We’ll resist mobile phone ban in Parliament - Minority MPs

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Sefwi Bodi in the Western North Region, Mr Sampson Ahi has stated that Minority Members of Parliament (MP) will resist the proposal to ban mobile phone use in the Chamber of Parliament.

According to him, the move is wrong and amounts to being treated as “school children”.

Speaking during the presentation of the business statement Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, disclosed the decision is contained in the reviewed standing orders. The Suame MP cited situations where members are constantly on phones in the chamber when the house in session as basis for the move.

“Mr. Speaker I believe the house must make a determination and let me emphasize, it’s the reason why it’s been proposed that in the next parliament, once we accept and indeed adopt the reviewed standing orders, no member will be allowed to bring a cellphone in this chamber. We need to demonstrate seriousness in this house. We need to.”

According to the Suame MP, the practice where members focus on their phones to the neglect of proceedings even when the house hosts important guests dents the image of the legislature.

“When the president of the republic is talking members are fidgeting with their phone. When the minister responsible for finance comes here members are fidgeting with their phones. When questions are asked, ministers are providing answers members are fidgeting with their phones. It doesn’t tell a good story about us. Mr. Speaker let’s be very honest with ourselves”.

But in a reaction to Graphic Online, Mr. Ahi said minority MPs will resist it.

“…we’ll not accept that, we’ll resist that. He [Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu] cannot impose his wishes on us, we are not school children,” Mr Ahi said, adding “it will be voted down.”