The Northern Regional Director of the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) Richard Kambotah has expressed dissatisfaction over the actions of Members of Parliament (MPs) during the election of the Speaker of parliament and inauguration of the house on January 7, 2021.
He said the actions of the Members of Parliament (MPs) was uncalled for, saying parliament is an embodiment of the entire citizenry, hence the need for extreme decorum and respect for their own portfolios.
‘’Parliament is an embodiment of all the people in the country and I think with such an institution there should be an exercise of decorum, respect and especially regard for their own portfolios’’, he noted.
Mr Kambotah however described the 8th parliament as balanced and will serve the interest of all. He made these comments in an earlier interview on Zaa major news.
The ILGS Director was of the view that parliamentarians who portray unpleasant and unparliamentary behaviours be sanctioned per the rules and by the leadership of the house.
‘’I think Parliamentarians who act unpleasantly and unparliamentarily should be sanctioned or apprehended by the leadership of the house,” he opined.
The unfortunate thing is that, the leadership itself were involved in some of those scuffles and must be dealt with,’’ Mr Kombotah emphasized.
Mr Kombotah believes the current parliament will serve the interest of all Ghanaians irrespective of their political color.
He said the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin who is the oldest parliamentarian in Ghana will be conscious of his role and responsibilities with his expertise as a Speaker of the house.
Ghanaians on January 7, were treated with what many described as semblance of what is expected of this 8th parliament as chaos broke out during the processes leading to the election of the Speaker and inauguration of the house.
Kicking of ballot booth and box, snatching of ballot papers, invasion of military among host of unpleasant and unparliamentary conduct were exhibited in the chambers.
In the end, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin who was proposed by the NDC caucus was elected the speaker.
This is the first time a speaker of the house is seen coming outside the ruling party and more especially a prominent member of the main opposition party.
BY: LILIAN WALTER
