The Speaker of Parliament's order to the plenary to discuss the fate of Sarah Adwoa Safo, a member of the Dome Kwabenya Member of Parliament (MP), and two other lawmakers for absenteeism has drawn severe criticism from the majority leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.
By arguing that the judgment violates the constitution and threatening to dispute it, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu claims that the Speaker erred in returning the case to the parliament.
"I vehemently disagree with the decision. I must convey how uncomfortable I am with this awful decision because it is so incongruous with the constitution. Right after the decision, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu declared on the House floor, "We will return with a substantial motion to contest the judgment.
On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, Alban Bagbin, Speaker of the House, gave his approval for a report from the Privileges Committee regarding three absentee Members of Parliament to be presented and discussed in the House.
Attempts to have Mr. Bagbin proclaim some of the seats vacant without a proper discussion of the report of the Privileges Committee were rejected by him.
The preliminary objection to the report's admissibility is accordingly dismissed in limine, the Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin ruled.
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu expressed his unhappiness with the decision at a press conference shortly after it was made, stating that it was bad for legislative business.
He stated that the Privileges Committee's reports should have served as the basis for the Speaker's decision.
"I am adamant that the Speaker's interpretation of the Constitution is wholly incorrect. He has led us on a groveling excursion that is not beneficial to the expansion of Parliament. The decision is not up to plenary.