Speaker of Parliament against summoning of Kofi Wayo

Accra, July 6, GNA - Mrs Joyce Bamford-Addo, Speaker of Parliament has ruled that the contemptuous comment made by Mr Kofi Wayo, a politician about the House was based on ignorance and should therefore be spared. This was after a heated debate over Mr Wayo's remarks on an Accra FM station that parliamentarians are criminals and egocentric lot.

"I am of a firm view that ignorance has played a part here," Mrs Bamford-Addo said, " adding: "I will not refer the matter to the Privileges Committee."

She said the most worrying aspect of the issue was the generalisation of the matter, which affected the sanctity of parliament as captured by Article 122 of the 1992 Constitution.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Amenfi East, Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo argued that Mr Wayo breached Standing Orders 53 and 73 and Article 15, which held that the dignity of every person shall be inviolable.

He said people have the penchant of using the radio to make statements about others who have no opportunity to defend themselves. He said if the House is a place for thieves why did Mr Wayo decide to become a parliamentarian, but failed. He noted that even though the sages say "if a mad man take your dress one need not chase him up," in some circumstances the lunacy of the mad person must be examined.

Mr Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Member for Asawase said although parliament is an icon of democracy and an august House, it is not packed with perfect and chaste people.

He called on members to live above reproach, adding :"Let's watch our individual and collective lives." Alhaji Muntaka called on the House to forgive Mr Wayo, stressing: "To err is human and to forgive divine."

Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu Member for Bekwai said Mr Wayo had a penchant for attacking institutions of the State. He recalled that in the previous administration it was the Judiciary and the Executive and now it is the legislature. He told member to enforce the constitution by summoning him before the House. The Member for Ashaiman Mr Alfred Kwame Agbesi said Mr Wayo should not be summoned to the House but should be advised by the Council of State to stop such attacks on the august house. Mr Ken Ohene Agyapong MP for Assin North said Mr Wayo should appear before the House for members to explain to him who a criminal is. The Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said though Mr Wayo had offended many provisions of the 1992 Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament he should not be dignified with a summons to the august house. "He is not qualified to appear, let's not glorify peripheral element in the House."

He said most of the times the Minority criticised the President and other government officials but they did not insult any of them. "Such should be the approach of all decent men," he said. Mr Cletus Apul Avoka, Majority Leader said parliament was susceptible to constructive criticism and sounded a word of caution that Ghanaians must criticize when it is necessary.

He said Mr Wayo should be pardoned because every body in this country knew how he behaves and does not deserve to be summoned to the house.