Speaker can’t find enough MPs to debate 2020 budget
The Speaker of Parliament has been forced to suspend debate on the 2020 budget after the chamber failed to obtain a quorum of about 90 MPs.
Warning to clamp down heavily on absenteeism, the Speaker Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye said MPs were taking their functions “lightly.”
After heckling and chanting during the 2020 budget presentation last Wednesday, only 49 MPs were present to do the real work of debate the 284-page document at the start of sitting Tuesday.
The governing NPP MPs posted 19 MPs. They have a majority of 169 MPs while NDC has 106 MPs in the 275-seater parliament.
Political groups
NPP (169)
NDC (106)
The opposition National Democratic Congress showed up with more even though they are less. The party had at least 30 MPs on the floor of Parliament at the start of proceedings.
The Speaker poured out fresh appall at an old frustration over absenteeism among MPs.
“We all agree that this is not good enough and am glad that no one rising in defence of what is manifestly facing us.”
Expect more…