Covid-19: Some MPs have tested positive but…

Reports indicate that some Members of 8th Parliament of Ghana are not adhering to the covid-19 safety protocols even when some of their colleagues have tested positive for the disease.

Although the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin confirmed that some MPs had tested positive for the disease, he did not mention their names due to confidentiality.

However, he cautioned the MPs to adhere to the safety protocols, adding that he will be compelled to disclose their names if they fail to adhere to the protocols.

“…Some are afflicted by Covid-19. You do not know who the person is, because of the protocols, issues of confidentiality, we have not disclosed those who are now covid-19 positive, but we have some of us in that category and so members should take the protocols seriously,” he said.

He admitted that although the virus started spreading slowly, it has gradually risen, reiterating the need for all to take the precautionary measures seriously.

“The numbers started slowly and it is rising. I don’t want to be compelled next week to read out the names of those who haven’t complied with the directive. And so this is the last call I want to make on members because the team from the Noguchi Institute will be available on Monday and Tuesday, they are attending basically to the staff, both parliamentary and support staff,” he said.

The Speaker advised members to take advantage of the three days set aside for testing and do the needful for the good of their own selves, friends and family.

“If I see that members are not complying, I will be compelled to read out the names of those who have not yet undergone the process of testing,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South Hon. Haruna Iddrisu expressed worry over how his colleagues from the other side were disregarding the covid-19 safety protocols.

He said the Speaker’s directives of having only 1/3 of members on the floor due to covid-19 was not obeyed by his colleagues from the other side because they wanted to be in the chamber in their numbers to vote against the motion moved by the MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga on Thursday, January 28th, 2021 on the admission fees for entrance of new university students.

Haruna Iddrisu lamented that the Leader of the Majority Group Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu overlooked that but is now preaching about covid-19 and how physical distancing should be observed.

He stated clearly they will all come to the floor to vote without considering COVID-19 when there is the need to vote on any important bill or motion and bear the consequences.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Afia Kwarteng Asamani & Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori

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