Betty Iddrisu fails to appear before Parliament

Accra, June 1, GNA - Minister for Education, Mrs Betty Mould Iddrisu who was scheduled to answer eight questions in Parliament on Wednesday failed to appear before the house. The Deputy Ministers who could have stood in for her were also not available. Mr Cletus Avoka, Majority Leader and Member for Zibilla later told the house that the Minister had wanted to answer the questions in person but was held up by other official assignment. Papa Owusu Ankamah, Member for Sekondi (NPP), said the attitude of Ministers not appearing to answer questions was not helping parliamentary work. He said they are supposed to be prompt and timely adding, "If government is not willing to do business then probably we have to go and sit at home." Mr. Cletus Avoka said: 93We are all aware of the positive attitude of the Minister for Education. She has always been present in the house to answer questions. 94 Mr Mahama Ayariga, a Deputy Minister of Education, who all of a sudden appeared in the House, was called by the Speaker to explain why they were not present to answer the questions. He said the Minister had indicated that she would be present to answer the questions because of the importance she attaches to them. Mrs Joyce Adelide Bamford Addo, Speaker, said it was contempt of Parliament for a Minister not to appear before the house to answer questions without an excuse to Parliament. She questioned why of late only one Minister is scheduled to answer questions so if he or she fails to appear, business proceedings of the house is disrupted adding, at least two Ministers should scheduled at a time.