During a heated debate in Parliament, Speaker Alban Bagbin addressed Ursula Owusu, the Minister for Communications and Digitization, about discussing the Legislative Instrument (L.I) before its formal presentation. The debate involved both the Majority and the Minority and focused on the suggested restriction on importing strategic products.
She said, “Mr. Speaker, I believe that the L.I has not been laid. So, I have no idea what we are debating in this House today. There is nothing before the house. So as you indicated to the minister that we are not yet there, I was of the opinion that you would tell my colleagues on the other side that there is nothing before us.”
The Speaker stepped in and questioned, “Hon. Minister, where you here from the very beginning” to which Ursula-Owusu Ekuful Responded , “No I have been here since morning, even before the prayers.”
The Speaker asked her additional questions,“Then why did you say no, do you really listen to yourself when you are talking?
“Yes I do,” she responded.
Once more interjecting, the Speaker stated, “If you were here from the very beginning and I asked you if you were here from the very first beginning, you said no. The you continue, and now you are telling me you were here even before I entered. So, it means you were not listening to yourself.”
The Ablekuma West MP defended her position by saying, “This is the first time I am appearing in the House this week. I have been here since the beginning of proceedings today, and I do listen to myself very carefully.”
