New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante Akyem North, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi has cautioned his colleague MPs who stoke commotion in the Legislative House to desist from such behaviour.
Speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Hon. Andy Appiah-Kubi called for decency in Parliament as he bemoaned the conduct of some members who, during proceedings, exhibit tendencies to engage in violence.
"When somebody says something and you don't agree, you should defeat the person with superior argument. If we wanted to engage in boxing, we would have brought boxers to fill the House. When there are misunderstandings and conflicts and I am watching, I ask why did you bring people like this to come here and cause commotion?", he registered his displeasure.
He called for a strict penalty against any lawmaker who causes a brawl or fisticuffs in the House.
"Assault is a criminal offence. Whoever and wherever it happens, as long as it is within the jurisdiction of Ghana, assault is a criminal offence. So, if someone throws his/her fist at another person, he or she should be arrested and prosecuted," he insisted.
He added; "If I were the Attorney General, I would arrest and prosecute some people to learn lessons because we cannot reduce Parliament to a boxing arena."
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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This MP has made a valid and good point but it should go beyond arrest and prosecution. The arrest dhould start with the individual attacked physically to report to police and give evidence from prosecution at the law court. The second one is to see this as workplace abuse and bullying which should never be entertained by any employer. It should be a policy of the Parliamentary leadership to suspend the abuser and investigate with a view of punishing the MP involved. It should be a red line MPs shouldn't cross. Simply it is zero tolerance. Both cause of actions must be pursued. So both internal and external actions should be taken.