News:
July 11, 2018
Leader of Government Business in Parliament has expressed disappointment in the three Majority Members of Parliament who recused themselves from the Privileges Committee sitting.
According to the Majority Leader, the three MPs from the Central Region did not notify leadership of the decision to recuse themselves of the committee hearing against the Assin Central legislator Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.
They are, Cynthia Morrison, MP for Agona West; Naana Eyiah, MP for Gomoa Central and Samuel Nsowa-Djan, Upper Denkyira West who recused themselves because they felt the Assin Central legislator was their caucus chairman and to avoid being bias.
Mr Agyapong has been dragged before the Privileges Committee for describing the Legislature as” useless” and making disparaging remarks against the Majority Leader.
Mr Mensah Bonsu said although it is within the MPs’ right to recuse they ought “to have discussed the matter with the leadership of the caucus that they belong to, but that was not done.”
“The Committee ordinarily should have taken a decision on whether to accept their late request or not but they positioned themselves as if it is a fait accompli [they had no option], and that was a bit unfortunate,” he added.
He said the leadership accordingly after an extensive consultation nominated temporary members – MP for Adenta, Yaw Buaben Asamoa, Jaman South MP, Yaw Afful and Ablekuma North MP, Akua Owusu Afriyie – to replace them.
“This is to enable the Committee to have the muscle to go full throttle in conducting the business given them,” he said.
He clarified that the three temporary members are only sitting on the case at hand after which they will be taken off.
Commenting on the issue, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, said the move by the MPs undermine the work of the Committee.
“The Privileges Committee has become the disciplinary committee of the House, therefore, we should take its business more than we do,” he said.
By: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com