The Member of Parliament for Bosome-Freho, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh has lodged a formal petition to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, over the withdrawal of his ticket to attend the recent 80th United Nations General Assembly.
According to him, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa sidelined him at the last minute, whic he described as ‘unfortunate and embarrassing.’
The MP, who is also the Deputy Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, says he had been delegated to represent the Minority as the Ranking Member was unavailable.
In a letter on October 6, he narrated how he received his travel ticket on September 18 and was assured that his Daily Subsistence Allowance or per diem would be handed to him at Kotoka International Airport.
However, on September 22, at the airport check-in counter, he was suddenly informed that his ticket had been withdrawn.
He further states that the Chairman and the Clerk of the Foreign Affairs Committee contacted the Foreign Affairs Minister and were then reportedly informed by the the Minister’s Personal Assistant that the Ministry could only sponsor two participants hence his exclusion.
Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh’s petition contends that the late withdrawal was handled unprofessionally and has caused severe reputational damage.
“This incident has brought the name of Parliament into disrepute and risks fostering unnecessary acrimony among Members of Parliament,” he wrote.
He further wrote, “I respectfully petition Your Rt. Hon. Speakership to take due notice of this matter and to initiate the appropriate steps to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the future.”
