Ayariga's 'coup' in Parliament fails

Member of Parliament for Bawku Central on Friday launched what turned out to be an abortive crusade to block two questions admitted by the Speaker from two Minority lawmakers.

The NPP’s Patrick Boamah of the Okaikoi Central Constituency wanted to ask “the Minister for Roads and Highways what measures the Ministry is putting in place to prevent accidents and also ensure adequate pedestrian safety on the George Walker Bush Highway.”

Kennedy Nyarko Osei of the Akim Swedru Constituency, on his part, wanted to find out from the same Minister the plans the Ministry had to construct the Akim Swedru Road.

Apparently drawing inspiration from the Minority’s boycott of the vetting of President John Mahama’s nominees for ministerial appointments, Mahama Ayariga had applied to the Speaker to cause the House to scrap off the two questions programmed for next week.

He made the application after two Majority MPs, Mutala Mohamed of Nantong and Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa of North Tongu had both asked for the guidance of the Speaker on whether or not Minority MPs should be allowed to ask questions after the NPP had boycotted their vetting.

It all started when the Majority Leader, Ben Kunbuor read out to MPs proposed business statement for next week.

But, the Speaker ruled the Bawku Central MP out of order, paving way for the two questions to stand.

After proceedings, some Minority MPs called Ayariga's failed bid "a dangerous abortive coup" which was seeking to obstruct the two MPs from effectively representing their constituents.