Parliament suspends sessions on the second day of the minority boycott

Parliament suspends sessions on the second day of the minority boycott

Parliamentary proceedings were halted on Tuesday, July 11 due to a very empty House.

At the opening of proceedings, there were no members of the Minority, while the number of Majority members (MPs) was only ten.

Andrew Amoako Asiamah, the Second Deputy Speaker, opted to adjourn the meeting.

The Minority had proclaimed its intention to follow its three members who were on trial for one or more crimes.

Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson made the announcement precisely a week ago, following the swearing-in of Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson, whose trial on Tuesday, July 11 caused the absence of National Democratic Congress (NDC) legislators.

“I wish to serve notice that the entire Minority Group will accompany our colleague to court today and any other day that he is to appear in court,” Dr Ato Forson stated on Tuesday, July 4.

“Mr Speaker, we are solidarising with our colleague and we will not participate in the business of the House anytime our colleague is in court and we will be withdrawing from the chamber after this ceremony if the court processes indeed happen today.”

This decision was eventually expanded to include the Minority Leader himself as well as Asutifi South MP Collins Dauda.

It premiered on Thursday, July 6.

Prior to the suspension of proceedings on the second day, Tuesday, July 11, Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu called for a serious discussion on the Minority’s decision.

He claims that the ruling would have an impact on government operations.