Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, has informed the House of his intention to travel outside the country for another medical review.
With the Electronic Transaction Levy Bill (E-levy) tabled for discussion next week, the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh has described as worrying the Speaker's frequent absence, especially during critical decisions in the chamber.
Interacting with the press on Thursday, the Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP said, “It is worrying; I mean, I can’t pretend about it.”
Prior to Parliament’s resumption on Tuesday, Speaker Bagbin took a medical trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and returned on Sunday, January 23 for Parliamentary duties.
But barely a week into legislative proceedings, the Speaker is due to travel for another check-up.
This practice, Mr Annoh-Dompreh believes should be reviewed for a more productive alternative that will benefit the country and the legislative arm of government.
According to the Nsawam-Adoagyiri lawmaker, some measures should be put in place to provide medical care for Speaker Bagbin in the country.
“His health is important. And I think we as a people should put our heads together or the leaders should find a way of helping the Speaker find a solution to this because, it is becoming one too many.
“I mean he is the Speaker and he has taken ill and he needs treatment. Is it the case that we can’t get an equally good medical team to have this treatment done here? Vis-à-vis the fact that, because of the nature of our Parliament,” he said on Thursday.
Due to the Speaker's possible absence next week, Mr Annoh-Dompreh divulged that leadership of the Majority Caucus are currently holding an extensive backdoor engagement with the Minority Caucus on the E-levy Bill to avert any future fisticuffs.
“We are guided that there is a possibility that he will not be available so it is something that we are conscious of and we are taking due measures in regards to that. We anticipate to navigate our way through properly because of what happened.
“We don’t want a repeat. So it is something that we have taken a good cue from,” he said.
Latest Stories
-
Western Regional House of Chiefs commends Bawumia for his humility and respect for traditional authorities
2 mins -
#JustTurned18: First-time voters critical to deciding 2024 presidential election
1 hour -
Video: EC lied that the cost per voter in 2020 was $7.7; it was $12.5 – Bright Simons
2 hours -
Former IGP passes on
2 hours -
Ejisu by-election: Kwadaso MP gave money to EC officials out of goodwill – Ahiagbah
2 hours -
Millennium City: Land owner breaks silence on fatal shooting of soldier
2 hours -
Photos of 2024 Aboakyer Festival
3 hours -
#JustTurned18: I now have an opportunity to use my thumb to bring someone into power – Excited prospective voters
3 hours -
OSP acted as a whistleblower transferring Cecilia Dapaah’s case to EOCO – Sammy Darko
3 hours -
IMF calls for tariff adjustment for energy sector cost recovery
3 hours -
Samson’s Take: Journalists, block the pretentious idiots
5 hours -
Real Madrid crowned LaLiga champions after Barcelona’s defeat at Girona
5 hours -
Daniel Otting Awuah elected SRC President of Ghana School of Law
6 hours -
Lawrence Ati-Zigi signs St. Gallen contract extension
6 hours -
We should be careful not to destroy our institutions without just cause – Serebour Quaicoe
6 hours