Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu Constituency and the Deputy Leader of the Majority Caucus in Parliament, Honorable Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has intimated that, the decision by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs to be in Parliament chambers as early as 4am, was an action taken in order to adhere to the rule of being punctual.
Speaking in an interview this morning, the Deputy leader intimated that, there is nothing wrong with the action the MPs took.
“I don’t see any controversy arising out of who is sitting where and all that. My understanding is that we have been urged to be punctual, and our first timers have resolved to seeing to punctuality and ensuring that they take their parliamentary work serious.
“Today is our first day of regular sitting and I am pretty sure as you may be aware, our colleagues have gotten to the chamber ahead of time to acclimatise themselves, to read their papers, fraternise and prepare for today’s activities and I should think that is in order.”
Touching on the anticipation for today’s business in Parliament, he disclosed that because committees had not yet been formed, not much was going to take place today.
“Today really, we will set in motion what we are suppose to do. And I am sure the induction program will also be announced because we will have to do the induction for our new MP’s and orientation as has been the tradition.”
Speaking to the issues of many calls by stakeholders and citizen, for the Members of Parliament to apologize for their misconduct during the transitioning from the 7th to the 8th Parliament which took place on the midnight of January 7, he averred that, this matter will be dealt with on the house floor and encourage all to wait for whatever decision the house takes.
Earlier this morning, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Members of Parliament arrived in Parliament ahead of today’s siting as early as 4am to occupy the right side of the Speaker of the Parliament which has been designated for the Majority Caucus in Parliament, to avoid losing their seats.
This was seen as early because the Members of Parliament were six hours ahead of the regular parliamentary sitting hours.
On the midnight of January 7, there was chaos in the Parliament house as Members of Parliament, challenged each other on numerous issues, as members of the opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) occupied the Majority seats in the chamber which was the sitting position of the Members of Parliament of the NPP.
According to the rules of the law-making body, the Minority Caucus was to sit on the left-hand side of the Speaker of Parliament while the Majority caucus are expected to sit the right-hand side of the house.
However, as the House was dissolved following the 7th December election, the opposition party members invaded the majority section, arguing there is no majority in Parliament now, as both parties after the outcome of the parliamentary results had secured 137 seats each.
