Civil society group, Odekro, has criticised Ghana’s parliament for its inability to punish Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, who was found guilty of denigrating parliament.
In a statement issued on Thursday, 14 February 2019, Odekro said it was “shocked by the astounding powerlessness of parliament to gravely sanction Hon. Ken Agyapong, a serial violator of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, Standing Orders of the House, and MPs’ Code of Conduct, for the recent contemptuous description of Parliament”.
The release was in reaction to the escape from expulsion from parliament of Mr Agyapong, despite the guilty verdict on him by the house for contempt.
Class91.3FM’s parliamentary correspondent Ekow Annan, reported on Wednesday, 13 February 2019 that by a split decision of 10-10, some of the Committee members rooted for the suspension of the MP for the rest of the year, with others also taking cognisance of the remorse he had earlier shown and voting for just a reprimand.
Mr Agyapong later issued an apology and was pardoned.
However, Odekro maintains that: “The sanction approved by the House against the contemnor in the form of a mere admonition provides a passage of escape for future recalcitrant MPs”.
The group was of the strong opinion that what is “more disturbing is its potential to give credibility to the tasteful remarks the contemnor made against the august House”.
Source: Ghana/ClassFMonline.com
