OccupyGhana®️ is deeply dismayed and disappointed at what is becoming the regular, violent misbehaviour of Members of Parliament. The nation witnessed the latest mass, violent misbehaviour on December 20, 2021 on the floor of Parliament.
MPs were aware, yet unconcerned, that the entire nation was watching on live National Television, when they engaged in despicable acts of trading insults and punches in a manner that can best be described as uncouth, dishonourable, un-Ghanaian and an absolute embarrassment to the nation.
What our MPs appear to have blissfully forgotten is that whenever coups have interrupted our democratic dispensations, it is Parliament that suffers the most, among our democratic institutions. With that in mind, one would think that MPs would not conduct themselves in a manner that shows that they themselves are given to undemocratic conduct.
But over and over again, and in less than 12 months, this Parliament of the Fourth Republic has abandoned even pretexts of good and democratic behaviour, and is competing with itself for the designation as the worst group of MPs (a bunch of cheap, uncouth, violent and childish, playground-bullies) that Ghana has had the misfortune of electing, in her entire history of electing MPs.
No Ghanaian, regardless of their political party affiliation, should treat this misbehaviour by our MPs lightly. That is why OccupyGhana®️ believes that the usual ‘unqualified’ apology will not suffice. In fact, it will add insult to the injury caused by them to the good people of this country.
Since the law is no respecter of persons, those MPs caught on camera engaging in violence should be made to face the law. We note that the police have already indicated by its public statement dated 21st December 2021, that it is powerless to intervene in this matter.
We disagree. None of the immunities granted by the Constitution to MPs in articles 115 to 120, covers crimes committed anywhere, including the floor of Parliament. Specifically, the MP’s immunity in article 116 is specifically limited to “any matter or thing brought by him in or before Parliament by petition, bill, motion or otherwise.” There is no possible interpretation of this immunity that would cover the crimes we saw them commit on TV.
Further, article 122 of the Constitution, which provides that acts that obstruct or impede Parliament or affront its dignity constitute contempt of Parliament, does not distinguish between MPs and non-MPs. Article 123 then provides that even the exercise by Parliament of the power to punish for contempt, “shall not be a bar to the institution of proceedings under the Criminal Law.” The acts of assault, battery and unlawful fights we watched on live TV constitute criminal acts, and the people of Ghana should never be told that MPs can get away with crimes once they commit those crimes in Parliament.
We doubt that this Parliament and its leadership will have the decency or courage to charge and punish any of these members for contempt under the Parliament Act, 1965 (Act 300). But surely, those with prosecutorial power, must institute criminal prosecution.
While we all may bear some blame for tolerating this level of despicably bad behaviour from our elected officials, in giving them a pass whenever they misbehave and then apologise, this is when Ghanaians draw a line in the sand. Ghana deserves better. We need to restore confidence in Parliament by punishing every erring MP.
In the interest of God and Country,
Occupy Ghana®
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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Ghana in the news bcos of Criminal MPs 1. The first function of an MP is to reprerent the people of his/her constituency in the patliament. 2. Every MP is entitled to vote in parliament when present. 3. MPs alone can vote in parliament. 4. The Speaker cannot be an MP. The speaker does not vote. 5. The first, the second or another person who takes the place of the speaker must be an MP. 6. The role of an MP who acts as speaker is supplemetary. It does not override his/her function as an MP. 7. An MP who acts as speaket can vote to fulfil his/her prmary duty. 8. The need for a deputy or anothet MP to take the place of the speaker is a secondary duty of an MP. It does not precede his/her primary duty as an MP. 9. The fuction of a deputy speaker or another MP to act as speaker is a supplementary duty of an MP and not his/her substantial function as MP. After all, one is an MP before one can act as the speaker. One can only take the place of the speaker when he/she is an MP and not the other way round. 10. It is time to make the law work withiout any hindrance. The wrong should not stop the right. The right thing must be done. Those who disagree can seek clarification at the Supreme Court. The violent MPs must know that MPs are elected to use their brains to make their case. Those who seek violence to defend their views should not be tolerated. They must be exposed and expelled.
This OccupyGhana Sh..t is so annoying. I didn’t hear their comment on the Supreme Court stup..dity.Where is their comment on the Osafo-Marfo/Croll & Associates corruption? These bunch of morons who hold themselves as saints are silent on the GHC12b lost reported by Auditor General. When the dust is settled we know where to find you vicious individuals
We have to listen to Allotey in good faith, for he knows them, he was one of them, and he was born again. I think he couldn't have done anything better than warn us against the NDC's politics of malice and acrimony. You just have to see them in parliament. Their demeanor and the rambo-style behavior in politics tell you that such politicians, especially of the NDC, will not scruple to loot the national purse if they so vilely succeed in obtaining political power. Asem se be!
Well said, Mr. Agyenim. From what we see, these hooligans are not in parliament in the interest of their constituencies and the country at large. Their behavior is unbecoming of gentlemen. Just look at them, the way they dress, the foul that come from their ***barred word*** mouths! The constituents have seen them; one thing they can do is to recall them and elect responsible, caring and disciplined gentlemen to parliament. They should not wait until 2024. The time is now.
We are scratching the back of the issue, what needs to be addressed is; what triggered the brawl? The principal of causality is applicable here thus A must be triggered for B to happen. The standing orders are clear. When a deputy speaker assumes the chair he becomes neutral meaning he/ she cannot vote even though a member of parliament. Question then is, Joe Osei Owusu was sent to parliament by the people of Bekwai to represent them . Any other positions he gets in parliament is a plus. Are we saying that the people of Bekwai cease to have a representative immediately he vacates his MP seat to take over as speaker? The Supreme Court will have give an interpretation on this matter. From what is happening won't it be proper for the speaker to be elected, then the majority party will look for someone who is not an MP to be the first deputy speaker, the minority will also look for same to be second deputy speaker? It's like the formulators of the constitution never foresaw what a hung parliament will look like. Assuming one MP is seriously sick and hospitalized, will his colleagues force him or her out of a sick bed to come and vote, can an MP who is on life support machine be brought to vote? Let's ponder over this and build consensus. If the NPP had listened to the grassroots they would have before the 2020 elections the seats they had in 2016 could have been maintained unfortunately arrogance, greed and empty pride took the better part of some young MP's who were shown the exit at the polls thus the current predicament of the NPP. Akuffo Addo may not live a good legacy for NPP. He has lost touch with the NPP itself not to talk of Ghana as a whole. He is providing John Mahama with a lot of ammunition to fire in 2024. Rather unfortunate
This is not what is important. What is important is for you to occupy the jubilee house the same way you occupied Flagstaff house in 2015 and ask the government to improve things in the nation. Hypocrites!
In addition to what OccupyGhana has said, I think the administrative staff of Parliament present and working who were traumatised by these fighting MPs should sue parliament for compensation for not providing safe working environment for them. I was here in the UK but found what happened in Ghana parliament difficult to watch as it goes against our culture. They have done a great disservice to Ghana and their behaviour is a huge deterrent/disincentive to professionals who want to serve their country as MPs. They must be prosecuted as crimes have been committed. Failure to prosecute them is a license for gun fight next time. I expect all recognised bodies including National House of Chiefs, Catholic Bishops, Christian Council, Peace Council etc to demand prosecutions.