Story: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
Member of Parliament (MP) for Asawase Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed today, April 5, 2022, came face to face with the Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin on the floor of Parliament over the ruling given by the latter.
The MP for Asawase who also doubles as the Minority Chief Whip rose to challenge the decision by Speaker Bagbin to refer three New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs to the Privilege’s Committee of Parliament.
Mr. Bagbin during proceedings referred the NPP MPs after receiving a petition against them for absenting themselves from Parliament without permission for more than fifteen sittings.
The MPs are Mr. Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin North, Madam Sarah Adwoa Safo, MP for Dome-Kwabeyan, and Mr. Henry Quartey, MP for Ayawaso Central and the Greater Accra Regional Minister.
But, Mr. Muntaka contested the Speaker’s ruling, saying if the Speaker’s decision which is based on a petition received from some section of the public is allowed to stand, it will set a dangerous precedence that can be used by a “dictator Speaker” in future to hurt lawmakers.
“If we allow this to stand it will become precedent, tomorrow it may hurt all of us,” he said.
The Asawase Lawmaker’s call did not sit down well with the Speaker who was heard “shouting sit down, sit down, take your seat” as the MP stood his ground to make his voice heard despite the Speaker’s order.
But replying to Muntaka’s submission, the Speaker defended his decision saying “You don’t want Speaker to be a dictator but you are prepared to create room for Committees to be dictators. When the Committee decides then that is it”.
“The matter is before the House; it is not just before the Committee. I can’t come and sit here to declare any seat vacant without following a procedure.”
Rt. Hon Bagbin explained that the matter will be submitted to the House and the House will make a decision on its report.
“Privilege’s Committee, you are so directed, handle the matter, report back to the House,” Speaker Bagbin said.
This whole matter came up after a Former Kumbungu Member of Parliament, Ras Mubarak, petitioned the Speaker of Parliament to discipline these lawmakers for absenting themselves from Parliament without permission.
In his petition, he said “It has come to my notice through Parliament’s Hansard, and Newspaper and Radio report that some four Members of Parliament, namely Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo, MP for Dome-Kwabenya; Hon. Henry Quartey, MP for Ayawaso Central; Hon. Ebenezer Kojo Kum, MP for Ahanta West; and Hon. Ken Ohene Agyapong, MP for Assin Central has all absented themselves from Parliament for more than fifteen sittings of a meeting of Parliament without the permission of Mr. Speaker in writing.
“In view of this reported breach of the constitutional provision, I respectfully petition your high office to direct for their conduct to be referred to the Privileges Committee for consideration and necessary action.”
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