Power Brokers, a pressure group affiliated to the NPP acknowledges that the democracy and Rule of Law of this country remains the lifeline of the peace and harmony we re enjoying. The survival of this democracy is a collective effort of all Ghanaians. Protecting our democracy is considered a responsibility for all well-meaning Ghanaians. Its therefore imperative for all state actors, especially the Law-making Body- Parliament to be circumspect in handling the dynamics of the Rule of Law and Democracy in their affairs. The unfortunate happenings in Parliament on the eve of the swearing-in of H E the President of the Republic of Ghana must be condemned unreservedly. It was/is a wrong mark on our political History. Its therefore not appropriate to do selective condemnation of these unfortunate misconduct of MPs elect.
By this release, Power Brokers want to register our strong displeasure on the happenings on the floor of Parliament. Some Ghanaians, especially the NDC, promotes an impression that they fought for our democracy with strong attempts to demonize some members of the ruling party -NPP MPs elect. This propaganda wont fly. We would like to remind Ghanaians of the excess misconduct of the NDC- MPs Elect as follows:
- The first illegality was their deliberate and wrongful takeover of the Majority Caucus seats. They reported early and dismantled the sitting arrangements of the Majority Caucus. This was illegal according to their own rules; the Leader of Government Business and his side forms the Majority Caucus.
- Second illegality was attacking the Clerk of Parliament for reading out a court ruling restricting the Assin North MP Elect. It took the timely intervention of the Marshals to protect the Clerk.
- They conspired and allowed a restricted MP (as ruled by Cape Coast High Court) to participate in the voting process after being cautioned by the Clerk of Parliament.
- They also snatched Ballot boxes on several occasions, kicked ballot boxes and the voting booth, and disrupted the voting process. If a voter misbehaves at a voting grounds, do you snatch ballot boxes to protest?
- Violence in the floor of Parliament; MP elect for Yapei Kusawgu Constituency, Hon. J A Jinapo, physically assaulted a Marshal (Dragged him to the ground) and proceeded to kick a ballot Box. Hon. Muntaka slapped a colleague MP and many more.
- They called (shouted) unprintable names of some NPP MPs Elect in the floor of Parliament. E.g., Hon. Peter Amewu
Yes! these and many more misconducts happened in the floor of Parliament yet hypocrisy of the NDC sees nothing wrong with that, rather condemning and hyping the snatching of Ballot papers.
The NDC held the NPP/Ghana to ransom with plans to walk out and disrupt the swearing-in of the President. This, to some extent, politically, made the NPP MPs vulnerable. Now we have a President. We are sounding a word of caution to the NPP MPs to stop been overly gentleness and put an end to NDC’s obvious misbehaviors in Parliament. Let them know that such misconducts are not monopolized. Let them Know that ‘WE HAVE THE MEN’.
We are by this presser requesting the NDC to apologize to those they assaulted, that is; the Marshals, Hon. Carlos, Hon. Ursla, the Clerk and to Ghanaians for their gross misconduct. On behalf of the grassroot of the NPP, we are glorifying our own, especially, those NPP MPs who stood up to the NDC’s violent behaviors. It sent a strong signal. Kudos to Hon. Carlos, Hon. Ursla and all the others.
It is necessary and extremely important for the Legislatures to apologize to Ghanaians and assure us that such nonsense will not be repeated. They should remember that we put them there hence deserve absolute respect from them. They cannot ruin the hard-earned reputation of Ghana’s democracy.
We are also demanding leadership of the Majority Caucus (The NPP MPs) to do the needful and take their rightful place when parliament resumes on Friday. Under no circumstance should they allow the NDC to continue sitting at the side of the Majority. Such illegality cannot be repeated. Power Brokers and all other grassroot supporters of the party will protest such ‘weaknesses’ to the later.
We also request that all legal actions necessary, should be activated to stop the illegal Assin North MP from appearing in the floor of Parliament. Law Makers can’t disrespect the Laws of Ghana. Clearly the said MP is in contempt of Court and will have to also battle with his dual citizenship case in court.
We also recommend, as the President advised, that the Majority Caucus should adopt all feasible strategies to quickly work on Government businesses even if they must negotiate with the NDC MPs. The continuation of the good works of H E the President of the Republic of Ghana is non-negotiable. Ghanaians re-elected him to accelerate the impact of the good policies. The good people of Ghana won’t forgive the house for any attempts to ridicule any good policy from the Government.
In conclusion, Power Brokers would like to advice politician who use violence and illegal means to project their case to thread cautiously, as that could lead the country to a wrong side of Democracy and development at large.
We will use this opportunity to congratulate RT Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin. We are confident that he will discharge his duties diligently.
We cannot end this without encouraging the President to put together a stronger Team, with the grassroot in consideration, to deliver the desired mandate of the people of Ghana.
Thank you for your time.
The Convener
Power Brokers
NPP, Development in Freedom.
