News:
January 15, 2019
Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has indicated his intention to go to court if standard directives given by the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye for Deputy Trade Minister Carlos Ahenkorah to apologies to the former is not strictly followed as directed for calling him a “thief”.
He noted that matters raised by the Tema West legislator are very grave matters and Ghanaians have to be very clear in their minds.
“If it is that I was stealing through all my education, it is criminal it means all my certificates has to be withdrawn which may affect my membership of this House, this are not matters you lightly this is going on record and you do not know who is going to reference it. More so coming from a MP who had said this about you”, he lamented.
But for the intervention of the “RT Hon Speaker”, I had a writ but for the respect I had for the speaker I had to hold, he said. The North Tongu legislator said in an interview with ghanamps.com that he is prepare to forgive and move on if, the apologies of Carlos Ahenkorah is unconditional as directed by the Speaker.
He further pointed out that, if the apology does not meet the standard in the view of the ordinary Ghanaian and leadership of the House, he would have no other choice but to defend his good name.
As to why he did not join his colleague from Tema West when he held his press conference to apologies to him, he noted that, it was not part of the Speakers directive when they met the Speaker earlier.
Mr. Okudzeto indicated that he will not be intimidated by the unfortunate incident, he will continue to perform is oversight duty diligently and seek the Nations interest, “it is all about moving the Nation forward it is not personal”.
He said, I hope that colleagues on the other side will acknowledge that just as we allow them to do their job when they were in the Minority, what didn’t they say about our short comings observations when we were in government.
We did not beat them up, our language was decorous, and we expect same from them, he added.
“It has been a difficult time personally, I will thank the media for your support and prayers and thanked the chief and people of North Tongue for listening to me, I pleaded with them to restrain themselves especially the youth I hope we will be able to agree to disagree”.
By: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com