Parliament: Mahama condemns military invasion of chamber

Former President John Dramani Mahama has condemned the military invasion of the Chamber of Parliament Thursday, January 7, 2021.

He also condemned the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema West Carlos Ahenkorah for snatching ballot papers during the counting process to decide the Speaker of the House.

In a congratulatory message to Alban Bagbin on his election as the Speaker of the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic, the flagbearer of the NDC in the 2020 elections called on Parliament to investigate the military invasion of the House.

“Congratulations Rt. Hon. Alban Sumani Kingsford Bagbin on your election as the Speaker of the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic”, he wrote on his Facebook page on Thursday.

“The attempt to snatch ballot papers by the MP-elect for Tema West and the invasion of the Chamber by armed military personnel are images one had never expected to see in our 4th Republican Parliament.

“The recent use of the military in civil democratic processes has become a major worry and gives the impression that this administration is continually seeking to resurrect the exorcised ghosts of our military past. Parliament must conduct an investigation into the two incidents and exact appropriate sanctions”, he stated.

Recall

Armed soldiers Thursday stormed the Chamber of Parliament following the continued failure of the Members of Parliament-elect to elect the Speaker for the Eighth Parliament.

The soldiers, numbering about 20, emerged in the Chamber together with armed policemen ostensibly to restore calm in the Chamber.

The well-armed security detail, with some having facemasks, came to the floor of Parliament at about 3.30 a.m. reportedly on the orders of the former Minister of Defence, Mr Dominic Nitiwul.

The appearance of the military rocked the nerves of the legislators especially members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Singing the national anthem and other patriotic songs, the NDC MPs-elect resisted the presence of the military men in the Chamber, asking them to leave.

Standing on their ground, the NDC MPs were heard saying that until the military left the Chamber no vote for the next Speaker should take place.

Read the full statement below: