The Member of Parliament for Kumbungu Constituency, Ras Mubarak has reacted to the ban of mobile phones in parliament as hinted by the Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Kyei-Mensah Bonsu in Parliament last Thursday. Ras Mubarak has stated that tablets and internet access should be made available to parliamentarians if phones are to be banned.
In an interview on the Happy Morning Show aired on Happy 98.9FM, he said: “During parliamentary proceedings, we sometimes need to cross-check information that some colleagues may be putting out. Secondly, we are the lawmakers. When you consider all the acts of parliament, they are much. Someone may do an inaccurate reference in respects of a law that has been passed. Quickly with internet access, we could crosscheck and see whether that information is accurate or not. So, more often, you will see MPs on their phones but checking news items or crosschecking facts to respond to matters arising on the floor. So if parliament wishes to ban the use of phones in the next parliamentary sitting, then parliament must make provisions. One of them would be to provide internet access or tablets on the console”.
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According to him, even though he believes that fidgeting with one’s phone during a meeting is very disrespectful, he is of the view that parliamentarians using their phones was necessary to enhance their work through research.
He furthered that the absence of these essential tools in parliament will affect the quality of debate in parliament “because no one can carry all the documents to the parliament”.
He, however, noted that inasmuch as some people fidget their phones for the wrong reasons, the media should not generalize the phenomenon rather culprits must be named and shamed.
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The Majority leader, Kyei-Mensah Bonsu stated in parliament that the use of mobile phones will be prohibited in chamber during proceedings once the new standing orders are adopted.
By: Alberta Dorcas N D Armah