Accra, June 13, GNA - Dr Kwame Ampofo, NDC-South Dayi, on Tuesday urged the Ministry of Energy to pursue a more "comprehensive programme for the development of renewable energy sources, particularly biomass, solar and wind energy.

"In this respect, a special programme must be put in place for the development and promotion of bio-fuels... with the ultimate objective of reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels.

"Government should keep all technical options open. This should include the nuclear options for electricity production. In this respect, I call on the Government to initiate discussions and investigations on the feasibility and viability of nuclear power generation in Ghana," Dr Ampofo said in a statement on the floor of the House on the energy implications and challenges involved in the quest for the attainment of a middle income status for Ghana.

"In general, the economic expansion necessary to achieve higher standards of living for the ever-growing population is expected to lead to large increases in energy consumption," he said.

"Mr Speaker, in recent times and currently, the power sector has been characterized by rampant and even consistent power outages. "Mr Speaker, it is common knowledge that sitting in the august chamber of our national Parliament has on several occasions been interrupted by power outages, the latest experience being on Tuesday March 14, 2006, when the Committee of the Whole was sitting...." Dr Ampofo said.

Mr Mohammed Mubarak, NDC-Asawase, in his contributions, said Kumasi was currently experiencing diesel shortages.

Earlier, Mrs Frema Opare, Deputy Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment, in a statement, called on Ghanaians to rise up against exploitative child labour.

She said there was the need for attitudinal change to deal with the issue of child labour in the country. "I therefore call upon all key stakeholders including Members of Parliament to join the fight against child labour at the constituency and national levels."

Members, who contributed, were, however, divided over whether children helping their relatives on smallholder cocoa farms in Ghana could be described as victims of child labour as compared to their counterparts working on large cocoa plantations in Cote d'Ivoire. Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo, NPP-Akim Oda, said it was wrong for non-governmental organisations to label children working on cocoa farms in Ghana as victims of child labour since most did so during holidays as part of family responsibilities. Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, NDC-Lawra/Nadom, however, insisted that children on such cocoa farms in Ghana could be described victims of child labour. 13 June 06