Ghanaians have been left embarrassed and dismayed by the chaos that occurred in the chamber of Parliament.
Over four hours deadlock was witnessed as members of parliament-elect tried unsuccessfully to find common ground for the election of the Speaker of Parliament.
In a very embarrassing scene akin to the 2014 World Cup disgrace in Brazil, the honourable members of parliament elected to represent the people of Ghana [mis]conducted themselves in far less than the meaning of the title that presided their names.
MPs hurled expletives at each other, punches were thrown, ballot boxes were snatched and voting booths kicked about like goalkeepers taking goal-kicks.
The climax of the disgraceful incident was the invasion of Parliament by armed military officers.
The military officers arrived in the chamber to calm tempers at a time when Muntaka Mubarak and John Jinapor had clashed with NPP MPs over the electoral process.
The unfortunate spectacle dragged for over thirty minutes with NDC MPs chanting the national anthem and other patriotic songs in the face of the armed soldiers.
The soldiers were withdrawn and after a lengthy meeting among the leaders of the house, calm was restored.
Some Ghanaians spent the entire night following the process and have taken to social media to vent their anger and disappointment.
Below are some comments
This is not good on the government. At all... On whose instruction was the army sent into chamber?
— Jonas Nyabor (@jnyabor) January 7, 2021
When MPs complain about a lack of respect for the house, tonight will be a good reference point for any conversation
— Michael Oti Adjei (@OtiAdjei) January 7, 2021
Ghana politics is funny ????. NDC members in parliament have gone to sit at the majority side and they’ve forced the NPP who are the majority to sit in the minority side ah ????
— Kelewele Joint ???? (@Ankamagyimi) January 6, 2021
This just happened in parliament. Subhanallah! Jesus Christ of Nazareth!#7thTo8thParliament pic.twitter.com/CqXn3ibnCV
— Kwaku Asante (@KwakuAsanteGH) January 7, 2021
Sad day... how am I even watching this tears????????#7thTo8thParliament https://t.co/o2Pusvoclu
— Kwame Tweety ???????? (@Tweety_TK) January 7, 2021
Sad day... how am I even watching this tears????????#7thTo8thParliament https://t.co/o2Pusvoclu
— Kwame Tweety ???????? (@Tweety_TK) January 7, 2021
Disgraceful...shameful abuse of incumbency...
— Joyce Bawah Mogtari (@joyce_bawah) January 7, 2021
The disgraceful scene in the 8th parliament of Ghana. Too pitiful. pic.twitter.com/Nt8UHOcgjv
— PiousAmeble (@PiousAmeble) January 7, 2021
This level of misbehaviour is just disgraceful!
— Jerome Otchere (@JeromeOtchere) January 7, 2021
Are people watching what's happening in Ghana's parliament? These MP'S are so unruly. What the hell are they doing! John Jinapo and Muntaka kicking over the ballot boxes! Disgraceful MP'S!#7thTo8thParliament
— #bonjour (@wijma390) January 7, 2021
It's all started with one of the most disgraceful *"flawed elections"* in human history and a Court of Justice that is bankrupt.
— Old Vandal (@IsaacSNMensah) January 7, 2021
The source of problem is not the MPs (both NDC and NPP)#7thTo8thParliament #democracy #JOY #JoySMS pic.twitter.com/if6IFZ2p4H
Disgraceful! https://t.co/MnFPSKX2oL
— Daniel (@dani_thefirst) January 7, 2021