Ambulance in Parliament yesterday, raised suspicions that bedridden Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and MP for Ahanta West, Ebenezer Kojo, may have been brought in to help the Majority pass the E-Levy.
A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is determined to use every trick in the book to pass E-Levy.
President Akufo-Addo, is expected in Parliament today to deliver the State of the National Address (SONA) and it appears everything was done to give him a good narrative, including the passage of the E-Levy and the commissioning of a flyover in Tamale in the absence of the Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako Atta.
In a Facebook post, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said “The NPP is determined to use every trick in the book today to pass the E-Levy. NDC MPs on behalf of Ghanaians will do everything to prevent that.”
“Surely the NPP do not intend to drag the ailing Chieftaincy Minister to Parliament against all reason and decency, to vote in favour of the E-Levy, do they? Which family would allow their loved one to be subjected to this kind of humiliation in such a state?”
The MP for Sekondi constituency, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, in reaction said there was nothing wrong with having his Ahanta West colleague, Ebenezer Kojo Kum, in the House to conduct parliamentary business.
Mr Kum, is reported to have suffered a stroke, thus, was hospitalized.
However, he was wheeled to Parliament yesterday to participate in proceedings for the passage of the E-levy-Bill.
This became necessary because Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, returned to Parliament to push for the passage of the Electronic Transactions (E-Levy) Bill.
Both sides of the House, have rallied their numbers to ensure that they push forward their interests, hence, Mr Kum’s presence was crucial in securing the votes to approve or reject the E-Levy.
But Ghanaians, have already described the development as insensitive to the 54-year-old legislator’s predicament.
Reacting to this, the Sekondi MP told JoyNews that though he is unaware of Mr Kum’s presence in the House, it would not be out of place.
He explained that “it is not the first time that has happened.”
“Like I said, I’m not aware if he is going to participate but if he has to, then that is exactly what is going to happen,” he said yesterday.
“We are where we are and we need to do what we have to do,” he told Kwesi Parker-Wilson.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has said Parliament expects President Akufo-Addo to report on time to deliver the SONA, today.
He said the President must report at exactly 10.
Mr Bagbin yesterday, said this after presiding over the approval of the E-levy.
The Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, announced when he presented the Business Statement of the House for the 10th Week ending Saturday, April 2, 2022, on Friday March 25 that Mr Akufo-Addo, will be delivering the SONA Wednesday.
“Pursuant to the convention of this House, Honorable Members are urged to be punctual and accordingly be seated in the chamber latest by 9.15am, as it may not be courteous for members to enter or exit the House after the President has taken his seat in the chamber to deliver his address”, Mr Annoh-Dompreh said.
This comes after concerns were raised against the delay in addressing the nation.
Earlier, Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, said President Akufo-Addo, could not be blamed for the delay in presenting the SONA.
He said it was the duty of the Speaker of Parliament and Leadership in the House to agree on a date and communicate same to the President.
That agreement has not been reached for it to be communicated to the President, he said on the Floor of the House on Friday March 18.
Mr Agbodza, had described the delay as unprecedented in the history of the Fourth Republic.
“This is an unprecedented territory. We have never seen a president who is unable to tell us the state of the nation this long. We think that we need a definite date,” he said.
But responding to him, Mr Afenyo-Markin, who is also a lawmaker for Effutu said “On the statement by honorable Kwame Agbodza to the effect that Mr President had delayed in coming. At the risk of being repetitive and for emphasis, it isn’t Mr President who has delayed coming. It is the duty of the Speaker and leadership to agree on a date and communicate the same to Mr President . That is what is pending and so don’t say that Mr President has delayed.”
