Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Amoako Asiamah has deferred ruling on a motion moved by Second Deputy Majority Chief Whip, Habib Iddrisu for NDC National Communication Officer, Samuel Gyamfi, to be hauled before the Privileges Committee for contempt of Parliament.
Mr. Iddrisu cited comments reportedly made by Mr. Gyamfi about the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin and the leadership of the NDC in Parliament some months ago following the approval of some ministerial nominees.
His application appears to be in retaliation to a similar one moved on Thursday by Tamale North MP, Alhassan Suhuyini against Assin Central MP and Chairman of the Defence and Interior Committee, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.
While Suhuyini’s motion succeeded as the Speaker referred the MP to the Privileges Committee, the Second Deputy was unable to give a ruling on Friday’s motion.
This was obviously due to sharp disagreements between the minority and the majority side in the house over the procedure.
Minority MPs insisted that the mover of the motion did not follow the laid down procedure and therefore the application should be rejected.
Minority Chief Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim raised procedural concerns.
Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin disagreed. He argued that some procedures were equally breached previously but the Speaker ignored them.
The Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Amoako Asiamah who was presiding said he also had difficulty in view of the order under which the mover of the motion came.
Mr. Iddrisu subsequently amended his motion and attempted coming under the appropriate order.
Even that, the Minority raised other issues with him.
By: Bubu Klinogo.
