The Speaker of Parliament Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye has served notice the House will continue to sit, despite the alarming spread of the coronavirus in the country.
He said any attempt to suspend sitting will grind the country to a halt. However, some key institutions such as COCOBOD, BOST, the Finance Ministry among others have closed down as a result of the pandemic.
However, speaking on the floor on Friday, Prof. Oquaye directed for another disinfection of the chamber to be carried out next week.
“We all know one thing, Parliament is not like many other places where you can simply say we have suspended or close down. Very soon the minister of finance will read the supplementary budget. If Parliament doesn’t sit the country will shut down, there will be no money, it’s simple as that. So as for Parliament, let us know, we are in a very peculiar situation.
“Government departments can operate in case of emergencies separately and individually. Parliament is Parliament so let us also be very careful to manage protocols and matters concerning us. In fact, it looks like it may have to be the last stop, otherwise, there is no country,” the Speaker said.
At least two MPs have contracted the virus with 13 other staff members in Ghana’s lawmaking chamber.
Source: Daily Mail GH
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