Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo
The Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo, has criticised members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Parliament for calling on Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang to appear before the House on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
According to the Minority, her presence was necessary to contribute to the debate on the 2025 Budget and Economic Policy scheduled for the same day.
Patrick Yaw Boamah, the MP for Okaikwei South, argued that Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s extensive experience in the education sector would provide valuable insights into shaping the budget.
“The Business Committee has made allocations for ministers of state, leaving out the Vice President, who has been very quiet. It is important to see her in action on the floor to debate the President’s economic and financial policy, especially given her background as a former Minister of Education.
“I, therefore, urge the Business Committee to amend the Business Paper and allocate time for the Vice President to be present. As the first female Vice President, she is permitted by the Constitution to participate,” he added.
However, addressing the issue, Isaac Adongo stated that it was unnecessary to bring the Vice President to Parliament, as the previous Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, never attended.
“Even on the rare occasions he did, he was only captured nodding his head without contributing to budget discussions.
“A few weeks ago, they were sitting on this side of the House and were programming business. Did you program the Vice President then to appear in this House, or was he not entitled? Or do you assume that appearing here and nodding his head constituted participation?” he quizzed.
Adongo emphasised that the Vice President is currently occupied with important matters and will appear before the House at the appropriate time.
He stressed that she does not intend to merely show up and nod, as Dr. Bawumia did.
He further highlighted that they are taking inspiration from Dr. Bawumia, who never appeared in Parliament.
Adongo also reminded the Minority that it is not mandatory to listen to the Vice President, pointing out that the Majority, along with many Ghanaians, consistently pay attention to her.
“Unfortunately, the Vice President has very important things to do. She doesn’t want to come and just nod her head. But if you say she has been very quiet, we cannot force you to listen to her. However, yesterday, I listened to her, and many other Ghanaians listened to her. You may choose not to hear her if she is in the chamber, but at the appropriate time, she will be here.
“But we are taking a cue from His Excellency Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. He never appeared here,” he asserted.
“He only appeared here to nod his head. We never heard him in the Hansard. The Hansard does not capture head nodding,” Adongo claimed.
Watch Isaac Adongo’s comments on GhanaWeb TV below:
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