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According to the Majority Leader, the Speaker had emphatically said that Parliament will not debate the report but vote on the report.
Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has disagreed with the ruling by the Speaker of Parliament for the report on the three absentee Members of Parliament (MPs) by the Privileges Committee, for debate on the floor of the House.
According to the Majority Leader, the Speaker had emphatically said that Parliament will not debate the report but vote on the report.
He indicated that he disagreed with the Speaker then, as that is not what the Constitution proscribed, but now the same person has given a different ruling.
The Majority Leader, described the ruling as inconsistent.
“Two different rulings from the Speaker. Both rulings are inconsistent with the constitution,” he stated.
He noted, the Majority Chief whip, had indicated, the Speaker had no business referring the conduct of the three, to the privileges committee but instead, should have come in the form of a petition submitted by a member to the house.
Quoting Order 27 which provides: “Notwithstanding anything contained in these Orders, Mr Speaker may refer any question or privilege to the Committee of Privileges for examination, investigation and report,” the Majority Leader further noted the Speaker can on his own refer any matter of privilege to the Committee of Privileges, however, the Speaker, did not touch on that today.
He is of the opinion that the determination of the Privileges Committee should be contained in a report as provided for in Order 27.
“After the report then what happens, I’m saying the Speaker and I’m insisting that the Speaker is totally wrong in his understanding of the Constitution because in this case, as I said, the report should be submitted to us, to Parliament by way of information.
“The Speaker says the determination should be made about whatever the Committee comes up with, that is not the language contained in the Constitution.”
He added: “The Speaker is totally wrong in his understanding of the Constitution.”
On Wednesday, 26 October 2022, Mr Bagbin indicated he will not declare the seats vacant without a formal debate on the report submitted by the Privileges Committee.
Delivering his ruling, the Speaker noted: “The preliminary objection for the admissibility of the report is hereby dismissed in limine.”
A former Member of Parliament for the Kumbumgu Constituency, Mr Ras Mubarak, petitioned the Speaker to enforce Article 97(1)c of the 1992 Constitution by referring some four MPs, including Ms Safo, to the Privileges Committee for absenting themselves for more than 15 days without permission.
The Speaker of Parliament referred the matter to the committee.
MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Ayawaso West, Henry Quartey and MP for Dome Kwabenya Sarah Adwoa Safo.
Ms Safo, however, never appeared before the committee despite several invitations.
