May 24, 2021

Leader of Government Business, Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has warned that Parliament should not be put in the armpit of one political party.

His warning follows the appointment of the General Secretary of the Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia as member of the Parliamentary Service Board, and creation of an office for Kofi Attoh as well as Magnus Kofi Amoatey.

He indicated that he disagrees with the appointment made by the Speaker, but that is his choice, and he cannot eternally litigate it.

He said he raised the issue with Mr. Speaker, telling him, he disagrees with what he wants to do, “but if he still wants to do that fine, but at least I have registered my point and let nobody complain tomorrow if another thing happens; we should be truthful and honest with ourselves as a nation regardless of where we belong to”.

In an interview as to why he said the Speaker Bagbin has turned Parliament into an NDC enclave, he noted that it has to do with the officials of the NDC mentioned above and even at the inauguration of the board, the speaker justified what he did, saying that Hackman Owusu Agyeman was chairman of the council of elders of the NPP but was on the board.

This impression the Leader of Government Business corrected pointing out that Hackman was not taken on board because he was a chairman of the NPP Council of Elders, he was appointed and later assumed the chairmanship of council of elders because there was a death of the former Chairman C. K. Terderm.

He again pointed out that he did not have an issue with the former Daboya/Mankarigu MP, Mahama Shaibu being brought on board, he had worked with him in the 7th Parliament and was always working with him on bills.

“The system would not continue forever, so tomorrow if there is a new Speaker from NPP and he brings in a National Chairman and General Secretary, what would you say?”

Again, he noted that the immediate past speaker brought in the two deputy speakers to be part of the board and not members so that in their dealings they would not take decisions or make pronouncements that is not in line with the board when the speaker is not around.

“Under the fourth Republic the Parliamentary Service Board has always had a female, this board does not have a female, after my discussion with the Speaker, he came back to me that he has challenges, I think he was under pressure and brought Aseidu Nketia”.

He asked at what point do they bring in a lady to the board? Saying they have brought in Abraham Osei Aido, the former Majority Leader which the speaker agreed with him as a perfect hand with experience. “Speaker then coopted one lady, a draft person madam Estell Appiah, but frankly speaking she is not a member of the board so the board is not female friendly”, he added.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com