August 2, 2017

Member of Parliament for Tamale South and Minority Leader, HarunaIddrisu has stated that the Speaker of Parliament Prof Aaron Michael Oquaye has made a very sad history in the 25 year reign of Ghana’s 4th parliamentary democratic practice by referring a motion to a committee.

According to him, never has it happened that a motion moved and seconded was referred to a committee of Parliament without being debated by Members.

The Minority Leader raised this concern is protest of an urgent motion moved by Member for Adansi Asokwa, Kobina Tahiru Hamond seeking the current 7th Parliament to rescind a decision taken by the 6th Parliament to approve the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer Agreement between the Government of Ghana and Africa and Middle East Resources Investment Group LIc (Ameri Energy) for the installation of ten (10) GE.

These comprise TM2, 500+ aero derivative gas turbines, operate, maintain, transfer and provision of support services that Parliament took on March, 20 2015 for reasons of gross misrepresentation.

Haruna Iddrisu explained the Standing Orders of Parliament does not support the action taken by Mr KT Hamond quoted Order 93 (3) to support his claim.

Order 93 (3) of the Standing Orders provides that; “It shall be out of order to attempt to reconsider any specific question upon which the House has come to a conclusion during a current session except upon a substantive motion for recession’’.

He cautioned that the current Parliament should not veer into the realm of the judiciary because it is not a party to the contract.

The Minority leader said it is only the court that can give a determination on the case hence the need for Mr. KT Hamond to seek redress in the courts.

By Christian Kpesese/ ghanamps.com