Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament
Members of the Majority Caucus in Parliament are becoming increasing worried about what they say is the Speaker’s ‘frequent absence’ from the House, especially when critical decisions are due to be taken.
Speaker Alban Sumana Bagbin has informed the House of his intention to travel outside the country for another medical review.
Prior to Parliament’s resumption on Tuesday, Speaker Bagbin took a medical trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and returned on January 23. Barely a week after Parliament resumed from recess, the Speaker is due to travel for another check-up.
Worrying
Meanwhile, the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has described the Speaker’s ‘frequent absence’ as “worrying”, especially with his upcoming travel coming at a time the Electronic Transaction Levy Bill (E-levy) is expected to be re-submitted to the House for discussion next week,
“It is worrying; I mean, I can’t pretend about it,” the Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP lamented yesterday when he interacted with the press.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh believes the current arrangement should be reviewed for a more productive alternative that will benefit the country and the legislative arm of government.
“His health is important. And I think we as a people should put our heads together or the leaders should find a way of helping the Speaker find a solution to this because it is becoming one too many.
“I mean he is the Speaker, and he has taken ill and he needs treatment. Is it the case that we can’t get an equally good medical team to have this treatment done here? he wondered, especially against the background of the nature of the current Parliament.
The Majority Chief Whip said due to the Speaker’s possible absence next week, the leadership of the Majority Caucus were holding an extensive backdoor engagement with the Minority Caucus on the E-levy Bill in order to avert any future fisticuffs.
“We are guided that there is a possibility that he will not be available, so it is something that we are conscious of and we are taking due measures in regards to that. We anticipate to navigate our way through properly because of what happened. We don’t want a repeat. So, it is something that we have taken a good cue from,” he said.
Caution
While opening the first sitting of the First Meeting of the Second Session of Parliament, Speaker Bagbin cautioned against a repetition of the “violent nasty scenes” that were recorded in Parliament last year.
“The lessons of the first session have been learnt by us all, and we should all pledge not to see, particularly, a repeat of those violent nasty scenes as well as defend and uphold the image of Parliament,” Mr Bagbin stated in his opening remarks.
He said, considering the current nature of the House, there is the need for Ghanaians to be more tolerant to what happens in Parliament, and appreciate the essence of that decision.
“Hon. Members, beloved Ghanaians, the results of the 2020 elections brought a new order of political engagement. In effect, the character and norms of the power game changed, especially, in Parliament.
“Hon Members, the product of a hung Parliament marks a clear departure from the mantle ‘let the minority have its say, and the majority its way’,” he noted.
About The Author
