The New Patriotic Party’s minority in parliament have accused the Speaker and the majority for “arrogating to themselves the power to interpret the constitution the way they deemed fit” without applying themselves to Article 296 of the same constitution.
According to the NPP, “there’s no Constitutional Instrument (C. I) in respect of the exercise of discretionary power by the Speaker and he cannot be allowed to be whimsical and as capricious as he deems appropriate.”
Addressing the media after an unexpected adjournment of parliamentary proceedings indefinitely, the minority leader of the house, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu said following the speaker and the majority’s stance, “parliament is the poorer for such indiscretion.”
Parliament was recalled to the house on September 1 to deliberate over an impeachment process against President Mahama for collecting a Ford car gift from a Burkinabe contractor.
Over a hundred members of the minority signed onto the petition which forced the speaker to recall members, a move that has been criticised as a waste of time and resources.
Hon. Osei Kyei mensah Bonsu said “we thought that in a very objective and dispassionate manner, members of parliament would have bonded and banded together to delve into this matter, alas a golden opportunity has gone abegging, and parliament is the poorer for such indiscretion, for such huhudious ruling. “We would further consult amongst ourselves and if necessary apply ourselves to the relevant provisions in the constitution.”
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