Speaker Lashes MPs - Over Lateness Poor Attendance

The Spreaker of Parliament, Mr Peter Ala Adhetry, has expressed dissatisfaction with the poor attendance and the late start of proceedings in the House in recent times.

Mr Peter Ala Adjetey particularly chastised the Majority whose numbers have been dwindling at sittings of late and asked the two whips to be up and doing to enable the House to start business at the scheduled time of 10am.

Yesterday's sitting began at 11.40am. Not satisfied with the time proceedings started, Mr Ala Adjetey, immediately after reading the prayers, expressed his sentiments before asking members to go ahead with the correction of the Votes and Proceedings of the Previous day's sitting. He also called on the Whips to prevail upon ministers especially those who are Members of Parliament to be regular in the House.

The Speaker's comments drew apologies from both sides who explained that it was not the intention of members to start sittings late but that other commitments contributed to the late start. The Deputy Mahority Leader, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, explained that the situation has come about because the Majority finds itself in a peculiar situation. He said being a new government they have a lot of things to tackle. He said the budget and other meetings have been the bane of ministers to attend sittings regularly.

Papa Owusu-Ankomah further said that since most ministers do not have deputies they have to be present at their ministries to hold the fort. He assured the Speaker that they will do their best during the nest meeting On his part, the Deputy Minority Leader, Mr I. K Adjei-Mensah said the Minority was late because of its causus meeting earlier in the morning. He said delays have never been the style of the Minority and reminded the Majority of the danger including ministers who are Members of Parliament on committees because their absence could stall the work of the House.

He also assured the Speaker of the Minority's readiness to co-operate in making the work of the House smooth. The Speaker reminded members of their responsibilities to the country and said the House should not put the country at a disadvantage by reason of our own default.

The House later approved the annual estimates for the Office of Parliament, the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence and the Office of the leader of Government Business.