Some defeated New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament, after losing their respective parliamentary primaries over the weekend, appeared in Parliament with courage to take part in proceedings, even though some were clearly seen looking disturbed over their defeat.
DAILY GUIDE sighted the MP for Asunafo North, Robert Sarfo-Mensah, in the foyer of the House chatting with some colleagues, ostensibly on his ‘ordeal’ in the primaries.
Some MPs were conspicuously missing after their shocking defeat in the primaries which were held simultaneously across the country.
One such MP was Kofi Frimpong who has been in the House for 12 consecutive years. He was not available to answer a question in his name because he was said to be indisposed.
Mr Frimpong, MP for Kwabre East, was floored by Francisca Oteng-Mensah, 22-year-old daughter of Kumasi-based businessman Dr Kwaku Oteng of Angel Group of Companies.
Francisca’s unexpected victory is the talk-of-town, with many likening it to the biblical David and Goliath battle.
Back in the chamber, defeated MP for Tarkwa/Nsuaem, Gifty Kusi, was seen chatting heartily with some colleagues while other members came and shook hands with her and in the process, tried to empathise with her.
Those who were able to attend yesterday’s sitting were MPs for Ablekuma North, Justice Joe Appiah; Lower West Akim, Gifty Klenam; Asene/Akroso/Manso, Yaw Owusu-Boateng; Afigya-Sekyere East, David Hennric Yeboah; Asante Akim North, Kwadwo Baah-Agyeman and Atwima Nwabiagya South, Anthony Osei Boakye.
However, some ‘heavyweights’ like the MPs for Subin, Isaac Osei; Nhyiaeso, Dr Richard Anane; Kwadaso, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and Kwabre East, Kofi Frimpong, who was scheduled to ask a question in Parliament, were nowhere to be found.
His absence generated arguments between the Majority Leader, Alban Bagbin and the Minority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.
When his advertised question, which was to ask the minister of health- who was in the House – what plans the ministry had towards providing the Kwabre East District Hospital a new ward to replace the old one which has only ten beds was called, the MP for Asante Akim South, Kwaku Asante-Boateng, said Mr Kofi Frimpong was indisposed and therefore could not come to ask the question and had therefore authorised him to ask the question for him.
However, Mr Bagbin asked the member what he meant by Kofi Frimpong being indisposed, but the Minority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, said when the person is indisposed it means he is not well.
The majority leader wanted to know whether Kofi Frimpong was really indisposed, but the minority leader insisted that Mr Frimpong was not well that was why he could not come to ask his question.
The defeat of Mr Frimpong was a major topic for some MPs as well as workers of Parliament who thought Francisca Oteng-Mensah was too young to beat an experienced MP like him.
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