MPs Criticize Abuse Of Privileges

Members of Parliament (MPs) yesterday did introspection of their conduct in public and how they would lead exemplary lives and abide by the laws of the country, as any member of the society, in order to bring the needed respect to the institution of Parliament.

MPs from both sides of the House were of the view that Parliament as an institution is the pillar or fulcrum of democracy in the country, and that MPs ought to conduct themselves in a manner that would bring enormous respect not only to the institution, but also to themselves.

These views were expressed by the MPs after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Bantama, Daniel Okyem Aboagye, raised concerns in a statement on the floor of the House on how some MPs, government officials and members of the judiciary have been violating the laws of the country.

“Mr. Speaker, while I believe in a democracy, parliamentary immunities, the supremacy of the law, I also believe that Members of Parliament should not be seen abusing our privileges or institutions that enforce the law,” he said

Mr. Okyem Aboagye, therefore, commended the officers of the Ghana Police Service (GPS), who in collaboration with some journalists from Citi TV, arrested and shamed an MP and other high-profile members of the society for flouting traffic regulations on the Tema Motorway.

He asked the law enforcement agencies to strictly enforce the laws that are made by Parliament and that whoever is found culpable must be made to face the full rigours of the law.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, explained that Parliament is a very important institution as far as democracy is concerned since parliament is the foundation of any democracy, therefore, it ought to be afforded all the respect and recognition.

He, however, stated that the conducts of MPs are critical to the dignity of the institution, adding that the First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu, had always admonished MPs to be conscious of their conduct in public and particularly respect traffic regulations when driving.

Mr. Osei-Owusu stressed the need for MPs to respect the laws of the country in order to set good examples for the rest of the members of the society.