Minority should be part of the debate on new Committee membership Formula- MP

Accra, Aug.20, GNA - Mr Joseph Darko Mensah, Member for Okaikwei North, on Wednesday accused his fellow Majority members of Parliament of rushing through a motion that sought to endorse a new formula for the composition of the various committees, delegations and other groupings of Parliament.

"What is urgent about this motion? This can best be discussed when the other members (Minority) are here."

When the member got heckled by his compatriots for playing "the devil's advocate" , he said, "as a member representing the people of Okaikwei North, I have every right to make this view known to this House."

Mr Freddy Blay, Chairman of the Committee on Selection, said the House needed to adopt a new formula to reflect the realities and numerical arrangements in the House. He said: " The strength of the various Party caucuses (110 Majority, 90 Minority) should reflect on the membership of the various committees of the House.

"In early 2001 when committees were being composed, the strength of the Majority and Minority caucuses were almost at par, hence the equal sharing of places on Committees and delegates which were even numbered and a plus one advantage to the Majority in odd numbered Committees and delegations."

He said the composition of the committees should hence be based on ratio on 11 to 9.

Mr Blay said, "there has been a series of bye-election as a result of which six new members have been elected. This crop of new members has, of yet, not been assigned to any Committee even though both the constitution and the standing orders state that each member shall necessarily serve on Committees."

He said the most recent appointment of Ministers and Deputy Ministers from Parliament had affected the arrangement of the committees and therefore, redress was called for.

"There is currently an arrangement in place where no Minister or Deputy Minister should serve on more than one select Committee....he or she should not be saddled with many Committee responsibilities and Ministers and Deputy Ministers are not to serve on Committee, which oversee their ministries."

The House later adopted the report.