General News of Wednesday, 20 December 2017

Source: mynewsgh.com

Kennedy Agyepong justifies why he is an absentee MP

MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyepong MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyepong

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyepong has justified absenting himself from parliamentary sittings; revealing he does that to bring development to his constituents.

“Three days ago, I took a Chinese company to Ghana Water to sign MoU for Assin Fosu. …while I am doing this my colleagues were in parliament talking….so which one do you prefer?” he quizzed.

“The same person who is expecting me to be in parliament 24/7 expects me to take care of his responsibilities. Where do I get the money to take care of the responsibility”, he further asked.

Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyepong, therefore, explained he prefers working outside Parliament than to be on the floor of Parliament debating all time.

“When I go out there to speak in parliament, it is my duty to do that so I don’t have a problem but I have to be going round lobbying for Assin Fosu -Twifo Praso road”, the lawmaker spoke on GHOne State of Affairs.

“The parliamentary work is not only going to parliament and raise your hands Mr. Speaker I have a contribution to make”, Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyepong pointed out.

Thirty-nine (39) MPs comprising 18 Ministers and 21 Deputy Ministers violated article 97(1)(c) of the 1992 Constitution by absenting themselves from 15 sittings and over without permission of the Speaker of Parliament.

They include; Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Health Minister Kweku Agyemang-Manu, Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Education Minister Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, Works & Housing Minister Samuel Atta Akyea, Minister of Regional Reorganisation Dan Botwe, Railways Development Minister Joe Ghartey, Deputy Finance Minister Kweku Kwarteng, Deputy Health Minister Tina Mensah, Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul, Interior Minister Ambrose Dery among others, according to a list compiled by civil society group Odekro for the first and second meetings of the seventh parliament of 2017.