Appointments C’ttee Chair’s attitude 'unbelievable' – Ablakwa

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu has expressed disappointment in the chairman of Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Joseph Osei Owusu.

He expressed surprise at the unabated gagging of members of the committee on the minority side from questioning the ministerial nominees.

“This is unbelievable,” said Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa Tuesday when the chair stopped him from further questioning the Education minister-designate, Mathew Opoku Prempeh on the grounds that he had exhausted his slots.

Following the fracas that ensued between him [Osei Owusu] and the Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini, the minority accused the former of exhibiting dictatorial tendencies in steering the affairs of the committee.

The Minority, according to the Member of Parliament for Wa Central, Rashid Pelpuo, took exception to Mr. Osei Owusu’s behavior as he was “autocratic” by rudely stopping Mr. Suhuyini in his remarks.

But in his defence, Mr. Osei Owusu, who is also the first Deputy Speaker of Parliament said he had been fair to both sides on the committee, rejecting the autocratic tag.

“In all fairness it is only about two or three instances that I have overruled…I think the charge is really unfair,” he told Accra-based Joy FM Tuesday.

Alhaji Mubarak Muntaka, a ranking member of the committee and minority chief whip told Nii Arday Clegg, host of Morning Starr that the Tamale North member of parliament flouted rules governing the committee with his question to the Energy Minister-designate when he appeared for his vetting Monday.

“In all fairness to the Chair, Hon. Suhuyini did not frame his question well. He flouted the rules of the committee. He flouted the rules and we couldn’t have defended him,” he said.

Mr. Suhuyini had since showed remorse for his conduct saying: “I sincerely apologise to you for my temper.”