[ 2017-03-13 ]

Mercy Ama Sey, MP - Akwatia Constituency

Experts defend Ama Sey; don't ridicule English deficient MPs
The Executive Director for the African Center for
Parliamentary Affairs has supported calls for
Members of Parliament (MPs) who are deficient in
the English language to be commended and not
ridiculed.

He believes that hiring interpreter services for
such MPs - as many are calling for - would further
open them up for further ridicule.

"If they start using this kind of services when
everyone else gets up and speaks English, it is
going to further create problems," he said.

Dr Dramani was reacting to comments by the founder
of the African University College of
Communication, Professor Kojo Yankah who said it
is time Ghanaians celebrated such individuals.

Citing the Odikro Survey which ranked the
performance of the MPs based on their
contributions on the floor of the House, he said
might be because they have nothing to contribute.

"Others might be because of this particular issue,
they are concerned about the fact that once I
speak and I make a mistake in the English
language, the whole country is going to hear about
it," he said.

Since the beginning of the sixth parliament, the
MP for Akwatia, Mercy Ama Sey, has generated a lot
of debate on social and traditional media about
whether there should be interpreter services hired
for some MPs.

Her low level of English proficiency has been a
big talking point with people questioning her
ability to contribute to debates on the floor of
parliament.

Ama Sey who was a hairdresser before winning her
seat was also recently ridiculed for her poor
delivery of a speech at an Independence Day
celebration parade in her constituency.

She told Joy News' Mamavi Owusu Aboagye in a
recent interview that she is aware many are
ridiculing her on social media.

Although she defeated incumbent MP and former
Deputy Labour and Employment Minister, Baba Jamal
who constantly referred to her as a
‘hairdresser’ during the campaign period, she
said she is saddened by the wave of attacks on her
English proficiency.

Madam Sey, however, said she is unperturbed by the
taunts adding that she is proud of her herself and
her journey so far.

According to her, like most first timers in the
House, she is still learning the basics of how the
legislature works and would hopefully ‘flow’
in April.'

Source - Myjoyonline.com

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