Graphic headline was misleading -MP

Accra, Feb. 19, GNA- Mr. Gershon Gbediame, the NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkwanta on Thursday said the headline, "House fails to sit due to a member's absence", carried in the centre spread of the February 18, edition of the Daily Graphic was misleading and an embarrassment to him.

He said the absence of one MP could not hold back the business of Parliament since the house needed about one-third of members to form a quorum for the transaction of business.


Addressing members of the Parliamentary Press Corps at Parliament House, the MP said the headline gave the wrong impression that his absence from the floor of the chamber, when he was billed to ask a question was the reason the house could not transact business on February 17.


On Tuesday February 17, Parliament sat for only 20 minutes because of committee work and the only question for the day that stood in the name of Mr. Gediame could not be asked.


When business began Mr Gbediame was not present to ask his question which was directed at the Minister of Information, Nana Akomea. Although Alhaji Ali Amadu, NDC-Atebubu South rose to ask the question on behalf of the member, the Speaker, Mr. Peter Ala Adjetey ruled that he had on various occasions warned members to be present themselves to ask their questions.


According to Mr. Gediame, although he was not present in the house on that day business however went on until the house went into early adjournment to enable committees to work.

"It is a bit worrying that the report sought to create the impression that because of me the house could not sit....we are heading towards elections and people are looking for faults by incumbents", he told the press.


He said the only reason he could not be in Parliament on the day in question was because he was held up at the last minute to attend to matters bordering on security and chieftaincy disputes in his constituency. Mr. Felix Owusu-Adjapong, the Majority Leader said the work of MPs were enormous and involves and covered four major areas including constituency work, work on the floor of the house and the running for funding for projects.


He said MPs had to acquaint themselves with events in and outside Ghana and this naturally were some reasons for their being very busy people.


He said it was also common for the house to go into early adjournment to enable committees to sit, which was also equally important.