By Bubu Klinogo
Proceedings in Parliament were on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 disrupted after chaos erupted in the House. It started following an application by the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu calling on the House to set aside a decision taken on November 30, 2021 to approve the 2022 Budget.
Mr. Iddrisu had argued that there were only 137 MPs from the Majority side which was short of the Mandatory 138 minimum required to take a decision.
He argued further that the first Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei Owusu who was Presiding is an MP, but could not be counted among the MPs present.
This motion was seconded by MP for Bawku Central Mahama Ayariga and was supported by the MP for Bolgatanga East Dr. Dominic Ayine.
The Majority side led by the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, and MP for Damongo Abu Jinapor opposed the motion.
The decision by the Deputy Speaker to rule on the motion, instead of subjecting it to a vote in line with the standing orders of Parliament was met with anger from the Minority side resulting in an uncontrollable disorder, forcing the Speaker to suspend sitting for one hour.
The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu held a News Conference shortly after the suspension of sitting to restate the position of the Minority. According to him, the Deputy Speaker erred in counting himself among the MPs present when he is barred from decision taking once he is Presiding.
Mr. Iddrisu also touched on their concerns over the Budget. He said the concessions the Finance Minister is said to have granted for the approval of the Budget must be laid before Parliament.
Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim also recounted events on the floor. According to him, it was a deliberate attempt by the Majority aided by the Deputy Speaker to avoid voting on the motion, because there were more Minority MPs in the Chamber and a successful vote would have meant a setting aside of the approval of the budget. On the status of the Budget, as to whether it is deemed approved or rejected, he said it is in limbo, until a vote is taken on today’s motion moved by the Minority Leader.
