MPs in closed-door meeting over end of service benefits

Members of Parliament in the Fifth Parliament on Friday held a closed door meeting to discuss issues concerning their end of service benefits.

This was after President John Dramani Mahama had delivered the State of the Nation address.

The meeting follows the adjournment of sitting on Thursday to enable the Deputy Majority Leader, Alhaji Rashid Pelpuo to find out some information about their conditions of service.

Members are therefore expecting the Deputy Majority Leader to brief them after which the House would listen to final speeches by the Leaders of both sides of the House and final adjournment by the Speaker.

Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, member for Old Tafo reminded the Speaker of the information which members were expecting to hear from Alhaji Pepluo but which was not forthcoming.

He stated that members were not on strike as reported by some sections of the media but were demanding what was due them.

All efforts by the Speaker to get members to end proceedings before the closed door meeting were in vain.

Mrs Cecilia Dapaah, member for Bantama, said that the issue at stake was very important and needed attention, as some of them would not be part of the new Parliament.

Mr S.K Balado Manu, member for Ahafo- Ano South said, “If I walk out I can’t come back to discuss it and so it is important it was discussed.”

The Speaker, Mrs Bamford Addo, said in view of the fact that some members were not part of the new Parliament the Majority Leader should decide on the issue and Mr Cletus Avoka suggested that all galleries be cleared for members to go into close door meeting and to return for the adjournment.

Source: GNA