Ken Agyapong explains why he said parliament is cheap

Vociferous Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong has justified his claims that parliament is cheap when he appeared before the Privileges Committee over allegations of contempt levelled against him by the Minority Chief Whip, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak.

The plain-spoken MP told the members of the committee that a regional chairman of his party had made some derogatory comments against him in connection with Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ investigative exposé dubbed ‘Number 12’.

He said the regional chairman stated on public radio that he (Ken Agyapong) does not deserve to be called an honourable member and so if he cannot stay with Anas in Ghana then he should move to Togo.

“I had that at the back of my mind and honestly I was furious at my leader because I was expecting my leader (Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu) to call him and ask what do you know about this?”

Mr Agyapong further stated that about three radio stations called him on phone to ask of his opinion about his leaders’ comments but declined to respond until the same question was asked by his own radio station; that was when he described parliament as cheap.

“I said parliament is cheap because today you are dragging here and everybody will say that you have not heard that regional chairman saying that I should move to Togo if I cannot stay with Anas in this country and I don’t deserve to be called Member of Parliament” he explained.

The full-throated MP noted he respects the majority leader and had to admit that he made those comments against him because he was furious but has eventually apologized to him.

He further told the committee that the regional chairman of his party has also apologised to him and doesn’t hold anything against him.

Kennedy Agyapong hauled before Parliament

Kennedy Agyapong is being investigated by the Privileges Committee over a motion brought before Parliament by Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak accusing the former of making contemptuous public comments about the House.

The committee subsequently established a prima facie case against Mr Agyapong, hence his appointment with the committee.

The committee had its hearing botched on the first day of sitting in June, after lawyers for the maverick MP raised procedural issues with the composition of the committee.

Three members of the committee recused themselves forcing an adjournment.

The MPs are Gomoa Central MP, Naana Eyiah Quansah; Agona West MP, Cynthia Morrison and Upper Denkyira West MP, Samuel Nsowah-Djan.



The three have subsequently been replaced on the committee from the Majority.

The replacements are Yaw Buaben Asamoah, Adentan MP; Yaw Maama Afful, Jaman South MP; and Nana Akua Afriyie, Ablekuma North MP.

The Privileges Committee adjourned proceedings on Monday to deliberate on the defence and apology presented by the respondent, Kennedy Agyapong.

The fate of the MP for Assin Central will be determined at the next hearing.