Audio By Carbonatix
Member of Parliament for Bodi, Samson Ahi has accused the current minority in Parliament of choosing the path of disruption rather than staging a boycott when they disagree with a situation.
According to him, this strategy adopted by the minority has made governance increasingly difficult within the legislative house.
“The normal parliamentary practice is that if a group does not support a certain course of action, they will register their displeasure by walking out. But this current Minority will not stage a walkout; instead, they will make the place ungovernable. They ensure that nothing can proceed,” he stated during his appearance before the committee probing the vetting chaos.
He expressed concerns that no immediate solution exists for this approach, emphasising that while walking out remains the best option for dissent, the minority refuses to take that route.
“Unless security intervenes, which I do not recommend, it will be difficult to maintain order in the chamber,” he added.
Mr Ahi suggested that Parliament should urgently adopt clear strategies and modalities to regulate conduct during such critical deliberations.
Read also: I take responsibility of what happened – Dafeamekpor
He pointed out that the Privileges Committee is responsible for handling disruptions in Parliament, allowing members to file complaints regarding misconduct.
“If a member’s conduct disrupts parliamentary proceedings, a complaint can be lodged on the floor. If the Speaker finds merit in the complaint, the matter is referred to the Privileges Committee, which has the authority to recommend sanctions,” he explained.
However, Ahi noted that the lack of an active Privileges Committee has stalled the enforcement of parliamentary discipline. He emphasised the need for Parliament to reconstitute the committee to enable it to perform its functions effectively.
On Thursday, January 30, chaotic events transpired during the Appointments Committee’s sitting during the vetting of President Mahama's ministerial nominees.
The clash between the majority and minority sides of the House during the vetting of ministerial nominees led to the destruction of public property, prompting the formation of the investigative committee by the Speaker, Alban Bagbin.
Latest Stories
-
Bringing Ofori-Atta’s photo to Parliament and displaying it was unfair – Afenyo-Markin
29 minutes -
Minority leader calls 24-Hour economy policy more PR than practical solution
38 minutes -
Afenyo-Markin accuses government of using anti-corruption drive to target opponents
51 minutes -
GPL: Kotoko announce new board of directors
1 hour -
Minority leader challenges government’s ‘one million jobs’ claim
1 hour -
Afenyo-Markin says entrepreneurs ‘worse off’ under Mahama, criticises GRA’s tax drive
1 hour -
Government too focused on gold, ignoring agriculture- Afenyo-Markin
1 hour -
Livestream: Newsfile discusses the SONA, vanishing ECG credits, ‘no-bed syndrome’
1 hour -
Strategic Development or Regional Appeasement? A reflection on Ghana’s airport policy
2 hours -
Israel launches attack against Iran
3 hours -
‘He was my dorm mate’: Former Dep. GES Director settles debate over Chairman Wontumi’s Prempeh College credentials
4 hours -
Mob fury at Kasoa: Firefighters stoned as market inferno reduces shops to ashes
4 hours -
January allowances cleared: National Service Authority pays personnel across Ghana
4 hours -
MTN Ghana rings in massive GH¢7.8 bn profit as digital and fintech revenues surge
4 hours -
Government extends ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti’ broiler initiative to schools
5 hours
