Video: Near Chaos In Ghana’s Parliament As Trial of Minority Leader Disrupts Parliamentary Proceedings

The trial of Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson is taking a major toll on the business of Parliament.

National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament have chosen to boycott proceedings in solidarity with their leader whenever he appears in court.

This boycott has led to large parts of the legislative process being stalled until Dr Forson returns to the chamber, whereupon he often raises issues of quorum.

Tensions escalated in the House when the Deputy Speaker presiding, Andrew Amoako Asiamah refused to call for a head count saying it is not time yet. This nearly resulted in chaos.

 

Watch the video below

Credit: Joy News

 

 

In a tense parliamentary session, a disagreement arose over the management of speaking time. Speaker of the House insisted, “My time is not yet up to 10 minutes.” However, Ketu North MP, James Klutse Avedzi countered, “The time the bell was rung, we all heard it. If you are telling this house that you are using your time…”

The Speaker responded, “I am saying the time I called for the bell, it is left with 2 minutes, so allow me.” Mr Avedzi challenged this by stating, “Mr Speaker, the framers of the 1992 Constitution never contemplated that a speaker would have a special time different from the rest.”

The session was marked by heated exchanges, highlighting ongoing tensions within the House over procedural matters.

The NDC MPs also faced accusations of attempting to frustrate government business through their actions.

But the Kintampo North MP, Joseph Kwame Kumah denied the allegation describing it as false.

“It should be on record that it is even the Minority who are more in the House so if anybody should say we are thwarting government business, it is not true,” he said.

Also, Ketu North MP, Dr James Klutse Avedzi, in defence claimed the majority side is trying their best to incite Ghanaians against the Minority, adding that their plans will not wash.

He questioned whether the Minority Leader is equally not qualified to represent his people in Parliament.

“If they want us to do the work, which they term it as frustration, then they should allow Ato Forson to also represent his constituents. They should drop the case because this is a case where they [government] are in charge,” he added.

 

The House was suspended for an hour due to a lack of agreement. When proceedings resumed, a quorum was not established, leading to the adjournment of the House.

 

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