General News of Thursday, 31 January 2019

Source: starrfmonline.com

Agyapong, Muntaka brawl dent on Parliament – Apaak

Member of Parliament for Builsa South Dr. Clement Apaak Member of Parliament for Builsa South Dr. Clement Apaak

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa South Dr. Clement Apaak has chastised his colleague lawmakers, Kennedy Agyapong and Muntaka Mubarak, for dragging the image of Parliament into disrepute.

It comes after the two lawmakers representing Assin Central and Asawase respectively engaged in a near brawl Wednesday morning.

Mr. Agyapong who has once again been referred to the privileges committee over his comments prior to the murder of undercover journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale at the instance of Mr. Mubarak hurled insults at the Asawase MP upon seeing him at the Speaker’s lobby.

He argued Mr. Mubarak was given the freeway to speak ill of him on the floor Tuesday because he was absent, calling him a thief – referring to his dismissal from the Sports Ministry by the late President Mills.

In return, Mr. Mubarak who’s the minority chief whip called Mr. Agyapong a drug dealer. The heated exchanges between the duo moved from the lobby onto the floor of the chamber where some colleagues intervened.

Speaking to Starr News Parliamentary Correspondent, Dr. Apaak described the development as unfortunate and a dent on the lawmaking chamber’s image and reputation.

‘These kinds of occurrences certainly will dent the image and reputation of the august House. Indeed, there shouldn’t be any level of provocation that should lead to these type of occurrences. I think it is very unfortunate.

“I’m worried that it is becoming one too many. So to have this reoccur again…from where it did and spilled over to the chamber itself is not commendable at all and I think members of parliament we need to recognize that we have a responsibility to be decorous and to present ourselves in a manner that will not cause the public to impugn our image and to question our integrity,” Dr Apaak stated.

He added: “I hope that this will be the last of its kind because it’s becoming one too many and it’s not complimentary to the image, reputation and stature of the august House.”