Education Minister Mathew Opoku Prempeh has denied claims being made by Ningo Prampram Member of Parliament that he called an another member a ‘fool’.
He has described the allegations as “scurrilous and unfounded” by a colleague Member of Parliament.
Sam George had said a brawl that occurred in Parliament on Thursday was triggered by the unsavory language Dr Opoku Prempeh used on his colleague MP for Tamale South, Alhassan Suhuyini.
Sam George
However, in a statement copied to Myjoyonline.com, Dr Prempeh said “First I absolutely and unequivocally deny that I used that word on Hon Suhuyini during the proceedings or at any other time in Parliament yesterday.
“It must be noted that during yesterday’s proceedings, only four Members of Parliament spoke. They are the Majority and Minority Leaders, Hon. Alban Bagbin and Hon. Ayariga,” the statement added.
Dr Opoku Prempeh also indicated that if indeed he had made those comments, it would have been heard by the Speaker and would have been ordered to withdraw the comments.
He added that “I expect Hon. Sam George to do the honourable thing by swiftly apologizing for his unfounded allegation.”
Below is a copy of the statement
PRESS RELEASE: INSULT ALLEGATIONS BY HON. SAM GEORGE
My attention has been drawn to a news item on citifmonline.com, dated Friday 31′ March 2017. The headline reads ‘Napo triggered anger in Parliament, called Suyuhuni a ‘fool- Sam George.’
In the said news item, which was in relation to proceedings in the House yesterday Thursday 30’” March 2017. the Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Hon Sam George is quoted to have said that “…Napo |as I am known by many) had called him [Alhassan Suyuhuni] a fool. During the proceedings he called him ‘kwasia’ and that is what triggered the whole thing…four weeks ago he called me a fool on the floor of the House simply because I had asked the Speaker to ask him if he v/as wearing a school uniform or was properly attired to Parliament.”
First I absolutely and unequivocally deny that I used that word on Hon Suhuyini during the proceedings or at any other time in Parliament yesterday. It must be noted that during yesterday’s proceedings, only four Members of Parliament spoke. They are the Majority and Minority Leaders, Hon. Alban Bagbin and Hon. Ayarigah. In any event, whilst the Hansard (a verbatim record of proceedings) relating to yesterday’s proceedings is not yet available, the proceedings were televised live. Clearly I would have been heard by viewers uttering those words if indeed Hon. Sam George heard them, as he sits on the other side of the House. No doubt the Speaker too would have heard and certainly would have swiftly ordered that I withdraw the word. No such thing occurred, as viewers of yesterday’s proceedings would note.
In respect of the claims relating to four weeks ago. per Hon. Sam George, it is clear he was referring to the proceedings of Friday 10th March 2017, when the issue of my attire came up. As would be noted from the records of that day’s proceedings, at no point did I refer to him in the manner he alleges.
I take grave exception to the scurrilous and unfounded allegations by my colleague Member of Parliament. The people of Ghana have reposed utmost confidence in us by electing us to represent them in the House. It is therefore important that at all times we conduct ourselves with decorum to preserve the integrity of the House and to justify that confidence.
I expect Hon. Sam George to do the honourable thing by swiftly apologizing for his unfounded allegation.