The Minority in Parliament boycotted proceedings on July 17 after what they say is an inconsiderate pressure from the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, to have the Akwatia seat declared vacant, following the death of the MP, Ernest Kumi.
This happened after the Majority Leader made an urgent statement on the death of the MP and sought guidance from the Speaker on when the seat of the late MP will be declared vacant nearly two weeks after his passing.
Mr Ayariga made reference to a visit by the leadership of Parliament to the late MP’s family.
He stated that the death of the MP was confirmed during that visit.
“Whenever a vacancy occurs in Parliament, the Clerk of Parliament shall notify the Electoral Commission in writing within seven days after becoming aware. Mr. Speaker, if Ghanaians ask the Clerk if he is aware or not, can he say he is not aware?
“After being informed by the Leader of the Caucus through a statement in this House, the Clerk himself followed up at his house and met the family members of the deceased, and they confirmed to him that the deceased had passed. And this was on national television,” He recalled.
However, Speaker Bagbin insisted that Parliament can only act by notifying the Electoral Commission if a formal communication is received from the deceased’s family.
“In writing to the Electoral Commission about vacancy caused by death of an MP, the Clerk needs more than a visit to the family,” Bagbin explained.
The Minority declared their disapproval of the Majority Leader’s posturing and described it as insensitive.
The Leader of the Minority, Alex Afenyo-Markin clarified that, “I did not make a ceremonial speech about the death of Ernest Kumi. Let’s be sensitive about the situation and not create a wrong impression,” he urged.
Mr Afenyo-Markin subsequently announced to the House that, ” Mr Speaker, we are staying away from the proceedings of the House.”
After which he bowed and left the chamber.
They subsequently held a press conference to register their protest.
