Drama as lawmakers exchange blows over electronic tax bill
There was chaos in the Ghana parliament yesterday when some lawmakers exchange blows during voting on the electronic transaction levy bill.
The fight reportedly broke out after Joe Osei-Owusu, the speaker, left his chair to cast his vote in favour of the bill — a decision that was said to have angered the minority in the house.
The parliamentarians reportedly tried to prevent the speaker from casting his vote, arguing that based on the house’s standing order, he was supposed to be neutral.
In a viral video, while the house was taking a vote to decide if the e-levy bill should be treated under certificate of urgency, the aggrieved lawmakers climbed the podium and were seen trying to prevent the speaker from going to cast his vote.
The parliamentarians were seen exchanging blows while some officials tried to protect the speaker’s seat and the mace from being taken.