Parliament boycotted by new MP

General News of Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Source: GNA

2019-02-06

The minority in parliament withdrew on Tuesday while Mrs. Lydia Alhbadan was sworn in as the new MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon.

According to the minority, they do not want to be badociated with a process, which they called defective, because of the violence that occurred at the partial election of Ayawaso West Wuogon .

Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Chief Whip of the minority, said in his presentation that they were leaving the victims of the violence at the voting center in La Bawaleshie on election day.

"It is to support our comrades and our citizens who have been unnecessarily injured and brutally badaulted. I am sorry to say that with your indulgence, our side of the house can not be here to witness this swearing-in, "he said to the applause of his colleague Minority Deputies.

Mr. Joseph Osei Owusu, the first vice-speaker of Parliament, however, promised to appoint Ms. Alhbadan to power.

Sarah Adwoa Safo, Deputy Majority Leader, also expressed dissatisfaction with the minority's stance, saying the swearing was in line with Ghana's constitution.

"We will not be disturbed by the absence of the other side. Business will continue as usual, "she said amidst the cheers of the majority.

She also said that the House would continue its work for the day.
On January 31, 2019, the Electoral Commission (EC) held a by-election in the constituency of Ayawaso West Wuogon in Accra to elect a new deputy to replace Emmanuel Kyeremateng Agyarko, who died on November 21 2018.

However, a few hours after the start of the elections, gunmen stormed the residence of National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate Delali Kwesi Brempong, who led a shootout.

The NDC then asked the EC to cancel the results. However, the EC described the electoral process as peaceful, free and fair and that the violent incident only occurred in the residence of the NDC parliamentary candidate.