News:
June 26, 2024
All six members of the Ghanaian Parliamentary delegation from the Local Government Committee undertaking parliamentary duties in Kenya are safe.
The ranking member on the committee, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye disclosed this to Albert Ocansey, host of TV3’s Ghana Tonight show on Tuesday.
They are
• Emmanuel Gyamfi, MP for Odotobri the chairman of the local government committee,
• Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, MP for Odododiodoo
• Thomas Ampem, MP for Asuogyaman
• Sylvester Tetteh, MP for Bortiano-Ngleshie Amanfro
• Mohammed Tufeiru, MP for Nanton as well as the Clark to the committee, Rita Feo
Violent anti-tax protest against the parliament of Kenya erupted on Tuesday following the passage of tax amendments bill that imposes 17 additional tax burdens on the citizens.
The protesters, mainly youth-led groups in their thousands staged their opposition to the tax amendment bill with a peaceful protest some days ago across the capital, Nairobi and other parts of the country; but things escalated on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 following the passage of the bill.
The violent-protest resulted in part of the parliament house being set ablaze and the vandalization of facilities at the parliament house. At least five people are also reported to have been shot dead with dozens wounded.
The Speaker and Members of parliament including foreign delegations from different countries including Ghana had to be whisked away away to safety.
Mr. Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, recounting the ordeal on the Ghana Tonight Show, said “what we saw in Kenya was frightening; was a determined force of civilians overpowering and overcoming security forces that have been detailed to prevent them from achieving their objectives of entering the parliament house.
According to him, the protestors over-powered the security, destroyed all barricades and even took over some of the security vehicles; and it took the intervention of military reinforcement to bring some level of calm.
Members of the Local Government Committee have been in Kenya since Saturday for bench marking of the Kenyan National Assembly and the Senate.
Ghanamps.com