDKM.Ibelievethatthisprocessshouldbepartofacomprehensivepackagethatlooksatprotectionofthelivelihoodsofespeciallysmalldepositorswithoutrewardingtherecklessconductof themicrofinance institution, in thiscaseDKM.Theobjectof thiswouldbe tolookatreimbursinglegitimatecustomerstheiroriginaldepositamounts,andnottheAlice-in-Wonderlandprospectstheywereexpecting.This initiative should be conceived in the context of a broader solution that willpermanently sanitise and restore credibility to themicrofinance industry and strengthenBankofGhana’ssupervision.Mr.Speaker,ThisaugustHousehasaroletoplay.WemustfasttracktheGhanaDepositProtectionBill,whichwillprotectsmalldepositorsfundsinsimilarsituationslikethisinfuture.Mr.Speaker,In the Energy Sector, Government in 2013 formulated the Local Content and LocalParticipation Policy. Approximately 7,000 people have been employed in the upstreamsectoroftheOilandGasIndustry-5,590Ghanaiansand1,350expatriates.Outofthe474companiesregisteredwiththePetroleumCommission,321areindigenouscompaniesand46arejointventures.OutofthetotalvalueofUS$6.3billioncontractsawardedfrom2010to2015,overUS$1billion went to indigenous companies. Specifically, as at the third quarter of 2015,$201,072,785.62representing41%ofthetotalof$792,623,122.73worthofinvestmentfortheyearwasawardedtoindigenouscompanies.Onthedownstream,ourvision is tocreateGhanaasahub forpetroleumdistribution inthesub-region.AlreadyBOSThasbegunsupplyingpetroleumproductstotheland-lockedcountriesofBurkinaFaso,NigerandMalifromtheirBolgatangaDepot.

21

TOR,Iampleasedtoannounce,isoperationalandispoisedtoresumeitsstrategicroleinpetroleumproductioninGhana.Mr.Speaker,I salute theActing.MDand thestaffof the refinery for thehardworkandsacrifice theyhave made to bring the refinery back on stream. The staff voluntarily took anunprecedented 20% pay cut as their contribution to putting TOR back on its feet. TheChairmanoftheworkers’unionandsomeofhisstaffareherewithustoday.Isaluteyou.

ENDING‘DUMSOR’Mr.Speaker,Ayearago,IstoodbeforethisaugustHouseandpromisedtofixthepowersectordeficitthat,atthetime,hadbecomeasignificantconstrainttoeconomicgrowthandwasamajordisruption in the lives of Ghanaians, both at home and at work. This was a time ofconsiderablenationalanxiety.A huge deficit in power generation had resulted in prolonged rationing. I was painfullyawareofthedifficultiesthissituationwasposing.Ghanaianshadtoputupwithlonghoursofdarknessor spendmoneyonexpensive fuel to run their generators.Businesses facedseriousdisruptionorsawtheircostgoupiftheyhadtooperateongenerators.IexpressedmydeepregrettothenationoverthesituationandtookresponsibilityasPresident,leaderofthisnationandCommanderinChief.It has been a year of hard work and negotiations. We have achieved the fastestmobilisationofpowerinthehistoryofGhana.About800MWofpowerhasbeenaddedtoour generation within the shortest period of time. Finalising and commissioning KTPP220MW,CommissioningTICOcombinedcycle110MW,mobilisingKarpower220MWandAmeri250MWhaveaddedextrapowertoourtransmissiongrid.180MWofAsogliphaseIIisalsoavailableassoonaswecangetextragasforit.Muchworkstillneedstobedonetogiveusthecomfortofsustainablegeneration.IsalutetheformerMinisterofPowerDr.KwabenaDonkor,DeputyMinisterJohnJinaporandtheir teamof technicalpeople.MinisterEmmanuelArmahBuahandhis teamat theMinistry of Petroleum, and I acknowledge the Chief Executive and Staff of the PURC,EnergyCommission,VRA,GRIDCO,ECG,GNPC,GhanaGasCo.Ltd,MinistryofFinance,andthe Attorney General’s Department. It has taken teamwork and cooperation of manypeopletoachievethis.Muchofourpowerisbasedonthermalgenerationnow.Akosomboiscurrentlyproducingatabout40%capacity.AllourhydroresourcesarestrainedbecauseofthelowleveloftheVoltaLakecausedbyachangingclimate.Morethermalgenerationmeanswehavehadtopay more in tariffs to maintain sustainable power. I wish to thank Ghanaians for yourpatienceandunderstanding. IpledgetoGhanaiansthat Iwillcontinuetoworktoensurethatweneverfindourselvesinsuchadreadfulsituationeveragain.

22

Mr.Speaker,Toensureweneverendupthereagain,wemustaddevenmoregenerationtokeepaheadofarobustgrowthofalmost12%increaseindemandperannum.PlannedpowerbasedonMOUsandPowerPurchaseAgreementssigned,projectanadditiontogenerationofabout3,500MW by 2010. This will ensure Ghana’s power security and position Ghana as thepowerhubofWestAfrica.Mr.Speaker,Inthisterm,andmynextterm,Iintendtoworkhardtoachievethisobjective.Additionalpowerintothegridwillaimatdiversifyingfuelsources,fromgastocrudeoil,LPGandLNG.Additionally, therewill bean injectionof renewableenergy. CurrentlyGhanahas about25MWof solar powerbeing transmitted into thenational grid. This is set to increase toabout200MWoverthenext4years.Already several small and medium enterprises have been provided with rooftop solarfollowing my announcement of a target of 200,000 rooftop solar projects for smallbusinessesandresidentialusers.Someofthemicroenterprisesconnectedinclude:

! YoungDollarBarberingshop(Maamobi),! AliceSkillsTrainingCenterforHairdressers(TradeFair),! DaraBeautyParlor(SouthLabadi),! ReneeDesigns(Nima),! EmmacanseyTailoring(Alajo),and! MercyFashion(Lashibi).

The Ministry of Power, working with the PURC and Energy Commission, will intensifyimplementationnationwideinordertoachievethetargetof200,000.AfricanPlantationsforSustainableDevelopment(APSD) isalsopoisedtopump60MWofbiomassenergyintothetransmission,followingthesigningofaPPAwithECG.Governmentisalsoinitiatingthisyear,aprogrammetosubstituteincandescentandCFLbulbswithLEDbulbs.TheMinistriesofFinanceandPowerarefinalisingprocessesfortheimplementationofthePrivateSectorParticipation (PSP)programmefor theElectricityCompanyofGhana (ECG)Limited.Mr.Speaker,Inanticipationoftariffsbeingpaidbyall,theElectricityCompanyofGhana,isundergoingcorporate re-organisation tomake its operationsmore responsive to customers’ desires.The strategic focus is to improvegeneral customer servicedelivery, response timewhenattendingtofaultsandcustomercomplaints,staffattitudesandprofessionalcompetence.ECG is on course to increase pre-payment metering coverage by which time a total of400,000prepaymentmetersshouldbeinstalled.

23

Cabinet has approved theMillenniumChallengeCompact II’sUS$498mgrant,whichwillprovideamajorboostinaddressingenergyefficiencyproblemsaswellasimprovingaccesstoenergy.Mr.Speaker,In2015,severalmajorpowerdistributionnetworkprojectswerecompletedwhileothersreached an advanced stage of work. Even as we worked round the clock to bring loadsheddingtoanend,wewerealsovigorouslyworkingtobringelectricitytoasmanyofourpeopleaspossible.WhenIappearedbeforeyoulastyear,76%ofourpeoplehadaccesstoelectricity.AsIspeak,80.5%ofourpeoplenowenjoyaccesstoelectricity.Thiscomparessignificantlywiththe58%ofcoveragein2009.Andthedifferencethishasmadeinthelivesofthepeopleinthesecommunitiesismonumental.Shirazu Issaku isavulcaniser.Heoperatesat theFufulso-Junction, located in theCentralGonjaDistrict of theNorthern Region. It is on themain Kintampo-Tamale road. Shirazu,realising the strategic location of the Fufulso-Junction, as an intersection between theNorthern,UpperWestandBrongAhafoRegions,aswellastheheavyvehiculartrafficonthe route from landlocked countries like Burkina Faso and Niger, established a smallvulcanisingshopthereintheearly90s.Until the extension of electricity to Fufulso-Junction in 2015, Shirazu had to depend ondieseltorunhisgeneratorenduringthehazardouseffectsofthesmoke.Theextensionofelectricity to the town has changed his life drastically. Today, not only does he havedependable,reliableandsustainableenergyforhisbusiness,heisalsoabletoworkinthenight.Othertradersinthevillagearealsobenefitingfromhisenterprise.Kenkeyseller,Afishata,also takes advantage of the presence of drivers there to sell the now-popular Fufulsokenkeyandfishtodriversandpassengerswhostoptomakeuseofthevulcanisingservices.Today,tradingisboominginthetown,bothdayandnight,asaresultoftheinstallationofstreetlights.With thismassiveexpansion in coverage, Iwish tourge theEnergyCommissionand thegeneralpublic toworktogetherto implementenergyconservationprogrammeswiththeviewtoreducingourtariffsandalsoensuringjudicioususeofpower.

FINANCIALVIABILITYOFPOWERCOMPANIESFOREFFECTIVESERVICE

Mr.Speaker,Allthesegainswillbeunderminediftheissueoffinancialviabilityofourutilitycompaniesis not addressed. For nearly two decades, our power sector companies have piled onastronomicaldebtsthathaveseverelyimpededtheirabilitytoperformatoptimumlevel.Itisamarkoftheirresilienceandcommitmenttothenationalcausethattheyhavesurvivedtilldate.

24

Together,VoltaRiverAuthority (VRA),GhanaGridCompany (GRIDCO)and theElectricityCompany of Ghana (ECG) owe colossal amounts of billions of cedis. These debts arereferredtoas“legacydebts”becausetheyhavenotrecentlybeenaccumulated;theyhavebeenbuildingupforclosetotwodecades.Whileitistruethattherehavebeenperiodicupwardadjustmentsintariffsovertheyears,theamountoftariffspaidhavenotbeenadequatetomeettheoperationalexpendituresoftheseutilities.Forexample,theVRAproduceselectricityatanaveragerateof32centsperkilowatt-hourandsellssametoECGat21centsperkilowatt-hour.TheshortfallinrevenuehastraditionallybeenpaidthroughthepaymentofsubsidiesbyGovernment.Mr.Speaker,Therealityisthatwhilesomesubsidieshavebeenpaidovertheyears,perennialbudgetaryconstraints and numerous competing demands have made it virtually impossible forsuccessiveGovernmentstomeetthisobligation.Itisthereforeobviousthattheoperationsofthesepowerutilitiescannotbesustainedifnothingisdonetoarrestthesituation.The situation that we are faced with requires very difficult but necessary measures tosustainthesevitalutilitycompanies.Thealternativetonotactingwouldbeatotalcollapseofthepowersector,andtheconsequenceswouldbetoocatastrophictoimagine.ItisonthebasisofthisthatweplacedtheEnergySectorLevyBillbeforethisaugustHouseinDecember2015,andforwhichwereceivedyourgraciousapproval. Ifweweretofreethecreditlinesoftheutilitycompaniesbyring-fencingandpaying-offthelegacydebt,wewould be putting them back in a better position to provide uswith reliable sustainablepower.AsPresident,Ididnottakethisdecisionlightly,knowingtheimplicationsforthebudgetsofmany households. It was, however, the only option available after all others had beenevaluated.Leaderssometimesarecalledupontomake toughdecisions,decisionswhoseoverallbenefitsoutweightheirinitialdifficulties,andtheEnergySectorLevyisoneofthosetypesofdecisionsIhadtotake.It is a measure whose benefit will become apparent sooner rather than later. I deeplyregret any hardship this may have caused but if we are to fix our energy challengespermanentlythenthisdecisionwasabsolutelyimperative.

DIVERSIFYINGTHEECONOMY(COFFEE)Mr.Speaker,As part of efforts to diversify sources of national revenue as well as provide additionalincometofarmers,theGovernment,throughtheGhanaCocoaBoard,intendstoincreaseGhana’sannualcoffeeproductionfromthecurrent levelofabout6,000metrictonnesto100,000metrictonnesintheshorttomediumterm.ProductionofcoffeeinGhanahasbeenlow,rangingfromapeakof6,700metrictonnesinthemid-1960stoalowof1,140metrictonnesin2009.

25

GovernmentsupportforCOCOBOD’sPilotCoffeeRehabilitationProject institutedin2010resultedinagradualincreaseinproductionto6,000metrictonnesby2015.Government is promoting coffee cultivation in areas considered as marginal for cocoaproduction.Coffeethrivesverywell inareaswithrainfallrangingbetween1200-2000mmperannumbutcanalsogrowinareaswithaminimumof1000mmrainfallperannumwithirrigation.PartsoftheVolta,Eastern,CentralandthetransitionalareasofAshantiandBrongAhafoRegions such as Techiman,Wenchi, Bechem, Nkoranza, Atebubu, KwameDanso, Drobo,Akomadan,Offinso,Jamasi,Mampong-Ashanti,KeteKrachi,Dambaiarebeingtargetedforaggressivepromotionofthecultivationofcoffee.TheCocoaResearch InstituteofGhanahasdevelopedhigh-yield varietiesof coffee that,undergoodmanagement,startbearingin2-3yearsafterplanting,withaverageyieldsof2-3metrictonsperhectare.Withaprojectedplantedareaof100,000hectaresoverthenextsix years, it is estimated that from 2021, about 100,000metric tonnes of coffee can beproducedannuallywhichwillsubsequently increasetoabout200,000metrictonnesoverthenextdecade.Mr.Speaker,Thisyear,fivemillionimproved,earlymaturingandhighyieldingcoffeeseedlingsarebeingraised and supplied to farmers. This number will be substantially increased annually toensurethatweachievethe100,000hectaresofcoffeefarmsinthetargetedlocationsby2021. The efforts beingmade to increase coffee productionwill be backedwith readilyavailablemarketingchannelsforfarmers.

COCOAMr.Speaker,Let me state for the avoidance of doubt that this initiative will co-exist with the cocoaindustry without sacrificing the interest of cocoa farmers. To ensure long-termsustainabilityofcocoacultivationinthecountry,GovernmentthroughGhanaCocoaBoardhas initiated a programme tomotivate the youth to engage in cocoa farming. Thiswillreduce rural-urban migration, enhance incomes and livelihoods, and boost the ruraleconomy.The motivation package includes provision of effective extension support, free cocoaseedlings,freesulphateofammoniafertilizerstoboostearlygrowthandestablishmentofcocoa, and enhanced access to the mass spraying inputs and fertilisers. Since theprogrammewas launched in2014,over30,000youthhavesignedup inAshanti,Central,Eastern,andWesternregions.Mr.Speaker,Governmenthasrolledoutprogrammesthatwillincreaseproductivityofcocoafarmsfromanaverageyieldof0.5tonnesperhectaretoover1.5tonnesperhectare.

26

Torenewthecocoatreestockandincreaseproductivity,GovernmenthasdirectedGhanaCocoa Board to raise and distribute freely to cocoa farmers, improved hybrid cocoaseedlings.Duringthe2014/15season,50millioncocoaseedlingswereraisedat87nurserysitesanddistributedfreeofchargetofarmers.Forthe2015/16season,thenurserysiteshavebeenincreasedto331toproduce60millionseedlingsacrossthecocoagrowingregionsforfreedistribution to cocoa farmers. The increase in the nursery sites is aimed at bringing theseedlingsclosertothefarmingcommunities.The seedlingsproduction involved theengagementof4,800youthas casual labourers inthe cocoa growing communities. The 60million seedlings,which is equivalent to 50,000hectares of cocoa farms, will increase the existing cocoa plantations annually. At theaverage output of 1.5 tonnes per hectare, an additional 750,000 metric tonnes will beaddedtoGhana’scocoaoutputinthenext10years.Tomotivate cocoa farmers to boost output and encourage the youth to take up cocoafarmingas a lucrativebusiness,Governmentwill continue topay remunerativeprices tofarmers.Forthe2014/15cocoaseasonfarmerswerepaidGH¢5,600pertonneincludingabonus.Thispricewas increasedby21.4percent toGH¢6,800per tonne for the2015/16cocoaseason,includingabonus.During the 2013/14 season Governmentmade it a policy to distribute fertilisers free ofcharge to cocoa farmers and also enhance the mass spraying programme to boostproduction.Asaresult,forthe2015/16cocoaseason,2.4millionbagsofgranularfertilizerand1.6millionlitresoffoliarfertiliserhavebeenprocuredforfreedistributiontofarmers.For the mass spraying exercise 1,500 tonnes of fungicides and 1.7 million litres ofinsecticideswillbesuppliedto farmers.Over58,000youngpersons in thecocoa farmingcommunitieshavebeenengagedassprayersfortheprogramme.Government appreciates the effortsmade by Traditional Authorities and landowners bygenerouslyofferinglandtofarmerswhointendtoengageincocoafarming,especiallytheyouth.I would like to thank Nana Baffour Kwame Anim II, the Chief of Krodua, a town in theEastern Region, for generously offering 500 acres of fertile land to 80 young men andwomen in Krodua to cultivate cocoa. I wish tomake a passionate appeal to TraditionalAuthorities and landowners to continue to offer land to persons interested in cocoafarmingandotheraspectsofagriculture.

PALMMr.Speaker,GovernmentintendstocommenceanewinitiativeinPalmPlantation.Ghanaiscurrentlyanetexporterofpalmoil.Andyetwehavethecomparativeadvantagetoproducevegetablecookingoilsofall kinds forourownconsumption.Wemust reverse this situation. Itwill

27

createcountlessnumberof jobsandprovide rawmaterial forcountlessnumberofuses.WewillconsiderthesettingupofaPalmDevelopmentBoardtosupervisethisproject.

SHEANUTMr.Speaker,Thefirstsheanutprocessingplantwithaninitialcapacityof100metrictonnesperdaywasestablishedand commissioned inMay2012atBuipe in theCentralGonjaDistrict of theNorthernRegion.Arrangementsarefaradvancedfortheexpansionofitscapacityto200metrictonnesperday.GovernmentalsoplanstoestablishsimilarplantsintheUpperEastandUpperWestRegions.Since the inception of the Shea Board in regulating shea nut purchases, similar towhatpertainsincocoapurchases,thepriceperbagofsheanuthasincreasedfromGHC28.00in2009tothecurrentpriceofGHC130.00perbag,anincreaseofover264%.

POULTRYMr.Speaker,UnderthepilotphaseoftheGhanaBroilerRe-vitalisationProject,whichwas launchedinJuly2014,atotalof650,000birdswereraised,processedandsoldby2015.Thiscreated350directjobsand7,800indirectjobsforpoultryfarmersandtheyouthalongthepoultryvaluechain.Inresponsetomycallforanincreaseinthelocalproductionofpoultryandthereductionofhighimportdependency,aProjectTechnicalCommitteewassetuptoworkcloselywithEDAIF to support poultry production and processing. From 2014 to date, EDAIF hasapproved a total of GH¢14,972,802.92 for fourteen (14) farming companies/associationsincluding the Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association, Dormaa Poultry FarmersAssociationandBoleDistrictPoultryFarmersAssociation.UndertheGhanaCommercialAgricultureProgramme(GCAP),weareworkingtosupportlarge-scale production of maize and soya to feed the poultry industry. When theprogrammeisfullyoperational,maizeandsoyabeanforlivestockfeedcanbesuppliedatacheaperratetothebenefitofGhanaianpoultryfarmers.

40%REDUCTIONINPOULTRYIMPORTMr.Speaker,Government’s policy of 40% poultry import reduction, which is currently underway, iscreating thousandsof jobs in theGreaterAccra,Ashanti andBrongAhafo regions in theshortterm.EDAIFisalsoenjoinedtospeedupdisbursementstothepoultrysectorinordertoboostproduction.I have tasked the newMinister for Food and Agriculture to take stringentmeasures toensurethatthepolicyisstrictlyimplemented.

28

IamonceagaincallingupontheCustomsDivisionoftheGhanaRevenueAuthority(GRA)to join hands with GHAPOHA and theMinistry of Food and Agriculture to ensure strictcompliancewithrulesanddirectivesonthismatter.

SHRIMPFARMING

Mr.Speaker,Government is supporting the establishment of a Shrimp Project to promote processingandproductionforexport.TheprojectwillstartinJunethisyear.Productionoffingerlings,laboratories,fishfeedfactories,productionponds,processingandmarketingfacilitieswillbe located in parts of Greater Accra, Volta and Eastern Regions. The project will create76,000 direct and indirect jobs. Production is projected at 30,000 metric tonnes andprojectedexportrevenueisbetweenUS$60milliontoUS$200million.

29

EXPANDINGINFRASTRUCTUREFORGRWOTH

Mr.Speaker,This Government is implementing the biggest infrastructure development programme inour country’s recent history. So much has been committed to delivering social andeconomicinfrastructureinarelativelyshortspanoftime.Fordecades,ourpeoplehavehadtocopewithanunacceptablyhugegapbetweenwhatisrequiredandwhatexists in termsof infrastructure.Ageing,dilapidatedandnon-existentinfrastructure has slowed down our economic progress. TheWorld Bank estimates thatGhanasuffersaninfrastructuralfinancinggapofaboutUS$1.5billionperyear.Modernandexpansiveinfrastructurelaysdownthebuildingblocksforamoreefficientandrobusteconomy,spurringgrowth,enhancingthequalityoflifeandlivingconditionsofourpeople,optimisingcriticalhumandevelopmentindicators,removingprotractedsourcesofsuffering forourpeopleandcreating jobs for themultitudeofartisansandprofessionalswhoselivelihoodsareguaranteedbyworkingonsuchtransformationalprojects.The masons, carpenters, welders, steel benders, painters, plumbers, tillers, architects,draughtsmen, quantity surveyors, civil engineers, electricians, glazers, operators, drivers,labourersandotherswhoareengagedbycontractorstoworkontheseprojects,aswellas,food vendors earn incomes through thework they do. These incomes representmoneythatweputintheirpocketstoenhancetheirlivesandthoseoftheirdependents.The manufacturers and suppliers of building and construction materials, from whompurchases aremade, earnmoney to sustain and expand their businesses and pay theiremployees.ThepolicyofanaggressiveexpansionofourinfrastructureascapturedinourManifesto of 2012 cannot therefore be viewed through the narrow prism of brick andmortar provision. It must be viewed within the wider context of the socio-economicbenefitsthatcomewithit.

WATERMr.Speaker,Inthewatersector,thetotalwaterproductionanddistributionsystemavailableinallthe52 years of our nationhood prior to 2009 was only adequate to meet the needs ofapproximately52%ofourpeopleorapproximately14millionoutofourcurrentpopulationofabout27million.Thismeantthatastaggering13millionsufferedthedeprivationofnothavingaccesstocleandrinkingwater.In themore remotepartsofourcountry, the total lackofpotablewatermeant thatourcitizens had to risk drinkingwater that likely carriedwater-borne diseases. Some of thewater sources were shared with their cattle and other livestock. This situation had far-reachingramificationsforthegeneralhealthandwellbeingofalargesectionofourpeople.Mr.Speaker,

30

SincemylastappearancebeforethisaugustHouse,atotalof77.5milliongallonsofwaterperdayhasbeenadded to thenationalwaterproductionstock following thecomingonstreamofsuchwaterprojectsasthe:

! KpongWaterExpansionProjectPhase1,! KpongWaterIntakeRehabilitationProject,! Accra-TemaMetropolitanWaterSupplyProject,! TeshieNunguaWaterDesalinationProject,! Nsawam,! EssakyirFiveTowns,! Mampong,! Barekese,and! OtherSmallTownWaterProjects.

The effect of this intervention is that out of the 10 million or so Ghanaians who weredeprivedofwater,4millionofthemlivinginhundredsofcommunitiescurrentlyhavebeengivenaccesstosafedrinkingwater.There are many more water projects dotted around the country, which are nearingcompletion.Theseincludethe:

! AkimOda-Akwatia-Winneba,! Konongo-Kumawu-Kwahu,! Wa,! NorthTongu,! AdakluAnyigbe,and! Scoresofurbanandperi-urbanSmallWaterProjects.

Thecompletionoftheseprojectswillincreasewatercoverageforourpeopletoabout85%,whichtranslatesinto7millionoutofthe10millionthatwereleftbehindasat2009.Thesearenotjuststatistics.Thesearerealpeople.Theyaresiblings,friends,andfutureleaders.7millionGhanaians includinganentiregenerationthathadneverseenwaterflowthroughtheirtapsathomesincetheywereborn.And, if you can believe it, there was a time when to many people like Madam NaomiAppiah Korang, a schoolteacher at the Kyebi Islamic Primary School, it didn’t matter asmuchasitdoestoday.Naomi,whoispresentinParliamenttoday,andmanyothersarelivingtestimoniestothebenefits being derived from the 1.5million gallons per day Five-TownsWater Project inKyebi,Osenase,Anyinam,ApedwaandKwabeng.IhadthehonourofjoiningtheOkyeheneOsagyefoAmoatiatocommissionthisparticularproject, so I know what I am talking about. This is a story that I am very sure theHonourable SamuelAttaAkyeawill corroboratebecausewaterwasadaily challenge forthepeopleinthisarea.

31

Naomi lives inKyebiwithherthreechildrenandsherecountsherdifficulties inaccessingcleandrinkingwaterpriortotheinaugurationofthenewWaterTreatmentPlant.TheoldtreatmentplantwasdesignedtotreatmuchlessturbidwaterinthosedayswhenapindroppedinthefamousRiverBirim,couldbeviewedfromtheriverbed.Overtheyears,theactivitiesofillegalminers-aproblemthatisnotlimitedtoKyebialone-havechangedthe physical properties of the freshwater from the River Birim, rendering the oldwatertreatment plant essentially useless because it was not designed to sieve the increasingquantitiesofmudthatithashadtoprocesswitheverypassingyear.Fortunately, this situation has been resolved to provide the people of Kyebi, Osenase,Anyinam, Apedwa and Kwabeng potablewater through the implementation of the Five-TownsWaterProject,whichhasasuperiorandefficientmechanismtoeffectivelyprocessturbidwater.

HOUSINGMr.Speaker,For years, the national housing deficit has continued to widen without commensurateinvestment to bridge it. The lack of adequate public housing has had serious effects onmanyfamiliesandhouseholdswhohavetopayexorbitantamountsinrentjusttosecureaplacetolaytheirheads.Urgentinterventionswerethereforerequiredtomakeaffordablehousingavailable.Through both direct investments and collaboration with the private sector, we arecurrently on course to deliver over 12,500 housing units, which represents the biggestinvestmentinthissectorbyanygovernmentindecades.Theyincludethefollowing:

! SaglemiHousingProjectatPrampramintheGreaterAccraRegion-5,000housingunits.Thefirst1,500unitswillbereadyinafewmonths.

! NyameDuaEstatesatKpone-Thisproject isbeingexecutedincollaborationwithSethiRealtyandisdesignedtoprovide5,000units.Thefirstphaseofthisprojectisalmostready.

! KetaSeaDefenceResettlementHousingProject-618outof836houseshavebeencompletedforfamiliesaffectedbytheKetaSeaDefenseProject.

! SSNIT Housing Projects - Construction is currently ongoing on 608 flats atDunkonnahnearWeija intheGaSouthMunicipalityand240flatsatSakumonointheTemametropolis.

! SecurityServicesHousingProjectinTema-Thefirstphasecomprising168housingunits under this project has been completed. These are currently occupied bysecuritypersonnel.Thesecondphaseof368housingunitsisdueforcompletioninafewmonthsforoccupancybypersonneloftheNavy.

! NewLabadiVillasHousingProject-Underthisscheme,decenthousingunitshavebeencompletedandarecurrentlyoccupiedbymilitarypersonnelinAccra.

! Adenta Regeneration Project (SHC Gardens) - 72 housing units are nearingcompletionformiddle-incomehouseholdsatAdenta.Similarprojectswillsoonbe

32

started at Laterbiokorshie, Kaneshie and Kanda in Accra, and North Effiakuma inSekondi-Takoradimetropolis.

! TemaDevelopmentCorporation(TDC)HousingProjects-TheTDCisconstructingatotal of 148 housing units in Communities 1, 22 and 23. Sixty-Eight units havealreadybeencompletedforoccupancy.

! Police Housing Units at Tema Community 3 - Under a PPP arrangement, decenthousinghasbeenprovidedtopolicepersonnel.

Additionally,Governmenthashandedoverthe4000+affordablehousingunitscommencedbyPresidentJohnAgyekumKufour’sGovernmenttoSSNITandStateHousingCorporationforcompletion.ThisincludestheAsokore-MampongHousingProject.Mr.Speaker,I have had cause to caution state institutions that look on while their land is beingencroached upon only to carry out painful demolitions later on. This is not acceptable.Ghanaians invest a lot of money to construct those houses. It doesn’t help to watchencroachmenttakeplaceoveraperiodof10yearsandthenturnaroundanddemolishtheproperties.Onesuchdemolitiontookplace inAdjeiKojo.Followingapetitionreceived fromtheMPforTemaWest,IreneNaaTorshieAddo,IhadameetingconvenedwiththeChiefofStaffandtheChiefExecutiveofTDCtoaddresstheissueoftheplightofthepeopleaffectedbythedemolition.

ROADSMr.Speaker,Since 2009, we have added 3,772 kilometers to Ghana’smotorable network. The GH¢3billion Cocoa Roads Improvement Programme, which is being rolled out around thecountry, has added additional resources and impetus to the Roads ImprovementProgramme.Permitmetoenumeratethemostsignificantroadprojectsonaregion-by-regionbasis.GREATERACCRARoadworksintheGreaterAccraRegioninclude:

! KwameNkrumahInterchange,! Awoshie-PokuaseRoad,! GiffardRoad,! BurmaCampRoad,! SpintexRoadby-pass,! BoundaryGulfHouseRoad,! Teshie-Nungua-SakumonoBeachRoad,and! AshaimanRoad.

Additionalresurfacingworksarebeingexecutedin:

! Ningo–Prampram,

33

! Tema,! Ashaiman,! Nungua,! Teshie,! La,and! AccraCentral.

Thereisalsoongoing,anovernightasphalticoverlayworksonprincipalstreetsinAccra.PreparatoryworksfortheredevelopmentoftheAccra-TemaMotorwayintoasix-laneroadwith 4 interchanges at Adjei Kojo, Abattoir, Teshie Link, and Tema Roundabout willcommencesoon.EASTERNREGIONIntheEasternRegion,roadscompletedorbeingworkedoninclude:

! Suhumtownroads,! Asamankesetownroads,! Somanyatownroads,! Kyebitownroads,! Kwafokrom-ApedwaRoad,! Nsawam-Aburi,! Nkawkawby-pass,! Nkawkaw-Atibie,! Adeiso-Asamankese,! Nsawam-Asamankese,! Osenase-Akwatia-Kade,! Apedwa-Kyebi-Bunso,! Koforidua-Bunso,! Suhum-Asamankese,! Anyinabrem-Amagyei,! RailwayStation-Subreso,! Abuabo-KofiAgyei,! Akoase-Subriso-Ntronang,! Larbikrom-Badukrom,! Tweapease-BeheneseJunction,! Antaso-K.Anumah,! Noyem-Winso-Amuana-Praso,! AkimSekyere-Abekoase,! Mangoase-Kukua,and! Chia-Brenase-Ofoase.

TheAdomiBridgerehabilitationprojecthasbeencompletedandhasbeenopenedforusebymotoristsandthegeneralpublic.VOLTAREGION

34

In the Volta Region, the Eastern Corridor Project is progressing steadily. The AsikumaJunction to Have, Dodi-Pepesu to Nkwanta, Nkwanta-Oti Damanko sections are underconstruction.OtherroadprojectsintheRegionincludethefollowing:

! KeteKrachitoBuya,! Ho–Fume,! Kpandotownroads,! Worawora–Dambai,! Bame–Dzolokpuita–Kpedze,! Ho–Adidome,! Metrikasa–Havedzi,! Gwolokwati–Wli–Hohoe,! Kpando-Alavanyo,! Kpeme–Nkonya-GbiWegbe,! Aveti–Logaba,! Alakpeti–Anfoega–Akukome–Aveti,! Dalive–Agortage,! Dove(AtitekpoJunction)–Mepe,! DoveJunction–Dove–Aveyime,! DodiPapaase–Mensahkrom–Asuboi,! DapaaJn-Pampawie–Ahamansu,! Tadzevu–Devego-AgorveJunction,! ShiaHonutaKpedze&Kpedzetownroads,! Have–Kpando,! Hohoe–Jasikan,and! Have–Hohoe.

Rehabilitation of selected roads in the Ho Municipality, including the access into theUniversityofHealthandAlliedSciences,areongoing.The Juapong-Fodzoku-Akuse Dam road and the Sogakofe-Battor road have beencompleted,whiletheJuapong-Abutia-Sokoderoadisongoing.WESTERNREGIONIntheWesternRegion,workisbeingdoneonthefollowingroads:

! KansaworodoBy-Pass,! 20kmasphaltoverlayofselectedroadsinSekondi-Takoradi,! AsphaltoverlayofTarkwa,AximandElubotownroads,! DaboaseandSefwiWiawsotownroads,! Prestea,AsankraguaandEnchitownroads,! 110kmAgonaJunction-Elubo,! 94kmTarkwa-BogosoAyamfuri,and! 52kmAyamfuri-Asawinsoroads.

Otherroadsunderconstructionarethefollowing:

35

! Sefwi-Bekwai-Eshiem,! Sewfi-Wiawso-Akontombra,! Benchema-Oseikojokrom,! Juabeso-Bodi-Akontombra,! Daboase-Atieku,! Anyinabrim-Sui-BodiJunction,! Prestea-Samreboi,! Enchi-Dadieso,! Adwofua-Oseikojokrom,! Buako-Sankore,! Suhyenso-Subriso-Djoboakrom,! Kwasuo-Gyankufa,and! Johnkrom-Attahkrom.

Work has also commenced on the 51.2 kilometre Edwenase-Atobiase, Juaboso-Dadieso,andAntoDompen-Daboaseruralroads.Theconstructionofthe10-kilometreOilandGasEnclaveroadsalongthepipe-lineincludingtheAmazureBridgeison-going.CENTRALREGIONMr.SpeakerIn the Central Region, work is progressing impressively on the Kasoa Interchange.Completion of work on this interchangewill bring great relief to travelers on this road,whichhasbeenthesourceofseverefrustrationandirritationforthetravellingpublicasaresultofvehiculartraffic.AlsointheCentralRegion,thefollowingareunderway:

! Upgradingworks on roads in Cape Coast, Dunkwa-on Offin,Winneba and AgonaSwedrutownships.

! AsphaltoverlayinCapeCoast,Dunkwa,SaltpondandMankessim.! Construction of the Kasoa by-pass, Mankessim-Abora Dunkwa, Dunkwa-Twifo

Praso- Assin Foso, Amanful-Nyarkrom-Nkum and Assin Nyakomase-SenchiemRoads.

! ConstructionofAssin-TwifoPraso , EssiamTown roadsand theBremanAsikuma-AmanfoponRoad.

Workisalsoprogressingsteadilyonthe:

! Ekwamoase-Ofabil,! Sankor-Kweikrom-Ojobi-Akoti,! Abowin-Nkodwo-Asempanyim,! Duakwa-Akwakwaa(Phase1),and! Dominase-Subinsoroads.

WorkhasalsobeencompletedonthefollowingfeederroadsintheCentralRegion:

! Bawjiase–Aponkyekura,! Bawjiase–Ayensuako,! Adawukwa-Adjator–Honi,

36

! Bewuanum–Adawukwa,! Bawjiase-Amonkrom(Congo)–Tetteykura,! Ahentia-BusumabraJunction–Kweikrom,! PapaaseNo.1–Odotom,! KwaBondze-Larbie–Jeikrodua,and! Bontrase–Dasum.

ASHANTIREGIONMr.Speaker,IntheAshantiRegion

! TheSofolineInterchangeisalmostcomplete.! WorksareongoingontheBekwaiandNewEdubiasetownroads.! TheAssinPraso-Bekwairoadiscurrentlyinusefollowingitscompletionlastyear.! Major road projects such as the Bomfa Junction-Asiwa-Bekwai, Bekwai-Ampaha-

Asiwa, Kumawu-Timaate-Drobonso and Agyenkwaso-Anomabu-Gyadem roads areprogressingsteadily.

! The New Edubiase- Anomabo, Amantia- Obuasewa, Obuasi Junction- Dunkwa-Ayamfuri, Ahwiankwanta- Adumasa and Trabuom- Toase Road sections are alsobeingworkedonandareonschedule.

BRONGAHAFOMr.Speaker,IntheBrongAhafoRegionthefollowingroadsareunderconstruction:

! Nsawkaw-NamasesectionoftheWenchi-Samparoad,! Berekum-Sampa,! Atebubu-KwameDanso-Kwadwokrom,! Gaoso-KukuomJunction,! Prang-Kintampo,! DormaaAhenkro-Nkrankwanta,and! Tuobodom-Offuman-Wenchi.

Workisalsoongoingonthe:

! GambiaNo.2-Kyeremasu,! TepaJunction-Goaso,! KofibadukromJunction-Kofibadukrom,! DormaaAhenkro-Nkrankwanta,! Dormaa-Nkrankwanta,! AtebubuKwameDanso-Kojokrom,! Bechem-Techimentia-Akomadan,! Nkroanza-Jema,! Yamfo-Asuadei-Ansin,! Asumura–Tipokrom,and! Akrodie–Kanchiamoa.

Thefollowingarealsooncourse:

! Dadiesoaba-Twabidi,

37

! Dormaa-Ahenkro-Baabianiha,! AsuadeiJunction-Asuadei,! Antwirifo-DanyameFeederRoads,! Sunyanitownroads,! Techimantownroads,! NkoranzaGoasotownroads,! DormaAhenkrotownroads,and! Kadetownroads.

NORTHERNREGIONMr.Speaker,In the Northern Region, I inaugurated the 147-kilometre Fufulso-Sawla Road last yearfollowing its successful completion. Significant progress has been made on the Buipe-TamaleroadandworkhasstartedontheBusunu-Daboyaroad.Thefollowingroadsareatvariousstagesofcompletion:

! Daboya-Mankarigu-WiaseincludingtheOtiDamanko-Bimbila-Yendiroad,! Yendi-NakpanduriontheEasternCorridor,! Nyankpala-Tolon,! Tamale–Salaga-Makango(Awarded),! Chereponi-Yendi,! Busunu-Daboya,! Yendi-Tamale,! Tamale-Kumbungu,and! Tamale-Karaga-Gushegu(Awarded).

Overthelasttwoyears,30kmofroadshavebeenrehabilitatedintheTamaleMunicipalitywithworkonanother25kmunderway.Roads in Yendi, Savelugu,DamongoandBolehavealsobeenworkedon.Wearealso innegotiation for funding for the construction of a bridge over theWhite Volta betweenDaboyaandTolon.UPPEREASTMr.Speaker,IntheUpperEastRegion,thefollowinghaveeitherbeencompletedorareongoing:

! 10kmofroadsintheBolgatangamunicipality,! NavrongoandBawkutown,! Navrongo-Tumu,! Bolgatanga-Bongo,! Wikongo-Tongo,! Navrongo-Tono,! Bolgatanga-Bawku,QueirozGalvaowhoareworkingontheTamaleAirport,have

substantially finished their work. We have asked them to demobilize theirequipmentontotheBolgatanga-Bawkuroad.

! Misiga-Kulungugu,and

38

! Sandema-Wiesi.UPPERWESTREGIONMr.Speaker,Seven kilometres of town roads have been completed in theWaMunicipality. TheWacampusoftheUniversityforDevelopmentStudieshasalsoseenimprovementsintheroadnetwork.Otherroadworksintheregioninclude:

! Tumuroads,! Nadowli-Lawra–Hamile,! Wa-Bulenga,and! Wa-Dorimon.

Constructionofsteelbridgesonthe

! Yala-Sombisi,! Tantale-Tuvuu,! Tuvuu-Lzabisi,! Wa-Walewale,! Jeffisi-Gwolu,and! Guono-Kperisi.

Mr.Speaker,Manyoftheseroadshavebeen inabadstateformanyyears.Thereareagoodnumbermore crying for attention. It is not practically possible for us to commencework on allroads in Ghana at once. I urge Ghanaians to exercise patience. As we finish with theseroads,wewillcommenceworkonotherequallyimportantroads.As a result of directives to the Roads and Highways Ministry to ensure that projectsfinancedbyGovernmentofGhanabudgetareawardedtolocalcontractors,Iamproudtoannouncethatroughly95%ofcontractorsworkingonGOGawardedroadsandtheCocoaRoadsImprovementProgrammeareGhanaians-likeEmmanuelAboagye,whorepresentsa new crop of young and dynamic road contractors. His firmMMNAB Company Limitedemploys73peopleandisworkingontheBekwaiTownRoadsundertheCOCOBODRoadsProgramme.Mr.Speaker,He started his construction company in 2009 and he is only 32 years old. He graduatedfromtheKwameNkrumahUniversityofScienceandTechnologywithaBachelorofScienceinAgricultureEngineeringandanotherBScinPetroleumEngineering.The interesting thing is thathe is a youthmemberof theNPPandwasaPolling StationChairman. This is a Government that opens up the opportunities of this country toeverybodywithoutpoliticalprejudice. IcutthesodfortheAshantisegmentoftheCocoaTownRoadsinnewEdubiaseandinBekwai.Thesitewherewecutthesodforthecocoa

39

roadsprojectinAshantiatBekwaiwasonthesiteofEmmanuelAboagye.AndImustsay,asyoungasheis,hedoesaveryfantasticjob.Mr.Speaker,Ghanaiancontractorscandoaswellas foreigncontractorsand Iwanttoensurethatweraise indigenousGhanaianconstruction firms thatwillnotonly construct roads inGhanabut,infuture,willconstructroadsinothercountries.Through thismassive roadconstructioneffort,wearecreating thousandsof jobs forouryouth who have been engaged by the local contractors working on these roads. It alsomeanstheprofitearnedfromthesepublicworksisretainedandinvestedinthiscountry.As of 2012, there were only 6 asphalt plants in Ghana mostly owned by ForeignConstructionCompanies.Today,thereare22ofsuchplants,majorityofwhichareownedbyGhanaians.Inordertoaddresstheperennialproblemofdebtsowedtocontractors,aportionoftheEnergySectorLevywillbeusedtodefrayaboutGH¢323millionowedthembytheRoadFund. This will also enable the Road Fund amortise another GH¢300 million, borrowedfromSSNITin2008and2010,tosupportitsactivities.Additionally,itwillenabletheRoadFundtoscaleuproadmaintenanceandrepairtoensurelongerlifespansforourroads.Mr.Speaker,Themassive investmentwearemaking in roadconstruction ismaking lifeeasier forourpeople. It is facilitatingmovementofpeopleaswellasgoodsandservices. It isboostingeconomic activity and giving motorists greater options while cutting down travel timesignificantly.Today,it isnotunusualtogotobedhavingdrivenonabadroadonlytowakeuptofindthattheroadhasbeenre-asphaltedandcoveredwithbeautifulroadmarkings.Manyhavealsoleftforworkinthemorningdrivingonpoorroadsonlytoreturnintheeveningtofindtheirroadsre-done.Thesavingsformotoristsintermsofmoneythatwouldhavebeenusedtofixbroken-downvehiclesdue tobadroadscannotbeunderestimated.Thesavings forcommercialdriverswhocannowply certain roadsmultiple timesbecause theycanmovequickerandmoreeasilyonthesmoothroadscanalsonotbeunderestimated.AskMohammedHissan,whohasbeendriving since2004andplies the route toTamale.Before thecompletionof theSawla-FufulsoRoad,Mohammedsaysheandotherdriversspentbetween8and9hourstravelingfromWatoTamale.Withtheroadcompletednow,anexcitedMohammedsaystheynowspendamaximumof4-and-a-halfhoursdoingthesamejourneyandthatnow,travellingacrossthetworegionalcapitalsismuchsafer.GhanahasthemostextensiveengineeredroadsinWestAfrica.IintendbythetimeIleaveofficein2021forGhanatobeamongcountrieswiththebestroadnetworkinAfrica.

40

Letmeappeal todrivers tostrictlyobserveroadsafety regulations tosave livesandhaltthecarnageonourroads. Itwasheartwrenchingtoseethesevere injuriessustainedbythesurvivorsofthebusaccident,manyofthemchildren.IwishtosalutethedoctorsandstaffespeciallyoftheKintampohospitalandtheotherhealthfacilitieswhohelpedtosavethelivesofthesurvivors.Mr.Speaker,Pedestrianandpassenger-relatedfatalitiesaccountfornearly63%ofallroadtrafficrelateddeaths. The National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) is strengthening the ‘Speak Up’passengercampaignlaunchedin2015andputtinginplaceanewcampaignonpedestriansafety. It is implementing a plan to construct and install 968-lollipop crossing stands atstrategiclocationstoaidtheuseoftheroadsbychildrenandvulnerableadults.WewillcontinuetosupportthePoliceMTTDwith logisticssuchasspeedradargunsandalcometers.Mr.Speaker,As part of itsmandate of promoting good driving standards and the use of roadworthyvehicles on our roads, the Driver Vehicles License Authority (DVLA) automated 15 of itsofficesto improvethedeliveryofservicetothepublic.TheAuthority is intheprocessofdigitizing vehicle records to pave way for other stakeholders, such as the MTTD andinsurancecompanies,tohaverealtimeaccesstovehiclerecords.

TRANSPORTMr.Speaker,Wehavechalkedmajorsuccesses inourdrivetoaggressivelymoderniseandexpandourtransportation system. Today Ghanaians and foreigners alike travelling through KotokaInternationalAirport’sTerminal II transit througha refurbishedarrivalhall thatmeetsallinternationalstandards.Thenewarrivalhallgivestravelersamostfavourable impressionofourcountry.Workiscurrentlyongoingonanultra-modernInternationalTerminalbuildingtobeknownasTerminal3.Itisdesignedtoaccommodate5millionpassengersayearandprocess1,250passengers an hour. Itwill have six boarding bridges, a large retail area and threemainbusinesslounges,amongothers.TheTurkishconstructioncompanyhastakenpossessionofthesiteandhasalreadystartedworkingfeverishly.Iwillhavethehonourtobejoinedonthe1stofMarch2016byTurkishPresidentRecepTayyipErdoğantobreakgroundforofficialcommencementofworkonthismonumentalproject.ThisprojectwillsurelymakeGhanathepreferredhubfortransitpassengersinWestAfrica.I am pleased to note that this project is being financed by credit raised by the GhanaAirportCompanyLimitedonitsownbalancesheetwithnosovereignguaranteeorcharge

41

tothepublicdebtstock.Thisisinlinewithournewpublicdebtmanagementstrategythatcompelspubliccompaniestoborrowusingtheirownfinancialmuscle.Tofurtherenhancetheoperationsoftheairportandcaterfortheneedsofimportersandexporters,constructionofanewstate-of-the-artImport,ExportandTransitCargoCentre,OfficeComplex&AircraftRampHandlingOperationisalmostcomplete.The Centre will be equipped with the latest cargo handling equipment, includingautomated storage and retrieval systems accommodating 2,800 pallet positions, mini-shipmenttower,coldstores,bullionstores,x-rayscannersandthehighestlevelofsecuritycontrols and CCTV monitoring for safety and security of goods and counter-narcoticspurposes.Mr.Speaker,Work is progressing steadily on converting the Kumasi and Tamale Airports intointernational airports. Last year, work was completed on the first phase of the KumasiInternational Airport. Work on the Tamale International Airport will also be completedsoon.Thesewill injectgreater flexibility intoair travelandbecomegrowthpolesaroundwhichtheeconomyofthemiddleandnorthernpartsofourcountrywillrevolve.Workwill alsobe completedon theAerodromeatHo to giveGhanaiansmoreair traveloptions.TheprocurementprocessforthetemporaryterminaltoallowcommercialflightstocommenceoperationsintoWaisunderway.Mr.Speaker,In theMaritime sector, the expansion works on both Tema and Takoradi Harbours aremovingsteadily.ThePhaseIexpansionworksinTakoradiareexpectedtobecompletedinMaythisyear.Theexpansionofthesetwoportswillcreateapproximately10,000newjobsforourpeople.ThefollowingprojectsarealsoongoingattheTemaPort:

! BulkCargoHandling Jetty projectwhichwill provide a jetty for theoff-loadingofbulkcargo-clinker,cementandrelatedproductstofreetheotherberthsforothercommercialcargovesseltoreducewaitingtimeofvessels.

! The development of four (4) container terminals at the port including an accessroadfromtheporttothemotorwayandexpansionofthemotorwayfromfour(4)tosix(6)lanes.

! The reconstruction of the Net-Mending Wharf at the Tema Fishing Harbour tosupport the artisanal fishing industry and to enhance environmentally safe fishhandling.

AnevenbiggerexpansionprojectaimedatincreasingthesizeoftheTemaHarbourtofourtimes its current size, to respond to increasing container volumeswill begin shortly. TheUS$1.5billionprojectwillbethelargestprivatesectorinvestmentinthetransportsectorinrecent years and will result in the provision of a modern harbour with state of the art

42

equipment that isable to takeon increasing trade,vital foreconomicdevelopment.ThisprojectisbeingundertakenbyMeridianPortServices(MPS).Mr.Speaker,The Ghana Urban Transport Project, which is being implemented by the Ministry ofTransportincollaborationwiththeMinistryofLocalGovernmentandRuralDevelopment,isexpectedtoprovidescheduledpassengerservicesalongsomedesignatedrouteswithintheAccrametropolis.Privatesectortransportoperatorswillownandmanagethebusesforthese routes. Government is assisting them to procure buses for the Bus Rapid TransitSystemtoimproveonitsservicedelivery.Dedicatedbus lanesarebeing constructed. The firstone fromAmasaman to theCentralBusiness District has been completed. This is a lane that will be used only by buses toensuretheprovisionofregularandefficientmasstransitservicesforpassengersandalsotoreducecongestion.

ICTANDTELECOMMUNICATIONSMr.Speaker,Fromthemid1990’swhenwebeganthe ICTrevolution,Ghanahasattainedanenviablemobile and fixed telephony subscription record of 33,099,514 as at August 2015 ascompared to 11million in 2008.Mobile and fixed Internet subscribers have also reached17,159,383.Lastyear,weestablishedtheNationalEmergencyResponseNumber-112-whichallowscallers in distress to access any of the emergency services. It proved extremely usefulduring the period of the June 3rd Fire and Flood Disaster.We have also established theGovernmentOnlinePortal-theeServicesportaltoprovideGovernmentservicesonline.ThismeanswearealmostatthepointofconductingpaperlessCabinetsessions.Indeed,atour last Cabinet sitting, I indicated that I would soon give a deadline when hard copyCabinetfileswouldnolongerbetolerated.Verysoon,distinguishedmembersoftheHousewillalsobeconductingpaperlessParliamentarysessions.Mr.Speaker,With expansion inmobile and fixed broadband including 4G LTE, the recently auctioned800MHZspectrum,theestablishmentoftheNationalDataCentreamongothers,Ghana’sdigital economy has been strategically positioned to blossom. We are witnessing moresoftwarebeingdevelopedlocallybytheyouth.Cashisfindingitswaygraduallyintotheelectronicrealmthroughmobilemoneyandotherinitiatives.Moreandmoredigitaljobsarebeingcreatedwitheveryclickofthebutton.Thisiswhywecontinuetotrainmoregirls inICTtoensuredigital inclusion.Lastyear,forthepilotprogrammewetrainedabout900girlsintheVoltaRegioninICT.Thisyear1,000morewillbetrainedinotherpartsofthenation.Mr.Speaker ,

43

A growing telecommunications industry requires a dynamic regulatory framework,which ensures customer satisfaction, good return on investment and adequateparticipation oftheprivatesector.To this end, in August 2014, Cabinet approved four policiestoestablish:

! TheMobile Virtual Network OperatingLicense! TheInterconnectClearingHouseLicense! TheInternationalWholesale Carrier License and ! The Unified Telecom License

44

TRANSPARENTANDACCOUNTABLEGOVERNANCEMr.Speaker,The canker of corruption and its negative impact on development is well known. Itcontinuestoposeabigthreattoeverysociety,inbothdevelopedanddevelopingnations.While the canker spares no country, its effects are felt more in developing and poorcountriesasitexacerbatespovertyandhinderdevelopment.Iteatsintothemoralfabricofsocietyandunderminesthefoundationsofdemocracyandgoodgovernance.Corruptionisadisease,whichleftuncheckedcanchokeandkillanation.Itisanenemyofprogressanddevelopmentandathreattopeaceandsecurity.Itisthereforeanobligationonallofustomobiliseoureffortsinthefighttoeradicatecorruption.Mr.Speaker,We have tackled corruptionwith determination and fortitude in an effort to stamp outsystemicindisciplineinthefabricofpublicandsocialservice.Wehaverefusedtoburyourheadsinthesandliketheostrichortoadoptadefensiveposture.Theindifferenceofthepast has given way to a refreshing blast of sunlight, a proven potent and enduringdisinfectantforthecanker.Thisfirmpositionandcommitmenthasheightenedpublichopeandconfidencethatthefightagainstcorruptioniswinnable.Mr.Speaker,We decided in 2009 that a ten-year action plan that addresses corruption in a morestrategic,scientificandsustainablemanneristherightwaytogoandthattheplanshouldbeintegratedintonationaldevelopmentplanning.ThenationwasunanimousinsupportoftheNationalAnti-CorruptionActionPlan(NACAP).That is partly why the nation was united, through our representatives in Parliament, inadopting the NACAP. Following its adoption, I have inaugurated the High LevelImplementation Committee, as one of the structures to facilitate implementation of theplan.The Committee is responsible for providing strategic policy direction and advice toimplementing bodies, and assisting CHRAJ and the National Development PlanningCommission(NDPC)inmonitoringandcoordinatingtheimplementationofNACAP.TheCommitteeconsistsof representatives fromkeystate institutions, theprivateSectorandCivilSocietyOrganisations.Mr.Speaker,The ‘progress report’ presented by the Acting Commissioner of CHRAJ reveals thatsignificant progress has been made in the first year of the implementation of NACAP

45

despitesomechallenges.GovernmentisdeterminedtoplayitsroleunderNACAPandwillsanction heads of institutions that do not comply with the directives on theimplementationofNACAP.Mr.Speaker,The country is doing its best to combatmoney laundering and Terrorist financing afterestablishing therequired legislative framework.Three (3)successfulconvictions involvingmoneylaunderinghavebeensecuredfollowingcontinuousanalysisofintelligenceofover200SuspiciousTransactionReports(STRs).InthecaseinvolvingghostnamesonthepayrolloftheNationalServiceScheme(NSS),theAttorneyGeneralhascommencedtheprosecutionofanumberofpersons.Thirty-five(35)officials includingaformerExecutiveDirectorandhisDeputyhavebeenarraignedbeforecourtandfourhavealreadybeenconvicted.130othersarebeingprocessedforcourt.163officers,someofwhosecareersintheSchemespanseveralGovernments,andwereneckdeepinthefraudulententerprisehavebeendismissed.Following the passage of the Youth Employment Agency Act, Act 887 of 2015,we havetaken measures to install strong systems to ensure probity, transparency andaccountability.Stepsarebeingtakentoensurethattransactionstakeplaceonelectronicpaymentplatforms.Ihavenodoubtthatthesemeasureswillstrengthenthesystemsandprocedures in the Agency to avoid a recurrence of the challenges its predecessorencountered.Inthemeantime,overfiftymillionGhanaCedishasbeenrecoveredfromtheAgency’sdebtors.Mr.Speaker,Isharethesentimentsand,sometimes,theimpatienceofthepublicconcerningthepaceatwhich some of the investigations are proceeding, but our commitment to constitutionalgovernanceandtherightsofpersons,enjoinustobepatientwiththejudicialprocesses.As I said last month, “we cannot be adherents of constitutional democracy, and beadmirersofarbitraryjustice”.Iwishtoemphasisethecommitmentofmyadministrationtoexposeandtakeactiononallegationsofcorruptionthatarebroughttoourattention.Mr.Speaker,The new Board and Management of the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority(SADA) have comprehensively addressed the concerns raised in the 2013 audit reportregarding the use of resources. The financial accounts of SADA from 2012 to date havebeenaudited,andthe2014accountswillbepublishedaspartofSADA’sannualreport.A comprehensive report on the audit, including recommendations to address financialmalpractices, is ready and will be published in due course. In addition, an externalindependentbodyhasconductedacomprehensive institutionalassessmentofSADAandstepsoutlinedtostrengthentheinstitution’sperformanceandaccountability.

46

Last year, following concerns about the re-spraying and branding of 116 Metro MassTransit buses, the Chief of Staff promptly asked the Attorney General to look into thematter.TheAttorney-GeneralconcludedthatifproperprocedureshadbeenfollowedtheStatewouldhavesavedaboutGH¢1.5million.The Chief of Staff subsequently directed the A-G to pursue the recovery of the excessamount. The contractor, followingmeetingswith theA-Gandwithoutprejudice to theirlegalrights,agreedtorefundtheamountinthreeinstallmentsbytheendofnextmonth.ThefirstinstallmentofGH¢300,000hasbeenpaidtotheA-G’sDepartment.Mr.Speaker,As youwould recall, ace investigative journalist, Anas AremeyawAnas, conducted someundergroundinvestigationsandpresentedmyofficewithapetitionaccusingsomejudgesand other judicial officers of corruption. As required by the constitution, I referred thepetition to the Chief Justice for investigation. On the recommendation of the inquiringpanel,Iapprovedthedismissalof23judgesfromthebench.Mr.Speaker,Inthisfightagainstcorruption,thereisaneedforustocombinelawenforcementwithanapproachthatalsoemphasisesnationalintegrityasanimportantcomponentofNACAP.Inconnectionwiththis,ItakenoteoftheroleassignedtotheOfficeofPresidenttoinstituteaNationalIntegrityAwardsProgrammetomotivatehonestpeopleinthecountry.I am determined to have the awards programme established within the time frameprescribedbytheNACAP.Thecriteriatobedevelopedforthisimportantprogrammewillbetransparentandparticipatory.Iurgeyoualltotakeinterestinitandattheappropriatetime,submitproposalstoassistusinstitutethescheme.Mr.Speaker,We are working tirelessly to encourage citizens to report corruption without fear ofvictimisation.Hereagain, theAnas’expose,and thedebatesurrounding it, suggests thatthough there is a favourable and enabling environment for investigative journalism tothrive,robustmeasurestofurtherstrengthenmechanismsforsafereportingofcorruptionandcrimeareneeded.Letmetakethisopportunitytoinformyouthat10personshavebeenconvictedinrelationto Anas’ expose on smuggling of cocoa, while two were acquitted by the court. TheAttorney General and other relevant stakeholders are working together to bring theWitness Protection Bill to Parliament soon, for consideration. I also urge Parliament toexpediteworkontheConductofPublicOfficersBill,which iscurrently inParliamentandalsotheRighttoInformationBill,whichisalsostillinParliament.Indeed, I think theRight to InformationBill by the time it ispassed,will godown in thehistoryofthiscountryasthelongestbilleverunderParliamentaryconsideration..TheWhistleblower(Amendment)Bill,whichisalreadybeforeParliament,Iamtold,willbepassedsoon.

47

Theanti-corruptionand lawenforcementagencieshavemeanwhilebegundiscussionsonhowtocoordinatetheiractivities inamanner that facilitateseffective investigationsandprosecutionofcorruptionandcrime.IamhappytoannouncethatthefirstinaseriesofCitizensComplainCentreshasbeensetuphereinthenationalcapital.TheCentre is locatedinRoom209onthe2ndfloorofthePublic Services Commission Building in the Ministries Area. In addition to walk-ins, theCentre receives and processes voice complaints using hotlines and via its website,www.ghanacitizen.org.TheCitizensComplainUnitwillcollatedataandwillproducequarterlyreportsbasedonthetype,natureandsourcesofcomplaintsreceived.Thereportwillalsoincluderecommendedaction,resolutionofcomplaintsaswellastrendanalysis.ItisexpectedthatreportsbytheUnitwillhelppromote the fightagainstcorruptionaswellas improveservicedelivery inthepublicsector.If it proves successful, the Citizens Complain Unit will be replicated in all the regionalcapitals.District Assemblies are also encouraged to establish their own Units in their districtcapitals.Mr.Speaker,TheSoleCommissioneronJudgmentDebtsconcludedhisworkandpresentedhisreport.SincethenaWhitePaperhasbeenpublishedforimplementation.TheSoleCommissioner’sreport reveals the weaknesses in our systems and also shows how some persons incollusionwith public officers deliberately fleecedGovernment of hundreds of billions ofGhanaCedisandinsomecasesUSDollars.Even before the presentation of the report, the Attorney-GeneraL upon my directivecommencedarobustdefenceofseveralcasesofjudgmentdebts.Thisactionhaspaidoffwithmassivesavingsrecorded.In2015alone,asmuchasUS$900millioninclaimsagainstthestateweresuccessfullyandeffectivelydefendedinternationally.Indomesticcases,lastyearalone,theAttorneyGeneral’sDepartmentsuccessfullyresistedclaimsofoverUS$100million.Our greatest success in the fight against corruptionmustbebasedonpreventing it.Wemustspeedup theuseof technology to removemuchofhumandiscretion inourpublicservicetransactions.Wemustmovefromacash-basedsocietyintoacashlessonewheretransactions are handled using electronic settlement platforms rather than lugging hugeamountsofcashabout.IhavediscussedwiththeGovernoroftheBankofGhanaandaskedforaroadmaptoachievethistargetbytheyear2020.ThereisapoliticalriskanyGovernmentrunsinfacinguptocorruptionandfightingit-theparadoxofexposure-whereanopen,transparentapproachtofightingcorruptionleadstoanerroneousimpressionthatcorruptionismorepervasiveandprevalentatacertainpoint

48

thananother.This isariskmyGovernmenthasacceptedtotakeandachallengewearewillingtoconfront.Inthisfight,concoctedallegationsandothersalaciousfabricationsanonymouslycirculatedonsocialmediaunderthemastheadof fakenewspapersdonothelp.Theyratherhinderthefight,makingitdifficulttodifferentiatewhatistruth,andwhatispoliticalpropaganda.Similarly, sweeping and generalised conclusions drawn on the basis of scanty and oftenmisleading informationought to be guarded against. Corruptionhas serious implicationsforanysociety’sadvancement.Forthatreasonthepushagainstitcannot,andmustnot,becededtothosewhoseonlymotivationiselectoraladvantage.Iwishtostronglyrestatethepoliticalwill ofmyGovernment,workingwith our internal and external partners, in thefightagainstcorruption.

LEGISLATUREANDJUDICIARYMr.Speaker,GoodgovernanceandthefightagainstcorruptionrestnotonlyontheExecutiveandthegeneralpublic,butalsotheLegislatureandtheJudiciary.Inthecourseoftheirduties,thesecondandthirdarmsofGovernmentarecalledupontoperformtasksthatwilladvancethefrontiersofdemocraticpracticeinournation.However,as Iobservedearlier, the imageof theJudiciarywasbroughttoanearall-timelowwith theAnasexposures.Asnerve-wrackingas this incidentwas, italsopresentedastoryofhope.Hope, in the fact that therewerea significantnumberof judgeswhonotonlythrewAnasout,butalsothreatenedtocallthePoliceonhim.Itshowsthatwehavemanyjudgesonthebenchwhoareuprightandhavegreatintegrity.WecommendHerLadyshiptheChiefJusticeforhercourageanddeterminationindealingwiththematterasrequiredbylaw.TheChiefJusticeandherteamhaveworkedhardtotrytorestoretheimageoftheinstitution.Wewillworkwithhertoensurethatweimplementany other structural, institutional or human reforms required to make the Judiciary aninstitutionGhanaianscanbeproudof.Mr.Speaker,Theprovisionof adequate security toParliamentandHonourableMembers isofutmostpriority toGovernment.The recentmurderofourHonourablecolleagueraisesagain thediscussion in respect of what the suitable accommodation for an MP should be -concentratedor scattered?Concentratedaccommodation in, say, aParliamentaryvillageensuresbettersecurity.Scatteredismoredifficulttosecure.WithrespecttothesecurityoftheprecinctsofParliament,IhaveauthorisedthereleaseoftheWesternGateSecurityPostoftheStateHousetoParliamentforuseasaPoliceStation.Thefacilityhasbeenrefurbishedwithmodernpolicingequipmentandisreadyforuse.

49

WehavealsoinstalledaDigitalSurveillanceSystemwithover400CCTVcamerasanditiscurrentlybeingmannedbyadetachmentfromtheCriminal InvestigationsDepartmentoftheGhanaPoliceService.IencouragetheLeadershipofParliamenttoliaisewiththeSecurityAgenciestofashionoutappropriatearrangementstoensurethesafetyofmembersofthisaugustHouse.

ENHANCINGRULEOFLAW&JUSTICEMr.Speaker,With the challenge to the constitutionality of the constitutional review proceduredismissed by the Supreme Court, wewill work to ensure that the constitutional reviewprocessisbroughttoclosureandthattheConstitutionReviewImplementationCommitteeisabletoproceedwithitsmandate.WiththecommissioningofbothJob600andtheCourtsComplex,wecanallrestassuredthatallthethreearmsofGovernmenthavenowbeenproperlyaccommodatedtocarryoutourwork.Butletusalwaysrememberthatitissaidthat,“towhommuchisgiven,muchisexpected”.Ourpeopleexpectmuchfromus.My understanding also is that, this year wewill design and start construction of a newblock tocater for theextra23membersofParliamentwhocannotbeaccommodated inthetowerblockcomplex.Mr.Speaker,The late President John Evans AttaMills is our first and only President to have died inoffice. It is important that fitting memorials are established in his honour. The GhanaInstitute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) has established the JohnEvans Atta Mills Centre for Law and Governance. This year, the John Evans Atta MillsMemorialLibraryoftheUniversityofCapeCoastwillalsobecomeoperational.Governmentwillsupportthesetwoinstitutionstoensurethatthevisionandtheidealsofthisgreatacademicandpoliticalleaderarenotlost.Mr.Speaker,This year is an election year and all of usmust give theutmost support to the ElectoralCommissiontocarryoutitswork.OurElectoralCommissionhasgainedcommendationallovertheworldforthegoodworkthatithasdoneovertheyearssincethepromulgationofthe1992Constitution.Wehaveheld6successfulelectionsandIhaveabsolutelynodoubtthatourelectoralcommissionwill rise totheoccasiontodelivera7thsuccessfulelectioncomeNovemberthisyear.It is important for all of us to support the Commission to be able to put in place theprocessesthatwillmakethiselectionsuccessful.Icallonallpoliticalpartiestodoexactlythat.Mr.Speaker,

50

IpledgeasPresidenttodoeverythinginmypowertoworkforafree,fairandtransparentelection.EverysupportthatcanbegiventotheElectoralCommissionbyGovernment,wewillgivetoensurethattheyareabletocarryouttheirmandate.Lettheelectionbecleananddevoidofinsults.Mr.Speaker,Iwant,onbehalfofallGhanaians,tosalutethemediaforthegoodworktheyhavebeendoingincommunicatingourvoicestotheelectorate.Ibelievethatastheyhavedoneinthelast6elections,thisyear,again,theywillbeausefulconduitforsendingthemessagesofpoliticalpartiestotheelectorate.Iwishtoaskthemediatobecircumspectintheuseoflanguage,andtoavoidinsults.LetustelltheGhanaianpeoplewhatweintendtodoforthemandletthemmaketheirchoice.

DECENTRALISATIONMr.Speaker,Havingdecentralisedour governance system to thispointwhere functions, functionariesand funds have been deployed to the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies(MMDAs), Government and the citizenry expect the local authorities to reciprocate bybeingmoreresponsivetotheneedsoftheircommunities.Weexpect theMMDAs towork towards financial independence through innovation andapplication of efficiency measures. We expect them to go beyond the naming of thestreets,whichtheyhavedonecreditablywell,tonumberingthehousesanddevelopingacomprehensivedatabaseforpolicyplanningandemergencyresponse.The street naming policy has largely been implemented;we need to speed up the nextphase of numbering all houses and creating GIS maps of all our communities. Districtassembliesshouldbeabletocreateadatabaseofallthisinformationforthepurposesofeffectiverevenuemobilisationandprovisionofsocialservices.Mr.Speaker,This year will be the second year of implementation of a Five-Year Phase Two of theDecentralizationPolicyFrameworkandNationalDecentralizationActionPlan(2015-2019).Weremaincommittedtoimplementingtheactivitiesagreedupon.Mr.Speaker,Bills to decentralise the following Departments by devolution and converting them intoDepartments of District Assemblies have been finalised and will be placed beforeParliamentinthefirstquarterof2016.1.RegistryofBirthsandDeaths2.GhanaLibraryBoard3.NationalYouthAuthority4.NationalSportsAuthority5.DepartmentofCooperatives

51

6.DepartmentofTownandCountryPlanning7.GhanaEducationService8.GhanaHealthServiceTheConsolidatedDecentralisedLocalGovernanceBillwillalsobelaidbeforeParliamentinthe course of the year. A Local Government (Borrowing) Bill will also be laid beforeParliament that will enableMMDAs to borrow for infrastructure projects andmunicipalservicesdeliverywithoutincurringliabilityfortheGovernment.

SECURITYAGENCIESMr.Speaker,Over thepast fewyearswehaveembarkeduponaprogressive retoolingofour securityagencies.Wehaveprovided themwith vehicles, accommodation, logistics and resourcesthatenablethemtofulfilltheirconstitutionalmandate.Wewill continue toplacepriorityon their needs inorder toplace them in a favourablepositiontocarryouttheirdutyofconfrontinganddefeatingcrime,includingcrossbordercrime,narcotics,armstraffickingandterrorism.Lately the Police Service has earned the admiration of the nation for the dexteritywithwhichtheytrackeddownandarrestedArthurSimpsonKentwhofledfromBritaintoGhanaafterallegedlycommittingmurder.ThespeedwithwhichthesuspectintheJ.B.DanquahAdumurder was nabbed has also earned the Service plaudits.We hope the Police willdeepenthisinvestigationtounravelalltheunansweredquestionssurroundingthiscase.Inthe mean time I will urge the public to desist from making wild, unsubstantiatedallegations.Mr.Speaker,Ghanacontinuestoparticipate inpeacekeepingefforts intheWestAfricasub-regionandontheAfricancontinentaswellasotherpartsoftheworld,ashercontributiontoensuringpeaceful resolution of disputes and elimination of threats to international peace andsecurityposedbyconflictzonesaroundtheworld.WehavedeployedinfantrybattalionstoLiberiaandCoted’IvoireandaviationunitsinMaliand Cote d’Ivoire. An engineering company has been deployed in Mali, and we areparticipating in UN peacekeepingmissions in DR Congo, South Sudan and Lebanon. ThePolice deployed 170 personnel from the Formed Police Unit to South Sudan in August2015. Due to the high performance of the contingent, the UN has requested for anadditional100personnelfromtheUnitwhoaretobedeployedinthefirstweekofMarch2016.Mr.speaker,AsIsaid,2016isanelectionyearandweareconfidentthatalloursecurityagencieswilljoinhandsonceagain to secure thepeaceandstabilityofournationbefore,duringandaftertheNovember7generalelection.

52

FOREIGNRELATIONSMr.Speaker,My understanding is that the Minister for Foreign Affairs presented a comprehensivestatementonGITMOtothisHouse.Andyouexhaustedyourselvesquestioningheronallaspectsofthematter.Iwillthereforenotrepeatwhatshesaid.Mr.Speaker,Theworldwe live intoday isaworldthathasbecomeamore integratedandconnectedplace,thatcreatesbothchallengesandopportunitiesforourdearnation.Itisimportantaswe seek to build stronger relations with our friends and allies that we take this intoconsideration.We must also, as a leading nation on the West Coast of our continent, live up to ourprinciplesandouridealsthathaveinformedourForeignPolicysinceourindependenceandcontinue to do so, because those ideals are as relevant today as they were at ourindependence.Our First President charged that Africa should unite because in unity liesstrength,wearefarfromthatbuttherearestepswecantakeasacountrythatcanbringAfricaclosertous,andcreateeconomicopportunitiesaswedosoforourcitizens.EarlierthisyearattheExecutiveCouncilMeetingoftheAfricanUnionitwasdecidedthatAUMemberStatesshouldreviewtheirinternalandexternalsecuritysituationswithaviewtoputtinginplacethemechanismsthatwouldallowfortheissuanceofvisa'sonarrivalforcitizensofAUmemberstates,withtheoptiontostayinthecountryforupto30days.Mr.Speaker,We believe creating opportunity for the mobility of people on our continent is key tounlockingoureconomicpotential.Todaywithinsomeofourregionalorganisations,inourcase the ECOWAS, and in a number of countries such as Kenya, Seychelles, Mauritius,Rwanda it is possible to travel without having to obtain a visa before visiting anothermemberstate.But by and large, traveling across our continent is a hassle. Indeed for those Africanbusinessmen andwomen trying to do business on our continent, it's actually easier forthem to operate within the Schengen Area of the European Union than it is to travelaround our continent.Africa has a growing and dynamic middle class that is bothentrepreneurial, forward looking and has purchasing power and we intend to make iteasierforthemtoenterourcountry.Mr.Speaker,WitheffectfromJulythisyear,wewillbeallowingcitizensofAUmemberstatestoenterintoourcountryandobtainvisasonarrivalwiththeoptiontostayforuptothirtydaysandexperiencewhat our country has to offer. Thismeasure, with time should stimulate airtravel,trade,investmentandtourism.WehavemanagedmovementwithinandoutofourcountrywithcitizensoftheECOWASmember states sowehave the capacity tomanage thisnew regime.Wealso know that

53

theremaybepersonsfromourcontinentwhowemaynotwanttoadmitintoourcountry,andhencetheprovisionforobtainingvisasonarrivalandnotvisa-freeentry.ThiswillenabletheGhanaImmigrationServicetomakeadeterminationastowhethertoallowthementryornotintoourcountry.Mr.Speaker,Indoingthis,wearetakinguptheneededleadershipofourFounder’sdreamofbringingthecitizensoftheAfricancontinentclosertogether.Mr.Speaker,Thisyear,wewillalsocommencenegotiationsforthecreationofaContinentalFreeTradeArea by 2017, and we will be actively participating in the negotiations with a view tocreatingtheeconomicbasisforamoreunitedandintegratedcontinent.The targetwe set ourselves as a continent here in Accra inNovember 2011, during theAfrican Trade Ministers meeting, is an ambitious one, but is certainly not beyond ourcapability and we will continue to play a leading role towards realising our goal ofpromotinganintegrationofthestatesandpeopleofthisgreatcontinent.Last year, just before the UN General Assembly, the world saw the launch of theSustainableDevelopmentGoals.Thegoalssetanambitiousagendaforthedevelopmentofall the countriesof theworld so that for thenext fifteen yearswewill collectivelyworktogethertocreatetheworldthatwewanttosee.Wealso,attheCOP21summitinParis,cametoahistoricagreementonreducingcarbonemissionsandfightingClimateChange.Mr.Speaker,Thetwoarenotmutuallyexclusiveandwelookforwardtoincorporatingtheelementsofthesetwoimportantmultilateralandglobalpolicyinitiativesintoournationalplanningandprogrammeimplementation.Mr.Speaker,IwashonouredtobeappointedtheCo-ChairoftheUNSecretaryGeneral'sSDGAdvocatesGroup.Thisisnotjustanhonourforme;it isanhonourtoourcountryinrecognitionofourleadershipinpeacekeeping,inmanagingcrisissuchastheEbolaoutbreakthathitourregiontwoyearsago,our leadershiponourcontinent inpromotingdemocracyandgoodgovernance,andourleadershipinpositivelytransformingthelivesofourpeopleovertheperiodofimplementationoftheMillenniumDevelopmentGoals.Itisimportantthatwedrawourcontinent'sattentiontotheneedtoincorporatetheSDG'sintoourNationalDevelopmentPlansaswethinkandplanforthefuturewewanttocreateforthenextgeneration.Iwillbeworkingwithothermembersoftheadvocacygroupandropinginotheradvocatesfromourcontinentwithanemphasisonbringingonboardyoungpeopleandwomenso

54

thattheSDG'sbecomepartofourdiscourseandengageourcollectiveattentionasweplantowardsthedevelopmentofthecontinent.Mr.Speaker,WewillbegintheimplementationofourlinguisticpactwithLaFrancophonie,andthroughthisprocessencourageourcitizensatalllevelstobecomebi-lingualinFrenchandEnglish.Whenweconsiderthatwithourimmediateneighboursourcombinedpopulationscreateamarketof74millionpeople,andwealreadyengage intradeandsocial interactionswitheachotherbothformallyandinformally,itistimeforustomakeanextraefforttobeableto engage them and the other francophone states within our ECOWAS region moreeffectively to promote trade in goods and services, tourism and investmentswithin ourregion.Mr.Speaker,This year, we will continue to play an active role within our ECOWAS region, on thecontinent,withintheCommonwealthundertheleadershipofournewSecretaryGeneral-Patricia Scotland - andwithin theUnitedNationsand its variousagencies, especially theHumanRightsCouncil andUNESCO,wherewearemembersof theExecutiveBoard.Wewillplayanactiveleadershiproleincreatingtheworldwewant.

55

CONCLUSIONMr.Speaker,I began this address with an admission that politicians talk a lot - as I have, no doubt,proven here today - but that our words sometimes fail us because they do not alwaysaccuratelyrevealthehumanfacesthatinformourideasandbenefitfromtheprogrammesandpoliciesweenact.WhenIwaselectedPresident,IstatedthatmymissionduringmyterminofficewouldbetotransformGhana.Itiscertainlyanadmirablegoal,buteventomyownearsitsoundedlikeahugeandloftyundertaking.Isupposeifonelooksatitasasingleundertaking,itdoesseemintimidating,perhapsevenimpossible.Buttransformationis,byitsverynature,anelusiveprocess.It’saprocessbywhichchangetakesplaceingraduation,insmallandalmostimperceptiblemovementsandoccurrences.Sometimes all that is noticeable is the before and the after, but not the process inbetween.Mr.Speaker,Wearealwaysinmotion,evenwhenwebelieveourselvestobestandingstill.TheEarthisalwaysspinningonitsaxis.IliketothinkofourTransformationAgendainthatsameway.Changeishappening.Itistakingplace.Ghanaisbeingtransformed.Irealisethatsayingsodoesnotmakeitso.ButIknow,too,thatseeingisalwaysbelieving.Solookaroundinthisgallery.Iwouldliketoaskmyinvitedgueststopleasestand:MercyPomaa;ReginaHaku;UmarMahmudMogtar;NaomiAppiahKorang;MohammedHissan;Gertrude Ahyia Yeboah; David Aminayire; Mohammed Awabu; Dzidzor Kwamuar; ApimShulamite; Samuel Amo Tobbin; Zenabu Sumaila; James Appiah-Berko; EmmanuelAboagye;ShirazIssaku;AweniniApogyanga.Mr.Speaker,This is Ghana. This is every tribe and ethnicity. It is every religious affiliation. It is everypoliticalpersuasion.Itistheyoungandold.Itisvariousincomelevels.Thisistheprocessoftransformation.Wearechanginglives,oneindividualatatime.Weareheedingthewordsof our founding father, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and looking neither East nor West butforwardintothefuturethatwewantforourbelovedcountry.Ithankyouforyourkindattention.MayGodblessthisaugustHouse.AndmayGodcontinuetoblessourhomelandGhana.

56