Bagbin Vs Speaker: Issue To Die Today

According to THE DAILY GUIDE, there are indications that the impasse that has beset Parliament over the blockade of the Minority Leader, Mr. Alban Bagbin’s statement he wanted to make in response to allegations made against him by the Speaker last Thursday, would be resolved today.

Observers say it is important for the two sides to come to an amicable settlement, by permitting Mr. Bagbin to read his statement, otherwise, if the issue is stretched too far, it could destabilize the work of Parliament.

Moreover, the observers say it would also not be in the national interest as the President is expected to deliver his State of the Nation Address to Parliament tomorrow, Thursday, February 13, 2003.

Minority Leader Calls For Withdrawal Of Statement

The NDC Minority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Alban Bagbin has demanded a retraction of statements made by the speaker Rt. Hon Peter Ala Adjetey on the floor of the House, which according to the Minority Leader amounts to an attack on his reputation.
Hon Alban Bagbin was on Wednesday reacting to a statement made by the speaker on Thursday February 6th 2003 in connection with the Wulensi Parliamentary Seat. The Minority Leader’s statement was preceded by an assurance from the majority leader Papa Owusu Ankomah that Hon Alban Bagbin’s statement would not generate any debate in the house and that the two leaders of both sides of the House had reached a compromise on the content of the minority leader’s statement.
In spite of this assurance NPP Back Benchers stressed the need for Mr Speaker to have a foreknowledge of the content of the minority leader’s statement before its presentation on the floor of the house. Reacting to the concerns of the NPP Back benchers, Rt Hon Adjetey said there was no need to drag the issue any further in the house and therefore permitted Hon Alban Bagbin to make his statement.
The minority leader denied leaking information regarding correspondence between him and Mr Speaker about the Wulensi Parliamentary seat to any section of the media as had been alleged.