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Parliament has suspended the session for three weeks as Covid-19 cases have risen in the House.
Spokesperson Alban Sumana Bagbin announced on Tuesday, February 9, that the decision was made after 17 MPs and 151 members of the parliamentary staff tested positive for the virus.
This, the Spokesperson said, will help slow the spread, protect other members from contracting the virus, and give those with the virus a chance to recover.
“Considering the Coronavirus malaise in the House, now reading 17 Members of Parliament and 151 employees and ancillary workers in the presence of Parliament and the fact that the nominating committee has not yet begun the consideration of the president’s ministerial candidates In consultation with the leadership, we decided to suspend the House session for 3 weeks, ”said House Speaker Alban Bagbin.
Until now, the House had instituted measures to hold parliamentary sessions only twice a week and only a third of the MPs allowed in the House. The rest were to participate virtually.
However, as a result of this increase, the Chamber considers it necessary to suspend its session for the next 3 weeks.
As part of measures to curb the spread of the virus in Parliament, the president added that all MPs and members of the parliament staff must re-appear for testing within two weeks.
While the House is in this 3-week recess, “Parliament will continue with the weekly disinfection and sanitation of the Parliament compound.”
Meanwhile, Parliament’s Nominating Committee will begin considering President Akufo-Addo’s nominees as scheduled.
The president said the three-week recess will give the committee an opportunity to review and prepare its reports before parliament resumes work.
“It is expected that within this postponement period, the Appointments Committee will begin the consideration and public hearing of those nominated by the president for ministerial appointments,” Bagbin said.
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