In a dramatic turn of events in Parliament, a heated clash erupted between KT Hammond and the Minority over the Minister of Trade’s move to introduce a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) aimed at restricting the importation of 22 strategically chosen products into the country. The contentious proposal led to a series of tense exchanges on the parliamentary floor.
As the debate unfolded, the Majority Leader fervently appealed to his colleagues to allow the Trade Minister to present the papers on behalf of the ministry. “I want to plead to my colleagues to allow the Minister of Trade to present the paper on behalf of his ministry to us,” he implored.
However, James Agalga, the Member of Parliament for Builsa North, raised concerns about the quorum for conducting business in the house, invoking Order 45 of the standing order. He pointed out the insufficient numbers in the house, stating, “Mr. Speaker, looking at the numbers in the house, we do not have a quorum to transact business.”
Adding to the dissent, Minority Deputy Whip Ahmed Banda expressed dissatisfaction with what he perceived as an attempt to ambush the minority with the Legislative Instrument. “Mr. Speaker, let it not be said that there is a conclusion for the L.I. to be laid. This L.I. is neither in the business statement for last week or this week. It always comes as a form of ambush in the house to do what should not be done,” he protested.
In response to Banda’s remarks, the trade minister expressed his dismay, condemning what he saw as a threat to the Deputy Speaker of the house. “Mr. Speaker, I find it appalling that a member in this house could threaten a sitting competent and legally appointed Deputy Speaker of the house. It is in bad taste. He cannot blackmail you,” the minister retorted.
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He went on to emphasize the constitutional right of the Minister to propose the Legislative Instrument, stating, “The Speaker knew that the Minister has the constitutional right to raise it.
They have no say in whether an L.I. is laid in this house or not, no one, with respect to the Speaker, the Speaker has no right over whether a Legislative Instrument is laid in this house; that is the constitution.”
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Amidst the escalating tension, the Deputy Speaker called for the ringing of the bell to summon members of parliament into the chamber. However, he later decided to suspend the sitting, bringing a temporary halt to the intense parliamentary clash. The incident underscores the deep divisions and strong opinions surrounding the proposed import restrictions and sets the stage for further debates on the matter in the days to come.
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