Audio Attachment:Listen to Samuel Ofosu Ampofo |
Director of Elections of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo has pointed out that though all 275 Members of Parliament (MPs) took the oath of an MP as well as that of the Oath of Allegiance the same day, - January 6, the day the Seventh Parliament of the Fourth Republic was constituted - there is still a hierarchical leadership in the august House.
He was commenting on the behaviour of the Tamale North MP in the Legislative House which has led to a serious debate on social media over whether there are "seniors" in Parliament.
There was a near-brawl in Parliament on Thursday, March 30, after the Joe Ghartey Committee delivered their report on the bribery scandal.
Hon. Suhuyini was captured on video exchanging words with the Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh and Ablekuma West, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, whom the NDC MP claimed hurled insults on him during a debate on the floor of the House.
He alleged that the Education Minister described him as "mad" and further used "unprintable words" on him.
Hon. Suhuyini believed some Members of Parliament on the majority side think they're seniors and is quoted to have said he together with the MPs were all sworn into office the same day, so no one should claim seniority over him.
Speaking on Onua FM, he stressed that "no one is in that house on the basis of mercy.
"Everyone conducted a campaign, got elected by the electorate to represent a constituency so it is not for another person who feels big in his shoes to determine who his colleague in that house is...I am tempted to believe that the fact that some of us are in that house are eating some people up. Well, I can’t help them. I am sorry. I was voted by the good people of the Tamale North and I am grateful for that and they have to learn to accept that fact.”
Mr. Ofosu Ampofo, speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', stressed that there are indeed seniors in Parliament, as clearly depicted in their seating arrangement.
He explained that in Parliament, long serving MPs are always seated in front with the 'babies' or first-timers like Suhuyini arranged at the back to prove that the House respects ranks.
Though he was silent on whether or not Suhuyini's behaviour is becoming worrying, Mr. Ofosu Ampofo however issued a word of caution to the Tamale North MP to be civil in his conduct in the House.
“In principle, yes, when there’s a Parliament and they’re all sworn-in; they’re all treated equally. But in practice, when you come to Parliament, there’s a front bench and a back bench. Why do we have front bench? The fact that all of you have been sworn in by January, 2017; you’re all MPs but there are different sizes of the Chief’s crown”, he said.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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I really listened to Ofosu Ampofo and really spoke as a matured person. Suhuyini should listen well and pick some sense from it. He is too arrogant and must learn how to talk to the elderly. Dont behave like Mutaila. where is he now. his people voted him out. I will not be surprise if same happens to Suhuyini.
Hon Alhaji Alhassan Suhuyini writes; Let's watch it... Hon Ampofo called me and told me he never said what has been attributed to him in this story. He actually has always encouraged me to remain steadfast. The story which became the subject of that discussion on peace FM this morning attributed to me also misrepresented me. That's what the NPP collaborators in the media have always done. They attribute a wrong story to one and try to attract condemnation from your own. Even if he refuses to condemn you they will stretch what he says to achieve that aim at least in a headline. 1. I said members of the 7th Parliament are colleagues. Just as members of the 6th Parliament were colleagues. That is why a previous Parliament is dissolved for a new one to be sworn in. 2. It is only out of courtesy and respect for old age and experience (length of stay in parliament) that we refer to some as seniors. The story writer left out the number 2
During the debate on the state of the nation address he was call on many occasions to withdraw certain insulting statements he makes. e.g he made a statement like ''If the NPP ministers will fix their thinking'', Both majority and minority called on him to apologise. Earlier he had been cautioned on many occasions on the appointment committee for showing disrespect.
I don't what the panelists discussed yesterday is fair on the young man. There are also MPs who have been in parliament for many years but have not even spoken on the floor of the house. Most importantly, the end of every term is dissolved and a new one sworn into the house. Therefore, you could have returned to parliament but the level of your contribution towards debates, level of understanding of issues will determine how important the MP is. So the assertion that old MPs must sit in front and the new ones seated at the back is an erroneous. Napo disrespect and thinks he is wiser than any other. It is unfortunate the Ghanaian do not speak the truth especially on our political front.
Fosu allotey sefa baako r all not deep thinking guys if they think deep they won't try to belittle suhini DAT he is new entrance forgetting those who gave him the mandate some more educated Dan they are baako sefa u people think Ghana belong to you alone people can come to dat weak level of yours OK
I HOPE SUHUTINI WILL BE MATURE ENOUGHN TO TAKE THE WISE COUNSEL FROM A SENIOR MEMBER OF HIS PARTY
This boy indeed presents one of the many wrongs of John Mahama. He bred nothing but disrespectful, uncouuuth, immature, incompetent, rude little rats with sharp razors ie teeth. Why else will this nincompoop be voted to go to parliament and be addressed as hon...... The likes of this rogue and ayariga give northerners a bad name meanwhile, not all northerners behave this way. Not to talk of the irritants ablakwa, akando the dining hall prefect and co. They're bad nuts that need to be kicked out of parliament. They're bad examples of mp.
Suhuyini the northerner (PE. PE. NI) is a junior so he should allow the Asante royal and medical doctor called Opoku Prempeh to insult and belittle him. Is that not the message coming from Ofosu Ampofo?
Suhuyini the northerner ("***barred word***") is a junior so he should allow the Asante royal and medical doctor called Opoku Prempeh to insult and belittle him. Is that not the message coming from Ofosu Ampofo?
suhuyini take your time. i like you so much but being disappointed in your parliamentary behaviour. pls take the advice from ofosu ampofo