The Member of Parliament for the Abuakwa South Constituency in the Eastern Region, Samuel Atta Akyea, has expressed his disapproval of the notion that MPs should be compelled to vacate their seats for expressing future political ambitions.

He said that MPs should not be treated as “robots” incapable of reconsidering their political futures or exploring new directions, myjoyonline.com has reported.

He made this statement during an interview on PM Express on Joy News on October 15, 2024.

Atta Akyea’s remarks stem from discussions held in Parliament about some MPs who announced their decisions to contest as independent candidates in the pending 2024 parliamentary elections.

He contended that such pronouncements should not be seen as shifting allegiance from their political parties.

He added that Members of Parliament should be allowed to express their future plans without it affecting their current positions.

Citing an announcement by the Second Deputy Speaker, Atta Akyea said, “The issue here is that these MPs are addressing their future intentions. They’ve not said that as of now they want to abandon where they are for any other direction. Should it affect my current status if I declare my intentions for the future? I’ve not said now I’m crossing to another party.”

The MP emphasised the need to differentiate between current commitments and future goals.

“What we are saying now is that they are not crossing the carpet yet. They are not saying that in this Parliament, they were sponsored by the NPP or came in as independents and now want to go to another party or stand as independents,” he stated.

He firmly opposed the idea that future aspirations should result in immediate consequences, such as the removal of MPs from their positions, comparing this to treating MPs as mindless figures.

“If not, then we are reducing the Members of Parliament to robots; they can’t think, they can’t change their minds,” he warned.

Samuel Atta Akyea explained that intentions can evolve, and it is unreasonable to judge MPs preemptively based on what they might do in the future.

“What if what they want to do, they change their minds about? Is Parliament going to declare on the thinking and feelings of MPs? That’s the problem I have,” he said, highlighting the importance of flexibility in politics and decision-making.

This argument sheds light on a larger issue of parliamentary autonomy and freedom of expression.

Atta Akyea’s point of view questions the strictness of certain interpretations of parliamentary conduct, advocating for MPs to have the freedom to think, express intentions, and adjust their stance without facing premature repercussions.

RAD/AE


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