The Minority Group’s absence from Parliament on Tuesday had a great impact on the day’s proceedings in the House.
Subsequently, the 2nd Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hon. Andrews Amoako Asaimah, who was in the chair. As at 11:45 had to suspend sitting for fifteen (15) minutes, which eventually ate into hours.
As at the time of suspension, about Nine (9) Members including the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu and Adjoa Safo MP for Dome- Kwabenya were present on the Majority side.
Meanwhile NPP MP for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Boamoah has appealed to the Minority to reconsider their stand and attend onto Parliament to satisfy their constituents who voted then to the House.
He argued further that the MP for Assin North, Hon. James Gyakye Quayson, whom the Minority solidarized with and followed to court, is ably represented by a crack of lawyers led by Tsatsu Tsikata Esq.
Hon Boamoah acknowledged the importance and impact of the Minority in Parliament during sittings. He indicated that their absence seriously had a negative impact of the House. That is why we are asking that the Minority should reconsider their decision and attend unto parliament.
As to the low attendance on the Majority side at the time of suspension of the House, Hon. Patrick Boamoah stated that he could not speak for others. He stated that on his part, he has always been punctual and regular.
This is the second time the Minority has boycotted Parliamentary Sitting to follow their beleaguered colleagues to court each time he is summoned there. The first was on July 5, to be followed by today’s July 11, 2023.
Readers may recall that the Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson had earlier threatened that the Group will always follow their beleaguered colleagues to court, whenever he is summoned there.
On resumption of sitting by 1:00pm, about 21 members of the Majority were in the House for sitting. All the same, the Minority stuck to their guns and never appeared in the chamber for business. House adjourned at 1:42pm with about 26 Majority MP’s in House.
By S.O. Ankamah