Deputy Majority Whip of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Habib Iddrisu, has condemned opposition National Democratic Congress MPs for abandoning their parliamentary duties to accompany their colleagues who are facing criminal charges in the courts.
The minority MPs on Thursday abandoned the proceedings of the house to solidarise with James Gyakye Quayson and Dr Cassiel Ato Forson over their respective criminal trials before the courts.
This, the Tolon MP said was wrong because these legislators have an obligation to represent the interest of the electorates in parliament and not to accompany people to court.
Speaking to the JoyNews, he said “ they were elected to come and sit in parliament, they were not elected to accompany people to court, their constituents should take note.”
Mr Iddrisu explained that during proceedings on June 6, some sector ministers were present in the house to answer questions about development projects undertaken in each constituency, however because some legislators were unavailable, the business of the day continued without them.
He stressed that he could not fathom the kind of democracy these MPs were practicing because the current one practiced in Ghana does not permit such conduct.
“I do not know what kind of democracy or parliamentary procedure this is but we are watching them keenly and the business of the day is done for now,” he added.
“If we as legislators are making laws and we expect the judiciary to implement it, now we are now telling them that Quayson is above any Ghanaian so they should actually call for all cases in court to be dropped but not only for a particular person.”
Minority abandon Parliament to solidarise with Gyakye Quayson and Ato Forson
In a press statement issued on Thursday July 6 by its Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agboza, the NDC MPs reiterated their resolve to boycott sittings anytime the cases involving their two colleagues are heard.
According to the caucus, they are united behind their colleagues who are going through unfair trials.
About the respective cases
Dr Ato Forson is facing a criminal trial in relation to an alleged financial loss of €2.37 million to the state.
The case involves a deal to purchase 200 ambulances between 2014 and 2016 for the country.
The newly elected Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson, is also facing a criminal trial at the High Court for charges of forgery and perjury.
He is also accused of deceiving a public officer and knowingly making a false declaration when he filed nominations to contest in the 2020 election when he had not renounced his Canadian citizenship.
However, he has filed a motion on notice at the High Court for a stay of proceedings, pending an appeal.
Latest Stories
-
Netherlands government to invest 1 million euros to develop the value chain of dried fruits
16 mins -
PDS scandal: US shuts down $190m compact with ‘no immediate plans to work in Ghana again’
17 mins -
NDC will continue to uphold Ghana’s Constitution – Joyce Bawah Mogtari
18 mins -
TotalEnergies makes commitment to empower more entrepreneurs with startupper challenge
34 mins -
EC warns against limited voter registration exercise disturbances
34 mins -
Actor Akrobeto replies critics suggesting he gets a nose job
38 mins -
Stolen BVR kits could be used to register people illegally – NDC reiterates suspicion
38 mins -
AWA and Travelport forge strategic partnership to revolutionize travel experience
1 hour -
Limited registration: Disclosing BVR kit serial numbers will pose security risk – EC tells NDC
1 hour -
Rainstorm causing power outages – ECG tells customers
1 hour -
The Championship: Sarkodie announces new mixtape
1 hour -
Drake’s Toronto home the site of attempted break-in just one day after shooting
1 hour -
FALSE! Cedi did not depreciate by 64.6% from 2017 to 2023 as claimed by Bawumia, it was higher!
2 hours -
Otumfuo@25: A tale of Asantehene’s exemplary leadership in peace building and development
2 hours -
E-VAT boosts revenue by 32%
2 hours