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Savannah Accelerated Development
Act 805
Authority Act, 2010
Establishment, functions and
governance of the Authority
.Establishment of the
Savannah Accelerated Development
Authority
1.Objects
of the Authority
2.Functions
of the Authority
3.Powers
of the Authority
4.Independence
of the Authority
5.Governing
body of the Authority
6.Functions
of the Board
7.Tenure
of office of members of the Board
8.Meetings
of the Board
9.Disclosure
of interest
10.Establishment
of committees
11.Stakeholder
Coordinating Committee
12.Allowances
of members of the Board of the
Authority
13.Duties
and liabilities of Board members
14.Ministerial
directives for the Authority
Administration and staff of the
Authority
16.
Appointment of Chief Executive
Officer
17.
Appointment of other staff
Finances of the Authority
18.
Sources of funds of the Authority
19.
Retention and utilisation 'of
internally generated funds
20.
Power to contract loans
21.
Investment activities and income
22.
Annual Budget of the Authority
23.
Exemption from taxes, duties and
other charges
24.
Accounts and audit
Miscellaneous provisions
25.Inter-agency
co-operation and co-ordination in
the Northern Savannah
26. Incentives for private sector
investment
27. Public consultations and
notification
28. Annual reports
29. Offences and penalties
30, Regulations
31. Interpretation
32. Repeal and savings
ACT
OF THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC
OF GHANA
THE SAVANNAH ACCELERATED
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ACT, 2010
AN ACT to establish the Savannah
Accelerated Development Authority,
to provide a framework for the
comprehensive and long-term
development of the Northern
Savannah Ecological Zone and to
provide for related matters.
DATE OF ASSENT: 17th September,
2010.
PASSED by Parliament and assented
to by the President:
Establishment, Junctions and
governance of the Authority
Establishment
of the Savannah Accelerated
Development Authority
1.
(1) There is established by this.
Act a body corporate with
perpetual succession to be known
as the Savannah Accelerated
Development Authority.
2.
(2) Where there is a hindrance to
the acquisition of property, the
property may be acquired for the
Authority under the State Property
and Contracts Act, 1960 (C.A.6) or
the State Lands Act, 1962 (Act
125).
(3 The State Property and
Contracts Act, 1960 (C. A. 4) or
the State Lands Act, 1962 (Act
125) shall apply in relation to
the acquisition with modifications
that are necessary to provide the
vesting of the property acquired
in the Authority and for the cost
of the acquisition to be defrayed
by the Authority.
Objects of the Authority
2
(1) The objects of the Authority
are to
(a)
provide strategic planning
guidance to government as regards
the implementation and review of
an accelerated development
strategy for the Northern Savannah
Ecological Zone;
(b)
mobilise human, financial and
other resources for the
implementation of the accelerated
development strategy;
(c)
co-ordinate existing and future
development and related policies
affecting the Northern Savannah
Ecological Zone with a view to
ensuring coherence in
policy-making and implementation.
(2) In furtherance of its objects,
the Authority shall be guided by
the Constitution.
Functions of
the Authority
30
For the purpose of achieving its
objects, the Authority shall
perform the following functions:
(a)
design and periodically review a
comprehensive development
strategy for the Northern Savannah
Ecological Zone;
(b) facilitate processes
for consensus-building among key
development stakeholders of the
Northern Savannah Ecological Zone;
(c)
establish a co-ordinated system of
resource mobilisation for the
North that transcends regional and
district boundaries of the
Northern Savannah Ecological Zone;
(d)
establish a venture capital or
other risk-finance instruments;
(e)
implement programmes to maximise
the economic development
potential of the Northern Savannah
Ecological Zone;
(f)
execute community-driven
development actions that will
stimulate the modernisation of
agricultural development and
competitiveness of small holders
in the Northern Savannah
Ecological Zone through improved
technology to promote efficiency
for the domestic and export
market;
(g) facilitate
private sector development
initiatives to stimulate
investment and business
development in the Northern
Savannah Ecological Zone to create
jobs and increase incomes;
(h)
invest in economic and social
infrastructure including roads,
energy, water resources and
communication in order to create
the pre-conditions for accelerated
development of the Northern
Savannah Ecological Zone;
(I)
facilitate programmes focused on
improved access to food,
sustainable livelihoods and
safety-net investments for
vulnerable areas in the Northern
Savannah Ecological Zone;
(j) implement programmes aimed at
flood mitigation and environmental
renewal to improve water resources
management and disaster
preparedness in order to reduce
the severity of the perennial
floods and droughts in the
Northern Savannah Ecological Zone;
(k)
co-operate with key statutory
institutions including the
National Development Planning
Commission, Ministries,
Departments, Agencies,
Metropolitan, Municipal and
District Assemblies to ensure
conformity with overall national
development so as to avoid
duplication of functions;
(I)
implement programmes to support
mainstreaming of gender and other
issues of vulnerability through
co-operation with the Ministry
responsible for Women and
Children's Affairs, relevant
Ministries, other organisations
and civil society; .
(m)
serve as agents of the government
in public private partnership
initiatives in the Northern
Savannah Ecological Zone and
initiate the pubhc private
partnerships directly in the
mandated areas;
(n)
establish a system of rigorous
monitoring and evaluation to
ensure that strategic targets and
results are met in a timely and
appropriate manner; and
(0) perform any other functions
conferred on it by this Act or
that are ancillary to the
achievement of the objects of the
Authority.
Powers of the Authority
4.
The Authority has the powers that
are necessary to enable it to
effectively perform its functions
and may, in particular
(a)
co-ordinate the planning and
implementation of integrated
development activities for the
realisation of the long-term plans
for the Northern Savannah
Ecological Zone;
(b)
pay due compensation for the
acquisition of lands for the
purpose of accelerating
socio-economic development,
protection and preservation in the
Northern Savannah Ecological Zone;
and
(c)
undertake directly or represent
the government in public private
partnerships to facilitate
accelerated private investment
and reduce the risk exposure for
private enterprises in the
Northern Savannah.
Independence of the Authority
5.
Subject to section 15, the
Authority shall be an independent
and autonomous statutory
corporation.
Governing body of the Authority
6.
(1) The governing body of the
Authority is a Board consisting of
(a) a chairperson,
(b)
one representative of the National
Development Planning Commission,
(c)
one representative of traditional
authorities nominated by the
Regional House of Chiefs in the
programmed areas,
(d)
one representative of the Ministry
of Finance not below the rank of a
Director,
(e)
one representative of the civil
society organisations in the
programme areas nominated by the
Minister in consultation with the
coalition of Civil Society
Organisations,
(f)
three other persons with strong
professional expertise nominated
by the President, one of whom is a
woman, and
(g)
the Chief Executive of the
Authority.
(2) The members of the Board shall
be appointed by the President in
accordance with Article 70 of the
Constitution.
(3) The President shall in
appointing a member of the Board
have regard to the member's
integrity, knowledge, expertise
and experience in matters relevant
to the objects and functions of
the Authority
Functions of the Board
(1)
The Board shall
(a)
oversee the sound and proper
management of the resources of the
Authority, and
(b)
ensure the proper and effective
performance of the functions of
the Authority.
(2) The Board has the
responsibility to ensure the
implementation of the functions
of the Authority and the
achievement of the objectives of
the Authority.
(3) Without limiting sub-clause
(2) the Board shall
(a)
approve annual operative plans and
budget of the Authority;
(b)
review the quarterly performance
of the Authority including
statement of accounts of monies
disbursed from the fund;
(c)
ensure adequate accountability to
the stakeholders;
(d)
approve an audit plan and monitor
its implementation and seek full
implementation of the external
auditor's repor1 within the
specified time frame for action;
and
(e)
approve the remuneration of the
staff of the Authority.
(4) The Board shall conduct
reviews of the Savannah
Development Strategy as determined
by the Minister.
Tenure of office of members of the
Board
8. (1) A member of the Board,
shall hold office for a period no
exceeding four years and is
eligible for re-appointment but a
member shall not be appointed for
more than two terms.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply
to the Chief Executive.
(3) A member of the Board may at
any time resign from office i'
writing addressed to the President
through the Minister.
(4) A member of the Board, other
than the Chief Executive, who is
absent from three consecutive
meetings of the Board without
sufficient cause ceases to be a
member of the Board.
(5) The President may by letter
addressed to a member revoke the
appointment of that member.
(6) Where a member of the Board
is, for a sufficient reason,
unable to act as a member, the
Minister shall determine whether
the inability would result in the
declaration of a vacancy.
(7) Where there is a vacancy
(a)
under subsection (3) or (4) or
section 10,
(b)
as a result of a declaration under
section (6), or
(c) by reason of the death
of a member
the Minister shall notify the
president of the vacancy and the
President shall appoint a person
to fill the vacancy.
Meetings of the Board
9.
(1) The Board shall meet at least
once every three months for the
despatch of business at the times
and in the places determined by
the chairpers on.
(2) The chairperson shall at the
request in writing of not less
than one-third of the membership
of the Board convene an
extraordinary meeting of the Board
within seven days of the request.
(3) The chairperson shall preside
at meetings of the Board and in
the absence of the chairperson, a
member of the Board elected by the
members present from among their
number shall preside.
(4) The quorum of a meeting of the
Board is five members of the
Board.
(5) Matters before the Board shall
be decided by a majority of the
members present and voting and in
the event of an equality of votes,
the person presiding shall have a
casting vote.
(6) The Board may co-opt a person
to attend a Board meeting but that
person shall not vote on a matter
for decision by the Board.
Disclosure of interest
10.
(1) A member of the Board who has
an interest in a matter for
consideration by the Board
(a)
shall disclose the nature of that
interest and the disclosure shall
form part of the record of the
consideration of the matter; and
.
(b)
shall not participate in the
deliberations of the Board in
respect of that matter.
(2} A member ceases to be a member
of the Board, if that , member has
an interest in a matter before the
Board and
(a)
fails to disclose that interest,
or
(b)
participates in the deliberations
of the Board in respect of the
matter.
Establishment of committees
11. (I) The Board may establish
committees consisting of members
of the Board or non-members or
both to perform stated functions.
(2) A committee composed entirely
of non-members may only advise the
Board.
(3) Section 10 applies to members
of a committee of the Board.
Stakeholder Co-ordinating
Committee
120(I)
Without limiting section 11, the
Authority shall establish a
Stakeholder Co-ordinating
Committee which shall provide the
mechanism for
(a)
effective stakeholder ownership of
the policies and programmes of the
Authority, and
(b)
effective co-operation among
public sector agencies, the
private sector as well as
organisations of civil society
concerned directly or indirectly
with issues of social and economic
development of the Northern
Savannah Ecological Zone.
(2) The Committee shall serve as
an advisory body to review plans
and also provide stakeholders
input into policies, programmes
and projects of the Authority.
(3) The Stakeholder Co-ordinating
Committee comprises
(a)
Regional Ministers in the
participating regions with each
Regional Minister acting as a
chairperson and convener on
rotation;
(b)
one chief from each region in the
Northern Savannah nominated by the
Regional House of Chiefs; .
(c)
one person each from the Regional
Economic Planning Units of the
participating regions in the
Northern Savannah Ecological Zone;
(d)
one representative from each
region in the Northern Savannah
from a non-governmental
development organisation nominated
by a forum of non-governmental
organisations in the region;
(e)
one representative from each
region in the north from the
private sector nominated by the
private sector forum in that
region
(f),
three representatives from a
District Assembly, one of whom is
a presiding member, a planning
officer and the other a District
Chief Executive nominated by the
regional grouping of District
Assemblies;
(g)
two perso[' ... ~ representing
northern Ghanaian opinion leaders
resident in other PJ.1-~" of the
country nominated by the forum of
northern Ghanaians;
(h)
one representative from each
region in the north representing
women's groups nominated by a
forum of women's organisations;
and
(i)
three persons representing the
University of Development Studies,
research and other tertiary
educational institutions in the
programme areas nominated by the
Minister; and (j) seven
persons representing Members of
Parliament, five of whom shall be
from the programme area and two
from other parts of the country.
(4) Representatives from other
relevant Ministries, Departments
and Agencies may be co-opted as
ex-officio members.
(5) The Stakeholder Co-ordinating
Committee shall meet at least two
times annually and in a place
within the Northern Savannah
Ecological Zone.
(6) The cost associated with the
annual sessions of the Stakeholder
Co-ordinating Committee shall be
borne by the stakeholder groups
that nominate representatives onto
the committee.
Allowances of members of the Board
of the Authority
13.
Members of the Board, persons
co-opted to attend meetings of the
Board and members of a committee
of the Board other than the
Stakeholder Co-ordinating
Committee shall be paid the
allowances approved by the
Minister in consultation with the
Minister responsible for Finance.
Duties and liabilities of Board
members
14.
(1) A member of the Board of the
Authority has the same fiduciary
relationship with the Authority
and the same duties to act with
loyalty and in good faith as a
director of a company
incorporated under the Companies
Act, 1963, (Act 179).
(2) A member of the Board of the
Authority has a duty
(a)
to act honestly in the performance
of the member's functions;
(b)
to exercise the degree of care and
diligence in the performance of
the member's functions that a
reasonable person in that position
would reasonably be expected to
exercise in the circumstances of
the Authority;
(c)
to avoid making improper use of
information acquired by virtue of
the member's position as a member
of the Board so as to gain,
directly or indirectly, a benefit
for the member or be to the
detriment of the Authority; and
(d)
not to make improper use of the
member's position so as to gain,
directly or indirectly, a benefit
for the member or for any other
person or cause loss to the
Authority.
(3) A member of the Board who
contravenes subsections (1) or (2)
commits an offence and is liable
on summary conviction to a fine of
not more than two hundred and
fifty penalty units.
(4) Where a court of competent
jurisdiction determines that the
Authority has suffered loss or
damage as a consequence of the act
or omission of a member, the court
may, in addition to imposing a
fine, order the convicted member
to pay a sum of money to the
Authority as compensation.
Ministerial directives for the
Authority
15.
(1) The Minister may, give
directives in writing to the Board
on matters of policy and the Board
shall comply.
(2) The directives shall be
consistent with the Northern
Savannah Development Strategy.
Administration and staff of the
Authority
Appointment
of Chief Executive Officer
16.
(1) The President shall in
accordance with article 195 of the
Constitution, appoint a Chief
Executive Officer for the
Authority.
(2) The Chief Executive Officer
shall possess relevant
professional competence and
experience.
(3) The Chief Executive Officer
shall hold office on the terms and
conditions specified in the letter
of appointment.
(4) The Chief Executive Officer is
responsible for the day to day
administration of the affairs of
the Authority and is answerable to
the Board for the performance of
functions under this Act.
(5) The Chief Executive Officer
may delegate a function to an
officer of the Authority but shall
not be relieved from ultimate
responsibility for the
performance of the delegated
function.
Appointment of other staff
17. (1) The President shall in
accordance with article 195 of the
Constitution, appoint for the
Authority other staff that are
necessary for the proper and
effective performance of its
functions.
(2) Other public officers may be
transferred or seconded to the
Authority or may otherwise give
assistance to the Authority.
(3) The Authority may engage the
services of advisers and
consultants as it considers
necessary on the recommendation of
the Board.
Financial provisions
Sources
of funds of the Authority
18. (1) The sources of funds of
the Authority include
(a)
moneys appropriated for the
Authority by Parliament;
(b)
loans, loan guarantees and grants;
(c)
interest from investments made by
the Authority;
(d)
rents and royalties accruing to
the Authority from property of the
Authority, including intellectual
property;
(e)
fees and charges due to the
Authority from services rendered
by or through the Authority;
(f)
donations and gifts;
(g)
seed money specifically allocated
for the start-up of the Authority;
(h)
levies on non-petroleum imports as
may be approved by Parliament; and
(i)
any other moneys that the Minister
responsible for Finance may
approve.
(2) The expenses of the Authority
including the remuneration of
employees, allowances of the
members of the Board and other
administrative expenses of the
Authority shall be paid by the
Authority from the funds provided
for the Authority under this
section.
(3) Where the Authority has an
amount outstanding to its credit
after it has provided for
(a)
payment of salaries, allowances
and other administrative and
management expenditure;
(b)
programme implementation, services
and investment-
related expenditure;
(c)
depreciation of assets;
(d)
repayment of loans, interest; and
(e) contingency,
in a financial year, the Authority
shall invest in short and
long-term instruments for the
financial sustainability of the
Authority's current and future
operations.
Retention and utilisation of
internally generated funds
19. (1) Subject to the Ministries,
Departments and Agencies
(Retention of Funds) Act, 2007
(Act 735), the Authority is
authorised to retain moneys
realised in the performance of its
functions.
(2) The preparation and submission
of estimates and the reporting and
accounting of estimates are
subject to the Financial
Administration Act, 2003 (Act
654).
(3) The provisions of article 187
of the Constitution that relate to
the Auditor-General shall apply to
the moneys retained under this
Act.
(4) Internally generated funds
shall
(a)
only be utilised when the
activities on which the
expenditure will be incurred have
been programmed and approved in
the Authority's expenditure budget
by Parliament; and
(b)
not be used for the payment of
salaries, staff benefits and other
allowances except where the
allowances are directly related to
the provision of services that
will lead to increased revenue.
(5) The Authority shall only incur
expenditure funded by internally
generated funds for a particular
month if the records of collection
for the previous month, bank
lodgements and expenditure returns
for the previous month have been
submitted to the Ministry of
Finance.
Power to contract loans
20. (1) The Authority may obtain
loans and credit facilities which
the Authority requires for the
implementation of its programmes
and policies subject to Article
181 of the Constitution and
the-Loans Act, 1970 (Act 335).
(2) The Authority may with the
approval of the Minister of
Finance borrow, by way of
overdraft or otherwise, sums that
it may require to meet its current
obligations or to perform its
functions. 2010
(3) The Minister responsible for
Finance may provide a sovereign
guarantee to the Authority to
enable the Authority contract a
loan from local and external
financial institutions.
Investment activities and income
21. (1) The Authority may in
consultation with the Minister
responsible t()r Finance make
investments that the Board
considers necessary to attain the
objects of the Authority.
(2) Without limiting subsection
(1), the Authority may by way of
investment
(a)
issue and redeem bonds and other
securities to the public; (b)
purchase and hold shares,
stocks and other securities
through the Ghana Stock Exchange;
(c)
enter
into joint ventures, acquire
interests in public private
partnerships or represent the
Government of Ghana for the
purpose of executing an investment
project within the Northern
Savannah Ecological Zone; and
(d)
provide the necessary
infrastructural assistance to
enable the private sector make an
investment.
(3) Any returns on investments
made shall form part of the
income of the Authority.
Annual Budget of the Authority
22. (1) The Authority shall not
later than three months before the
end of each financial year, cause
to be prepared and submitted to
the Minister for the approval of
Parliament, an annual budget in
respect of the following financial
year comprising estimates of
expected income and expenditure in
that financial year.
(2) The Authority may before the
end of the financial year,
prepare and submit estimates
supplementary to the estimates for
the current financial year.
Exemption from taxes, duties' and
other charges
23.(1)
The Authority shall be exempted
from the payment of taxes.
(2) The Authority may be granted a
waiver or obtain a variation of
taxes, duties and other charges
that the Minister may determine
with the approval of Parliament.
(3) The buildings and other
tenements of the Authority shall
be exempted from the payment of
property and other rates levied by
a local authority.
Accounts and Audit
24. (1) The Board may open bank
accounts that the Board considers
necessary with the approval of the
Minister of Finance, except that a
bank account opened outside the
country shall be subject to
Article 183(2)(b) of the
Constitution.
(2) The Board shall keep books of
account and proper records in
relation to them in a form
approved by the Auditor-General.
(3) The Board shall submit the
accounts of the Authority to the
Auditor-General for audit within
three months after the end of the
financial year.
(4) The Auditor-General shall not
later than three months after the
receipt of the accounts, audit the
accounts and forward a copy of the
audit report to the Minister.
(5) The financial year of the
Authority shall be the same as the
financial year of the government.
Miscellaneous provisions
Inter-agency co-operation and
co-ordination in the Northern
Savannah
25. (1) The Authority may
co-operate with relevant
ministries, departments and
agencies of state in appropriate
matters and the ministries,
departments and agencies shall
co-operate fully with the
Authority for the purposes of
aiding and assisting the Authority
in its work.
(2) Ministries, departments and
agencies shall furnish the
Authority with records, papers,
data and information relating to
any matter fa!ling within the
scope and mandate of the Authority
on request.
(3) Subject to section 15, the
Authority shall not take
directions from a Ministry,
Department or Agency in the course
of co-operating with the Ministry,
Department or Agency.
Incentives for private sector
investment
26. (1) The Authority shall extend
and expand incentives for private
sector and other philanthropic
investments in the Northern
Savannah in co-operation with
other public agencies to promote
accelerated development and
protection measures.
Accounts and Audit
24. (1) The Board may open bank
accounts that the Board considers
necessary with the approval of the
Minister of Finance, except that a
bank account opened outside the
country shall be subject to
Article 183(2)(b) of the
Constitution.
(2) The Board shall keep books of
account and proper records in
relation to them in a form
approved by the Auditor-General.
(3) The Board shall submit the
accounts of the Authority to the
Auditor-General for audit within
three months after the end of the
financial year.
(4) The Auditor-General shall not
later than three months after the
receipt of the accounts, audit the
accounts and forward a copy of the
audit report to the Minister.
(5) The financial year of the
Authority shall be the same as the
financial year of the government.
Miscellaneous provisions
Inter-agency co-operation and
co-ordination in the Northern
Savannah
25. (1) The Authority may
co-operate with relevant
ministries, departments and
agencies of state in appropriate
matters and the ministries,
departments and agencies shall
co-operate fully with the
Authority for the purposes of
aiding and assisting the Authority
in its work.
(2) Ministries, departments and
agencies shall furnish the
Authority with records, papers,
data and information relating to
any matter fa!ling within the
scope and mandate of the Authority
on request.
(3) Subject to section 15, the
Authority shall not take
directions from a Ministry,
Department or Agency in the course
of co-operating with the Ministry,
Department or Agency.
Incentives for private sector
investment
26. (1) The Authority shall extend
and expand incentives for private
sector and other philanthropic
investments in the Northern
Savannah in co-operation with
other public agencies to promote
accelerated development and
protection measures.
(2) Without limiting subsection
(1), the Authority may apply to
the relevant agency for the grant
or extension of the following
incentives:
(a)
waiver or variation of duties and
other taxes on imports of inputs,
machinery and equipment by a
private sector company meant
exclusively for use in an
investment project within the
Northern Savannah Ecological Zone;
(b)
reduction or remission of
corporate taxes for firms and
companies investing in the
Northern Savannah Ecological Zone
under the policies and programmes
of the Authority; and
(c)
facilitate the acquisition of
loans by indigenous firms and
companies that locate or relocate
their operations in the Northern
Savannah Ecological Zone.
Public consultation and
notification
27. (1) The Authority shall hold
public consultations relating to
any major project that it plans to
implement anq may take into
account comments received from the
consultations in making its final
implementation decision.
(2) The Authority shall publish a
notice in the Gazette and
at least one national newspaper
containing the details of the
project and the Authority's
assessment of the social and
economic benefits of the project
before the Authority holds public
consultations.
Annual reports
28. (1) The Board shall within one
month after the receipt ofthe
audit report, submit an annual
report to the Minister covering
the activities and the operations
of the Authority for the year to
which the report relates.
(2) The annual report shall
include the report of the
AuditorGeneral.
(3) The Minister shall within one
month after the receipt of the
annual report, submit the report
to Parliament with a statement
that the Minister considers
necessary.
(4) The Board shall also submit to
the Ministry any other report
which the Minister may require in
writing.
(2) Without limiting subsection
(1), the Authority may apply to
the relevant agency for the grant
or extension of the following
incentives:
(a)
waiver or variation of duties and
other taxes on imports of inputs,
machinery and equipment by a
private sector company meant
exclusively for use in an
investment project within the
Northern Savannah Ecological Zone;
(b)
reduction or remission of
corporate taxes for firms and
companies investing in the
Northern Savannah Ecological Zone
under the policies and programmes
of the Authority; and
(c)
facilitate the acquisition of
loans by indigenous firms and
companies that locate or relocate
their operations in the Northern
Savannah Ecological Zone.
Public consultation and
notification
27. (1) The Authority shall hold
public consultations relating to
any major project that it plans to
implement anq may take into
account comments received from the
consultations in making its final
implementation decision.
(2) The Authority shall publish a
notice in the Gazette and
at least one national newspaper
containing the details of the
project and the Authority's
assessment of the social and
economic benefits of the project
before the Authority holds public
consultations.
Annual reports
28. (1) The Board shall within one
month after the receipt of the
audit report, submit an annual
report to the Minister covering
the activities and the operations
of the Authority for the year to
which the report relates.
(2) The annual report shall
include the report of the Auditor
General.
(3) The Minister shall within one
month after the receipt of the
annual report, submit the report
to Parliament with a statement
that the Minister considers
necessary.
(4) The Board shall also submit to
the Ministry any other report
which the Minister may require in
writing.
Offences and penalties
29.
A person who without lawful
justification or excuse
(a)
prevents or attempts to prevent by
force, intimidation, threat or in
any other manner, an employee or
authorised agent of the Authority
from performing the functions of
the Authority under this Act;
(b)
knowingly makes a false statement
to, or deliberately misleads or
attempts to mislead the Authority
or an employee or authorised agent
of the Authority;
(c)
induces or attempts to induce by
any means a member of the Board or
Committee of the Board, an
employee or authorised agent of
the Authority; or
(d)
discloses confidential information
obtained by or submitted to the
Authority in the course of the
performance of its functions,
commits an offence and is liable
on summary conviction to a fine of
not more than two hundred penalty
units or to a term of imprisonment
for not more than one year or to
both.
Regulations
30.
The Minister may, on the advice of
the Board, by legislative
instrument, make Regulations to
provide for
(a)
the revision of the Northern
Savannah development strategy,
(b)
the criteria for the allocation of
development priorities in the
Northern Savannah development
area,
(c)
the implementation arrangements
including institutional relations,
(d)
the disbursement of funds, and
(e)
any other matter necessary for the
effective implementation of the
provisions of this Act.
Interpretation
31.
In this Act, unless the context
otherwise requires "Board" means
the Board of the Authority;
"Chief Executive Officer" means
the person appointed under section
16;
"donors" include governmental and
non-governmental organisations
with development as their core
function;
"international organisation"
includes a non-profit and
charitable organisation which is
incorporated outside this country,
operated in many countries but is
registered in this country as an
international organisation or a
company limited by guarantee;
"Minister" means the Minister
designated by the President, as
the Minister of State responsible
for the Savannah Accelerated
Development Authority;
"National Development Planning
Commission" means the Commission
established under section I of the
National Development Planning
Commission Act 1994 (Act 479);
"non-governmental organisation"
means a civil society group or
non-profit body of persons formed
to pursue purposes that are lawful
and that are non-profit but
oriented towards public interest;
"northern Brong Ahafo" means the
districts contiguous to the N
crthern Region located north of
the Brong Ahafo Region; "Northern
Savannah" means the Northern
Savannah Ecological Zone;
"Northern Savannah Development
Strategy" means the longterm
policy to develop the Northern
Savannah Ecological Zone;
"Ncrthern Savannah Ecological
Zone" means the Upper West, Upper
East and Northern Regions and the
areas contiguous to these regions
as determined by the Authority;
"northern Volta Region" means the
districts contiguous to the
Northern Region located north of
the Volta Region; and "programmed
areas" means the Upper East, Upper
West, Northern, Brong Ahafo and
Volta Regions.
Repeal and savings
32. (1) The Northern Development
Fund Act, 2008 (Act 768) is hereby
repealed.
(2) Despite the repeal of Act 768,
any authorisation, notice, order,
direction, appointment or any
other act lawfully made or done
under the repealed enactment and
in force immediately before the
commencement of this Act shall be
considered to have been made or
done under this Act and shall
continue to have effect until
reviewed, cancelled or terminated.
(3) Despite the repeal of Act
768, the total sum of money
located in any bank before the
commencement of this Act which
constitutes money intended for the
Northern Development Fund is
hereby transferred to the
Authority.
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