The Dignity Of MPs Is Best Tested In A Hung Parliament – Gabby
A leading member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Gabby Otchere Darko has reacted to the pandemonium that occurred in Parliament on Monday December 20 regarding the E-levy.
In a tweet, he said “Surely, Parliament’s post-2020 dual role as a boxing ring as well cannot be allowed to continue for the next 3 years, for at least the sake of the furniture. The dignity of Members is best tested in a hung Parliament. 137+1 vs 137, with a Speaker who was leader of the Opposition!”
Members of Ghana’s Parliament could not hold their emotions as some exchanged brawls in the House Monday evening just before the final vote on the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy Bill, also known as e-levy.
The sit-in Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu, had announced that a division will be followed to approve the Bill, presented under a certificate of urgency, and he was going to vote as well in his capacity as a Member of Parliament.
That appeared to have provoked the National Democratic Congress (NDC) members, who questioned his decision to vote after presiding over the night’s proceedings.
They moved to the front of the dais, issuing threats at the Bekwai MP.
This got the Majority MPs to also start agitations and immediately Mr Osei-Owusu handed the presiding role to the Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, the fight broke out.
Ningo Prampram lawmaker Samuel Nartey George expressed at what transpired in Parliament on Monday December 20 regarding the e-levy proposal.
He says he is ashamed of what “we call Parliamentary democracy” following the happenings.
“I am ashamed of what we call Parliamentary democracy. How do we twist the rules this way? Where are we taking the Country to? Is this level of desperation democracy? What is this,” he said in a tweet.
SOURCE: 3news
