Speaker’s warning to MPs Parliament

Parliament Speaker Alban SK Bagbin warned members of the House not to substitute physical prowess for intellectual prowess because “Parliament is for brains and not for guts.”

According to him, MPs are now trading intellect for physical prowess in solving problems in the chamber, pointing out that “there is too much noise and fury on the floor of the House”.

During a late-night session in December 2021, there was an uproar in Parliament over the controversial fee on electronic transactions, with MPs pushing, shoving and punching each other.

Chaos began after opposition MPs rushed forward to prevent Deputy Speaker Joseph Osi-Owusu from leaving his seat to vote. With fresh minority protests on Thursday evening, a chaotic atmosphere was created.

Major protests were raised by minority members over the draft Public Elections (Registration of Voters) Rules 2023 and the status of the Ghana Card.

Speaker blast

In a statement to the House yesterday, the Speaker urged the leadership of both caucuses to address the issue of relying on guts rather than brains.

“Leadership, you have to lead the way and I am sure your members will follow your good example.

A house is a house for brains, not for guts. Brown belongs in another arena and not on the floor of the august House,” he said.

He said, “Please let us continue to jaw-drop in civility. There are some exceptions, but it should not be a rule that every day Parliament generates heat, but not by measures outside Parliament.

“I don’t think that’s right. Please, I urge the two caucuses to hold workshops immediately. You have a budget to fund a workshop to go through the rules, especially the etiquette of the House,” Mr. Bagbin asserted.

He disclosed that he is getting a lot of concerns expressed by Ghanaians and that if he does not convey the concerns of Ghanaians to the lawmakers, he will be failing in his duty.

“Please, this House is very fragile and we all have to be very careful about how we conduct business in the House,” he pleaded.

stillness

Parliament was in disarray as opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs and their majority New Patriotic Party (NPP) counterparts stuck to their different positions on the Electoral Commission’s (EC) proposed constitutional instrument to carry out continuous registration of eligible voters.

On Thursday, EC President Jean Mensah had to adjourn the House during the Committee of the Whole session after vociferous protests by minority members demanding that he appear in person to inform the House about the proposed public elections (voter registration). ) Rules 2023.

In the briefing meeting, Vice President in charge of Corporate Services Dr. Dr. Basman Assistant and Director of Elections. The commission was represented by Serebor Kwaiko.

The First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osi-Owusu, Daily Guide gathered, tried his best to get the EC officials and their associates from the National Identification Authority (NIA) to inform the House of the business, but failed as opposition MPs stuck around. His demand, knocked on his desk.

Electoral Commission Chairman Jean Adukwe Mensah and National Identity Authority Executive Secretary Prof.

movement

The House is considering adopting the report of the Committee of the Whole on the Status of Registration, Printing and Issuance of the ECOWAS Identity Card (Ghana Card) and related challenges.

The motion was moved by the Majority Leader, Osei Kai-Mensah-Bonsu, on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee and seconded by South Dai, Roxon-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeemekpor MP.

Debate ensued and the question was put, MPs agreed to the motion, but the House was adjourned at 5:40.

Summons

When the House finally resumed at 8:07 PM, Speaker Bagbin presided and called the EC Chairman, NIA Executive Secretary to attend the House in response to the concerns raised in the Committee of the Whole.

He should brief MPs as soon as possible on the status of the proposed Public Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2023 and Ghana Card Registration.