The trial of Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson is significantly impacting parliamentary business, as Members of Parliament (MPs) from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) consistently boycott proceedings in solidarity with their leader whenever he appears in court.
This boycott of the Minority Caucus has resulted in delays in the legislative process until Dr. Forson returns to the chamber, where he frequently raises quorum issues.
Tensions flared in a recent session when Deputy Speaker Andrew Amoako Asiamah, presiding over the House, refused to call for a head count, stating it was not the right time. This decision nearly led to chaos.
A heated dispute over speaking time management further highlighted the strained atmosphere. The Speaker insisted his time had not reached 10 minutes, while Ketu North MP James Klutse Avedzi argued, “The time the bell was rung, we all heard it. If you are telling this house that you are using your time…”
The Speaker countered, “I am saying the time I called for the bell, it is left with 2 minutes, so allow me.” Avedzi responded by questioning the Speaker’s special time allocation, citing the 1992 Constitution.
Accusations also flew, with NDC MPs being accused of trying to frustrate government business. Kintampo North MP Joseph Kwame Kumah refuted these claims, stating, “it should be on record that it is even the Minority who are more in the House so if anybody should say we are thwarting government business, it is not true”, he said.
Dr. James Klutse Avedzi defended the Minority, accusing the majority of inciting public opinion against them and asserting that their tactics would fail. He argued that Dr. Forson should be allowed to represent his constituents, urging the government to drop the case against him.
“If they want us to do the work, which they term it as frustration, then they should allow Ato Forson to also represent his constituents. They should drop the case because this is a case where they [government] are in charge,” he added.
Due to a lack of agreement, the House was suspended for an hour. When proceedings resumed, a quorum was still not established, leading to the adjournment of the House.
