Civil Society Organisation condemns January 7 incidence in Parliament

A civil society organisation, Centre for Policy Development (CPD), has asked Ghanaians to condemn the many excessive negatives that characterised the election of the Speaker of the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic on the early hours of January 7, 2021.

The organisation contends that the several acts of hooliganism exhibited by Members of Parliament from both sides of the House do not augur well for the country’s growing democracy.

In a statement issued by the communications directorate of the group over the weekend, it stated that the snatching of ballot box on about three different occasions by some NDC MPs, particularly the Asawase MP, Muntaka Mubarak, and destruction of the electoral materials by others such as the NDC MP for Yapei Kusawgu, John Jinapor, were unparliamentary and should not be entertained in any civilised country.

“Also, the invasion of the House by armed military men and the snatching of ballot papers by NPP MP for Tema West, Carlos Ahenkorah, were all low points which have come to mar the hard-won reputation of the country as the beacon of democracy in Africa,” the statement said.

Growing democracy

CPD added that after 28 years of sustained democracy in the country, the least elected officials, especially law makers, can do is to help grow the democracy “we are building as a country and not bring it into disrepute”.

“We cannot allow our democracy to be trampled upon this way, especially not in the house of the law. What happened in the early hours of January 7 was despicable, shameful and disgraceful.

“All Ghanaians who are interested in the protection of our democracy and who care about the development of this country must condemn these irresponsible acts exhibited by members of the legislative house,” the statement noted.

“Civil society organisations, the media, the clergy, the house of chiefs, peace council and all well-meaning Ghanaians must speak up against this despicable conduct. We cannot pretend like it is business as usual and allow this to pass,” the statement added.

Congratulations

In a related development, the group has congratulated President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for winning a second term victory.

In a statement signed by Ishmael Yahuza, Executive Director of CPD, it said it believes the confidence reposed in President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo by the Ghanaian people is a call on his government to continue working hard for the good people of the country.

The group further expressed “appreciation to the flagbearer of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama, for choosing the legal route to challenge election of President Akufo-Addo which he (Mr Mahama) deems was not conducted on a free and fair grounds.”

To this end, the organisation has called on the opposition party to reconsider its decision of continuous street protest and allow the courts to deal with the issue.

CPD also expressed appreciation to both the governing NPP and the opposition NDC for using the courts to settle their grievances, especially in some of the constituency elections.

“The organisation is proud of the use of the Wenchi High Court, the Cape Coast High Court, the Ho Court and the Supreme Court to settle issues relating to seats such as the Techiman South, the Assin North and the Hohoe constituencies,” it said.