The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has called on the leadership of parliament house to bring the perpetrators of the chaos that erupted during the election of speaker for the 8th Parliament of the fourth republic to book.
According the legislator, those who viciously assaulted Ghana’s democracy must know there’s a heavy price to pay.
The NDC MPs sat at the majority side in the chamber amid the sitting of Parliament on Thursday, January 7, 2021.
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.
A couple of NPP MPs showed their ballot to their colleagues, an act some of the NDC MPs maintain does not speak well of the ongoing process.
Mubarak Muntaka and John Abdulai Jinapor were seen rushing to where the voting booths and ballot box were located and began removing them from its place.The Marshall of Parliament, who is in charge of security, was able to lift the ballot box to safety.
Howbeit, Jinapor, the Yapei-Kusawgu MP-elect kicked the paper-box voting booth, made of cardboard, thereby disassembling it.
The MP for Tema West, Carlos Ahenkorah snatched some ballot papers and bolted towards the exit points of the chamber being pursued by some members of the National Democratic Congress hence invasion of military personnel on the floor.
Available videos also showed NDC’s Chief Whip Muntaka Mubarak and some party members throwing punches at Mr. Ahenkorah while his party members and the marshals of parliament rushed to his aid.
In a facebook post, Mr Ablakwa wrote: “There must be soul searching and far-reaching consequences for the despicable scenes in Parliament over the last few hours. Nothing must be swept under the red carpet of the hallowed chamber when that time comes. Those who viciously assault our democracy must know there’s a heavy price to pay”.
“For now, the epic victory of Ghana’s most decorated legislator, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin as the first Speaker of the House from a different party of the sitting President must be well and truly celebrated for the great prospect it holds for our democracy and parliamentary oversight,” he added.
“Coupled with the equal numerical strength of the two leading parties (at least for now), it can be expected that the era where the executive railroads and makes the legislature its appendage will be a relic of the past”, the post said.
Mr Ablakwa also urged his colleagues to put the national interest above their personal motives, “As I greatly commend my resilient NDC colleagues and our quietly courageous allies in the NPP who all fought hard to make this historic moment possible, let us remember it is not about our personal egos – it is all about the supreme national interest. The celebrations must now give way for the actual work to begin”.
“We must be unyielding, uncompromising and dogged in the pursuit of higher principles and the national interest”, he noted.
Read his full post below:
