Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central, has urged his fellow MPs to be assertive and demand opportunities for themselves, regardless of public opinion.
Agyapong argues that Ghanaians have long underestimated the critical role of MPs, stressing that the country cannot operate effectively without their active involvement.
His remarks follow amendments to the Roads Regulations Act LI 2180, which will remove the Speaker of Parliament and MPs from the list of individuals authorized to use sirens and motorcades.
“I want to caution my colleagues to be bold for once because we’ve been cowards. When it comes to anything concerning Parliament, we are afraid of the reaction of the public, but anything that the government needs, they will first come to Parliament. For a whole Speaker, you say that he cannot even enjoy a motorcade. Who is Kennedy Agyapong? Who went to the Senate and enjoyed a motorcade under President Kufuor’s administration? We must be bold and speak the truth”.
“Every money this country needs, it has to go through Parliament, but society belittles us as if we are servants to them. Although we are servants to them, we also have to enjoy rights. I want you guys to be bold. Members have to be bold”.
“In case there is an emergency and you need Members of Parliament from, say, Adenta to come here. If he enjoys a motorcade, is it a sin? Mr. Speaker, I am speaking for Parliament that it is a very important institution and therefore we should not be afraid to demand opportunities for ourselves,” Kennedy Agyapong said.
He encouraged MPs to be courageous and stand up for their privileges, emphasizing that if the Speaker of Parliament is not treated with respect, it will ultimately affect them as Members of Parliament.
