Hon. Alex Tetteh Djornobuah, Member of Parliament for Sefwi-Akontombra, has stated that there was no misunderstanding in Parliament regarding the ruling on the majority status in the 8th Parliament.
According to him, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) respected the court’s decision affirming the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as the majority, a move he described as rare cooperation from the opposition party.
Speaking to Kwamina Sam Biney on Bryt Adekyee Mu Nsem Morning show, Hon. Tetteh Djornobuah accused the NDC of attempting to manipulate parliamentary proceedings to serve their own interests.
He indicated the NDC had requested Parliament to prepare a vote-on-account budget that would allow them to pay workers for three months after the swearing-in of a new administration.
He further claimed that the opposition sought to sideline crucial government policies, including tax exemptions under the One District, One Factory initiative, which supports 41 companies, and the Free Senior High School program.
“The NDC wants us to halt all government business and focus solely on the vote on account. But when it was time to prepare this budget, they refused to cooperate due to their selfish interests,” he asserted.
Hon. Tetteh Djornobuah challenged the NDC to prepare the vote-on-account budget themselves if they believed they could do so.
He emphasized that the finance minister, and not any other entity, holds the constitutional mandate to lay and move such a bill before Parliament. He noted, however, that the finance minister has not yet submitted any documents regarding the vote on account.
“The NPP is not at fault here. We were fully prepared to handle the vote-on-account budget for the citizens. But the NDC has delayed the process and is now trying to shift the blame,” he stated.
He also criticized the NDC for undermining the constitutional requirement for the vote on account, which he stressed is essential for the smooth transition of government. Without it, he noted, the president-elect and Members of Parliament cannot be sworn into office.
Hon. Tetteh Djornobuah reaffirmed the NPP’s commitment to fulfilling its constitutional duties but made it clear that the party would not lay any bill in Parliament that primarily benefits the NDC while sidelining the ruling party’s key initiatives.
“The NPP will not sacrifice its policies for the NDC’s convenience. It is up to them to decide if they want to work in the interest of Ghanaians or continue with their delays,” he concluded.
The dispute over the vote-on-account underscores ongoing tensions between the NPP and NDC in the 8th Parliament, with both parties grappling for control over key legislative decisions.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Gumedzo Isaac Acheampong
