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A former Convention People's Party (CPP) Youth Organiser and Convernor for Economic Fighters League (a pressure group) has been arrested by the Parliamentary Protection Unit of the Ghana Police Service for misbehaviour in the Public Galary of Parliament.

According to Peace FM's parliamentary correspondent, Emmanuel Akorli, Ernesto Yeboah suddenly got up in the chamber and started shouting "drop that chamber, drop that chamber" together with other two people.

Plain cloth Police officers in the public gallery quickly apprehended him.

Economic Fighters League picketing in Parliament was a precursor to the planned demonstration on July 13 against the project in collaboration with #DropThatChamber Campaign.

Critics of the development say Parliament’s priorities are misplaced given the standard of living in Ghana.

Protest in Parliament

Three protesters against plans to construct a new parliament have been arrested after screaming from the public gallery “drop that chamber”.

The three are all members of pressure group Economic Fighters League - Ernesto Kofi Yeboah, Abeiku Adams and a third who is yet to be identified.

They started chanting after NPP MP for Asokwa constituency in the Ashanti region, K.T Hammond justified the controversial plan insisting ‘MPs cannot sit under trees’.

KT Hammond made the comment during a discussion in parliament on the new chamber plans.

The discussion began after North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa asked the Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu when the House will be briefed on the new parliament complex.

The Majority leader had just read the Business statement for next week which did not contain any agenda on the unpopular plan to build a 450-seater parliament.

Public Outrage

The Parliamentary Service Board’s decision to construct a complex including a new 450-seater chamber has been a subject of public outrage.

Most Ghanaians are awed and enraged about the rationale behind the proposed facility, particularly when there are other more important needs of citizens; the likes of portable water, classroom blocks, employment etc.

According to them, building a parliamentary chamber in this current economic hardship state is unnecessary.

The project, expected to be funded partly by the Indian government with counterpart funding from the government of Ghana, when constructed, will consist of a 450-seater chamber, a chapel, mosque, restraint and a parliamentary museum.