8th Parliament wasted too much time on frivolous matters – 1st Deputy Speaker

The 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu has expressed dissatisfaction with the way some activities in the House were handled by members.

His disappointment steps from the fact that so much time was spent arguing on things that were unproductive.

“I am disappointed in the 8th Parliament. We wasted too much time on frivolous matters,” he said in an interview with 3news’ Eric Mawuena Egbeta on January 3.

“The 9th Parliament is a new Parliament. This structure should give them the opportunity to work harder,”” he said.

Speaking ahead of the final State of the Nation Address by President Akufo-Addo, Mr Osei-Owusu did not site instances.

However, it is on record that the 8th Parliament was characterised by boycott of proceedings by members of both the Majority and Minority sides of the House at one point or the other. Mention can be made of the debate over the introduction of the electronic levy, betting tax, tax exemption for some Freezones companies, declaration of four seats vacant, among others.

According to the 1st Deputy Speaker the time spent haggling over such issues could have been put to better use.

Meanwhile, Mr Osei-Owusu has bid farewell to Public Service.

“I’m done with Public Service” he said.

According to him, “you put so much into Public Service and the returns are peanuts, yet you are disrespected for the peanuts you work.”

He added that, “the energy one dedicates to public service, if the same is devoted to personal endeavours, you will become wealthy.”

In a related development, the Outgoing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo presents his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) to Parliament today, Friday, January 3, 2025, at 10:00 AM.

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