The Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza, is questioning the need for the Majority caucus’s petition to the Speaker to reconvene Parliament.
According to him, if the Majority’s intention is for the House to get the newly elected Member of Parliament for Ejisu sworn in, it does not require the urgency they have attached to the reconvergence.
He has asked the Majority not to assume good things for themselves only, citing the incidents where they orchestrated the removal of Assin North Member of Parliament, James Gyakye Quayson, from the House for the constituency to be deprived a representative over a period.
In an exclusive with TV3’s parliamentary correspondent, Komla Klutse, Friday, May 02, 2024, Mr. Abgodza reminded the Majority that if their rush is to get Kwabena Boateng sworn in, they should forget that the people of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi and Likpe (SALL), have had no representative since the constitution of the 8th Parliament.
“If it’s about getting the Ejisu MP-elect sworn in, what’s the urgency about that? What about people of SALL who have been denied representation for almost 4 years? What about the politically motivated judgement against Hon. Quayson which removed him from Parliament earlier? Our opponents think good things must only happen to them,” the Adaklu Member of Parliament said.
Regarding the approval of loan stated in the petition as part of the reasons for the recall, Mr. Agbodza noted that “I’m not aware of any urgent business. Is it a $150m loan? We borrowed billions and wasted it.”
Invoking Order 53 to recall Parliament in good faith – Afenyo Markin
The Majority Caucus in Parliament has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, to reconvene the House to consider some urgent businesses.
A letter signed by the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, citing Article 112(3) and Order 53 of the Standing Orders of Parliament said 15 per cent of the members of the House can request the recall of parliament.
Among the key business items the Majority is seeking to be addressed includes the adoption of the Thirty-Fourth Report of the Appointments Committee and a motion on additional financing.
In the petition, the Majority indicated that the “Additional Financing Agreement between GoG and the IDA for an amount of US$150 million to finance the ongoing Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project” and also a “Request for Tax Exemption for selected beneficiaries under the 1D1F Programme,” are part of the matters to be considered.
According to the Majority, “it is important to state that this request is being brought in good faith to enable Government to discharge its constitutional and democratic obligations to the people of Ghana.”
Parliament adjourned on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin is expected to summon Parliament within seven days following the petition.
Meanwhile, the Majority Leader is expected to address the press on the matter later Friday.
