'I completely and totally disagree with you, Mr Speaker' - John Jinapor

"I completely and totally disagree with the Speaker’s comment," says the Member of Parliament for Yapei/Kasawugu in the Northern Region, John Abdulai Jinapor.

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Mike Aaron Oquaye, has come under a barrage of attack., especially from media practitioners after he made some comments deemed as an attempt to gag the media.

Contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM's morning show programme, 'Kokrokoo', Hon Jinapor said "let’s be frank; for the Speaker to issue those gag orders threatening them (media), was wrong. If I were him, I will withdraw this; the press must be given the freedom to do their work. I completely and totally disagree with the speaker’s comment".

Background

Rt. Hon Prof Mike Oquaye reportedly issued a stern warning to members of the Parliamentary Press Corps at Wednesday's sitting.

This follows a complaint from the Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu to the effect that journalists abandoned proceedings of the House to give audience to the MP for Ellembelle Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah who had concerns about the Energy sector aspect of the President's 2020 State of the Nation Address.

Speaking on the floor of the House, the Speaker indicated that he will not hesitate to declare journalists as strangers to parliament by revoking their accreditation if due coverage is not given to proceedings in the House.

"It is forbidden if they have any doubt to abandon the permission given them to cover proceeding in this honourable House and go outside the chamber itself and do some other work....... and I want to let the media know if that which was reported to have happened should happen anymore I will......on the fact that you are here as a guest......any, such act will make you unwelcomed guest...," he warned.

The Speaker is later said to have summoned the Dean of Parliamentary Press Corps and the Director of Public Affairs of Parliament over the conduct of journalists.