The Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, has raised significant concerns about the financial burden that emergency parliamentary sittings impose on the state.
He pointed out that each day of such sittings costs the country at least GHC1 million, a substantial and unsustainable expense for a single day’s gathering.
Murtala Mohammed emphasized the need for more efficient use of parliamentary time and resources.
His remarks follow Speaker Alban Bagbin’s adjournment of Parliament indefinitely on Thursday, November 7, after the NPP’s second consecutive absence.
“Why did they waste all of our time? It comes with a huge financial burden to the state. Because if I tell you, one day sitting, particularly in circumstances like this, Parliament would spend close to a million or more than one million Cedis. For all members of parliament, our TNT would have to be provided. Imagine the number.
“I was in my constituency as a matter of fact and I went to my farm and started harvesting my rice. I had just two days to go to the farm and come and continue with my campaign but had to cut short my activities and there were several MPs who were engaged in equally very important assignments. All those Members of Parliament abandoned the scene and came to the Chamber.”
Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed
Murtala Mohammed further condemned the absence, describing it as a “blatant disregard for the serious nature of convening Parliament” and a significant waste of time and taxpayer money.
He stressed that such actions reflect a clear mismanagement of state resources, which could be better allocated elsewhere.
Murtala Mohammed expressed his disappointment, pointing out not only the GHC1 million daily cost but also the disruption caused to MPs’ schedules and the public’s trust in governance.
He called on all parties to consider the financial impact of unnecessary parliamentary sessions and prioritize responsible, effective governance.
NPP’s ‘No-Show’ at Business Committee
Additionally, Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed criticized the absence of NPP MPs from the Business Committee meeting, questioning whether they were “pretending” or simply “ignorant” of the committee’s important purpose.
He rejected the NPP’s explanation that their absence was meant to highlight the purpose of the parliamentary recall, which they argue the public already understands clearly.
Hon. Murtala Mohammed emphasized that the Business Committee’s role is crucial in fostering consensus and ensuring proper coordination regarding the agenda for parliamentary proceedings.
“It is for both caucuses – Majority and Minority – to agree on the program of the business. There are instances where government brings its business, and during the Business Committee meeting, amendments are made, and in some cases, certain items are completely removed”.
Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed
He further explained that the work of the Business Committee is a collective responsibility shared by the Majority, Minority, and the Speaker of Parliament, and it is not solely the Majority’s duty to call for meetings.
The absence of NPP MPs led the Speaker to adjourn Parliament due to a lack of quorum, as there was no business for the House to conduct and the necessary number of MPs were not present.
Meanwhile, Deputy Majority Whip Habib Iddrisu stated that NPP MPs were on their way to the chamber when they noticed the Speaker had already taken his seat, with the Minority on the right.
According to Mr. Iddrisu, they decided to wait, only to see the Speaker adjourn the session. “So it is not true that we never turned out,” he clarified.
However, the Tamale Central MP dismissed this explanation, stating it was not accurate.
He confirmed that he had waited for about 45 minutes in the Chamber after the House was adjourned but did not see any NPP MPs during that time.
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