First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu has said that blaming the Minority for allegedly impeded government work in Parliament is unjust.
MP absenteeism increased last week, prompting the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, to charge the leadership of both Caucuses with acting properly to ensure their members are present in Parliament for business operations.
The House had to adjourn sittings on Thursday, July 20, due to a lack of quorum.
Both Caucuses accused each other of obstructing parliamentary activity on purpose.
Speaking on Accra-based radio Joy FM the Bekwai politician stated that the Majority members can create a quorum in the absence of the Minority, thus he would not blame the Minority for the inability to conduct business in the House.
“Assuming, for the sake of argument, that the Minority does not return to Parliament for the remainder of the year, the Majority has sufficient numbers to conduct business in the House.”
“As a result, I will not hold the Minority responsible for any failure to conduct business.” If there is a failure to do business, it is because Members of Parliament require 92 members to be present, and we require 138.”
The Minority has been boycotting parliamentary sittings in solidarity with Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson, who is facing criminal charges of fraud and perjury.
The Minority’s actions, according to the Speaker of Parliament, constitute a violation of the House’s Standing Orders.
The Minority members of the House also accuse the Majority members of abandoning Parliament to join Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team around the country.
