Leadership of Parliament attract criticism for delaying important business

Accra, March 13, GNA- Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, Member of Parliament for Asawasi, on Friday scolded the Leadership of Parliament for delaying important businesses of the House that should have been tackled with dispatch. He expressed concern that with only a week for Parliament to rise, Members have not drawn the disbursement formulae for the National Health Insurance Scheme, Members of Parliament Common Fund and the District Assemblies' Common Fund.

Alhaji Mubarak raised the issue when Mr Gershon Gbediame, Majority Chief Whip, read the business of the week, which failed to capture the discussions on disbursements. He said this attitude most often put a lot of pressure on Members. Mr Doe Adjaho, First Deputy Speaker, said the concern was legitimate, adding it was important for such issues to be tabled on time.

Dr Mathew Prempeh Opoku, Member for Manhyia also took the Leadership on for not fielding a question he filed as an emergency question on the alleged stolen motorbikes from London.

The Speaker of Parliament, Mrs Joyce Bamford-Addo said the fact that Dr Opoku filed the question as an emergency did mean that it must not pass through the right process. She called on him not challenge the Standing Orders, which gave the prerogative to the Speaker to approve questions using the laid down procedures.

Mr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, Deputy Majority Leader, said the necessary actions would be taken to have the concerns of Alhaji Mubarak tackled within a week ahead to end proceedings of the Second Session of the Fifth Parliament.