The Privileges Committee of Parliament is divided over the next steps for its probe into contempt charges against Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong.

The committee chaired by Joe Osei Owusu met via zoom earlier today and fixed Thursday, August 5, for the public hearing.

Tamale North MP Alhassan Suhuyini who is the petitioner is expected to be the first witness, after which Mr Agyapong will appear.

NDC MP for Sagnerigu A. B. A. Fuseini who is a member of the committee says they boycotted the meeting because the chairman rejected NDC MPs proposal for an in-person meeting.

He says they don't recognise the outcome of today's zoom meeting.

“Majority of the members even I hear, including from his side indicated that they wanted a face to face personal meeting.

“The First Deputy Speaker respectfully failed us, woefully, on this occasion, by not using his expertise in this House to know that no committee can work solo and succeed, it is not possible,” he said.

Background

Mr Agyapong was on Friday, July 9, reported to have verbally abused and threatened to attack Mr Asare Donkor, “for the journalistic work that the latter undertook during the recent shootings and killing incident at Ejura” on Net 2 TV, a television station owned by the MP.

He was filmed on a live programme which was widely published on social media platforms, stating that, “if he [Mr Agyapong] were President, he would have ensured that Erastus Asare Donkor is beaten mercilessly.”

Following his actions, MP for Tamale North, Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini drew the attention of the House to the said matter and he moved for the motion that the Assin Central MP be investigated for his recent conduct.

Meanwhile, the Multimedia Group has filed a formal complaint against the Assin Central legislator, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong for threatening the life of one of its journalists, Erastus Asare Donkor.