On Friday, April 1, 2022, Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo Markin and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for North Tongu Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa clashed over the failure of the President to submit to the House the list of Presidential Staffers.
Mr. Ablakwa stated that notice must be served that the House will not accept the breach of the constitutional provision (President Act, 1993) which requires the President to make the list available by March 31, 2022.
He argued that it was a legal requirement to which the presidency must comply.
He went ahead to state that the President who us someone who upholds himself as a lawyer should not be doing that.
In responding, the Deputy Majority slammed the NDC MP and accused him of misbehaving.
He said the MP failed to use the appropriate tools and means to address his concerns.
He went on to ask him to withdraw his comments because he could not say that of the President.
To him, the MP should file the question so that the minister responsible for that will come and explain the reasons why the list had been delayed.
In a fierce tone, the Deputy Majority Leader went after the NDC MP and asked him not to attack the integrity of the President.
He said the MP should make his point and stop attempting to attack the integrity of the President.
This led to banter between both sides and at some point, the Second Deputy had to call the members to order.
Later, Mr. Ablakwa reminded the Deputy Majority Leader that he had raised the same issue and he (Afenyo) had promised to check with the presidency on the matter hence it was shocking for him to have described his concerns as inappropriate and unnecessary.
He recalled how Mr. Patrick Boamah on the side of the NPP raised similar issues and the same means to address delays under the previous NDC government.
He referenced Order 93 of Parliament saying the Deputy Majority Leader was in breach of the standing orders by describing him as being reckless and the use of other unacceptable comments.
The Deputy Majority Leader after the concerns raised by Ablakwa apologised and stated he misunderstood him (Ablakwa).
He then promised to have a coffee break with the MP for them to reconcile.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
