The minister was caught in the heat of event and had his nose mask even torn as he exchanged blows with opponents in parliament
Ghana’s Youth and Sports minister Ussif Mustapha was reportedly rushed to the hospital following a fisfight in Parliament between some Members of Parliament on Monday night on the disagreement during the voting on government’s E-levy bill.
The fight ensued when the MPs were voting in a headcount to decide whether the E-levy bill should be accepted under a certificate of urgency or not.
However, the Minority members in parliament rose from their seats to prevent the First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei Owusu, who was presiding over the House, from leaving his seat in his attempt to participate in the voting process.
In their bid to prevent him, the majority got infuriated and quickly rushed to the Speaker’s table to and a chaos started.
According to the Minority MPs claims, Mr Osei-Owusu, while in the position of Speaker, does not have the right to take part of the voting process.
Before the sitting, the Majority had held a press conference stating the whereabouts of the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, was unknown.
However, since the bill had been laid before the House, the First Deputy Speaker took over proceedings in the House.
During deliberations, the Minority MPs challenged the decision by the Majority MPs to place the Bill under a certificate of urgency.
Although a voice vote was taken with the First Deputy Speaker ruling favouring the Majority, the NDC MPs called for a headcount instead.
Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu then decided to swap positions with the Second Deputy Speaker, who had voted to take part in the decision making.
However, the Minority MPs who disagreed with that position swiftly moved to the Speaker’s seat to stop the swap. Members of the Majority also moved to the Speaker’s seat, which led to the crash.
The Youth and Sports minister Ussif Mustapha was seen trading blows with some NDC members and had his nose mask torn. There was a slap from MP of Ashaiman Alfred Kwame Agbesi which landed on his face before he was dragged away by his colleagues.
Reports later revealed that the Youth and Sports minister has been sent to a hospital nearby for check up and treatment.
More to follow…
