Privileges Committee to consider Amoateng's absence

Accra, Jan. 39, GNA - The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Ebenezer Sekyi-Hughes has directed the Privileges Committee to reconsider the issue of the continued absence of Member of Parliament for Nkoranza North, Mr Eric Amoateng and to report to the House.

He said the passage of time since last March 2006 since the Leadership of the House met on the issue deemed it appropriate for the House to revisit the matter.

Mr Sekyi-Hughes gave the directive on Tuesday in an address to the House to open the First Sitting of the First Meeting of the Third Session of the Fourth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana after the Christmas break.

Mr Sekyi-Hughes reminded Members of their role as representatives of the people and urged them to discharge their duties assiduously. He urged Members to be punctual and to honour the 10:00 hours sitting time so that they could fulfil the business of the House on time.

Mr Sekyi-Hughes said the lack of infrastructure posed serious problems for the effective function of the House and expressed the hope that projects that were being developed in the interest of Parliament would be completed on time.

He said Parliament would participate fully in the Ghana's 50 years anniversary.

The Speaker announced that President John Agyekum Kufuor would deliver the Sessional Address on Thursday, February 8 2007. Mr Felix Owusu-Adjapong, the Majority Leader, said the Majority had not taken any decision yet on the absence of Mr Amoateng. Mr Amoateng had been absent from Parliament on alleged drug trafficking offences for which he is being held in the United States of America.