DCE Threatens To Kill MP

MP complains to Parliament about DCE's conduct Koforidua, July 10, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Kade, Mr Ofosu Asamoah, has petitioned Parliament to "invoke all relevant laws under Article 122 of the constitution" against the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Kwaebibirem, Mr Yaw Boakye Yiadom, for allegedly issuing deaths threats against him.

The MP has also petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Begyina Sakyi Hughes, to use his good offices to provide him with security, since he continues to receive death threats.

In a letter addressed to the Speaker and copies made available to the press on Friday, the MP complained of having received death threats from the DCE, who he also accused of being the "architect of a plot to intimidate and kill him".

In addition to the DCE, the MP also wants the nation's law making arm to cite other people including Mr Isaac Sarpong, Kade Constituency Chairman of the NPP, Mr Joe Danso and ex-Sergeant Ampofo of contempt of Parliament.

Article 122 of the 1992 constitution among others states that "an act or omission which obstructs or impedes Parliament .. . or member or officer of Parliament in the discharge of his duties, or affronts the dignity of Parliament ... is contempt of Parliament".

Mr Asamoah pleaded with Parliament to initiate the contempt proceedings against those people and others he described as "thugs" because they harassed him and the MP for Akwatia, Mr Kinston Kissi, between July 3 and 4 this month in the run-up to Mr Yiadom's confirmation as DCE.

In the letter, Mr Asamoah claimed that, while lodging at a guest house in Kade on July 3, this month, he received a "phone call from Akwatia advising him to seek protection because a mob was heading towards Kade from Akwatia to attack" him and Mr Kissi.

According to Mr Asamoah, the harassment began upon claims that, they, the two MPs were "plotting to block" the confirmation of Mr Yiadom.

He said moments after the said phone call; a group stormed the guest house to "assault everybody around including some guests of the lodge."

"They kicked and banged tables and chairs insisting I produce Mr Kissi" and some "threatened to tear Mr Kissi and me apart", the petition added.

Mr Asamoah claimed to have been so "terrified" by the events that " I prayed that the earth should open so I could sink into it to escape the wrath of the hooligans".

He said a Police detachment, which rushed to the scene advised that he should leave town.

The petition further complained of a group that stormed his Kade house on July 4, about "0800 hours, brandishing all sorts of offensive weapons" with a threat to "lynch" him if he makes moves to attend Mr Yiadom's confirmation, which was to be held that day.

Mr Asamoah claimed to have later that day, escaped to Asuom, but Mr Kissi, who was unaware of the developments, went to his house at Kade and was taken hostage until 1630hours.

"Mr Speaker, as if this was not enough, the hooligans went to town and assaulted almost any close associate of Mr Kissi and myself, inflicting serious injury on them", the petition protested.