We are not proud of brawls in Parliament

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has said no one is proud of the brawls which graced proceeding of Ghana’s Parliament in recent times over government proposed electronic transaction levy.

“It is something that we are all not proud of. Even though we know that before you can eat the egg you have to break the shell but you don’t want to go though it yourself. You think that you have learned the lessons of those parliament, I have a way of talking more, building consensus than exchanging fire. This is building confidence in the democratic system, it is a great achievement and I hope we will build on this, ” he said.

Mr Bagbin made the comment while speaking on Ghana Television (GTV) on Thursday December 30.

Brawls Parliament in 2021

Ghana’s Parliament led by the Speaker, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin have been thrown into chaos since the Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori- Atta presented the 2022 budget statement to the house.

The development arose from among other things introduction of a proposed electronic transaction levy presented as part of the 2022 budget statement for consideration.

The E-levy is seeking to impose a 1.75% tax on all mobile money transactions above ₵100, applicable to senders only, a proposal which the Minority have vehemently opposed.

There have subsequently been a number of brawls over the budget statement among the Minority and the Majority leading to several chaotic incident in Parliament, some of which led to the snatching of the Speaker’s chair, walk out by both sides of the house and rejection and approval of the budget in the absence of Majority and Minority respectively.

Although, the brawls happened in his absence, Mr Bagbin has  since apologized on behalf of the house.

He has described the actions of the house as rancorous and unruly adding the house is neither dignified or exalted by the behavior.

Source: GhanaPlus.com