Thomas Ampem Nyarko, Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, joined congregants of Akosombo Presbyterian Church on Sunday to express gratitude for God’s protection after he and four other Ghanaian lawmakers, along with a clerk, were caught in a violent protest in Kenya on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
The MPs involved in the incident were Emmanuel Gyamfi, the chairman, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, Sylvester Tetteh, and Mohammed Tuferu.
The Ghanaian parliamentarians were part of the Local Government Committee on a study visit to Kenya, along with counterparts from Namibia and Malawi.
The protest erupted after Kenyan MPs voted to approve the Finance Bill, 2024, which introduced new taxes.
Hundreds of anti-Finance Bill protesters stormed the Parliament building, setting fire to police vehicles and clashing with security forces.
The protesters managed to break through barriers and access the Parliament despite heavy security.
They set ablaze part of the parliament building. Dozens of protestors were killed by Police across the country.
During the chaos, the Ghanaian delegation was in the Parliament building. Nii Lantey Vanderpuye reported, “We are safe in Nairobi. We were lucky to escape unhurt today. We, however, inhaled a bit of teargas. We had to be escorted to a bunker and later to a safer place.”
The MPs described the experience as traumatic.
Thomas Ampem Nyarko’s participation in the church service was a moment of reflection and gratitude for the safety and well-being of the Ghanaian delegation during the unrest.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
