Member of Parliament for Okaikoi Central Patrick Yaw Boamah has deplored the behaviour of some members of the House during the State of the Nation address.
MPs, he said, should know when to be measured to command public respect, especially during such an important occasion when the eyes of the world and the entire country were on the legislature.
According to him, the country and indeed Ghanaians are looking to their representatives in the House of Parliament for leadership.
Hon. Patrick Boamah expressed his displeasure at what he indicated were inappropriate and unruly behaviour by some of his colleagues during the President’s visit on Tuesday.
He expressed this lamentation when he moved a motion on Wednesday 10th March, 2021 for the House to thank the President for the message he delivered.
He averred that delivery of the SONA is an important occasion for the House with many distinguished visitors, members of the Diplomatic Corps, the Judiciary among many others present.
Members, he said, must show leadership and demonstrate to the electorate that the votes they cast on December 7, which require the parties in Parliament to work together as a House was not in vain.
“We need to earn respect of the public and work accordingly,” he said.
Members of Parliament, especially the minority, as customary to the delivery of the SONA, heckled the President, displayed placards, and engaged in catcalls and boos when the Chief Justice was introduced by Speaker of the House.
When the Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, was introduced the Minority members began shouting ‘We want Ramatu, we want Ramatu!’
Readers would recall during the swearing-in of the President on 7th January, the Speaker introduced a ‘Mrs. Ramatu Bawumia’ as the spouse of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia the Vice President.
Though the Speaker subsequently corrected the name to Mrs. Samira Bawumia, information indicates Ramatu is the first wife of the Vice President and her family was peeved at the constant neglect of her presence at state functions.
They, therefore, insisted the name be included on the list during the investiture of the President and the Vice, leading to confusion.
