Election of 8th Speaker: AFAG demands probe into incidents that marred proceedings
The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) is calling for probe into the events that marred proceedings leading to the election of Speaker for the 8th Parliament.
In a release signed by AFAG leadership sighted by Ghanas Online, it describes the January 7 incident as “the worst incident in the Chamber of Parliament of the Republic of Ghana.”
It states events such as the kicking of ballot box, snatching and chewing of ballot and unruly behaviour of some MPs must all be investigated independently.
Read also: Military invasion in Parliament: Ghana looked like ‘banana republic’ – Mahama
The statement adds that appropriate sanctions must be accorded with the acts after the investigations.
Several unfortunate incidents characterised the dissolution of the 7th Parliament and swearing-in of members of the 8th House.
With both political parties having equal representations in the House with one Independent candidate, each caucus presented a candidate to be voted for, something that has happened for the first time in Ghana’s democracy.
With the NDC occupying the majority side of the House which originally belonged to the NPP prior to the dissolution of the 7th House, the drama commenced with shoving off MPs from their seats, exacerbating into snatching and chewing of ballot, kicking of ballot box and a chaos that invaded the Chamber with the Military.
The unfortunate incident has been condemned by many as it contradicts the very tenet for which the law making body of the state stands for.
Read the full release below:
PROBE MISCONDUCT OF PARLIAMENTARIANS
The complete breakdown of law and order which resulted in several hours of chaotic scenes during the swearing in of MP’s elect and election of speaker for the 8th parliament is possibly the worst incident in the Chamber of Parliament of the Republic of Ghana.
Footage from the overnight confrontation showed numerous pockets of free-for-all brawls between NPP and NDC members which disrupted the nightlong program.
AFAG calls for an immediate independent investigation into the incidents of the night;
- Assault on a female MP who was forcefully shoved off the chair
- Snatching and chewing of ballot papers by Hon. Carlos Ahinkrah
- Kicking of ballot box and polling booths by Hon. John Jinapor
- Unruly behavior of Hon. Muntaka and others
AFAG does not expect Parliament to conduct an impartial investigation so it must appoint an independent body to conduct the investigation into its misconduct. The investigation should further address the issue of the deployment of heavily armed military men into the Chamber of Parliament. AFAG would want to know who sanctioned this deployment and for what purpose.
The investigation should recommend the appropriate sanctions for all actors. The sanction should be in line with the standing orders of Parliament and the laws of the land. The honor and dignity of Parliament is at stake.
SIGNED
AFAG LEADERSHP
About The Author
