The Privileges Committee of Parliament has an even 15:15 NDC: NPP membership, plus 1st Deputy Speaker Joe Osei-Wusu as Chairman with a casting vote.
So like the Finance Committee Chairman Kweku Kwarteng breaking the tie with his casting vote to pass the 2022 Budget with the E-LEVY at the Committee level, which paved the way for it to come to the floor of Parliament;
It is expected that Joe Osei-Wusu having publicly expressed his views on Sarah Adwoa Safo’s absence from Parliament denying the NPP numbers to pass the E-LEVY;
If Joe Osei-Wusu is not compelled to recuse himself, he will as Chairman of the Privileges Committee ensure that Adwoa Safo is removed from Parliament while saving Kennedy Agyepong and Henry Quartey who had both absented themselves from Parliament without permission from the Speaker, only because they came to vote for the E-LEVY Bill…
It will be recalled that on the final day of voting for the E-LEVY, the numbers issue came to the fore…
Sarah Adwoa Safo was absent for the E-LEVY vote and there was no chance of an impersonation due to the acrimony among NPP folks and vigilance of Ghanaians…
Joseph Gyakye Quayson had been blocked from participating in the E-LEVY vote through the Courts…
Ebenezer Kojo Kum was allegedly in an ambulance within the precincts of Parliament but never voted for the E-LEVY because of the NDC walkout…
Kennedy Agyepong and Henry Quartey voted on the E-LEVY, though not eligible as they had vacated their seats due to their prolonged absenteeism without permission for more than fifteen days…
Ghanaians wait with baited breath for the Judiciary and Parliament to ensure Justice is served and seen to be manifestly done as the SUPREME COURT affirms its earlier decision on quorum for taking decisions such as the E-LEVY…
While the PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE of Parliament also ensure that absenteeism is punished in accordance with the Constitution to ensure attendance, representation and a QUORUM at all times to do the business for which Members of Parliament are elected and paid.
The indecent haste with which President Akufo-Addo signed the E-LEVY into LAW in the face of the high public opposition notwithstanding the pendency of court case filed by the Minority in Parliament challenging its constitutionality because, per an earlier Supreme Court ruling, there was no quorum when it was passed coupled with the fact that the Telcos were not ready for the 1st May start date may just trigger the Civil Unrest…
GOD BLESS OUR HOMELAND GHANA.
By Prince Derek Adjei