The Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho, has complained about what he calls the poor attendance of Members of Parliament, few days after members resumed from recess.
According to the speaker, MPs do not attend sittings early enough, a situation which he says is affecting the work of the House.
He added that, should the negative trend continue, the House may be unable to complete its work before they break for the December 7 polls.
He made the observation at Parliament on Thursday.
Mr. Adjaho complained that the attendance “in the morning of yesterday [Wednesday], and this morning [Thursday], is not the best. Some of us we come very early waiting to get people into the chamber so from next week, we have to start at exactly at 10:00am and let’s see what we can do; then we can break for the elections.”
Deputy Majority Leader, Alfred Agbesi, who sided with the Speaker’s complaints promised to ensure that members arrive early to participate in the proceedings of the House.
On his part, the Minority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensa Bonsu, called for more diligence from MPs.
“…Even today, if one wants to be very technical, one would realize that, we don’t even have the number to begin the transaction of business…today at the commencement of public business, we don’t even have as many as 50 members here. So if we may have to sit for two or three weeks, let us show greater diligence than we have done, and to carry the House with us, otherwise if anybody decides to take us on, I think the House may be brought to shame. So let’s see what we can do; but let’s have the sufficient numbers to help us transact business,” he added.
Huge bills to be passed
Members of Parliament resumed sitting on Tuesday, October 11, after two months of recess.
A statement signed by Kate Addo, Deputy Director, Public Affairs of Parliament, said “there are Nine (9) instruments to be presented at this meeting, three (3) instruments at the Committee Level and thirty two (32) Papers to be presented.”
“Ten (10) Motions have been tabled for Debate and one hundred (100) other referrals of Bills at the Committee. There will be notice of questions to be answered by various sector ministers,” the statement added.
December polls looming
Members of Parliament seeking another 4-year term in Parliament, only have barely two months to campaign ahead of the December 7 polls.
Some of them have either launched their campaign or in the process of launching same.
Some political observers believe that, the business of Parliament is likely to be affected because most of the MPs would prefer spending time with their constituents in times like these, than to be in the House.
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By: Godwin A. Allotey & Franklin Badu Jnr/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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