Parliamentarians are expected back in the House at 9am , Tuesday, December 21, 2021.
This is after they adjourned voting on the Electronic Levy Bill yesterday, following misunderstanding over voting procedures, resulting in near fisticuffs.
Meanwhile, the Majority had earlier accused the Speaker of conniving with the Minority to obstruct government business.
Deputy Majority Leader, Alex Afenyo-Markin wondered why on such a crucial day, the Speaker should leave the Chamber.
Speaking to the media after the Second Deputy Speaker had suspended sitting ahead of the division, Mr. Afenyo-Markin said the absence of the Speaker had reduced the Majority’s number by one, since their colleague who was presiding was exempt from retaining his original vote.
The Minority Leader for his part urged the government to withdraw the Bill and have further consultations and engagements with the relevant stakeholders.
He cited the case of the introduction of VAT during the Late President Rawlings regime, where the government had to withdraw the Bill following concerns of the public and public protests led by the current President, then in opposition.
Before the sitting, the Majority had held a Press Conference stating the whereabouts of the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, was unknown.
However, since the Bill had been laid before the House, the First Deputy Speaker took over proceedings in the House.
According to Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagin would not have sat through proceedings due to ill health.
The Information Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah however said the House should have been officially informed.