Prime News Ghana

Minority accuses Speaker of bias

By Justice Kofi Bimpeh
Haruna Iddrisu & Prof. Mike Oquaye
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The Minority in Parliament has accused the Speaker Prof Mike Oquaye of bias towards the Majority side of the House. Leader Haruna Iddrisu said on Thursday, July 27 that the decision by the speaker to limit him to just one question, when the Minister of Food and Agriculture Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto appeared before the House on issues relating to government’s Planting for Food and Jobs programme, was unacceptable.
 
Some Members of the Minority walked out of the chamber following what they described as a bias posture of the Speaker towards the Majority.

Addressing the Speaker Haruna Iddrisu said "you know the essence of parliamentary questions is significant and integral to the exercise of oversight. Your refusal to allow me even as Minority Leader to proceed can only be an effort to cripple us".
 
 
The Speaker, however, responded that: he has "consistently made it clear to both sides of the House – Majority and Minority – that no one will be allowed a double bite as I said on many occasions to both the Minority and the Majority. In all honesty, you all know that."
 
He insisted that the argument being raised by Mr Iddrisu was unnecessary, insisting that no MP shall in the future be allowed a "double bite" at the chamber."