New Traffic Law: It’s about time MPs become bold and demand their rights – Kennedy Agyapong

Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, has asked parliamentarians to be bold in seeking their welfare as lawmakers.

He is of the view that regardless of public sentiments, Members of Parliament should be able to seek to enjoy certain rights and privileges due to them.

Kennedy Agyapong was speaking on the floor of Parliament reacting to the decision to exclude the Chief Justice and the Speaker of Parliament, from high-ranking public officials permitted to install a siren in their official vehicles and use a motorcade.

“My contribution is to caution my colleagues for once. We have been cowered to the Public. Anything concerning Parliament we are afraid of the reaction of the public and anything the government needs they will first come to Parliament. For a whole speaker to say he cannot enjoy a motorcade, who is Kennedy Agyapong, who went to the Senate and enjoyed a motorcade under President Kufuor’s administration.

"We must be bold and speak the truth. Every money this country needs has to go through Parliament but the society belittles us as if we are servants to them. Although we are servants to them, we also have to ensure our rights. I want you guys to be bold. Members have to be bold. Look in case there is an emergency and you need Members of Parliament from Adenta to come here, if he uses a motorcade is it a sin?" he said.

"Mr Speaker, I am saying that it is a very important institution, so we should not be afraid to demand opportunities for ourselves. If they are doing this to the speaker, then who are you a Member of Parliament sitting here and we the same people are going to approve this? Are we saying ministers are not important?" he added.