Speaker asks MPs to be punctual to House

Mr Kwame Agbodza, Member of Parliament for Adaklu Constituency yesterday fumed over the delay in commencing parliamentary business on time at 10:00 am as directed by Speaker when the House accepted to extend sittings from Monday to Saturday, as measures to reduce the workload before adjournment.

The Member of Parliament said he was disturbed by the almost empty chamber 40 minutes after 10a.m. when business commenced, given the fact that the MPs had given their word that they were going to avail themselves on time.

Mr Agbodza accused the Majority side of the worse conduct of not adhering to the time directed by Speaker since most of their seats at the time remained empty.

“Mr Speaker, I know you are punctual and was here before 9:00 a.m. for Members to show up for business of the day,” he said.

His comments, however, did not go down well with the Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who felt that the Member of Parliament had taken unnecessary swipe on the Majority Members.

He said he was also in Parliament early but engaged in a conversation with the Minority Leader who he learnt was on a flight to Tamale to iron out issues with regards to Parliamentary business on the outbreak of COVID 19.

“The fact that you don’t see us in the Chamber does not mean that we have neglected our duties,” he reiterated.

The Speaker Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye in his ruling on the matter asked the MPs to be committed to the time given, to enhance and accelerate the work of Parliament.

BY LAWRENCE MARKWEI