The Minority in Parliament has explained that the side abstained from the 3-day orientation programme held at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho for Members, ostensibly to cut cost as the programme could have been held in the Chamber to save cost.
“We all want to reduce cost so the last time, the argument was strongly made that we should reduce cost by having the engagement here. What has changed? You are already saying that the economy is not strong so simply put, we want to reduce cost. To that end the retreat respectfully, Mr. Speaker, should be held here in Parliament. The principled position is we want to reduce cost and the Chamber is big enough to contain all of us. Cost is so important,” Frank Annor-Dompreh, the Minority Chief Whip noted in Parliament.
He argued further: “Assuming without admitting that our colleagues from the Majority are not taking a cue from His Excellency the President on reducing cost, they should have noticed that even the independence anniversary celebrations is being held at the Jubilee House.”
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Annor-Dompreh, in his argument to convince the House to hold the orientation in Parliament rather than in a hotel in Ho said it was even wrong for the venue and resource persons to have been selected and agreed on when leadership had not been consulted.
“There has never been a time that Parliament goes out for a retreat and leadership is not consulted, leadership is not involved in the planning and even in the choice of venue and resources persons. This was not done.
“Our position is a very principled position. We are saying the Clerk and management should consult leadership and until that is done, we cannot be part. Let no one take it with malice; it is a principled position and that should be respected,” the Minority Chief Whip stated.
In response, the Deputy Majority Leader, Kweku Ricketts-Hagan said the Minority side should go and sort out their grievances with the Clerk on why the issue of the absence of consultation they have raised.
Ricketts-Hagan said the orientation would be held at Ho even if the Minority staysed away although he was hopeful they would change their minds and show up for the programme.
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He teased the Minority side that the ‘akpi’ traditional dance which the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin had asked to see at the Vetting and Appointments Committee would be taking place in Ho and it is another good reason for all sides to be there.
Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga also explained that having such orientations in Parliament can be challenging as some Members have the tendency to not show up or leave the programme mid way.
Mahama Ayariga opined that when Members are camped outside Accra or such programmes, they have no choice but to stay through the duration of the event and take reap the full benefits on the training.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, in his opening address at the orientation expressed disappointment over the Minority’s decision, describing it as “unacceptable” and “unfortunate.”
