The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called for more civil society engagements in the work of Parliament.

He also stressed the importance of enhancing parliament-citizen interface and engagement through partnership with civil society and think tanks as captured in Parliament’s Corporate Strategic Plan (2020-2024).

According to him, no government could make democracy possible without civil society playing their active roles.

Courtesy call

Mr Bagbin made the call when the Executive Director of the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), Mr Mensah Thompson, paid a courtesy call on him last Monday.

During the courtesy call, Mr Thompson presented a petition to the Speaker to set up an enquiry into the conduct of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema West, Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, on January 6, 2021 on the floor of Parliament.

The petition said Mr Ahenkorah’s conduct brought the dignity of the House into disrepute.

The petition quoted section 28, 29, 30(c)(g)(k) of the Standing Orders of the House to back its request.

It added that the conduct of the Tema West legislator constituted a breach of the privileges of Parliament.

Commendation

Mr Bagbin commended the leadership of ASEPA for becoming one of the national voices in the short period it had existed.

“We want to bring Parliament closer to the people and ASEPA finds itself in a very unique position to support the Eighth Parliament and help carry the people along,” he said.

On the petition against Mr Ahenkorah, the Speaker assured ASEPA that the petition would be studied and the right action taken.

Speaker’s election

On January 7, 2021, during the election of the Speaker for the Eighth Parliament, Mr Ahenkorah snatched uncounted ballot papers and attempted to bolt with them after realising his side had lost the speakership position.

He was overpowered and accosted at the entrance of the parliamentary chamber and physically challenged by some NDC MPs.

He subsequently apologised for what he did saying that “I did it for the grass roots who relied on us in power to survive, the President, who needs some peace to run the country, and the greater New Patriotic Party (NPP) party as a whole because we cannot always allow the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to threaten and vilify us. I apologise though to my family and friends both far and near who may be affected by my actions.”

“The NPP in me couldn’t be controlled. I apologise but I tried!” he said.