Parliament: NPP MP begs Minority Group to reconsider decision to Boycott proceedings

The Member of Parliament for the Okaikoi Central constituency and the vice chairman of the Finance Committee, Patrick Yaw Boamah, has appealed to the Minority Group in Parliament to reconsider their decision to boycott parliamentary business.

This comes after the NDC MPs for the second time abstained from participating in parliamentary business in solidarity with their colleague Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson who’s facing a criminal trial on charges of forgery, perjury and deceit of a public officer about the renunciation of his Canadian citizenship.

In a show of solidarity, the entire Minority caucus has resolved to always accompany Mr Quayson to court on his trial days.

Reacting to this development, Mr Boamah noted the absence of the Minority from the chamber saying it had negatively impacted the business of the house.

“The impact of the absence of the Minority in the chamber. We all know the contributions of the Minority when it comes to the business on the floor. It is a very important caucus in our parliamentary business. So any decision by the Minority not to take part actively in the business of the House, it will definitely affect proceedings.”

“It is a very unfortunate situation that we are going through. The Minority is exercising its right under the laws to go and solidarize with our colleague, Quayson who was sworn in a week ago. I want to entreat the Minority to reconsider their decision because Hon. Quayson is duly represented by very experienced lawyers who can fight his case for him.”

“It is very important that we also get measured with what we do with regard to our responsibilities as Members of Parliament. As duty demands of us, we ought to be in the chamber to represent the people who voted for us.”

“Yes, you can show solidarity but you should not forget about your responsibility as a Member of Parliament. It’s a right; it’s a caucus decision and a party decision, and I respect that. But I am entreating them. There ought to be a limit to what they do, especially when we have a business on the floor to partake in,” Patrick Boamah added.

Source: Newsalertgh