Bagbin calls for decent politics and respect for the dead

Accra, Jan. 30, GNA - The Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin on Tuesday said it was indecent for politicians to use the burial of a Member of Parliament (MP) to campaign in a by-election without due respect for the dead.

He said the burial grounds of Mr Akwasi Afrifa, Former MP of Fomena, was a sorry sight because of the active campaigning, which saw people wearing T-Shirts of a Parliamentary Candidate instead of the deceased.

"While others are mourning, others are jubilating. On my death bed I will not tolerate this thing....", the Minority Leader said in remarks on the Floor of Parliament while welcoming Members back from recess at the First Sitting of Parliament for the year.

He urged Ghanaians to uphold the spirit and letter a constitutional amendment that allowed decent time for mourning and burial of a Member of Parliament before the holding of a by-election. The Minority Leader said it was sad that Parliament kept losing its Members.

He said at the last meeting it was decided that there was the need to look at the health of Members.

This current Parliament has witnessed five by-elections, since members took their seats in January 2005. It has become a source of concern in many quarters, especially in relation to the health of MPs and the cost of holding by-elections.

With the exception of Dr Wayo Seini, former MP for Tamale Central, who resigned from the House, four other MPs have died after short illness.

This has resulted in by-elections in the Asawase, Odododiodio, Offinso-South and Fomena Constituencies.

Before the commencement of Public Business, Nana Abu Bonsrah, the NPP member who emerged winner in the Fomena by-election, took his seat in Parliament after being sworn-in by the Speaker, Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi-Hughes.

Mr Sekyi-Huges, who welcomed members back from Xmas recess, expressed the hope that Members would be punctual and discharge their constitutional duties as part of their responsibilities to their representatives.

He also announced that President John Agyekum Kufuor would be in the House to deliver the State of the Nation address on February 8 2007.