Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin says Parliament is yet to take a decision on NDC MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa who claimed to have resigned from the Appointments Committee of the House.
Okudzeto Ablakwa wrote to the Speaker to state his intention to resign from the Committee after they all approved Ministers of State for the second term of the Akufo-Addo administration.
In a letter dated March 30, addressed to the Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Mr. Ablakwa failed to given reasons except to say that his decision was borne out of “days of careful reflection and thoughtful considerations” and that “the reasons for this difficult decision are both personal and on principle.”
“Respectfully, do take note that my resignation is with immediate effect and therefore I shall not be available for the vetting of nominees for Deputy Ministerial positions,” he had said in the letter.
But addressing the House at the opening of the first Sitting of the Second Meeting of Parliament, the Speaker said the resignation remained “purported” and that it would require approval of the House.
“I received the purported letter of resignation from the Member of Parliament from North Tongu, Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa just a few hours before Parliament’s recess. By the rules of the House, my acceptance of the resignation could have been ultra vires from my position and powers as a Speaker of Parliament,” he explained.
The Speaker said “I properly received the letter on behalf of and for consideration of the Committee, which is duty-bound to prepare, compose and present a report as Standing Committee of the House for your approval.”
He stated that the members of the Committee of Selection would also sit and consider the purported resignation of the MP, and finalize and report it back to the House.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House