The Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has advised politicians to collaboratively take proactive measures to address public discontent to prevent agitations and protests.
Using the recent protests in Kenya, which resulted in the deaths of several Kenyans, the underlying causes of public discontent must be tackled collectively, irrespective of political affiliation.
He said this on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
Some Kenyan citizens demonstrated in the capital city of Nairobi and broke into the parliament building and set part of it on fire Tuesday, just after lawmakers voted to pass the new finance bill.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said at least 22 people were killed in the clashes.
Reacting to this, the Majority Leader said: “The recent Gen Z activism in Kenya serves as a striking warning. To prevent such scenarios in Ghana, it is imperative that the political class collaboratively take proactive and comprehensive measures to address the underlying causes of public discontent.
“Our preoccupation with political manoeuvring should not blind us to the reality of public expectations. Let us recommit to a national agenda that not only leverages the potential of our youth but also unlocks the massive development potential often associated with a demographic dividend.”
On his part, Ododiodiodio MP Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, who was present in Kenya when the incident occurred, also made a similar appeal.
“We should not be deceived. Yes, we can preach and preach and preach peace all the time. But when people think that the impunity of the political class is beyond their endurance, they will definitely react.
“Today, as we sit here, the perception out there is that the executive is corrupt. The judiciary has become a political pawn. We, the legislature, are selfish and uncaring and they have low expectations of our ability to fight for them. And that is a danger.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
