News:
December 14, 2010
National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Juaboso, Sampson Ahi has taken a swipe at the majority caucus in Parliament, particularly the leadeership, accusing them of not taking Government business seriously.
Parliament on Monday December 13 had to adjourn its business again as many committee reports scheduled to be read were not ready.
On Friday December 10, a frustrated First Deputy Speaker Doe Adjaho had to adjourn sitting abruptly when it was noticed that the Finance Minister and his two Deputies were absent to provide clarity on some discrepancies in the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
However on Monday, it was not the absence of the Finance Minister that stalled business, but rather the inability of the House to form a quorum that prevented motions from being put to vote.
It also came up that several committee reports were not ready and that some key individuals were absent.
The situation forced NPP Member of Parliament for Sekondi Paapa Owusu Ankomah, to call on President Mills to crack the whip on his appointees to take Government business more seriously.
“I believe that when we are dealing with such an important government business, it is important that members of the majority party in Parliament and even Ministers should exhibit some diligence. On many occasions you come and realise that even Government’s business doesn’t seem to have gone through the necessary preparatory work before coming onto the floor of the House.
This does not convey good impression so it is important that the President puts his eye on the ball because Governance is serious business and those in charge of it should be seen to be serious about it” he said.
“I think it also has to do with the seeming lack of direction from the centre. You have to get someone from the centre who is overseeing these things” he said.
But the NDC MP for Juaboso, Sampson Ahi told Citi News though the President cannot be expected to organise Parliament, same cannot be said of the Leadership of the House.
“I agree with what Papa Owusu Ankomah said with regards to the fact that some MPs are not serious. As parliamentarians, we are supposed to come to Parliament everyday at the right time to transact Government business on the floor but it seems these days most members particularly from the Majority side just refuse to come to Parliament. I think they are not taking Government business seriously and what is happening points to that fact” he said.
Hon Sampson Ahi was however against Papa Owusu Ankomah’s call on President Mills to crack the whip on his appointees.
According to him, the president’s intervention will not be necessary since the Legislature is devoid of executive influence.
He debunked the suggestion that President Mills has been dormant in dealing with such issues, saying the Leadership of parliament is mandated with such oversight responsibilities.
Source: citifm