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The Member of Parliament for Bekwai Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Joe Osei Owusu, has incurred the wrath of government apparatchiks for his allegation that the First Lady is putting up a warehouse for her private NGO at the Flagstaff House.

Following his refusal to retract and apologise for what government describes as a blunder, government communicators have lowered their heavy gavel on the MP, describing him as a desperado unleashed to smear the First lady, Her Excellency Lordina Mahama.

  Now, the Flagstaff House has responded, saying that the facility is a storehouse for use of the office of the President and that checks indicated it shall, among other things, be used to keep gifts and replicas donated to the Presidency.

“Joe Osei Owusu’s failure to provide concrete proof of his libelous and defamatory statement and refusal to apologize is an affront to the Speaker, Parliament as a whole and the NPP Flagbearer who has been silent on similar actions by NPP MPs, an affront on the conscience of right thinking people in society. It also sends wrong signal to people including students who often occupy the public gallery”, a Presidential Staffer noted in a statement widely circulated in sections of the media yesterday.

The government is therefore calling on the House of Legislature to stop at nothing to bring the Bekwai MP, as well as other erring MPs to book and protect the sanctity of the house.

Government is also angling for the MP for Bekwai to be hauled before the Privileges Committee and be made to apologize to the First Lady and the House as a whole.

Article 115 and 116, according to government sources, are clear on Privileges and Immunities for MPs. 
Article 116 Clause 2 ….reads, ‘Whenever in the opinion of the person presiding in Parliament a statement made by a member is Prima facie defamatory of any person, the person presiding shall refer the matter for inquiry to the Parliamentary committee on privileges which shall report its findings to Parliament not later than thirty days after the matter was referred to it.

3. Where the committee referred to in clause (2) of this article reports to Parliament that the statement made by the member is defamatory of any person, the member who made the statement shall, within seven days after that report, render an Apology at the bar of Parliament, the terms of which shall be approved by the Parliamentary committee on privileges and communicated to the person who has been defamed.

4. Where a member refuses to render an apology in accordance with clause (3) of this article, the Speaker shall suspend that member for the duration of the session of Parliament in which the defamatory statement was made and a member so suspended shall lose his parliamentary privileges, immunities and remuneration, but they shall be restored to him if, at any time before the end of the session, he renders the apology as required by clause (3) of this article.’

But why would anyone build a private warehouse within a landed property belonging to the state and in this case no other place than the Flagstaff House. What then happens if the NDC loses power? It does not make sense. Obviously the Bekwai MP either failed to do proper due diligence or deliberately spewed gibberish.

Last month, the government said, in same function, MP for Nkoranza North, Major Yaw Derrick Oduro (rtd) together with former NPP General Secretary, Kwadjo Owusu Afriyie failed what it said was an agenda to link the First Lady to the DKM Micro Finance mess. The Queen mothers of the area demanded an apology and they refused.

“Why would the MPs or NPP in general target the First Lady who is not into mainstream politics? Can anyone deduce that they are targeting Her Excellency Lordina Mahama because of the impact of her NGO activities on ordinary Ghanaians especially women and children?

The Lordina Mahama Foundation which has earned international recognition for the medical outreach programme which includes the provision of medical equipment to hospitals across the country, support for disadvantaged or vulnerable groups as well as provision of start-up kits to various vocational training institutions . Mrs Mahama who is the President of the Organization of African First Ladies against Aids (OAFLA) is championing Orphanages Building Projects, Women empowerment, HIV and Cancer Campaign”, the source who wanted to remain anonymous quizzed.

Loose comments by NPP MPs are on the ascendancy as the nation prepares for a crucial election later this year. On January 27, another NPP MP, Kwadjo BaahAagyemang who represents Asante Akyem North issued a statement inciting attacks against Fulanis. The MPs xenophobic comments led to a violent attack on the nomads leaving one dead. Two residents also lost their lives during other pockets of violence in the area.

Ironically MP for Bekwai Joe Osei Owusu jumped to his defense insisting the Ashanti regional Police Commander cannot invite him for questioning and anything contrary would breach the Standing Orders of Parliament.

Last month, government alleged MP for Asssin North, Kennedy Agyapong was also in the news obviously for the wrong reason. The MP used unprintable words against Okay FM presenter Valentina NaaAgyeiwaa popularly known as Affia Schwarzenager. His action was publicly condemned when many speculated that he may have carried out his threat to release nude pictures of the lady on social media.

The Speaker of Parliament, government urged cannot allow these to be washed under the carpet. The sanctity and integrity of Parliament must be protected to guard against similar actions.

In the UK, the 1983 Representation of the People Act rates it an offence to make false statements about a candidate. In 2010, the Labour MP Phil Woolas was condemned by the election court for doing that, and had to leave politics.

These measures are meant to instill discipline. Ghana should adopt best practice. Our Constitution and Parliament as the legislative arm of government must be purged if Ghana’s envy as a beacon of democracy is to stay.