Minority boycott Parliament for second day running

Accra, Aug. 19, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority Caucus in Parliament on Tuesday said it has decided not to participate further in the businesses on the agenda for the recall of Parliament.

At a press conference in Parliament the Minority Leader, Alban Bagbin said Parliament is normally called from recess to deal only with urgent Parliamentary business and that the Minority's view was that apart from the business dealing with the State of Emergency in Dagbon, other businesses listed in the recall notice are not of an urgent nature.

Mr Bagbin recalled that the Minority had expressed this view on the floor prior to the House going on recess at the end of June, adding that, notwithstanding, the known position of the Minority on the issue, no consultations were held before the reconvening of Parliament for the emergency session, which began on Monday.

"We maintained that the Minority believes that the National Health Insurance Bill is of such importance that Parliament, civil society and the general public should be given ample opportunity to deal exhaustively with it, especially in respect of issues relating to the structure and financing of the scheme."

The Minority Leader reiterated their determination to uphold the parliamentary process and ensure that the right thing is done always. 19 Aug. 03