Tempers flared during a sitting of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) after a representative from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture referred to a “party” as having blocked the distribution of rice.
The comment immediately raised concerns among committee members, who questioned whether it implied political interference in the process. The ambiguity drew sharp attention from the Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Edem Agbana.
Mr. Agbana demanded clarification, warning that leaving such a claim unexplained could mislead the public and undermine the integrity of parliamentary records. He emphasized that Parliament serves as a house of record, where statements must be accurate and properly substantiated.
His insistence, however, prompted pushback from some members, who accused him of taking a confrontational stance, further heightening tensions in the room.
The Chair of the Public Accounts Committee intervened, urging members to remain calm and respectful while directing the ministry’s representative to clarify the remark.
The official explained that the reference to a “party” was not political but referred to an entity involved in the rice distribution contract.
The clarification helped defuse the situation, easing tensions among members and bringing some resolution to the misunderstanding.
The incident underscores the importance of precise language in parliamentary proceedings, especially on sensitive issues such as national food distribution.
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