Bodi MP calls for adjournment of sitting over absenteeism of Ministers

At the commencement of parliamentary preceding Tuesday, July 19, 2022, the Honourable Member for Bodi constituency within the Western North Region, Sampson Ahi called for the adjournment of sitting over the absenteeism of Ministers.

He described the habits of Ministers of running away from parliament as unacceptable and called for measures to forestall the same. The Minister for Communications and Digitalization was billed to answer some 10 questions over a wide range of issues concerning her Ministry.

But the Minister, Honourable Ursula Owusu-Ekuful was absent in parliament leaving those questions unanswered. The Deputy Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Honourable Ama Pomaa Boateng when called upon by the Chief Whip, Honourable Frank Annoh-Domreh to stand in for the Minister.

But in her response, she indicated that she did not have written answers to the questions filed by Members of Parliament and therefore plead that the questions be deferred pending the return of the substantive Minister.

Honorable Sampson Ahi could not understand why Ministers were running away from parliament. "Mr. Speaker, I don't understand why Ministers are running away from parliament to provide answers to questions and so I don't think we should still be here. We can here to do business for government", he said.

He further demanded from the Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Honourable Frank Annoh-Domreh the whereabout of his Ministers who also suggested that the Deputy Minister, Honourable Ama Pomaa Boateng responds to those questions.

However, the Deputy Minister of Communications in her response disclosed that she did not have the written answers to the questions filed and therefore suggested that the questions should be put aside pending the return of the substantive Minister. The Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Asiamah Amoako in consultation with the leadership directed that the questions be put on hold pending the return of the substantive Minister.

Report by Prosper Kwaku Selassy