Parliament fails to debate Vodafone deal

Page 19, July 20, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE anticipated debate by Parliament to approve the sale and purchase agreement between the government and Vodafone could not come off as expected.
The debate would have centred on the 70 per cent ordinary shares of Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited expected to be sold at $900 million to Vodafone.
The issue was scheduled for the day’s business and both the Minority and the Majority sides had mobilised their members for what was to be a hectic debate before the adjournment of the House, and so it came as a surprise when the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, advised the Speaker to bring proceedings of the House to an end.
“Mr Speaker, although we have not finished the business of the day, reports on some of the items earmarked for discussion are not ready.”
Following this request, MPs from the Minority, who had already kicked against the deal, shouted “hear, hear” amidst laughter.
The Speaker, therefore, called on the Minority Chief Whip, Mr John Tia, to give his closing remarks to end the Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth Parliament.
In his remarks, Mr Tia acknowledged that the meeting had been a hectic one and commended the Speaker and his two deputies, MPs, staff of the Parliamentary Service and the Parliamentary Press Corps for their respective roles in ensuring a successful meeting.
For his part, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu noted that although the meeting was short, the House was able to take far-reaching decisions that would go a long way to impact positively on the lives of Ghanaians.
He stated that since very important issues scheduled for discussions during the day could not be done, the House might be reconvened, if the need arose.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu called on his colleagues to ensure a peaceful electioneering during the recess in order for them to come back to the House refreshed for the next meeting.
The Speaker, Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes, thanked the leadership of the House for assisting him to steer affairs during the meeting.
He said the House was saddened by the death of the former Speaker, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, and that the leadership of the House was in touch with the bereaved family to ensure that he was given a fitting burial.
The House is expected to reconvene on Tuesday, October 7, 2008.