Former Speaker of Parliament inciting Minority's riot - Kyei-Mensah Bonsu

Majority Leader, Osei kyei-Mensah Bonsu has alleged that the minority is being controlled and acts under influence of former speaker, Doe Adjaho.

Kyei Mensah noted that Doe Adjaho who presided over the sixth Parliament still wants to maintain hold of affairs of the House.

His revelation follows attempts by the minority to stage a walkout on Thursday over worries that the speaker wasn't giving them room to operate as minority.

The minority after their Chief Whip addressed the speaker in an unparliamentary manner proceeded to boycott proceedings in the House in protest of the speaker's decisions.

The Majority Leader disclosed that the Former Speaker tried to push the minority to kick against allowing Journalists into the main Chamber to witness the appearance of the EC Chair and deputy, before the House.

“…the man (Doe Adjaho) is behind the scenes and still wants to control parliament. Yesterday he even called them (minority) and was telling them that, when we were meeting the Electoral Commission they should not agree for the press to be present"

“That man thinks he is still in control,” he wondered



Agriculture Minister's appearance

Dr. Afriyie Akoto was called to answer question filed by Asunafo South MP, Eric Opoku on the status, expenditure and participation of the Planting for Food and Jobs.

The Minister remarked that the project has seen a smooth implementation so far but have faced some challenges especially the army worm invasion.

He, however, disclosed that the impact of the invasion is not as dire as it has been reported.

He noted that out of the total hectares of farmlands that were affected, a minute percentage had been completely destroyed by the invasion.

“The total hectares affected by the army worm came to 112,812 hectares. That is what was affected. There is a difference between affected and destroyed and this is where a lot of people were confused. The total number destroyed was only 14,430 hectares. It is not even up to 2% of the total area under maize alone never mind the total area under all crops in Ghana, so there is a huge exaggeration of the total impact of the army worm invasion” he observed



Minority accusations

Minority's threat to walk out follows the Speaker's alleged bias in conducting the business of the house.

This follows the Speakers refusal to allow the Minority leadership have a double round of questioning.

Minority leader was prevented from asking substantive questions after the Speaker insisted that the Minority Chief Whips submission represents that of the whole minority leadership.

Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu appeared infuriated about the turn of events and accused the Speaker of bias.

Haruna Iddrisu said, "you know the essence of parliamentary questions is significant and integral to the exercise of oversight. Your refusal to allow me even as Minority Leader to proceed can only be an effort to cripple us.

"We respect you as chair of this house; we have a responsibility as leaders to support you in maintaining order in this house…" Minority leader added.

The Speaker, who wasn't moved by the Minority's reaction remarked “I have consistently made it clear to both sides of the House – Majority and Minority, that no one will be allowed a double bite as I said on many occasions to both the Minority and the Majority. In all honesty, you all know that.

“Let me make it clear that this argument was most unnecessary and that in future what is going to happen is no leader shall have a double bite at the chamber,” Prof Oquaye added.