The Minority in Parliament has questioned the motive of Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin for constantly claiming the NDC MPs are against the yet-to-be-introduced Free SHS Bill.
The Effutu Member of Parliament for the umpteenth time asked the Minority to clarify its position on the bill arguing its spokesperson on education Peter Nortsu had publicly stated his opposition to such legislation.
The widely publicized comments of the Majority Leader were imported onto the floor Wednesday by the Minority Chief Whip Governs Kwame Agbodza who accused Afenyo-Markin of spreading falsehood.
Majority chief whip Frank Annoh-Donpreh however jumped to the defence of the leader of the house arguing the opposition of the NDC to the free SHS policy is not hidden.
The Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP however stated the majority leader cannot be held responsible for the twists the media put on his comments.
However, Minority leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and deputy ranking member for the education committee Dr. Clement Apaak subsequently announced to the media that their side is not opposed to the bill.
They questioned the obsession of the Effutu MP with the bill which has not yet been brought to the house.
“But as we speak, there is no bill before parliament. It is important for us to reiterate, that we cannot oppose a bill that we have not seen, we cannot. And we have said it nowhere that we are going to oppose such a bill. Our position is simple. The NDC minority will, at all times, support any legislation that will seek to improve and sustain the Free Senior High School policy.
“In fact, if there is anybody in this country who is on record to have said that he does not believe in a free SHS law, it is rather the Vice President. The Vice President, Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, is on record to have said that there is no need for a bill or a law to regulate the Free Senior High School and not the NDC. He’s on record, he said, all you need is commitment.
“So NDC, we are committed, we are committed to the Free Senior High School policy. We have obviously identified some lapses in the implementation.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
