Minority Upset By Ministers Failing To Come To Parliament Despite Summons: 'It's Untenable'

• Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, the Tamale Central MP, has called for parliament to be better insulated against the executive
• His concern follows Ministers, who also double as parliamentarians, failing to show up in the house despite summons
• Murtala Mohammed further described excuses given by the majority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, as untenable

The Tamale Central Member of Parliament, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, has called for a complete decoupling of parliament from the executive arm of Government.

His suggestion comes on the back of the Minority’s anger at some Ministers of State, who allegedly failed to appear before parliament despite being scheduled to do so.

They are said to be the Interior Minister Henry Quartey, the Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development Minister Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, and the Lands and Natural Resources Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor.

The three were reportedly expected to answer questions concerning the alleged recruitment of some 11,000 individuals into the security services as well as state lands takeovers by politically exposed persons.

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Murtala Mohammed: 'Excuse for MPs is untenable'

According to Murtala Mohammed, the absence of the ministers justified his calls for parliament to be insulated from the executive.

He said some of the ministers are also members of parliament, and in the performance of their dual duties may end up neglecting one, often parliamentary duties for the executive.

This, he said in a social media clip, is undermining parliament’s role and should be stopped.

Meanwhile, the majority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, said the absent MPs were on a cabinet retreat hence their absence.

However, per MyJoyOnline, Murtala argued that the excuse was untenable and believes parliament is not being taken seriously.

He stated that in the absence of the substantive ministers, their deputies could have come to meet parliament, however, that too was not done.

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The Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, who was presiding over the sitting, urged the majority leadership to ensure ministers summoned to the house do show up.

He said the behaviour of not showing up was problematic and urged more action to be taken to ensure they respond to their summons.

Mahama Ayariga slams 11K armed forces recruitment

YEN.com.gh also reported that the Bawku Central Member of Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, said the government’s plan to recruit 11,000 individuals into various security agencies is scandalous.

He said that if the government proceeds with the recruitment process, it will be considered one of the most scandalous incidents in Ghana’s security history.

Mahama Ayariga said this in reaction to reports indicating that the government is about to recruit some 11,000 persons into the various security agencies under the Interior Ministry.

Proofread by Bruce Douglas, senior copy editor at YEN.com.gh

Source: YEN.com.gh