Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the North Tongu MP, has praised the debate over three MPs, Sarah Adwoa Safo, Henry Quartey, and Kennedy Agyepong, who have been sent to the Privileges Committee for absenteeism.
“This is healthy for our parliamentary democracy,” he stated on Eyewitness News.
“We’re charting a course that will become the standard, the usual, so having these debates is beneficial.”
Muntaka Mubarak, the Minority Chief Whip, protested the reference in Parliament and later submitted a motion demanding for the three MPs’ referral to be withdrawn.
Mr. Muntaka felt the Speaker should refer the MPs to the Privileges Committee on his own accord because it would set a bad precedent.
But Mr. Ablakwa noted the protest was done in good faith.
“I do not see it as a conflict per se in the strict sense. It is different view points that are being expressed and it is being done with decorum and deep respect for everybody.”
While referring the three MPs to the committee, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, said the absence of the MPs without his permission constituted a breach of the rules of the house.
In Parliament on Tuesday, he urged the committee to provide its report to the house two weeks after the House reconvenes from its recess.
