Following the upsurge of Covid-19 cases, Parliament has suspended sittings for the next three weeks beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, 10th February 2021, to Tuesday 2nd March, 2021.
The decision, according to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin is in accordance with the President Akufo-Addo’s recently announced directives to contain the virus.
Currently, some 17 Members of Parliament and 151 staff and ancillary workers have tested positive for the virus.
“At the last adjourned date on 5th February, 2021, the House pursuant to the adoption of the business statement, decided that Parliament sits on Tuesdays and Thursdays until otherwise decided. The House further decided that not more than one third of members will attend sittings of the House in the Chamber at any given time.
These decisions were in furtherance of the directives of the President in his update number 23 on the Covid-19 situation, announcing new measures to contain the pandemic.
“Having regard to the upsurge of the Coronavirus infections in the House now reading reaching Members of Parliament and 151 staff and ancillary workers in the presence of Parliament, and the fact that the Appointment Committee is yet to commence consideration of the President’s ministerial nominees, I have in consultation with leadership, decided the sitting of the House be suspended for three weeks,” the Speaker said in his remarks on the Floor of the House on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Appointment Committee which is responsible for the vetting and consideration of the President’s new ministerial appointees, will begin the process tomorrow, February 10, 2021.
“By the end of the three weeks, the Appointment Committee would have submitted reports on the referral for the consideration of the House,” the Speaker noted.
Mr. Bagbin urged Members of Parliament to comply with the strict Covid-19 protocols and regulations, while on the break, and admonished members of staff to resubmit themselves for testing after two weeks from tomorrow to ascertain their status before the assumption of the House.
Meanwhile, Parliament will continue weekly disinfection and sanitization of the premises.
