Former President and 2020 Presidential Candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress, NDC, John Mahama, has described as unnecessary the stand-off between the Ghana Police Service and Parliament over the attempts to interrogate the Madina MP over his role in a protest in his constituency.
Speaking on Accra-based Power FM ahead of his tour of the Greater Accra Region, Mr. Mahama said Parliament and police needed to come to an amicable settlement on the matter like had been done in the past.
“There are also procedures they can use to resolve this matter, including inviting the police to speak to the MP involved in the speaker’s office. You do not just arrest and interrogate him.”
Mr. Mahama stressed that separation of powers was key to protect MPs from the Executive.
“Under our constitution, there is the separation of powers and special dispensation to deal with MPs who violate the law.”
“The president can use the police to harass other arms of government. This is why MPs are enjoying a certain immunity. That is why the police treat their cases differently,” Mr. Mahama said.
The former President also backed Mr. Sosu’s role in the October 25 protest to demand better roads in his constituency.
“As part of their mandate, MPs are supposed to show leadership. Xavier Sosu was leading his constituents to demand their share of national development,” Mr. Mahama said.
Background
Mr. Sosu led a demonstration in which the police contend included some unlawful acts, hence the attempt to arrest the MP.
Mr. Sosu has said police even manhandled him on the day of the protest.
This led to him filing a complaint in Parliament.
There were also police officers present at a church the MP attended service last week Sunday.
But police have denied that there was an attempt to arrest the MP at his church.
The Speaker of Parliament further refused a Police request to release the Madina MP for interrogation.
This compelled the police to secure a criminal summons for Mr. Sosu to appear in court on November 8, 2021.
The MP however missed the court date because he was out of the country.
