Members late to Parliament

Accra (Greater Accra) 12 March ?99

Mr Justice Daniel Francis Annan, Speaker, virtually walked into an empty chamber when he entered at 10.45 hours this morning as less than a fourth of the 200-member parliament was present.

He had to wait for some time for members to come before starting proceedings.

Punctuality of members, therefore, became the subject of debate again today after the business statement was presented to the house by Dr Kwabena Adjei, leader of the house.

The leadership of both sides, though were present in the house, were not in the chamber when Mr Speaker walked in. Proceedings in the chamber are supposed to start at 10.00 hours every morning. After the presentation of the business statement, Mr Ken Dzirasah, first deputy speaker, urged the business committee to consider re-scheduling question time with ministers to the next meeting after the Easter break. He said that although questions' time is important, they should give way to the approval of budget estimates of the various ministries and departments. At the beginning of this meeting, there were more than 150 outstanding questions for ministers to answer so the business committee came out with a rota to clear the backlog and this has been strictly adhered to.

Mr Dzirasah expressed fears that the house may not complete giving approval to the various estimates since question time lasts for more than an hour, thus delaying the work of the house. Parliament has been holding two sessions daily for the past two weeks due to the heavy workload to be completed before the house rises at the end of the month. Dr Kwabena Adjei, while presenting the business statement for the coming week, reiterated the committee's decision to adhere to the implementation of the rota to clear the backlog. In the ensuing debate, members who spoke, said the issue was more of late attendance at meetings by members rather than question time taking too much of the house's time. They stressed the importance of question time and the need for members to set a good example to the populace by being punctual. ''We need to set a good example to the electorate, we as MPs are always calling for an increase in productivity and at the same time start our work late, by so doing we are faltering in our responsibility to the electorate'', Mr Evans Ahorsey, NDC-Ayensuano said. Papa Ankomah, NPP-Sekondi, said members who enter the chamber after the Speaker had entered should be deemed absent. He noted that the house has not been able to pass resolutions on two agreements for tax exemptions for the past two weeks because the house lacked the required minimum of 100 anytime it is put on the agenda. ''We are full-time employees of state and should be seen to be doing our work,'' Papa Ankomah said.

Mr Justice Annan said he would come to the chamber on time everyday if members also keep to their time. ''The entry of Mr Speaker should be with some dignity; I would have to wait for the house to have at least a quorum before I enter. I cannot walk into an empty chamber'', he added.