Alban Bagbin has explained that honourable members walking out of Parliament during parliamentary proceedings does not render the House incapable to continue with its duties or activities in the country.
According to the Speaker of Parliament, a staged walkout in Parliament is a legal form of protest in the country and is, therefore, part of the Parliamentary norms and practice.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin addressing the House on the 16th of December 2021 cited some instances in the past where walkouts were staged but as a matter of fact, does not halt parliamentary proceedings.
“Indeed, there have been several walk-outs since 1997 and each side of the aisle has used it as a legitimate tool to register their displeasure with one issue or the other. The staging of a walk-out, however, does not render Parliament incapable of performing its functions”, he explained.
Furthermore, Alban Bagbin continued that, the Minority Caucus also boycott Parliament proceeding on the 22nd of August 2021 in a protest against the National Health Insurance Authority NHIA and that was considered as a legitimate norm and practice of the House and him on the other hand lead the walkout.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin made this statement following comments emanating from the Majority that their walkout in Parliament proceedings on the 30th of November 2021 during the 2022 budget statement debate made the discussion of the House invalid.
However, in the absence of the Speaker and the Minority Caucus, the Majority later convened in the House to allegedly approve the 2022 budget statement which was earlier rejected.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin resume his duties or seat on the 16th of December 2021 following his two-week Medical trip to Dubai outside the country.
SOURCE: Adomonline News
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