The Minority in Parliament has boycotted a three-day orientation programme for Members of the 9th Parliament, which is currently underway at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho, Volta Region.
The decision, made public on the floor of Parliament last Friday, was driven by concerns over the cost of organising the programme.
Frank Annor Dompre, the Minority Chief Whip, announced in the chamber that the group would not be attending, suggesting that parliamentary training sessions be held in the chamber itself to reduce costs.
He emphasised that President John Mahama’s policy on cost-cutting should be followed, especially when considering the significant expenses involved in traveling to Ho and staying for three days.
Mr. Dompre also reminded the House that the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority had raised similar concerns during the last Parliament when an orientation programme was held at the Rock City in Koforidua, citing public backlash over the costs.
He argued that the Minority’s decision to boycott the current orientation was rooted in the same spirit of fiscal prudence.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, expressed disappointment over the Minority’s decision, describing it as “unacceptable” and “unfortunate.”
In his address at the opening session of the orientation, Speaker Bagbin revealed that he had received a text message late the previous night from the Minority notifying him of their intention to opt out.
He underscored the importance of the training programme and criticised the reasoning for the boycott, calling it “completely unacceptable.”
Mr. Bagbin also pointed out that the selection of venues for Parliamentary Training Institute (PTI) programmes is based solely on considerations of cost, suitability, serenity, and distance, rather than partisan factors.
He suggested that the concerns raised by the Minority did not adequately address these factors.
By Ernest Kofi Adu