Boycott Was Successful ? NDC Minority

The NDC minority in Parliament will on Tuesday, present proposals to address their concerns about alleged breach of the privileges of Members of Parliament. The NDC MPs boycotted parliament for three days last week to protest against the alleged breaches with particular reference to the prosecution of the Member for Keta, Dan Abodakpi.

Minority Leader Alban Bagbin told Joy FM that the caucus will propose that the privileges committee works with the leadership of the House in addressing their grievances. ?We want the matter not only to be referred to the Privilege committee but must be handled with the Leadership of the House?.

The first Deputy Speaker who is also the Chairman of the Privileges Committee, Freddie Blay is reported to have said on an Accra Radio station that the NDC minority can pack and leave Parliament for good if they wish. This was after Minority Leader, Alban Bagbin expressed lack of confidence in the Privileges committee, on the same radio station.

Mr Bagbin says inspite of the comments made by the First Deputy Speaker it is imperative that the whole House discusses the issue.

The Minority Leader also believes that their boycott was largely successful because of the interest it generated in the public. ?It had an effect on Parliamentary proceedings. Not much could be done apart from reading of statements by the Majority. The Majority has now realized that work cannot go on without us?.