Breaking: Ghana Parliament on fire as Majority, Minority throw blows again

Ghana’s legislative House, Parliament was on Monday night thrown into total chaos as  Majority and Minority lock horns again over the proposed E-levy.

The members of the house in the full glares of cameras throw punches at each other over the minority’s attempt to cease the speaker’s chair in protest of the sit in speaker, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu’s decision to have himself counted in a division on whether or not to adopt a certificate of urgency for the proposed E-levy.

The house had called for a  division, a process where members of both side walk out of the chamber  in turns and return one after the other for a head count.

However, prior to the head count, Mr Joe Osei Owusu , affectionately called Joe Wise, had indicated he will join the process  of division to be counted.

While doing so, the Second Deputy Speaker will sit in in his stead and vice versa when it is the turn of the Minority to be counted.

“Hon because i we don’t have a division am advised that the agreement is that we will all file out and then the yes will come and they are counted after that the nos will come and they are counted. And let me put on records that i soon as i leave the seat , i am entitled to vote,” Joe Wise said.

“Order and maybe when the Second Deputy Speaker had voted you will re-leave me and i will caste my vote,” he added.

The decision was however, objected by the Minority.

The head count had started and more than 30 members on the Majority side had been counted when the process was intercepted by the Minority to prevent the Second Deputy Speaker from taken the place of the First Deputy Speaker and that was what provoked the fight.

The Minority attempted to snatch the Speaker’s chair something the Majority wouldn’t allow.

GhanaPlus.com sighted among others, Minister of Youth and Sport, Mustapha Yussif, Member of Parliament for the Odododiodoo, Nii Lante Vanderpuye throwing blows at each other around the speaker’s chair while others like Anyaa Sowutum MP Dr Dickson Adomako Kissi and host of others calm down tempers and protect the speaker’s chair at the same time from being snatched away.

Blame first and Second Speaker to today’s brawl in Parliament – Nii Vanderpuye

Speaking to JoyNews’ PM Express, the Member of  Parliament for Odododiodoo Constituency, Nii Lante Vanderpuye said the First and Second Deputy Speakers should be blame for the development.

He said any of the speakers looses its vote when presiding and that they will ensure any day in the absence of the speaker.

Sitting has since been adjourned till Tuesday, December 22 at 9am.

Brawls in Ghana’s legislative House

This is not the first time the Members of Parliament have engaged in such embarrassing conduct in the house.

It could be recalled just few weeks ago, same happened as the Minority again attempted to snatched the speaker’s chair over a decision by Joe Wise to count himself during a voting process.

It could also be recalled, the house on January 7, 2021 misconducted themselves during the election of the Speaker, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin.

Source: GhanaPlus.com