The Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has cautioned the Majority Caucus to take parliamentary business seriously after it failed to marshal enough members during sitting on Thursday, February 5.
He warned that the Minority would no longer “treat the Majority with kid’s gloves” if the situation persisted.Raising the issue on the floor of Parliament, Mr Annoh-Dompreh said the Minority had deliberately refrained from invoking provisions of Standing Order 64 and Article 102 of the Constitution, despite having the numbers present in the Chamber.
He noted that by 1:30pm, most Minority Members were seated, while the Majority front bench was largely empty, with only the Member for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam, Cassiel Ato Forson—sorry actually Adongo—present at the time.
He described the Majority’s conduct as “pathetic” and questioned its commitment to the mandate given by Ghanaians.
According to him, the governing side, which enjoys a “whooping majority of 189 Members”, could not afford to be absent during sittings.
He stressed that the Speaker of Parliament was experienced enough in procedure and did not need to be prompted to apply the rules when the House was improperly constituted.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh further stated that although the Minority was willing to withdraw its application in the interest of stability, the public was closely watching Parliament’s conduct.
He criticised the Majority for attending sittings at will and leaving the Chamber empty even when critical business was scheduled, asking what such behaviour said to the Ghanaian people who had entrusted them with power.
Issuing what he described as “free counsel”, the Minority Chief Whip urged the Majority to properly marshal its numbers going forward.
He warned that the Minority would no longer be lenient, insisting that the Majority must live up to its claim of a supermajority by ensuring attendance.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh also questioned whether internal political ambitions, including presidential considerations, were affecting attendance, adding that such distractions should not undermine parliamentary responsibility.