The Speaker of Parliament, Alban S. K Bagbin, has warned the leaders of the majority and minority parties in Parliament against attempting to stall the work of some Parliamentary Committees.


The Speaker claims that the development has stymied a number of legislative activities and made it difficult for the House to fulfill its oversight responsibilities.

"While it is the responsibility of all committees to give the topics presented to them full and adequate study," he stated, "this consideration should not come at the expense of delaying Parliamentary activity."

During Tuesday's proceedings in the chamber, the Speaker issued the warning in a formal statement to the House.
Except in the case of a Bill proposed by or on behalf of the President, the Constitution does not provide a deadline for a committee to finish its work.
In these circumstances, Article 106(14) of the Constitution stipulates that a bill cannot be postponed in any committee of Parliament for longer than three months.

Mr Bagbin also regretted the lack of committee minutes following deliberations, and instructed committee clerks to follow Order 212(2) of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

He warned that if there are no minutes, the Cluster heads of the committee groupings will be held personally responsible, and that this will be seen as a dereliction of duty.

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Seth Amoah

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