News:
February 29, 2020
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Majority Leader, Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has made it clear to members of the Parliamentary Press Corps that he does not owe them any apology.
He made the comment at a meeting between himself, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Kate Addo and members of the Press Corps on Thursday morning in Parliament.
At the meeting, the PPC demanded an apology from leadership of the House in the wake of the directives of the Speaker Professor Oquaye’s warning to strip off media accreditation of PPC members if they abandoned proceedings in the chamber again to cover press conference of individuals as was the case on Tuesday when Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah had issues to address relating to the energy sector, with his side giving indications they will not participate in the debate of SONA.
“I am surprised by the attitude of demanding apology from leadership of the House after I have taken pains to explain to you what had transpired in the House, for you to tell me you need an apology”.
He further pointed out that demanding an apology was going out of bound, “respectfully” and was same view held by the Minority Leader.
When a journalist demanded a meeting with the Speaker to register his protest, the Majority Leader indicated to him he cannot prevent him from doing that, “he can walk to the Speaker”.
“It pays to be a bit circumspect and choice of language wherever we are and whatever power we think we have, it should be exercised with a degree of circumspection”.
In addition he noted that if the President of Ghana has made the same directives as the Speaker did, the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) would not be demanding apology.
“Let us face it, the Speaker is the number three gentleman of the land, we should accord some courtesy to the Speaker”.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com