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13.02.2016 Petitions

Parliament Petitioned Over Kennedy Agyapong

Parliament Petitioned Over Kennedy Agyapong
13.02.2016 LISTEN

The Rt. Hon. Speaker Parliament of Ghana Accra.
Rt. Hon. Edward Doe Adjaho
Petition Against The Member Of Parliament For Assin Central; Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyepong.

We the undersigned, in contributing our quota towards the sustenance of our growing democracy and maintaining the integrity of Parliament, have resolved to monitor the utterances and behavior of our members of parliament (MPs). We believe that the unblemished integrity of the house is necessary in the performance of its functions. Parliament is the fulcrum of democracy in the development of a nation. It must therefore be jealously guided and protected.

During our two-year monitoring, the behavior of the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, "Hon." Kennedy Agyepong has always been a worry for, not only us, but most Ghanaians. Referred to as "the foul-mouthed member of parliament" by most Ghanaians, "Hon." Agyepong never ceases to amaze us with his vituperative prowess and his love for bringing the name of the august house into disrepute.

We know that the Privileges Committee of Parliament was set up to consider issues of contempt of parliament brought before it against both MPs and non-MPs. Hence our decision to petition your high office to, as a matter of urgency, refer "Hon." Kennedy Agyepong to the privileges committee for necessary action .

Rt. Hon. Speaker, it is our belief that the honorable law maker erred and committed contempt of Parliament based on our understanding of Article 122 of the 1992 constitution and Standing Order 30 says as follows:

1. “An act or omission which obstruct or impedes Parliament in the performance of its functions or which obstructs or impedes a member of Parliament in the discharge of his duties, or affronts the dignity of Parliament or which tends either directly or indirectly to produce that result, is contempt of Parliament”. The Honorable member committed contempt when he made the following utterances;

Last year, on a live morning socio-political program on Adom TV dubbed "Bedwan", the "Hon." MP was heard describing ALL members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), of which he is part, as "fools" and in other unprintable words. We were saddened by this, considering the fact that, among many other very respectable people who are members of that party are, a former President (President John A. Kuffour), members and leaders of parliament. We would like to know if any Ghanaian can describe parliamentarians in "Hon." Agyepong's own words and go scout-free. |The silence of the Privileges Committee on these comments by the MP is too loud and dangerous to the survival of Parliament and ultimately democracy in the country.

  1. Not too long ago, the same person was heard once again on a similar live program on the same station describing the former President Kuffour and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Kwadwo Mpiani as "murderers". He stated that they killed Mr. Adams Mahama, the late Upper East Regional Chairman of the NPP. When Black Rasta made a similar comment about parliamentarians, it is trite knowledge what happened to him before the Privileges Committee and the august house. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

  1. It is said that, "if vultures eat their own flesh, what won't they do to that of other animals?"

This same MP has consistently disrespected the highest seat of the land; the President of the Republic and the Commander-in-chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, H. E. John D. Mahama and his entire family.

He has insulted the President, his wife, brother and every member of his family. His recent attacks on the family of the President are unprecedented and MUST not be countenanced. In this recent outburst, "Hon." Agyepong is heard insulting the President and his brother, Mr. Ibrahim Mahama and his late mother in unprintable, unparliamentary and denigrating words. He is heard describing the late mother of Mr. Ibrahim Mahama as someone who was "bathing with cocaine" and was also a drug dealer.

This attack was unwarranted and offends the revered Ghanaian culture of respect and reverence for the dead and holders of the highest office of the land.

We wish to bring the above to your notice, for you to refer the said "Hon." Kennedy Agyepong to the Privileges Committee of the house to proof his claims or face the full rigors of the law. This, in our opinion, will go a long way to preserve the integrity of Parliament and "restore" the confidence and respect of Ghanaians in the august House.

The younger generation is looking forward to our Parliamentarians as role models and therefore must be seen to live lives worth emulating. The title "Honourable" must be earned and protected by the actions and inactions of those it is given to.

The attached CD contains a recording of some of the unfortunate comments of the Member of Parliament in question for your consideration.

We are counting on your pragmatic leadership and resolve to restore the dwindling integrity of Parliament.

Thank you.
Signed
Charles Akowuah
Charles McCarthy
0208288062
0544133187
Banda
Accra

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