The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has chided the Minority Caucus for subjecting him to public ridicule by their actions and comments because of the delay in resuming sitting today (26 November).
The Speaker had earlier suspended sitting for 30 minutes to allow the Majority members, who were in a caucus meeting, to return to the chamber of Parliament.
However, the House took more than two hours to resume sitting, which prompted the Minority members to chant, sing songs and criticise the House leadership.
Bagbin, who was clearly not happy with the actions of the Minority, said he has his reputation to protect in serving the nation.
The Speaker said the delay was caused by an audience he granted the Minister for Finance and leaders of both sides as the House prepared to vote on the 2022 Budget.
“I’m saying that the suspension was for 30 minutes but it has taken us two hours or more to return, and that is because, the subject matter that we are to discuss, there’s been new development … and as Speaker, I have to be briefed.
“So your leaders came with the Minister for Finance to brief me. Should I ignore them and come and preside because I’ve suspended sitting for 30 minutes?
“Go through the media and see how I’m being insulted. Please, the only thing I have is my reputation … Please let’s be honourable Members of Parliament.”
Listen to the audio below:
Earlier, Frank Annoh Dompreh, the Majority Chief Whip, told the press that the Majority Caucus was in a meeting, and hence the delay.
“… Even as I speak with you now and address you, we are still at the meeting. The meeting is not done yet … because we were in a caucus meeting when the Speaker called to engage us.
“Our members are still waiting and they have finished their caucus. So, after engagement with the Speaker, we still have to go back and finish our caucus meeting.”
This was after the Minority had accused members on the Majority side of intentionally delaying the start of proceedings in the House.
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