Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has criticized the Minority in Parliament, claiming that their attendance and participation have consistently failed to meet the required one-third of the House.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, February 11, following the adjournment of sitting on Friday, February 7, due to a lack of quorum, he emphasized that despite being given 88 seats by Ghanaians, the Minority has often been represented by as few as 21 members, prompting him to suggest that the electorate might reduce their seats to 21 in the next election based on their performance.
He stressed that the question of quorum is a critical aspect of parliamentary proceedings and explained that leadership in the House is well aware of when and how quorum should be raised. According to Mr. Ayariga, quorum is usually not questioned during the initial stages of the sitting, such as prayers and voice proceedings, but it becomes vital when public business begins. This practice ensures the legitimacy of parliamentary work.
He cautioned against using quorum as a political tool and urged members to take their attendance responsibilities seriously. He expressed concern that the Minority’s persistent low attendance was undermining the functioning of Parliament and the public’s trust in the institution. He emphasized that the lack of quorum had led to several adjournments, impacting the efficiency of parliamentary work.
