GRi in Parliament 05 – 02 - 2003
Take work of
Parliament serious
He also advised members of
Parliament to take the business of the House as full time one and that they
have a duty to perform for those who elected them. "We all have the
responsibility to the nation and please let the work of Parliament be your primary concern and others be secondary. You can
only engage in other businesses only on condition with the permission of the
Speaker."
Ala Adjetey gave the advice
after members have expressed their sentiments on the failure of the Minister of
Food and Agriculture who had been scheduled to answer questions on Tuesday,
which was advertised in the Business Statement read to House last week and low
attendance in the House.
Edward Salia,
NDC-Jirapa said the House was in its third sitting
after the resumption of its third meeting but the trend of light business had
not changed. He said the situation would discourage members who had to travel
far from their constituencies and only to attend the business of Parliament and
there was not much work to be done.
Steve Akorli,
NDC-Ho East said the issue was a very serious one and was affecting the image
of Parliament, which had already reached its lowest ebb.
He said the Business Committee
of the Parliament was not businesslike, saying that for it to slate the
Minister of Food and Agriculture to answer questions only "to tell the
House this morning that the answers were not available was not acceptable and
we cannot allow this things to go on this way to enjoy the support of the public."
Stephen Kwaku
Balado Manu, NPP-Ahafo Ano
South countered the accusation and said members should not portray Parliament
as if it was not working. He said Parliament have legislative, oversight and
monitoring functions and that members do not only perform their official
businesses only in the House, adding that as at the time the matter was being
discussed six committees have been scheduled to meet.
M.A. Seidu,
NDC-Wa Central said a way should be found to let
Parliament function efficiently instead of imputing ill-motives on either the
Executive or committees of the House for not bringing their reports for
discussions.
GRi.../
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