Principle of the chamber in the future not new – Vice President of Parliament

General News of Saturday, July 6, 2019

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

2019-07-06

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Joseph Osei Owusu revealed that the concept of a new room was not new to the parliament.

According to him, the former presidents made suggestions regarding the new chamber during their speech on the state of the nation, but the only thing to do was to "advance the principle and conceive the concept".

He revealed that public reactions were a surprise, as no agreement was reached on the new chamber.

"The principle of a room in the future is not new. As a member of Parliament for ten years, I have heard all the presidents who spoke speak about it in their speech on the state of the nation. I have heard speakers refer to it in their last sections, but the only thing that has been done is to go further in principle and design the concept. I do not know how it was that there was a public discussion as if the market had been pbaded or if a step had been taken, but no matter what generated this discussion. "

Joseph Osei Owusu made the statement in parliament after the majority and minority leaders commented on the controversy over the 450-seat chamber.
Meanwhile, Ernesto Yeboah, former organizer of the PCP for Youth, was arrested Friday morning when he interrupted his work to faint in order to dispel his anger over the new chamber project.

The head of the Economic Fighters League who was sitting in the public gallery as a member of Adansi Asokwa, K.T. Hammond was on the ground talking about the proposal of a new parliamentary chamber that stood up and shouted, "We do not need a discussion on this. drop this room … ".

He was taken out of the room with another member of the group.

"Drop this room", Ernesto Yeboah did not stop singing while he was taken to the police station with handcuffs.

He told the media that "we are fighting for you all, if you do not have the courage to say it, we will say it for you and we will impose the sanctions".
The three were released on bail after an arrest.

Context

Ghanaians have criticized plans to build a new 450-room room for Ghanaian legislators on various social media platforms.

The decision to build a new chamber estimated at $ 200 million sparked strong opposition from Ghanaians and civil society groups.

Some legislators, including minorities, such as the MP for North Tongu, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; Ras Mubarak, MP Kumbungu; and Tamale North MP Alhbadan Suhuyini described the decision as useless.

In addition, some legislators of the majority, including Samuel Ayeh-Paye, Ayensuano; and Mr. Patrick Boamah, of Central Okaikwei, also stated that a new room was not needed at the moment.

However, the Speaker of the Parliament's majority, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, justified the need for a new chamber.