‘Are you a narcotics expert?’ – Majority questions Minority’s recall of Parliament

Deputy Majority Whip Richard Acheampong has questioned the Minority’s decision to seek an extraordinary sitting of Parliament to investigate recent major narcotics seizures linked to Ghana.

The Minority, led by First Deputy Minority Whip and Tolon MP Habib Iddrisu, invoked Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 53 of Parliament’s Standing Orders on Friday, 18 September, to request the recall.

The Minority says it has secured the support of at least 15% of Members of Parliament, the threshold required to trigger an extraordinary sitting.

Mr Acheampong acknowledged that the Minority had a constitutional right to make the request but questioned whether another parliamentary sitting was necessary.

Speaking in an interview, he said Parliament should consider the financial implications of recalling MPs, as well as whether the exercise would achieve its intended purpose.

“I’ve seen the recall notice and it is within their right to. If you have 15% of the 276 Members of Parliament, they can put up a petition and the Speaker has no other reason not to call the House,” he said.

He noted that Parliament had recently been recalled from recess to vet ministers and judges and was expected to resume its regular sitting the following month.

“If you remember, we were on recess and the House was recalled less than two weeks ago to undertake very important business, the vetting of ministers and then the judges and all that. And my friend Habib knows that we will reconvene next month,” he said.

Mr Acheampong questioned whether the Minority had considered the cost of another recall.

“So you leading this charge, the question is, are you thinking about the state resources?” he asked.

He also argued that the government had already taken steps to investigate the narcotics seizures, including convening meetings and engaging security agencies.

“The government has taken steps to deal with all these matters. A meeting has been convened. Other security agencies have been engaged to deal with all these matters,” he said.

Mr Acheampong further questioned what additional expertise the Minority could bring to an investigation into international narcotics trafficking.

“Do you, Habib, have the capacity to investigate this matter? Are you a narcotic expert?” he asked.

“Who’s going to do this for you? If the government has gone to sleep, then all of us will be worried. Steps have been taken. So what is the point again?” he added.

He said the Speaker would ultimately determine whether the request met the requirements for recalling Parliament.

Mr Acheampong also warned that the proposed sitting could last only a day and end without the Minority achieving its objective.

“Looking at your numbers, you recall Parliament for one day and you will come to fight on this motion and the motion is lost. Are you thinking about the cost to the state?” he said.