Hon. Muntaka Mubarak MP for Asawase Constituency has broken silence over his nomination of Hon. Andrew Asiamah Amoako the only independent Member of Parliament of the 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic on January 7, 2021, as the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
Speaking in an interview with Emefa Ampau on Joy News monitored by TalksGhana.com, Muntaka revealed that, they had indicated within the opposition NDC caucus that, if Bagbin did not win the Speakership position, Bernard Ahiafor, Akatsi South MP and Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, Bolgatanga East MP would be proposed for the Second Deputy Speaker position.
He stressed that, the NPP side insisted on proposing both nominees for the first and second deputy Speakers after Alban Bagbin was picked over Prof.Mike Ocquaye but the NDC referred them to the Constitutional provision that the first and second deputy speakers must not be members of the same political party.
Muntaka further stated that, after the nomination of Alban Bagbin, MPs came to a consensus that they did not want to spend another three hours or more on each round of voting for the first and second deputy Speakers of Parliament, since this would have further delayed the inauguration of President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Bawumia, therefore, they agreed with the NPP side to propose the first Deputy Speaker unopposed so that they, the NDC, would likewise propose the second Deputy Speaker.
To him, the NDC caucus came together and had to convince their General Secretary…and agreed that they nominate the independent [MP] instead of nominating their own.
According to him they had to rush back and talk to Dominic Ayine and Bernard Ahiafor…they understood what [was] at stake because we needed to carry the house [along with us]…they all agreed and we gave it out.y
by: Muftaw Iddrisu | Talksghana.com
