Parliament goes on 7-weeks recess

Accra, March 23, GNA- After two months of intensive and hectic debate alongside a period of boycott by the Minority, Parliament on Friday went on recess for the Easter holidays to resume on May 15, 2007.

Among the activities that took place during the period were the delivery of President John Agyekum Kufuor's State of the Nation Address, a mock Parliament by students of tertiary institutions in Ghana, the re-enactment of the last sitting of Parliament on the eve of Independence, which was attended by Heads of State and Presidents from some African countries, Busumuru Kofi Annan, Ghana's illustrious son, President Olusegun Obasanjo, a special guest of honour and Duke of Kent. During the period the Minority, National Democratic Congress (NDC) went on a boycott for some time in solidarity with and protest against a jail term slapped by an Accra Fast Track High Court on Mr Dan Kwasi Abodakpi, a colleague MP for Keta for willfully causing financial loss to the State.

The President therefore delivered his Sessional Address in February without the presence of the Minority NDC, which later addressed a press conference, which it called "the true state of the nation address." The Majority New Patriotic Party (NPP) together with two minor parties, the Convention Peoples' Party (CPP) and the People's National Convention (PNC) continued with the work of Parliament without the presence of the Minority.

Some major bills passed during the period include the Domestic Violence Bill, the Polytechnic Bill, the Supplementary Appropriation Bill, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission Bill, Banking (Amendment) Bill, Restriction on the use of Military Uniforms and Equipment Bill, National Reconstruction Levy (Repeal) Bill and Data Processing (Repeal) Bill.

Apart from loan agreements, reports of various committees of the House were also adopted.

The Speaker of Parliament, in a closing remark thanked all the Members and staff of Parliament for their contribution for the successful running of the business of the House and asked God's blessing for them.

Majority Leader, Mr Felix Owusu-Adjapong also expressed his appreciation to God for his mercies that saw the smooth operation of the House during the period.

He said the establishment of the Korle Bu Maternity Ward Fund by the Women Caucus in Parliament was one of the achievements of the House. Mr Owusu-Adjapong, as well as the Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin expressed appreciation to all, including the Parliamentary Press Corps for their role in the work of the House. The House is expected to resume sitting on Tuesday May 15 2007. 23 March 07