The Member of Parliament (MP) for Akim Oda, Mr. Alexander Akwasi Acquah says
the MPs did not take a bold step to report absentee MPs to the Privileges
Committee because they felt the absentee they (MPs) might have had genuine
reasons that took them away from parliament.
Former Kumbungu lawmaker, Ras Mubarak petitioned the Speaker to discipline
these lawmakers for absenting themselves from Parliament without permission.
In his petition, he said “It has come to my notice through parliament’s
Hansard, and newspaper and radio report that some four Members of Parliament,
namely Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo, MP for Dome-Kwabenya; Hon. Henry Quartey, MP for
Ayawaso Central; Hon. Ebenezer Kojo Kum, MP for Ahanta West; and Hon. Ken Ohene
Agyapong, MP for Assin Central have all absented themselves from Parliament for
more than fifteen sittings of a meeting of Parliament without the permission of
Mr. Speaker in writing.
“In view of this reported breach of the constitutional provision, I
respectfully petition your high office to direct for their conduct to be
referred to the Privileges Committee for consideration and necessary action.”
The Speaker then referred Adwoa Safo, Kennedy Agyapong, and Henry Quartey to
the Privileges Committee as stated by Ras Mubarak.
In the speaker’s ruling, he quoted article 75 (2) of the constitution
detailing the absenteeism of members of parliament.
But Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak forcefully resisted the speaker’s
ruling on referring the three MPs to the Privileges Committee.
Read Also: Muntaka fights Speaker over referral of 3 MPs to Privileges Committee
Speaking on Atinka TV‘s
morning show, Ghana Nie with Ekourba Gyasi, Mr. Akwasi Acquah said the punctual
MPs did not report the absentee MPs knowing how Parliament operates.
This was when the host asked them why they
did not report the matter to the Speaker officially but waited for an outsider
to do so.
“We all know MPs that started the work
and we know how the work is. If someone has not reported in parliament, maybe
he or she was unable to tell us through the right channel and you will realize
it was not intentional. Maybe something was stopping the person from coming to parliament.
Aside from that, we all do understand ourselves and we know how the work is.
This issue has come up because of the numbers in parliament,” he said.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
