The Office of the Speaker of Parliament has called on the public to desist from politicising the recent trip by Speaker, Alban Bagbin, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a routine medical check-up as part of his conditions of service.
Contained in a statement issued by his counsel, Magnus Kofi Amoatey, it explained that there are records to show that all his predecessors, particularly in the Fourth Republic, embarked on similar trips.
The statement emphasized that the Speaker has on a number of occasions stated “openly” and continues to maintain his position to Members of Parliament to help safeguard the “public purse” and as a result has been mindful of same in all his “dealings” as Speaker.
“The office will advise that the health issues of the speaker and that of other office bearers are not politicised as anybody could be taken ill at any time. The current Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, being mindful of the times in which the country finds itself, traveled with a comparatively skeletal staff, taking into consideration the economic situation in the country and bearing in mind, the need for frugal and prudent spending”.
Office of the Speaker
Legislature and Executive entitled to medical check-ups
Justifying the Speaker’s trip, the statement explained that as part of their conditions of service, Speakers of Ghana’s Parliament are entitled to routine medical check-ups, just as is the case of officials of the Executive and Judiciary arms of government. It acknowledged that most staff of some Ministries, Departments and Agencies also have similar facilities at their disposals and continue to take advantage of such arrangements to their benefit.
“Indeed, the records of the Parliamentary Service are replete with evidence which points to the fact that, all Speakers of the fourth Republican Parliaments have, at one time or another, accessed this facility. It is worth noting that, it is not only the Speaker of Parliament and his Deputies that are entitled to such a facility, the entire leadership of the House are also entitled to the same facility and continually resort to it when the need arises”.
Office of the Speaker
The statement indicated that Mr. Bagbin was accompanied by his wife, the Head of parliamentary clinic, the Speaker’s Secretary, and his aide. It however revealed that his “Aide De Camp, Protocol Officer, Butler” and other relevant staff were excluded from the trip.
Parliament, the release expressed, is committed to seeking the “best interest” of the people they represent and will continue to always do so.
It further explained that the Majority and Minority members may disagree on issues on the floor “but these are all based on procedures, which govern the work of the House and which are strictly adhered to without fear or favour”.
The Speaker is expected back home on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. Mr. Bagbin’s trip followed the rejection of the 2022 budget as members of the Majority in Parliament staged a walkout.
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