Ministerial Nominees are acting
unconstitutionally-Minority
Ghana Parliament
and House of Commons must co-operate – Speaker
Ministerial Nominees are acting
unconstitutionally-Minority
Accra (Greater Accra) 19 January 2001
The Minority in parliament on Thursday said that those nominated for ministerial position are acting unconstitutionally by holding themselves as ministers.
Mr. I. K. Adjei- Mensah, Deputy Minority leader drew the attention of the house that the nominees are only ministers-designate and they should take their time till parliament approves their nomination.
He told the resumed sitting of the house that some of the nominees have started appearing in public and interacting with personnel of departments and institutions under ministries to which they have been nominated as if they were already ministers.
Mr. Adjei-Mensah said: "They (nominees) cannot be holding themselves even in acting positions".
Nana Akufo-Addo, nominated as Attorney General and Justice Minister on point of order said it was surprising to see the minority "taking interest in constitutional matters."
"The Ministers-designate are acting as representatives of the President and so there can be no illegality in this matter."
Nana Akufo-Addo said letters had gone out to the ministries concerned indicating that the nominees were representatives of the president.
Mr. J. H. Mensah, Majority Leader said those protesting "were doing so in ignorance."
This brought Mr Doe Adzaho, Minority Chief Whip to his feet and asked the Speaker, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey to order Mr Mensah to apologise for insulting the minority.
The Speaker said he would not rule on the issue because it was a debate in which every member is allowed to air his or her opinion.
Mr. Ken Dzirasah, Second Deputy Speaker quoted the Standing Orders 93(2) which stated: "It shall be out of order to use offensive, abusive, insulting, blasphemous or unbecoming words or to impute improper motive to any other member or to make personal allusions."
Based on this, Mr Dzirasah called for an apology or withdrawal of the word from Mr Mensah.
Mr. Adjetey insisted he was not going to rule on the issue, saying, "there is work to do".
After Mr Mensah presented the business for the day and the house went on break to consider the report of the Committee of Selection.
Further sitting was adjourned till tomorrow.
Earlier the Speaker reminded the House that ministerial appointments are being made and therefore the appointments committee should start putting itself together to vet the nominees.
Statutorily the Appointment Committee is under the chairmanship of the first Deputy Speaker.
GRi…/
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Ghana Parliament
and House of Commons must co-operate - Speaker
Accra (Greater Accra) 19 January
2001
The Speaker of Parliament, Mr
Peter Ala Adjetey on Thursday called for a tighter co-operation between Ghana's
Parliament and the British House of Commons.
Mr. Adjetey was speaking during a
courtesy call on him by the Deputy British High Commissioner, Mr Craig Murray.
Mr. Adjetey said Britain, aptly described
as the "mother of parliaments" could be of great assistance to
Ghana's parliament, adding that Ghana requires training of its new members of
parliament.
Mr. Murray congratulated the
Speaker on his election and said he has a formidable task ahead of him in
holding the House together.
Those present at the meeting were
Mr J.H. Mensah, Majority Leader and Mr Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader as well as
Mr Freddie Blay and Mr Ken Dzirasah, First and Second Deputy Speakers.
GRi…/
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