The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu is the latest legislator to support Parliament’s decision to hold the annual post-budget workshop outside Accra despite calls for it to be held in Parliament to minimize the cost.
According to the Bekwai lawmaker, the House doesn’t have the logistics to host the workshop event.
“We’ve tried it [post-budget workshop] once here [Parliament], it wasn’t effective. We have only one hall but during the workshop, there will be multiple presenters doing different things, so the practicality will not be effective.”
He said this during an interview on JoyNews’ PM Express where the host, Evans Mensah, was of the view that Parliament is reluctant to hold the event at the House because they prefer the “comfort of hotels”.
In response, the First Deputy Speaker vehemently denied the notion, emphasizing that the choice of venue is driven by duty rather than a pursuit of comfort.
He said,“No hotel is as comfortable as my home. I’ve traveled around the world and no hotel I have stayed in is as comfortable as my home.”
The First Deputy Speaker, who became an MP in 2009 and has extensive local and international experience, expressed his aversion to travel, even for business or conferences, asserting that it is not a matter of personal preference but a responsibility that comes with the role.
“We don’t do it because of comfort, we don’t do it because we want to, we do it because it is a responsibility.”
His position on the venue of the annual workshop comes after the Buem MP, Kofi Adams asked for this year’s post-budget workshop to be held in Parliament House in Accra.
Read Also: Minority pushes for post budget workshop to be held in Parliament
The NDC MP cited the recent economic hardship and called on the leadership of the House to reconsider and hold the workshop in Parliament to save money.
But the Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin, turned down his request.
He believes the request is opportunistic and seeks to put Parliament in a bad light adding that “This is a decision of the committee, it is not about leaders being insensitive.”
Latest Stories
-
I’ve announced my arrival in the best league in the world – Mohammed Kudus
20 mins -
Don’t believe every story you see about me – Safo Newman
23 mins -
Richard Ahiagbah refutes claims of causing chaos at voters’ registration centre
2 hours -
Andre Ayew hits 200-game mark in Ligue 1
3 hours -
Franklin Cudjoe lauds Afari Gyan’s pragmatic leadership during his tenure as EC boss
3 hours -
Israel orders more evacuations as Rafah fighting intensifies
4 hours -
Connielove Dzodzegbe: The childless mother
6 hours -
Media houses must uphold high standards – Gyan Apenteng
7 hours -
Virginia university students walk out of graduation event
12 hours -
Energy Commission issued advisory on recent power interruptions in 2023
13 hours -
Ghana to lobby AU for intercontinental initiative on reparations – President
13 hours -
Dollarise Ghana’s economy to curb Cedi depreciation —Dr Kwakye suggests
13 hours -
Art Tech Institute launched to revolutionise jewelry education in Ghana
14 hours -
Mohammed Kudus’ solo strike against Freiburg wins West Ham Goal of the Season
15 hours -
MTN FA Cup: Nsoatreman beat Legon Cities to make first-ever final
15 hours