Minority wants immediate debate on President's address

The Minority in Parliament Thursday called for an immediate debate on President John Agyekum Kufuor's sessional address delivered in Parliament.

"The debate must start now, now!" they shouted before the House adjourned to Friday.

Mr Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader, made the call while seconding a motion by Mr J.H. Mensah, Majority Leader, that the House adjourn just after the president had taken leave of the House.

The Speaker, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, asked the Majority Leader what their position was, based on the demand of the Minority.

Mr Mensah answered: "When President Rawlings gave his address, we of the Minority had always asked for an immediate debate. But in this case, we know the contents. They don't. We shall make copies for them to study before the debate starts".

This drew prolonged laughter as the House adjourned to Friday. Mr Bagbin, in an interview with the GNA, said the address did not touch on specific targets that must be achieved within a given time frame towards which the country must work.

He said previous addresses touched on specific targets and even if they were not achieved, efforts were directed towards their achievement.

Mr Bagbin said that the address, instead of strengthening existing structures that will make democracy work, rather talked about setting up a reconciliation committee, which gives "the indication of one stop measure".

Mr Kosi Kedem (NDC Hohoe South) described the address as sketchy, adding: "vital issues like roads, water and other development projects were conspicuously missing.

"I can forgive him. He is new and I believe that with time he will improve."

Mr Isaac Adjei-Mensah, Deputy Minority Leader, said he was surprised that the address failed to capture projects like the Korle Lagoon Ecological Restoration and the Keta Sea Defence Projects.

He said even now that Accra is experiencing water shortage, the address was mute on Water Projects.

"Even more there was no mention of Housing Projects as if Ghanaians don't have accommodation problems."