MPs make case for suspension of sitting over coronavirus

Some Members of Parliament have made a case for sitting to be suspended after Ghana recorded six cases of  coronavirus, formally known as COVID-19.

According to the MPs, all institutions including parliament must abide by President Akufo-Addo’s ban on all public gatherings.

MPs leading the crusade are MP for Juaboso,Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga.

“I am of the view that if we are going to respect the president’s directive that a gathering should not exceed 25, and we are 275 plus speaker and clerks, then we should also not be sitting.

“That’s what I think. Under the rules, the speaker can designate how we can sit differently,” Mr Ayariga told Joy News.

He argued Members of Parliament had the chance of infecting a larger group, especially as they interact with their constituents often.

“If we prevent ourselves from being infected, we will be saving others because we interact with a lot of our constituents,” the Bawku Central MP added.

His comments, however, were not any different from the Juaboso MP, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.

“We should be working. But congregating or coming together on the floor of the house, I believe, is not the best,” Mr. Mintah Akandoh told Joy News.

Their concerns come despite efforts put in place by parliament to ensure MPs and visitors sanitize their hands before entering the chamber.

Thermometers had also been provided to check the temperature of MPs and visitors before they are allowed to enter the house.

Coronavirus: Parliament to check temperatures of MPs, visitors before entering the chamber

Despite these efforts, the legislators do not seem convinced about the safety protocols in the house.