Source: Myjoyonline.com
Hours after the Speaker sent the Member of Parliament for Sefwi Wiawso, Dr Kwaku Afriyie out of the House, he said he is yet to fully recover from the shock.
According to him, he was only trying to draw Alban Bagbin’s attention to the fact that, he was not mandated to make prejudicial statements.
When asked on Joy FM’s Top Story whether he agrees that his conduct was disorderly, he said “That was extreme from the Speaker, I am surprised and still I haven’t even gotten over the shock.”
“What shocked me is that I was speaking what I was thinking and there was no disrespect. No misconduct on my part, In fact, he gave me permission to speak.”
During proceedings on Monday, the Speaker announced that the House had been notified about the nomination of new judges to the Supreme Court.
He added that “In giving you the information, I have given you an idea of the expectations of the people of Ghana. That is for you to consider as part of the report and the House to decide as to whether we will approve or disapprove those nominations.”
“His Excellency clearly stated that he is constitutionally injuncted to do what he has done, and so it is now for you to also look at.
He described the Speaker’s remarks as prejudicial. “And I believe that as one representing the good people of Sefwi Wiawso, it doesn’t lie in your mouth to remind us of the things that you have said.”
Defending his actions, Dr Afriyie said the Speaker’s remarks when announcing the names suggested that he was somewhat against the new nominees.
He interpreted this as the Speaker participating in debates rather than maintaining a neutral stance.
“What I am saying is that the way the speaker went about this matter, he was supposed to be an unbiased referee and then to bring this matter to our attention. Of course, he can advised us on certain issues but obviously, he was pursuing certain path,” he added.
He also asserted that since he was the elected representative of Sefwi Wiawso, he thought it wise to alert the Speaker.
He stressed that he did not, in any way, try to disrespect Mr Bagbin.
