COVID-19 Spread Forces MPs To Have Sitting In A Tent

Member of Parliament(MP) for Suame constituency and Majority Leader, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensa Bonsu has said the August House will have their sitting in a tent to pave way for the disinfection of the chamber and the various offices of the Members of Parliament.

According to him, discussions are even underway for them to have reduced Members of Parliament attending sitting in the Chamber.

Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' program, he explained that the astronomical rise in numbers put everyone at risk and so they have to put in measures to ensure the safety of members and staff of Parliament.

"Conducting business in the tent is a temporary measure adopted by the House. The tent has enough space to allow for spacing sitting arrangement between MPs. The Chamber will undergo some disinfection exercise to ensure that members of Parliament are safe to conduct business in the House". 

Asked why members of the House don't adopt virtual sitting like other countries, he explained that some Bills need physical representation of MPs for debate and that virtual sitting will not be very appropriate for the House though it sounds like a good idea.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin had announced that the House will from next week hold virtual sitting as part of measures to curtail the spread and threats of COVID-19.

According to the Speaker, only one-third (91) out of the 275 MPs will be required to be present in the chamber while others transact business from their offices.

He added that Members will be allowed into the chamber as and when the need arises to contribute to debates on the floor.

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