Although Parliament was advertised to start sitting at 10AM on Friday January 28, lawmakers from both sides have failed to show up despite the Speaker being ready for them since 9:30AM.
TV3’s Parliamentary correspondent, Komla Klutse reported that no reason has been assigned for this delay.
“Speaker Bagbin has been in his office since 9:30AM. His doctors have advised him not to sit late and long hours, according to his aids. He has been ready since morning waiting for the business of the house to commence,” Komla reported.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has reduced the E-levy rate from the initial 1.75 percent to 1.5 percent after meeting with the minority leadership again as part of consultations on the proposal today, Friday, January 28.
Komla Klutse further reported that the Minority are however still opposed to it. They want the proposal to be dropped entirely.
This meeting was after the first meeting between the two parties on Thursday January 27 ended in a deadlock with both side remained intransigent on their positions regarding the proposal.
The meeting formed part of stakeholder engagements on the proposal.
The Majority Leader in Parliament Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu urged all Members of Parliament to make it a priority to partake in the process leading to the passage of the E-levy.
He told the House on Tuesday January 25 that further stakeholder consultation are ongoing on the proposal hence the inability of the Business Committee to programme it during the first week of the first setting of the second session.
The Business Committee, he said hoped to programme the proposal for consideration in the second week after the engagement.
The Suame Lawmaker explained the absence of the E-levy proposal on the Order Paper saying “Mr Speaker, as Honourable members will recall the House was expected to conclude consideration and passing of the electronic transfer levy bill 2021 by the end of the third meeting for the first session.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances however, the House was unable to consider and pass the bill at the end of of the meeting. It was therefore the contemplation of the Business Committee that the Bill will be scheduled for consideration by the House during the First week of the first meeting of the second session.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances however, the House was unable to consider and pass the bill at the end of of the meeting. It was therefore the contemplation of the Business Committee that the Bill will be scheduled for consideration by the House during the First week of the first meeting of the second session.
“However upon consultation with the sponsoring Minister the committee is not unable to programme same for this week after resumption.
The Honorable Minister of Finance has been undertaking further engagement with stakeholders and sections of the general public with respect of some concerns that have been raised on the bill.
“The committee, in all probability, will programme the bill for consideration in the second week of this meeting and honorable members are therefore encouraged to participate fully in the consideration and the process of the passage of the bill.”
By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana
