Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has said Parliament may be setting a bad precedent by not sitting on Wednesday July 26, 2023, due to a national event being hosted by the Church of Pentecost.
The National Development Forum being hosted by the Church is to discuss national issues with President Akufo-Addo, former Presidents John Mahama and John Agyekum Kufuor, as well as the Speaker and Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkonu all billed to speak.
The speaker’s decision not to have the House sit on the account of this event had the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu worried.
According to him, there wasn’t a formal communication to house to that effect, adding that if care is not taken, “we may be setting some precedent that may be difficult to follow.”
But the Speaker interrupted him midway through his comment and stated that there was a formal communication about the event.
The Majority Leader continued after the interjection by saying, “I belong to the Assemblies of God – a Pentecostal Church and I am proud to belong to the Assemblies of God Church. If something is happening within the Christendom and we are formally communicated to, I think we should positively respond to.”
He did, however, suggest that the Speaker be cautious so that if another denomination comes to invite the House, it does not set a bad precedent.
The Speaker in response noted that the Majority Leader’s absence at the time the event was communicated is what has left him misinformed.
“The importance of the event was hammered home by me. By the time I informed the House, I even mentioned the other dignitaries, Chief Justice, President and the House is also invited so it is not just the speaker or the leaders. I also called on members to participate in the proceedings. So I have done that, it is just that you were not present,” he said.
Nonetheless, the Majority Leader and about 100 other MPs also attended the opening day of the 2-day conference.
