Minority's food motion defeated

The Majority defeated the Minority with 82 votes to 71 on a motion that government should take steps to arrest the current escalating prices of food.

The Majority's amendment motion that: "Conscious of the strenuous efforts currently being made by government to improve the economy, urges government to remain steadfast in this pursuit in order to revamp the agricultural sector and stabilise food prices," thus carried the day.

When the Speaker, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey put the two motions to vote after three weeks of debate and the results were declared the Majority hilarious with their victory shouted "Asie ho! Positive change!"

The Speaker, who was earlier not satisfied with a voice vote called for a head count.

Mr John Akologu Tia, NDC-Talensi rose and quoted Standing Orders 113 (2) and called for a division, which means that every member on each side should write his or her name to determine the number of actual members in the chamber.

He said at the time the counting was going on there was a lot of movement on the Majority side, which might mean that not the actual figure was registered.

The Speaker ruled that the member could only call for a division if the voting relied on a voice vote and that he has no doubt about the integrity of his clerks, who counted the vote.

In a brief statement to the press Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the Minority Spokesman on Food and Agriculture, said although their motion was defeated it was significant that they drew the government's attention to the plight of hungry people of Ghana.