The Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, has raised concerns about the significant financial burden that emergency parliamentary sittings impose on the state.
Murtala disclosed that each such sitting costs the country at least GH¢1 million, a hefty expense for a single day’s gathering.
This statement follows Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to indefinitely adjourn Parliament on November 7, after an emergency session was convened at the request of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus.
Despite the urgency, NPP members failed to attend the sitting, leaving only members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) present.
Murtala Mohammed criticized this absence, calling it a blatant disregard for the seriousness of convening Parliament and a waste of both time and taxpayer money.
He stressed that such actions demonstrate a clear mismanagement of state resources.
Speaking to the media, Murtala expressed his disappointment, emphasizing not only the GH¢1 million daily cost but also the disruption caused to MPs’ schedules.
He urged all parties to consider the financial implications of unnecessary parliamentary sessions and prioritize responsible governance.
“Why did they waste all of our time? It comes with a huge financial burden to the state. One day sitting, particularly under such circumstances, would cost Parliament over one million Cedis. Imagine the number of people involved, all MPs requiring transport and accommodation,” he said.
He also shared how the session disrupted his personal schedule, as he had to cut short his activities to attend the session instead of focusing on important work in his constituency.
