The Minority, according to the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, would be unfairly blamed for the alleged impeded government work in Parliament.
Absenteeism among MPs worsened this week, prompting the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, to charge the leadership of both Caucuses with acting properly in ensuring their members are present in Parliament for business activities.
Due to a lack of quorum, the House had to adjourn sittings on Thursday, July 20.
Both Caucuses accused each other of purposely obstructing parliamentary work.
Over the weekend, the Bekwai politician claimed on Joy FM’s current affairs show, News File, that the Majority members can form a quorum in the absence of the Minority, thus he would not blame the Minority for the inability to do business in the House.
“Assuming just for the purposes of argument that the Minority decides not to come to Parliament for the rest of the year, the Majority has sufficient numbers to do business in the house.”
“So, I will not blame the Minority for any failure to do business. I am saying that if there is a failure to do business, it is because Members of Parliament need 92 members to be present, and we need 138 members to take a decision. In each situation, the Majority has the numbers.”
The Minority has been boycotting parliamentary sittings in solidarity with Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson, who is facing criminal charges for forgery 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 fleeing Parliament to join Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team around the country.
