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Minority in Parliament yesterday slammed certain ministers of state who were expected to assist the legislature in its work, for being absent in the House, describing their behaviour as wanton neglect of government business The absence of the ministers created confusion as the programme of the House was virtually in disarray, giving the Deputy Majority Leader, Alhaji Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, a tough time in trying to keep government business in progress. In an interview with DAILY GUIDE, the Minority Spokesperson on Trade and Industry, Isaac Osei, described the absence of the ministers as worrisome, noting that it was not a positive signal for the progress of government�s agenda in an action year declared by President Atta Mills, and neither was it good for the promotion of the work of the country�s legislature. �Is it because President Atta Mills has gone on leave, they also think that they should take their own leave and that probably explains why they have decided to abandon government business?� Isaac Osei, who is also the MP for Subin, Kumasi, in the Ashanti region, quizzed rhetorically. The absentee ministers included Joseph Yieleh Chireh, Health; Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, Finance and Economic Planning and E. T. Mensah, Employment and Social Welfare. Minister for Health, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, who is also the MP for Wa West, was expected to answer six scheduled questions from his colleagues regarding the provision of facilities in various hospitals, as well as financial matters relating to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). Although Alhaji Pelpuo explained that the minister was unavoidably absent due to other official commitments elsewhere, his deputy, Rojo Mettle-Nunoo, who was said to be on his way to answer the questions, kept the House waiting but eventually failed to show up. �The minister of health, who is a member of the House, knowing the rules of the House, knew the questions were advertised. So they all knew that these questions would come on but they failed to appear�, Mr. Isaac Osei pointed out, decrying that �this shows that the government side is not interested in promoting government business.� �What is worse was that the minister of finance did not appear; neither did any of his two deputies at the commencement of public business to lay papers. The Minister of Water, Resources, Works and Housing failed to come and none of his deputies appeared. The minister for employment and social welfare did not appear and his deputy also did not appear,� the ranking member of trade and industry further pointed out. Minister for Communications, Haruna Iddrisu, who has taken additional responsibility of acting in two different ministries � Ministry of Health and Water Resources, Works and Housing- was praised by Mr. Isaac Osei for always holding the fort for substantive ministers in Parliament. He however said, �We know Haruna Iddrisu is competent and capable but he alone cannot be minister of health or three ministries at one time or another�, adding, �the confusion which is at the government side is worrisome to us and I hope they do not run away when the budget is being presented�. A minister at the office of the President, John Jetuah, had to step in to perform the duties of the absentee ministers who were supposed to lay important papers. Earlier, the Minority Chief Whip who is also the MP for Suhum, Fredrick Opare-Ansah, and Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, MP for New Juaben North, had described the absence of the ministers as unacceptable, stressing that it was an affront to the work of parliament and a complete disinterest in business of government. �This is not the first time we have complained about the attitude of ministers towards this House and yet we don�t seem to see any progress. Is it because they are not interested in promoting government business?� Mr. Opare-Ansah quizzed