Parliament Proceedings of Friday, 12th June, 2026

[00:00:00]Led by Solomon William Asare a leader They are from Sunyani East.

[00:00:09]They numbered 33.

[00:00:13]We have Adesu SDA Basic School led by Mawutor Able.

[00:00:21]Headteacher They are from Upper West Akyem.

[00:00:26]They numbered 65.

[00:00:28]Honorable members on your behalf I welcome all of them to Parliament of Ghana and urge them to have a joyous and fruitful visit.

[00:00:39]Yes.

[00:00:45]>> Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

[00:00:47]Mr. Speaker, we did agree earlier on that we will try and close here early today.

[00:00:56]Obviously, because the floods have not subsided.

[00:01:00]>> subsided the flood.

[00:01:02]Can you with flood?

[00:01:03]>> subsided And then members are going to be traveling to their constituencies. So, we want to enable them to leave here at a decent time to be able to get to their constituencies safely and not affected by the floods.

[00:01:19]Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, I will have to move a motion to adjourn the house. But, I can see my minority leader um agitated.

[00:01:33]So, if you give him a lot of >> Yes, minority leader.

[00:01:41]>> Speaker The deputy leader of the house is introducing a very contentious subject matter.

[00:01:56]According to him he wants this house to adjourn because of flood.

[00:02:05]Mr. Speaker, we all know the situation in the country.

[00:02:12]And we know that so far there hasn't been any action by government to address the flooding situation.

[00:02:22]Yes.

[00:02:23]Mr. Speaker, if he claims if he claims that members of parliament would have to go to their constituencies.

[00:02:32]Is it only on Fridays that they go to their constituencies?

[00:02:36]Why didn't he make this application on Tuesday and on Wednesday?

[00:02:42]That today he claims that members would have to go to their constituencies. Mr. Speaker, this attitude of the majority where every now and then they come up with surprises.

[00:03:02]As it pleases them, they want parliament to adjourn.

[00:03:06]As it pleases them, they want us to stay here. Mr. Speaker, the work of parliament is well and well done where there's consensus.

[00:03:22]You don't discuss such matters.

[00:03:24]You only come and make an application that Mr. Speaker should adjourn the house to enable members go to their constituencies. Mr. Speaker, that is an application that sits on stilts.

[00:03:41]Mr. Speaker, in any event, Mr. SPEAKER, IN ANY EVENT, IF YOU LOOK AT TODAY'S ORDER PAPER, AT PAGE 43, MOTION 53.

[00:03:53]MR. SPEAKER, MOTION 53 IS AN IMPORTANT MOTION THAT HAS SERIOUS NATIONAL SECURITY IMPLICATIONS.

[00:04:02]THAT IS A MATTER THAT BORDERS ON EMPLOYMENT. MR. SPEAKER, FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, LET ME READ motion 53 FOR HIM.

[00:04:12]THAT PURSUANT TO ORDER 127 of the standing orders, the right HONORABLE SPEAKER REVIEWS the ruling of the first deputy speaker on 5th MARCH 2025 SUSTAINING THE preliminary objection raised by the majority leader, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, against moving the private members' motion listed as item 16 on page six of the order paper for Wednesday, 5th March 2025, and same captured in official report of the house for the said date. MR. SPEAKER, THIS MOTION was moved, seconded, and debate started.

[00:04:52]We are in June. Today is the 12th of June, 2026.

[00:04:58]THIS MOTION WAS MOVED ON THE 5TH OF MARCH.

[00:05:02]MR. SPEAKER, IT'S UH BEEN OVER A YEAR.

[00:05:06]AND WHAT IS THE SUBJECT MATTER?

[00:05:08]THE SUBJECT MATTER IN THIS MOTION IS SIMPLY THAT THIS PARLIAMENT SHOULD TAKE UP THE ISSUE OF MASS DISMISSAL OF GHANAIANS WHO WERE IN THE EMPLOY OF THE STATE.

[00:05:21]IF AS A PARLIAMENT WE DON'T SEE THIS AS AN IMPORTANT MATTER, A DIRECTIVE OF GOVERNMENT DISMISSING EMPLOYED GHANAIANS, AND AN APPLICATION IS BEFORE THIS HOUSE FOR US TO DISCUSS SO THAT APPROPRIATE STEPS ARE TAKEN TO STOP SUCH ACTIONS. YOU, THE MAJORITY, ARE NOT INTERESTED IN SEEING TO IT THAT PARLIAMENT TAKES THIS MATTER UP.

[00:05:49]WE KEEP ADVERTISING THIS IN THE ORDER PAPER. IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR.

[00:05:54]THOSE CHILDREN, THOSE YOUTH, MR. SPEAKER, THEY ARE BREADWINNERS.

[00:06:01]THEY HAVE FAMILIES. THEY HAVE CHILDREN.

[00:06:05]AND IF AS PARLIAMENT, IT APPEARS THAT WE ARE NOT CONCERNED, WHAT IMPRESSION ARE WE CREATING?

[00:06:11]WE CANNOT CONCLUDE ON THIS MOTION FOR A MORE A DECISION TO BE MADE SO THAT AS PART OF GOVERNANCE, WE ENSURE THAT THIS TRANSITION TRANSITION ERROR MASSES MISSILES IS ENDED. WE BRING IT TO AN END. MR. SPEAKER, I WILL NOT I WILL NOT SECOND THIS MOTION.

[00:06:34]I WILL NOT SECOND THIS MOTION WITH THE ARGUMENT CANVASSED BY THE DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER. IF HIS ONLY ARGUMENT IS THAT THERE SHOULD WE SHOULD GO HOME, NOT DO BUSINESS BECAUSE OF SOME ISSUES THAT MR. SPEAKER, WE CAN STILL DEAL WITH WITHOUT SHUTTING DOWN PARLIAMENT.

[00:06:59]WHEN WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT NATIONAL ISSUE LIKE THIS, AND PARLIAMENT, MR. SPEAKER, HONORABLE KOJO OPPONG NKRUMAH YESTERDAY MADE A STATEMENT ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY. IT'S VERY ALARMING.

[00:07:11]IT HAS NATIONAL SECURITY IMPLICATIONS.

[00:07:13]THE YOUTH THE YOUTH OF THIS COUNTRY WANTS US AS PARLIAMENT TO ADDRESS THIS CONCERN.

[00:07:21]PEOPLE >> HONORABLE MINORITY LEADER, WITH ALL due respect and with all humility, this morning, we were at conclave and certain decisions were reached at the conclave that after business statement, we'll take one statement and adjourn.

[00:07:47]Your deputy was there.

[00:07:50]Habib, the deputy whip, was there. Unfortunately, you were not there.

[00:07:57]But what you are placing on record is throwing completely overboard the agreement that we have reached at conclave.

[00:08:06]That is where I have difficulty.

[00:08:11]>> Speaker, with respect, you know I would always act in good faith.

[00:08:16]Speaker, when I got into the chamber, I communicated certain earlier indications, and the understanding I had through my whip was that in spite of the earlier agreement, certain matters were to be ferried to you so that this very important matter at least be considered. It is upon that basis THAT I WAS STRUCK BY SURPRISE.

[00:08:44]>> YOU see >> Mr. Speaker, may I finish?

[00:08:46]>> Honorable, yes.

[00:08:47]>> I finish?

[00:08:47]>> Yes. I I get the point. I get the point that you are making. But you know that it is trite learning that you are challenging my decision.

[00:08:58]I cannot reconstitute myself to reverse my own decision. So if you are asking that you want that particular matter to be ferried to me to be taken today, the least said about it, the better.

[00:09:13]So please >> Speaker, speaker Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker Mr. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker Ah.

[00:09:35]Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker, I object.

[00:09:40]Speaker It is a reason why I told the deputy majority leader TO ENSURE THAT THE APPROPRIATE communication gets to you. I KNOW THAT YOU CAN'T RECONSTITUTE YOURSELF.

[00:09:52]SO THAT, MR. SPEAKER, we agreed to adjourn. BUT, MR. SPEAKER, I HAVE MY SIDE. THIS APPLICATION IS COMING from our side. It's been OVER A YEAR. MR. SPEAKER MR. SPEAKER, I WANT I WANT THIS MOTION TO BE PARLIAMENT MOTION.

[00:10:08]THE FACT THAT IT WAS MOUNTED BY THE MINORITY SHOULDN'T BE THE MINORITY'S PRAYER ALONE. WHEN IT COMES TO MASS DISMISSALS, IT'S A MATTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERN.

[00:10:21]>> SO, YOU WANT me to take that motion?

[00:10:24]>> OH, NO, MR. SPEAKER. I TOLD HIM TO COMMUNICATE TO YOU.

[00:10:27]>> IF YOU want me to take the motion, go ahead and move it.

[00:10:30]>> I didn't say that. The understanding we had was that HE SHOULD REACH OUT TO THE CLERK at table so that some indication is given TO ENABLE YOU COMMUNICATE with Mr. Speaker to find space. THAT WAS WHAT I WAS EXPECTING HIM TO DO.

[00:10:45]>> That's why I'm saying that.

[00:10:46]>> YEAH, BUT, MR. SPEAKER, IT IS OKAY.

[00:10:48]>> MR. SPEAKER, I'm ready to take your motion. Go ahead and move it.

[00:10:50]>> No, Mr. Speaker.

[00:10:52]Um Mr. Speaker I MR. SPEAKER, THEY DON'T HAVE THE APPETITE TO TAKE THIS MOTION.

[00:10:59]WHEN WE START THIS MOTION I'M NOT SURE THEY ARE READY TO ARGUE.

[00:11:03]IF YOU ARE READY TO ARGUE, we'll take the motion.

[00:11:06]>> YES.

[00:11:06]>> ARE YOU READY? Are you prepared?

[00:11:07]>> I'm ready to let me deliver it in my OWN WAY.

[00:11:09]>> MR. SPEAKER, ARE THEY PREPARED TO TAKE THIS MOTION?

[00:11:13]OH, ANY amendment on that?

[00:11:16]Mr. Speaker They are not the presiding officer.

[00:11:20]The presiding officer has given me the right of audience. You are also saying "No, no." So means I sit down.

[00:11:30]Mr. Speaker, I'm an honorable man. I my language. They can't INTIMIDATE ME.

[00:11:35]YEAH, MR. SPEAKER.

[00:11:37]NOT AT ALL, MR. SPEAKER.

[00:11:40]OH, MR. SPEAKER, I'M BETTER THAN I'M BETTER THAN THE DEPUTY AGRIC MINISTER.

[00:11:45]MR. SPEAKER, I'M BETTER THAN THE AGRIC DEPUTY AGRIC MINISTER. I'M BETTER THAN THE THE THE THE MEMBER THE THE MR. SPEAKER, I'M BETTER THAN THE VICE PRESIDENT OF PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT.

[00:11:57]MR. SPEAKER, LET'S TRY ANLO. LET'S TRY IT.

[00:12:00]I CAN SPEAK BETTER ANLO THAN THE VICE PRESIDENT OF PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT, MR. SPEAKER.

[00:12:05]I THROW THE CHALLENGE.

[00:12:07]WE ARE BOTH MIXED BLOOD. LET US SEE WHO WHICH OF THE MIXED BLOODS CAN SAY SPEAK BETTER ANLO. I'M READY FOR YOU.

[00:12:14]>> Majority Leader >> Mr. SPEAKER, I'M READY.

[00:12:16]>> HONORABLE MAJORITY LEADER >> I AM READY FOR HER. I AM READY FOR THE DEPUTY AGRIC MINISTER.

[00:12:21]>> Outside Parliament, I'll have to supervise the two of you to see who can speak Anlo better.

[00:12:29]But not in Parliament.

[00:12:32]So, will the member second the motion for adjournment?

[00:12:35]>> Mr. Speaker, reluctantly reluctantly reluctantly and FOR YOUR SAKE SPEAKER, FOR YOUR SAKE ONCE YOU ARE PRESIDING, it is my duty as your junior brother to ensure that there is a peaceful atmosphere. So, Mr. Speaker, um Mr. SPEAKER, AS IT PLEASES THE MAJORITY, AS IT PLEASES THEM.

[00:13:08]>> Honorable members, motion moved and seconded for adjournment.

[00:13:14]The motion is for the consideration of the house.

[00:13:19]I will put a question.

[00:13:21]As many as are in favor of adjournment, say I.

[00:13:26]>> [screaming] >> Those against say no.

[00:13:29]>> No.

[00:13:32]I remember this.

[00:13:35]The eyes have it.

[00:13:37]The house is accordingly adjourned till Tuesday, the 16th day of June 2026 at 12:00 noon.