Parliament saw one of the most dignified atmospheres for SONA - Majority Leader on minority boycott

Despite the rather sour turnout of events moments before President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo addressed the nation, the Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, holds that parliament saw one of the most dignified atmospheres yet.

According to him, the minority walkout only offered them the opportunity to rather coordinate the process in a decorous manner.

The majority members who proceeded to take over the seats of their opponents chanted the usual “yeeyee” in instances where the president’s statement resonated with their ideals.

While responding to the president after his address, the majority leader said “…This House today has seen one of the most dignified atmospheres for the delivery of State of Nation Address…”

The members of the minority side earlier expressed frustration about the delay of their share of the Common Fund for the third quarter of 2019, as they say it is delaying the execution of projects in their constituencies.

The opposition National Democratic Congress MPs last week resolved to boycott the State of the Nation Address (SONA).

For the Minority in Parliament, the delay is a deliberate attempt to deprive them of working effectively and consequently competing fairly with their opponents, especially when the general election is some months away.

This year’s State of the Nation Address is Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s fourth and last in his first term as president of the republic.

His address is in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.

The address is to update Ghanaians on the government’s progress and outline plans for the next financial year.

The president’s speech covered, in broad terms, areas such as the economy, education, health, security and infrastructure.