Parliament has adjourned voting on the E-Levy to today, December 21, after fisticuffs were traded in parliament yesterday when the 1st deputy speaker rose to go and cast his vote on the bill.
The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, mounted the dais to take over from First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu when the latter announced his right to vote.
This, many believed provoked the minority members resulting in proceedings being adjourned to 9:00 am Tuesday, December 21, 2020.
The decision was arrived at after a closed-door meeting between the leadership of both parties when a brawl ensued after the first deputy speaker announced his decision to vote.
Earlier, the Majority members had accused Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin of intentionally shirking his official duties on Monday.
The majority claimed they cannot continue with proceedings without the presence of the speaker.
Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin at a media briefing said “I regret to say that, we cannot proceed to make a decision without Mr. Speaker. We need Mr. Speaker in the House…what we want to insist on is that Mr. Speaker must show leadership. In Parliament leadership is consulted and is engaged. We have no information as to the whereabouts of Mr. Speaker.”
Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the NDC’s determination to frustrate and obstruct government business has been supported by the Speaker of Parliament.
According to him the speaker “who is the law sovereign of this House, who is the president of the House and considering the critical numbers, 138 majority group, 137 minority group. This is the time we expect Mr. Speaker to live up to his own bona fide to the people of Ghana, which is to show leadership.”
Meanwhile, the mobile money agents association has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike on Thursday, December 23 over the E-Levy Bill.
According to the vice president of the Association, Augustine Afful, the proposed 1.75 levy is regressive and will push members out of business.
Read also: Parliament to vote on controversial e-levy today
Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu/ATLFMNEWS
