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Former President, John Mahama has said President Akufo-Addo did not seek his intervention on the E-levy impasse.
According to the former leader, he received Gabby Otchere Darko at his residence on December 21, 2021 for discussions.
He said among issues discussed was the desire of Ghanaians to see the two major political parties working together but there was nothing on the E-levy impasse.[ads2]
“I received Mr. Gabby Otchere Darko, at his request, at my residence on Tuesday 21st December, 2021.
“Among issues we discussed was the desire of Ghanaians to see the two major political parties working together for the interest of the nation.
“We discussed, also, how dialogue can be deployed to ensure Parliamentary issues are agreed consensually before coming on the floor to avoid what happened recently in the House.
“We further discussed opening channels of communication between the leaders of the two parties including a possible meeting with the President at a future date.[ads3]
“At no time was there any discussion specifically about the President requiring my intervention in the impasse on the E-levy”, John Mahama said in a Facebook post on Wednesday, December 22, 2021.
Meanwhile, Parliament on Tuesday December 21 adjourned sitting to January 18 next year without concluding on the e-levy proposal which has sharply divided the House.
This was after members of Parliament engaged in a brawl during the final voting on the controversial E-levy bill on Monday, December 20, 2021.
The chaotic scene started when the sit-in speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu, announced that a division will be followed to approve the Bill, presented under a certificate of urgency, and will also vote in his capacity as a Member of Parliament.[ads4]
This provoked the minority side , who raised red flags about his decision to vote after presiding over the night’s proceedings.
The Minority MPs moved to the front of the dais, issuing threats at the Bekwai MP.
The actions of the Minority also provoked the Majority who agitated.
To be able to vote, Mr Osei-Owusu immediately handed the presiding role to the Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, and the fight broke out.[ads5]
