The Public Affairs Directorate of Parliamentary Service has debunked allegations of bias levelled against the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, following the circumstances that led to the rejection of the 2022 budget.
Members on the Majority side of Parliament staged a walkout during processes to approve the 2022 budget in the House on Friday, November 26, 2021.
This follows a disagreement over a directive by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, for non-MPs to vacate the Chamber following a request for a division after a voice vote in the House, however, the Speaker did not request for the absence of the General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah who was sitting at the chamber during the proceedings.
The Majority Caucus accused the Speaker of Parliament of being biased.
However, a statement by the Public Affairs Directorate of Parliament said, “Parliament will like to assure citizens that allegations of bias are unfounded and should not be entertained”.
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Speaking on the approval of budgets, the statement said “as in common in all parliaments, these processes are sometimes characterized by disagreements but usually, the House is able to come to some agreement. The events that have characterized the scrutiny of this particular budget is no exception”.
The statement added that the Speaker is “aware of the National nature of the budget and the need to do what is best for the entire citizenry”.
