WAPPC condemns parliamentary violence in Ghana

The West African Parliamentary Journalists under the aegis of West African Parliamentary Press Corps (WAPPC) has condemned in its entirety, recent brawl that took place among legislators on the floor of parliament in Ghana.

WAPPC in a statement issued in Abuja Thursday by its Secretary General, Ezrel Tabiowo, called for probe of the clash and sanctioning of the affected parliamentarians just as it congratulated Rt. Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin on his emergence as Speaker of the 8th Parliament of 4th Republic of Ghana.

The parliamentary reporters in the statement said the brawl in Ghana’s parliament was a major setback in the country’s quest for the deepening of democracy.

The showdown, the statement added , represents a clear departure from the general perception of Ghana in the West African sub-region as the oasis of peace, development and stability.

WAPPC, therefore, called on the newly elected leadership of Parliament to immediately initiate an inquiry into the incident with a view to sanctioning those involved, so as to deter undemocratic elements from further truncating the country’s democratic ideals.

The statement reads: “The membership of the West African Parliamentary Press Corps (WAPPC) congratulates the newly elected Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, Rt. Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.

“His emergence clearly attests to his sterling qualities as an outstanding Legislator with an indisputable track record amongst members of parliament.

“Sadly, same cannot be said of the election process which degenerated into a clash among MPs. This, in our view, represents and contradicts how Ghana is perceived by country states within the West African sub-region.

“The clash in parliament during the election of its Speaker, presents a clear and present danger that the bastion of the country’s democracy has been infiltrated by unpatriotic elements determined to override the country’s democratic ideals in favour of the realisation of self-serving political interests.”

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