Parliament receives Vice President

Both sides of the House on Tuesday warmly received the Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama on his working visit to Parliament.

Shouts of "yeah, yeah" greeted the Vice President when the Majority Leader, Papa Owusu-Ankomah introduced him to the House quoting portions of the Constitution and Standing Orders that allowed the Vice President to participate in the work of the House.

Papa Owusu-Ankomah said it was the government's respect for Parliament that had made the Vice President's visit possible. Hardly had he sat down than Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni NDC-Kumbungu on half of the Minority welcomed the Vice President to the House and said that his presence would enrich deliberations and that it would also make him appreciate the work of the House. He prayed that he would spend some time with members.

Mr Cletus Avoka NDC-Bawku West echoing the feelings of other members said the House at its sitting on Tuesday accepted the challenge the Vice President has thrown to members to undertake farming ventures.

He appealed to the Speaker to serve the Vice President with the Hansard so that he would appreciate the feelings of MPs on the issue and how the government would help the legislators to undertake farming.

The MPs protested when after only 20 minutes it was announced that the Vice President was leaving the House to attend to other important state affairs.

The Speaker, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey had to call back a host of MPs and ministers who were about to troupe out with the Vice President.

Mr Ala Adjetey said he did want the numbers in the Chamber to be reduced so that decision could not be taken on issues being discusses.