The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has revealed plans by Parliament to sit after 3 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
This change comes in response to the Minority’s decision to boycott parliamentary sittings on days their leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, goes to court.
Dr Ato Forson, a former Deputy Finance Minister, is on trial for causing the state a €2.3 million loss. He faces charges related to the purchase of 200 ambulances between 2014 and 2016.
He is facing five counts of wilfully causing financial loss to the state, abetment to wilfully causing financial loss to the state, contravention of the Public Procurement Act, and intentionally misapplying public property.
According to the Majority leader, the new arrangement will benefit all.
“Mr. Speaker, there is an arrangement that on Tuesdays and Thursdays, we sit after 3 pm. As a result of that, questions will receive written answers, which answers will be published for members, so that arrangement is in place.
“So no member will lose an opportunity to have answers to questions because of the late sitting,” Afenyo-Markin said.
In a statement, the Minority Caucus expressed unwavering support for their leader and emphasized their unity by abstaining from parliamentary sittings on days scheduled for the ongoing ambulance trial.
They highlighted a pattern of obstruction from the trial judge, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, who has denied requests allowing Dr Ato Forson to participate in critical parliamentary activities.
They criticized the court’s decisions, which they believe hinder Dr. Ato Forson from fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities.
The Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Governs Agbodza, also stated that the NDC Minority Caucus reserves the right to utilize all available parliamentary tools in its legislative approach.