The Strategic Thinkers Network-Africa (STRANEK-Africa) has charged the government to ensure the Member of Parliament for Tema West, Carlos Ahenkorah faces stiff punishment for attempting to mar the election of the Speaker of the 8th Parliament to serve as deterrence to others.
According to the group, his actions were very criminal, undemocratic, un-parliamentary and dishonorable, thus, an unqualified apology from him isn’t enough.
A statement issued by the Strategic Thinkers Network-Africa and copied to the Awake News said, “Legislators were voting to choose the next Speaker of Parliament and chaos erupted after a lawmaker from the ruling party to seized the ballot papers. STRANEK-Africa is however appalled by the actions of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema West who was beaten for snatching ballot papers on the floor of Parliament”.
“This act we consider to be very criminal, undemocratic, un-parliamentary and dishonorable and he must face the full rigours of law. An apology from him is not enough”, the group stated.
This comes after the former deputy Trade and Industry Minister apologised for his actions.
The legislator in a statement revealed he is heartbroken for the turnout of events on the day.
“I did it for the grassroots who relied on us in power to survive, the president who needs some peace to run the country, and the greater NPP party as a whole because we cannot always allow the NDC to threaten and vilify us. I apologize though to my family and friends both far and near who may be affected by my actions. The NPP in me couldn’t be controlled. I apologize but I tried!!!”.
Hon. Carlos Ahenkorah has come under severe criticism after snatching ballot papers amid the election of speaker of the 8th parliament.
Some citizens have expressed disappointment and worry over the conduct exhibited by the Members of Parliament on Thursday, January 7, 2021.
The Association opined that a “39-year-old fisherman Christian Nukpeta has been sentenced to three months imprisonment for engaging in similar actions in the just-ended general elections at the Sene West constituency in the Bono East Region, however, what is good for the goose must be equally good for the gander”.
It will be recalled that some armed military personnel were sent to the Floor of the chamber of the house in an attempt to restore calm and order when the MPs decided to disrupt the election of the Speaker as the clerk was not complying to the ‘secret ballot’ requirement of the constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament.
“The second unfortunate happenings was, how armed combatants of the Ghana Armed Forces moved into Parliament. Who instructed for such actions? For what purpose? Why were they armed? This matter begs for answers and a full blown investigation will suffice in that regard, the statement said.
The Strategic Thinkers Network-Africa, therefore, believes “Ghana undoubtedly has become the bastion and a beacon of democracy across African and the nearing 3 decades of the 4th Republic is a show of much fidelity hence, taking punitive measures against the embarrassing moments will serve as a deterrence for further reoccurrences”.
For immediate release:
14.01.2021
INVESTIGATE PARLIAMENTARY MELEE- STRANEK-Africa
After every election, we look forward to our President-elect, Speaker of Parliament and two Deputies to be sworn in but this year was something else.
Opposition politicians clashed in Ghana’s Parliament prompting military intervention. Could it be that the two major political parties want to show how powerful they are?
Legislators were voting to choose the next Speaker of Parliament and chaos erupted after a lawmaker from the ruling party to seized the ballot papers.
STRANEK-Africa is however appalled by the actions of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema West who was beaten for snatching ballot papers on the floor of Parliament.
This act we consider to be very criminal, undemocratic, un-parliamentary and dishonorable and he must face the full rigours of law. An apology from him is not enough.
A 39-year-old fisherman Christian Nukpeta has been sentenced to three months imprisonment for engaging in similar actions in the just-ended general elections at the Sene West constituency in the Bono East Region. Indeed, what is good for the goose must be equally good for the gander.
The second unfortunate happenings was, how armed combatants of the Ghana Armed Forces moved into Parliament. Who instructed for such actions? For what purpose? Why were they armed? This matter begs for answers and a full blown investigation will suffice in that regard.
Ghana undoubtedly has become the bastion and a beacon of democracy across African and the nearing 3 decades of the 4th Republic is a show of much fidelity. Hence, taking punitive measures against the embarrassing moments will serve as a deterrence for further reoccurrences.
We are all involved in building our motherland.
Signed.
Eyram Norglo
Deputy Director of Research
+233 26 611 9773
Nii Tettey Tetteh
Executive Director
+233 55 904 2914