I Never Knew Parliament Had Invited Me; Ablakwa on Absence

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, says he was never privy to his invitation by parliament to answer questions- the reason for his absence three days ago.

According to him, his high regard for the House would not allow him to disrespect it by dishonouring an invitation.

In a statement on Facebook on Friday, he said he will always avail for parliamentary questions.

“I had no knowledge of the parliamentary invitation; I will always avail myself for parliamentary questions as I have done diligently and consistently; my high regard and utmost respect for Parliament and the Speaker cannot be questioned and I am ready to respond to the questions in issue when parliament’s notice is brought to my attention.”

The Minister was invited to appear before the House on June 10, however, the Ministry in a separate statement said it received the invitation letter around 3 pm on June 9 by which time the Minister was out of the country for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Changsha in China.

“This made it impossible for the Minister to attend the scheduled appearance. Respectfully, the Minister had no knowledge of this invitation at the time the matter came up on the floor of Parliament.

“It should be noted that the Ministry had not sent prior answers to be printed by Parliament on the Order Paper, as has been the practice and is required by the Standing Orders of Parliament.”

It further requested a rescheduled date for the Minister to attend and respond to the Parliamentary Questions.

Source: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/