Man arrested for picketing in parliament

The police yesterday arrested a man who displayed a banner in the public gallery of Parliament, protesting about certain national is¬sues.

The man, who gave his name as Christopher Owusu Marfo, was picked up by the Parliament police and after a brief questioning, was transferred to the Osu police station for further interrogation.

He was wearing a shirt with the names of President Kufuor and former President Rawlings embossed on it.

Some of the inscriptions on the banner read: "Journalists must be circumspect", "Free Tsatsu Tsikata", "Let Abodakpi pay .....”

Marfo had since Monday, been going to Parliament House dressed in the national colours, saying he is on a campaign to promote peaceful co-existence between President Kufuor and former President Rawlings and the need for peace during and after the general elections.

At about 11.50 a.m. yesterday, he entered the gallery while proceedings were going on, dis¬playing the banner in contravention of the rules governing public conduct in the gallery.

Some of the MPs who spotted him were heard shouting: "Arrest him!" and an usher invited Marfo out of the gallery. Other MPs rushed out of the chamber to find 0ut what was happening

A Parliarnent source told the Times that it is not allowed for a person to display a banner in the public gallery.

The source pointed out that there are rules and regulations governing public conduct in the gallery.