Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is worried about the rejection of the motion laid before Parliament by Mahama Ayariga to absorb tertiary students’ fees in the midst of the Novel Coronavirus pandemic.
According to the North Tongu Lawmaker and a former Deputy Education Minister, the rejection of the motion by the New Patriotic Party MPs have injured consensus building in the 8th Parliament of the 4th republic.
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In conveying his deepest sympathy to all tertiary students, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said, the National Democratic Congress Members of Parliament did their best to have the fees for students suspended but NPP MPs failed them.
In a statement, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said;
The Mahama Ayariga private member’s motion on suspension of tertiary fees was significant in testing two variables:
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1) What is the extent of commitment and sincerity by both sides of the current hung parliament to build consensus and work together in the national interest especially having regard to the strenuous efforts the Speaker made to get both sides to agree to a consensual motion and after multiple backroom bi-partisan meetings with leadership?
2) What is the extent of commitment and sincerity in fulfilling campaign promises, particularly the specific time-bound ones made to tertiary students for the 2020/2021 academic year to alleviate their plight due to the adverse economic impact of COVID-19?
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By the extreme bad faith and filibustering exhibited by our colleagues on the other side of the aisle leading to all NPP MPs voting against the Ayariga motion, the test results of the two variables are now known to all.
As the leader of the NDC caucus in Parliament, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu asserted on the floor soon after the rather sudden and unprincipled U-turn by our NPP colleagues, the developments have injured our side’s faith in consensus building.
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In the circumstances, I can only convey deepest sympathies to all tertiary students. You know we (NDC MPs) did our best.
At this point, may we proclaim: fare-thee-well consensus building. Rest in perfect peace.
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
