Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who is also the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, has charged people, especially members of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) to disabuse their minds off the claim that he was in bed with the immediate past Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu.
“After all, we are not gays!” he proclaimed, attracting laughter from the PPC members. This was during an encounter with members of the PPC by leadership of Parliament last Wednesday, February 8, 2023.
According to the Majority Leader, he had such a harmonious relationship with the outgone Minority Leader, to such an extent that people felt they were in bed.
He indicated that over the past 6years they had been in this harmonious relationship to promote democracy and also go ahead with government business.
He stated that such had been the relationship between him and Haruna’s predecessors including the current speaker, when he was the minority Leader.
Hon. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu told the press that this year’s first Meeting will be short and therefore loaded. He indicated that the State of the Nation’s Address by the President should have come on in January. However, because Parliament resumed in February, it has got to take place in February, Besides, there are a number of bills to be considered; but in the face of all these, the House has only 8 weeks at its disposal and would not be travelling beyond April, 30.
Touching on the change in the leadership of the Minority, the Majority Leader pointed out that this is affecting cohesion and cohesiveness in the business of the House. Nevertheless, he hopes for same harmonious relationship with the new Leadership.
He was however, quick to urge members of the PPC to endeavour to be objective in their reportage, by cutting out their own prejudices. He observed that some of their reports appeared as if they were reporting from somewhere outside Parliament. He charged journalists to bring out informed reports so as to enable their readers and listeners make their own informed decisions.
The new Minority Leader, Hon Cassiel Ato Forson pledged to work hand-in-hand with the PPC, as used to be the case.
By S. O. Ankamah