The Members of Parliament from the governing New Patriotic Party on Friday evening staged an unprecedented walkout over the approval of the 2022 budget.
This followed the conclusion of the debate on the policy document.
Just before the question on the debate could be put, Finance Minister prayed to the House to enable him to hold further consultations with the leadership of both sides of the House.
That was however turned down by the Minority and affirmed by the Speaker who argued, time had elapsed for such a request to be acceded to.
Subsequently, Speaker Bagbin put a voice vote at the end of the debate, which saw members of the Minority out-voice their counterparts from the Majority side.
A ruling by the Speaker in favor of the NDC MPs was challenged by Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin who prayed for the vote to be subjected to one of the parliamentary tools, “division.”
In accordance with the dictates of that provision, the lobby and chamber were cleared of all non-MPs with Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, Transport Minister, Ofori Asiamah, and a Minister of State in charge of Finance, Adu Boahen being ushered out of the House.
The accompanying drama saw the Majority demand NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah to be ushered out of the public gallery, a demand which led to them walking out after it wasn’t acceded to.
Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has suspended sitting for five minutes to enable peace to prevail in the House.