Minority Leader: We erred by flashing 'stealers' placards

The Minority leader in Parliament, Hon. Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu has in clear terms, stated that though it was legitimate for him and his colleagues to stage a walkout before...

...President John Dramani Mahama mounted the podium to give his first maiden address, they were wrong in flashing materials that had "stealers” boldly printed on them.

Members of Parliament, on the side of the minority, staged a collective walk out last Thursday prior to President Mahama’s first address to the nation and generated controversies concerning the way they marched out.

The NPP MPs were seen hovering placards with inscriptions “Stealers” in the House, obviously to express their displeasure with the President’s State of the Nation Address on Thursday.

Though some political pundits have lauded them for flashing the “stealers” placards, Hon. Osei –Kyei Mensah-Bonsu believes it was an extreme move.

Speaking on Accra-based Okay FM, the Member of Parliament for the Suame Constituency noted that though he and his colleagues had agreed to walkout as soon President Mahama walked in to deliver his speech; they never planned to flash materials which could call for ill reactions.

“Before we staged the walkout, I had a meeting with the majority leader and told him to stop his side from yelling at us whilst we move out. He assured me his colleagues wouldn’t hoot at us and that informed me to talk to my colleagues not to do same. Ever since I was elated to become a leader in parliament, I can boldly tell you that I have always abhorred the use of placards in settling a matter.

“To be frank, placards isn’t allowed in parliament...you would be accosted if you use it,” Hon. Osei-Kyei Mesnah-Bonsu said.

However, Hon. Osei-Kyei Mesnah-Bonsu pointed out that the flashing of the cards occurred as soon as NDC MPs begun hooting at the minority side.

“As I was leaving the house, I heard them (NDC) hooting at us and my colleagues also flashed their cards in response to what they were saying,” he added.