Budget out on Thursday

Accra Feb. 4, GNA- The government's Budget Statement and Economic Policy for the 2004 financial year, would be presented to Parliament by Mr. Yaw Osafo Maafo, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning on Thursday.

This was announced by the First Deputy Speaker, Mr. Freddy Blay at the close of business of Parliament on Wednesday.

Earlier in the debate of the President's State of the Nation's Address, Mr. Cletus Avoka, NDC-Bawku West, said DCE's who want to contest the forthcoming elections as Members of Parliament should resign their post six months to the elections as captured in the manifestos of both the NPP and the NDC.

He alleged that already there were cases of DCE's preparing to contest Parliamentary seats, while they still held to their post.

Mr. Avoka said this situation goes against the principle of good governance, which President Kufuor touched on in his address. "If DCE's are allowed to contest the elections without resigning, decisions in the district assemblies would run along partisan lines and there would be abuse of incumbency, state materials and vehicles."

Mr. Kwame Osei-Prempeh, NPP- Nsuta-Kwamang, made reference to a newspaper publication, which used derogatory words to describe members of Parliaments who allegedly heckled the President during his State of the Nation Address.

He said the newspaper's publication was indicative of the fact the heckling of the President was done "as though the President is a member of the House."

Mr. Osei-Prempeh called on members to treat heads of states with decorum and respect to avoid such derogatory remarks about MPs. Mr. Enoch Teye Mensah expressed disappointment over Mr. Osei-Prempeh's suggestion, saying that former President Rawlings suffered heavier doses of "heckling and insults" when he came to Parliament to deliver similar addresses.

Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu, Majority Chief Whip debunked the claim by Mr. E. T. Mensah that former President Rawlings was insulted when he entered the House to deliver address saying "heckling yes, but insults, it is not true that anybody ever insulted the former President in this House."

Mr. Norbert Awulley, NDC- Builsa South said the derogatory words used to describe the members of Parliament who were also referred to as "Ala Adjetey's Boys and Girls" cast a slur on the image and reputation of the Speaker in that the publication suggested that the Speaker did not conduct members properly that was why they misbehaved.

Mr. Peter Ala Adjetey, Speaker of Parliament said the matter had been referred to the Privileges Committee for consideration and recommendation.

The said publication was the front-page banner headline story in the January 26, 2004 edition of the Independent Newspaper.