Member of Parliament For Suame and Majority Leader in Parliament, Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu has disclosed that the Speaker’s ruling with regards to failure to declare the Dome-Kwabenya’s seat vacant is unfortunate and therefore will be challanged by the Majority Caucus .
According to the law maker, the Majority caucus will come with a substantive motion to challenge the Speaker’s ruling.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu indicated that the Speaker faulted in referring the case back to parliamemt, explaining that the ruling is unconstitutional and threatened to challenge the decision.
“I totally disagree with the ruling. It doesn’t sit with the constitution and I must express my discomfort with this unfortunate ruling that has been made because it is very inconsistent. We will come back with a substantive motion to challenge the ruling”
Osei Kyei Mensah
Speaking at a press briefing after the ruling today October 26, he expressed his disagreements, adding that the decision is detrimental to parliamentary business.
He argued that, the ruling of the Speaker should have been based on the reports of the Privileges Committee.
“I am insisting that the Speaker is totally wrong in his understanding of the Constitution. He has taken us on an obsequious journey that is not helpful to the growth of Parliament. The matter doesn’t rest with plenary.”
Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin dismissed the motion filed by the Majority Caucus of the House asking for the Dome Kwabenya MP’s seat to be declared vacant based on a report which has been submitted by the Privilleges Committee.
The Speaker gave his ruling on the absentee MP Sarah Adwoa Safo on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.
Mr. Bagbin dismissed attempts for him to declare the seat vacant without a formal debate of the Privileges Committee’s report.
Privileges Commitee’s Report
On May 4, the Speaker referred Madam Safo, Mr Henry Quartey, MP of Ayawaso Central, and Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, MP, Assin Central, to the Privileges Committee for absenting themselves from 15 sittings of the House without his permission.
The committee failed to achieve a consensus in its recommendations on whether absenting herself for more than the mandatory 15 days without permission warranted her seat being declared vacant.
The Committee of Privileges in parliament in july this year by majority decision recommended that the Dome-Kwabenya Parliamentary seat, currently being occupied by Lawyer Adwoa Sarfo should be declared vacant for absenting herself from Parliament for more than 42 days without permission from the speaker and house.
The Majority, however, wants the seat declared vacant without delay in line with stated constitutional provisions.
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