The minority leader and Honorable Member of Parliament (MP) for the Tamale South Constituency, Haruna Iddrisu, has told the majority side of the House to get serious with the business of parliament. He said it is important that they avail themselves in the House to discuss serious issues of the state.
In a press statement released today and copied ghananewsonline.com.gh, Haruna Iddrisu – the minority leader expressed worry over the attitude of members of the majority side in parliament whose absence in the House caused the Speaker Mike Ocquaye to suspend Sitting for a while.
The House was programmed to continue the debate on the 2020 Budget statement and Economic Policy of the Government today.
According to Haruna Iddrisu “the Budget debates are a crucial Parliamentary function and the lack of interest of the Majority side of the House is disturbing”.
Below is the full statement:
The Leadership of the Minority notes with grave concern the happening in Parliament today 19th November 2019 at the commencement of sitting.
The NPP Members of Parliament in the majority side of the House were absent at the commencement of the day’s business prompting the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament to suspend the sitting of the House for an hour.
The House currently stands suspended as Leadership has gone into conclave on the matter.
It is worrying as the core business for Parliament this week is to deliberate on the Financial Policy of Government for 2020 as presented by the Finance Minister last Wednesday.
The Budget debates are a crucial Parliamentary function and the lack of interest of the Majority side of the House is disturbing.
The core mandate of oversight and scrutiny of appropriations is at the heart of Parliament and we would guard this role jealousy.
The Minority is committed to its role in protecting our democracy and maintaining a high level of dedication to our Parliamentary work. We urge the Majority side to take government serious and commit themselves to the mandate for which they have been elected.
The people of Ghana deserve better.
Signed
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, MP
(Minority Leader)