Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has suggested that Parliament should halt all legislative business if the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs believe the ongoing discussions and bills are not relevant in the wake of the election results.
Dr Opoku Prempeh was criticizing the claim by North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been completely rejected by Ghanaians, rendering the current parliamentary activities unnecessary.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament today, Monday, the failed NPP vice presidential candidate in the just-ended elections argued that “Just to get up and say that Ghanaians have totally rejected NPP and all these bills and all these encumbrances is a very, very unfair statement. It is a very unfair statement that says that other things that have been programmed shouldn’t even be considered”.
Dr Opoku Prempeh argued that parliament has pressing issues to address, including social protection bills and environmental initiatives.
However, he acknowledged that if the NDC is unwilling to engage, there may be little reason to continue with parliamentary business.
“I think the new government then should come and start because we are resetting. And I agree, Ghanaians voted for resetting. So Mr Speaker, probably the only thing we have to do is to take a vote on account and close shop,” he stated.
Referencing the NDC’s campaign messaging, he noted the perceived emphasis on the “resetting agenda” and suggested that the current parliament focuses on limited priorities before wrapping up.
“Apart from the vote of proceedings and maybe his end-of-service benefits that he [Okudzeto Ablakwa] is very much interested in, every other thing, social protection bills, second reading of bills, third readings, if it is not worth doing, it’s not worth doing. Let’s agree on resetting, close shop on everything, do those they are interested in to further their own personal interests, and close shop,” Dr Opoku Prempeh concluded.
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