MPs pay tribute to late Doris Seidu

Accra, Aug 26, GNA - Members of Parliament (MPs) on Wednesday officially paid tributes to the late Mrs. Doris Asibi Seidu, former MP for Chereponi constituency who died on August 1, 2009.

They also described her as an affable, friendly and dedicated woman, and appealed to sympathizers of all political parties to conduct themselves in a manner that would add credentials to the country's flourishing democracy by avoiding negative skirmishes that had characterized by-elections over the years.

Mrs. Gifty Eugenia Kusi, NPP Member of Parliament for Tarkwa Nsuaem who presented the tribute, described the late Doris as a selfless, tenacious and courageous woman who through hard work earned the accolade "Tiger Lady" in both her constituency and in the house of Parliament. She said as a teacher, Doris brought hope to her constituency by liaising with Non-Governmental Organizations in the country to support her people in the areas of education and Health. "No wonder she won her seat for two consecutive times."

Mrs. Juliana Azumah Mensah, NDC Member for Ho East expressed dissatisfaction that only the minority were in mourning clothes, but Mr. Frederick Opare Ansah, Minority Chief Whip refuted her argument by stating that the speaker, the previous day announced that the statement was to be laid on Wednesday.

Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, NDC Member for Asawase, condemned the act of concentrating on electioneering activities at a time that they were supposed to be mourning with families of the deceased. He therefore suggested to the house to consider instituting measures in future that would enable the deceased's party to replace him or her without necessarily going through elections.

Mr. Alban S.K. Bagbin, Majority Leader, appealed to all members of the house to patronize the late MP's funeral on the 40th day funeral celebration to demonstrate to the people that there was unity of purpose in the house.

He also called on members to educate the electorate against violence during electioneering campaigns, as that was retarding the orderly progress of the country.

Mr. Ambrose Dery, Minority leader, said her death had worsened the gender disparity problem in the country as the number of female MPs was dwindling instead of increasing.

He called on various political parties to consider increasing the number of women candidates in subsequent elections to strike a gender balance in parliament. Other Members who also paid tribute included Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, Member for Tamale South, Mrs Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Member for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Isaac Kwame Asiamah, Member for Atwima Mponua, and Miss Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Member for Bantama.