News:
April 9, 2022
Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has given an indication that he has difficulties accepting the legal and constitutional justification given by the Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin for referring three of his colleagues to the privileges Committee for their absence in the House without permission.
According to him he stands on Article 97 (1) of the 1992 constitution, Tenure of Office of Members: “A member of Parliament shall vacate his seat in Parliament. (a) upon a dissolution of Parliament; or (b) if he is elected as Speaker of Parliament; or (c) if he is absent, without the permission in writing of the Speaker and he is unable to offer a reasonable explanation to the Parliamentary Committee on Privileges from fifteen sittings of a meeting of Parliament during any period that Parliament has been summoned to meet and continues to meet; or (d) if he is expelled from Parliament after having been found guilty of contempt of Parliament by a committee of Parliament; or (e) if any circumstances arise such that, if he were not a member of Parliament, would cause him to be disqualified or ineligible for election, under article 94 of this Constitution; or (f) if he resigns from office as a member of Parliament by writing under his hand addressed to the Speaker; or (g) if he leaves the party of which he was a member at the time of his election to Parliament to join another party or seeks to remain in Parliament as an independent member; or (h) if he was elected a member of Parliament as an independent candidate and joins a political party”
Mr. Iddrisu pointed out to the Speaker that they have difficulties with what he has done and they would do what is appropriate within the same constitution and Standing Orders to challenge his decision of taking petition from civil society and referring his colleagues to the privileges Committee.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com