Pressure group, the Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) has called for an independent investigation into the chaotic inauguration and election of Speaker of the 8th Parliament.
In a press statement issued by the leadership of AFAG on Monday, January 11, 2021, the pressure group said the happenings will possibly be the worst incident in Ghana’s Chamber of Parliament, and therefore calls for a full swing probe.
AFAG further asked (parliament) to appoint an independent body to conduct the investigation into its misconduct and recommend the appropriate sanctions for all actors.
“The sanction should be in line with the standing orders of Parliament and the laws of the land. The honour and dignity of Parliament is at stake,” the statement said.
The high stakes election of the Speaker of parliament for the 8th parliament turned chaotic at dawn causing balloting to stall for almost 4 hours.
The process recorded numerous scuffles with the third breakout triggering a bizarre situation where soldiers stormed the chamber to restore order.
The night also recorded the snatching of ballot papers by Mr Carlos Ahenkorah.
Full Press statement published below
PROBE MISCONDUCT OF PARLIAMENTARIANS
The complete breakdown of law and order which resulted in several hours of chaotic scenes during the swearing-in of MP’s elect and the election of speaker for the 8th parliament is possibly the worst incident in the Chamber of Parliament of the Republic of Ghana.
Footage from the overnight confrontation showed numerous pockets of free-for-all brawls between NPP and NDC members which disrupted the night-long program.
AFAG calls for an immediate independent investigation into the incidents of the night;
– Assault on a female MP who was forcefully shoved off the chair
– Snatching and chewing of ballot papers by Hon. Carlos Ahinkrah
– Kicking of ballot box and polling booths by Hon. John Jinapor
– Unruly behaviour of Hon. Muntaka and others
AFAG does not expect Parliament to conduct an impartial investigation, so it must appoint an independent body to conduct the investigation into its misconduct. The investigation should further address the issue of the deployment of heavily armed military men into the Chamber of Parliament. AFAG would want to know who sanctioned this deployment and for what purpose.
The investigation should recommend the appropriate sanctions for all actors. The sanction should be in line with the standing orders of Parliament and the laws of the land. The honour and dignity of Parliament is at stake.
SIGNED
AFAG LEADERSHP
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