Minority rejects Speaker's ruling

The NDC minority group in Parliament says last Friday’s ruling of the Speaker, Peter Ala Adjetey cannot in any way be the end of the controversy surrounding the passing of the National Reconciliation Commission Bill.

It says it will continue to challenge the passing of the now National Reconciliation Commission law until it is satisfied that the House did the right thing. Accordingly, the group is expected to hold a meeting this week, to take a decision on the matter in the light of last Friday’s ruling of Speaker Peter Ala Adjetey, which according to the minority was “pre-meditated” and an attempt to bail the majority out of the embarrassment the matter is causing.

The Speaker’s ruling followed a statement by Hon. Joe Baidoo-Ansah MP for Kwesimintim in which he accused the minority of challenging the integrity of Parliament by their accusations that the House passed the Bill with no quorum.

Some leading members of the minority, including Chief Whip Doe Adjaho, Hon. E.T. Mensah, Nayon Bilijo and Edith Haizel openly expressed their displeasure about the Speaker’s comments and ruling on the matter saying it has rather worsened the case.

The MPs criticized even the Speaker’s style of delivering saying it was wrong. “He spoke as if he was speaking to some students,” one MP said.

According to the Minority, the Speaker’s assertion that the “so called” attendant register cannot in itself be conclusive on the matter has rather worsened the matter. “The Speaker has worsened the matter. For me it means that the majority cannot prove its case,” Hon. Bilijo said.

Mr. Adjetey had earlier told the House in a ruling on the issue of whether or not the Reconciliation Commission Bill was passed with the required number of members that, “I am absolutely satisfied that everything that took place was proper. There was a regular majority in the House and the decision taken was regular.” He added, with disapproval from the minority that, “Any search after registers etc, is an exercise in futility.”

The minority says as a very important part of the Parliament that passed the Bill and the side that is challenging the process, it has to be heard on the matter. However, The Speaker ignored leader, Alban Bagbin who was on his feet saying, “I must be heard.” Honourable Members, this matter is finished,” Mr. Adjetey said.

Hon. Bagbin who found it difficult to understand why the Speaker was ruling on a matter, which has earlier been referred to the leadership of the House for resolution told him, “I find it difficult to understand what you have done now. Mr. Speaker, you have descended into the arena of conflict.”

Mr. Adjetey expressed displeasure about the Bagbin’s statement saying, “it is a challenge on my integrity.”