Drama at Parliament as house debates

Page 13, Feb 28, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah

THE ongoing debate on the President’s Message on the State of the Nation Address in Parliament was yesterday characterised by jeering, shouting and insults from both sides of the house.
It took the diplomacy of the First Deputy Speaker, Mr Freddie Blay who stood firm during occasions when some contributors and those who stood on point-of orders used what he called “unparliamentary words” and brought them to order.
First, it was a clash between the NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for North Dayi, Ms Akua Sena Dansua and his colleague NPP MP for Bosomtwe, Mr Simon Osei-Mensah when the latter was contributing to the debate.
Mr Osei-Mensah said in his contribution that the excellent organisation of the just-ended Africa Cup of Nations tournament, Ghana 2008, had brought enormous economic benefits and ensured the re-union of some families.
He showed a calendar with pictures of former President Rawlings and a member of the Black Stars, Junior Agogo and explained that the courtesy call on former President Rawlings by Agogo, his nephew was the result of the excellent organisation of the competition.
Mr Osei-Mensah referred to the micro-economic success of the government and said that the economy under the NPP had been far more stable than that of the NDC government under the leadership of former President Rawlings.
On two occasions Ms Dansua, who is also first Deputy Minority Whip stood on point-of-order and reminded Mr Osei-Mensah to take the House serious and not behave like a “clown”.
Mr Blay, however prevailed Ms Dansua on those occasions to withdraw that word saying that “I do not expect a leader of the House to use such words on their colleagues”.
Then came the dramatic aspect of the debate when the Speaker ordered the Marshal of Parliament to drive the MP of Kwabre East, Mr Kofi Frimpong out of the Chamber for improper dressing.
Mr Frimpong, who was wearing a short sleeve linen shirt sown African style, over a trousers was deemed to had been an improper costume and when he stood up on a point-of-order, Mr Blay pointed this out and refused him a chance to raise his point.
When the MP who had withdrew to the backbench returned to the front seat of the Majority and rose on another point-of-order, Mr Blay ordered the Marshal to take him out of the House.
However, when Mr Frimpong was moving out of the Chamber, he rescinded his decision and allowed him to sit at the backbench.
Mr Frimpong was later seen wearing a suit over that shirt and when all eyes were on him, he walked out of the Chamber only to emerged wearing a yellowish long sleeve linen shirt, also sown in African style.
One other incident, which characterised the debate was the clash between the Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin and the MP for Sunyani East Mr J. H. Mensah over comments made by the latter.
Mr Mensah, who had stood on a point-of-order asked the MP for Bawku Central, Mr Mahama Ayariga to be careful over the way he was using statistics to indicate that President Kufuor would leave the three northern regions more poorer than what he inherited.
He referred to the Kenyan crisis and cautioned that it was similar sentiments which led to killing due to envy among tribes in that country.
Mr Bagbin, however disagreed with Mr Mensah’s assertion and explained that the situation in Kenya was as a result of the rigging of the recent election rather than envy.
Even when the House adjourned, some members were seen exchanging words while Mr Bagbin drew nearer to Mr Mensah to continue the debate, albeit in a friendly manner.