A Ghanaian registered Non-Governmental Organization, the African Center for Parliamentary Journalism and Research (ACPJR), has asked the leadership of Parliament, to punish severely, its members who fall foul of the Constitution and the Standing Orders of the House.
In a Press release signed by the Executive Director of ACPJR, Mr. Harrison Kofi Belley, the group noted that it has observed with utter dismay the variance in Parliament handling acts of disrespect and contempt of Parliament, by persons in Parliament (MPs) and Non-Parliamentarians.
According to the ACPJR, Parliament has over the years been reluctant and lenient, with MPs who are found guilty of contempt of Parliament, while persons who are Non-Parliamentarians are punished severely; a situation the ACPJR says has not helped enough, in taming recalcitrant Members of Parliament.
The press statement follows, the decision of Parliament, to reprimand Hon. Kennedy Agyapong, who is been found guilty of contempt of Parliament, by the Privileges Committee of Parliament, a decision the ACPJR describes as not deterrent enough.
The ACPJR is of the view that the Assin Central MP’s description of Parliament as ‘cheap’ and ‘useless’, is not only contemptuous but has the tendency of eroding public confidence in the institution, a more reason why the Member of Parliament, should have been pushed severely.
The ACPJR added that the mere reprove of the MP, is a mockery of Parliament and a bad precedent, which is likely to open the floodgates for indiscipline by members of the House.
By: Abdul-Iddrisu Faisel/awakenewsonline.com