Prime News Ghana

Report on foreign trips or face sanctions: Speaker to MPs

By Clement Edward Kumsah
speaker_of_ghana's_parlaiment
Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Prof. Mike Ocquaye
Shares
facebook sharing button Share
twitter sharing button Tweet
email sharing button Email
sharethis sharing button Share

Lawmakers in Parliament could face sanctions from the Speaker if they refuse to furnish the House with reports of sponsored trips.

The Majority Leader, Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu speaking on the floor of the house on Friday criticised both sides of Parliament for failing to prepare reports on proceedings when they embark on assignments sponsored by the House.

According to Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, the unfortunate practice robs Parliament of institutional memory. He stated that the Business Committee has it worthy to prompt delegations that they are obliged to furnish the house with a report after sponsored travels.

He observed members fail to appraise the house on  some capacity building fora they participate  in upon their return to Ghana. Parliament therefore gets no record of such workshops and their usefulness to MPs.

As a leader of the majority, he cautioned that such behavior will not be tolerated any longer.

 Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Prof. Mike Ocquaye called for weighty sanctions for all members who refuse to present reports after they return from such sponsored trips.

“Once you’re sent by Parliament to go on any mission whatsover when you come back you have to report.” Speaker stated.

Prof. Mike Ocquaye added that the presentation of the report to the house will be the responsibility of whoever leads, including himself, this new regulation is meant to help build institutional memory, and a point of reference.

As a strict measure, the Speaker warned that a time may come when those who refuse to oblige may not be allowed on future trips. 

Â