News:
February 23, 2011
A section of the public has expressed their indignation at the lackadaisical attitude of some Members of Parliament towards their work as legislatures.
They are highly incensed by some MPs refusal to attach importance to their work by constantly absenting themselves from their duties in parliament without notifying the leadership of the House.
The “concerned” members of the public’s resentment stem from the poor attendance of parliamentarians to the House on Tuesday 22nd February 2011, which forced the Speaker of Parliament to adjourn sitting because the House could not form a quorum.
This follows a motion filed earlier by the MP for Takoradi, Kwabena Okyere Boakye-Mensah to stop proceedings.
A total of not more than 60 Parliamentarians had showed up for deliberations on the Floor. At least 77 MPs are needed for fruitful deliberations.
The Majority Leader, Cletus Avoka who tried to convince the Minority to rescind its decision and allow for the day’s agenda to proceed was not successful.
Some members of the public who spoke to ghanamps.gov.gh stated that they find it difficult to understand why MPs who are voted by their constituents to represent them in Parliament will continually stay away from parliament not because of official duties but to enable them prosecute their own agendas.
‘’ Some of these parliamentarians are taking Ghanaians for a ride, you don’t want to work but yet you want to be paid with the tax payers hard earned money’’ a student said.
“Even the Bible states clearly that whoever does not work should not eat, these MPs cannot demand for an increased pay when they laze about and don’t want to work’’ a teacher stated.
Another person said, “this is ample evidence why some of us are strongly against any pay rise for the MPs, you just don’t see what they do in parliament, they don’t contribute to discussions on the floor of parliament, not even at the Committee level’’.
Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh