Speaker’s I am no. 3 comment was on a lighter note – Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu

The Majority Leader of Parliament, Mr Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu has said he believes comment made by the speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin about the differences in their portfolio as far as governance was concern was on a lighter note.

I am number 3, what’s yours?

The speaker on Wednesday during banter between himself and the Mr Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu on the floor of parliament reminded the latter he was the number 3 of the land and questioned what his position was.

“You don’t lead Parliament. You lead the business of the House. You lead the majority and you lead government business. As to the role of Speaker you’ve not been there yet. When you get there you’ll do so,” Bagbin told Majority Leader

“You’ve been my good friend from all these years, until I became Speaker. Everybody in Ghana was doubting whether indeed you were really my friend. I’ve received a lot of calls about us and I said you’re my friend and you’re still my friend. Please don’t give credence to that,” the Speaker said.

“You have to be my friend, not me being your friend. At least, I have a position in Ghana, Number three ( 3) . What is your number?” he quizzed in a jovial manner amidst laughter in the house.

This was after the Majority Leader sought to encourage Mr Bagbin to be stringent and fair in certain proceedings in the house after the speaker accepted a petition by former governor of Bank of Ghana, Dr Kwabena Duffuor over the collapse of uniBank.

Speaker’s I am number 3, what is your number comment was on a lighter note

Speaking about the development on Okay FM on Thursday, March 25, monitored by GhanaPlus.com, Mr Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu said the speaker’s comment was only meant to lighten the mood in the house.

“What he said I took it as he wanted to lighten the mood when he said he is number 3 and what is my position but some people have taken it as where he is Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu can’t reach there. I don’t want to take it like that. I believe he was only using it to lighten the mood”.

“He wanted to lighten the mood in the house,” he emphasized.

He added that while in the speaker’s office after proceedings,  he also told the speaker, in football, the number six(6) was more of a utility player than the number three(3).

“Kwame you are speaking about football now, in football the number 6 is more of a utility player than number three (3),” Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu said amidst laughter.

Source: GhanaPlus.com