News:
March 30, 2020
Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye has said he feels petty for Members of Parliament who renege on coming to Parliament to pass a stimulus package for Ghanaians on Saturday.
He thanked members of the Majority side who were sitting on his right hand side who showed up in their numbers.
“We should be mindful of the fact that for very obvious reasons, the state is in an emergency and emergency measures including sacrifices are expected in such circumstances; some are laying down their lives so that others may live in hospitals and in homes. And throughout the World I pray that we would continue to show this kind of sense of patriotisms in the light of our present circumstances which is pleasing to all concern Ghanaians”.
Professor Oquaye further noted that if sacrifice is not shown to the nation now he does not know when again the House can die for the nation.
He noted that the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta has been ready to address the House on matters concerning financial implications and the present state of affairs but has to stop this for Monday, adding that sometimes we want to see him in the House to present papers and when he is ready to come to see to such matters which would bring about the appropriate response from MPs, it’s so petty for MPs to renege on such an occasion.
Another development is when MPs raise the issue of quorum, and stated that this does not give positive image about the House as it is obvious that the nation is standing at a moment of national emergency. It is a state of life and death and thanked the Majority side for showing up on Saturday morning, “we would continue at the service of our nation”.
Meanwhile, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu had indicated to the House two weeks ago that sitting on Saturdays are not part of their meeting days and in the wake of the coronavirus where MPs need to rest and boost their immune system he cannot guarantee that his side of the House would be coming to the House on Saturdays.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com