Former President John Dramani Mahama has said it was needless for the military to have invaded the Chamber when the 8th Parliament was being sworn in and a new speaker being elected. He said the matter must be investigated. In multiple tweets regarding proceedings in the House Mr Mahama condemned the attempt to snatch ballot papers by Tema West Member of Parliament Carlos Ahenkorah.
Military men stormed the chamber following stalemate between MPs-elect for the NDC and NPP sides while they were electing a new Speaker of the House. Carlos Aheknorah snatched ballot papers during counting process. The Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) said “Congratulations Rt. Hon. Alban Sumani Kingsford Bagbin on your election as the Speaker of the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic.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. 4/6
— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) January 7, 2021
“The events of last night stretching into the morning of 7th January have been both a great occasion for Ghana’s democracy and at the same time a day of infamy, which will go down as a low point in our democratic practice. “The election of Speaker Bagbin affirms what a great democracy we can build for ourselves and how dialogue and consensus building can make us even stronger as a nation.” He added “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.The recent use of the military in civil democratic processes has become a major worry & gives the impression that this admin is continually seeking to resurrect the exorcised ghosts of our military past. 5/6
— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) January 7, 2021
“Congratulations to the leadership of the NDC Caucus and the Caucus members for your dedication and commitment.” Mr Babgin was elected Speaker on Thursday January 7. By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana]]>The recent use of the military in civil democratic processes has become a major worry & gives the impression that this admin is continually seeking to resurrect the exorcised ghosts of our military past. 5/6
— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) January 7, 2021
