First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, has disclosed that Ghanaians deserve an apology over the misconduct of members of parliament during proceedings to approve the 2022 budget in parliament.
According to him, he takes in “good faith” the public’s view on the disappointing behaviour exhibited by members of parliament during the proceedings. Mr Osei-Owusu explained that he holds the feedback from Ghanaians on how MPs conduct themselves in high esteem and does not intend to “pass judgement” on how others perceive legislators.
“I think the members of parliament who were identified as misconducting themselves must be made to go through the disciplinary procedure in parliament. I’m totally opposed to this system of a few individuals misconducting themselves and the entire parliament of 275 of us and our officers take responsibility for the misconduct of the few individuals. So, yes, Ghanaians deserve an apology but it shouldn’t end there, disciplinary procedure should be applied”.
Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu
Commenting on contentions about him being the Speaker or otherwise, Mr Osei-Owusu insisted that he is not “the Speaker” but the First deputy speaker.
“The first deputy speaker is different from the speaker… In our arrangement, there’s a Speaker who is not a member of parliament. Mr Speaker is elected by members of parliament from outside parliament. Indeed, if a member of parliament is elected as the Speaker, immediately, he must resign. In the case of honourable Doe Ajaho, is an example I can give…”
Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu
Transparency in proceeding in parliament
On Wednesday, December 1, 2021, during deliberations on the 2022 budget, the minority’s dissatisfaction over the declaration made by Mr Osei-Owusu as part of the quorum despite occupying the capacity as the Speaker led to chaotic scenes in parliament.
Reacting to this, the Bekwai MP refuted claims that he was being partisan when he threw out a motion by the Minority who were seeking to have the approval of the 2022 budget rescinded. Mr Osei-Owusu explained that he exacts his duties fairly whenever he assumes the role of Speaker in the Chamber.
The Bekwai MP believes he gives both parties across the aisle an equal ground to argue their convictions and makes his ruling in accordance with the conventions of Parliament.
“The persons claiming I was partisan are in fact being partisan of their evaluation of my ruling or my conduct of the House. But I can tell you and I think I have demonstrated that over the years that I am overly cautious and I try as much as possible to be fair in managing the House anytime I am managing the House”.
Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu
Justifying being counted as a member of parliament during the proceedings on Wednesday, Mr Osei-Owusu revealed that he adds to the numbers to form a quorum unless they are coming under “Article 102”. He explained that parliament has two quorum requirements which demands that when a speaker is conducting “ordinary business” such as a minister answering questions, the quorum to execute that kind of business, which does not require that the house take any decision demands one-third of members minus the one presiding. However, he intimated that when it comes to decision-taking, the “words used by the constitution are different” as it requires at least half of all members and does not exclude the person presiding.
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