Dr. Richard Amoako Baah, former head of the Political Science Department at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to bear the cost of damages caused during proceedings at the Appointments Committee sitting.
This comes on the back of the Speaker of Parliament suspended some four MPs following chaotic scenes at the Appointments Committee hearings on January 30 and 31.
The Speaker’s action has caused widespread debate over the legality and fairness of the move.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey, Dr. Amoako Baah expressed his frustration over MPs’ refusal to take financial responsibility for damaged equipment, including microphones.
“You have to put them on notice that this nonsense will not continue anymore,” he stated. “It’s not even a harsh punishment. How much do you just speak, mics and so forth? This is what they are afraid of. They don’t want to pay.”
He compared the situation to students damaging school property, pointing out that in such cases, parents are held accountable.
“Now, in your case, you’ve done the same thing. You are an adult, a parliamentarian for Christ’s sake. And if you do that, who should pay? The taxpayers should pay you again?” he questioned.
